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An introduction to CPV

It’s hard to believe that the best part of seven decades has passed since our company was founded by my father back in 1949. It was the year that saw the maiden flight of the de Havilland Comet - the world's first passenger jet, BBC television finally started to be broadcast outside London and Britain signed the North Atlantic Treaty - creating NATO.

The world has changed immeasurably in the years that have ensued and the Chemical Pipe and Vessel Company, as it was known back in the early days, has itself experienced its fair share of change. However, some things have remained the same, namely, our guiding principles and the ethos that have helped CPV to become a world-class manufacturer of engineering pipework solutions for a wide array of applications, including corrosion-resistant pipe solutions and pre-insulated pipe systems for district heating applications.

Bev Boag

Chairman, CPV Group

1949

Early development of thermoplastic pipe manufacture - Polythene pipes and vessels manufactured by rotary casting

1950

The Kenset system of flanged pipe and fitings introduced.

1952

CPV Group emerges with diversification into Tungsten Carbide products through Dymet Alloys Ltd

1953

Introduction of low density polyethylene (LDPE) pipe system for laboratory drainage

1954

CPV production plant opens in South Africa

1958

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes and fitings range introduced

1960

Polypropylene (PP) pipes and fitings range introduced for laboratory and chemical drainage

1964

CPV expands, moving to larger premises at Camberley, Surrey

1972

Introduction of FLOWAY roof drainage system

1975

CPV expands again, moving to larger premises at Downton, Wiltshire

1976

CPV Group expands in to metal hard surfacing industry through Corewire Ltd

1977

CPV Group acquires three-acre site at Ashvale, Hampshire, the new home of Dymet Alloys and Corewire Ltd

1975

CPV expands again, moving to larger premises at Downton, Wiltshire

1979

The UK’s first range of polypropylene (PP) pressure pipe and fitings, PROPLENE-M, is introduced

1980

CPV’s Site Installation Services division is formed

1983

HILINE, CPV’s range of pre-insulated steel and copper pipes introduced for district heating

1984

CPV introduces on-site extrusion servicing the Nuclear Power Industry

1987

CPVs range of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) pressure pipes and fitings introduced offering previously unprecedented chemical and temperature resistance capabilities

1988

CPV manufactures the UK’s largest ever fabricated PP tanks

1994

CPV expands again, moving to a new production facility on a nine-acre site at Wellow, Hampshire

1997

Launch of SUNCELL, solar heating system for swimming pools Introduction of Electrofusion pipejointing system

1999

CPV celebrates its 50th Anniversary

2000

Major investment in state-of-the-art extrusion technology for production of large diameters and wall thicknesses

2002

Launch of the CHEMFLO range of PP and PVDF pressure pipe systems CPV gains BS ISO 9001 accreditation

2003

Joint venture with USA manufacturer to develop hazardous media pipes systems worldwide Introduction of CPV-ZURN, new system for laboratory and chemical drainage

2004

HILINE system further developed to include pre-insulated polymer pipes for process applications

2006

CPV becomes a member of the Society of Public Health Engineers, sponsoring design and implementation of laboratory drainage systems

2009

Purchased 75 acres of land surrounding the factory to enhance and support the local environment and wildlife Introduction of pre-insulated, coiled PEX pipe system to the HILINE range

2011

CPV joins the Euroheat & Power Association and UK District Energy Association, supporting the development of the UK’s district heating market

2013

New production, warehouse and training facilities constructed on the Wellow site. CPV Joins the Combined Heat and Power Association (CHPA)

2014

New Hiline Flex Pre-insulated PE-Xa pipe system launched for district heating applications

2015

Hiline GRE pre-insulated composite pipe system launched

2018

Launch of the Hiline FibreFlex range of reinforced pre-insulated polymer pipe for heat network applications.

2023

Launch of the innovative Hiline Clover monolayer pre-insulated polymer pipe system - the first to offer a unique 'stadium'-shaped outer casing for twin service pipe configurations

2023

CPV Celebrates forty years' manufacturing the Hiline range of pre-insulated pipe system in the UK

    Quality Assurance

    With the objective of providing total customer satisfaction, CPV maintains an effective and efficient total quality management system which complies with BS EN ISO 9001. This system is continually reviewed for effectiveness and continual improvement – feedback from which is helping shape company objectives.
    View Our Quality Management System

    A friendly, family-run concern

    Although we have steadily grown over the years to become an international group of companies, we have made a determined effort to retain our closely-held values as a friendly, family-run business. This filters through every aspect of the CPV Group, to the mutual benefit of our clients, employees, suppliers and associates. The markets in which we operate remain dynamic and, as environmental concerns grow ever-stronger, the demand for our state-of-the-art pipe systems continues to increase.

    A World-Class Company

    We operate in a wide array of sectors, with products satisfying many applications, most of which concern engineering pipe solutions for aggressive, corrosive, hot, chilled and potable liquids. Our state-of-the-art production facility - based at the site of our headquarters near Romsey in Hampshire - is backed by a comprehensive selection of research, design, engineering, testing, quality, training and support services; ensuring the perfect marriage between our products and the applications they serve.

    The Environment

    At CPV, we strive to minimise our organisation’s impact on the natural environment. We are working to the requirements of the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System and are currently in the process of certification. All of our waste materials are reprocessed and reused as second-grade raw materials in the manufacture of plastic products. In addition to this, we have been carefully managing the 85-acre site that accommodates our production facility and headquarters – having recently planted 20 acres of mixed woodland to encourage wildlife. In 2023, we introduced our own renewable energy system with a large-scale solar PV array.

    Innovation

    CPV was a pioneer in the development of thermoplastic pipe systems and, to this day, we are still committed to driving forward innovation in products, services and manufacturing techniques. This not only improves the way in which our products perform, but it often lowers our clients’ capital and operational expenditure.

    Design and Engineering Support

    Our team of engineers offers a full design service for all of our systems. From 3D product design, stress analysis and engineering, through to training, on-site testing and installation support - our clients can ensure the very best solution to their application.