Pipe manufacturer Northwest Pipe sent a letter to customers earlier this week indicating that it will increase prices $3.00 cwt. ($66/mt or $60/nt) on all new orders of ASTM A Grade B standard pipe and ASTM A 500 & 252 structural carbon steel pipe. Sprinkler pipe prices will be increased by 6 percent. The increase is due to rising raw material costs.
All orders currently on the books will be price-protected through February 2012.
Other welded pipe manufacturers made similar announcements last week. Wheatland Tube, a division of the JMC Steel Group, announced last Tuesday a $3.00 cwt. increase on all ERW Grade B pipe and API products, a 6 percent increase on fence pipe, tubing and squares and continuous weld pipe. Sprinkler pipe products will increase 6 to 8 percent.
Similarly, last Wednesday Canada's Nova Tube issued a $3.00 cwt. immediate increase on ERW Grade B (schedule 40 and 80) due to continued raw material cost increases.