Mechanical Technology February 2015

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Mechanical Technology — February 2015 21
⎪ Materials handling and minerals processing ⎪
Weir Minerals acquires Trio
The recent acquisition of Trio Engi-
neered Products by the Weir Group
provides important opportunities and
advantages for both southern African dis-
tributor Pilot Crushtec International and the
Weir Group in terms of additional product
and market opportunities.
Gavin Dyer, regional managing director
for Weir Minerals Middle East and Africa
says, “In terms of the acquisition itself, we
will remain with the original distributor,
Pilot Crushtec International.
We are thrilled that the brand will now
have the backing of a major international
company such as the Weir Group. It will
only improve and build upon our own
relationship with Trio as the original equip-
ment manufacturer (OEM),” adds Sandro
Scherf, managing director of Pilot Crushtec
International.
“We are represented mainly in the
minerals space, whereas Pilot Crushtec
International has considerable experience
in the sand and aggregate sector. Instead
of creating such a route to market from
scratch, we decided to capitalise on the
mutually beneficial relationship that is
already in place,” Dyer says.
It represents a natural progression for
Weir Minerals Africa to enter the comminu-
tion sector, as it is already manufacturing
high pressure grinding rolls (HPGRs), for
example. “Our strength as an OEM is based
on technology, products and manufacturing
processes, which we will now be able to
introduce to other market sectors where
Pilot Crushtec International has a particular
advantage.”
Scherf points out that, like Weir
Minerals Africa it-
self, Pilot Crushtec
International al-
ready distributes
a range of prod-
ucts from global
OEMs. “We will
continue to service
all our customers
as quickly and as
efficiently as pos-
sible. It is impor-
tant that we main-
tain and build on that value proposition.
“I am pleased that both Weir Minerals
Africa and Pilot Crushtec International
share the same view that it is not just about
the Trio product range. It is about what else
we can bring to the market and leveraging
off Weir Minerals’ engineering strengths and
our intimate knowledge of the sand and
aggregate sector,” Scherf says.
Dyer adds that in terms of the agree-
ment to acquire Trio Engineered Products,
Weir Minerals Africa will go through one of
the easiest integration processes amongst
its sister companies. “This,” he says, “is
due to having Pilot Crushtec International
on board. I think the synergies we will be
able to derive from this relationship will be
significant.”
Scherf concludes: “We have some
thoughts around additional opportunities
linked to Trio that we hope to exploit in
the near future and to increase sales, with
the assistance of Weir Minerals Africa.” q
Weir Mineral Africa’s capability extends to rubber-lined hoses that are manufactured at the company’s
facility in Alrode.
Gavin Dyer, regional
managing director,
Middle East and Africa,
Weir Minerals.
Rob Fawcett, sales, marketing and engineering director, Weir Minerals Africa (WMA), and Sandro
Scherf, managing director, Pilot Crushtec International, at the WMA facility in Isando.
iron ore projects are imminent. “Many
West African countries still have a vast
wealth of mineral resources that can be
tapped into.
“There are obvious challenges in
terms of declining commodity prices
and a difficult economic environment
globally. However, Weir Minerals Africa
is positioned to take advantage of the
opportunities presented by the continent
and to supply its customers with com-
plete solutions to their mineral processing
requirements,” Maphosa adds.
Enduron vibrating screens from Weir
Minerals Africa are quality machines
providing exceptional performance in
a range of applications. The range can
be tailored to suit the unique needs of
specific applications. Enduron dewater-
ing, horizontal and banana screens form
an integral part of many process plants
around the world. q