JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #55 - February/March 2010 - 11

are you planning to use this process? MR. TAN: The RTM process has also been very important in our product development. With the technology we have available and are developing, we see great potential in this part of the world for this process to move ahead in the composite industry for new products. Today, the RTM process is used for smallto medium-volume production and for tanks over 10 m² in applications like waste-water tanks and water or chemical storage. Our strength is our ability to use a wide range of resins (even for small production volumes) adapted to the product to be stored. JCM: What are Pipeco’s next big challenges? MR. TAN: Our next major phase of change will be the production of large composite parts using the RTM process, which is not widespread in this part of the world. With the help of our French partners, we want to become a global supplier of composite parts in the near future. We have seen that Pipeco can offer large RTM parts at a competitive price to European and even American customers. Choosing to export Pipeco has 250 employees, and last year’s turnover amounted to a bit over US$22 million. The company applies its 20 years of experience in the business to provide pressed-steel and GRP water storage solutions ranging from 1 to 5,000 m3 to tank suppliers around the world. It has customers in Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, U.A.E., Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Lebanon, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, France, Belgium, Tahiti, Australia, Maldives and Seychelles. The Middle East accounts for 45% of Pipeco’s business, Singapore for 30%, and Malaysia, for 25%. Pipeco depends on a distributor network to market its products. The production facilities are housed in two factories located in Shah Alam and Port Klang, Malaysia. The factories have a combined surface area of 33,000 m² and an annual production capacity of 300,000 GRP tank panels and 50,000 pressed-steel tank panels. This allows the company to fulfil its customer’s needs with competitive pricing, prompt delivery and consistent, highquality products. One aspect of Pipeco’s approach to export markets has involved developing a new line of products designed more specifically for the European market: RTM-moulded stormwater retention tanks from 2.4 m3 to Reinforcement made of sandwich construction. The structure consists of a non-woven synthetic core with large-diameter fibres and mechanically stitch-bonded fibreglass on the other side. 7.5 m3 in size, in DIY (do it yourself) kit form. Pipeco’s goal is to diversify its production and do 15% of its business in Focus Quality: PIPECO implements a production quality management system that complies with the ISO 9001:2000 standard. The company has been accredited since 2003. This ensures that tank panels and accessories are produced under the most stringent quality requirements and meet the required structural performance and durability levels. products other than water tanks. To that end, the company puts an average 5% of its turnover into research and development each year. Pipeco now has the necessary capabilities to manufacture SMC and RTM parts, whatever their size, operating as an OEM if necessary. It also has the capacity to export to Europe and North America. More information: www.pipeco.com.my No55 February - March 2010 / jec composites magazine

http://www.pipeco.com.my

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #55 - February/March 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #55 - February/March 2010