Mineral processing equipment manufacturer Ludowici expects its annual African turnover to increase to more than R250-million over the near term, owing to its acquisition of South African screening media manufacturer Meschape to form the newly established Ludowici Meshcape.

“The African mineral processing market is developing at a rapid rate and there is room for significant expansion in this industry through the promotion of a wider range of products and services through this new venture,” says Australia-based Ludowici MD and CEO Patrick Largier.

Ludowici Meshcape plans to capitalise on the new available opportunities.

“We are focusing on our core business, while providing team members with the skill levels needed to add value to our service offering,” says Ludowici Meshcape MD David Sibley.

The new entity is in the process of integrating the two busi- nesses by transferring all Ludowici South Africa’s employees in Kempton Park to Meshcape’s 32 000 m2 manufacturing facility in Edenvale.

Largier notes the merger has been well received by members of staff. “Employees from both companies have displayed dedication and commitment during the transformation process and now have the advantage of gaining additional knowledge and expertise through involvement in new products and markets, both locally and internationally.”

“Working together as a team will enable Ludowici Meshcape to expand its collective capabilities in the original-equipment manufacturer mineral processing equipment market, in addition to providing a broader outlet to the mining consumables market,” says Sibley.

Further, operating as a centralised business unit under one roof will dramatically reduce overhead costs, thereby ensuring that the company provides its clients with a value-added, all-in-one solutions package, he adds.

Ludowici Meshcape offers vibrating equipment, feeders, reflux classifiers, centrifuges and a full range of consumable products for different screen media, such as polyurethane systems, wire screens, perforated mate- rials and hybrid systems.

The company is able to provide new technologies for the mining industry and better engineered products that add value to the application, as they are more efficient, contain improved materials and reduce the cost per ton.

“Our new technologies, such as reflux classifiers, reduce the cost per ton while improving throughput, efficiencies and product quality. Old technology that required a large installation area is displaced with technology that requires less space and provides high ton rates,” says Sibley.

He states that the mining industry is currently under pressure to become more efficient and reduce operational costs to remain in business. With the mining industry in this state, Ludowici Meshcape believes it is able to provide reliable and efficient equipment to assist.

“The industry will not improve if companies are buying cheap replacement products that ultimately increase the cost per ton and do not provide the desired effects,” says Sibley

He says the impact of buying superior products at a higher cost that will deliver lower cost per ton needs to be understood by the key people involved in mining operations.

“It seems cost analysis, or return on investment (ROI), hasbeen replaced by ‘buy cheap to save’. New operations are being looked at and are using new technology from the start, so that the cost per ton is optimised to ensure ROI is positively impacted on; results of this can be seen in Mozambique and at other expansion projects in South Africa,” adds Sibley.

In addition to new technologies being introduced into the mining market, he notes that education within the industry is where the bigger potential for growth lies, as well as looking at existing processes and optimising them to improve efficiencies and overall efficacy.

Ludowici Meshcape also aims to expand its branch network in Africa to support its existing customer base.

“With several contracts for coal, gold and iron-ore applications, Ludowici Meshcape has proven that it offers efficient and reliable equipment,” concludes Sibley.

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