Partner Article

Tube business targets gateway to Africa

An industrial tubing business will head to Cape Town later this month as it looks to tap into Africa’s vast petrochemicals industry.

Northumberland’s Salem Tube International, which recently moved into a new £3.5m, 70,000 sq ft factory near Prudhoe, already operates across the world with its most recent expansion targeting South America.

It now aims to bring more orders to its 30-strong workforce by establishing new clients in Africa.

The company will join industry body NOF Energy in partnership with UKTI on a trade visit to Cape Town later this month.

Salem will be among seven UK businesses - including four with a North East base – who will meet key South African decision makers, contractors and operators.

Salem director Paul Callighan said: “We are looking to develop our business in Africa. It’s a market where we have done some spot business and we are really looking to develop things there.

“I think 2010 will be a challenging year but what I would say is that there is work out there but you have to go that little bit further to find it.

Other firms on the trade visit include Newcastle-based cable manufacturer CMP Products, Consett’s Microbac and Moffatt 2000 of Ashington.

With local support, including, the South African Oil & Gas Alliance (SAOGA), the delegation will also meet representatives from national oil company, PetroSA, and integrated energy and chemicals company, SASOL. In addition, the party will also take part in meetings with major companies such as BP, Shell and Engen.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .