Vallourec Tube Alloy sees safety and lean improvements

Vallourec Tube Alloy recently relocated from its Houston Sommermeyer plant to Richey Road, also in Houston. Now adjacent to VAM USA Hardy Road plant, the move creates synergies between the two companies, leveraging common sites, policies and practices. Working alongside VAM USA has both tangible and intrinsic benefits in building stronger ties, both in physical processes and company culture among our teams.
Moving to the Richey Road site upgrades equipment, improves efficiencies and expands space for Tube Alloy. CNC equipment has been rebuilt and retrofitted for the new locale. Meticulous planning for the larger square footage, both inside and outside the spacious location, allows potential improvements in work flow.
Safety is also a positive outcome of the move. The larger warehouse allowed installation of a gantry crane for hoisting materials to reduce back injuries and strains. Further, the warehouse and yard expansion provides more room, creating safer pedestrian traffic as well as movement of vehicles, such as forklifts, cranes and trucks.
With the move complete, the plant is now focusing on a leaner flow of material for production, process and inventory continuity.