TPi January 2011

news business & market

Byard Spiral Mill to acquire 15% in Hannibal Pipes

in the south of Spain are classified a priority especially relating to water pipelines. Moreover, our equipment is designed and fabricated to serve the oil & gas market, which is still strong in North Africa and hopefully will grow in EU starting from 2012-2013.” Hannibal Pipes also designs and manufactures a large range of steel special pieces, including bends, T-connections, sleeves and couplings, in accordance with clients’ requirements. Byard Spiral Mill is a supplier of equipment for spirally welded steel pipe production, and during the last 30 years has sold its equipment to important worldwide pipe manufacturing companies, including Ratnamani, Welspun, Essar, Milan International (Ssangyong Piling), Surja Rosni Group and Rico Australia.

Hannibal Pipe Solutions SA has announced that Byard Spiral Mill has finalised a 15% share capital investment in Hannibal Pipes SA (previously fully owned by Hannibal Pipe Solutions SA). Hannibal Pipes’ first phase investment is equal to €10mn, and Byard Spiral Mill has acquired 15% for €1.5mn. Hannibal Pipes, located in Hellin (Albacete) within the Autonomous Region of Castilla La Mancha, is the first spirally welded steel pipe mill to operate in the south of Spain. Byard Spiral Mill will be the technical partner for supply and operation of pipe manufacturing equipment, initially having a yearly capacity of 90,000M/tons. The Byard production line is capable of manufacturing spiral steel pipes with diameters from 508 to 2,540mm and having a thickness up to 22mm. Pipe production is expected to start in Q1 International manufacturer Welspun Corp Ltd has announced the appointment of David Delie as president of Welspun Tubular LLC. Mr Delie is a 30-year veteran of the steel industry, with many of these years spent working in the tubular side of the business. He was previously with Berg Steel Pipe Corporation in Panama City, Florida and Mr Delie will assume his new duties in Little Rock, Arkansas effective January 2011. “We are looking forward to having David onboard as soon as possible,” commented Lauri Malkki, CEO of Welspun Corp Ltd. “His rich experience and expertise will help to strengthen our continued growth in the US market over the coming years.” “I am very excited to join Welspun Tubular,” said Mr Delie. “The company’s remarkable growth in the US market is a pipe

2011 and the major targets are the water and oil & gas pipeline projects in the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa. Hannibal Pipes is located in a strategic area close to 80% of incoming pipeline projects planned in Spain. Directly connected by railway with the Cartagena Port, Hannibal Pipes is in a suitable location to serve North African destinations. “Having Byard Spiral Mill on board is for us of paramount importance as we are now in the best position to offer to our clients the most reliable products in the most strategic location,” stated a Hannibal Pipes spokesman. Mr Ting, chairman and CEO of Byard Spiral Mill, commented, “We decided to invest in Hannibal Pipes after thorough market analysis. Despite the EU economic situation, some projects credit to its outstanding workers based in Arkansas. I look forward to building on this success, and continuing the company’s commitment to supply products from multiple sources with quality and capabilities unmatched in the industry.” Welspun Corp announced earlier in 2010 that it is set to add more than 230 jobs and to invest over $30mn in its Little Rock, Arkansas facility, the company’s first large-diameter pipe manufacturing location in North America. With this expansion, Welspun will employ more than 600 people, more than doubling the workforce at the plant since its opening in 2009. Welspun Tubular LLC is a spiral pipe and coating facility, spread across 740 acres.

Byard Spiral Mill – Malaysia info@spiralpipe.com www.spiralpipe.com Hannibal Pipes SA – Spain info@hannibalpipes.com www.hannibalpipes.com

President of Welspun Tubular LLC appointed

Welspun Corp Ltd – USA www.welspuncorp.com

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January 2011 Tube Products International