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Mechanical Technology — April 2015
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On the cover
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T
he R350-million expansion of
BMG’s distribution and engi-
neering facilities in Johannes-
burg is well under way. “The
objective of this development programme
is to centralise functional and support
operations onto one site to improve sup-
ply chain processes across the Group,”
says Vasu Govindasamy, BMG’s supply
chain projects manager. “Through this
rationalisation initiative, BMG strives
to achieve cost optimisation, improve
regionalised branch office support and
enhance customer service capability.
“This supply chain re-engineering
project is necessary for BMG to continue
to provide high levels of operating effi-
ciencies and delivery service in line with
To further improve operating efficiencies and delivery service, BMG has
embarked on an expansion and supply chain re-engineering project, which
involves centralising its distribution and engineering facilities around the
expanded BMG Park site in Johannesburg.
A 200 kW regenerative load test rig is being installed to support ‘world class production efficiency’ in South
African industry.
substantial growth. With an increase
of the existing 15 000 m² under-roof
warehousing facility to 24 000 m², the
re-developed Droste Park warehouse
will carry approximately R700-million of
stock, with an additional R400-million
strategically located throughout the
Southern African region. In addition, the
workshop under-roof area will increase
from 1 500 to 10 400 m².” This project,
which is due for completion in December
2015, encompasses modifications to
existing buildings and the erection of
new structures.
To reflect the company’s ability to
supply integrated engineering solutions
to Southern African industries, BMG Park
will be renamed BMG World. Functional
operations at BMG World will include
a product warehouse and distribution
centre for the entire product range and
a manufacturing centre and general en-
gineering workshop.
BMG has invested in the latest materi-
als handling equipment, including high
bay reach trucks, to optimise volumetric
efficiency. Special machinery at the new
facility includes eight dock levellers that
will handle approximately 120 contain-
ers a month.
There will also be specialist assembly
and repair workshops for drives, convey-
ors, hydraulics and pneumatics, as well
as electric motors, electronics, gaskets,
lubrication systems and filtration. A
cornerstone of this overall initiative is
reliability engineering – a philosophy
aimed at keeping industrial plant at full
productive output for as long as possible,
without unnecessary maintenance or
unplanned stoppages. As a result, output
capacities are increased without invest-
ment in additional production lines and
machinery.
In support of this philosophy, a re-
generative load test rig is being installed,
which will play a critical role in bringing
the tangible benefits of the company’s
‘world class production efficiency’ to
South African industry. This 200 kW
load test rig has been developed in re-
sponse to demand from local industry for
absolute reliability from new gearboxes.
This system uses the latest technology
to transmit and apply loads of up to
30 000 Nm, with the lowest energy
consumption. This is enough torque to
test the majority of Paramax gearboxes
in BMG’s range, within at least a third of
each unit’s rated capacity.”
BMG’s technical resources centre of-
fers services, which positively influence
a company’s operating efficiencies by
ensuring maximised mechanical reliabil-
ity of plant and machinery. Starting with
The bigger, better BMG World