TPI July 2011

news business & market

Pipe maker recognised for energy efficiency JM Eagle, a manufacturer of plastic pipe, has been honoured by the US Environmental Protection Agency for achieving ambitious energy efficiency goals at four of its facilities. We are delighted that four of our facilities are among the very few manufacturing sites in the nation that were able to meet the extremely rigorous Energy Star Challenge.”

Around 240 manufacturing sites have signed up for the challenge so far, but just 34 facilities – including JM Eagle’s four – met the emission reduction goals, according to the EPA. JM Eagle’s facilities achieving the recognition are based in Hastings, Nebraska; Wharton, Texas; Butner, North Carolina; and Stockton, California. With 22manufacturing plants throughout North America, JM Eagle manufactures a wide array of high-grade, high- performance polyvinyl chloride and high-density polyethylene pipe across a variety of industries and applications, including utility, solvent weld, electrical conduit, natural gas, irrigation, potable water and sewage.

According to the EPA, the Energy Star Challenge is “a national call-to-action to improve the energy efficiency of America’s commercial and industrial buildings by 10 per cent or more.” The EPA’s goal is for manufacturers to make these energy efficiency improvements over the next five years. “The principles we have learned through the Energy Star Challenge over the last year are extraordinary,” said Mr Gordon. “We are working to incorporate those practices in all of our facilities across the nation.” The new management team, headed by Tim Ryan, president, and Scott Schwandt, vice-president, brings together oilfield specialists with a wide range of complementary skills. Mr Ryan commented, “The new team in Houston is proud to be the first representation of Barrett Steel in North America. Our position here allows us to serve the oil and gas equipment manufacturing community with the backing of an historically strong and proven company in a strategically important location.” Dave Godfrey, managing director of Barrett Engineering Steels Division, is enthusiastic about the prospects the

The news comes as the EPA released the results of the ‘Energy Star Challenge for Industry’, an initiative it began last year to encourage US manufacturers to improve energy efficiency. JM Eagle submitted three facilities to the challenge, but was credited for meeting reduction goals at four of its facilities. “At JM Eagle, we are deeply committed to a cleaner, greener environment,” commented Neal Gordon, vice president for marketing. “Today’s news underscores how devoted we are to improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Barrett Steel is expanding its global reach by establishing a presence in Houston, Texas, to serve the oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico and Brazil. From its purpose-built 33,000ft 2 facility, Barrett Steel Energy Products will specialise in raw materials for the downhole tool and equipment used in the oil and gas industry, including solid bar, hollows and tubing that meet the requirements of all oil patch grades. The move is a demonstration of the Barrett Steel Group’s commitment to new markets and to cementing stronger relationships with overseas customers.

JM Eagle – USA www.jmeagle.com Barrett Steel expands into Houston, Texas

new Houston facility offers the group: “The downturn in the UK construction market demonstrated to us all too clearly that we needed to refocus our strategy and move into new markets. We had already identified the oil and gas sectors as a new international marketplace for us, and this has been the impetus behind our expansion into Houston. We are confident that with our strong team of people, along with our new facility, this initiative will be a great success.”

Barrett Steel – UK info@barrettsteelep.com www.barrettsteelep.com Automated warehouse system for tubes

further in meeting our customers’ needs.”

sizes and grades of carbon, alloy, stainless and aluminium tubular and bar products. Service centres and sales offices are located throughout North America, with corporate headquarters in Butler, Pennsylvania. According to Jay Powell, director of e-commerce, “The automation will increase both our quality and level of output, enabling us to go one step

Marmon/Keystone’s Cleveland warehouse is the first location to switch over to a new automated, paperless warehouse processing system. The transition will reduce order processing cycle time, resulting in more timely service for customers. A wholesale distributor of tubular products for over 100 years, Marmon/ Keystone inventories more than 15,000

The move to a paperless system has gone seamlessly in Cleveland and will be expanded to other branches throughout the year.

Marmon/Keystone LLC – USA sales@marmonkeystone.com www.marmonkeystone.com

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Tube Products International July 2011

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