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Outokumpu Sees Pickup In Orders
Stainless steel PVF giant Outokumpu announced in late June that it will increase its production capability due to increased orders from earlier low levels that forced the temporary layoffs of some 700 employees at its Tornio, Finland plant.
"The reduction of inventories by distributors and end-users seems to have ended and the increase in the nickel price has triggered some purchasing activity," the company said in a press release.
Outokumpu had been operating at about 50-60% capacity utilization in the first half of 2009. The plan is not to return to full production capacity yet, but to adjust production "to allow for some recovery in the delivery volumes for the fourth quarter of this year ... Delivery volumes in the third quarter will remain at depressed levels due to capacity constraints and maintenance shutdowns." |
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RathGibson Files Chapter 11
RathGibson, Inc.
announced on July 13 that the company has begun reorganization proceedings under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. In a press statement, President/CEO Mike Schwartz said demand for its specialty pipe and tube products was down 50% from 2008's record-setting levels, and court papers listed company the company's total assets at $305.1 million and total debt of $319.2 million. Court papers asserted that the company sought relief after its bank cut access to a line of credit. Schwartz emphasized that the Chapter 11 filing should have no impact on day-to-day operations.
VanAire Opens In Houston
VanAire, Inc., a valve automation hardware manufacturer, recently opened a new 18,000-sq. ft. complete CNC facility in Houston. This facility is in addition to its existing 45,000 sq. ft. operation located in Gladstone, MI.
Victaulic Acquires AquaFlex
Victaulic announced it has purchased AquaFlex USA
, a leading provider of flexible connections for fire protection sprinkler heads. Founders Chuck Kafenshtok and Chuck Oakes will continue to manage AquaFlex as part of Victaulic.
Big Coal-Gas Plant In The Works
Emerson Process Managment has formed a strategic partnership with
Secure Energy, Inc to help build an $800 million coal gasification plant in Decatur, IL -- the
first coal gasification-to-synthetic natural gas plant to be constructed in the U.S. in two decades. No timetable has been announced for the project. Secure Energy is seeking a DOE grant under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for carbon capture and sequestration facilities. Additional funding will be provided through private investors, including ARC Financial of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Wilson Gets Exclusive FlexSteel Rights
Oilfield PVF distributor Wilson and
Wellstream International announced that they have agreed to an exclusive U.S. distributorship of the FlexSteelTM product in the U.S. FlexSteel is a spoolable line pipe system.
EU Imposes Pipe Tariffs On China
The European Union agreed to levy tariffs ranging from 17.7% to 39.2% on imports of seamless steel pipe from China, effective in October. The tariffs will replace temporary duties in place since April ranging up to 24.2%. Chinese exports of seamless pipe to Europe have surged from only 35,000 tons in 2005 to more than 550,000 tons last year.
NW Pipe Reports Steep 2nd Quarter Declines
Northwest Pipe Co.
reported sales of $74.9 million for the 2nd quarter ended June 30. Net income for the quarter was $2.4 million. In the same quarter of 2008, sales were $112.1 million and net income was $8.4 million. The company's Tubular Products Group, which includes industrial and energy PVF products, suffered even more dramatic declines with sales of $15.6 million in 2Q 2009, compared to $37.2 million in 2008. "Selling prices across all product lines in the Tubular Products Group continued to fall throughout the quarter," said President/CEO Brian Dunham. |
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America Still Has What It Takes
This retrospective by a British journalist who is leaving the U.S. after living here for 13 years is worth reading for its balanced perspective and upbeat ending.
The Economist's commentator, who writes under the pseudonym "Lexington," believes that beneath all the troubles we face we have what it takes to renew our prosperity. |
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| AEC Store's FEATURED Product
 Pocket Guide to Flanges, Fittings, & Piping Data
Packed with pictures, definitions, and descriptions of ANSI and API piping materials, such as flanges, fittings, bolts, gaskets, and required wrench sizes, it serves as an excellent guide for "rookies" and a ready reference for "old-timers" alike. This compact reference is packed with pictures, definitions, and descriptions of ANSI and API
piping materials, such as flanges, fittings, bolts, gaskets, and required wrench sizes. It contains basic information and data to answer common questions that arise in materials handling, pipe fitting, and engineering. $60.95 CLICK HERE to order.
Visit AECstore.com
to view all of our Plumbing and PVF resources or call Stephanie at 248-244-1275 with any questions. |
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Tech Tip #27 by Gregg Marshall
To help you make the most of the Digital Age.
