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CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS
AUGUST 2016
38
P
owermite, a division of Hudaco, has
earned the reputation as a specialist
engineering supplier of world-class
components, equipment and systems to
Southern Africa’s mining, marine, industrial
and general engineering sectors.
“From buffers for overhead cranes to cou-
plers for motors, we combine best-in-class
products with experience, expertise and
product know-how to deliver engineered
solutions to our valued customers,” says
Marketing Director, Donovan Marks. The
company’s extensive product portfolio in-
cludes energy supply systems, motorised
and spring cable reels, container handling
systems as well as industrial and mining
cables, plugs and sockets.
Powermite’s range of electrical products is
manufactured locally by Ampco and Proof
Engineering in a new state-of-the-art man-
ufacturing facility making it the largest plug
and socket manufacturer under one roof in
Africa.
First established in the late 1960s, this
pioneering company is responsible for
introducing a number of firsts to South Africa
including cable reeling drums, conductor
systems, festoon systems, flat cables as
well as a large variety of industrial plugs and
sockets of various specifications. Powermite
rapidly captured substantial market share
in the materials handling sector and with
ISO 9001:2000 accreditation secured, the
company was soon positioned as a single
source supplier of electrical crane materials
and flexible cables to Southern African
mining and industry.
Throughout its successful 45 year track re-
cord, Powermite has secured a number of
exclusive distribution rights for the supply
of premium brand products to Southern
African mining and industry. These com-
panies include Conductix Wampfler, EKD,
Telefonika, Mennekes and Proconnect. “We
also supply a range of high quality cable
accessories through our company division,
Three-D Agencies,” adds Marks.
Fundamental to Powermite’s success is
the company’s ongoing commitment to
maximising uptime and productivity for
customers and end-users through the
sustained delivery of quality products
supported by service excellence that
extends to optimised response time. “We
continuously invest in local manufacture
research to produce products that deliver
efficient and reliable performance,” states
Marks. “Our wide distribution network of
well-stocked branches in Johannesburg,
Rustenburg, Witbank, Cape Town, Durban
and Richards Bay support the Roodepoort
head office in efficiently serving the
local market as well as 14 cross-border
countries, including Mauritius. “We are
working on establishing a foothold in
Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, in
close co-operation with Hudaco, as part
of our African expansion strategy.”
b
R
efurbishment rather than replacement
of valves is increasingly viewed as a
means of reducing capital expendi-
ture, but only if work being carried out is in
accordance to the SANS 347, South African
Pressure Equipment Regulations and manu-
facturer’s strict requirements.
This is according to Ryan Croker, KSB Pumps
and Valves, Valve Service and Acting Sales
Manager, adding that refurbishment can offer
a number of advantages including reduced
lead times for large engineered valves. In oth-
er instances, the custom-fit nature of certain
valves makes it preferable to refurbish rather
than replace. Cost is also a factor, but these
benefits are meaningless unless the valve is
restored to OEM specifications and conditions
to ensure reliable service in the long run.
As one of the largest manufacturers and sup-
pliers of valves for all industries, including
high pressure steam valves for power gener-
ation, chemical and other plants, KSB Pumps
and Valves has recently invested in a work-
shop and other facilities to ensure that even
the most complex and precise valves can be
refurbished in accordance to the SANS 347,
the South African Pressure Equipment Regu-
lations and world-leading standards.
Manufacturer approved
“As an OEM manufacturer we are able to
supply either new or refurbished valves,
whichever make technical sense or according
to customers’ requirements. Our workshop
is specially equipped to deal with any type
of valve and we specialise in high pressure
steam and technically complicated valves.
“Like our mother-company in Germany we
have the technology and processes in place to
do the work correctly and in accordance with
all relevant legislations. Likewise, as an OEM
we have access to all the required technical
expertise and aftersales services to support
our valves whether they be new or refur-
bished,” says Croker.
He adds that the valves division has been es-
pecially beefed-up to meet growing demands
from an ever-broadening customer base.
Sales, service and logistics efforts enable
them to reach out to all corners of the region
and ensure that professional and competent
services can be offered.
Market needs
The promulgation of SANS 347 and
subsequent upgrading of KSBs’ valve repair
workshop is in line with efforts to ensure safer
handling and usage of equipment classified
as pressure vessel accessories. In light of the
large fleet of specialised valves that exist in
Southern Africa the establishment of a fully-
fledged compliant workshop opens avenues
for users to professionally refurbish rather
than replace valves.
In addition, KSB’s valve division will ensure
that the industry has access to the best na-
tional and international services from the
company. Utilities like Eskom, various water
authorities, as well as large-scale companies
are already making use of the company’s re-
pair and refurbishment services. “As an OEM
we are now able to offer customers a full
spectrum of services from sales, to support
and maintenance to repairs and eventual re-
furbishment if required. That is unique,” con-
cludes Croker.
b
PARTS AND MAINTENANCE
POWERMITE
– building on solid reputation
REFURBISHING TIRED VALVES