Northwest Pipe Company's Tubular Products Group Announces Atchison, Kansas Facility Expansion

VANCOUVER, WA--(Marketwire - February 2, 2011) - Northwest Pipe Company (NASDAQ: NWPX), an industry leader of engineered welded steel pipe and tube products, has plans to expand its Atchison, Kansas mill facility. The Atchison location is home to one of three Tubular Products Group locations. The facility currently operates two pipe mills with a product range of 3.5 inches to 16 inches outside diameter and wall thickness up to 0.281 inches. The expansion, anticipated to be complete by the fourth quarter of 2011 will increase the production capacity by more than 50 percent, improve productivity and enable the Group to produce product up to 0.375 inch wall. 

"This expansion is an important step forward for our Atchison facility. Being able to produce standard wall pipe products will greatly increase the markets available to us and enhance our ability to serve both our API and ASTM customers," said Rich Roman, CEO Northwest Pipe Company. "The project is consistent with our view that there are very attractive opportunities in our Tubular Products segment," added Bob Mahoney, President of Northwest Pipe Company's Tubular Products Group.

About Northwest Pipe Company's Tubular Products Group
Headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, Northwest Pipe Company's Tubular Products Group operates three ERW (Electric Resistance Weld) mill facilities in the United States. Tubular's products serve a wide-range of applications including: energy, oil and gas, structural, industrial, fire protection, low pressure and agricultural.

About Northwest Pipe Company
Northwest Pipe Company is comprised of two business groups. Its Water Transmission Group is the leading supplier of large diameter, high-pressure steel pipe products used primarily for water transportation infrastructure. Its Tubular Products Group manufactures smaller diameter steel pipe for many applications including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, traffic and other commercial and industrial uses. The Company is headquartered in Vancouver, Washington and has manufacturing facilities in the United States and Mexico.

For more information, visit www.nwpipe.com.

Contact Information:

Contact:
Yvonne Green
(360) 397-6279