Northwest Pipe Company's Houston Facility Receives API License

VANCOUVER, WA--(Marketwire - Sep 29, 2011) - Northwest Pipe Company (NASDAQ: NWPX), an industry leader of engineered welded steel pipe and tube products, recently completed the American Petroleum Institute's (API) audit for 5CT at its Houston facility.

The Houston facility, which manufactures Electric Resistance Welded (ERW) steel pipe for the Company's Tubular Products Group, has an estimated capacity of 50,000 tons per year. With the addition of the API license, the facility can now begin production of API grade 2 3/8 and 2 7/8 inch tubing. In addition, the facility will continue to supply green tubes suitable for upgrade to a select group of customers.

"The achievement of API 5CT status at our Houston facility is the next step in the planned expansion of our OCTG product offerings to our API customers," said Scott Montross, COO of Northwest Pipe Company.

About Northwest Pipe Company's Tubular Products Group
Headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, Northwest Pipe Company's Tubular Products Group operates three ERW (Electric Resistance Weld) mill facilities in the United States. Tubular's products serve a wide-range of applications including: oil and gas, structural, industrial, fire protection, low pressure and agricultural.

About Northwest Pipe Company
With a history that dates back more than 100 years, Northwest Pipe Company has become a leading manufacturer in the welded steel pipe industry. The Water Transmission Group is the top supplier of high pressure, highly engineered steel pipe products. The Tubular Products Group manufactures smaller diameter steel pipe for many applications including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and other commercial uses. The Company is headquartered in Vancouver, Washington and has manufacturing facilities in the United States and Mexico.

For more information, visit www.nwpipe.com.