Global Pipe Co. invests in SMS group key equipment
Global Pipe Company (GPC), based in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, has placed an order with SMS group for the supply of a mechanical expander an a hydrostatic pipe tester for its new manufacturing line that will double the company’s annual production capacity from 200,000 tons to 400,000 tons.
“Our target is to equip our new manufacturing line with the most advanced technology available on the market, from reliable machine suppliers with lengthy experience in the supply of equipment for pipe mills,” says Ahmed Hamad Al-Khonaini, Shareholder and Managing Director of GPC. Thus SMS group has been selected as the supplier for the expander and the hydrotester. “With the total number of 17 installed expander machines from 2002 and 19 hydrotesters from 1971, SMS group presented us strong references in pipe mills with similar scope of business.” continues Mr. Al-Kohanaini.
The new 10MN mechanical expander will be installed in the final control area of the new line. In addition to the stress relief on welded pipes, the expander will give the final shape for GPC’s products, making sure that the final dimensions are within the required range according to the applicable specifications. The machine will initially cover the diameter range between 24” and 56”, and optimize GPC’s output in big diameter pipes. The new hydrostatic pipe tester covering pipe diameters from 16” to 62” is also one of the major equipment additions to the new line. It will have a testing capacity of 650 bar allowing the hydro-inspection of small-diameter pipes with heavy wall thickness pipes as per applicable specifications.
The new line will be implemented as a completely independent line from the existing one. This will allow GPC to run two different manufacturing orders simultaneously and avoid interruption for orders in case of priority changes.
“By doubling our nominal capacity to 400,000 MT, we will be in the position of allocating production slots for neighboring markets in the GCC and MENA region without neglecting our home market,” says Ahmed Hamad Al-Khonaini.
The new line should be ready for production in the third quarter in 2018.