NWPX Northwest Pipe Co

Northwest Pipe Company (NASDAQ: NWPX) announced today that Northwest Pipe Asia Pte. Ltd. has recently completed the acquisition of Byard Ltd., a UK company. Northwest Pipe Asia Pte. Ltd., based in Singapore, is a newly established majority-owned subsidiary of Northwest Pipe Company.

Byard is a leading designer and manufacturer of spiral pipe mills, with over fifty installations of mills in many of the world's leading spiral pipe facilities, including seven in Northwest Pipe Company itself. It is currently installing a state-of-the-art Byard Spiral Mill in Northwest Pipe's Adelanto, California facility and will shortly deliver an additional Byard Mill for installation in one of Northwest Pipe's other facilities. These two mills will increase the range and capacity of Northwest Pipe Company's facilities.

"We are very pleased with the establishment of our new subsidiary in Singapore and its acquisition. Byard designs and manufactures excellent equipment and will enable us to continue our strategy of improving our manufacturing technology, efficiency and capacity and will strengthen our group's in-house capabilities," said Brian W. Dunham, President and Chief Executive Officer of Northwest Pipe Company. "This transaction continues our strategy of seeking opportunities in many of the high growth markets outside of North America. We believe Byard's network will help us develop both commercial and investment opportunities in Asia, including the development of water, oil/gas and structural pipe projects. "

Northwest Pipe Asia Pte. Ltd. will be responsible for the management of Northwest Pipe Company's operations in Asia. "We are delighted to be part of a very progressive group," says Stuart Paterson, director of Northwest Pipe Asia Pte. Ltd. "We plan to develop a significant presence, through mill sales and investment, in this rapidly expanding region and build on our combined strengths. To illustrate, we are currently installing a new Byard API Mill for Steel Pipe Industry of Indonesia -- one of Asia's leading spiral pipe manufacturers."

Northwest Pipe Company manufactures welded steel pipe and other products in two business segments. Its Water Transmission Group is a leading supplier of large diameter, high-pressure steel pipe products that are used primarily for water infrastructure in North America. Its Tubular Products Group manufactures smaller diameter steel pipe for a wide range of construction, agricultural, energy, industrial and mechanical applications. The Company is headquartered in Vancouver, Washington and has ten manufacturing facilities across the United States and Mexico.

For more information, contact: Brian W. Dunham 360.397.6250 Stuart Paterson Northwest Pipe Asia Pte. Ltd. Singapore Email Contact tel +65 65497154