Kirn, 28 February 2022.

With effect from 1 March 2022, SIMONA AG has acquired 100 percent of the share capital of PEAK Pipe Systems Limited (PEAK), based in Chesterfield, United Kingdom, from BRIDGSTOCK Limited, a family-run holding company, also headquartered in Chesterfield.

PEAK is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of high-quality polyethylene pipe systems. For more than 50 years, PEAK has been providing innovative solutions for the growing UK infrastructure market, with a particular emphasis on electric and water utility sectors, as well as aquaculture. The company employs 66 people and generates revenue of approximately €40 million p.a.

The acquisition will underpin SIMONA Group’s strategic realignment, the aim being to achieve a strong focus on applications while supporting the Group in its efforts to achieve its growth targets in the infrastructure and aquaculture markets within the EMEA region. Furthermore, the Group’s product portfolio in the UK will be expanded significantly as a result of the acquisition, while its overall position in this attractive, segregated market will be further improved.

“PEAK” opens up growth potential for us in the infrastructure, aquaculture and renewable energy markets, which we intend to cultivate in a targeted manner with the help of our EMEA business-line organisation launched in 2021. Boasting a solid level of profitability, high growth rates, an experienced management team, dedicated employees and a strong focus on quality and customer satisfaction, the company is a very good fit for SIMONA Group. Our customers will benefit from an extended product range, fast delivery times and system solutions from a single source. We look forward to working together.” says Matthias Schönberg, CEO of SIMONA.

Russ Brown, Managing Director of PEAK, welcomed the acquisition, “SIMONA has been a trusted partner of our business for over 30 years. We see synergies at all levels of our organisation – culture, products, know-how, customer focus, can-do attitude – these make us very positive about the future. We are also excited to explain to our customers how much more we will now be able to offer to them. The history of PEAK is a proud one, indeed the entrepreneurial spirit of Eric Bridgstock still drives us every day, we now look forward to the next chapter with enthusiasm and with a smile on our faces!”.

Molly Warwick, a Bridgstock family representative, explained why SIMONA was the ideal fit, “When the Bridgstock family decided to sell the PEAK business the list for potential acquirers was short – based primarily on cultural fit and the passion to take the PEAK business to the next level. In SIMONA Group we are confident that we could not have found a better home for the PEAK business. We now say goodbye to our friends and colleagues knowing they are in safe hands for the future.”.

Customer FAQs

Question: Will we have to set a new supplier account up to trade with you?

No, all trading entity details will remain the same. Please process invoices and orders as usual. If anything were to change in the future, we will notify you in writing.

Where and to whom should invoices be sent now?

Please continue to send all invoices to your existing contact email address.

How will the changes in ownership affect my company?

Only in a positive way, we intend to let the SIMONA PEAK business continue to offer its market-leading level of customers service and improve this by adding wider capability from within the SIMONA Group.

What is the legal name of the new organization?

The same as before – Peak Pipe Systems Limited.

Are the contracts/purchase orders we have in place still valid? If so, for how long?

Yes, it is business as usual. Nothing commercially will change with the way you transact with our company in the short term. Any changes will be notified will ample notice.

Will policies regarding how you select vendors/suppliers change?

We will be reviewing and where necessary transitioning our vendor assessment criteria in line with group policy. If anything were to change, we would notify all exiting vendor/suppliers accordingly.

Will we be required to ship materials to a different location?

No, the location of our facility will remain the same based out of Chesterfield, Derbyshire S41 9PZ.

Will my company be required to seek any new quality certifications?

No, our buying activity will remain the same, all products currently purchased will be deemed as suitable to supply.

Will we still be dealing with the same purchasing agent(s)?

Yes, your purchasing contact will not change.

Do you expect the volume that you have been ordering to increase or decrease?

We expect the acquisition to have the required positive impact on our business, in turn, we expect an increase in sales.

There are many factors that can influence the lifetime of PE pipe. Typically polyethylene pipe can last between 50-100 years if designed, maintained and installed correctly. We take a look at the top five considerations when designing and installing PE pipe in order to achieve a long service life.

