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Chemical Technology • November 2015
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Optimising chemical plant efficiency
Technologically advanced instruments can hold
the key to boosting productivity
I
n this manner precise data can be gathered and used
to ensure that the plant is optimised and runs like
clockwork. These systems also provide more accu-
rate forms of measurement for maintenance scheduling
and can be employed to introduce preventative main-
tenance schedules to guard against failure of critical
equipment to ensure production remains uninterrupted.
In South Africa one of the oldest and most reliable sup-
pliers of broad-based automation and field instrumentation
solutions is Linbro Park-based, Protea Automation Systems,
which was established nearly 70 years ago to facilitate the
measurement and control of production processes across
a wide range of industries. Since then the company has
grown to become a Level 1 BBBEE supplier and a leader in
its field, with long-standing agency agreements with many
of the world’s leading instrumentation manufacturers.
Incremental improvements
According to Jerry Smits, national sales manager for Protea
Automation Solutions, the company is able to provide unique
process solutions based on its product offerings from any
of its manufacturers. In the world of process automation
and instrumentation these read like the who’s who of the
industry, including well-known brands such as Ashcroft,
Land Infrared and Combustion, Moistech, Galvanic, Meriam,
Steinfurth, not forgetting Protea’s new German imported
house brand, Graphic recorders, temperature transmitters
and indicators.
“While we may be the sole agents for many of the world’s
best known brands in instrumentation, our focus remains
strongly on adding value to our customers by way of resolv-
ing problems and providing technical assistance backed
up by a wide range of engineering service. We also show
customers ways of improving their processes with the use of
technology and different configurations of instrumentation
in order to achieve their production goals.
“Our sales and technical staff are well qualified and each
one has extensive on-plant experience which allows them
to understand the dynamics of plants and processes when
working with clients. This puts them in a position to provide
expert opinions and find solutions that meet the needs of
each of our clients. To remain at the forefront of technology
they also receive regular technology and product-specific
training at overseas manufacturers which ensure that our
staff are always ahead of the curve when proving technol-
ogy solutions.”
Full service offering
Protea Automation Solutions is an ISO 9001:2008 accred-
ited company and has a long pedigree in the world of elec-
tronics. It is part of the Protea Technology group, which has
played a significant part in building the continent’s industrial
automation, mobile communications and broadcasting
infrastructure. By supplying world-class hardware and soft-
ware solutions, the company has also managed to assist
local industries to remain competitive on a global stage.
Due to its inward focus on engineering expertise, the
company has, until recently, remained one of the coun-
try’s best kept secrets in terms of its ability to design and
provide appropriate systems for all manner of specialised
Chemical plants seeking improvements
in productivity and efficiency mostly find
that the fastest and most cost-effective
manner to reach their goal is through the
installation and modernisation of process
automation systems and advanced field
instruments.