About Northwest Pipe

Northwest Pipe Company operates as a manufacturer of water-related infrastructure products. In addition to being the largest manufacturer of engineered steel water pipeline systems in North America, the company manufactures stormwater and wastewater technology products; high-quality precast and reinforced concrete products; pump lift stations; steel casing pipe; bar-wrapped concrete cylinder pipe; and one of the largest offerings of pipeline system joints, fittings, and specialized components. Strategically positioned to meet growing water and wastewater infrastructure needs, the company provides solution-based products for a wide range of markets under the ParkUSA, Geneva Pipe and Precast, Permalok, and Northwest Pipe Company lines. The company’s water infrastructure products are sold generally to installation contractors, who include the company’s products in their bids to federal, state, and municipal agencies, privately-owned water companies, or developers for specific projects. Within the total range of products, the company’s steel pipe tends to fit the larger-diameter, higher-pressure pipeline applications, while the company’s precast concrete products mainly serve stormwater and sanitary sewer systems. Segments The company operates through two segments, Engineered Steel Pressure Pipe (SPP) and Precast Infrastructure and Engineered Systems (Precast). Engineered Steel Pressure Pipe (‘SPP’) SPP manufactures large-diameter, high-pressure steel pipeline systems for use in water infrastructure applications, which are primarily related to drinking water systems. These products are also used for hydroelectric power systems, wastewater systems, seismic resiliency, and other applications. In addition, SPP makes products for industrial plant piping systems and certain structural applications. SPP has manufacturing facilities located in Portland, Oregon; Adelanto and Tracy, California; Parkersburg, West Virginia; Saginaw, Texas; St. Louis, Missouri; and San Luis Río Colorado, Mexico. Precast Infrastructure and Engineered Systems (Precast) Precast manufactures stormwater and wastewater technology products, high-quality precast and reinforced concrete products, including manholes, box culverts, vaults, and catch basins, pump lift stations, oil water separators, biofiltration, and other environmental and engineered solutions. Precast has manufacturing facilities located in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, Texas; and Orem, Salt Lake City, and St. George, Utah. Industries Engineered Steel Pressure Pipe The company’s large-diameter, engineered welded steel pipeline systems are utilized in water, energy, structural, and plant piping applications. The company’s core market is the large-diameter, high-pressure portion of a water transmission pipeline that is typically at the ‘upper end’ of a pipeline system. Precast Infrastructure and Engineered Systems The company’s high-quality precast and reinforced concrete products and bar-wrapped concrete cylinder pipe are typically used in non-pressure, gravity fed sewer and stormwater applications. Products Engineered Steel Pressure Pipe Water infrastructure steel pipe is used for high-pressure applications, typically requiring pipe to withstand pressures in excess of 150 pounds per square inch. Most of the company’s water transmission products, mainly welded steel pipe and bar-wrapped cylinder pipe, are made to project specifications for fully engineered, large-diameter, high-pressure water infrastructure systems. Other uses include power generation circulating water systems, penstocks, pipe piling, and water and wastewater treatment plants. Spiral welded pipe is manufactured in diameters ranging from 24 inches to 156 inches with wall thickness of 0.135 inches to 1.00 inch. The company’s rolled and welded capabilities allow for manufacturing diameters greater than 156 inches or wall thicknesses exceeding 1.00 inch. Lining and coating capabilities include cement mortar, polyurethane, epoxy, polyethylene tape, and coal-tar enamel according to the company’s customers’ project specifications. Fabrication of fittings are performed at the company’s own facilities providing installation contractors and project owners with a complete engineered system. Product is delivered to the jobsite using commercial trucks or marine transport as needed. The company manufactures Permalok steel casing pipe, which is a proprietary pipe joining system that employs a press-fit interlocking connection system. The Permalok product is generally installed in trenchless construction projects. Precast Infrastructure and Engineered Systems The company manufactures a variety of high-quality precast concrete products for water and adjacent infrastructure applications. The company’s precast products include reinforced concrete pipe (‘RCP’), manholes, box culverts, vaults, catch basins, oil water separators, pump lift stations, lined RCP and manholes, and other precast infrastructure products. The Geneva facilities manufacture RCP in sizes ranging from twelve inches to 96 inches in diameter and in a variety of strength classes at ASTM International and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (‘AASHTO’) specifications, which are primarily used for water transmission, sanitary sewer systems, storm drainage, and utilities fabrication. Geneva’s manholes, box culverts, vaults, and other structural products come in a variety of dimensions. Geneva’s lined products include high-density polyethylene (‘HDPE’) or fiber reinforced plastic internal liners within manholes and RCP with additional corrosion protection in sanitary sewer and wastewater environments. Under the ParkUSA brand, the company manufactures pre-assembled stormwater, wastewater, and water management systems housed predominantly in precast concrete or steel housings, including water meter assemblies, break tank systems, pump