Northwest Pipe's profit rises as net sales drop

Vancouver-based Northwest Pipe Co. on Thursday reported a third-quarter profit of $3.4 million, or 36 cents per share. That compares with a profit of $3.3 million, or 35 cents per share, for the July-to-September period in 2011.

The company's net sales of $115.1 million were down by 17.4 percent, year-over-year. Driving the company's net sales decrease were competition from increased imports of energy pipe and lower drilling activity, Richard Roman, president and CEO of Northwest Pipe, said in a news release.

In August, Roman said, the company launched production of welded steel pipe for a water pipeline project in Texas -- the largest project in Northwest Pipe's history and worth $69 million in revenue to the company. As a result, Roman said, he anticipates the fourth quarter will be the strongest quarter this year for the company's water transmission division.

us on Facebook for the latest news and information from Clark County
on Twitter for the latest news and information from Clark County