TPI May 2013

www.read-tpi.com

The trade magazine for tube and pipe products

July 2011 May 2013

Editorial Office: Editor

Mr Rory McBride Email: rory@intras.co.uk

Editorial Assistant

Mr Christian Bradley Email: christian@intras.co.uk

Design & Production

Mrs Lisa Wright Email: lisa@intras.co.uk

Publisher

Ms Caroline Sullens

Founder

Mr John C Hogg

Advertisement Material & Production: Ms Liz Hughes

Email: liz@intras.co.uk Email: andrea@intras.co.uk

Ms Andrea McIntosh

International Advertising Sales: Ms Tracey Callaghan Email: tracey@intras.co.uk • Tel: +44 1926 834688 Ms Hendrike Morriss – Verkauf & Marketing (Deutschland, Osterreich, Schweiz) Email: hendrike@intras.co.uk • Tel: +44 1926 834687 Ms Giuliana Benedetto – Vendite & Marketing (Italia) Email: giuliana@intras.co.uk • Tel: +44 1926 834686 Ms Linda Li – 中国大陆，台湾，香港以及远东地区销售代表 Email: linda@intras.co.uk • Tel: +44 1926 834685 Ms Jeroo Norman – Indian Sales (English, Hindi & Gujarati speaking) Email: jeroo@intras.co.uk • Tel: 000 800 001 6652

Subscriptions: www.read-tpi-com Subscriptions Manager Ms Liz Hughes

Email: liz@intras.co.uk Tel: +44 1926 334137

Accounts Manager

Mr Richard Babbedge Email: richard.b@intras.co.uk

Tube Products INTERNATIONAL is published by Intras Ltd, UK

Europe: 46 Holly Walk, Leamington Spa Warwickshire CV32 4HY, UK

Tel: +44 1926 334137 Fax: +44 1926 314755 Email: tpi@intras.co.uk Website: www.intras.co.uk Intras USA Danbury Corporate Center 107 Mill Plain Road Danbury, CT 06811, USA Tel: +1 203 794 0444 Email: doug@intras.co.uk

USA:

US copies only: Tube Products International (ISSN No: 1755-7216, USPS No: 024-676) is published bi-monthly by Intras Ltd and distributed in the USA by SPP, 17B S Middlesex Ave, Monroe NJ 08831. Periodicals postage paid at New Brunswick, NJ. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Tube Products INTERNATIONAL, 17B S Middlesex Ave, Monroe, NJ 08831 This publication and its full contents of layout, text, images, and graphics is copyright protected. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or any other storage or retrieval system without the publisher’s written permission. The publisher, owners, agents, printers, editors and contributors cannot be held responsible for and hereby exclude all liability whatsoever for errors, omissions or the accuracy and claims printed or inferred in the editorial or advertisements published in this, previous or subsequent editions or for any damages, costs or losses caused thereby. Tube Products International reserves the right to edit, reword and subedit all editorial submissions in accordance with editorial policy. Tube Products International expressed graphically or by text is a registered name and style trademark of Intras Ltd, UK. All matters relating to this disclaimer are governed by the laws of England.

INTRAS INTRAS LIMITED

© 2013 Intras Ltd, UK ISSN 1755-7216

Tube Products INTERNATIONAL Magazine 46 Holly Walk, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 4HY, UK Tel: +44 1926 334137 • Fax: +44 1926 314755 • Email: tpi@intras.co.uk

www.tubeproductsinternational.com

8 Business & Market News 24 Products & Developments 42 Tube Russia 2013 46 ValveWorld Expo Americas 2013 48 Valves, fittings, flanges and connectors 57 The case for hot formed tubing by David March, BSS Industrial 59 Aluminium for every application by Mark Jennings, Dawson Shanahan Ltd 61 Editorial Index 62 Catalogue 64 Advertisers Index Contents May 2013 25-28 June 2013 25-26 June 2013

Whenyouhave finishedwith thismagazineplease recycle it

The trade magazine for tube and pipe products

events calendar

July 2011 May 2013

www.read-tpi.com

The trademagazine for tube and pipe products

The May issue

2013

18-19 June 8 th Steel Tube & Pipe Conference (Italy) Conference www.metalbulletin.com/events 25-28 June Tube Russia International Exhibition www.metallurgy-tube-russia.com 25-26 June Valve World Expo Americas International Exhibition www.valveworldexpoamericas.com

Welcome to the latest issue of Tube Products International. This issue we have features on valves, fittings, flanges and connectors and also take a look at Tube Russia and Valveworld as well as all of the very latest news from every area of the tube products industry. We also have two interesting and related articles taking an in- depth look at hot forming tubing and the use of aluminium in tubes so I hope you enjoy the issue. The Tube Products International team will be out in force at both this issue’s featured shows so please feel free to visit our stands and pick up your free copy of the magazine and say hello. I will be attending TuboTech in Brazil and Fabtech in Chicago in the Autumn so if any of you are planning on visiting these great shows I will see you there. This month we are excited to announce that we are making the magazine available to a whole host of new readers as well as making it easier to read while ‘on the go’. We have been working to invest in a specially optimised version of Tube Products International for mobile platforms, so if you have an iPad or iPhone or other mobile device you can now read the magazine far more easily and it should be a lot more pleasant experience. Let us know what you think – we are really pleased with the results as the way people are reading magazines is evolving day by day.

