IPEX announced that as part of its North American growth strategy and customer service focus, the company is investing in a major expansion that will impact three of its pipe extrusion facilities. 

A total of 28 new production lines will be added to the IPEX facilities in Asheville, North Carolina; Lawton, Oklahoma; and Fort Pierce, Florida. The new lines use the latest in high-speed extrusion technology and include closed-loop wall monitors, end-of-line pipe bundling automation, and gravimetric feeding systems.

As with all new IPEX facilities, industry-leading health and safety best practices and technology are paramount. In addition, IPEX envisions possible next phase expansion and further automation in the future. These expansions will also create new jobs across the three communities. 

“This will allow IPEX to increase production capacity for our pipe business to ensure high fill rates and excellent service both in the US and Canada, while we continue our significant growth strategy,” said Alex Mestres, IPEX’s CEO. “These investments will also add enough capacity to deliver a number of groundbreaking new products we now have in the pipeline and ready to launch,” added Mestres. “Not only are we continuing to invest in the best available technology so we can better service our customers, but these expansions are also creating career opportunities for all IPEX employees.”

All three facilities will see expansions of their distribution yards and buildings. The new lines are expected to be operational beginning in late 2022, through to early 2024.