TPi March 2015

business & market news

Australian expansion Special Piping Materials Australia has continued its growth by moving into a new purpose-built warehouse and office facility covering over 3,000m 2 in Bassendean, Western Australia.

Special Piping Materials has also appointed a new general manager for its Singapore subsidiary. Alex Forth is relocating from the UK to Singapore, and is tasked with driving the growth of Special Piping Materials in the Southeast Asian region, while overseeing major projects.

Ian Hutchinson, managing director of Australian operations, expressed his delight with the smooth transition to the new facility: “Our new Bassendean facility allows us to continue our significant growth shown over the past few years. It gives us well-needed space to increase inventory so we can now offer from stock items which in the past would have to be imported from overseas. The space available also allows us to continue to improve our internal processes and invest in new staff members to better service our clients’ increasingly stringent needs.”

The significant additional space available has allowed the company to immediately increase its stock range, with increased ‘on-hand’ quantities of all existing products, as well as the addition of new inventory lines of heavy wall pipes and fittings and high pressure flanges in Duplex S31803/2205 and Super Duplex S32750/2507.

Special Piping Materials Ltd – UK www.specialpipingmaterials.com

Special Piping Materials Australia sales@specialpipingmaterials.com.au www.specialpipingmaterials.com

Tubacex acquires majority stake in Prakash seamless division

mutually beneficial for Tubacex and Prakash Steelage and is expected to reinforce the growth of the stainless steel seamless tubes and pipes division.” Tubacex is a multi-national group dedicated to themanufacture of stainless steel and high-alloyed seamless tubes, mainly for the oil and gas, petrochemical and power generation industry sectors, which account for over 90 per cent of the group’s sales.

Tubacex, “The acquisition of a majority stake in the seamless stainless steel division of Prakash Steelage is a step towards strengthening our presence in growing markets. We are perfectly aware about the market situation with the oil price drop and the investment slowing down in the oil industry, but this is a strategic decision that will allow us to increase our presence in growing markets.” Shri Prakash Kanugo, chairman and managing director of Prakash Steelage, commented, “The joint venture will be

Tubacex, a Spanish company specialising in the manufacture of stainless steel tubular solutions, has reached an agreement with Indian company Prakash Steelage Ltd to acquire 68 per cent of its seamless stainless steel tube division. Prakash Steelage is a manufacturer of stainless steel tubes and pipes. The seamless stainless steel tube division employs around 250 people and has a turnover of €25mn.

Tubacex SA – Spain www.tubacex.es

According to Jesús Esmorís, CEO of

Plymouth appoints first non-family president and CEO

steel and titanium extruded shapes. The 90-year-old company stated in a memo announcing Mr Baker’s appointment that Plymouth is committed to remaining a private, family-owned business. Plymouth is currently in its fifth generation of family ownership, with family members active in the company either through employment or board positions.

of the business as CEO, I will continue to be involved with the company as chairman of the board. Throughout the past seven months our search committee was thorough, relentless and successful in finding the best candidate who embodies the experience, leadership and values to carry on the Plymouth legacy.” Mr Van Pelt cited Mr Baker’s experience with family business, operations, sales and marketing and corporate leadership in explaining what made him an ideal fit for the manufacturer of steel tubing and

Plymouth Tube Co has named Mark Baker its new president and chief executive officer, the first non-family member to hold that position since the company’s founding in 1924. Mr Baker joins Plymouth as Donald Van Pelt, Jr, who has served as president and CEO since 1996 and chairman of the board since 2013, prepares to retire. Mr Van Pelt will retain his role as chairman of the board. In a statement to Plymouth employees, Mr Van Pelt remarked, “Although I will be stepping away from the daily details

Plymouth Tube Co – USA sales@plymouth.com www.plymouth.com

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Tube Products International March 2015

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