16-21 September EMO Hannover (Germany) International Exhibition www.emo-hannover.de 17-19 September Tube SE Asia (Thailand) International Exhibition www.tube-southeastasia.com 1-3 October TuboTech (Brazil) International Exhibition www.tubotech.online.com 16-23 October ‘K’ Plastic 2013 (Germany) International Exhibition www.k-online.de

12-14 November Stainless Steel World Expo (Netherlands) International Exhibition www.stainless-steel-world.net

Next issue will have features on OCTG and pipelines, replacing or repairing corroded

18-21 November Fabtech (Chicago, USA) International Exhibition www.fabtechexpo.com 19-22 November TOLexpo (France) International Exhibition www.tolexpo.com

pipes, handling and packaging equipment and extruded tubes so please submit any stories or features to me at rory@ intras.co.uk

Rory McBride Editor

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TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL May 2013

Plastic Tube: The Right Choice !

Kennedyallee 1-5 D-53175 Bonn

Tel. +49 (0)228 / 91477-0 Fax +49 (0)228 / 91477-19 kunststoffrohrverband@krv.de www.krv.de

news business & market Soil and rainwater system for Snow Hill development

The Snow Hill development site

for both above and below ground applications.

years, attracting world-class business tenants. The development includes office, residential, leisure and retail uses set around new landscaped gardens and piazzas. Derrick Brookes of Saint-Gobain PAM commented, “We are proud to be associated with the Snow Hill project and look forward to further orders for our Ensign soil system as this prestigious development continues. The main contractor is Balfour Beatty and the M&E contractor is C A Southers, who sub-let the plumbing to C&M Mech of Leicester.” Ensign comprises pipes and fittings from 50 to 600mm diameter for above ground applications and 100, 150- 600mm diameter for below ground. The system can be connected by cast iron mechanical joints or push-fit joints

Iron technology firm Saint-Gobain PAM UK, part of materials company Saint- Gobain, has secured its second phase of orders for its Ensign soil and rainwater system for installation at the prestigious new 96,000m 2 Snow Hill mixed use development in Birmingham, UK. The development by Ballymore has been on-site for over three years, with the orders for the first three buildings on Snow Hill 1 being supplied by Saint- Gobain PAM UK in 2009. The latest orders of Ensign Soil are being delivered by Drain Center to C&M Mechanical of Leicester. The system is for installation on the soil and vent stacks. Phase 1 of the Snow Hill development was up, running and fully occupied in just four years, and it is planned to make Snow Hill the largest commercial leasing outside of London for many

Approved to BS EN 877, Ensign offers specifiers, contractors and installers a fit-and-forget system. Combining all the proven material properties of cast iron, Ensign is a comprehensive and versatile system. Saint-Gobain PAM UK is a supplier of ductile iron pipes, fittings, valves, access covers and gratings, as well as a producer of cast iron above and below ground drainage systems. Its markets include water and sewerage, telecommunications, highways, civil engineering, construction and housing.

saint-Gobain PaM uK sales.uk.pam@saint-gobain.com www.saint-gobain-pam.co.uk

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Tube ProducTs InTernaTIonal May 2013

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business & market news

Guide to welding positions, electrodes and standards A free guide to ASME IX/ BS EN ISO 6947 welding positions is now available from ESAB. The simple guide is clearly illustrated to show basic welding positions and the correct ASME/BS EN ISO 6947 code, such as 2G/PC for horizontal/ vertical welding.

inspection within a quality control regime. The guide also explains the latest British/European MMA welding electrode standards, as a number of these have been re-designated into new BS EN ISO Standards.

As well as showing all the different positions, the guide provides information on the recommended ESAB electrodes when welding mild steel across a range of applications.

It is suitable for those involved in welding as part of a production engineering department, in fabrication work, design, welder training or welding

ESAB – UK info@esab.co.uk www.esab.co.uk

New lease of life for pipeline GPS PE Pipe Systems has supplied over 36km of PE piping for the refurbishment of a 130-year-old large diameter trunk main as part of United Utilities £3.6bn investment programme for the North West of England. supply during transit without excessively reducing capacity in the trunk mains.

Phase 2 of the refurbishment programme is expected to be completed in 2015, and will be followed by a third and final phase to clean and refurbish Lines 1 and 2 between Malpas and Prescot WTW along with Line 3 between Malpas and Norton Tower.

To carry out the lining operation the contractor will pull a pre-welded string of PE pipe through a reducing die, which will temporarily reduce the diameter of the PE pipe allowing it to be inserted into the existing pipeline in a single operation. Once the insertion pulling force has been removed, the pipe will

Carrying 210mn litres of water a day to 900,000 people in Cheshire and Merseyside, the trunk main consists of three parallel pipelines that run fromLake Vyrnwy in Powys, through Oswestry Water Treatment Works to Prescot Water Treatment Works near Liverpool. Lines 1 and 2 were constructed as unlined cast iron mains in the 1890s, while Line 3 is a bitumen-lined steel main that was laid in the 1930s and 40s. Iron and manganese deposits in the water supplied from Oswestry WTW and the risk of internal corrosion in the unlined cast iron mains have prompted the refurbishment to avoid the possibility of discoloured water due to iron deposits. The refurbishment scheme has already seen main contractor Balfour Beatty clean around 44km of Line 3 using specialist high pressure jets and line the section of Lines 1 and 2 that run between Oswestry WTW and New Crickett. For phase two of the programme, the contractor will draw down (reduce diameter) 1,030mm diameter Excel New Blue in SDR51 supplied by GPS to line the Crickett to Malpas sections of Lines 1 and 2, creating a tight-fitting, thin walled internal lining for the pipelines that will prevent iron from entering the

