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October/November 2016
T
his is the first local plumbing
App linked to both the Plumb-
ing Industry Registration Board
and Certificate of Compliance sys-
tem, as well as providing access to
all the tools and products required.
The App includes installation guides
from leading manufacturers such as
DPI Plastics was recently launched at
Plumbdrain Africa 2016, co-located
at Interbuild Africa, at Expo Centre
Nasrec in Johannesburg.
DPI Plastics Marketing Manager
Martine Goodchild revealed that the
manufacturer will be launching its
own iOS/Android technical Appwithin
the next twomonths. This reflects the
growing importance of digital plat-
forms such as smartphones versus
the traditional way of conducting
business.
“Africa, for example, has a 90%
smartphone penetration rate, to-
gether with a significant youth bulge,
with 70% of the population under
25. When our website became mobi-
responsive in November 2015, the
number of new visitors quadrupled,
testament to how business is being
conductedmore andmore via smart-
phone,” says Goodchild.
Other developments at DPI Plas-
tics include various capital-intensive
projects to boost the quality and
productivity at its Johannesburg
and Bellville manufacturing facili-
ties. These include an ongoingmould
replacement programme in Johan-
nesburg. The programme has seen
the production of a brand-newmould
for 50mmbendpipe fittings. DPI Plas-
tics has also taken delivery of its new
P-trap mould from Portugal, in addi-
tion to adding a second large-bore
extrusion line at its Johannesburg
manufacturing facility. This follows
on fromthe installation of the original
Krauss Maffei 630 mmbore extrusion
line in 2013.
“Plumbdrain Africa 2016 is an
important platform for us to connect
with our customers to showcase our
Plumbing industry App
Leading producer of PVC and HPDE water reticulation, drainage and
pipe fitting systems, DPI Plastics, have incorporated installation guides
on the new APP Plumber.
comprehensive product range, in
addition to some new innovations
such as our latest apps,” concludes
Goodchild.
DPI Plastics is a member of IOPSA
which, in turn, is affiliated to the
World Plumbing Council (WPC).
The company is a leading manu-
facturer of PVC and HDPE water
reticulation and drainage pipe and
fitting systems, with two ISO 9001
certified South African factories, one
in Johannesburg and the other in
Cape Town.
■
X
ylem Water Solutions
South Africa, recently
announced the ap-
pointment of its new mar-
keting manager; Lorraine
Smart. Smart has decades
of experience in the
sector and is set to
bring her unique
skillset and in-
dustr y know-
h ow t o t h e
role to further
expand Xylem
Wa t e r So l u -
tions’ reputation as a global thought-
leader. Lorraine Smart is not the
kind of woman who does not leave
an impression. It was her candid
approach coupled with her wealth of
experience that made her stand out
among several incumbents in their
bid to win the position of marketing
manager at Xylem Water Solutions
South Africa.
Pierre Fourie, Managing Director
of Xylem Water Solutions South Af-
rica said, “We needed someone who
could pick up the reigns and run in
this fast-paced and demanding role.
We are fortunate to have found some-
one as versatile and experienced as
Lorraine.”
Smart brings extensive experience
of two of Xylem’s globally renowned
brands Flygt and Lowara to the role
along with strong business acumen
and a no-nonsense approach to
Xylem’s new Marketing Manager
News
Bathrooms, Kitchens & Plumbing
excellent results. A new era of stream-
linedmarketing efficiency lies ahead
for XylemWater Solutions lies ahead
with Lorraine Smart at the helm.
Xylem is a leading global water
technology provider, enabling cus-
tomers to transport, treat, test and
efficiently use water in public utility,
residential and commercial building
services, industrial and agricultural
settings.
The company does business in
more than 150 countries through a
number of market-leading product
brands, and its people bring broad
applications expertise with a strong
focus on finding local solutions to the
world’s most challenging water and
wastewater problems.
■
Lorraine Smart