Operating conditions
Operating conditions including temperature, pressure and even weather conditions can affect the overall quality of a joint. PE pipes may be used at operating temperatures between -40°C and +80°C. For temperatures less than 20°C it is conventional to use the 20°C hydrostatic design stress. Below freezing, additional care may be required as the impact strength of PE is reduced. Adjusting temperatures to suit the operating conditions can extend service life to beyond the nominal 50 years.

High and low temperatures can affect the quality of the pipe but weather conditions must also be considered. During heavy rainfall, it’s important to remember that when fusion welding polyethylene pipe that no water or moisture is present in the fusion zones. The presence of water or moisture on pipe and fittings when welding can cause catastrophic joint failure when the system is under operating pressures. It’s always critical to adhere to best practices and consider weather conditions and prepare accordingly with the correct equipment and shelters.

Material
Material quality is a core factor of PE pipe service life. Polyethylene pipe boasts significant material benefits over traditional materials such as metal or concrete. High-Density Polyethylene Pipe (HDPE) is a thermoplastic pipe made from material that is flexible, durable and has outstanding levels of crack resistance. As HDPE is highly flexible, the material offers an ideal solution as it is unaffected by ground movement and therefore does not carry the same risk of splitting, cracking or corrosion as traditional alternatives. Of course with any product, the quality of the raw materials used and the manufacturing methods can affect the finished product. Peak prides itself on manufacturing PE pipe using the highest grades of material and thorough testing methods. HDPE can also be recycled at the end of its life cycle, and although this doesn’t affect its service life, environmentally, it’s a great solution and can be processed into other polyethylene products.

External pipe loading
All buried pipelines are exposed to various conditions which may affect the operation performance and life of the product. Things to be considered when designing a buried system are bedding and sidefill requirements. Guidance is provided on the selection and use of materials suitable for providing structural support to buried pipelines in IGN 4-08-01 (Bedding and Sidefill Materials for Buried Pipelines) and WIS 4-08-02 (Specification for Bedding and Sidefill Materials for Buried Pipelines). Trench depth and width will also considerably affect the loading on the pipe. The normal minimum depth of cover for mains should be a minimum of 900mm from ground level to the crown of the pipe. The width of the trench should be no less than the outside diameter of the pipe plus 250mm to allow for adequate compaction of sidefill unless specialised narrow trenching techniques are used.

The surrounding environment
Chemical loading can also affect PE pipe service life including risks from contaminated soils, for example. In addition to this, it’s crucial to consider the placement of the pipe if it is near tank stations where gasoline and other oil products are stored. Leakage of these into the soil over long periods may affect the performance of PE pipe.

Installation methods
Installation methods and carrying out correct installation is one of the most important factors when influencing the life cycle of any PE pipe. PE pipe can be welded between temperatures of -30°C to +50°C. As the weather changes and the temperature gets colder it’s important to take extra care when welding with electrofusion fittings, having the correct tooling can ensure the process is carried out effectively. Preparation of the pipe is also key on installation, PE pipes can become a lot firmer and less rigid in cold temperatures so preparation is key before carrying out a weld. It may take extra time to scrape and prepare the pipe but with the correct tooling and patience, you can ensure a good quality joint, even in minus temperatures!

References

ISO 1167-1:2006
Thermoplastics pipes, fittings and assemblies for the conveyance of fluids – Determination of the resistance to internal pressure – Part 1: General method

ISO 1167-2:2006
Thermoplastics pipes, fittings and assemblies for the conveyance of fluids – Determination of the resistance to internal pressure – Part 2: Preparation of pipe test pieces.

ISO 9080:2003
Plastic piping and ducting systems – Determination of the long-term hydrostatic strength of thermoplastic materials in pipe form by extrapolation.

ISO 13761:1996
Plastics pipes and fittings – Pressure reduction factors for polyethylene pipeline systems for use at temperatures above 20° C.

After a tough year for businesses and individuals, we reflect on the positives of 2020 with generous hearts. Following the announcement of the global pandemic, the impact on businesses worldwide has been unprecedented.

If we take some time to think about not-for-profit charities, the strain on these worthy causes has never been more evident. For non-government funded charities less than a third of their total costs are covered by local health budgets, which means they are only able to provide excellent care to patients and their families because of the generosity of the community.