GPS PE Pipe Systems – UK www.gpsuk.com

begin to revert back to its original size until it fits tightly against the wall of the host pipe. GPS has supplied the piping in 13.5m lengths to reduce the number of joints required to create the PE string for insertion. Nick Preston fromUnited Utilities commented, “PE pipe provides an ideal solution for lining operations such as this as it offers such flexibility and can be used in a large diameter with a thin wall without compromising on pipe integrity or capacity. This major improvement to the main not only maximises the service life of the existing pipeline asset but also safeguards the quality of water supply with minimum environmental impact.”

GPS supplied PE piping for the large diameter trunk main refurbishment

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May 2013 Tube Products International

business & market news

Marmon/Keystone opens new service centre Marmon/Keystone has announced the completion of a 105,000ft 2 service centre, ten miles northeast of downtown Birmingham, Alabama, USA, at 105 Goodrich Drive. The office andwarehouse facility features five overhead cranes, three new Amada high-speed band saws and a new DoALL mitre saw. These fully automated saws will increase productivity and offer expanded cutting capabilities up to 26" OD. The building also includes a steel- reinforced concrete storm shelter.

“We are extremely grateful to all of our suppliers and customers; they have been very supportive over the past year,” said Mike Gregory, Birmingham branch manager. “The assistance we received from our fellow Marmon/Keystone team members, especially those at the Atlanta, Houston and Charlotte locations, enabled us to continue providing the superior customer service we are known for at Marmon/Keystone.” As a wholesale distributor of tubular products for over 100 years, Marmon/ Keystone inventories more than 15,000 sizes and grades of carbon, alloy, stainless and aluminium tubular and bar products. The company also offers a full range of value added services to enhance manufacturing needs. Service centres and sales offices are located throughout North America, with corporate headquarters in Butler, Pennsylvania. said German Cura, the company’s president in North America. “The facility is being designed according to the most stringent environmental and safety standards, with the implementation of control technologies that will reduce our emissions footprint and exceed state and federal regulations.” The new facility is expected to begin operations in 2016. Tenaris is a manufacturer and supplier of steel pipe products and related services for the energy industry and other industrial applications. Customers include oil and gas companies and engineering companies engaged in constructing oil and gas gathering, transportation, processing and power generation facilities.

The facility was completely rebuilt from the ground up after sustaining severe damage from an EF3 tornado, which devastated the area in January 2012. All operations have been relocated back to the Goodrich Drive service centre from a temporary site on Pinson Valley Parkway without any interruption to sales, service or delivery.

Marmon/Keystone’s Birmingham location serves customers in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and the majority of Kentucky and Tennessee. Major markets include agriculture, automotive, fabrication and heavy equipment.

Marmon/Keystone’s newly built service centre in Birmingham, Alabama

Marmon/Keystone LLC – USA sales@marmonkeystone.com www.marmonkeystone.com Location chosen for US seamless pipe mill

community, which always plays a major role in decisions like this,” commented Texas governor Rick Perry. “The most profound statement about our favourable economic climate comes when companies like Tenaris make an investment of this size in our state. That says that not only is Texas the best place to grow your business now, but they’re confident that we’ll remain that way moving forward.” An analysis conducted on the economic impact of Tenaris in Matagorda County states the company will have a large direct and indirect influence on the area. The new plant will generate 600 direct manufacturing jobs and offer substantial economic impact in Matagorda County as well as in the surrounding areas.

Tenaris has announced that it will build its first US seamless pipe mill in Bay City, Matagorda County, Texas. With an estimated investment of US$1.5bn, the new facility will have an annual production capacity of 600,000 tons of seamless pipe. With its proximity to Houston and to Tenaris’s North American headquarters, the location offers a combination of favourable geography, operational logistics and availability of a skilled workforce. “Our new facility will complement our integrated global manufacturing network and work closely with our existing North American operations to further strengthen domestic production,” said Paolo Rocca, chairman and CEO. “This announcement is only possible thanks to the hard work of state and local officials, as well as the area business

Tenaris – Italy www.tenaris.com

“The company’s commitment to the environment and safety is a top priority,”

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Tube Products International May 2013

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business & market news

Extending market position in Russia Two leading pipe manufacturers from Russia have recently chosen KraussMaffei Berstorff as a systems supplier and invested in PO pipe extrusion systems. As a new customer, Isoljazionny Trubny Zawod (ITZ) is seeking to enter into a long-term partnership with KraussMaffei Berstorff. Polyplastic Group is an existing customer and has placed a follow-up order. installed in an existing line for the production of smooth HDPE tubes (up to a diameter of 800mm). The systems will go into operation in the spring of 2013. In addition, the largest KraussMaffei Berstorff compounder line began operation at maximum output at Polyplastic’s Saratov facility in May 2012. The turnkey plant is based on a ZE90*58D UT twin-screw extruder and produces filled polyolefin compounds.

