Northwest Pipe Co. was named as pipe supplier to RCI Construction Group of Sumner, Wash., for approximately $5 million of welded steel pipe and fittings. The product will be used for the Second Supply Line Phase V, a project for Tacoma Public Utilities.

Northwest Pipe will supply approximately 9,000 feet of pipe, ranging from 48 to 90 inches in diameter. The company expects to manufacture the pipe at the company's Portland, Ore., division. Delivery is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2004.

"Our water transmission markets continue to improve," said Brian Dunham, President and CEO. "This should lead to stronger performance in this Group over the rest of the year. In addition, the Tubular Products Group continues to generate very good results with strong demand and favorable pricing."

Northwest Pipe Co. manufactures welded steel pipe in two business segments. Its Water Transmission Group is a leading supplier of large diameter, high-pressure, steel pipe products used primarily for water transmission in the United States and Canada. Its Tubular Products Group manufactures smaller diameter steel pipe for a wide range of construction, agricultural, energy, industrial and mechanical applications. The company is headquartered in Portland, Ore., and operates eleven manufacturing facilities in the United States and Mexico.