On 6 April 2009, BUTTING took on a new member, BUTTING Brasil Soluções em Tubos Especiais Ltda, taking its next step towards globalization. BUTTING Brasil chose to set up its head office in the province of Santa Catarina. Coming from an old-established German company with its headquarters in Knesebeck in Lower Saxony, it was important to CEO Hermann Butting to find an environment in Brazil with an equally strong tradition. By establishing this subsidiary, BUTTING has acquired a sales base in the most populous country in South America. The desire to be close to both established and potential customers on the ground was a factor in this decision. Because exploration has to be carried out under the most difficult conditions, the Brazilian oil and gas industry is faced with enormous challenges. High-quality products from Knesebeck are increasingly in demand from this industry in the regional marketplace. There are specific needs, for example, for metallurgically and mechanically clad pipes (BuBi® pipes) and nickel alloy pipes, all produced to the tightest tolerances. Thoughts of developing business activities in Brazil were influenced in no small way by the political stability in the country. Brazil is also very rich in raw materials, with industrialization progressing fast, and so offers good economic conditions.