Russian pipe giant TMK's Illinois, US-based subsidiary TMK IPSCO announced on February 22 that it has signed a lease on a building in Brookfield, Ohio where it will install new equipment to further expand the threading capacity of its ULTRA Premium Connections product line.
A company press release said that the new facility will be capable of manufacturing both premium connections and American Petroleum Institute (API) connections and will support TMK IPSCO's growing market share in the Marcellus Shale gas plays, where ULTRA has been one of the first manufacturers to make premium connection sales.
The API is a renowned institution regarding petroleum and petrochemical equipment operating standards.
The facility, which should begin operations during the second quarter of this year, will have an annual manufacturing capacity of up to 100,000 mt of threaded pipe. Initial employment will be approximately 50 people, with long-term employment levels expected to reach 120.