An integral stage of a $36-million upgrade is now complete and operational at Tenaris’ pipe manufacturing facility in Sault Ste. Marie.
The company announced in early June that its premium connections line is up and running at Tenaris AlgomaTubes, “adding capacity and product range to the company's operations in Canada.”
The expansion enables the company to thread specialty pipe connections, expand capacity for grades of pipe used in corrosive environments, and offer clients new pipe diameters.
Tenaris said it's already completed its first commercial order following the upgrade.
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“The completion of the premium connections line represents one phase of our overarching vision to transform AlgomaTubes as our hub for pipe manufacturing and strengthen our overall competitive position in the country,” said Ricardo Prosperi, Tenaris’ president in Canada, in a June 3 update.
“We have greater flexibility to respond to the increasing needs of the market in such a dynamic time, not only from the product side but also in our scope of services."
Tenaris first announced the plant upgrades in 2019. It followed that up with an announcement of a further $81-million investment to expand and centralize its pipe production in one facility.
The expansion is expected to create dozens of construction and operations jobs for the local workforce.
In support of Tenaris’ plans, the province has provided Tenaris with $9 million in support funding, while the federal government pitched in a $5-million repayable loan, and the city's economic development arm is contributing $500,000 over two years.
Tenaris’ other Canadian operations include a threading facility in Nisku, AB; service centres in Grande Prairie, Sherwood Park, and Red Deer, AB, and Bienfait, Sask.; and its Canadian headquarters in Calgary, AB.
