The agreement also covers carbon steel, stainless and alloy pipe, fittings and flanges in the United States as well as stainless steel and alloy pipe, fittings and flanges in Canada. Under this agreement, Shell expects that MRC will be the single-source provider for valves and the central distributor for the other products to Shell's business units in the specified areas. The agreement builds upon a long-standing relationship between MRC and Shell in the United States, Europe and Asia, where MRC has served as Shell's primary distributor of valves for the past 15 years. "We are pleased that Shell continues to place their confidence in MRC to supply their operations with these important products," MRC Chairman, President and CEO Andrew Lane said. "Based on activity projections, this 5-year agreement represents the largest distribution contract that we have entered into with a global customer.