NASPD Fall ConferenceChicago, IllinoisSeptember 19-21

The Official Publication of the National Association of Steel Pipe Distributors, Inc. 3rd Issue 2013

Corporate Headquarters - Mineola, NY (800) 272-8277 www.vasspipe.com

Houston, TX (888) 839-8277 Baton Rouge, LA (225) 755-8277

Dolty CheramieNASPD

President

President’s Message2013 Events

2013 Fall Conference

2013 Steel Pipe Basic Education Courseand OCTG Specialty Education Course

2014 Annual Convention

2014 Summer Conference

2014 Fall Conference

September 19-21The Drake HotelChicago, Illinois

October 14-16Houston, Texas

February 6-8Omni Royal Orleans HotelNew Orleans, Louisiana

June 19-21The Westin St. Francis Hotel

San Francisco, California

September 18-20The Chase Park Plaza Saint Louis Hotel

St. Louis, Missouri

2014 Events

3 Pipeline

One topic that has been growing is a proposal to

hold a “Happy Hour” type event, maybe more

than one in different locations to get our younger

generation involved in our association. Narayan

Bhargava of SDB Steel and Pipe and Samantha

See of Steel Traders are coordinating the effort.

Please join them by contacting Narayan and

Samantha with your suggestions.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we've

had to move our Fall Conference in September

from Nashville, Tennessee to Chicago, Illinois on

very short notice. This was an unbelievable

undertaking which was handled admirably by our

Director, Susannah Porr. Chicago is a great place

to gather. Please join us in September and thanks

for your support.

“Your reliable quality

domestic producer.”

Our Summer Conference in Toronto was well

attended and enjoyed by all. Some of our members

got to see the amazing Niagara Falls. Several of us

got totally wet, but well worth the experience. The

networking in the suite at the Toronto Blue Jays

game was worth the effort. Some of the best food

most of us ever had attending a baseball game. Balor

Moore, never did come out of the bull pen… and

Texans, in particular several from the Dallas/Fort

Worth area, got to cheer for their Rangers.

Friday's speaker program got very good marks from

our members in attendance. Each expressed

optimism for the near future and more so for our

long term business success. There was lots of good

information expressed by charts and graphs which

can be downloaded by visiting our NASPD web site.

Our Saturday morning Member Discussion

continues to grow and add value to our gathering.

Our informal verbal survey about market activity

levels, inventory movements and pricing trends

prove to be very informative and in real time.

Again, I'd like to ask all members to assist and put a

little effort in finding potential new members to join

our association. Committee Chair, Chuck King

(TMK IPSCO) and his committee have done a great

job in coordinating the growth of our membership.

by Susannah Feux Porr

NASPD Executive Director

From theExecutiveDirector

PIPELINE STAFF and NASPD CONTACT

INFORMATION

Executive Director/Publisher

Office Administrator

Office Clerk

Editor/Publishing Services/AdvertisingSales

Susannah Feux Porr

Gail Belcik

Linda W. Key

Office hours: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm CST

Linda Key: phone 361-649-5562; Fax 866-381-6172

Email: lwk@key-assoc.com

Delivery address for advertising materials:

103 Garden Place, Victoria, TX 77904

NASPD Headquarters

1501 E. Mockingbird Lane, Suite 307

Victoria, TX 77904

Phone: 361-574-7878; Fax: 832-201-9479

E-mail: info@naspd.com

Web site: http://www.naspd.com

© 2013 National Association of Steel Pipe Distributors,

Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be

reproduced or utilized in any form, or by any means,

electronic or mechanical, including photocopy or other

recording, or by any information sto age or retrieval

system, without the express written permission of the

publisher, the National Association of Steel Pipe

Distributors, Inc. (NASPD), a nonprofit organization

representing the steel pipe and tubing industry. The views

expressed herein are the opinions of the authors, and do

not necessarily represent the policies or opinions of

NASPD.

Stefani Johnston

NASPD MEMBERSHIP AND SERVICES:

ADVERTISING IN PIPELINE:

r

4 Pipeline

As you all know by now, our hotel inNashville scheduled a major renovationduring our conference dates and since therest of the city was sold out due to threenights of Taylor Swift concerts, we decidedto move our dog and pony show to good ol'Chicago. We were able to find an opening atthe beautiful and historic Drake Hotel. Theyhave just undergone a major renovation

(luckily completed long before our arrival)and the hotel is in great form. It is ideallylocated on MichiganAvenue with world classrestaurants and shopping just steps away.While this whole ordeal was probably a littlemore than our new President, Dolty Cheramiehad bargained for, I think we've come up witha fantastic alternative for our FallConference. We have a phenomenal programlined up, so I hope you all can make it.

Our newest revision of our Tubular ProductsManual is hot off the press so it's a good timeto restock your shelves. We also have ourSteel Pipe Basic Education Course coming upin Houston, October 14 – 16. Our course hasbeen selling out each year, so be sure to getyour employees registered as soon aspossible.

DispatchesContributed by NASPD Members

St. Louis Pipe & SupplyNew Cold Saw ImprovesFabrication ProcessSt. Louis Pipe & Supply says their fabricationprocess has improved. The company recentlypurchased an Ohler Cold Saw for theHouston, TX location. What does this meanfor customers? Cold cut metal saws aredesigned for higher efficiency cutting, whichmeans more accurate cuts and fasterproduction times.

Cold cut saws are able to manipulate materialswithout adding any heat, making quick cleancuts on pipes up to 4 inches in diameter.

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New Orleans — A more than 38 percentsurge in imported steel amid other break-bulk cargo gains led the Port of NewOrleans to a third straight year of healthytonnage increases. Overall, total generalcargo tonnages at the Port grew 8.6 percentto 7.55 million tons in 2012 compared tothe same period one year ago.

The Port imported more than 1.922million tons of steel in 2012, compared to1.389 million tons in 2011. Other topperforming commodities includedchemical exports, which rose 5.4 percentto 1.75 million tons and poultry and otheragriculture exports, which grew by 22.8percent to 496,000 tons.

“2012 proved to be a marquee year overallfor the Port of New Orleans,” said PortPresident and CEO Gary LaGrange.“We're seeing the national economysteadily recover and, hopefully, calmerseas ahead for the international economy.”

