In a move designed to broaden the availability of high-performance handling technologies in Southern Africa, bulk materials handling cleaner manufacturer Martin Engineering announced last month that Fluid Base Industries would be its full-service distributor in Zambia.

Fluid Base was formed in Zambia in 1997 and initially focused on providing repair parts and services for the mining industry. The company is structured around a small group of technically qualified individuals who deliver components and expert service, including fabrication, installation and training.

Fluid Base will be a source for all Martin Engineering products and services in Zambia, including conveyor belt cleaners, transfer-point solutions, flow aids, safety products and training, belt support products, silo cleaning and other field services.

The companies will primarily serve customers involved in mining and materials processing applications, as well as the cement and oil indus-tries. To shorten delivery times, Fluid Base will stock a wide range of Martin Engineering products and repair parts at its locations, in Kitwe and Chilanga, which are strategically located near many of the major mining projects.

“This agreement will help us broaden our presence in Africa and create a customer base in the key commercial regions in Zambia,” says Martin Engineering sales manager Mark Jarrett.

He says the companies in Zambia prefer doing business with local suppliers.

“We have had many interactions with Fluid Base in the past and they are one of the few distrib- utors capable of representing the Martin Engi-neering brand with the level of technical expertise required to ensure outstanding product support and service,” he says.

Martin Engineering operating director Fanuel Banda notes that the company’s established contacts in the mining sector and other industries will help the company introduce innovative technologies to improve the productivity and safety of bulk handling operations.

“The current levels of activity are bringing new opportunities, but with them come new challenges and that’s where we are targeting our efforts, helping bulk handling operations achieve greater efficiency and environmental stewardship,” he says.

Banda is a 35-year veteran of the Zambian min- ing industry, with ten-year stints at two mult- inational firms, including one as a GM of oper-ations in charge of mining equipment, spares procurement and maintenance.

“Banda and his colleagues are well known and respected throughout Zambia for their experience, strong technical acumen and busi- ness integrity. They also have an excellent under-standing of local and regional markets and customs, facilitating good communication and fostering positive customer relationships,” Jarrett points out.

Jarrett has been working with Zambian mining companies and distributors for the past 12 years and he finds excellent market potential and opportunities for Martin Engineering’s services.

“It can be difficult to gain entry into this market, but after observing the Fluid Base staff over the years, we feel confident that the company has the skills and collective mindset to help us develop a strong presence here, earning customer recognition and loyalty as we go. They have the ability to seamlessly integrate Martin Engineering products into customer operations, as well as the technical training to support them,” he says.