US rubber hose fabrocator, Summers Rubber Co., is investing in shale energy, procuring a new hose crimper that will allow it to crimp larger hoses ( with a diameter of 10 inches – larger than the current six inches the firm can ctimp), which are required in oil and gas exploration. The machine is expected to be installed and become operational by mid-May. The amount of investment has not been disclosed.
The Cleveland-based firm has a total of eight plants across the shale drilling spots of Ohio and Pennsylvania, where Utica and Marcellus shale formations are located.
The preparation for the venture has entailed learning best practices in serving the shale industry from two of its sister companies at Singer Equities, a Maryland-based group of industrial rubber products distributors that acquired Summers last December, and trainings from current vendors that also serve the oil & gas industry.