director SN Frolov commented, “We believe that in KraussMaffei Berstorff we have found partner with whom we can enter into long-term business relations. We will be gearing our production to the rapidly increasing demand for pre- encased pipes and are confident that the systems expertise of KraussMaffei Berstorff will give us a competitive edge.” The company will principally distribute its products in Russia to end-users in the oil and gas industry, as well as housing construction and municipal services. Regional demand for construction products is generally expected to increase due to, among other things, government efforts to achieve broader diversification by investing more in other branches of industry in addition to the oil sector. KraussMaffei berstorff GmbH – Germany info@kraussmaffei.com www.kraussmaffeiberstorff.com

As part of its expansion plan and commitment to quality and service, tube and wire drawing lubricant specialist Metalube has acquired almost £60,000 worth of new laboratory equipment. The Mettler TGA/DSC is a laboratory highlight. This cutting edge instrument carries out simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis in a single test, enabling the evaluation of oxidative stability and evaporation rates under a variety of conditions. Commenting on this notable purchase, Metalube’s technical director, Chris Nettleship, said, “This new Mettler TGA/ DSC is particularly good news for wire and tube drawing manufacturers. It allows us to study the ageing of oils and therefore extend the service life. We can also investigate how lubricants behave during the annealing cycle, working Andreas Kessler, general sales manager at KraussMaffei Berstorff, commented, “Our customer Polyplastic, the largest plastics manufacturer in Russia, is impressed by our proven 36D single- screw extrusion technology and relies on the high quality of our products and our many years of experience in systems engineering. Our customer is currently modernising its machinery with our equipment.” The order is for two models of the 36D single-screw extruder series, which will be integrated into an existing corrugated pipe production plant. Another extruder model, the KME 90-36 B/R, will be

Dieter Brunner, head of systems engineering at KraussMaffei Berstorff, stated, “Polyplastic attaches great importance to high quality and maximum systems availability. By drawing on our expertise in plant and process engineering, we have met these requirements.” ITZ, a newcomer to HDPE production, uses KraussMaffei Berstorff equipment to produce PE-encased pipes with diameters of up to 1,600mm, used for encasing PUR-encapsulated steel pipes as heat insulation. ITZ managing

Laboratory and capacity investments at Metalube

PLASTIC MOULD FACTORY

alongside customers to optimise product and processes. This all results in enhanced tube quality.” Another recent addition to Metalube’s lab is a Reichert M2 friction and wear tester. This latest model, with variable speed and load, allows the company’s chemists to study the frictional and wear reduction properties of Metalube’s wire drawing products (copper and aluminium). Mr Nettleship added, “Investment is key to our growth and ensures that Metalube continually provides the class of products that meet our customers’ needs. We are 100 per cent committed to quality and innovation. This requires equipment that meets 21 st century demands.”

PP COMPRESSION FITTINGS 20 BAR www.arangul. com E-mail: arangul@arangul.com Tel : +90(312) 394 40 95 Fax : +90(312) 394 40 99 100% ORIGINAL MADE IN TURKEY

Metalube ltd – UK www.metalube.co.uk

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May 2013 Tube ProducTs InTernaTIonal

business & market news

Increasing levels of automation Lander Automotive Ltd produces a wide range of tube products for OEMs and Tier One customers. a ‘high quality, low cost’ design and manufacturing centre of excellence in the UK, focusing resources solely on tube manipulation and cellular robotic welding.

our lean manufacturing requirements,” said Roger Whitehouse, Lander Automation’s managing director. “We benefit from flexibility in terms of right- and left-hand bending on the same machine; relatively fast changeover times; and the capability to produce single parts in sequence ready for assembly on the line rather than in batches. Take underfloor heating pipes as an example: we make small, medium and large assemblies in that order, because one of each is needed for each vehicle build.” “We have progressively increased the level of automation within the factory, and there are now 40 robots involved in welding, materials handling and machine load/unload. “Adaptability to future requirements is also crucial. We are subject to vehicle life cycles, so as contracts come to an end we have to bring in replacement business, and to adapt quickly to changing production requirements as well as the inevitable on-going schedule changes. We buy BLM machines not just for current contracts but for the ones after that, so performance, flexibility and reliability are key criteria. Energy efficiency, too, is very important to us, hence the attraction of all-electric rather than hydraulically powered machines.” Suitable for bending tubes up to 28mm diameter, BLMGroup’sSmart all-electric (8 axes) CNC tube bending machines are programmed via proprietary VGP3D graphical interactive software. Possible collision risks are highlighted and the most efficient avoidance route can then be selected automatically. Of particular interest to Lander Automotive, a recent finalist in the ‘Excellence in Carbon Reduction’ category of the National Energy Awards, is that power consumption is reduced by up to 50 per cent compared to electro-hydraulic machines.

Founded in 1877 as W Lander & Sons, the bending and welding technology used to manufacture various wire goods was later applied to tube, and in the 1950s the company began supplying the UK automotive industry with bonnet props, linkages and headrests. This culminated in the change of name in 1991 and re-location a year later to purpose-built premises. In 2007 the company decided to sell its subsidiary factories in Hungary and Germany and to concentrate on creating

Tube manipulation within Lander Automotive is a mixture of single piece manufacture and integrated cells featuring bending and end-forming machines supplied by BLM Group. These include Smart all-electric CNC tube bending machines, AST Tube- Form ELE all-electric CNC tube end forming machines and AST 30 tube end forming machines.

