TPI May 2013

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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Tube Products International May 2013

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