Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 28, 2012

MERFISH PIPE & SUPPLY COMPANY AND PIPE EXCHANGE, INC. ACQUIRED BY ONE EQUITY PARTNERS, THE PRIVATE INVESTMENT ARM OF JPMORGAN CHASE

Houston, TX – Merfish Pipe & Supply Company (“Merfish”) and Pipe Exchange, Inc. (“Pipe Exchange”) today announced that a majority of the stock of both companies has been acquired by One Equity Partners (“OEP”), the private investment arm of JPMorganChase.   Gerald Merfish has been named CEO of the acquired companies while Dolty Cheramie will continue to lead Pipe Exchange as its President.  Both Mr. Merfish and Mr. Cheramie have invested in the new partnership with OEP. 

Merfish Pipe & Supply is a master distributor of carbon steel pipe, fittings and flanges serving distributors in the United States. Merfish’s products include carbon steel welded and seamless standard pipe, carbon steel seamless pipe fittings and carbon steel forged flanges. Pipe Exchange is a traditional distributor of carbon steel API line pipe primarily to end-users across the energy exploration end markets in and east of the Rocky Mountains.

Gerald Merfish commented "Our new partnership with One Equity marks a new and exciting chapter for Merfish/Pipe Exchange, our employees, our customers and our suppliers.”

Dolty Cheramie remarked that “We will continue to focus on delivering unrivaled customer service going forward, while this transaction uniquely positions the companies to grow further in partnership with OEP.”

Lincoln International served as the exclusive financial advisor to the companies. Foley & Lardner served as the exclusive legal advisor to the companies.

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About Merfish Pipe & Supply Company and Pipe Exchange
Merfish is a Master distributor of carbon steel pipe, fittings and flanges serving distributors in the United States.  Its products include carbon steel welded and seamless standard pipe, carbon steel seamless pipe fittings, carbon steel forged flanges. Its primary end markets include commercial construction, industrial construction, residential construction and steel/structural fabrication.

Pipe Exchange is a traditional distributor of carbon steel API line pipe primarily to end-users across the energy exploration end markets in and east of the Rocky Mountains. Its products include carbon steel ERW API line pipe, carbon steel seamless API line pipe, and carbon steel API line pipe coated for underground installation. Pipe Exchange’s primary end markets include energy exploration and gathering for oil, dry natural gas and natural gas liquids (“NGLs”).  

About One Equity Partners
One Equity Partners (“OEP) makes private investments behind compelling business ideas and strong management teams. Established in 2001, OEP manages $10 billion of investments and commitments for JPMorgan Chase & Co. in direct private investment transactions. Partnering with management, OEP invests in transactions that initiate strategic and operational changes in businesses to create long-term value. OEP's investment professionals are located across North America, South America, Europe and Asia, with offices in New York, Chicago and utilises advisory offices in Frankfurt, São Paulo, Vienna and Hong Kong.

Delayed Opening for Friday, February 4th

For Friday, February 4th, due to the adverse weather conditions, please be advised that Merfish Pipe and Supply will conduct business today with a delayed opening. We hope to resume business by mid-morning, as reports indicated the roads should begin to clear.

Please contact us at (713) 869-5731 or check here for more detailed information.

Thank you,
Merfish Pipe & Supply

Weather Advisory

We are aware of pending severe weather conditions headed our way Friday, February 4th.

Conditions will be monitored through the evening and we will determine our business hours for the day. Please call our Main Number (713) 869-5731 for an updated informational greeting.

Thank you

Fun at Merfish!

Annual Inventory Business Impact

Merfish Pipe & Supply will be conducting our annual PIPE inventory on Friday, October 29, 2010.

We will take PIPE shipments until 3:30 pm Thursday, October 28th.

Normal shipping hours will resume Monday, November 1st.

Friday’s inventory will not affect sales or fitting & flange shipments.

Please contact your Merfish account representative with any questions!


Thank you,
Merfish Pipe & Supply

More Phone Issues

We continue to experience intermittent outages this morning.
Our carrier is working on the problem.
Email is working; therefore, please feel free to contact us online.

Thanks for your continued patience.

Tritube USAMechanical Tubing Mill in Baytown, TX

Merfish is pleased to now offer a complimentary, high quality steel product to our existing pipe customers.

In an exclusive marketing agreement, Merfish Pipe & Supply has been named as the exclusive sales agent of Tritube USA’s prime quality cold-formed welded carbon steel mechanical tubing and ASTM A135 / A795 fire protection sprinkler pipe for much of the Midwest, South and Southeast US.

Tritube USA’s Baytown, TX manufacturing facility has 4 forming/welding lines that produce ASTM A500 / A513 cold-formed welded carbon steel mechanical tubing and ASTM A135 / A795 fire protection sprinkler pipe. Mechanical tubing is available in sizes ½” through 3” with wall thicknesses of as much as 0.120”. ULFM approved fire protection sprinkler pipe will be available in sizes up to 3” in various wall thicknesses.

For more information and quotes, please inquire with your Merfish sales representative at (800) 869-5731.