TPi July 2015

business & market news

Ametek acquires Global Tubes Ametek, Inc has acquired Global Tubes, a manufacturer of high- precision, small-diameter metal tubing, for approximately $200mn. steel, nickel, zirconium and titanium. Its products are used in highly engineered applications serving the aerospace, energy, power generation and medical markets.

used across a wide range of highly engineered applications.”

“Global metallurgical capabilities, processing capabilities and alloy ranges are complementary to our existing Specialty Metal Products businesses and give us the opportunity to expand our offerings both internationally and in attractive growth markets,” added Mr Hermance. Tubes’

The business has annual sales of approximately $120mn, and is composed of two businesses: Fine Tubes, based in Plymouth, UK, and Superior Tube, based in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, USA. Global Tubes manufactures custom- ised metal tubing from a wide variety of metals and alloys, including stainless

Frank S Hermance, Ametek’s chairman and chief executive officer, commented, “Global Tubes is an excellent acquisition for Ametek and a great strategic fit with our Specialty Metal Products business. It has strong positions in a number of attractive niche markets for high- precision, small-diameter metal tubing

ametek, Inc – USA info@ametekpr.com www.ametek.com

VIP seals Middle East infrastructure deal

VIP-Polymers has also embarked on a manufacturing joint venture in Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE, in order to service a number of large diameter pipe gasket contracts secured in the Middle East. The newly formed company, VIP- Polymers LLC, has signed a ten-year lease with options for expansion in Ras Al Khaimah. The strategic location will enable VIP- Polymers LLC to meet the demands of three continents, providing shorter delivery times for some of its key customers. In addition to the benefits to VIP’s ductile iron pipe customers in the surrounding region, the joint venture is also expected to enable the company to continue to enhance its presence within the buoyant plastic and clay pipe sealing sectors. VIP-Polymers LLC will expand its manufacturing capabilities, with the new facility being equipped with mixers, extruders, compression and injection moulding machines, tooling and finishing equipment.

which was a factor in the contracts being successfully secured.

UK-based rubber sealing gasket manufacturer VIP-Polymers has started supplying large diameter sealing gasket contracts secured in Qatar.

The investment forms part of the major infrastructure project within Qatar as part of its 2022 World Cup programme, which includes building 174 hotels and 12 stadiums, and the spending of $4bn on the Qatar-Bahrain causeway and a further $20bn on expanding the road network. As a result of winning the contracts, VIP has invested a significant six-figure sum in manufacturing equipment, including a large bespoke vacuum compression moulding press. VIP now has the

The contracts won are in excess of £1mn and will continue into 2016.

The predominantly DN1600 large ‘Tyton’ sealing gaskets enable ductile iron pressure pipe to be joined, allowing the transportation of dirty and clean potable drinking water. VIP-Polymers is one of the few gasket manufacturers to hold potable water certificates for temperatures up to 70°,

capability to produce single- piece moulded gaskets up to DN2200.

VIP’s new vacuum compression moulding press

VIP-Polymers

managing

director Millar commented, “The machine comes with many benefits, allowing us not only to increase our manufacturing capacity but to upgrade our capability by investing in the latest technology to ensure that we are able to continue to offer our customers the high level of quality and service they expect from us.” John

VIP-Polymers – UK sales@vip-polymers.com www.vip-polymers.com

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Tube ProducTs InTernaTIonal July 2015

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