TPi July 2009

news business & market

Pipework and components for

power plant upgrade stainless steel pipe products showed a strongly declining pattern.

In 2008, the Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group made continued investments in its network of offices and warehouses. In the Middle East, teams were reinforced and the company’s logistical infrastructure expanded with stock locations in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and in Qatar. In the UK, Thailand and Canada, offices were renovated and expanded. In Australia investments were made in Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney. In a large number of warehouses investments took place in cutting capacity and new machines for material treatments. At central locations stocks for relatively new products like duplex and super duplex were built up. Its optimised European inventory management and storage systems ensured that the Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group was able to offer tailor-made concepts. The company expects that 2009 will be a lean year on the demand side with uncertainty about price developments. Turnover and net result will conse- quently decline in 2009 after five years of growth and record results. The company wants to retain its core competencies and leading market positions, and reinforce themby focusing on the areas such as purchasing, sales, distribution, and logistics.

Pipe Center is a preferred supplier for ScottishPower, supplying pipes, valves and related components for the company’s two major Scottish plants. The order was managed by Eddie Houston, account executive at Pipe Center’s Glasgow branch. Mr Houston commented, “ We have a strong working relationship with ScottishPower, and provide back-up, components and materials for ongoing maintenance and upgrades. Power companies understandably attach great importance to ensuring that plant operates efficiently – as it is an essential pre-requisite of the industry. ” The Cockenzie project involved supply of 16" and 26" pipework, Viking Johnson 16" flange adapters drilled to 15" table D, and 16" plate flanges, machined by Flanges Ltd. Velan piping King assemblies for use in the plant’s turbine steam trap were also supplied. Cockenzie is one of Scotland’s largest power stations and plays a vital role in guaranteeing the security of electricity supplies across the country. The station, which celebrated its 40 th anniversary in 2008, has a coal store capacity of around 900,000 tonnes, and the full site covers some 93 hectares. Wolseley – UK customerservices@wolseley.co.uk www.wolseley.co.uk

Pipe Center, part of Wolseley UK, has supplied speciality pipework and components worth around £100,000 for upgrading work on ScottishPower’s Cockenzie power station. The 1,200MW coal-fired plant, located eight miles from Edinburgh on the Forth Estuary, has been generating electricity since 1968. ScottishPower is investing in work to extend the plant’s operational life, and improve efficiency and envi- ronmental performance. The work involved upgrading the pipework used for conveying the pulverised fuel used to power the station. Pipe Center supplied couplings for use with 26" diameter pipework used to carry the material within the plant.

T▼ ▼ he Cockenzie power station, located on the Forth Estuary, has been generating electricity for over 40 years

Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group BV – The Netherlands www.vanleeuwen.com

Pipe Center – UK www.pipecenter.co.uk

15

www.read-tpi.com

July 2009 Tube Products International