TMK IPSCO Upgrades Facility in Wilder, Kentucky

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., March 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Pipe producer TMK IPSCO is making a number of exciting new investments at its facility in Wilder, Ky. that will improve operational efficiency and add value for its oil and gas industry customers.

TMK IPSCO's most significant investment in Wilder will be the installation of a thread shop, for which the company will receive economic development support from the state of Kentucky. The thread shop construction will begin in March and is expected to be complete in mid-summer, with startup occurring by fall. Currently, pipe produced at Wilder is sent to other TMK IPSCO facilities in Iowa and Oklahoma for threading, so bringing the process in-house will result in significant savings, improve efficiency and modernize the Wilder facility.

"By installing our own threading capabilities, we will be able to go to market faster and save significant freight costs," said David Diederich, director of operations for TMK IPSCO's welded pipe division. "This is especially true for our customers located in the Marcellus Shale region, as well as in the north and west. We will be able to respond to our customer needs more effectively than we have in the past."

The Wilder facility has two pipe mills, which produce welded pipe ranging from 4 ½ to 16 inches in diameter. These pipes are primarily produced for oil and gas industry usage. Another investment for 2011 will include the installation of new 16-inch facing machines, which will start up in April, and will produce a higher-quality bevel on the standard and line pipe produced at Wilder. In addition, TMK IPSCO plans to eliminate an intra-rail system that currently transports pipe out of the 16-inch mill. The plant will maintain its ability to ship directly by rail, barge or truck, but with enhancements to the loading facilities.

"All of these investments aim to improve service, efficiency and technology at the plant," said Jim Tregenza, vice president and chief operations officer of TMK IPSCO. "We are investing in these operations to further secure our position as a leader in this industry both today and in the future."

While these investments will not result in an increase in employment in the short-term, TMK IPSCO anticipates that these operational upgrades will lead to increased utilization of the Wilder facility and therefore a potential for increased long-term employment opportunities. The Wilder facility currently employs nearly 300 workers. At other TMK IPSCO facilities, including those in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Ohio, the company has added numerous jobs – nearly 250 jobs company-wide in 2010.

TMK IPSCO has owned and operated the Wilder facility since 2008, but the plant's modern-era operations date back to 1981 under various owners. In 2011, more than 100 TMK IPSCO employees will celebrate 30 years of continuous service at the plant.

TMK IPSCO operates in North America as a division of TMK, a global market leader in energy pipe production. TMK operates 23 production facilities around the world. TMK product offerings include a wide range of seamless and welded energy tubular products including oil & gas drill pipe, well casing and tubing, line pipe, LD pipe, standard pipe, hollow structural sections and related services. TMK also manufactures premium connections for oil and natural gas drilling and production under the ULTRA™ Premium Connections and TMK Premium brand names.

For further information about TMK IPSCO, including ULTRA Premium Connections, please visit www.tmk-ipsco.com or contact [email protected].

SOURCE TMK IPSCO