03/03/2011
Joint venture was created to focus on South American and Brazilian markets and introduce an innovative solution for large infra-structure projects.
Tigre, a leading producer of PVC-made pipes, fittings and accessories, and ADS (Advanced Drainage Systems Inc.), a leading manufacturer of high density polyethylene (HDPE) corrugated pipes in the U.S., announced on March 2nd the inauguration of the first plant in Brazil of their joint venture TIGRE-ADS, located in Rio Claro, São Paulo. The investment for establishing the joint venture and starting its operations in South America amounted to $ 40 millions, comprising the triennium 2009 to 2011.
Established in August, 2009, the new company operates in South America in the production and sale of large diameter (100 mm to 1200 mm) HDPE pipes, fittings and accessories for sanitation systems, drainage, detention and retention water applications. It primarily serves the markets of infrastructure, mining, agriculture, landfills and drainage of sports facilities. "Product innovation at TIGRE-ADS is our main strategy to serve the Brazilian market, which is not aware yet of our modern concept of HDPE solutions for large infrastructure projects. For instance, I cite Brewery Parkade, a gigantic 42-acre shopping center opened in 2001, which utilized our system for detention and retention of rainwater in its design. 5.000 meters of double-wall corrugated pipes with internal diameter of 1,200 mm were installed, resulting in a storage and flow capacity of 8.5 million liters of water”, says Joseph Chlapaty, CEO of ADS.
A major reason for building a plant in Brazil was to make available an industrial facility capable of addressing the important projects that the country will implement in the coming years. "We have a very positive expectation for the development of large projects related to major sporting events like the World Cup in 2014 and 2016 Olympics," added Evaldo Dreher, president of Tigre.
In Brazil, TIGRE-ADS tubing systems are already being used in the sewage system project “Uberaba Água Viva” (in the state of Minas Gerais), as well as in the municipality of Cruz das Almas, Bahia. "We can cite several advantages of our products in comparison with other materials: depending on the type of soil, our installation time is three to five times faster; our cost-benefit ratio is higher, reaching 10% in savings; and the average product life time is 75 years, among others, "explains Igor Nelsen, general manager of TIGRE-ADS in Brazil.
The city of Rio Claro, 177 km away from São Paulo, was chosen to harbour the joint venture factory, which is neighbour to an industrial complex of Tigre. The city has excellent outlets for production, as well as skilled labor. The plant has four production lines with automated processes for single-wall and double wall (drainage and sanitation) corrugated pipes, corrugated conduit in HDPE (for energy, telecommunications and housing applications), as well as Systems for Retention & Detention / Standard and Customized Fittings.
Source: Tigre -ADS
