Valve and actuator distributor Incledon’s new range of stainless steel valves will be available in the country at the end of August.

Incledon product manager Craig Thomson says the new range, which is manufactured by China-based valve company Teji, will include a ductile iron butterfly valve, with a CF8M 316 stainless steel disc and splined shafts, which have long life spans. The splined shafts reduce the opening and closing torque requirement of the butterfly valves.

He explains that the butterfly valves require a smaller actuator than other types of butterfly valves in some cases, making it more economical and energy saving. Initially, the range will be available in lever-operated and gearbox-operated forms, ranging in sizes of between 50 mm and 300 mm.

Each valve is designed and equipped to accept standard ISO actuators without costly adaptor plates. The valves have been built with flange lug holes that accommo- date the variety of flange drillings commonly used in South Africa. “This means that one valve fits all and is cost effective in that inventory levels are limited to one product only,” says Thomson.

Further, the company will also have the imported Teji stainless steel flanged ball valves available by the end of the month. Thomson says these class 150 lockable valve bodies are approved by the American Petroleum Institute (API) 6D and are individually certified fire safe.

He notes that the outside flange of the valve body is usually too small to accommodate pressure nominal (PN) 16 drilling. He explains that the company resolved this issue by choosing American Standards Association (ASA)150 bodies with oversized flanges, which can now accommodate standard PN16 drilling. Incledon will also have available valves drilled to suit ASA150 matching flanges. The company will also have undrilled flanged valves available to accommodate any specific flange drilling that clients may require.

Thomson says the company has high expectations of the new range, as other imported brands, such as the Tekflo range, which was introduced into South Africa by the company at the end of 2009, have achieved significant success and market acceptance.

The range of valves is manufactured to ISO 9001 standards and conforms with general European conformity standards.

Further, Incledon aims at broadening its product offering to the local engineering industry through the introduction of the Teji valve range, as it is regarded as a niche product range.

Apart from significantly expanding its product range, the company has also started training its staff to increase their levels of product expertise to more effec- tively serve and advise clients.

“The company is undertaking one-on-one and small-group in-house training programmes at all its branches, including training every Friday at the Germiston branch.”

Thomson says that the company will, in future, investigate and consider some green initiatives and projects.

Meanwhile, the mid-July oil, petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals sector strikes have put some pressure on the company’s stock reserve. He says that the stock reserve is declining as incoming deliveries are, to some extent, thwarted by the strikes.

He notes that, despite the industrial action in July, there were no problems with raw materials availability. “At the beginning of the year, there were slight issues with materials shortages but, generally, the supply looks healthy,” concludes Thomson.

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