The British steel forecasting firm MEPS estimates global steel output this year to reach 1,176 million tons, a 4.1% increase over 2005 production. The majority of the steel output improvement will take place in China and India.

Ferguson Enterprises (Newport News, VA) acquired pipe distributor Pipe Products, Inc. from Steve Tino and Steve Kushner.

Texas Pipe & Supply Co. has announced the appointment of Arthur E. Shelton III as president.

Economic growth in the United States will continue in the second half of 2006, say the nation's purchasing and supply management executives in their spring 2006 Semiannual Economic Forecast conducted by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM).

Spirax Sarco, Inc., (SSI) has purchased Advanced Flow Technology Co. (AFTCO) from AMJ Equipment Corp. of Lakeland, FL, Following the purchase, AFTCO will be merged into Spirax Sarco's EMCO Flow Systems division, which Spirax acquired in June 2005.

First quarter 2006 financial reports from various public PVF manufacturers reflected the brisk industrial recovery underway throughout most of the United States and Canada.

Velan Inc. has announced the award of a US$13 million contract for the supply of Securaseal Severe Service Metal-Seated Ball Valves in Grade 28 Titanium and 2205 Duplex Stainless Steel materials.

IPSCO Inc. was named as one of the top 100 major U.S. corporations by DeMarche Associates, a Kansas-based investment and financial research firm.

BurnsCascade has announced the expansion of its headquarters in Syracuse, NY.

The Plastics Pipe Institute has appointed Tony Radoszewski as its executive director.