Tenaris is investing $11 million it says will improve safety and automation in its Sault Ste. Marie industrial centre.
This investment is part of an ongoing $100-million plan for local industrial and automation improvements initiated in 2024 that includes new pipe storage racks and robots in the mill, according to a news release.
“We have a long-term vision for our manufacturing facility in Sault Ste. Marie and our operations across Canada,” said Martín Castro, president of Tenaris in Canada.
“Pipe manufacturing plays a vital role in supporting the energy industry. Our investment plan looks to boost technology and infrastructure to benefit our employees, our customers and the surrounding community.”
The new pipe storage racks — known as bins in the facility — improves safety for operators handling the pipe bundles by allowing for wider walkways, creating more room to stand, and reducing the risks of working at heights, the release adds.
The first of the four new robots is an automated stencilling solution, installed on the welded tubes line in February 2025.
This robot performs a longer stencil, increasing the quality and clarity of pipe marking and simplifying product identification for operators at the rig. The three other robots will be installed later this year on the finishing line for a variety of functions, including automated coupling unloading and protector appliers to pipe threads to improve operator ergonomics and increase line efficiency.