The Port completed several cargo projectsin 2012, which should pay big dividends.Two new post-Panamax gantry cranes ableto reach 19-container across went to work,along with a new 40,000 square-foot

Our expansion continues! MST –Seamless Tube and Pipe will be making$25 million in capital improvements toexpand our operations and increaseproduction capacity. Parent company,Optima Specialty Steel, Inc., is committedto helping MST grow and continue toprovide unparalleled products and serviceto our customers.

As part of the capital improvementproject, MST will use $19 million to fundthe acquisition of a highly specialized coldpilger mill and the construction of a newfacility to house the mill. The 14,400-s q u a r e - f o o t b u i l d i n g w i l l a l s oaccommodate all of the related tools andprocessing equipment required to fullyintegrate the mill into the productionprocess. It's the first of its kind for MST’sproduct mix, and the mill leverages aunique, cost-effective forming processthat enables MST to achieve improvedtolerances and longer lengths to meet ourclients' specifications.

The remaining $6 million will be used topurchase a new, 377-foot atmospherecontrolled furnace. The state-of-the-artfurnace will improve material flow and

Riverfront Cold Storage Facility andexpanded and improved marshallingyards at several wharfs.

W h i l e b r e a k - b u l k c a rg o g r e w,containerized cargo realized little growthfollowing a record year in 2011. In fact,containerized tonnage was up a total of 38tons compared to 2011 at 4.114 milliontons – exactly 0.0 percent year-over-yeardifference. And while tonnages were flat,total TEUs for the calendar year fell 2.9percent to 463,147 TEUs, compared to477,363 in 2011.

LaGrange attributed a mostly flatcontainer year to the uncertain globaleconomic climate.

“The Port of New Orleans' main tradingpartner is Europe and many Europeannations are struggling right now and notrestocking inventories as quickly as inyears past,” LaGrange said. “Despite that,we are working diligently to grow newmarkets and build upon successful ones todeliver benefits to all of our customers andtenants.”

BUTLER, PA - Marmon/Keystone LLCand the Laborers' Local Union No. 663 ofGreater Kansas City and Vicinity havereached a new five-year agreement, whichwas ratified by production workers at thecompany's Kansas City, Missouri metalsservice center. The contract includes awage and benefits package and extendsthrough June 30, 2018.

In announcing the agreement, GaryEisenbrandt, district manager responsiblefor operations in Kansas City, Denver, andTulsa, Oklahoma, stated, "Due to the goodrelationship between the company and theunion, we were quickly able to come to amutually-beneficial agreement. Thisallows us to maintain our focus onproviding superior service to ourcustomers."

(DISPATCHES continued. on pg. 8)

Marmon/KeystoneEmployees Ratify Contractin Kansas City

Port of New Orleans -Strong Steel Imports,Chemical Exports ProduceYear-End Cargo Gains

MST Announces $25Million CapitalImprovement Project

reduce production time. Together, the newmill and furnace will diversify MST'sproduct line and allow productionfor more customers in more markets.

The $25 million capital improvementproject is the latest in a series ofinvestments Optima Specialty Steel hasmade recently. It demonstrates theircommitment to maintaining our position asan innovative leader in the specialty tubeand pipe market. Past MST upgradesinclude a $1.5 million addition of oxygenfuel burners to the hot mill, a $6 millioninvestment to construct a fifth picklehouse, and the installation of a new $4.5million quench and temper line.

MST’s men and women of steel eagerlyanticipate the new furnace and cold pilgermill, which are expected to be operationalin 2014 and 2015 respectively.

product

Baker Sales Inc. - SteelPipe News You Can Use

We have heard from numerous sourcesthat OSHA has stepped up their PlantSafety and Health Inspections with finesfor violations. We suggest that youbecome “Proactive” and request an On-Site OSHA Consultation to make surethat you are in compliance with all of theOSHA requirements before they give youa surprise visit. We contacted OSHAabout tow months ago for a consultationand one of their representatives came outto help us update all of ourdocumentation, MSDS boks and records,etc.

OSHA sent out their Inspector to show uswhat safety issues needed to be corrected.We made all the corrections theyspecified and notified them. The OSHAInspector then did a follow-up inspectionto check us.

We are proud to report that this weekOSHA notified us that we are officially100% Compliant. Because we not onlyocorrected all serious Health and SafetyHazards, but also instituted all requiredOSHA Programs; they recognized us as a“Pro-Active Model” to the OccupationalSafety Health Act: “To assure safe andhealthful working conditions for workingmen and women in America.” This doesnot mean that OSHA will not drop in tocheck our facility. But we are ready!

(DISPATCHES - continued from page 4)

QTY OD WALL DESCRIPTION AVG LNGTH

P & W INDUSTRIES, L.L.C.68668 Hwy. 59P.O. Box 1550Mandeville, Louisiana 70470Website: www.pandwindustries.com

PHONE: 985/892-2461FAX: 985/892-2618

CONTACT: DAVIS GARDNER, WILDA SHARP,HERMAN FARRINGTON

(DISPATCHES - continued from page 6)

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David J. Rintoul, who is currently vice president – Europeanoperations and president of U. S. Steel Kosice, will relocate to theUnited States to fill the newly created position of vice president –innovation and continuous improvement. Anthony R. Bridge willretain his current role as vice president – engineering and research anddevelopment.

In addition, the company announced the appointment of Christine S.Breves to the role of vice president and chief procurement officer,reporting to Larry T. Brockway, senior vice president and chief riskofficer. She joins U. S. Steel following her retirement fromAlcoa Inc.in January 2013. Breves has more than 30 years experience in leadingprocurement and global sourcing strategies for large industrial firmsin the mining and metals sector.An additional news release later todaywill provide more details about this appointment and Breves'background.

Commenting on the changes, Longhi said, "I am pleased to announcethese important executive management appointments, all of whichfurther leverage the deep expertise and leadership capability of eachof these seasoned executives. These changes will accelerate ourbusiness performance improvement plans while maintaining a strongfocus on our customers and a commitment to our core values."

Williams, 52, will assume executive oversight of U. S. Steel'sstrategic planning and business development functions as well asglobal marketing and the company's real estate division. He has 13years of service with U. S. Steel during two separate tenures, mostrecently rejoining the company in 2006. Williams was also appointedto the board of directors of the American Iron and Steel Institute inMay.