“BLM is very strong on tooling design and has products that complement

Tube bending under CNC control ensures consistent, accurate bends

BLM Group UK Ltd – UK sales@blmgroup.uk.com www.blmgroup.uk.com Lander Automotive Ltd – UK enquiries@lander.co.uk www.lander.co.uk

Tube components allocated to the flexible manufacturing cell

Completed assemblies of transmission oil cooler pipes

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Tube Products International May 2013

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business & market news

Tube 2014: Exclusive plastic tube forum

energy and environmental technology. Plastic tubes boast long service life, virtually unlimited uses and versatility, being used just about everywhere – in gas or drinking water supply, in heating and sanitation systems, in the chemical or pharmaceutical industries, geo- chemistry and the automotive industry. The Plastic Tube Forum aims to become an established, exclusive meeting point for raw materials producers, tube manufacturers, tube dealers, raw materials dealers and users. Complete packages including special service features can be booked in two categories with the project department of Tube 2014, by contacting Markus Liedtke (liedtkem@messe-duesseldorf. de) and Janike Rotthoff (rotthoffj@ messe-duesseldorf.de).

Tube, the international tube trade fair, is held at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre every two years. World market leaders, innovators and other industry experts meet to gather information on current technologies and future trends in the fields of machinery and equipment for tube making and processing industries, tube accessories and the tube trade over five trade fair days. Including latest technologies and applications, state-of-the-art machinery and equipment for producing pipes and tubing in composite materials and plastics, the future of tubing technology will be presented in all of its facets at Tube 2014 in Düsseldorf. Taking place for the first time will be the PTF Plastic Tube Forum in Hall 7.1, a special show where everything revolves around plastic tubes and their versatile applications. The plastic tubing market, in particular, faces major challenges in

Messe Düsseldorf GmbH – Germany www.messe-duesseldorf.de

2013 McElroy catalogue and reference guide

Side Bend Tester, MegaMc ® PolyHorse ® , MegaMc Rollers and TracStar ® 500 Series 3 fusion machine. The reference section offers information on calculating fusion gauge pressure; high, medium and low force fusion machine selection charts; facer blade replacement charts; and pipe size reference charts. Registration for a free copy of the catalogue and reference guide is possible through the McElroy website, where the catalogue is also available for download in PDF file format. McElroy’s fusion equipment can be used in gas, water, mining, geothermal, HVAC, dredging, methane gas recovery, sewer and many other industries. McElroy Manufacturing, Inc – USA fusion@mcelroy.com www.mcelroy.com/fusion

McElroy, amanufacturer of thermoplastic pipe joining products, has issued its 2013 polyethylene pipe fusion catalogue and reference guide. The company says that the guide is often regarded as a prominent sourcebook for pipe fusion equipment, accessories and critical information by the pipe joining industry. The McElroy Fusion Catalog and Reference Guide includes information on the full range of McElroy fusion equipment and an expanded reference section. The new catalogue features the latest McElroy product introductions, including the DataLogger ® 4, Guided

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May 2013 Tube Products International

business & market news

Mosque shaped by expert benders Barnshaw Section Benders has been contracted by App Steel Structures to carry out work on the Al Emaan Mosque. The bending work involved forming of the main frame ribs and curving the support steelwork in two planes (canted).

Established in 1969, Barnshaw Section Benders is based at six manufacturing sites around the UK, located in the West Midlands, Manchester and Hamilton, Scotland. Across these sites over 120 specialist machines are housed, and have provided steel bending services for some of the country’s largest projects, including shopping centres, football stadiums, airports and the Olympics. Barnshaw Section Benders Ltd – UK sections@barnshaws.com www.barnshaws.com

The company received the structural project due to its technical expertise

of ‘canting’ the 100 x 60 RHS and mandrel forming of 200 x 100 RHS to minimise distortion. Barnshaws supplied the mosque with 200 x 100 x 6.3 RHS and 100 x 60 x 3 RHS, which were approximately 4 tons.

Barnshaws carried out forming of the main frame ribs and curving of the support steelwork

Westlake acquires PVC pipe, fittings and foundations business

profiles and foundations business and associated operating facilities in Lodi, California, and McPherson, Kansas, with production capacity of approximately 150mn pounds per year. Westlake will also acquire technologies and intellectual properties for the production of a number of specialised products, including Certa- Lok ® restrained joint pipe and Yelomine™ branded products for a variety of end market applications. “The acquisition of CertainTeed’s PFG business is an excellent strategic fit for Westlake,” commented Albert Chao, Westlake’s president and CEO. “When completed, it will enhance our North

American pipe and building products portfolio by adding speciality product lines and supporting technology that we do not currently have. These new products, technologies and a broader market reach will increase our ability to service our customers’ needs and further differentiate the value of our vinyls integration strategy. CertainTeed is known as a well-run solutions- orientated company with talented people and we look forward to adding this workforce to our team.” Westlake Chemical Corporation – USA www.westlake.com

Westlake Chemical Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement with CertainTeed Corporation, a subsidiary of the Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, to purchase its Pipe and Foundation Group (PFG), a producer of PVC pipe and fittings for municipal, water well, mining, agriculture and irrigation applications. The sale is for a purchase price of $175mn in cash, including $22mn of working capital, with closing adjustments. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2013, subject to standard closing conditions, including regulatory review. The PFG acquisition includes the PVC pipe, fittings,

PIPE at Schweissen & Schneiden 2013 PIPE Ltd has been a regular exhibitor at the Schweissen & Schneiden Exhibition for over a decade. Due to the growth of the event, together with the growth of the company, PIPE Ltd will be showcasing its entire product range on a 98m 2 stand at this year’s show. the UK with pipe cutting, bevelling and clamping solutions, PIPE soon realised that welders and fabricators wanted a one-stop shop for all their needs.