Knowledge Is Power
Did you know that United Airlines has a "flat tire rule" that says if you miss your flight (within 4 hours) they will rebook you on the next available flight?
Or that there was a double elite qualifying miles promotion from April through June?
One of the powers of Web 2.0 communities is the shared knowledge you can get.
If you fly more than once or twice a year on the same airline, head over to FlyerTalk (http://www.flyertalk.com).
I thought I knew a lot about flying on United, my main airline (5-10 years ago 84% of all flights out of Denver were United). But after reading FlyerTalk for a few months, I found there's a lot more to know.
Not all the discussion is positive, in fact a lot is just grumbling or rumor chasing.
But if you are having a problem, or need some esoteric question answered (like if I book an award ticket in economy and waitlist for an award in business, if it clears less than 21 days before the flight will I have to pay the short notice ticketing fees?), there are people who can help (or will try to help).
There are forums for virtually every airline, many hotel chains, and a lot of general travel forums.
Knowledge is power, and when flying it may be the difference between getting stuck somewhere and knowing the best way to deal with a flight cancellation.
Gregg Marshall, CPMR, CSP, is president of Rep Connection Inc. He can be reached by e-mail at gmarshall@repconnection.com, or visit his LinkedIn profile at
http://www.linkedin.com/in/greggmarshall. |
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What's The Industry Buzzing About?
One way to tell is to visit the website of Supply House Times
. If you scroll to the bottom of the lead page, you will find lists of the "Most E-Mailed" and "Most Popular Articles" (as measured by visitations). This gives a pretty good feel for what industry citizens regard as important.
For example, as of Wednesday, July 29, these were the five "Most E-mailed" articles visited at the Supply House Times website.
5. Frank Webb's Bath Centers ...
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Hydronic Options for High Capacity Domestic Water
Heating:
The best mix of instantaneous capacity and
storage
Presented by John Siegenthaler, PE
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 10am PT | 1pm ET
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION only $49 thru September 3,
includes live webinar session and certificate of completion
This Webinar explains why the hydronics approach is superior to both
instantaneous water heating and massive storage-type systems. It shows you how
to configure and control a high capacity domestic water heating subsystem, and
how that subsystem can be easily expanded to handle several other common heating
loads. It gives you information that builds a case against competing options. If
your view of hydronics is limited to space heating, this Webinar will show you a
new profit opportunity. Learn
more or register!
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Integrating Geothermal Heat Pumps into Hydronic Heating/Cooling Systems
Presented by John Siegenthaler, PE
Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 10am PT | 1pm ET
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION only $49 thru September 3, includes live webinar session and certificate of completion
This Webinar will explore this combination in detail. You'll learn how to design systems that provide both hydronic heating and chilled water cooling. Design appropriate for both residential and larger commercial applications will be discussed. You'll see how the latest hydronics technology can be used to enhance performance of such systems. If you're ready to explore the complementary and profitable interface between hydronic technology and geothermal heat pumps this Webinar is for you.
Learn more or register! |
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TOLCO's New Offset Hanger/Restrainer
TOLCO
introduces its newest Offset Hanger/Restrainer, Fig. 28M, ideal for CPVC plastic and steel pipe, where the "stand-off" design will ease installation by eliminating the need for wood blocking. It can be used as a hanger at any location along the piping, and as a restrainer when installed near a sprinkler head. A flared-edge design protects plastic pipe from any rough or abrasive surfaces. Fig. 28M is UL listed in the U.S. and Canada to support automatic fire sprinkler systems, as both a hanger and a restrainer in all directions, when installed on 3/8" composite wood material. It also meets and exceeds the requirements of NFPA 13, 13R and 13D. Size Range: 3/4" - 1-1/4" |
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PIPE-FLO Offers Online Tutorial
Engineered Software, Inc., creator of the PIPE-FLO Professional design software, has announced their first online video now available free on their website for anyone interested in learning how to use the software. The video gives an overview of the main features of the
PIPE-FLO Professional program and walks viewers through the creation of a piping system in the PIPE-FLO program. |
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BNP Media
2401 W. Big Beaver Road, Ste. 700
Troy, Michigan, 48084-3333
U.S.A. |
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Contact The Editor
PVF e-News is a twice-monthly newsletter edited by Supply House Times Editor Jim Olsztynski. Contact him with any requests, complaints, compliments or information you think worth reporting in this e-newsletter.
1050 IL Rte. 83, Suite 200
Bensenville, IL 60106
630/694-4006
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