Hatcher, 56, will manage U. S. Steel's business development activitiesand continue to oversee USS Real Estate, the company's real estatedivision. Hatcher's 32-year career includes tenures at Marathon Oil,which was acquired by U. S. Steel in 1982 and became part of theformer USX Corporation.

Matthews, 48, will oversee all flat-rolled operations, sales, marketing,customer service and supply chain functions across U. S. Steel's NorthAmerican facilities. He has spent his entire 23-year career with thecompany.

Britten, 52, will have executive responsibility for U. S. Steel TubularProducts, including operations and sales, energy services, tubulartechnology development efforts and other tubular businessdevelopment activities. He joined U. S. Steel in 2011 as vice president– tubular technology & business development.

Babcoke, 56, will continue to have executive responsibility for U. S.Steel Kosice in the Slovak Republic as well as global oversight ofsafety and industrial hygiene for the company. Babcoke has been withU. S. Steel for 37 years.

Rintoul, 56, will fill the newly created post of vice president –innovation and continuous improvement. In this role, which will bebased in Pittsburgh, he will be responsible for leading the company'sworldwide continuous improvement efforts as well as fosteringgreater levels of innovation companywide. Rintoul joined U. S. Steelin 2007 after spending nearly 30 years advancing throughincreasingly responsible roles at several different steel companies.

Bridge, 59, will continue to serve as vice president – engineering andresearch and development now reporting directly to Mario Longhi.Bridge joined U. S. Steel in 1998 after working a combined 22 yearsfor two other steel companies.

PITTSBURGH, PA - United States Steel Corporation Presidentand Chief Operating Officer Mario Longhi today announced aseries of executive management appointments. The appointmentsare effective July 1 and involve individuals who will report directlyto Longhi, unless otherwise noted.

As announced earlier today, Michael S. Williams, who currentlyserves as senior vice president – North American flat-rolledoperations, has been named senior vice president – strategicplanning and business development, assuming theseresponsibilities from David H. Lohr, who plans to retire later thisyear.

Reporting directly to Williams will be Michael J. Hatcher, who hasbeen named vice president – business development and real estate.Hatcher currently serves as vice president – raw materials,procurement and real estate.

Douglas R. Matthews will succeed Williams in the role of seniorvice president – North American flat-rolled operations, and DavidL. Britten, who currently serves as vice president – tubulartechnology and business development, will assume the role ofsenior vice president – Tubular operations, succeeding Matthews.

George F. Babcoke will return to the Slovak Republic to serve assenior vice president – European operations and global safety, andpresident of U. S. Steel Kosice.

(DISPATCHES - continued. on pg. 10)

90”48”42”36”31”30”26”20”20”20”20”18 5/8”18”16”16”16”16”13 3/8”13 3/8”10 ¾”10 ¾”9 5/8”8 5/8”8 5/8”8 5/8”4”

34'65'

152'99'

384'70'

258'463'

1,030'810'

2,012'1,148'

8341,430'

300'245'267'292'559'127'870'

1,487'3,148'2,519'

942'1,657'

0.6251.7500.406

1.500.312

1.000.6250.6250.4380.4380.3750.4350.6250.5620.5000.3440.3120.4800.4800.5000.3500.4720.4000.3220.3220.318

Used PaintedUsed Bare Barnacles M/WUsed Bare Spiral weldSurplus Pipe M/WUsed Tar-coatedSurplus Bare M/WSurplus BareSurplus Bare CasingUsed Bare Casing M/WSurplus Bare CasingUsed Tar CoatedSurplus BareSurplus BareSurplus Bare CasingSurplus Bare PaintedSurplus FBUsed PaintedUsed Bare Mid-weldsSurplus Bare CasingSurplus PaintedSurplus Bare CasingUsed Bare Casing Mid-weldsUsed Bare CasingUsed PaintedSurplus FBSurplus Bare

34'15-19'38-39'8.8-42'15-31'30-40'38-39'35-38'25-38'22-40'DRL's38-44'38-43'20-40'16-38'

44'56'

28-46'38-45'41-43'38-39'22-38'38-40'40-42'DRL's

21'

United States Steel CorporationAnnounces Executive ManagementAppointments

10 Pipeline

(DISPATCHES - continued from page 8)

CHICAGO, IL – MikeRehwinkel today announcedhis retirement as Presidentand CEO of EVRAZ NorthAmerica effective July 1.Assuming the role will beConrad Winkler, currently thecompany’s Executive VicePresident – Long Products.

“One of the accomplishmentsI’m proudest of over mytenure with EVRAZ isbuilding a strong leadershipteam,” said Rehwinkel.“Conrad has proven himselfan effective leader focused oncreating value for EVRAZand its customers. I’m confident that he will do extremely well inthis new role.”

Rehwinkel agreed to serve as Executive Chairman of the EVRAZNorth America Board. “I regard EVRAZ as a solid steel companyled and operated by some of the finest people in the industry,” hestated. “I’m very pleased to continue actively working withEVRAZ and remaining an advocate for the company in the privateand public sectors.”

Winkler joined EVRAZ in May 2011, growing the company’s railbusiness to the largest in NorthAmerica and improving the rod andbar business substantially. In addition to initiating multi-milliondollar upgrades to the Pueblo, Colo., site over the last few years, hehas expanded long products research and development, andbroadened the overall business product mix.

Previously a partner at the global management consulting firmBooz & Company, Winkler led its North American manufacturingservice offerings focused on manufacturing intensive industries –trucks, auto, steel, aerospace, construction equipment andindustrials. Winkler holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanicalengineering from MIT, and master’s degrees in businessadministration and manufacturing management fromNorthwestern University. He is also a veteran, serving on nuclearsubmarines in the U.S. Navy for five years.

“I’m honored to be following Mike as President and CEO,” saidWinkler. “He’s truly been a great mentor and leader. I look forwardto the challenges and opportunities in this dynamic industry.”

Rehwinkel Announces Retirement;Winkler Named President and CEO ofEVRAZ North America

Conrad Winkler

Marmon/Keystone's Charlotte BranchUpgrades Equipment

BUTLER, PA. – Marmon/Keystone's Charlotte, North Carolinabranch has invested in new cutting equipment, which is housed in arecently-constructed addition to their main warehouse facility.

An Amada HFA530 CNC band saw with a 21-inch outside diametercapacity has been installed in conjunction with a Steel StorageSystems conveyer that extends over 70 feet. The fully-automatedAmada saw replaces a 1992 HEM horizontal pivot band saw.

“The Amada's programmable CNC allows for increased accuracy sowe can better meet our customers' exact needs,” says Tom Taucher,Charlotte warehouse superintendent. “The saw also features a rigiddual-column horizontal cutting head design and a wider blade, whichhave reduced cutting time by 30 percent.”

The Port of Houston Authority, in collaboration with the AmericanInstitute for International Steel, the Turkish Steel Exporters'Association, the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Turkeyand the Turkish Commercial Attaché Office, organized the first2013 Annual Texas-Turkey Iron and Steel Business Forum. Themeeting was organized to coincide with a senior level delegation ofthe Turkish steel industry visiting Houston.

PORT OF HOUSTON AUTHORITY -Texas-Turkey Iron and Steel BusinessForum

Port Commission Chairman Janiece Longoria welcomed the group tothe port. The meeting examined the importance of the $3 billion worthof iron and steel trade between the U.S. and Turkey. It was a uniqueopportunity for U.S. companies, exporters, importers, logisticsexperts and decision makers to explore business, trade and investmentopportunities with Turkey, and meet with senior Turkish businessmenand leaders of trade associations in the iron and steel industry.

BUTLER, PA - A groundbreaking ceremony was recently held forMarmon/Keystone's new McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania metalsservice center building, which will be located at 196 Secrist Lane. Thenew facility is expected to be fully operational by September 2013.

The current McConnellsburg service center, established in 2004,operates out of leased warehouse space at nearby 300 Success Drive.

“The new facility will be 25 percent larger than our current space,which will allow us to handle material in a more efficient manner,”says Lou Grenci, VP Northeastern region. “The extra space will alsoprovide the opportunity to increase our capabilities, enabling us totake on additional business.”

Value added manager Tim Wamba directly oversees theMcConnellsburg facility, while Grenci is responsible for overalloperations. Palmer Construction Co. of McConnellsburg is handlingthe construction of the new building.

Amada Saw

Marmon/Keystone Breaks Ground forLarger McConnellsburg, PA Facility

651234

2013 SummerConference Sponsors

Toronto, Canada

Gold

Global Pipe SupplyLally Pipe & TubePlatinum Grover Int. Inc.

SilverPipe & Tube Supplies, Inc.SEBA Pipe, Inc.Sim-Tex, Inc.Stupp CorporationThe DRM CompaniesTMK IPSCO

** Sponsored 2 events*** Sponsored 3 events(in the designated sponsorship level)

ThankYouSponsors

BALL WINCH Pipeline ServicesCommercial Resins Company ***Edgen Murray Corporation **Houston Steel & Pipe InternationalIndependence Tube CorporationInterpipe, Inc. **Kahn Steel Co., Inc.Kayem Pipe & Steel, Inc.Kingwood Pipe, LTD.SDB Steel & PipeSol's Pipe & Steel, Inc.Tex-Tube CompanyTMK IPSCOTurner Bros. Trucking, LLC **

Bronze

GuestArticle

12 Pipeline

by Landy Chase

As the selling profession transitions fromtraditional to digital methods of initiatingrelationships, it is important to remember thatthere are significant differences betweent r a d i t i o n a l a n d d i g i t a l m e t h o d s o fcommunicating. Below are six “rules of theroad” for building online relationships withbusiness contacts:

Write to others as you talk to others. Show yourpersonality. Be People who don't know youat first will warm up to you quickly by getting toknow you in this way. You will never meet all ofthem in person, but they will be much morelikely to follow you – and recommend you toothers, a key to your success in building yourfootprint – if they find you to be a likeable,genuine person through the way that you write.

The world of online communication lends itselfto being impersonal, if we so choose. After all,there is an element of anonymity to onlinecommunication that can de-humanize the waywe interact with others. We can forget at timesthat we are talking to other people, not other

BeYourself

You are talking to people, not computers

real.

computers. This, combined with the ability to hideone's identity, causes some people to abandontraditional parameters of good behavior,particularly when participating in polls or forums.You see examples all the time in comments postedon a variety of websites; there are a lot of peoplewho say things to one another on the web that theywould never say to them in person. People who usethe cloak of anonymity to say ugly things online,simply because they can remain anonymous, arecowards.You do not want to be one of these people.

Rudeness in the online environment is just asinappropriate as it is in the real world. Rememberthat you are interacting with other people who havefeelings similar to your own. It gets back to talkingto people online as if you were talking to them inperson – if you wouldn't say it to them in person,don't say it to them in your correspondence.

The most impor tant aspec t of onl ine

WhoYouAre is WhatYou Type

communication – something that you must beaware of at all times- is the singular power ofthe written word. Because you are a salesprofessional, in your 'natural' environment asa sales person – a face-to-face interaction with

another human being – there are a myriad offactors collectively creating the overallimpression that a prospect or client has ofyou, and how you are therefore perceived.These include how you shake hands, howyou sit, your appearance, your voice, eyecontact, hand gestures, and many other,more subtle nuances. When you arecommunicating online, all of thoseinterpersonal aspects of you that make youwho you are have been stripped away. Youneed to take this into consideration, becauseit is a fundamentally different environmentthan you are used to. In this universe, thewords that you choose online have singular,absolute power over how people perceiveyou. Your online persona consists entirely ofyou write. Take heed, be careful, and beconservative.

One of the things that you will learn quicklyabout the online community, if you haven'tdiscovered it already, is that there are peopleonline who have way too much free time ontheir hands. We know this to be true, becausethere is a legion of users that spend copiousamounts of time serving in the unpaidcapacity of researching posted contentposted by others, solely for the purpose offinding items that are inconsistent,inaccurate, or just plain wrong. When theyfind a discrepancy, in behavior reminiscentof Pavlov's dog, they get their 'reward' bypublicly outing the offending party thatposted the item. Why do they delight indoing this? Because they have anoverwhelming need to be appreciated and/ornoticed, we suppose.

Irrespective of their motivations, it pays tobe diligent in validating the accuracy of anyclaims that you make, or data that you share,about a subject, particularly one within yourfield of expertise. You can get by with anoccasional mistake, but repeated instanceswill undermine your credibility to those whofollow you in the online community. If youcannot validate a piece of information, donot present it as fact; present it as an opinion,or at the very least, as information that youobtained from another source. This will giveyou some protection in the event that theitem turns out to be bogus. Rest assured, if itis, someone will delight in holding youaccountable.

BeAccurate

Platinum

Welded Tube of Canada

'Netiquette' for Sales Professionals:

Six Rules for SocialMedia Communication

(’NETIQUETTE’ continued on pg 22)

ConferenceNotes

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Conference Information

Thursday, September 19

Friday, September 20

Saturday, September 21

1:00 - 5:00 pm Registration1:00 - 1:45 pm Strategic Planning Committee Meeting1:45 - 2:15 pm Program Committee Meeting2:15 - 2:45 pm Membership Committee Meeting2:45 - 3:30 pm Nominating Committee Meeting3:30 - 4:15 pm Finance Committee Meeting4:15 - 5:00 pm Executive Committee Meeting5:00 - 6:00 pm Board of Directors Meeting6:30 - 8:30 pm Welcoming Reception8:30 - Midnight Hospitality Suite

7:30 - 9:30am Continental Breakfast8:00am - Noon General Session

, President, Energy Policy Research Foundation(EPRINC), “

, CEO, Commercial Metals Company, CFA, Bradford Associates, Inc.

, Managing Editor in North American Gas Group,Platts,

,

moderated by , Pipe Exchange

1:30 - 5:15pm Optional Tour - Driehaus Museum7:00 - 9:00pm Dinner at the Drake Hotel

Member Spotlight, Larry HeadLucian Pugliaresi

Joe AlvaradoChuck BradfordSamantha Santa Maria

Trade Attorneys, Roger Schagrin, Partner, Schagrin Associates and

Dolty Cheramie

, PSL North America, LLC

, Partner, Hogan & Hartson LLP,

The North American Petroleum Renaissance: Obstacles and

“North American Natural Gas: Pipelines, Power and Petchems”

“A Trade Discussion”,

(Bus leaves the hotel lobby at 1:30 p.m.)(Cocktail attire)

Opportunities”

All attendees are encouraged to attend the committee meetings except for the Strategic PlanningCommittee and Executive Committee Meeting. Since non-committee members have not been privy toall the correspondence leading up to the committee meetings, we limit the discussion and voting atthe committees to committee members only.

Lewis Leibowitz

Dolty Chermie

Noon - 1:30pm Networking Luncheon

8:00 - 10:00am Networking Breakfast9:00 - 10:45am Member Discussion - Facilitated by , Pipe Exchange6:00 - 8:00pm Hospitality Suite - Come, have a drink and make dinner plans with friends

ProgramRegistration

Register online at www.naspd.com or faxregistration form to (361) 574-9347. Onlyindividuals with paid registration may attendthe Conference. The deadline for registration isAugust 19, 2013. After August 19 , a $50late fee must be added to all full registrations.$25 must be added to one day registrations andsingle event fees. August 19, no refunds will bemade. Payments for late registrations will onlybe accepted by credit card. No registrations willbe processed without signature. Payment mustbe made in U.S. currency.

Make your hotel reservations direct with TheDrake Hotel by phone. The toll free phonenumber for reservations is andthe unique three letter

.

Reservations receivedwill be confirmed on space and rate availability.Reservations need to be canceled at least 72hours prior to arrival.

, 2013

T h e D r a k e H o t e l R e s e r v a t i o n s :

1-800-564-7602group code for the

NASPD Fall Conference is NAT

after August 19, 2013,

The rate for a single/double occupancy room is$199.00. Rates cannot be changed at check inor check-out for guests who fail to identify theiraffiliation at the time the reservation is made.

Check-in time is 3:00 p.m. and check-out time is12:00 p.m. Rates will be available 3 days priorand 3 days after the Conference dates subject toavailability of guest rooms at the time ofreservation.

United Airlines is pleased to offer discounts of2% to 10% off published fares.

Save an additional 3% off by booking your ownreservations at

Choose your flight times, and access yourmeeting discounts by inserting ZNC4732997 inthe Offer Code box.

Or Call your travel professional or UnitedMeetings at 800-426-1122 for reservations.Refer to Z Code and Agreement Code:

UnitedAirline Reservations:

www.united.com

ZNC4732997

For additional information visit www.naspd.com

NASPD Fall ConferenceThe Drake HotelChicago, IllinoisSeptember 19 - 21, 2013

• STRATEGIC STOCKING

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16 Pipeline

We encourage your suggestions for anindividual NASPD member for the Spotlight.NASPD has a diverse membership full ofunique, special stories. Email us your ideaabout a member we should Spotlight:info@naspd.com.

MemberSpotlight

Nikki Efferson ShealyInfectious laughter is

born in a heart of gold

Nikki Efferson Shealy is the NASPDContact for Stupp Corporation and hasthrived in the organization for the past 7years. Stupp Corporation is headquarteredin Houston, TX about a five hour drive fromwhere Nikki grew up in the sportsman'sparadise just east Baton Rouge, LA. Theyoungest of 3 children, Nikki spent herformative years keeping the rest of thefamily on their toes by shoving things in theexhaust pipe of the family car, turning offthe TV at pivotal points in her siblingsfavorite shows, announcing the end of herscholastic endeavors halfway throughkindergarten (though she has a Bachelors

Above: Nikki with a nice red!

degree in Business from Southwestern Louisiana University), biting (her thumb and asecretary) and demanding to eat lunch with the school principal. There simply wasn't enoughmischief to keep young Nikki busy so she also played tennis and led cheers for the Broncos,her brother's football team. Nikki was alsoa member of the country club swim team.When we inquired about her competitiveswim career, several family membersrelayed that buying lunch for her friends onher Father's charge account was herfavorite if not her best event.

