TPi April 2008

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14 Tube Products International April 2008
newsbusiness & market
The organisers of the XIV Pipes
Conference expect this year’s event to
be the largest ever.
The conference brings together the
global plastic pipe community, and will
be held 22-24 September 2008 at the
Marriott Hotel in Budapest.
The previous event, in Washington in
October 2006, attracted 450 attendees
from over 35 countries. According to
Dr David Walton, marketing manager,
Borouge Pipes, “After more than 70
years, our knowledge of plastic pipe
technology is still continuously
expanding. Important developments will
be announced during the course of this
conference. Key subjects of papers will
involve market issues, plastic pipeline
solutions, application areas and pipe
system developments.”
Plastic pipe systems are making
important inroads in Central Eastern
Europe. Frank Jones, director of the
BPF Plastic Pipes Group explained,
“This year’s premier conference takes
place at a turning point for the industry
and especially for the region. The
pace of plastics conversion is now
accelerating in every application and on
every continent. The reasons are clear:
the poor legacy of competitive pipe
materials, concern for climate change
and attendant water shortage and surfeit
coupled with a wider appreciation for
the benefits of plastic pipe systems.”
The conference will also address
environmental issues. “It is perhaps time
we should stop talking about climate
change and start thinking about how
to create a mind change,” commented
Mr Jones. “If the world were to invest in a
sustainable future by using plastic pipes,
many water issues would be solved. We
would have leak free distribution of water,
more economic irrigation techniques and
improved drainage and flood control.”
The three-day schedule will include the
presentation of around ninety papers,
a trade exhibition and a social pro-
gramme. As many as 600 participants
are expected.
Technical information will not be the
only resource on offer: communication
will also be a valuable medium. Zoran
Davidovski, vice president marketing of
Pipelife and chairman of the organising
committeecommented, “Theconference
is always an ideal meeting place for
delegates and the latest ideas from utility
companies, technical and certification
institutes, plastic pipe companies,
equipment manufacturers, compound
makers and other suppliers. ”
Plastic Pipes XIV is organised by
TEPPFA, PE 100 +, PVC4Pipes and the
Plastics Pipe Institute.
XIV Pipes Conference – Hungary
AM Castle & Co
acquires Metals
UK Group
AM Castle & Co, a global distributor of
speciality metal and plastic products,
value-added services and supply chain
solutions, has announced that it has
acquired the outstanding capital stock
of Metals UK Group, a distributor and
processor of speciality metals primarily
serving the oil and gas, aerospace,
petrochemical and power generation
markets.
Metals UK Group has four processing
facilities; two in Blackburn, England,
including its headquarters, one in
Hoddesdon North East of London, and
one in Bilbao, Spain. Sales outside
of the UK comprise approximately
25% of the company’s total revenues,
and include customers in 36 countries
throughout Europe, Asia, Australasia
and the Americas.
Current management will remain in
place, including Ian Griffiths, founder
and president of Metals UK Group and
a former member of the AM Castle
management team.
“Metals UK Group is complementary to
our existing North American operations
and provides an opportunity for Castle to
expand its global reach,” stated Michael
Goldberg, president and CEO of AM
Castle. “The company’s speciality metals
product offering, processing capabilities
and supply chain expertise not only
complement our business, but also
service potential high growth industries
we seek to expand our presence in.”
Within its core metals business,
AM Castle & Co specialises in the
distribution of alloy and stainless steels,
nickel alloys, aluminium and carbon.
Through its subsidiary, Total Plastics,
Inc, the company also distributes a
broad range of value-added industrial
plastics. Together, Castle operates over
50 locations throughout North America
and Europe.
AM Castle & Co – USA
Metals UK – UK
XIV Pipes Conference
Plymouth Tube Co appoints
new general manager
Plymouth Tube Company, USA, has announced that Gavin Ford has accepted
the position of general manager of Winamac Hot Mill, as of 3 March 2008.
Mr Ford, who has a BS in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics
from Bradley University in Peoria, IL, was previously employed at Prestolite
Wire Corporation, where he held the positions of director of manufacturing
and sourcing, Asia, and director of manufacturing, Canadian operations.
Mr Ford has also held operations management positions with Pram Filtration
and Wheelabrator Corporation. Additionally, he owned and operated a
premium private label meat company.
Plymouth Tube Company – USA
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