Long-lasting, sustainable, noncorrosive and leak-free, fiberglass pipes are supporting life for future generations.
Hobas Pipe USA is committed to sustainability and minimizing environmental impact throughout its operations and the lifecycle of its products. “We continuously challenge ourselves to find a better way and minimize our impact on our environment,” says President and CEO Martin Dana. “From our daily operations, products and partnerships, we seek out ways to be good stewards of the environment today and for future generations.”
As the largest manufacturer of fiberglass reinforced polymer mortar (FRPM) pipes in the Americas, Hobas Pipes plays a crucial role in laying the foundation of a healthier and greener world. Noncorrosive, long-lasting and leak-free, the innovation beats alternative products by a wide margin.
With our nation’s aging infrastructure, from water pipelines supporting life and reliable wastewater systems upholding human dignity, the company is set to further support quality living as it expands its business in the next several years to address this issue.
Hobas Pipe currently holds more than 60 percent of the FRPM gravity sewer market and is expanding into the potable water market in the U.S. FRPM pipe holds a predominant role in water pipelines around the world. Add to that the recent acquisition of FRP manufacturer O-Tek in Latin America, Hobas Pipe’s commitment to growth for a sustainable, corrosion-resistant and leak-free infrastructure solution across the Americas is clear. O-Tek is well-positioned to address the critical need in Latin America, where only half of households are connected to appropriate water and wastewater systems, and about 30 million people have no access to clean drinking water.
Dana sees the vital role Hobas Pipe plays in infrastructure as one of laying a solid and lasting foundation. “It’s not just about turning a profit; our mission is to make a difference in the world with our products,” says Dana. “We want to use the best innovations in the market today.”
Robust Growth
This core corporate philosophy has worked well for Hobas Pipe. The company was founded in 1987, and over the course of the past five years, it has experienced more than 140 percent growth in revenue. Over the same period, Hobas Pipe’s staff and facilities have expanded. The Hobas team has grown from 50 to more than 750 people, while its combined production facility has similarly expanded with four manufacturing facilities in Houston (Texas), Cartagena (Colombia), Aguascalientes (Mexico) and Cordoba (Argentina). This growth ensures Hobas Pipe can continue to address the vital needs for cities and municipalities to repair and replace aging water and wastewater infrastructure with a sustainable FRPM pipe system.
Hobas Pipe products have earned the trust of engineers and contractors in a broad range of applications, with pipes measuring from 12 to 126 inches in diameter. Additionally, the pipes have an operating pressure rating of up to 450 psi, which includes installations for water and wastewater, chemical processing and water treatment plants, desalination facilities, industrial effluent or sewage discharge, and water cooling for fossil fuel, hydro and nuclear plants.
Today, about 18 million feet of Hobas FRPM pipes are installed in every state in the continental U.S., as well as Puerto Rico and Alaska.
Bright Outlook Ahead
However, the best is yet to come for Hobas Pipe’s end users. The company is currently focused on a growth initiative to ensure that its mission of creating a better world through its innovative products is realized. It has spent in excess of $100 million on capital projects and acquisitions to move into new markets, especially in the sewer rehabilitation segment for noncircular pipes and the pressure-water market. Hobas Pipe has installed new equipment at its Houston-based factory to more than double its capacity to produce pressure pipes for the potable water market as well as for gravity sewer applications.
“We have visions of continuing to expand throughout the Americas,” says Dana. “We like the opportunity to drive further infrastructure investment across Latin America.”
A More Sustainable Option
It’s not difficult to see why FRPM pipes are so popular. Besides their noncorrosive and leak-free qualities, Hobas Pipe provides a 150-year lifespan. These qualities make FRPM pipes an excellent choice, not only for structural reliability but also for sustainability.
This commitment to green transformation links Hobas Pipe with its mother company, the Wietersdorfer Group. With 130 years of experience in the building infrastructure sector covering cement, lime, pipe systems and industrial minerals, the Austrian-based family conglomerate gives Hobas Pipe access to the latest green technologies and other resources from Europe.
“On the municipality front, there’s clearly a push across all of the big cities to become more sustainable,” Dana says. “When we talk about our fiberglass solution, we know from our own data that our carbon footprint is the lowest among other options, including PVC, DIP, steel and concrete. We think our product is the smart choice for municipalities as they consider replacing their infrastructure.”
As part of Hobas Pipe’s journey, Dana remains committed to fulfilling the company’s credo: “To ensure today’s infrastructure solutions do not become tomorrow’s problems.”
Learn more about Hobas Pipe USA at hobaspipe.com.
