TPi November 2014

business & market news

OMS appoints new CEO to drive growth plans Pipe measurement specialist Optical Metrology Services (OMS) has appointed Denise Smiles as its chief executive officer, replacing former CEO and founder Dr Tim Clarke, who is appointed as non-executive chairman. Ms Smiles will steer the company through the next important phase of its ambitious growth plans, which include a target of £20mn in sales revenues within five years. than double our existing floor space. In addition, following another successful financial year, we have ambitious strategic growth plans for the next five years and so we are actively recruiting more staff to help us achieve this goal.”

Part of this growth is expected to come from new measurement and inspection tools, software and services, aimed primarily at oil and gas customers. These new products and services will enable the inspection of complex welds inside smaller diameter pipes, as well as measuring inside complex curved pipes and manifolds. Further growth is expected to come from expansion into new market sectors such as aerospace, nuclear, pharmaceuticals and precision manufacturing, where measurement and inspection of pipes and similar tube-shaped products is critical. “I am delighted and proud to be appointed CEO at OMS,” said Ms Smiles. “My appointment coincides with other exciting announcements here recently. OMS is about to move into new premises near Stansted, which will more

2013 was OMS’s most successful year to date, with sales revenues approaching £5.1mn, and the company is on course to achieve sales revenues of £6mn in 2014. It will also be spending more than half a million pounds on new product development over the next 12 months. With more than 20 years’ commercial experience working for a wide range of blue chip organisations, Ms Smiles has a proven track record in developing and improving business revenue streams and profit. Since joining OMS she has been business development director (2006 to 2008), and commercial director (2008 to 2014). Optical Metrology Services – UK info@omsmeasure.com www.omsmeasure.com

Denise Smiles, OMS’s new CEO

New facility to support flexible subsea pipe markets DeepFlex has signed an agreement with Offshore Inland Marine & Services, Inc (OIMO) to establish a new unbonded flexible pipe manufacturing and qualification testing facility, to be located in the Port of Pensacola, Florida, USA. The industrial complex will have direct access to the existing deep water quayside, which is strategically located for optimised access to serve the flexible pipe markets in the Gulf of Mexico, West Africa, Europe and Asia regions. reinforced flexible pipes to harsh subsea environments. The new plant is part of a major capital expenditure programme to strengthen DeepFlex’s abilities in flexible pipe research, development, manufacturing, qualification testing, and delivery of customised solutions. The company expects the investment to reinforce its position in the composite fibre reinforced unbonded flexible pipe market.

(FFRP) and the hybrid (composite and steel) reinforced pipe (FHRP). The manufacturing site has been designed to allow for future expansion for the rapidly growing deep water markets, as well as for increasing product complexity. Felipe Lamego, DeepFlex president and CEO, commented, “Our new plant in Pensacola, benefiting from its strategic location and our leadership in composite fibre reinforced flexible pipes, will strengthen our global leadership in the research, development, industrialisation and commercialisation of advanced technology for the delivery of deep water enabling flexible pipe solutions.”

The primary focus of the plant, which is expected to be fully operational by the second half of 2015, will be the emerging ultra-deep water markets. The facility will have the capability of producing the complete product range of DeepFlex flexible pipes, including the all-composite reinforced pipe structures

The DeepFlex Pensacola plant will initially have a manufacturing capacity of 100 normalised kilometres per year of unbonded flexible pipe to serve the rapid growth of offshore developments worldwide, and will deliver the patented, high technology, composite fibre

DeepFlex Inc – USA info@deepflex.com www.deepflex.com

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Tube Products International November 2014

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