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Mechanical Technology — May 2015
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Special report
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T
he latest trend in the mining
and minerals industry “is a
move towards the design and
construction of modular plants,”
says Dyer. In support of a strengthened
comminution offering, the Weir Group
has acquired Trio Engineered Products
of the US. This further improves Weir
Group’s position to capitalise on the
modular plant trend and to increase its
market presence in the sand and ag-
gregate sector.
Trio’s range of products is cur-
rently distributed in South Africa by Pilot
Crushtec International, a relationship
that will remain intact after the acquisi-
tion. Trio designs and manufactures
a range of crushers, screens, feeders,
With the acquisition of Trio Engineered Products of the US, currently
distributed in South Africa by Pilot Crushtec International, Weir Minerals
sees a trend towards mobile plants in Africa. Gavin Dyer, regional managing
director, Weir Minerals Middle East and Africa, along with Sandro Scherf,
managing director of Pilot Crushtec International and Mike Burke, former
owner of Trio Engineered Products discuss the issue.
Zamm Imports’ impressive plant, with all crushing equipment supplied by Pilot Crushtec International.
The African trend towards mobile plant
washers and materials handling solu-
tions for the aggregate and minerals
sector. Weir Minerals Africa delivers
innovative engineering solutions to cus-
tomers in the minerals, oil and gas and
power sectors.
The agreement to acquire Trio will
leverage significant opportunities for
both Weir Minerals and Pilot Crushtec
International in accessing new market
opportunities and utilising their specific
engineering excellence and expertise.
“Modular systems comprise easily
available modules that can be on site
and operational within a day or two.
This methodology is being adopted by
the entire market, and certainly in the
crushing and screening sector,” says
Sandro Scherf, managing director of Pilot
Crushtec International.
Another advantage of modular plants
is that, in terms of any potential process
changes, these can be slotted in easily.
“Sometimes the requirements change, as
with the aggregate sector when another
product fraction is called for. Tracked
mobile plants are the easiest in terms
of mobility, but due to high capital and
operational costs, these are not always
the best option. Semi-mobile modular
plants have a lower capital cost, as they
usually do not rely on diesel power. They
are far cheaper to operate and can still
be relocated quite easily.”
Scherf adds that modular plants of-
fer benefits of easy relocation without
the high costs of operation of tracked
fully mobile machines. “The original
equipment manufacturer (OEM) market
in Africa is still quite depressed, which
has meant a renewed focus on customer
service and aftermarket support,” says
Dyer. “We have always been close to
our customers, from a technical service