McJunkin Red Man Acquires LaBarge Pipe & Steel
McJunkin Red Man announced the acquisition of St. Louis-based LaBarge Pipe & Steel Co. Founded in 1952, LaBarge is one of North America's largest stocking distributors of large diameter carbon steel pipe, serving oil & gas, petrochemical, utility, industrial and construction markets. The company operates sales offices in St. Louis, Houston, Birmingham and Charlotte, and a manufacturing facility in Wagoner, OK.

Buffa Named President Of Crane Energy Flow
Crane Energy Flow Solutions announced the appointment of Vincent Buffa as president, Crane Energy Flow Solutions.  Buffa joined Crane in December 2007 as pesident, Crane Pumps & Systems.  Prior to coming to Crane last year, he held leadership roles in the aerospace and defense industries for R

Yearwood To Become CEO Of Smith International
Smith International announced that John Yearwood, 48, will become Smith International, Inc.'s CEO, president and COO on January 1, 2009. Doug Rock, 61, who holds these positions currently, will remain chairman of Smith's Board of Directors after January 1, 2009. Smith is the parent company of Houston-based oil field supplier Wilson.

Spears Acquires Coastline From Victaulic
Spears Manufacturing Co. has acquired Coastline Plastics from Victaulic. Coastline is a leading producer of CPVC pipe for plumbing, industrial and fire protection markets. The renamed Spears Coastline Plastics will continue to supply CPVC pipe to Victaulic for sale in the fire protection market.

Todd Ford Promoted To Central States COO
Todd Ford has been promoted to chief operating officer at Central States Group according to President & CEO Steve Anderson.  He will have direct responsibility for sales and operations companywide, reporting to the CEO.  Ford came to Central States in 2006 from a branch of a national PHCP distributor. He will be moving from the Cedar Rapids office to headquarters in Omaha by year end 2008 to assume his new role.

Holmes Named Plymouth Tube's National Sales Mgr.
Tom Holmes has been appointed national sales manager for Plymouth Tube Co. He began his career at Plymouth Tube in 1981, has held many sales and sales management positions over the years and has won numerous performance awards.

China's Steel Output Drops For First Time In 10 Years
Industrial Information Resources reported that China's output of steel products totaled 47.8 million metric tons in August, down 0.2% year over year, marking the first decline in 10 years, according to a report by the State Statistics Bureau of China. China's price of steel has dropped for 10 consecutive weeks, and after announcements were made last month by four large steel producers to reduce output, other steel producers are now considering the same move, according to a report by the China Iron and Steel Association. China's iron and steel industry had maintained rapid growth for six years with an annual growth rate of more than 20% after 2000. Furthermore, Russia's largest steelmaker, OAO Severstal, said last Friday it is cutting October production by as much as 30% and may lower its earnings forecast for the year, due to the weaker global economy.

Apollo^® Valves Labs Earn ISO/IEC Accreditation
Apollo Valves said it is the first U.S. valve manufacturer to meet ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation for its engineering laboratory in Pageland, SC.  The Apollo Valves gage calibration laboratory, also located in Pageland, is ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accredited, as well. ISO/IEC 17025:2005 is an international standard used to assess technical competency in laboratory management, including testing proficiency, calibration, personnel training, report generation and recordkeeping.

Flowserve Named To S&P 500
Flowserve Corp. (NYSE: FLS), a leading provider of flow control products and services for the global power, chemical, water, oil and gas and general industries, has been named to join the select membership of the S&P 500 Index. S&P has announced that companies selected for inclusion in the index are "not only considered leaders in their respective industry segments but also have been determined to add value to the worldwide equity markets.

Key Employees Get Ownership In Central States Group
As a result of the retirement of one of Central States' principal owners, seven of the Omaha, NE-based company's key associates have acquired ownership in the company.  This transition occurred in the first quarter of 2008.  They are:
Patty Lundgren, vice president sales for the PVF Division has been with CSG for 15 years. (Top photo)
Todd Ford, recently promoted chief operating officer (see item above).
Corry Walton , vice president and general manager of the Engineered Products Division, has been with the company for 17 years.
Susan Marsh, a key accounts manager focused on the bio-fuels market, has been with CSG for 16 years.
Al Pfeifer , chief information officer, with the company for 34 years. (Bottom photo)
Joann Schacher, CFO, has been with CSG for 15 years.
Mike Vezina, vice president and general manager of the company's Mueller Sales group in New Hope, MN.