TPi October 2012

business & market news

TMK announces new appointments TMK, a producer of tubular products for the oil and gas industry, has appointed Vladimir Oborsky as CEO of Trade House TMK. He previously held the position of senior vice president. Mr Oborsky replaces Konstantin Semerikov, who has taken up the position of TMK vice president for project development.

implementation of which is aimed at strengthening the company’s position as a global supplier of tubular products for the oil and gas industry.” TMK operates 24 production sites in the USA, Russia, Romania and Kazakhstan, and two R&D centres in Russia and the USA. In 2011 TMK’s pipe shipments totalled 4.23mn tonnes. The largest share of TMK’s sales belongs to high margin oil country tubular goods, shipped to customers in 85 countries.

sales at Metinvest Holding and Mechel. “The management changes at Trade House TMK have been carried out as part of the company’s rotation plan for executive personnel,” said Alexander Shiryaev, TMK CEO. “The appointment of Vladimir Oborsky to the position of CEO of Trade House TMK is a natural step. Mr Oborsky has had a long and successful career in top positions at TMK and Trade House. He is well- versed in operational matters and in working with the customers of our products. Konstantin Semerikov in his new position remains a member of the company’s management board. He has been entrusted with a new large project,

Andrei Parkhomchuk has been appointed senior vice president of Trade House TMK. Mr Parkhomchuk joined the company after working for MMK Group, where he was responsible for selling metal products of the Turkish plant MMK Metalurji. Mr Parkhomchuk previously headed metal products

TMK – Russia tmk@tmk-group.com www.tmk-group.com

Solvay completes sale of stake in Pipelife Solvay has completed the sale of its 50 per cent stake in Pipelife, one of the world’s leading suppliers of plastic pipe systems, to Wienerberger. headquartered in Vienna, Austria. The company employs approximately 2,600 employees in 27 countries, and realised around €800mn in sales in 2011. Solvay is an international chemical Group committed to sustainable development with a focus on innovation and operational excellence. It generates over 90 per cent of its sales in markets where it is among the top three leaders.

For Solvay the deal represents an enterprise value of around €257mn for its 50 per cent stake, when taking into account assumption of liabilities, including pensions and other debt- like items, for about €85mn. Solvay received in total €172mn in cash for the shares, including a special dividend of €10mn. Pipelife has 29 production plants, and is

Wienerberger is the world’s largest brick producer (Porotherm, Poroton, Terca) as well as the market leader for clay roof tiles (Koramic, Tondach) in Europe and for concrete pavers (Semmelrock) in Central-East Europe. In pipe systems (Steinzeug-Keramo ceramic pipes and Pipelife plastic pipes), the company is one of the leading suppliers in Europe.

Solvay offers a broad range of products for customers in markets such as consumer goods, construction, automotive, energy, water and environment, and electronics.

Solvay – Belgium www.solvay.com

Leavitt tube renamed Leavitt Tube Company has been renamed Maruichi Leavitt Pipe & Tube, LLC. The change reflects the ownership position of the company, which is 60 per cent owned by Maruichi Steel Tube Ltd (MKK). The remaining 40 per cent of the company is owned by Sumitomo Corporation of America (SOCA).

Maruichi Steel Tube, Ltd (MKK), founded in 1947, has developed a global business model by establishing manufacturing companies in Japan, USA, Indonesia, China, Vietnam and India. With over $1.5bn in sales and total production of more than 1.5mn tons of steel tubing, Maruichi Steel Tube is one of the largest manufacturers of welded steel tube. Maruichi Leavitt Pipe & Tube, LLC – USA www.leavitt-tube.com

Pipe and API 5L Specification Pipe after upgrades to its largest structural tube mill, the W80, are complete in the first quarter of 2013. Leavitt Tube began producing mechanical steel tubing in 1956. The company evolved into an industry leader with one of the broadest size ranges of structural, mechanical and Hi-Y50 pipe-size tubing. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, it operated several tubing mills with facilities in Chicago and Jackson, Mississippi. In 2008, Maruichi Steel Tube Ltd of Japan acquired a majority interest in Leavitt Tube.

Maruichi Leavitt Pipe & Tubewill continue to be headquartered in Chicago. It will have its own distinct logo and identity, and will continue to produce mechanical tubing and steel hollow structural sections. The company also plans on producing A53 Grade B Tested

Maruichi Steel Tube, Ltd – Japan www.maruichikokan.co.jp/english

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Tube Products International October 2012

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