TPi January 2013

business & market news

OCTG distributor doubles revenue Cressman Tubular Products Corporation (CTPC) is celebrating a huge year. New director of international sales and trading Alex Merle is helping the established tubular distributor double revenue to $110mn for 2012. CTPC has also hired a new CFO, retained an established sales agent in the UK to expand international sales, re-launched its corporate website, and embraced social media and blogging. Pipe Group and Kelly Pipe, his focus is supplying Central and South America, Western and Eastern Europe, the CIS, Africa and the Middle East.

has held numerous CFO roles at a number of private and publicly held entities, including Pavestone Company, Brunswick Corporation, Newell Rubbermaid and Kohler Company. In addition to Mr Kelley, Rav Patel was retained to manage international sales from the UK. Mr Patel, a former sales manager at Kelly Pipe International Ltd, started his career in oilfield tubular supply in 2007, and since then has developed a wide network of customers and suppliers. Founded in 1978, CTPC is a stocking distributor of OCTG (tubing and casing) for the oil, gas, geothermal and water drilling industries. The company also supplies and distributes linepipe, drillpipe, sucker rods, valves and fittings.

In their first year together, Mr Merle and Mr Cressman are working to increase international sales and improve international sourcing. Mr Merle has also focused on the website and social media in order to better serve end- users, as he explained in his first blog post: “With a new website comes a new opportunity to join the global conversation. We are not professional writers, but we do enjoy blogging. Each week, you will be hearing from one of the senior staff. Our blog is for sharing industry news, education, insight and a look behind the scenes at CTPC.” With international sales up and running and a modernised web presence, Mr Cressman and Mr Merle felt it was time to expand the team. Kevin Kelley

After 30 years of steady growth, CTPC founder Art Cressman decided to expand internationally, selling directly to end-users outside the USA, and so hired international steel pipe trader Alex Merle. Originally from northeast London, Mr Merle has ten years’ experience as an international commodity trader. Entering the oilfield tubular supply business in 2002, he has many international customers, sources, partners and associates. Formerly a director of subsidiaries of both Petroleum

Cressman Tubular Products Corporation – USA info@cressmantubular.com www.cressmantubular.com

Stellar attains EIL

Zhejiang Stellar Pipe Industry Co Ltd, a sub-company of Stellar Tube & Pipe Group Co Ltd, has attained approval from Engineers India Limited (EIL). EIL, which works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP & NG), Government of India, was set up in 1965 to provide engineering and related technical services for petroleum refineries and other industrial projects. Zhejiang Stellar Pipe Industry started the EIL enlistment application in October 2010, and received the certificate from EIL in July 2011. Stellar Tube & Pipe Group Co Ltd – China www.stellarpipe.com

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January 2013 Tube Products International