With the increase of use of exotic materials such as stainless steel and Duplex for pipe installations in certain industries, the need for high quality, oxide-free welds has become increasingly necessary. This has led PIPE into the manufacturing of a range of pipe purging systems and accessories, to enable the rapid removal of oxygen from the weld root.

This led the company into the field of manufacturing, releasing the E-Z Fit range of pipe welding alignment clamps, together with a comprehensive range of pipe stands and supports, including the Tri-Stand, Duo Stand and Quattro Stand, offering safe solutions for the support and handling of all types of pipe and plate, whether on-site or in the workshop.

Since 1990, PIPE Ltd has grown into a major supplier of pre-fabrication tools and equipment for the pipe and plate welding and fabrication industries, including oil and gas, petrochemical, nuclear, pharmaceutical, food, water and dairy. Originally established to supply

Prestige Industrial Pipework Equipment Ltd – UK sales@pipe-ltd.com www.pipe-ltd.com

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business & market news Investments in trenchless rehabilitation

to mainline sewer repair and proprietary gasket seals. They also have a broad distribution network of installers/ contractors and an extensive range of intellectual property. The companies will continue to operate independently, to address the specific needs of their respective customer bases, market channels and individual growth plans. However, the companies may share certain intellectual property assets and knowledge to satisfy their respective customer requirements under licensing agreements. The companies previously announced they had settled patent litigation that had been pending between them.

and mainline sewer repairs. Established in 1998, the company has significant intellectual property assets and more than 1,000 certified installers of its technology, with a strong international distribution network. “We are extremely pleased to work with the two leaders in the trenchless sewer industry to provide capital and assist with their growth plans,” said Mike Reardon, chairman and chief executive officer of Triwater Holdings. “Demand is increasing for trenchless solutions to the world’s rapidly deteriorating water and sewer infrastructure problems. “These solutions require creativity and reliable access to innovative technology. Our investment in capital and management will enable these two market leaders to accelerate their growth plans to provide more of their proprietary solutions to more customers in North America and around the world.” The two companies, on a combined basis, provide a comprehensive array of products and technology in the trenchless industry, covering everything from laterals and manhole rehabilitation

Triwater Holdings, a Chicago-based water treatment and infrastructure company backed by Bolder Capital LLC, has completed growth capital investments in LMK Technologies and Perma-Liner Industries, two leading companies in trenchless rehabilitation of water and sewer infrastructure. These two companies provide an extensive range of trenchless equipment, products and technologies used for the repair and rehabilitation of infrastructure, utilising cured-in-place- pipe (CIPP) technology. LMK Technologies, based in Ottawa, Illinois, USA, is an expert in trenchless technologies for the renewal of sewer lateral infrastructure. Founded in 1993, the company holds more than 90 issued national and international patents, and has authored two specific ASTM standards (ASTM F2561-11 and ASTM 2599-11) for its advancements in trenchless pipe and sewer repair. Perma-Liner Industries, based in Clearwater, Florida, USA, claims to have North America’s largest distribution network of plumbing and drain cleaner contractors for CIPP lateral rehabilitation

Triwater Holdings – USA www.triwaterholdings.com

LMK Technologies – USA www.lmktechnologies.com

Perma-Liner Industries – USA www.perma-liner.com

Dedicated supplier of seamless steel tube and pipe!

Sharon Tube re-enters DOM industry As of 1 April 2013, JMC Steel Group’s DOM product line will be marketed under the Sharon Tube brand name. Bill Perrine has been appointed as president of the new division.

• EN 10294 • EN 10305 • EN 10216 • EN 10297 • EN 10210 • API 5L • ASTM A106 • ASTM A179

of-the-line equipment will allow for faster order fulfilment as well as the production of the highest-quality precision tubing, made to exact customer tolerances.” “We are very pleased to welcome Bill back to the company as president of our DOM product line,” said Dave Seeger, president of JMC Steel Group. “Bill’s extensive experience will make him an enormous asset for the division, and I look forward to working with him to continue to make our Sharon Tube DOM product line the best in the industry.”

Mr Perrine, a 32-year veteran of the steel pipe and tube industry, most recently served as the CEO of Sharon Tube prior to his retirement in 2007. “The reinstatement of the Sharon Tube brand could not have come at a better time,” said Barry Zekelman, CEO of JMC Steel Group. “Sharon Tube has always been the recognised quality and service leader in the precision tubing industry. Our top-

Member of the ITA Contact: Tel: +44 (0) 2084 530046 Emails: info@qualitube.co.uk 0.8A Europa Studios Victoria Road London NW10 6ND

Sharon Tube Co – USA www.sharontube.com

www.qualitube.co.uk

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business & market news

ITA terminates 30-year management contract

forwarded to them upon request. At this time, INTRAS offered to continue to produce ITAN newsletters for the ITA and to supply subscriptions of INTRAS tube magazines Tube & Pipe Technology and Tube Products International to ITA members. However, the offer of this arrangement was declined. INTRAS has always put the considerations of the ITA membership at the highest priority, and because of this would like to offer existing ITA members the opportunity to continue to receive free copies of Tube & Pipe Technology magazine or Tube Products International magazine in print or digital formats.

Tube Products International readers and many long-standing members of the International Tube Association (ITA) will know that INTRAS Ltd has been the management company for the association for over 30 years, since the ITA was founded by the late INTRAS chairman, Mr John C Hogg, in 1979. However, in February 2012 the current ITA president, Dr Gunther Voswinckel, wrote a letter to INTRAS serving notice to terminate the long-standing management contract, with effect from 30 September 2012. During the following months discussions took place between INTRAS and several ITA officers to try to

implement a ‘replacement’ contract to restore the relationship. The president also advised INTRAS that the ITA would be appointing its own executive secretary, basing him in an office in Germany. These changes were accepted by INTRAS while the existing contract ran to its termination. However, during this time INTRAS became increasingly aware that the overall direction and philosophy of the ITA was changing. During the transfer of management to the ITA president and executive secretary in Germany, all membership data was

For further details and information about continuing subscriptions, please contact INTRAS Ltd subscriptions department at intras@intras.co.uk or visit www.read- tpt.com or www.read-tpi.com Allied Tube & Conduit appoints president

at ITT Interconnect Solutions. From 2006 to 2008, he served as president of ITT China/India, and from 2003 to 2006 he held executive-level positions at ITT’s Industrial and Biopharm Group. Prior to his tenure with ITT, Mr Taylor was president of Delta Companies Consolidated in Denham Springs, Louisiana. A significant amount of his career was devoted at Sundyne Corporation, where he held roles of increasing responsibility for quality, sales, service and engineering before becoming president. He began his career at Sundstrand Aviation. Mr Taylor received a Bachelor of Science degree in Technical Management from Regis University, located in Denver, Colorado. Allied Tube & Conduit is a part of Atkore International Inc, a manufacturer of galvanised steel tubes and pipes, electrical conduit, armoured wire and cable, metal framing systems and building components, serving a wide range of construction, electrical, fire and security, mechanical and automotive applications.

global manufacturing organisations,” said John Williamson, president and chief executive officer of Atkore International. “His proven track record of increased sales and profitability through improved quality and customer satisfaction naturally align with our goal of driving value for our customers, our shareholders and our employees.”

Atkore International has announced the appointment of William (Bill) Taylor to the position of president of Allied Tube & Conduit, with effect from 4 February 2013. Mr Taylor will be located at Allied’s headquarters and primary manufacturing facility in Harvey, Illinois, USA.

“Bill is a strong leader who brings tremendous experience leading complex

Mr Taylor spent four years as president

China Int’l Steel Tubes & Fittings Expo 2013

China International Steel Tubes & Fittings Exhibition 2013, sponsored by Chongqing municipal government and Chongqing Mechanical Engineering Society, will be held from 11 to 13 September at Chongqing International Convention & Exhibition Center. It is estimated that the total show area will be over 20,000m 2 , and that the show will attract more than 25,000 purchasers, import and export traders, dealers and agents from home and abroad. The scope of the exhibition will include steel tubes and pipes; steel tube production and finishing equipment; pipe fittings (steel, stainless steel, carbon steel and alloy steel); and equipment for manufacturing pipe fittings. beijing dingcheng chuangying International exhibition co, ltd – China dccybj@yahoo.cn www.dccybj.com

atkore International Inc – USA questions@atkore.com www.atkore.com

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business & market news

Sandvik to open new R&D centre Sandvik is to invest in a new high- tech research and development centre adjacent to its manufacturing facilities in Zhenjiang, an important milestone in the company’s continuing development in China. At a symbolic ground breaking ceremony to mark commencement of the development, Sandvik Materials Technology (SMT) management team and Zhenjiang local government officials turned the first soil on the site, watched by SMT China employees. Sandvik’s investment in research and development provides the company with a route to introduce new products, and allows it to review and invest in product research and development programmes designed to bring long- term operational benefits in some of the most demanding applications.

Sandvik China president ZZ Zhang commented, “Our ambition in developing this new, dedicated centre is to create a powerful R&D team which covers all technical competence needed to support the demands of the Chinese market. “It will work in close liaison with SMT R&D units worldwide. The laboratories will be equipped to the highest standards with modern analytical equipment, including scanning electron microscopes and advanced mechanical testing facilities.” The centre will support not only production units, but also the sales organisation and customers with technical training seminars and detailed research into material applications for the benefit of Sandvik customers. It will also provide materials analysis for other Sandvik business areas, especially Sandvik Construction and Sandvik Machining Solutions. Sandvik Materials Technology – Sweden www.smt.sandvik.com

On behalf of the Zhenjiang local government, Qiliang Gui, vice secretary of Zhenjiang Municipal Government and vice director of Zhenjiang New Area Administration Committee, emphasised, “SMT’s new R&D centre in Zhenjiang will help to promote the pace of development of the Zhenjiang local market. Meanwhile, we, as a community,

“This ceremonymarks a further significant step in Sandvik’s long established commitment to the market in China and throughout Asia,” said Johan Hedlund, SMT head of human resources.

will continue to provide the best services and infrastructure to all international enterprises.” Building work on the 1,440m 2 centre will commence in the summer, with plans for the centre to be operational early in 2014. It will accommodate specialist laboratories, a learning centre, offices and an exhibition area.

