As a part of TMK investment program for modernization, a new upsetting press was formally put into operation at its Sinarsky Pipe Works for tube finishing operations of oil range pipes during April end. The upsetting press has been development and supplied by SMS Meer, which took almost one year to manufacturing the equipment and installation. The total amount of investment was approximately $15 million.

The equipment will permit increased output of upset tubing and boring pipes by 36 000 tons per annum. In addition the quality of upsetting pipes will be increased and the time for machining of the upset ends will be reduced.

Mr Dmitriy Pumpyanskiy chairman of TMK’s Board of Directors said that introducing the new upsetting press is one of the most important stages of the investment program for the Company to enlarge the output of hi-tech production to satisfy the increasing requirements of the Russian fuel and energy complex.