Monthly Archives: November 2022

Client Focus

IPR NOW DISTRIBUTES ATLAS COPCO DEWATERING PUMPS

Taking another step upward as a leading dewatering pump and dredging specialist, IPR has been awarded the master distributorship for the Atlas Copco pump range in the Southern African region.

According to Lee Vine, managing director of IPR – previously called Integrated Pump Rental – the new arrangement will further enhance IPR’s offering to customers. The company has over the past eight years built a significant presence in mining, construction, agriculture and other industrial sectors.

“Representing a leading global brand like Atlas Copco reinforces IPR’s commitment to our customers, which combines the best quality equipment with our superior service levels,” says Vine. “Our extensive network in the region ensures we are close to customers, and the Atlas Copco range adds further to our capability to meet their site specific needs.”

The new range includes wet prime and dry prime diesel driven pumps, as well as submersible pumps for the three key pumping categories – dewatering, sludge and slurry. The diesel driven pumps range in capacity from a 30 metre to 150 metre head, with flow rates from 50 to 1500 cubic metres per hour. The submersible range of Atlas Copco pumps extends from 0.4 kW to 54 kW power.

“IPR has developed an unsurpassed depth of technical expertise and market knowledge since we launched in 2015,” he says. “Our skills base and connection to customers have made this collaboration with Atlas Copco a perfect fit for us – adding considerable value for our customer base.”

Further boosting its growth plans, Jet Park-based IPR has just become the Southern African distributor for Atlas Copco dewatering pumps.
Further boosting its growth plans, Jet Park-based IPR has just become the Southern African distributor for Atlas Copco dewatering pumps.
IPR has been awarded the master distributorship for Atlas Copco dewatering pumps in the Southern African region.
IPR has been awarded the master distributorship for Atlas Copco dewatering pumps in the Southern African region.

As IPR product manager for the Atlas Copco range, Steve du Toit highlights that a substantial stockholding is in place at IPR’s Johannesburg head office to meet demand. The company’s well-equipped and professionally staffed service centre is always on hand to support the market.

“The Atlas Copco brand boasts a high level of quality with robust materials of construction for strong performance and rugged wear,” says du Toit. “Features like high chrome impellers and mechanical seal flushing all contribute to optimal reliability and uptime.”

The pumps have also been designed with the user in mind, he explains – including the ease of access to internal components, and a compact modular design. They are versatile and mobile, and can be trailer-based or skid-based. Just as IPR has evolved from a primarily rental company to selling increasing volumes of its pumps, so the Atlas Copco range will be available for either purchase or rental.

“By having both a sales and rental option, IPR can help customers to optimise the cost of ownership for their particular conditions,” he says. After a sustained period of growth, IPR has recently moved into new, larger premises in Hughes, Jet Park. The expanded facilities will facilitate the necessary stockholding, as well as workshop space, and offices for design, engineering, sales and administration.

Client Focus

CHECKING PUMP INSTALLATIONS AHEAD OF RAINY SEASON

Southern Africa’s summer rainfall regions, where much of the mining industry is located, face a seasonal risk from heavy rains – and must be ready to rapidly dewater sites.

Now is therefore a good time to conduct a full check on all pump installations, according to Justin Bawden, internal sales at Integrated Pump Technology. As the southern African distributor of Grindex submersible dewatering pumps, the company is dedicated to helping customers prevent flooding and disruption.

“Weather patterns have become less predictable, with some regions experiencing drought conditions for extended periods,” says Bawden. “Parts of the country may experience heavy rainfall consistently that creates great demand for pumps, while other regions may see more arid conditions in which case pumps go unutilised for some time.”

He stresses the importance of pumps being checked for performance and reliability, as they must often be put into service at short notice. Grindex pumps are well known for their applications in dewatering as well as sludge and slurry pumping. One of his concerns is that some pumps are left unused in applications where solid particles can clog up components through sedimentation. 

“In a muddy application, for instance, particles should not be allowed to thicken around a pump over a period of months,” he says. “If a pump is restarted under these conditions, it could lead to the impeller shaft snapping.”

He urges pump owners to take stock of which pumps they have available at the various dewatering ‘hot-spots’ around their sites. By re-assessing the demands that the rainy season will soon place on each of these points, they could check that the pump capacities are well aligned. 

“Our Grindex agents are strategically located around the country, and across border with many undertaking regular site visits,” he says. “This helps customers to ensure the right pumps are in place, and to identify any problem areas that might need more attention.”

It is vital to understand the key aspects of each pumping application – from the required flow rate and vertical head to the pipeline and the nature of the material being pumped. This makes for cost effective choices that provide the necessary duty when heavy rains arrive, he says. 

The Grindex submersible pump range includes smaller units up to 10 kW that can be easily carried by a single person. For many of the larger units from 18 kW and up, Integrated Pump Technology can also offer trolleys that make mobility of the units easier for those on site tasked with installation of these units.