Weldbend Corp. announced the retirement of Byron Leibfried, longtime director of sales.

Six U.S. steel pipe manufacturers have petitioned the International Trade Commission to impose antidumping duties on producers of welded carbon steel line pipe from China, Mexico and South Korea.

The following manufacturers rep firms received awards from Basco honoring 2003 sales achievements for Basco shower doors and Celesta luxury glass enclosures:

First Supply (Madison, Wis.) plans to open an 11,900-sq.-ft. facility in West Bend, Wis., in May.

Specified Fittings Inc. of Bellingham WA, has acquired the production assets of New Plastics Inc. of Lemont, IL.

John Malloy has assumed the role of CEO of Victaulic Co. as of March 1 following the retirement of Joseph Trachtenberg, who retired after 30 years with the company.

National Waterworks, Inc., which purchased U.S. Filter Distribution Group in November 2002, reported a 10.9% increase in sales for 2003 to $1.28 billion, with net income for the year of $33.6 million, compared with a net loss of $418.7 million the prior year, due mainly to a change in accounting practice.

IPSCO named John Tulloch executive vice president-steel and chief commercial officer.

Northwest Pipe Co. reported that it was named as pipe supplier to Steve Bubalo Construction located in Monrovia, Calif., for about $7 million of welded steel pipe and fittings for the Baseline Feeder Extension South Pipeline, a project for the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District.

Weldbend Corp. announced the retirement of Byron Leibfried, longtime director of sales.