Eric Bridgstock, a pioneer in polyethylene pipe jointing who sadly passed away in 2018 always found ways to give back to the community and annually held charity events to raise well-needed donations to local charities.

His wife Petra, and her daughters Gemma, Helen and Ginnie (pictured) maintain a keen interest and involvement in the Bridgstock Group and are pleased to be able to make this donation to a local cause that is dear to their hearts.  

With this said and following a positive trading year the Bridgstock family have provided a generous donation of £40,000 to local charities.

Ashgate Hospicecare
Barbara-Anne Walker, Chief executive at Ashgate Hospicecare, said: “On behalf of everyone here at Ashgate Hospicecare, I would like to thank the Bridgstock Group for their kind generosity, which is gratefully received as we face our most difficult winter yet. 

Bluebell Wood Childre’s Hospice
Matthew Sheridan, Regional Fundraiser for Bluebell Wood, said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to the Bridgstock Group for their overwhelming generosity which will help us make magical memories with local children and families. “It’s been a challenging year in which much of our fundraising activity has been cancelled or postponed, so the kindness of phenomenal supporters like the Bridgstock Group is more important than ever.”

St Luke’s Sheffield’s Hospice
St Luke’s Director of Income, Media and Marketing Kathryn Burkitt said: “Petra and her family have been keen supporters of St Luke’s for many years.

“This very special donation comes at the end of a very difficult year and will make an enormous difference to the lives of our patients and their families.”

BACKGROUND

Our extensive design and manufacturing capabilities mean we can adapt to new challenges and help solve problems. While our strength lies in polyethylene products used in utilities and infrastructure, we often take on new and exciting projects that utilise polyethylene in an innovative way.

When Gael Force, a 260-strong aquaculture business, approached us to manufacture key components for their fish pen product, we quickly built a relationship based on trust and success.

Gael Force Marine began as a 1 man fishing creel manufacturer in the Outer Hebrides. After successful growth and a move to Inverness, the company retains its strong highland heritage and values. Gael Force has a long, established history in the aquaculture industry, and over the last few years its open-net pen fish farming products have become a key focus.

CHALLENGE

The aquaculture product in question is a floating fish pen named the SeaQurePen 500, which is built to operate in extremely harsh sea conditions. It must be able to float in high currents and survive tidal events that occur far away from the Scottish coast. The product offers heavy duty, robust design and in models of 120 to 200m circumference, built with PE material which is low in maintenance but offers lasting durability. It was developed with 30 years of industry experience both at home in Scotland and in global markets.

The SeaQurePen 500 is made up of a pair of concentric flotation pipes, which are joined with brackets. It features a deck system that has a plastic handrail for operator safety. Finally, there is a plastic sinker tube with a heavy steel chain or cable inside that weighs the net down. The pen provides easy access for operations, providing integrated hazard-free distribution of services around the pen.

In working with Peak Pipe Systems, Gael Force choose us because of our expertise. “It’s one thing to design a product. It’s another to design it and understand exactly how it’s going to be made. Peak bring the manufacturing knowledge right down to the heart of our design.”

RESULTS

Our work with Gael Force has set the standard in product quality. They have been continually impressed with our attention to detail, with Product Development Manager, Adam Young, commenting: “Peak are their own worst critics and will spot something they’re not happy with and resolve it themselves.”

Most importantly, our expert approach means we can offer Gael Force added value by delivering cost-efficiency. “The brackets designed are fantastic. Design allows us to create a more cost-effective product. Peak are very pro-active on the tooling and project management side, which has taken a lot of difficulty away from the project. Peak have managed the whole tool design process for us.”

Gael Force and Peak Pipe Systems have built an ongoing relationship built on mutual honesty and trust. We maintain a two-way dialogue so that Gael Force’s fish pen products are the best they can be – and we remain committed to being a trusted partner who can proactively offer solutions to any challenges.

Gael Force are leaders in the aquaculture industry and Peak Pipe Systems are exceptionally proud to work on their innovative products.

If you’d like to leverage our polyethylene manufacturing capabilities and expertise, approach us with your design challenge and see how we can add value.

Contact us today to discuss your project.