TPi October 2009

news business & market

CRC-Evans acquires Global Pipelines

CRC-EVANS Pipeline International has acquired a majority interest in UK-based Global Pipelines, and the two companies will work together to provide start-to-finish managed services for the spoolbase and offshore sectors. Global Pipelines was formed in 2007 as a division of Global Resources, providing specialised welding services. The company’s management team, led by managing director Ben MacKay, is experienced in the offshore oil and gas industry, with capabilities encompassing spoolbases, and conventional laybarge, j-lay, s-lay, and reel-lay managed services. Hypertherm, a specialist in plasma arc metal cutting technology, has announced a favourable settlement in a patent infringement lawsuit against the American Torch Tip Corporation (ATTC). Exact terms are undisclosed, however, the settlement includes a cash payment from ATTC to Hypertherm, and an agreement that ATTC will stop producing the parts at issue in the lawsuit. In addition, ATTC has agreed to destroy key parts in its inventory for Hypertherm’s HyPerformance HPR systems. “Global Pipelines is a natural fit for our business,” said Brian Laing, president

and chief operating officer of CRC- Evans Pipeline Equipment & Automatic Welding Group. “We can support their significant experience with our leading technology, and that will prove to be a powerful combination for our customers.” Four divisions of CRC-Evans will offer particular technology and expertise to Global Pipelines: CRC-Evans Engineered Systems (which deals with furnishing pipe handling equipment); CRC-Evans Inspection Group (advanced testing technologies); PIH Joint Coating Services (leading-edge coating systems); and CRC-Evans Automatic Welding (automated pipeline welding). of technologically advanced plasma cutting systems and consumables,” commented Evan Smith, Hypertherm’s vice president and general manager. “We believe that our innovations deliver unique advantages and superior productivity and profitability for Hypertherm’s customers. As such, we are very protective of our inventions and will use whatever legal means necessary to ensure that our patents are not violated.” Hypertherm filed suit against ATTC in 2005 for infringing four patented technologies. Those patents covered Hypertherm technology designed to deliver faster cut speeds, longer consumable life, improved cut quality,

CRC-Evans Pipeline International – USA CRC-Evans and Global Pipelines will ▲ ▲ provide services for spoolbase and offshore sectors

sales@crc-evans.com www.crc-evans.com

Global Pipelines – UK www.globalpipelines.co.uk

Settlement in patent infringement

better torch cooling, and dross-free performance to customers using genuine Hypertherm consumables. The Hypertherm patents cover more than 30 consumable parts for approximately 20 Hypertherm systems. Terms of the settlement prohibit ATTC from continuing to manufacture these parts. Hypertherm designs and manufactures advanced plasma cutting systems for use in a variety of industries such as shipbuilding, manufacturing, and automotive repair. Its product line includes handheld and mechanised plasma systems and consumables, as well as CNC motion and height controls. Hypertherm Europe BV – The Netherlands customer.service@hypertherm.com www.hypertherm.com

“Hypertherm devotes an enormous amount of resources to the development

Redesigned website for small diameter tube manufacturer GREENVILLE Tube, a manufacturer of small diameter stainless steel and nickel alloy seamless and welded and drawn tubing delivered with short lead times, has launched a redesigned website. The site has undergone significant information and design changes to allow visitors to find the data they need quickly and easily. The website contains information on products, technical guidelines to be used in design, and quality tests performed. Greenville Tube offers fast delivery of small diameter tubing that is available in stainless steel, duplex stainless steel, super austenitic stainless steel, and nickel alloys. The company’s tubing is used for various applications in the chemical and petrochemical industries, shipping, dental, medical, machined parts, fabricated parts, food, heat exchangers, heater tubes, fuel line and engine parts. Parent company RathGibson is a manufacturer of custom engineered stainless steel, nickel, and titanium tubing for diverse industries such as chemical, petrochemical, power generation, oil and gas, food, beverage, pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, medical, biotechnology and general commercial.

Greenville Tube – USA www.greenvilletube.com

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Tube Products International October 2009

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