We contacted family members, colleaguesand friends requesting comments aboutNikki. The following list is the top 5 termsgenerated from a frequency word countbased on the information we received: 1.Generous 2. Honest 3.Family 4.Heart5.Positive The importance of family wasimpressed upon Nikki from an early ageand she remains very close, speaking withher parents and siblings almost every day.Although Nikki's parents spent a great dealof her childhood knelt in prayer, she (MEMBER HIGHLIGHT continued on page 22)

Nikki is one of those rare individuals whose path in life crosses your own, and immediately,

it’s like you’ve known each other forever. That most definitely had a positive impact on us in

these early days of our business relationship. Although working with her for only a short time

in procuring steel pipe, her comprehensive knowledge of pipe making, great attention to

detail, and timely responsiveness and willingness to work with us on our special requests,

coupled with her genuine concern that our project timelines and information needs are being

met, have combined to make our partnerships very successful. I certainly would not hesitate

to recommend her as a “go to” person for steel pipe needs. Who knows? You might even

make a new friend in the process.

Maurie S. Bedwell, Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP

A Pipe Family; Nikki with her family

Husband - Lance, Parents - Donnell & Edwina

Efferson, Brother & Sister-in-law – Greg & Julie

Efferson, Sister – Danielle Drueck

Above:

WelcomeNew Members

Benteler Steel & Tube Corporation is a newassociate member. The company productmix includes Alloy Pipe, API 5CT, BoilerTube, Carbon Steel Tubing, Casing Pipe,Chrome Moly Pipe, Coupling Stock, DINEN, Drill Pipe and Supplies, ERW, HeavyWall Pipe, ISO, Line Pipe, Low Temp Pipe,Mechanical Tubing, Nickel Alloy Pipe,OCTG Tubing and Casing, PressureTubing, Seamless Pipe, Stainless Pipe,Standard Pipe, Steel Pipe, Structural Pipe,Structural Tubing, Welded Pipe. Productsmanufactured include Tubing, Casing,Coupling Stock, Drill Pipe, Line Pipe,Mechanical Tubes, Boiler Tubes, HeatExchanges Tubes, Hydraulic Tubes,Aircraft Tubing. OD's: 1/8" to 9 5/8", Wallsup to 2.250". Product origins areAll Outside

18 Pipeline

(NEW MEMBERS - continued on pg. 26)

JRS Metals, Inc. is a new regular membercompany. Their product mix includes API5CT, Carbon Steel Tubing, Casing Pipe,Drill Pipe and Supplies, ERW, Fence Pipe &Tubing, Large OD Pipe, Line Pipe, OilfieldRejects, Pipe Piling, Seamless Pipe,Stainless Pipe, Standard Pipe, Steel Pipe,Structural Pipe, Structural Steel, Structural

US Products (foreign), Germany. Sizeranges available include Cold Drawn Tubesfrom 1/8" OD to 5 1/2 " OD, Hot FinishedPipe & Tubes from 1" OD to 9 5/8" OD.Services offered include Beveling, Cutting,Heat Treating, Hydrostatic Testing,Inspection, Testing. Specialties includeOCTG, Line Pipe, Mechanical Tubes, Boiler& Heat Exchanger Tubes. Transportation isby Barge, Common Carrier, OceangoingVessel.

Michael Herminghaus is the NASPDContact.

Benteler Steel & Tube Corporation3050 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 1130Houston, TX 77056 USPhone: 713-629-9111FAX: 713-629-9993michael.herminghaus@benteler.com

Tubing, Sucker Rod, Surplus Pipe, UsedPipe. Products origins are US & Outside USProducts. Transportation is by Barge,Common Carrier, Rail, TransportationServices.

Jack Bose is the NASPD Contact.

JRS Metals, Inc.13831 Northwest Freeway, Suite 515Houston, TX 77040 USPhone: 713-690-2529FAX: 713-690-2533

Benteler Steel & TubeCorporation

JRS Metals, Inc.

Qualitube Limited

Qualitube Limited is new associate member.The company product mix includes AlloyPipe, API 5CT, Boiler Tube, Carbon SteelTubing, Casing Pipe, DIN EN, ISO, LinePipe, Mechanical Tubing, OCTG Tubingand Casing, Pressure Tubing, Seamless Pipe,Stainless Pipe, Standard Pipe, Steel Pipe.Product origins are All Outside US Products(foreign), India, Ukraine. Size range offeredis Seamless Line Pipe 1/8" to 14", WeldedOCTG Tubing 1.315" to 4 1/2 ", WeldedOCTG Casing 4 1/2" to 20". Services offeredinclude Coating, Heat Treating, HydrostaticTesting, Inspection, Painting, Pickling, and

Dolty Cheramie, NASPD President

Art Shelton and Herman RosenbergGail Belcik, Jim & Doris Kruse, Dolty & CiCi Cheramie, and Cheri & Philip Nicholas riding in the Maid of the Mist boatat Niagara Falls.

Lucas Angelici, Drew Siddons, Alexandre Gravel, Domenic Palumbo,and Ryan Taberner

Attendees at the Blue Jays Baseball Suite Kelley, Kathy, Dennis, and Dennis, Jr. Hayden

Fred & Sherri Kahn and Susan & Doug Highiet

John Mortimer and Mike Ellis Ryan Kutzik – Shouldn't you have beencheering the Texas Rangers since youare from Texas?

Matt & Cindy Buha and Vicki & Ralph Castille Annye & Chuck King

Photos 2013SummerConferencein TorontoJune 6-8(more photos on pg. 20)

19 Pipeline

Conference attendees at the the Membership Discussion facilitated by Dolty Cheramie.

