
PSL FZE, set up in Hamriyah Free Zone, Sharjah in the year 2007 is a part of PSL Group, one of India’s premier corporate Groups and a world leader in HSAW Pipe Production as per API Standard and High Performance Corrosion Protection Systems with over thirty years of industrial experience and spread over India, UAE & USA. PSL has the unique advantage of having ‘BUILT & OPERATED’ more than ten Spiral Mills, fabricating the Specialized Pipe Mill Equipment’s themselves and the capability of training the staff at a new Plant location from Green Field to Commissioning and Operation as per Client Requirements. PSL believes in bringing the Pipe Mills to the customers to give them a cost competitive edge. But besides the logistic advantage, the supplies are backed with Technical Expertise and meet full compliance of International Standards conforming to API 5 L, BS EN 10025, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 and Others. Cochin Herald had a rendezvous with the Vice President of PSL FZE Hamriyah Free Zone, Sharjah, Mr. Joseph Thomas who is holding the position for the past eight years, and is instrumental for the company’s success.
When did you enter into the field of business and how did you come across such an idea?
I joined a Multi National Company ‘PSL LIMITED’ having their base in India in the year 1996 as the head of Accountsin one of their Manufacturing Unit in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. At present, heading ‘PSL FZE’ Hamriyah Free Zone, Sharjah, U.A.E. since 2007 onwards.
What are the products of PSLFZE?
PSL FZE offers a range of Products and Services to the Oil & Gas Sector, Piling Application, Portable Drinking Water Pipelines, Refineries, Petrochemicals, Nuclear Power plants, Sea Water Makeup Systems and other Infrastructure Projects. HSAW PIPES(Helicon Submerged Arced Welded Pipes) The HSAW Pipes have been and are being extensively used worldwide. For instance, in U.S.A, Canada, Germany, Turkey, China, Saudi Arabia, and the South East Asian Countries. HSAW pipes have been successfully supplied and are in use for thousands of Kilometers of High Pressure Gas Transmission Pipelines of diameter up to 56” and Grade X80; hence their Quality is now indisputable.
Recent investigations into fatigue strength of large dia Pipes under pulsating stresses and the safety against failure of high pressure lines have made it obvious that HSAW Pipes are “better” in comparison with other types of Pipes. They also demonstrate better results due to favorable orientation of the weld seam and the strip direction of the principal stress.
PSL FZE has incorporated the “Laser vision Seam Tracking / Adaptive Welding System” a new generation of highly reliable sensors, specifically designed for “Gap Control” welding and inspection applications. This is a revolutionary concept of “Machine Vision” machines that see and take appropriate action on visual input. This results in improved weld quality; reduced rework of welds increased welding speed and overall better product quality. Moreover, the process of fabrication makes the HSAW Pipes “Sturdier” and ensures “Zero Defects”. It also makes it “Ovality Free” during welding / pipe-laying at ROW. The process of fabrication and forming also ensure Pipe Straightness.
Technical Specifications of HSAW Pipes are, 18” Dia to 120” Dia with wall thickness of 5mm to 25-mm.lengths of 6 m to 30 m. PSL FZE HSAW Pipes pass thorough a series of quality checks for high Pressure Applications. The Pipe Mills are API approved and the Pipes are subject to 100% Hydro testing, NDT like Ultrasonic Testing, X-Ray, Fluoroscopy System in addition to various other mandatory tests prescribed in the detailed QA/QC Procedures in line with international Technical Specifications and Requirements. PSL FZE is an API 5 L, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 & OHSAS 18001 certified Company and hence the HSAW Pipes manufactured by PSL FZE meet the stringent technical specifications as listed by API, AWWA, DIN, BS, ASTM and others.
External Polyurethane Coating PSL FZE offers under the same roof a range of Anti-Corrosion Coating Systems on external and internal surfaces as per the international Technical Specifications and Requirements. PSL FZE processes Pipes ranging from 4” to 60” outer diameter with Polyurethane Coating External Fusion Bonded Epoxy Coating PSL FZE Processes Pipes ranging from 4”to 60” outer diameter. PSL FZE possesses the latest technology in the world for its fusion epoxy powder application system. External Polyethylene/Polypropylene Coating PSL FZE processes Pipes ranging from 4” to 60” diameter for external Polyethylene/ Polypropylene Coating. Internal Liquid Epoxy/PU Coating PSL FZE carries out internal coating from Pipe size ranging from 4” to 60” out diameter with internal Steel Grit blasting followed by two component hot applied single pass liquid epoxy/PU coating unto 2.5mm thick. The process is designated to protect internal steel surfaces from aggressive and corroding fluids.
