The big picture in pipes is steady growth

This week's print issue of Plastics News has the top 100 North American pipe, profile and tubing extruders ranking, but you can find the full 201 firms online.

We tracked extrusion sales of $21.2 billion, up 2.7 percent from last year's ranking. The sales breakout is: 51 percent pipe, 43 percent profile and 6 percent tubing.

Average sales per firm was $105.5 million, up 5.1 percent over last year.

But what does all that mean when you're looking at the big picture for the 2018 fiscal year?

Our research showed pricing was up 6.9 percent for PVC but down 9.9 percent for high density polyethylene, which was a gain — or an offset for pass through of material pricing. The building and construction market maintained its small growth with an average boost of 3.9 percent. New window demand was up 2.6 percent and replacement demand up 1.9 percent, according to the American Architectural Manufacturers Association. The National Association of Home Builders had its remodeling market index flat for 2018.

For those firms who provided their financials, about 30 percent had sales increases. The median increase was 12 percent, meaning half were below and half were above that number.

What changes are in this year' ranking?

• Armtec Inc. In 2018,, Westman Group Inc. acquired the Armtec Steel and Plastic Drainage Divisions, along with the Armtec name, to form Armtec-Canada Culvert. Armtec, Canada Culvert, Big O and Aqua Q are now organized under the Armtec name.

• Azek Co. LLC opened a recycling facility in Wilmington, Ohio with a 2020 goal to recycle 100 million pounds of used polyethylene a year into a material for its TimberTech brand composite decking.

• Chelsea Building Products added a plant in Greenville, Tx.

• Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. acquired the rubber and plastics manufacturing units of Lauren International Ltd.

• Cornerstone Building Brands Inc. represents the November 2018 merger of previously ranked Ply Gem Midco Inc. and NCI Building Systems Inc. The listing also includes Silver Line Building Products LLC which was acquired in October 2018.

• Custom Profile of Grand Rapids, Mich. is now 100 percent employee-owned.

• Fiber Composites LLC, which does business as Fiberon, was acquired by Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc. and will be part of its doors and security unit. Fortune's well-known brands include Moen plumbing and Master Lock locks.

• Masco Corp. plans to sell its vinyl and composite window and door businesses, which includes Milgard Windows & Doors.

• MoistureShield is the new name of previously ranked Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies Inc. The company is part of Oldcastle Architectural Products, which is owned by CRH PLC.

• Pexco LLC has spun off from Spectrum Plastics Group, whose remaining tubing operations are ranked separately. The Pexco listing includes acquired companies, Insultab Inc and Custom Extrusion Inc.

• Pipeline Plastics LLC's multifacility expansion plan shows up in force with a huge increase in sales for fiscal 2018. The company reports it will be starting up a new plant on the East Coast this year.

• Preferred Plastics Inc. reporting 36.8 percent growth in sales

• Texas United Pipe Inc.'s Eric Howard succeeded Barry King as president due to retirement.

• United Poly Systems LLC recently acquired by private equity firm Industrial Opportunity Partners LLC in partnership with the current management team.

• Westlake Chemical Corp.'s subsidiary, Royal Building Products Inc., acquired composite roofing and siding maker, DaVinci Roofscapes LLC in June.

• WNBF News Radio 1290 reported that National Pipe & Plastics Inc. broke ground on its new headquarters in West Endicott, this May.

So, who were the biggest movers?

Preferred Plastics Inc. of Plainwell, Mich. moved up 15 spaces to No. 60.

Pipeline Plastics LLC of Westlake, Texas, moved up 14 spaces to 17.

Creative Extruded Products LLC of Tipp City, Ohio, moved up 14 spaces to rank at No. 73.

NewAge Industries Inc. of Southampton, Pa. moved up 14 spaces to 52.

Texas United Pipe Inc. of Houston, moved up 13 spaces to No. 79.

Northland Plastics Inc. of Sheboygan, Wis. moved up nine spaces to No. 136.

Northwest Rubber Extruders Inc. of Beaverton, Ore. moved up nine spaces to 147.

Vip Rubber Co. Inc. of La Habra, Calif. moved up nine spaces to 94.

Applied Plastics Inc. of Oak Creek, Wis. moved up eight spaces to rank at 120.

Plastifab Industries of St. Laurent, Quebec, moved up eight spaces to No. 120.

Welcome to the ranking:

Custom extruder and injection molder, Mac Plastics Manufacturing Inc. of Olney, Ill.

Need more information?

Visit our ranking online at www.plasticsnews.com/rankings/pipe-profile-tubing.

Plastics lumber makers are also profile extruders, you can see a directory of those firms along with their product types at www.plasticsnews.com/rankings/plastic-lumber.

If you work for a company that is missing from the ranking, we would like to include you next time. Just send a note to Hollee Keller at [email protected] or mail your information to Plastics News, P.O. Box 790, Tallmadge, Ohio 44278.