Metso and Arcelor Mittal Tubarão, located in Espirito Santo State, Brazil, have signed a service contract covering approximately 2,000 automatic and safety valves. The contract also includes intelligent tools for preventive and predictive maintenance and maintenance planning activities. It expands the existing contract and is one of the largest for Metso's valve operations in South America.
Arcelor Mittal Tubarão is a world leader in the semi-finished steel market, accounting for 12% of global slab sales. It is also one of the largest companies in Brazil.
With Metso's intelligent tools, the steel plant staff is able to monitor and analyze valve condition while the process is running. Conventional methods require stopping the process and removing or dismantling the valves for closer inspection.
"Constant awareness of overall valve condition prevents unexpected breakdowns, which can result in stopping the process completely, which is extremely costly. The customer can plan the maintenance schedule in advance, so any disruption to the process is kept to a minimum. In addition, the staff can focus maintenance activities on those valves needing it most,'' explains Tercelino Leite, Service Manager, Automation business line, Metso.
As Metso's strategy is to offer knowledge-based services close to its customers, the company is continuously growing its global service network. Currently Metso operates 31 service centers globally for valve maintenance. Investing in service capabilities is demonstrated in the large service contracts Metso has won from large global companies such as Arcelor Mittal and Petrobras.
Arcelor Mittal is the world's leading integrated steel and mining company, with operations in more than 60 countries. In 2010, Arcelor Mittal had revenues of USD 78 billion and crude steel production of 90.6 million tons, representing approximately 8% of world steel output.
Metso is a global supplier of sustainable technology and services for mining, construction, power generation, automation, recycling and the pulp and paper industries. We have about 29,000 employees in more than 50 countries. www.metso.com
For further information, please contact:
Markku Simula, President, Flow Control, Automation business line, Metso, tel. +358 40 579 8128
Tercelino Leite, Service Manager, Automation business line, Metso, tel. +55 27 9946 6064