James Vetters, Narayan Bhargava, Dilip Bhargava, and Aly Lalji

Steve Nowacki, Chris & Dee Ragan, and Michael Kovacs

Attendees at the Networking Luncheon

George Allen, Charles Boatright, and Richard Lozano

Marilyn Poindexter and Joe Bergfeld

Steve Fowler and Dr. Donald McNeeley, Speaker,Chicago Tube and Iron

Peter Brebach and Charles Betzler

Chad Marsilio, Jeff Hanley, and Jef Fry

Bill & Betsy Buckland and Jonathan Kirkland Zane Carlson and Bernardo Stephano

More Photos2013 SummerConferencein TorontoJune 6-8(more photos on pg. 19)

20 Pipeline

Philip & Cheri Nicholas and CiCi & DoltyCheramie

Spelling and Grammar

Avoid Racy Humor

Your grammatical skills, or lack thereof, is another area ofcommunicating online that affects both your brand and yourcredibility as a Value Generator. Here again, if your sentencestructure and/or spelling are not consistently accurate, the samepeople who scour your content for inaccuracies will also pick apartyour grammatical mistakes publicly and make these, and not thevalue of your content, the focus of the online community's attention.Always use a spell-check tool to review your writing before postingit. Read your content through a couple of times, even aloud ifnecessary, to ensure clarity of message. It is well worth the time to dosome editing of what you write, if the extra effort results in improvingthe value of the information being presented.

As you build your social media followers, never take liberties withtheir taste in humor when distributing 'funnies'. The problem withforwarding jokes of any kind, and particularly racy ones, is that younever know who will find something you send out as stupid, or worse,offensive. You cannot win here. Some recipients might find a dirtyjoke that you forward to be hilarious, but they are still left with a newperception of you that you probably don't want them to have.Remember that you are building a personal brand, and everything thatyou say and do either contributes to or detracts from that brand. Thereis too much risk involved to your professional reputation to forwardquestionable content to your online followers.

Excerpted from his new book, The Social Media Sales Revolution. Releasedthis summer by McGraw-Hill and now available for pre-order on Amazon.

blossomed into a wonderful woman. Nikki credits her family for thelessons she learned in respect and it is the guiding principle sheemploys in her business philosophy. Nikki iterated “If you want toget respect, you have to give it.” Nikki has channeled her boundlessenergy into an active lifestyle that includes playing golf, fishing, hotyoga, spin classes, cooking and gardening. For a respite from thegrind she prefers to float in her pool or relax on the beach. Nikkiassuredly conveyed to us that amongst her long list extracurricularactivities, spending time with family is her favorite pastime. Asmany of you probably know, Nikki never forgets a birthday or specialoccasion and her infectious laughter warms the hearts of her family,friends and colleagues.

22 Pipeline

(’NETIQUETTE’ continued from pg 12) (MEMBER HIGHLIGHT continued from pg 16)

(MEMBER HIGHLIGHT continued on pg 28)

Above: Quinn, Nikki and Lance

24 Pipeline

Pipe & Tube Supplies, Inc.Pipe & Tube Supplies, Inc.

Congratulations to the NASPD

2013-2014 Scholarship RecipientsEmily Bujnowski

Jacob Freeman

Madison Gillen

Megan Hasemann

Connor Macalla

Marissa Mraz

Elizabeth Parsons

Rebekah Parsons

Andrew Pashea

Michael Pride

Parent Steven S. Bujnowski with Tioga Pipe Supply Co., Inc.

Parent Ronald Freeman with Sumitomo Corporation of

America-Tubular Products

Parent Dan Gillen with Marmon/Keystone Corporation

Parent David C. Hasemann with Tubular Steel, Inc.

Parent John D. Macalla with Tubular Steel, Inc.

Parent Robert Mraz with Lally Pipe & Tube

Parent Dale Parsons with Marmon/Keystone Corporation

Parent Dale Parsons with Marmon/Keystone Corporation

Parent Kenny R. Waggoner with Pittsburgh Pipe

Parent Kristy Pride with Trinity Products, Inc.

What are the selection criteria?

An independent selection committee will evaluate the applications andselect the winners.

The committee will consider:- Extracurricular activities- Community involvement- Essay content- Academic achievements and records- Recommendations- Financial Need

The NASPD 2014 Scholarship applications can be submitted betweenJanuary 1 and April 8. Go to https://aim.applyists.net/NASPD

You will be directed to the main log in page for International Scholarshipand Tuition Services (ISTS). Create an account, or if you already havean account, log in Once you create or log in to your account you will betaken directly to the application

Questions concerning the NASPD scholarship program: CallInternational Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. 615-777-3750.

(ISTS)

Blast from the Past

Last Issue: 1 Photo – NASPD Eastern Regional Meeting on September 12 – 14, 1991 inCleveland, Ohio. The top left photo which includes Beau Urech, Gary Clevenger, andSteve Fowler

Last Issue: 2 Photo – NASPD Summer Conference on July 11-14, 1996. The photoof the 5 ladies sitting at a table which included Mary Alice Braly, Dovie Knowles,Alice Rau, Bonnie Andrews, and Jackie Frank.

st

nd

brings you photos from past NASPD events. Your mission is toidentify the people in the photos. This is a contest for fun - be the first to email the correctguess to info@naspd.com. We will announce the results in the next issue of Pipeline.

John Mocker put in the best effort for the last issue photos by correctly identifying 4out of the 8 people pictured. Congratulations John!

26 Pipeline

We help your advertisingand marketing standout

. . . even when you are thesmallest company in the pack.

Standout.

Call us 361-649-5562

Hint: Both of thesenew photos were takenin Boca Raton, Floridain 1989.

New Photo 1

New Photo 2

We look forward toworking with you.

(NEW MEMBERS - continued from pg. 18)

(NEW MEMBERS - continued on pg. 30)

Testing. Transportation is by Third PartyLogistics Services.

Danylo Boyev is the NASPD Contact

Qualitube Limited8AEuropa Studios, Victoria RoadLondon UK NW10 6ND GBPhone: +44 7760 000 111FAX: +44 2076 222 991d.boyev@qualitube.co.uk

Union Pacific Railroad is a new professionalaffiliate member. Transportation is providedby Common Carrier, Logistics ConsultingServices, Rail, Third Party LogisticsServices, Transportation Services.

Creighton Reinhard is the NASPD Contact

Union Pacific Railroad1400 Douglas StreetOmaha, NE 68179 USPhone: 402-544-4806FAX: 402-997-4604creinhard@up.com

Union Pacific Railroad

28 Pipeline

Rail Service by Conrail/Shared Asset Group. Direct connection to Norfolk Southern & CSX Railroads.

