TPi July 2009

news business & market

New Buenos Aires office for RathGibson

Businesses are evolving from being segmented and state-controlled into efficient, well-organised com- panies with significant private and independent ownership. The Buenos Aires office joins RathGibson’s other international offices in Australia, Austria, Bahrain, China, India, Singapore and South Korea in providing local real-time support to its global customers.

RathGibson, a manufacturer of welded, welded and drawn, and seamless stainless steel, nickel, and titanium tubing, has opened an office in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Led by Cristian Rohde, the new office will serve both Central and South America.

RathGibson – USA www.rathgibson.com

As director of business develop- ment for Central and South America Mr Rohde, who is fluent in English, German, Portuguese, and Spanish, will concentrate on providing high quality products and services to RathGibson’s customers, and will report directly to Andrew Yeghnazar, vice president of international sales and business development. “ An office in Buenos Aires opens many avenues of communication and opportunities for RathGibson and our customers in that region, ” said Mr Yeghnazar. “ Based upon his extensive background, Cristian is an ideal addition to the RathGibson family. ”

Van Leeuwen reports good results

RS S athGibson’s new Buenos Aires office is led by Cristian Rohde

The Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group has reported ending 2008 with a good result. Turnover increased by 6% to €789 million (2007: €748 million). A net result of €35.2 million was achieved (2007: €49.7 million). The operating result amounted to €45.1 million for 2008 (2007: €64.8 million), and the tax burden was 25%, compared to 26% last year. 2008 was characterised by extremes. Until the summer there was excellent demand in various markets and sectors. The sales in all product groups – seamless and welded pipes and tubes in both carbon steel and stainless steel – increased, and logistical capacity was fully utilised. Material prices rose sharply, and the availability of some products became a problem. In the last months of the year it became clear that the Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group was facing rapidly deteriorating market conditions. Virtually all sectors saw a significant decline in demand, especially in machine building, transport and trailer building, construction and steel construction. The oil and gas sector was cautious with investments. The construction of power plants around the world did not show much slowdown.

The new office represents RathGibson’s first venture into Central and South America. The South American steel industry has undergone a transformation during the last twenty years.

Casing pipes for the Syrian Petroleum Company

Steel pipe and railway wheel producer Interpipe has completed the delivery of casing pipes to the Syrian Petroleum Company (SPC). Interpipe delivered casing pipes amounting to 12,700 tonnes, including 5,600 tonnes of pipes with the UPJ (Ukrainian Premium Joint) connection. Casing pipes are used for the casing of oil and gas wells. Interpipe developed the highly hermetic Ukrainian Premium Joint for use in the construction of horizontal and directional oil and gas wells, and for the development of oil and gas fields in difficult geological conditions. Rostyslav Chudnovsky, sales director of oil and gas pipes at Interpipe commented, “ Interpipe is delighted to complete delivery of casing pipes to the Syrian Petroleum Company – the largest national company in Syria. Since 2006 Interpipe has worked successfully with SPC and intends to develop a long-term strategic partnership. ” The specification and service performances of Interpipe’s UPJ meet international standards used in global oil and gas production. Joint packing ‘metal-metal’ coupled with trapezoidal buttress thread provides highly hermetic joints as well as durability and firmness for ultimate joint strength.

Interpipe – Ukraine press-office@interpipe.biz www.interpipe.biz

The prices of seamless pipes stabilised, while the prices for welded pipes and

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Tube Products International July 2009

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