TPi July 2019

Business & market news

State senator tours infrastructure products plant at Advanced Drainage Systems

“Many local jurisdictions and state departments of transportation, however, have outdated specifications that do not allow plastic pipe. This, unfortunately, creates a monopoly, increasing the cost of a project. Updating specifications to allow approved product alternatives can save taxpayers money.” Another key topic discussed during the senator’s visit was reducing plastic waste. Each year, ADS uses nearly 400 million pounds of recycled plastics to make its products. “Our state’s recycling act just celebrated 30 years,” stated Senator Yaw. “We’re very proud of being one of the first states in the nation to enact legislation to help the environment. And it was gratifying to find out that ADS is turning that plastic scrap into advantageous products that are used to improve our infrastructure.” Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc – USA

piece of that pipe is very strong but also light enough to be easily moved and installed by the crew on a job site.” On the subject of fair and open competition for state- and federally funded projects, Senator Yaw said, “When open competition is allowed, material costs for public projects can drop dramatically and also provide the best possible product. Across the country, open competition could save $22.3bn for storm water in pipe material costs during the next ten years.” According to Tori Durliat, director of marketing for ADS, “The trend by departments of transportation through- out the nation is to improve drainage systems while controlling costs by using thermoplastic – HDPE and PP – pipe. “The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) national construction and main- tenance regulation allows the use of alternative types of pipe on federal-aid highway projects.

Pennsylvania state senator Gene Yaw has visited the Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc (ADS) manufacturing plant in Muncy, Pennsylvania, to gain first- hand experience of how large diameter thermoplastic pipe is made, and to discuss with ADS executives the fair and open competition for products used in federal and state projects. high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) pipe in diameters up to 60" for storm water drainage and sanitary sewer systems. Senator Yaw is the chair of the PA Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee and the vice chair of the Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee. “It was quite an experience to see pipe that is five feet in diameter being made,” commented Senator Yaw, “and to find out that even a standard 20-foot ADS manufactures

info@ads-pipe.com www.ads-pipe.com

Pennsylvania state senator Gene Yaw (left) watches a 20-foot length of 48" diameter ADS N-12 pipe being made

Bronx straightening equipment for China Fives has been awarded a contract by a Chinese client, based in Jiangsu Province, to supply Bronx straightening equipment for the ship-building industry. The Bronx 13-roll straightener is designed to process bulb and flat steel sections up to 220mm wide, which feature heavily in the construction of cruise ships and form part of a fully integrated sheet metal and profile- preservation line. The motorised machine is fully automatic. It utilises

the Compass system (Computer Aided Setting System) for automatic precision setting of all work rolls. Fives – France Website: www.fivesgroup.com

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TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL July 2019

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