1101 E Pearl Street, Burlington, NJ

(MEMBER HIGHLIGHT - continued from pg. 22)

Hilton Post Oak Hotel2001 Post Oak Blvd. / Houston, Texas

October 14–16, 2013

Registration Fee: $750.00 (Members) / $900.00 (Non-Members)

Registration Fee: $450.00 (Members) / $500.00 (Non-Members)

To register or for more informationvisit “Events” on the NASPD website: www.naspd.com

Steel Pipe Basic Education Course

OCTG Specialty Education Course

Deadline to register without a late fee is September 12, 2013.Non-members can begin registering August 3

Steel Pipe Basic Education Course& OCTG Specialty Education Course

Nikki was welcomed into the StuppCorporation by Don Bohach whereshe was groomed to take over thedistribution program and receivede x t e n s i v e s a l e s t r a i n i n g i nanticipation of Don's retirement.Although Nikki has been officiallyemployed by Stupp Corporation forseven years, her industry educationbegan long ago. Nikki's Father washired part-time in 1960 whilestudying at LSU and became a full-time Stupp employee upon graduatingin 1964. He spent his entire careerwith Stupp and remains a consultantfor the organization to this day. Of hertime with Stupp, “I have never beenhappier; I love my job and the people Iwork for and with. I am grateful forthe opportunities that have been givento me and consider myself fortunate tobe employed by the Stupp family. I ampassionate about what I do and treatmy customers like family, withhonesty and respect.”

(MEMBER HIGHLIGHTcontinued on pg. 30)

Nikki hitting the links in Mexico

Peter Brebach, Iron Angels of Colorado, Inc.and his wife, Ille, traveled out to Sedona inMay. The adventurous couple climb CathedralRock (pictured above) every year – despitePeter’s fear of heights.

(MEMBER HIGHLIGHT continued from page 28)

Nikki Efferson became Nikki Efferson Shealy onJuly 4, 2012 when she married her husbandLance. Nikki credits Stupp with thematchmaking “I met him on the elevator, weworked on the same floor”. Nikki beams whenasked about her 14 year old step son Quinn, “I amso grateful that Quinn was part of the packagewhen Lance and I married. I honestly cannotimagine my life without Lance and Quinn; theyhave made me complete.”

Nikki became a member of NASPD in 2008. Herfirst NASPD trip was hosted in beautiful SanFrancisco.

We asked Nikki about the opportunities NASPDconferences present to pipe professionals. Shereplied “NASPD conferences offer manywonderful things; networking opportunities,meeting new customers/businesses in theindustry, the ability to strengthen businessr e l a t i o n s h i p s , a n d d i s c o v e r n e wopportunities…all at minimal costs.” Nikki wenton to say “Attending an NASPD conferencegives you the opportunity to discuss challengeswith other mills and distributors and find outwhere they are excelling in the market. Whetherthey are your competitor or customer the greatthing about our members is, they always haveconversations with value to share. Another greatthing that NASPD has to offer is the educationclass; I highly recommend it to anyone new in theindustry.”

Above: Nikki and Lance

Out & About

(NEW MEMBERS - contd from pg. 26)

Valmont Industries, Inc. is a newassociate member. The companyproduct mix includes Carbon SteelTubing, Casing Pipe, Coatings, ERW,Mechanical Tubing, Square andRectangular Tubing, Structural Tubing.Products manufactured include CarbonSteel Tubing, Casing Pipe, Coatings,ERW, Mechanical Tubing, Square andRectangular Tubing, Structural Tubing.Product origins are All US Product(domestic), United States. Servicesoffered include Bending, Coating,Cutting, Galvanizing, HydrostaticTesting. Specialties are Light WallA513Tubing 1.125" - 16". Transportation isby Common Carrier and ContractCarrier.

Brad Nelson is the NASPD Contact.

Valmont Industries, Inc.7002 North 288th StreetValley, NE 68064 USPhone: 402-359-2201FAX: 402-359-4481brad.nelson@valmont.com

Valmont Industries, Inc.United Spiral Pipe (USPUnited Spiral Pipe (USP) is a newassociate member. The company productmix includes Abrasion Resistant Pipe,Coatings, Corrosion Coatings, HeavyWall Pipe, ISO, Large OD Pi pe, LinePipe, Low Temp Pipe,Pipe Coating, PipePiling, Spiral Weld Pipe, Steel Pipe,Waterworks Pipe, Welded Pipe. Productsmanufactured include API 5LX70 PSL224" X 0.344", 30" X 0.625",ASTMA252Gr3 24" X 0.364", 48" X 1.00". Productorigins are All US Product (domestic),United States. Size range offered is OD24" - 64", Wall 0.281" -1.00", Length 40'- 80’. Services offered include Beveling,C o a t i n g , C o n s u l t i n g , C u t t i n g ,Fabrication, Forming, HydrostaticTesting, Inspection, Jointing, Storage,Testing, and Welding. Transportation isby Barge, Common Carrier, ContractCarrier, Logistics Consulting Services,Oceangoing Vessel, Rail, Third PartyLogistics Services, TransportationServices.

Jay Hwang is the NASPD Contact

United Spiral Pipe (USP)900 East 3rd StreetPittsburg, CA94565 USPhone: 925-526-3100FAX: 925-526-3190jay.hwang@unitedspiralpipe.com

Your ServiceCenter

Tel: 281.485.9932Fax: 281.485.6378

Email: hti@pdq.net

Houston Facility

• 85 Acre Storage Facility

• 30,000 Sq. Ft. EnclosedWarehouse

• Direct Discharge

• Local Hauling

• Chloride-Neutralization

• Brush, Roll, & Spray

• Hydro-Abrasive Blasting

• Abrasive Blasting

• Waterblasting

• Descaling

• Machine Beveling

• Torch Beveling

• Plasma Cutting

• Cut-to-length

• Straightening

• Dedenting

• Threading 1/4" Thru 4" NPT

Houston Facility

32Years ofService

1981-2013

HOUSTON TUBULARS,INC

Ohio River Barge Terminal

• Servicing the MarcellusShale Region

• Weirton, West Virgina

•25 minutes from PittsburghInternational Airport

• Five Barges can be berthedsimultaneously

• 35 rail cars can be staged forloading/unloading

• Two Portable Cranes

• Supported by Norfolk &Southern Railroad

• Pipe Storage

• Complete Range of PipeMaintenance Services

• 90 Acre Barge and RailTerminal

Ohio River Barge Terminal