- 1 May 2008 -
Quickstep and Vortex form joint venture for pipes
QUICKSTEP HOLDINGS Ltd and Vortex Pipes announce the forging of a joint venture called QuickPipes for high-end, corrosion resistant composites pipes. The joint venture has the potential to lead to substantial cost savings as pipes can be manufactured and joined on site.
“Vortex is receiving increasing enquiries from customers interested in alternatives to traditional steel pipe, who face large cost increases due to the increasing raw material costs,” says Trevor Gosatti, Managing Director, Vortex.
“We are seeing an increasing move towards composite pipe products due to their improving cost viability, reduced maintenance costs and longer lifespan. I believe the development of a new generation of advanced composite pipe cured using the Quickstep Process could see the beginning of an industry shift towards advanced composites particularly in specialist large diameter steel pipe replacement.”
The venture will initially be on a 80:20 Vortex:Quickstep basis where Vortex will be responsible for stage 1 funding of the joint venture, which is estimated to up to US$750 000. Vortex will also provide its composites pipelining and manufacturing technology, industry contacts and experience.
Quickstep will provide its technology, knowledge, and suitable Quickstep QS20 composites production machine. Work will commence immediately with a focus on the development of a range of high-end composites pressure pipes.
Stage 1 will be followed by the construction of the first QuickPipes manufacturing plant. Early cash flow from the venture is expected around 2008/2009 through the development and production of niche fittings for existing markets, and commercial-ready lengths of finished pipe could be produced by the end of 2009.
Quickstep Holdings Ltd; www.quickstep.com.au
Vortex Pipes; www.vortexpipes.com
Reinforced Plastics © Copyright 2008, Elsevier Ltd, All rights reserved.