InfraStructures - September 2008 IPEX and Underground Solutions Sign Exclusive Canadian Licensing Agreement

IPEX and Underground Solutions
Sign Exclusive Canadian Licensing Agreement

IPEX has entered into an exclusive arrangement with Underground Solutions, Inc. (UGSI) that will see IPEX become UGSI's exclusive licensee for Fusible PVC pipe systems in Canada. Under the terms of the agreement, IPEX will assume responsibility for the manufacture, sales and technical support of all Fusible PVC products in Canada.

Fusible PVC pipe is AWWA C900/905 pipe joined in the field using a specially developed butt-fusion process. The result is a monolithic, fully restrained PVC pipe that is perfectly suited for horizontal directional drilling and other trenchless applications. While customers were forced to use HDPE for these applications in the past, Fusible PVC pipe now allows municipalities to standardize on PVC throughout their system, as it is fully compatible with their existing inventories of pipes and fittings. More importantly, the larger inside diameters associated with Fusible PVC pipe significantly reduces energy costs for pumping as compared to HDPE.

"There is tremendous interest in Fusible PVC pipe in Canada," stated Alex Mestres, vice president of Corporate Planning for IPEX. "Municipalities see the benefit of a fully restrained, fused joint on a pipe that is completely compatible with their existing systems and procedures. Our agreement with UGSI will allow these benefits to be offered to all municipalities across Canada. We look forward to a long partnership with UGSI."

Andy Seidel, president and CEO of UGSI, echoed these comments: "We believe Fusible PVC pipe has a great future in Canada. When looking for a Canadian partner it was quickly apparent that IPEX had the technical resources and customer support expertise to build on our initial work and make Fusible PVC pipe the standard for trenchless applications in Canada."

Mr. Mestres concluded by saying, "Fusible PVC pipe is a game-changing innovation. It has applications for trenchless installations, seismic areas and other projects requiring fully restrained joints. We are confident that the higher flows, standard fittings and higher stiffness associated with PVC pipe are a natural choice for municipal applications."

As one of the largest thermoplastic piping systems companies in the North America, IPEX has a long track record of developing innovative products for the municipal, electrical, industrial and plumbing markets across the continent.

UGSI pioneered the concept of Fusible PVC pipe and has led the development of the market for the product since 2003. As a result, Fusible PVC pipe is one of the fastest growing piping products in the world with hundreds of thousands of meters installed over the last five years.

Source: IPEX Inc.