Page 64 - Steel Metallurgy eMagazine Volume September 2026

C O M P A N Y NEWS

30 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP: TUFLESA

AGAIN CONTRACTS SMS GROUP TO UPGRADE
ITS ERW PIPE WELDING LINE

• SMS group will replace four outdated aimed at securing the plant’s long-term productivity. Reusing these existing and
sizing stands and the associated availability and improving product adjacent components enables Tuflesa to
changeover tooling to improve quality. After the modernization of the reduce the overall scope of the upgrade
product quality forming and welding area in 2024, this and associated labor and costs.
• The new stands will be delivered fully is the second upgrade project carried out
pre-assembled, wired, and piped by SMS group on the line. SMS will supply the new sizing stands
• The upgrade will be completed fully pre-assembled, wired, and
within a short, planned downtime Production on Tuflesa’s ERW-RD-240 piped, thereby facilitating an efficient
and enable Tuflesa to introduce new line is focused on structural products with replacement process during the planned
products diameters ranging up to 240 millimeters 2027 summer shutdown. In addition
• The efficient equipment replacement for rounds and 200x200 millimeters for to supplying the equipment, SMS will
is scheduled for the 2027 summer squares, including challenging, tolerance- supervise commissioning and assist in
shutdown critical products for the solar industry. the start-up phase to ensure the smooth
After almost 30 years of operation, the resumption of production.
ubos y Flejes SLU, known as sizing equipment has worn, resulting in
Tuflesa and part of the Bornay a loss of dimensional accuracy. SMS will Juan Bornay, Managing Director and
TGroup, has commissioned SMS therefore replace the line’s four existing owner of Tubos y Flejes SLU, Tuflesa,
group to modernize the sizing section sizing stands as well as the related part of the Bornay Group: “We have
of its electric resistance welding (ERW) changeover equipment. The main drive, enjoyed a successful partnership with
tube line at its production site in Las base frames, and changeover cars used SMS group and the Bornay Group for
Torres de Cotillas, near Murcia, Spain. for the automatic stand exchange will many years. In 2021, we purchased
The ERW-RD-240 line was supplied remain in service. The new sizing stands and commissioned a new RD 40 high-
by SMS group in 1998, and Tuflesa has will restore the required accuracy, ensure frequency tube welding line from SMS
been using it to produce welded pipes more reliable compliance with product group for the production of high-quality
for almost 30 years. The upgrade is tolerance targets, and improve line round, square, and rectangular tubes.

62 STEEL & METALLURGY SEPTEMBER 2026