Pigtek Ltd celebrates 25 years in business

UK based international pipeline pigging specialists, Pigtek Ltd are celebrating 25 years in business. Incorporated in November 1999, the business was founded by Ralph Hyslop who had previously worked for several pipeline / pigging providers including Sir Alfred McAlpine Services and Pipelines, British Gas and Pipeline Integrity International.

Pigtek Ltd was formed to fill a void in the market which was to provide non-standard equipment and services internationally and to date, Pigtek Ltd have provided equipment and services to well over 200 different customers. This includes supplying equipment and services to all seven continents in the world – including a pigging system that was designed and supplied to the British Antarctic Survey.

Other notable achievements include:

• Design and supply of specialist mandrel pigs for use in extremely large diameter pipelines. This includes several pigs up to 2.6m in diameter, which are believed to be the largest diameter cleaning tools currently in use worldwide.

• Design, trial and supply a specialist cleaning tool for use in a 16” x 24” x 34” multi diameter pipeline. This was an extremely challenging project as the flow velocities in the pipeline were very low and forecast to diminish considerably over the life of the pipeline, meaning there was little motive force in the pipeline product to aid pig motion. Pigtek overcame the problem by using state of the art materials for the pig construction and conducting multiple detailed verification trials in a full-scale test loop at the Pigtek trials facility.

In early 2024, the business came under new ownership with Vince Garton taking over from Ralph Hyslop. Vince brings a wealth of international pipeline experience with him and the business continues to evolve and develop new products and services.

The business also moved to new premises in May 2024. Still based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK, the new premises has over 4500m² of office, workshop and yard space, which will allow the business to expand its ability to offer full scale pig trials to our customers. The business is now very well established and well placed to adapt to the ever-changing nature of the international pipeline industry and can look forward to the next 25 years of success for Pigtek Ltd