Weight Concrete Coating (impingement System) PSL FZE processes Pipes ranging from 4” to 60” diameters. A fully automated skid-mounted / containerized mobile plant (Two Plants), complete with four over head cranes and weighing equipment enables fast relocating at project site. The equipment consists of a feeding system of Silos and Conveyers for Cement and predetermined mix of sand, gravel and high-density iron ore. The coating process is carried out with reinforcement of galvanized steel welded wire mesh or cage reinforcement as per ASTM Standards meeting clients / consultants specifications.
Where is your firm head quartered at and how many branches do you have?
PSL GROUP Head Quarter is in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India and having Manufacturing and Coating facility in Daman, Gujarat,Rajasthan, Andra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu,
What are the various types of projects that you have undertaken so far and how does it work?
Recent Projects handled from PSL FZESharjah units are many. PSL FZE started its manufacturing of Pipes at Hamriyah Free Zone, Sharjah by supplying Pipes for the iconic land mark building of UAE, Burj Khalifa in the year 2007 for its water transmission line. Followed by manufacturing of Piling Pipes with External Anti corrosion Coating on External surface of Pipes for the Prestigious project in UAE ‘Palm Jabel Ali Water Project’ Manufacturing and Supply of Piling pipes with External Coating for the construction of Bulk Jetty at Port of Sohar Oman through EPC Contractors Saipem/Afcon JV. Manufacturing of M.S. Pipes with External Coating and Internal Lining for Low Sulphur Fuel Oil Project for Kuwait Oil Corporation Ltd Kuwait. Manufacturing and Supply of 352 KM of M.S.Pipes for Ras Al Zaur- Hafar Al Batin Water Transmission System for Saline Water Conversion Corporation, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Application of External 3 LPE Coating for Borouge 3 Utilities & Offshore Project for Borouge/Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co.Ltd for 35.850 KM of Pipeline. Application of External 3LPE/3LPP Coating & Concrete Weight Coating on 103.992 km for NASR & UMM LULU Development Project-Phase 1 for ADMA-OPCO Abu Dhabi, UAE – L&T Vaidel Engineering Ltd. Application of External 3LPE/3LPP Coating and Concrete Weight Coating for SARB Field Development Project Package 3 for ADMA-OPCO of Abu Dhabi through Petrofac International Limited.
Do you have any major competitors in the field of business?
PSL FZE is the only Company who can Manufacture Spiral Welded M.S.Pipes in U.A.E with a range of 18” to 120” Dia Meter.
Have you ever faced any challenges during the course of running this business?
YES. It was a challenge to execute the above Prestigious Government Projects, since we have achieved our success when the World Economy was under recession. Our World Class Technology, Committed Delivery Schedule, Providing Continues learning opportunities to our work force to improve our internal and external processes for quality Products are the factors helped us to scale up and meet all the challenges.
What prospects do you see in the business during the coming years or do you have any expansion programme during the coming years?
A couple of projects are in pipeline and expecting a good beginning in the year 2016. The following Projects are some of them. Supply of Pipes and Coating for TRANSCO – Abu Dhabi, Water Transmission Pipe line projects with Tecton Engineering & Construction. LIWA Plastic Projects through L&T Hydrocarbon Abu Dhabi Pipe Supply for Gas Pipe Line Project for Africa International Piping Pipe supply for LimmShaif Oil Expansion Project for TML Instaat A.S. -Kenya. Coating on Pipes for UMM Shaif Oil Expansion Project Abu Dhabi Coating for Al Dhabbiya Project Abu Dhabi.
Are you getting any sort of assistance or help from the governmental or other agencies?
We take immense pride in associating ourselves with the Government Authorities and other Agencies in U.A.E. We always thanks to the Authorities for the cooperation extending to us all the time.