lift stations, and backflow prevention systems. ParkUSA also manufactures a variety of stormwater products, including catch basins, canal valves, and interceptors capable of removing sediments, trash, and oil from stormwater runoff. ParkUSA’s wastewater products protect the environment and limit pollutants from entering sewer systems, including interceptors designed to neutralize and macerate foreign materials, such as fats, oils, and greases in wastewater for hospitals, service stations, restaurants, and other commercial applications. ParkUSA units are pre-assembled in a quality-controlled environment and are delivered ready to install to the job site, providing significant savings from onsite assembly. Manufacturing and Product Development Engineered Steel Pressure Pipe In April 2022, the company introduced the Permalok Auger Bore Joint, which utilizes a precision-machined interference fit that eliminates the need for time-sensitive field applied butt-welds on trenchless and open-cut applications. This patented pre-installed joint connection is flush with the interior and exterior surfaces of the pipe, allowing for quick, easy, and permanent joining in the field. Its unique stepped profile simplifies installation for the company’s customers. In November 2022, the company announced the development of the Permalok Radial Bending Joint. This patent-pending technology is a groundbreaking advancement in trenchless microtunneling construction allowing steel pipe to be installed in a curved radius. As with other Permalok joints, the press-fit machined joint reduces field time by eliminating butt-weld joints and results in a shortened install duration and reduced field costs. Precast Infrastructure and Engineered Systems The company also manufactures reinforced concrete pipe by producing a steel mesh cage, enclosing it in a form or mold, and then pouring concrete around it to produce the pipe. The company works hand-in-hand with its customers to develop custom water infrastructure products that help protect the environment. Many of the company’s precast wastewater, stormwater, water management, and process systems include integrated Original Equipment Manufacturer components that the company build out at its facilities into the finished solution. The company builds and tests each unit to industry standards in its quality-controlled certified facilities. The units arrive at the jobsite ready to install, which reduces jobsite construction time and the need for specialized trades on site. Technology The company has invested in modern welding and inspection equipment to improve both productivity and product quality. The company owns interlocking pipe joining system technologies (Permalok) that provide an alternate joint solution used for connecting steel pipes. In addition, the company is licensed to manufacture a conventional reinforced concrete pipe with a HDPE liner to protect concrete pipe from corrosion, and a lined manhole system, which integrates a precast concrete monolithic base with a plastic liner that is chemically resistant to raw sewage gases. ParkUSA also holds several patents for commercially viable products. Marketing Engineered Steel Pressure Pipe The company’s seven steel pipe manufacturing facilities in Oregon, California, West Virginia, Texas, Missouri, and Mexico allow the company to efficiently serve customers throughout North America. The primary customers for the company’s water infrastructure steel pipe products are installation contractors for projects funded by public water agencies. The company’s in-house sales force is consisted of sales representatives, engineers, and support personnel who work closely with public water agencies, contractors, and engineering firms. These relationships allow the company to identify and evaluate planned projects at early stages, and pursue these projects by offering technical support and resources. Precast Infrastructure and Engineered Systems The company’s six precast and water systems manufacturing facilities in Texas and Utah allow the company to efficiently serve customers throughout Texas, the Intermountain West region, and surrounding states. The primary customers for the company’s precast infrastructure and reinforced concrete products are installation contractors for various commercial, government, residential, and industrial projects. The company markets many of its engineered systems with preinstalled components as having the advantage of reduced field install time, the elimination of multiple vendors, and higher quality control. The company’s sales force is consisted of in-house and third-party sales representatives, engineers, and support personnel who work closely with the customers to find the right product or solution for their specific need. Competition Engineered Steel Pressure Pipe The company’s primary competitors in the western United States and southwestern Canada are Imperial Pipe and West Coast Pipe. East of the Rocky Mountains, the company’s primary competitors are Thompson Pipe Group, American SpiralWeld Pipe, and Mid America Pipe Fabricating & Supply, LLC. Precast Infrastructure and Engineered Systems The company’s primary competitors are Oldcastle Infrastructure in Texas and Utah and The QUIKRETE Companies in Texas. Raw Materials and Supplies Engineered Steel Pressure Pipe The company’s suppliers include Big River Steel, Steel Dynamics, Inc., United States Steel Corporation, ArcelorMittal, SSAB, POSCO INTERNATIONAL, EVRAZ North America, California Steel Industries, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., and Nucor Corporation. Seasonality The company’s results tend to be stronger in the second and third quarters of each year (year ended December 2022) due to typically milder weather in the regions in which the company operates. History Northwest Pipe Company was founded in 1966. The company was incorporated in the state of Oregon in 1966.