Cadent Gas are the UK’s largest gas distribution network, bringing gas to 11 million homes and businesses. They manage a network of more than 82,000 miles of pipes, most of them underground, which transport gas throughout the North West, West Midlands, East Midlands, South Yorkshire, East of England and North London.
Ensuring continuous uninterrupted supply of gas to homes is one of the companies key targets to ensure no home goes without gas for any extended periods of time.
Initial Situation
Cadent reached out to make contact with SPPS to discuss the emergency supply of critical gas pipe which they had been issues with supply from the current 2 incumbent framework suppliers to the network.
They had a serious problem with supply which would lead to a catastrophic failure of the upkeep of their networks potentially leaving thousands of customers without gas supply to their homes during Oct – Dec 2022 winter period.
With only three approved GIS PL2-2 UK gas PE pipe manufacturers in existence for the pipe size range in question. Cadent were quickly realising they could be in a very vulnerable position.
Task
Over 17kms of various pipe sizes were required as of immediate effect, to support the shortfall in supply.
With all available stocks either allocated to other networks or simply not available from the framework incumbent suppliers. Reliance was put onto SPPS to find a solution to this and produce the pipe as soon as possible, whilst maintaining all required testing and quality compliance levels.
Solution
SIMONA Peak Pipe Systems extended it’s operating shifts to immediately start production of the requirements. Total production was around 5 weeks.
Due to it’s on site testing facilities, SPPS were able to ensure a dedicated turnaround on the test specimens which meant that pipe was available from 10 days from the initial point of engagement.
10kms of 180mm SDR17.6 x 100m coils was delivered within 3 weeks of first engagement to over 8 UK stock locations. The balance of 7kms continued to be delivered for the next 2 weeks. Cadent as a direct subsequence of SPPS support did not let as single customer down, and has proven itself as a resilient and reliable supply partner.
Since this event, SPPS has gained full network approval for supply into Cadent where we work closely with them to delivery even more solutions with our GIS PL2-6 and Gas Protection Sheet product range.
