On 16 July 2008, Centravis (Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine), a producer of seamless stainless steel tubes and pipes, has announced its strategic partnership with Handy & Harman Tube Co. (Camden, USA), a producer of hi-tech products from stainless tubes. Subject to the terms and conditions of this cooperation, Centravis will become a principal supplier of mother tubes for Handy & Harman Tube Co., including the production of special mother tubes meeting additional customer requirements. In 2008, Centravis is going to supply over 300tns of mother tubes to Handy & Harman Tube Co., with this figure expected to triple next year. This will be possible by launching a new tube pressing line and an extrusion press (4400tns) at the industrial site of Centravis. Centravis is planning to complete installation of new equipment in the first quarter of 2009. Mother tubes produced by Centravis will be an intermediate product for the production of a wide range of hi-tech products (coiled tubes, unique thin-walled seamless stainless pipes for medical equipment, tool-making and other applications). Strategic partnership of the two companies includes: expansion of the product range of both companies (new steel grades and sizes); cooperation in innovative product development; and joint distribution of tubes produced by Centravis and Handy & Harman Tube Co. knowledge and experience sharing related to production process and technology. Joint company entry into the market of North America is among the most important aspects of cooperation. By the end of 2008, companies will hold a number of business meetings with the largest metal product distributors in the North American countries. International holding Centravis will, in turn, ensure product sales support to Handy & Harman Tube Co. on the CIS markets where Centravis has a strong market position.
