Global Pipe Company the first manufacturer in the Middle East of line pipes up to 50.8 mm (2 inches) wall thickness, plans to ramp up production to 200,000 tonnes at its new state of the art factory at Jubail Industrial City by the first quarter of 2014.

The factory, which started commissioning in January 2013, is a joint venture between Erndtebrucker Eisenwerk of Germany and its Saudi partners Saudi Steel Pipe Company, Ahmed Hamed Al Khonaini, and Pan Gulf Holding Company with a total investment of more than SAR 660 million (USD 176 million).

Mr Ahmed Hamad Al Khonaini MD of GPC said that the sophisticated plant was set up with a view to manufacturing thick-walled steel pipes, targeting mainly the Saudi Arabian and GCC markets, which, until now, have had to import these products.

He added that "Our strategic partner EEW is one of the most experienced manufacturers of thick-walled pipe in the world using the very latest equipment and machinery, and the company benefits from having a wide range of agents and distributors all over the world. Our other partners are also experienced in either pipe manufacturing or pipe trading: SSP has been recognised as Saudi Arabia's premier manufacturer of welded steel pipe since its inception in 1980, while PGH is a provider of quality products and efficient services to the oil and gas and construction sectors in the kingdom."