Turning the first soil at the ground breaking ceremony

Student day draws engineering undergraduates

and rectangular steel products in production.

“We are thrilled with the turnout for this year’s student day and consider it a great success,” said Chris Ragan, product manager of pipe and piling products for Atlas Tube. “We’re confident our Purdue and UIC guests left with an interest in civil and geotechnical engineering careers, and important insight into the steel pipe piling manufacturing process.” Following the speeches, students were invited to network with the industry professionals, and distribute their résumés for career and internship opportunities at JMC Steel Group and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). Students were also taken on a 45-minute facility tour to see how 2,400 tons of steel is manufactured at Atlas Tube per day, with first-hand views of structural rounds, squares

Atlas Tube co-hosted its annual DFI Student Day on 27 February at the Atlas Tube Chicago manufacturing mill. Atlas Tube and the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) welcomed engineering undergraduates for a tour and presentations on the art and science of steel manufacturing. Nearly 100 engineering students from Purdue University and the University of Illinois at Chicago gathered at the mill. The event began with presentations on the topics of steel chemistries, hollow structural sections, pipe piles and geotechnical engineering. Speakers included notable industry professionals Brad Fletcher, structural engineer for Atlas Tube; Marilyn Poindexter, account manager for Atlas Tube; Marv Phillips, corporate metallurgist for Atlas Tube; and keynote speaker Brett Gitskin, geotechnical engineer from ASFE.

“With events like Student Day, and other educational initiatives geared toward the next generation of workers, we help to secure our industry’s future and equip engineering undergrads with the knowledge and skills they need to seamlessly integrate into the workforce,” said Mr Ragan. Atlas Tube produces a wide range of steel tubular products and hollow structural sections. Other offerings include HSS design tools, straight-seam ERW pipe piling and Epox Z Kote ® powder primed tubing.

Atlas Tube – USA info@atlastube.com www.atlastube.com

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Pipeline bundle project for Montrose redevelopment

Subsea 7 has been designing, fabricating and installing pipeline bundles since 1980. Bundles neatly incorporate all the structures, valve work, pipelines and control systems necessary to operate a field in one single product, delivering value and potential cost savings for a wide range of applications. The pipeline bundle will be taken to its offshore location using the controlled depth tow method, a technique pioneered and developed by Subsea 7. The work involves the fabrication, assembly and testing of pipelines, control lines, umbilical tubing, carrier pipe and towhead structures before launching into Sinclair’s Bay. The pipeline bundle will then be placed between two tugs and towed to the offshore location at a controlled depth below the surface. On arrival at the field, the bundle will be lowered to the seabed and manoeuvred into position, and the carrier pipe and towheads will be flooded to stabilise the bundle into its final position.

pipeline, water injection pipeline, gas lift pipeline and control umbilical to tie back the Shaw Field to the BLP. The contract was awarded following a competitive tender process. Engineering and project management will commence immediately from the company’s office in Aberdeen, UK, with offshore operations due to commence in 2014. Steph McNeill, Subsea 7’s vice president, UK and Canada, said, “This substantial contract award is greatly appreciated and continues our long- standing relationship supporting Talisman. The complexity of this project further illustrates our bundle system’s unique ability to offer a highly cost- effective single product which neatly integrates all necessary pipelines and control lines.”

Subsea 7, an expert in seabed-to- surface engineering, construction and services to the offshore energy industry, has been awarded a contract to install a 10km pipeline bundle from Talisman Sinopec Energy UK Limited. The contract, valued at US$285mn, is for the provision of subsea construction services in support of the company’s Montrose Area Redevelopment (MAR) project. The contract scope includes the project management, engineering, procurement, fabrication and installation of two 5km pipeline bundles. The pipeline bundle system will tie back the Cayley production wells to the new Bridge Linked Platform (BLP) at the Montrose platform. The contract also includes the procurement, fabrication and installation of a 17.5km production

Subsea 7 – UK www.subsea7.com

110 years of pipeline construction Sheehan Pipe Line Construction Company (SPLCC), USA, is celebrating 110 years in business this year. R David Sheehan Jr and Robert A Riess Sr, the current owners of SPLCC, are excited about the success and future of the company: “Sheehan Pipe Line Construction Company looks to the future with great anticipation because we’ve learned so much from the past. We are the nation’s oldest pipeline construction company and a leader in the truest sense of the word. “A company that has been guided through more than 110 years of successful, innovative and continuous operation by four generations of the Sheehan family. Although our years of experience make us unique to the industry, it is not just years alone on which we have built our reputation. The secret is in our ability to adapt to continuing changes in all areas of pipeline construction that sets us apart.” Sheehan has created a new logo for use in 2013, and will be creating collector’s items and memorabilia to celebrate its success.

Sheehan Pipe Line Construction Company – USA www.sheehanpipeline.com

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