The Race to the Bottom: Modern Purchasing Practices

Session 2B
2:40

Keith Mole, McElroy Manufacturing, Inc.

While most of our competitors in the pipeline business are investing in research, new developments, and training to advance and increase the successful use of their products, the HDPE Pipe industry is facing issues because they have allowed standards and controls to drop, while in a rush to expand the demanding markets.

The impressive growth of the use of HDPE pipes around the world over the last 30 years is a testament to the need and the potential of the material. But while the investment and development has greatly improved the pipes – the jointing equipment, the training programmes and the quality control regimes have gone backwards as some manufacturers redesign their products to win tenders, rather than to join pipes successfully, safely, productively and effectively.

It seems the accountants are selecting machines on price and are not allowing the engineers to select on needs and performance. This is resulting in a dangerous trend that could have a devastating effect on the business. Already some major utilities are questioning their use and commitment to HDPE pipes because of the jointing problems and failure rates they are experiencing.

Keith Mole has been involved in the development and the marketing of butt fusion machines and electrofusion fittings and jointing for the last 28 years and has seen and been frustrated by the decline in the controls, the standards and the site practices that seriously threaten growth and our business in general. This presentation will discuss these declines, the differences and offer opinions of why we need to stop this crazy ‘Race to the Bottom’

Keith Mole
International Business Manager.
McElroy Manufacturing Inc