TPi October 2009

18 / 68

newsbusiness & market
16 Tube Products International October 2009
CRC-EVANS Pipeline International
has acquired a majority interest in
UK-based Global Pipelines, and the two
companies will work together to provide
start-to-finish managed services for the
spoolbase and offshore sectors.
Global Pipelines was formed in 2007
as a division of Global Resources,
providing specialised welding services.
The company’s management team, led
by managing director Ben MacKay, is
experienced in the offshore oil and gas
industry, with capabilities encompassing
spoolbases, and conventional laybarge,
j-lay, s-lay, and reel-lay managed services.
“Global Pipelines is a natural fit for our
business,” said Brian Laing, president
Hypertherm, a specialist in plasma
arc metal cutting technology, has
announced a favourable settlement in
a patent infringement lawsuit against
the American Torch Tip Corporation
(ATTC).
Exact terms are undisclosed, however,
the settlement includes a cash
payment from ATTC to Hypertherm,
and an agreement that ATTC will stop
producing the parts at issue in the
lawsuit. In addition, ATTC has agreed
to destroy key parts in its inventory
for Hypertherm’s HyPerformance
HPR systems.
“Hypertherm devotes an enormous
amount of resources to the development
and chief operating officer of CRC-
Evans Pipeline Equipment & Automatic
Welding Group. “We can support their
significant experience with our leading
technology, and that will prove to
be a powerful combination for our
customers.”
Four divisions of CRC-Evans will offer
particular technology and expertise
to Global Pipelines: CRC-Evans
Engineered Systems (which deals with
furnishing pipe handling equipment);
CRC-Evans Inspection Group
(advanced testing technologies); PIH
Joint Coating Services (leading-edge
coating systems); and CRC-Evans
Automatic Welding (automated pipeline
welding).
of technologically advanced plasma
cutting systems and consumables,”
commented Evan Smith, Hypertherm’s
vice president and general manager.
“We believe that our innovations
deliver unique advantages and
superior productivity and profitability
for Hypertherm’s customers. As such,
we are very protective of our inventions
and will use whatever legal means
necessary to ensure that our patents
are not violated.”
Hypertherm filed suit against ATTC
in 2005 for infringing four patented
technologies. Those patents covered
Hypertherm technology designed
to deliver faster cut speeds, longer
consumable life, improved cut quality,
CRC-Evans acquires Global Pipelines
Settlement in patent infringement
CRC-Evans Pipeline International –
USA
Global Pipelines – UK
better torch cooling, and dross-free
performance to customers using
genuine Hypertherm consumables. The
Hypertherm patents cover more than
30 consumable parts for approximately
20 Hypertherm systems. Terms of
the settlement prohibit ATTC from
continuing to manufacture these parts.
Hypertherm designs and manufactures
advanced plasma cutting systems
for use in a variety of industries such
as shipbuilding, manufacturing, and
automotive repair. Its product line
includes handheld and mechanised
plasma systems and consumables, as
well as CNC motion and height controls.
Hypertherm Europe BV –
The Netherlands
CRC-Evans and Global Pipelines will ▲ ▲
provide services for spoolbase and
offshore sectors
Redesigned website for small diameter tube manufacturer
GREENVILLE Tube, a manufacturer of small diameter stainless steel and nickel alloy seamless and welded and drawn
tubing delivered with short lead times, has launched a redesigned website. The site has undergone significant information
and design changes to allow visitors to find the data they need quickly and easily. The website contains information on
products, technical guidelines to be used in design, and quality tests performed.
Greenville Tube offers fast delivery of small diameter tubing that is available in stainless steel, duplex stainless steel,
super austenitic stainless steel, and nickel alloys. The company’s tubing is used for various applications in the chemical
and petrochemical industries, shipping, dental, medical, machined parts, fabricated parts, food, heat exchangers, heater
tubes, fuel line and engine parts. Parent company RathGibson is a manufacturer of custom engineered stainless steel,
nickel, and titanium tubing for diverse industries such as chemical, petrochemical, power generation, oil and gas, food,
beverage, pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, medical, biotechnology and general commercial.
Greenville Tube – USA