Welcome to T. D. Williamson, Inc. Global Solutions. April 2006 _______________________________________________________________________________ In this issue:: - TDW helps 12,124 Pound Defender Prepare for World Cup - TDW Online Website Visitor Feedback 2006 - LineMaster™ 2006 Schedule - Upcoming Trade Shows Online newsletter: http://www.tdwilliamson.com/EDM/april_06/april_06web.html _______________________________________________________________________________ t h i s m o n t h ' s f e a t u r e: TDW helps 12,124 Pound Defender Prepare for World Cup by Bob Warterfield _______________________________________________________________________________ In the world of soccer, (football to everyone outside the U.S.), many of the greatest players in the history of the sport are universally known by a single name such as Pele, Maradona and Beckham. This summer, if he gets his big break, we could be adding another name to the list. That name is Sneezy. Ready to make a sizeable impact on the playing field, you can watch Sneezy diligently practicing by himself. Using a sturdy concrete wall as a playing partner, Sneezy kicks his 32-inch, 272 pound, bright red urethane ball hard against the mottled cement surface and chases the rebound until he catches it. Then, with great finesse, he flicks the ball sideways with a leg whose circumference would rival the sturdiest oak in the forest. Cleverly, Sneezy maneuvers the ball toward his private swimming pool and, with a deft touch, sends his ball careening into the water. Intending to mix business with pleasure, Sneezy pounces on the ball, sending a small tsunami cascading over the pool deck. He enjoys pushing the ball to the bottom of the pool and then letting it go so that it shoots up out of the water. Then, as a way to practice his headers, a skill every great player masters during his career, Sneezy pushes the ball out of the pool with his forehead and watches to see which direction it rolls. Before the ball can reach the fence, (out of bounds), Sneezy catches up to it and plans a new attack on the pool. Sneezy is a 33-year old elephant who resides at the Tulsa Zoo. I don' t know what the rules are regarding who is allowed to be a player in the World Cup, but I do know that it would be difficult to get around Sneezy to get a clear shot at the net. So, until someone recognizes him for the gifted defenseman that he might become, Sneezy is content to play with one of three large spherical batching pigs donated to the zoo by TDW. Standing with zookeeper Mark Swanson and elephant keeper Jessica Scallan just outside Sneezy's pen, both are pleased to see their large, male pachyderm engaged in such playful activity. "We are always looking for new enrichment items for the animals," says Swanson. "Animals get just as bored as you or I would if we were closed up in a restricted area,"he continues. It turns out that zoo animals need physical and mental stimulation, in addition to a healthy diet that is carefully managed and provided by the keepers. Shaking her head and smiling, Scallan comments, "He is going to be so sore tomorrow." Apparently, animals get stiff, achy muscles just like soccer players do after a tough workout. Continuing to watch Sneezy kick the sphere back into the pool, Swanson notes, "He really loves that ball." Tomorrow, it will be the ladies’ turn to play with the sphere. In the meantime, two female elephants, Gunda and Sooky are content to watch the "big guy" cavort around his pen with the ball while they accept fresh carrot and apple chunks being hand-fed by the keepers. Visit us at http://www.tdwilliamson.com or call 918-447-5500 or 800-695-0535. TDW Online Website Visitor Feedback 2006 _______________________________________________________________________________ Please take a few minutes to answer this short 5-question survey! Your input will not only help TDW provide you with the best web site experience possible, but it will also put your name in the hat to win one of 2 video iPods! http://www.zipsurvey.com/Survey.aspx?suid=10637 Privacy: TDW is committed to protecting the privacy of its customer's personal information and any input they may provide to TDW via this online website survey. Email addresses and survey responses will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be sold or transferred to other marketing programs. Email addresses provided will only be used to inform winning participants they have won a Video iPod. The winners will be drawn only from participants who complete the online survey. LineMaster™ 2006 Schedule _______________________________________________________________________________ New 2006 Brochure http://www.tdwilliamson.com/PDF/Training/Training_2006_brochure.pdf Introducing the addition of Mechanics Training class for 2006. This class covers preventive maintenance, routine inspection and repairs for TDW Hot Tapping and Plugging (HT&P) equipment.  The first 2.5 days cover tapping machines.  The second 2.5 days cover plugging.  Customers with tapping machines only may leave after completion of the tapping portion.  Classes run from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day.  The fee is $475 for each portion. T.D. Williamson, Inc. continues to provide the most comprehensive hot tapping, plugging and pigging instruction available in compliance with Department of Transportation covered tasks, standards and requirements. Rigorous hands-on training and operator qualification LineMaster™ programs are TDW's commitment to the industry. LineMaster Training assists you with ensuring that your technicians are trained at the highest level available. In our state-of-the-art facilities and with our pressurized simulated pipeline, TDW's LineMaster Training program is an in-depth series of classes designed to fulfill DOT Pipeline Safety Operator Qualification rules. To meet DOT requirements, training programs must include classroom time, written exams and hands-on simulated conditions. TDW's LineMaster Training meets these requirements. TDW LineMaster Training is the best in the business. The company you've trusted with your piping maintenance needs for more than 80 years has the experience to train your technicians and operators effectively and efficiently. 2006 LineMaster Training August Locations Hot Tapping & Plugging 29,30 Tulsa, OK - USA Job Planning & Fitting Design September T-101 Pipeline Drilling Machine 12 Tulsa, OK - USA Hot Tapping & Plugging for 18-21 Tulsa, OK - USA High Pressure Transmission Pipeline Hot Tapping & Plugging for 25-28 Tulsa, OK - USA Low Pressure Distribution Pipelines New European Program call: 32-67-28-36-44 Nivelles, Belgium Upcoming Trade Shows _______________________________________________________________________________ Don't forget to visit TDW's booth at upcoming trade shows. We are attending several in the next few months, including: 2006 Trade Shows Trade Shows | Dates | Locations ............................................................................... AWWA- Am,Water Works June 11-15 San Antonio ,TX http://www.awwa.org/ace06/ Texas Gas (Regional Show) June 11-14 Del Lago, Conroe, TX http://www.texasgas.com/ Lobos Services (Regional Show) July 19-20 Corpus Christi, TX http://www.lobosservices.com/cc.asp SGA Gas Transmission & Distribution July 18-20 Houston, TX http://www.southerngas.org/EVENTS/SGAocet-conf-0706.html _______________________________________________________________________________ Any questions please call 1.888.839.6766 or 1.918.447.5100 Click Here to Unsubscribe or contact us at subscribe@tdwilliamson.com: