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April | 2023 | Coralynne & Associates' Press Office
The science of substituting clinker in cement with a portion of alternative cementitious materials has paved the way for substantial gains in decarbonisation.
According to AfriSam process engineer, Marieta Buckle, the company has reduced its carbon dioxide emissions per ton of cement by 33% since 1990. An important factor in this sustainability journey has been the use of extenders – mainly fly ash and granulated blast furnace slag.
“We have been on this journey for many years before buzzwords like ‘net zero’ were in common use,” says Buckle. “Our Project Green Cement began in 2000, involving significant research and development being invested; among the outcomes, we were able to launch our Eco Building Cement in 2010 as the lowest carbon footprint product.”
AfriSam launched Project Green Cement in 2000 as a concerted effort to produce more environmentally responsible cement.
AfriSam became arguably the world’s first construction materials supplier to ‘carbon footprint’ all our production operations, including cement, aggregate and readymix concrete, she notes. Its carbon dioxide rating system indicates each product’s carbon footprint relative to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC).
Buckle explains that producing clinker is the most energy intensive aspect of cement manufacturing – and is therefore a prime driver of carbon dioxide emissions. A central strategy at AfriSam has therefore been to promote decarbonisation by reducing the portion of clinker in cement while maintaining its strength and other properties. As an added advantage the utilisation of extenders also enables formulation of cement products that have improved characteristics specific to the application.
“AfriSam’s extensive research and development effort has been able to develop a cement mix that comprises up to 70% of alternative materials,” says Buckle. “Such a mix would contain only 30% of clinker while still providing the required cementitious properties for the application. Importantly, it consumes less energy – and generates fewer carbon emissions – in the production process.”
AfriSam has reduced its CO2 emissions per tonne of cementitious material by 33% since 1990.
Its ongoing achievements in this field are reflected in the statistics. AfriSam’s carbon emissions per tonne of cement produced is – at 598 kg in 2021 – is considerably lower than the 671 kg average among South African cement producers, measured in 2016. It is lower, too, than the global average of 642 kg of carbon emissions per tonne of cement.
“By using what are essentially waste materials like fly ash and slag, we can leverage the energy that has already been consumed in generating them as by-products,” she says. “Apart from the value of recycling a waste product, we can make our cement production gradually more sustainable by reducing the energy that is required.”
Coal dust is a major problem for the operators of facilities such as coal processing plants and power stations as it not only reduces the efficiency of machinery and equipment but it can also impact on the health of workers and even the health of residents of neighbouring communities.
The biggest contributor to the dust generated within these facilities is invariably the conveyor systems transporting the coal. Within these systems, the transfer points where material is transferred from one belt to another are particularly problematic and are responsible for much of the dust produced.
While dust suppression and dust extraction systems can help to reduce the amount of coal dust generated by conveyor systems, they represent – more often than not – only a partial solution. A much more effective approach is to focus on the engineering and positioning of the chutes used at the transfer points.
This is the view of Alwin Nienaber, Technical Director of South Africa’s Weba Chute Systems, a global leader in chute technology. “Careful chute design can relieve 50 to 80 % of the problem,” he says. “Suppression and extraction of the remaining dust then becomes a much more efficient component in a broader and more holistic solution.”
Two conveyor onto conveyor transfer chutes installed at a power plant in Wyoming.
Weba Chute Systems, though based in South Africa has a healthy international business (it has supplied to more than 50 countries), and two contracts in the United States illustrate just how effective Weba chutes can be in reducing coal dust.
One of the contracts saw Weba supplying 10 controlled flow chutes to a coal-fired power station in the state of Wyoming. The basic requirement was that the new chutes – which replaced existing standard chutes – should produce less than the regulated 2.4 mg/m3 of dust under predefined operational conditions.
“The challenge with coal dust at this power plant was formidable,” says Nienaber. “The coal dust created at certain transfer points between conveyors severely impaired vision and made it impossible for personnel to be in the vicinity while conveyors were running.”
Not only did the new chutes reduce dust levels by between 46 % and 77 % between conveyors but they also enhanced conveyor capacity by discharging the coal more centrally on the belts. One conveyor belt was able to transport an extra 150 tonnes of coal an hour. Moreover, these controlled flow chutes block less frequently, thereby reducing coal spillage.
The second Weba installation was at a Missouri power plant, which wanted to reduce the housekeeping required to keep its coal handling systems compliant with health and safety regulations in respect of respirable coal dust. It also wanted to minimise wear on conveyors and components and reduce material spillage through central loading.
The results delivered by the Weba controlled flow chutes were even better than those achieved at the Wyoming plant, with dust being reduced by between 73 % and 91 %. In addition, carry back was also improved as a result of quality primary and secondary belt scrapers replacing the inadequate belt wipers previously used.
Showing the top section of two conveyor onto conveyor transfer chutes installed at a power plant in Wyoming.
Pinpointing climate change as possibly the most serious challenge humankind has ever had to tackle, SEW-EURODRIVE has for many years pursued a sustainability agenda that is applied across every aspect of its business.
According to SEW-EURODRIVE Managing Partner Jürgen Blickle, the company recognises that the number and scale of natural disasters is growing at an alarming rate – threatening people all round the world.
“This means every one of us has a responsibility to do what we can to slow down and stop this process, and this is particularly true for industry,” says Blickle. He points out that sustainability is nothing new for SEW‑EURODRIVE, which has long since seen recycling as an essential step in achieving a sustainable circular economy. The company has also championed renewable and efficient energy sources, and maximised the energy efficiency of its drives.
Raymond Obermeyer, managing director of SEW-EURODRIVE.
Living up to responsibilities
“We believe that sustainability goes even further than that, though,” he says. “We are determined to live up to our responsibilities in every way, whether in relation to the environment, our customers, our business partners, our employees, and not least our children and the world in which they will live.”
Through a long-term sustainability initiative called sustainability@SEW, the company is gradually and consistently safeguarding resources, lowering CO₂ emissions and optimising its entire value chain. Much progress has already been made, as it has for many years adopted a philosophy and practical approach that is centred on sustainable, durable products and an unwavering focus on customers and their requirements.
This ‘cradle-to-cradle’ approach – established back in 1990 as an end-to-end system for a circular economy – is now a benchmark for the environmentally friendly development of products and associated processes. It means that all the products, materials and substances used to manufacture a product can be fully returned to, or reused in, biological or technical loops.
SEW-EURODRIVE’s life cycle service.
Eco-design
This holistic approach is really the basis for planning the roll-out of SEW-EURODRIVE’s in-house eco-design guidelines. An example of how this is applied can be found in the way the company is developing and documenting two projects already underway on the recycling of brake components and magnets. These projects will provide a basis for eco-design to extend to the product categories of motors and electronics.
Another project will take these findings further and incorporate more product families. With its depth of expertise built from its sustained commitment to quality, SEW-EURODRIVE is opening a completely new chapter in product design with this sustainable product concept development. Its design guidelines will be distilled it into practical recommendations such as avoiding the use of certain adhesives or casting resin.
SEW-EURODRIVE’s holistic sustainability focus extends to the service end of its business – demanding that its products should always be designed to be as maintenance-friendly and repair-friendly as possible.
Reuse and recycling
The company will also produce an extended product qualification system as a benchmark for product development. Among the focus areas are reuse and recycling, which give many components a second lease on life. The scope of recycling is to be maximised, while leveraging a reuse system that puts as many products as possible back into service.
This means inspecting and cleaning reusable parts to possibly be fed back directly into the production process. This saves on the energy required to recycle copper, steel and die-cast aluminium parts – including the transport, separation and melting down of used parts.
Gear lubricant from sustainable biomass
In another sustainability innovation, SEW-EURODRIVE has developed a CO2-reduced lubricant for its gear units. With 90 years of experience in developing and building gear units, the company has considerable expertise in tribology – the study of friction, lubrication and wear. Last year, it launched GearFluid Poly 220 E1, the first CO₂-reduced gear unit lubricant made from sustainable biomass – rather than from petroleum or another fossil raw material.
This improves the carbon footprint of GearFluid by 84% compared to petroleum-based polyglycol base oils. The biomass we have developed does not even need to be specially produced, and it takes up no additional agricultural land. Instead, the biomass comes from green cuttings and food waste, which is readily available and can now be very easily recycled.
This biowaste undergoes a complex synthesis process that transforms it into a high-quality base oil. The packaging has also been designed with sustainability in mind, so there is 25% recycled plastic in the cannisters for the oil.
Sustainable service
SEW-EURODRIVE’s holistic sustainability focus extends to the service end of its business – demanding that its products should always be designed to be as maintenance-friendly and repair-friendly as possible. An example of this is how gear units and gearmotors can be disassembled non-destructively and then reassembled again once faulty or worn parts have been replaced. Extending the service life of existing products also means having all individual components available worldwide for decades – to avoid unnecessarily using up resources on new equipment.
The company’s Life Cycle Services are the next logical step in this approach. These services are based on the concept of a holistic, closed loop that covers a product’s entire service lifespan while in use with the customer.
Provided by a dedicated contact, customers receive the best possible expertise and advice for their drive technology. An illustration of how this supports sustainability is the maintenance-friendly connection between SEW-EURODRIVE’s gear units and motors. This connection is made with a pinion shaft that has a key and a mounted pinion with a corresponding slot. Unlike on crimped pinions, this connection can be disassembled without destroying the parts. Any necessary repairs can be carried out at the customer’s premises or in one of SEW-EURODRIVE’s service centres.
The carbon footprint of GearFluid has been improved by 84% compared to petroleum based polyglycol base oils.
In conclusion, Blickle emphasises how SEW-EURODRIVE works hand-in-hand with dedicated people to ensure the company is focused on people and on the future of humankind.
“Maintaining and protecting the very basis of our existence – that is exactly what sustainability means and that is what drives us at SEW‑EURODRIVE,” he says.
With its focus on product quality, responsive service and high stockholding, Pilot Crushtec has continued to grow in Africa by responding rapidly to customers’ crushing and screening needs with reliable solutions.
Pilot Crushtec Africa Sales Manager Wayne Warren.
Whether the operational pressure is on mine production or project start-up time, there is seldom any time to lose when a mining customer in Africa needs a crushing solution, according to Pilot Crushtec Africa Sales Manager Wayne Warren. Manufacturing lead times and logistical delays – where equipment may need transporting across borders to remote areas – can often frustrate customers in the mining sector.
“A recent contract in Zambia showed the value that we bring to customers’ operations by being quick off the mark with the right equipment,” says Warren. “A customer contacted us to discuss their urgent need for a crushing solution, and within a month they could push the button on site and begin operations with a Pilot Crushtec plant.”
This was despite the equipment taking two weeks on the road to reach the site, he notes. With Pilot Crushtec’s strategy of prioritising its large stockholding, it was also able to recently assist another African mining operation with a full modular plant solution at short notice.
“In fact, the initial enquiry from this company was for mobile crushers – but the application was better suited to a modular format,” he says. “We were able to discuss the options with the customer, and they decided to follow our recommendations, which proved even more cost effective for them.”
He explains that Pilot Crushtec had both the mobile and the modular options available in stock, so was able to supply without delay. It is not unusual for this kind of equipment to require a lead time of several months for manufacture, assembly, delivery and commissioning, he says.
There has also been significant uptake of Pilot Crushtec crushing solutions in Africa by mining companies based in Asia, says Warren. While many of these have used crushing equipment that comes at a lower capital cost, a growing number are turning to Pilot Crushtec for its equipment quality, uptime, spares availability, service backup and warranty.
The recently commissioned Pilot Modular VS350 VSI module manufacturing sand in BotswanaRubble Master RM90GO! Is crushing marble aggregates on a quarry in Namibia
Among the offerings that have attracted customers has been a five-year or 10,000 hour extended protection service (EPS) warranty on major Metso Outotec components – quite unusual for OEMs operating in this demanding environment, he notes.
“Customers find that our equipment also retains its resale value very well – which considerably safeguards their upfront investment,” he says. He notes that a Namibian customer has also recently leveraged the longevity of their Metso Outotec crushing equipment when converting from mobile to modular plants.
“They simply moved the Metso Outotec equipment from the previous mobile configuration, and installed it on the new modular plant,” he explains. “This augmented the additional Metso Outotec crusher that was purchased for the new plant, saving considerably on capex while not compromising reliability.”
“Pilot Crushtec has been operating in Africa for more than two decades, so this operating terrain is very familiar to us,” says Francois Marais, Sales and Marketing Director at Pilot Crushtec. “Our reputation is solid, and for the past seven years we have also marketed the highly regarded Metso Outotec brand. Known for being robust and reliable, Metso Outotec crushers have been the preferred choice for mines around Africa for many decades.”
A Lokotrack mobile train for aggregates in road construction working in NamibiaLokotrack mobile train consisting of crushers and scalping screens for lithium mining in Namibia
South African construction major, Concor was appointed as the principal contractor on the Public Investment Corporation (PIC)’s Trevenna basement project in Sunnyside, Pretoria. The basement project is a precursor for A-grade office buildings in the Trevenna Office campus.
According to Martin Muller, Senior Contracts Director at Concor, the contract is part of a multi-phase development at the Trevenna Campus and started shortly after the major earthworks were completed. Concor will carry out the first and second phases of the project, which comprise the five-level, 68,000 square metre super basement – with all services, lobbies and finishes. The basement extends some 20 metres below ground level, and will be constructed with post-tensioned concrete slabs.
Concor is currently building a super-basement as the first phase of the Trevenna Office Campus.
“This large basement extends some 20 metres below ground level, and will be constructed with post-tensioned concrete slabs,” says Muller. “The scope of work also includes extensive underground services such as sewer and stormwater infrastructure, electrical reticulation, lifts to the ground floor and access control.”
Phase 1 of this 11-month project began in February 2022 and was followed by Phase 2, which started in March. The third phase, which is yet to be awarded, will comprise four A-grade office buildings some five storeys high, making up almost 43,000 square metres to be constructed above the super-basement.
In line with the local procurement principles, the project will rely heavily on local subcontractors, suppliers and labour, with a considerable workforce of 500 to 600 people active on site. Among the key subcontractors are specialists in excavation, formwork, concrete, post-tensioning and reinforcing.
Readymix concrete is pumped for the in-situ construction of post-tension slabs.
Muller explains that Concor deployed four tower cranes on the site to facilitate the fast pace of construction required, ensuring the safe and expedited movement of steelwork, formwork and other construction materials. Space is at a premium, as the footprint of the basement extends across almost the entire site. “This necessitated the pumping of readymix concrete in-situ for the post-tensioned slabs,” he says, noting that dealing with the challenges of congested urban environments is one of Concor’s many strengths.
“This is the first contract that we are undertaking for the PIC, and we look forward to delivering excellence and demonstrating our extensive capabilities,” says Muller.
Replacing large non-ferrous alloy bushes in mining equipment like cone crushers can be time consuming and expensive, but Booyco Engineering’s Bush Cooler provides an innovative solution to this challenge, and can be purchased or rented under certain conditions.
Specialists in custom engineered industrial HVAC systems, Booyco Engineering developed the mobile Booyco Bush Cooler so that mines could conduct the bush cooling process cost effectively and safely on site. This process traditionally makes use of liquid nitrogen – a hazardous chemical – or dry ice, which must be purchased specifically for each use, and transported to site on often significant lead times. In contrast, the Bush Cooler can be quickly put to use as often as it is needed. When purchased outright, it is estimated that the cost of the Bush Cooler will be recouped in its first usage.
According to Grant Miller, Executive Director at Booyco Engineering, the Bush Cooler can be trailer or skid mounted, and can even be fitted down a shaft for underground use. This innovation could also be used by manufacturers of crushers, when fitting bushes to new equipment.
“Our dual stage cooling technology will cool the bush in the Bush Cooler’s chiller to minus 40 degrees Celsius in just six hours, even in ambient temperatures as high as 40 degrees,” says Miller. “This provides a much safer, more convenient and cost effective process than the conventional use of liquid nitrogen or dry ice, especially since the Bush Cooler obviates the need for consumable expenditure every time.”
Booyco Engineering developed the mobile Booyco Bush Cooler so that mines could conduct the bush cooling process cost effectively and safely on site.
With a chiller area measuring 1,2 metres in each direction, users can cool large bushes measuring up to 1 metre in length and 1 metre in diameter, with a wall thickness of 20-30 mm. The bush is lowered into the cooling box through a hatch, which is then closed for the cooling phase.
In its trailer mounted configuration, the Booyco Bush Cooler has a total mass of about 1 300 kg and can be towed by a light utility vehicle. The trailer is fitted with a jockey wheel to facilitate manual parking, and stabilisers are provided at each corner to enable the user to level and stabilise the cooler irrespective of the underfoot conditions.
Replacing large non-ferrous alloy bushes in mining equipment like cone crushers can be time consuming and expensive, but Booyco Engineering’s Bush Cooler provides an innovative solution to this challenge.
The cooling system uses the internationally accepted, ozone friendly R507 refrigerant. The main electrical housing and controls are easily accessible on the side of the unit, and all components are secured in place, including copper pipes and electrical harnesses, using pipe retaining clamps and straps to prevent chafing, fatigue and abrasion during transportation.
Global mining majors are leading from the front in the application of proximity detection systems (PDS) in mine safety strategies, as was clearly demonstrated at the recent Collision Avoidance Forum in New South Wales, Australia.
“Some of the world’s largest mining companies were at the forum to present their approaches to leveraging PDS technology in their quest for zero harm,” says Anton Lourens, CEO of leading PDS specialist Booyco Electronics, who also presented at the event.
Hosted by the Minerals Council of NSW and the New South Wales Resources Regulator, the Collision Avoidance Forum attracted some 300 delegates from around Australia and globally. Lourens points out that this reflected the high level of interest in PDS and its value to the industry, with sizeable delegations from mining companies, OEMs and PDS suppliers alike.
The global mining sector is steadily embracing proximity detection systems (PDS) as a tool in their safety journey.
“While Australia has not regulated the use of PDS – as has recently been done in countries like South Africa – there is still an industry-wide commitment to addressing significant risk,” he says. “Risk assessments are well entrenched in the mining sector, and these create the foundation for effectively applying collision avoidance strategies and technologies.”
The message from the event, he noted, was that plenty of progress had been made – both in the development and the on-site application of PDS systems. For those companies still thinking about embracing these systems, there was therefore no need to reinvent the wheel. At the same time, there was growing incentive to apply PDS where a mine had identified significant risk from the movement of mobile mining equipment.
Lourens highlighted in his presentation that collision avoidance solutions do not function in isolation. Successful applications rely on a clearly defined scope of work that integrates a range of factors from risk assessments, traffic management plans together with traffic flow analysis, to the different OEM and technology capabilities, and the stakeholders’ awareness and buy-in.
It is important to note that collision avoidance solutions do not function in isolation.
Practical project execution on mines relies on commitment and availability from both engineering and mining teams, and managers need to understand stakeholder acceptance as well as the overall project costs in relation to capital and ongoing operational expenditure.
“Within the range of technologies available, the user still has to select the solution that best suits their application,” he says. “This is where the years of work done by the Earth Moving Equipment Safety Round Table (EMESRT) on roadmaps and processes is also helping mines to implement collision avoidance strategies more quickly and effectively.”
By approaching the implementation process in a guided and disciplined manner, mines are today able to follow roadmaps that ensure best use of time and resources. He notes that these sequential processes take account of critical areas such as change management, behaviour, operational and technology readiness.
Practical project execution on mines relies on commitment and availability from both engineering and mining teams.Within the range of technologies available, the user still has to select the solution that best suits their application.
Modular substations are fast becoming the format of choice in many applications from industrial sites to data centres to mining and the oil and gas sector, delivering benefits such as quick deployment, lower installation costs and more flexibility.
“The trend towards modular substations is now well established in many sectors – and for good reason,” says Trafo Power Solutions Managing Director David Claassen. “There are many different options and designs, from shipping containers to larger or more purpose-designed E-houses.”
Trafo Power Solutions provides modular substations for data centers, corporate offices and commercial facilities. These solutions are engineered to meet the power needs with a high quality affordable solution.The integration of dry-type transformers into a modular substation offers additional advantages such as these can be installed inside a container or E-house and will be less exposed to inclement weather. This modular substation is fully equipped and includes dry-type transformers, switchgear and instrumentation.
Standard shipping containers – in either 20 foot or 40 foot configurations – provide an economical and compliant format for substations that must be transported via land or by sea, he notes. The dimensions facilitate cost effective logistics, and generally ensure quicker availability of on-board space when arranging shipping on container vessels. Indeed, the containerised concept was where the modular idea originated, as it could be moved around easily.
“More recently, though, we have seen the concept develop into much larger substation sizes – but the benefits remain,” he says. “These can generally be constructed quite simply with structural steel with fire-rated insulation to enhance the safety rating of the installation.”
When compared to constructing a normal building on site, with all the related civils work, the modular option quickly shows a range of benefits. Especially in remote locations, any building work can become complex, costly and time consuming. These costs include transporting various building materials to site over long distances, as well as finding and employing scarce skills and supervision.
“This traditional route also involves taking all the electrical components to site – and then installing, testing and commissioning them in conditions that are often less than ideal,” he explains. “By contrast, a modular substation can be constructed for the most part in a fully-equipped factory, which is more conducive to quality and speed.”
Once shipped to site, there is minimal work to be done before the modular substation can be commissioned and put to work. Modular substations can also be designed with state-of-the-art technology for improved reliability, easier maintenance and reduced running costs.
He highlights that dry-type transformers add considerable value to the modular substation concept, as these can be installed inside a container or e-house. Claassen explains that the safety levels intrinsic to dry-type transformers mean that they do not need a separate enclosure outside the modular structure.
“Effectively, the dry-type transformer is just another aspect of the electrical arrangement in a substation that can be readily modularised,” he says. “For safety and other reasons, an oil-filled transformer would still need its own infrastructure due to the risk of fire, explosion or oil spills.”
He highlights that this is counter-productive to the modular philosophy which makes this format of substation so popular. By using a dry-type transformer instead, the installation can avoid having a separate transformer bay, fire protection and suppression facilities, and outside cabling. With a dry-type transformer inside the substation, there is also a reduction in the overall footprint size.
With its strong tradition of training and upskilling – both in-house and through educational institutions – Sandvik Rock Processing is fast establishing a solid reputation for quality screening solutions as well as the expertise of its staff.
Lylian Kgatla, Human Resources Manager at Sandvik Rock Processing South Africa.
According to Lylian Kgatla, Human Resources Manager at Sandvik Rock Processing South Africa, the firm commitment to skills development is a key ingredient of its success. The company was formed earlier in the year following the acquisition by Sandvik of Kwatani and Schenk and is steadily growing its customer footprint with the value of its offerings being readily recognised by customers in South Africa and across the globe. This reputation based on excellence in designing, manufacturing and supporting its screening solutions is being maintained through continuous upskilling, says Kgatla.
“What is also important has been to make sure that our training efforts are well aligned with the company strategy as well as with employment equity and Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) requirements,” she says. “Most of our customers are in the mining sector, and in South Africa this means that they have objectives in terms of the Mining Charter – which their supply partners must help them to meet.”
Meeting the technical and operational expectations of its customers remains at the heart of Sandvik Rock Processing South Africa’s training programmes – which range from apprenticeships and learnerships to university bursary schemes. Apprentices are selected and supported to pursue careers such as boilermakers, fitters and millwrights; the apprenticeship programme lasts three to four years, and is conducted in collaboration with the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Merseta).
“These are key skills for our industry, and need to be supported by all stakeholders to maintain the necessary expertise for the country’s industrial growth,” she says. “The quality of training is ensured by the unit standards which are in place for each area of expertise.”
Sandvik Rock Processing South Africa also supports external learnerships for unemployed youth, working with outside training organisations that provide the theory – while the practical experience is gained by exposing these candidates to the company’s extensive manufacturing facility in Kempton Park. The number of youth supported by the company in this programme has risen exponentially over the years.
Meeting the technical and operational expectations of its customers remains at the heart of Sandvik Rock Processing’s training programmes.
“This training makes us feel very proud, as we have been able to absorb some of the candidates into the company – and I look forward to watching their progress,” she says. The learners are previously disadvantaged, unemployed learners who may not have yet earned a matriculation certificate. The programme advances them through NQF Levels 1, 2 and 3 so that they can achieve a matric-level qualification for their further studies. She highlights that the skills they learn open the door to employment after achieving NQF Level 3.
There is also a bursary programme focused on disciplines relevant to Sandvik Rock Processing south Africa to fund students in scarce and critical fields such as mechanical, design and process engineering. Where possible, qualified students are also brought into the business and exposed to the various aspects of Sandvik Rock Processing’s operation – often growing into successful careers there.
Training of key personnel at a customer site underway.
Kgatla highlights how crucial it is for mentoring and coaching to be an integral aspect of the employment and growth process. While many organisations expect new employees to ‘sink or swim’, she argues that retaining and building expertise demands a more formal and committed approach to nurturing staff.
In a recent visit to IPR’s new Jet Park facility, Atlas Copco management has reiterated that their partnership will bring a concerted focus on customers’ specific requirements and applications.
Atlas Copco’s General Manager Power Technique for Southern Africa, Faouzi Belgharbia, highlighted that they had chosen IPR for its strong presence in the market and its passion for serving customers’ with dewatering requirements.
“Beyond selling and servicing Atlas Copco pumping equipment, IPR is our ears and eyes in the market,” said Belgharbia. “This gives us the feedback we need to constantly improve our products.”
A global team from Atlas Copco held practical training sessions at IPR.
As a leading designer and manufacturer of dewatering pumps, Atlas Copco had built its global reputation by evolving the technology necessary to meet changing customer needs, he said. The pump sector is an important pillar of the company’s global growth strategy, as it works to develop its share of this large and competitive market.
Atlas Copco’s range of dewatering pumps includes wet prime and dry prime diesel driven pumps, as well as submersible pumps for dewatering as well as sludge and slurry pumping. 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 extends from 0.4 kW to 54 kW power.
According to David Stanford, Atlas Copco’s Business Line Manager Power Technique for Southern Africa, an important element of the partnership with IPR is to be close to the customer. Both companies, said Stanford, prioritised the need for detailed consultation with customers, to fully understand the nature of their challenges.
The Atlas Copco submersible pump range extends from 0.4kW to 54kW power.
“Quick feedback from the market makes sure we understand what works best, and what needs improvement,” he said. “Sometimes we must be ‘comfortable with the uncomfortable’, to really meet the needs of the customer.”
IPR Managing Director Lee Vine pointed to IPR’s extensive engineering expertise, built on the insights into customers’ challenges over the years. IPR has not only delivered a standard range of pump solutions in dewatering, dredging and hydro mining – but its skilled engineering team has custom designed and manufactured bespoke solutions.
“This gives us considerable insight into customer applications, and where the Atlas Copco range can add further value,” said Vine.
Atlas Copco’s range of dewatering pumps includes wet prime and dry prime diesel driven pumps as well as submersible pumps.Lee Vine, Managing Director of IPR, standing next to an Atlas Copco diesel driven pump set and a submersible pump. Atlas Copco’s range of dewatering pumps includes submersible pumps.IPR was chosen by Atlas Copco as its master distributor in Southern Africa for its strong presence in the region.
