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Plastic pipe manufacturer sees growth opportunities in mining

Marley Pipe Systems commercial director Danie Grobbelaar

Marley Pipe Systems commercial director Danie Grobbelaar

29th August 2014

  

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Plastic pipe manufacturer and distributor Marley Pipe Systems is fast growing its footprint in the mining industry, with a keen focus on mineral-rich African countries.

The company, which forms part of the global Aliaxis Group, plans to increase its presence with local representation in so-called African mining hot spots.

“African countries are mineral rich and have unlimited opportunities waiting to be unearthed. Marley Pipe Systems will be at the forefront of these opportunities,” says commercial director Danie Grobbelaar.

He adds that Marley has participated in a multitude of mining-related projects, owing to its ability to offer a full solution – products and technical expertise. The company recruits qualified mechanical engineers and polymer technologists to provide support and advice.

“While most pipe manufacturers are only equipped to provide pipes, Marley is equipped with the necessary facilities and skills to provide full piping solutions, which also includes jointing systems.”

Marley’s jointing solution includes a catalogue of options comprising fabricated fittings produced at its local manufacturing facility, while Aliaxis supplies moulded and electrofusion fittings.

“Being one of the few companies to manufacture our complete product offering in-house, gives us complete control of the quality cycle of each and every product that Marley produces and supplies,” Grobbelaar says.

As a subsidiary of Aliaxis, Marley is in constant collaboration with its sister companies to share and develop products that are specifically aimed at servicing the mining sector.

Some of Marley’s success stories in the mining industry include projects at Glencore’s Mutanda and Kansuki copper operations, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and a project at African Barrick Gold’s Bulyanhulu gold mine, in Tanzania. These projects involved full-scope solutions, from isometric drawings to the tendering, quoting, sourcing and supply of all high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes for processing and acid plant pipelines, water lines and tailing lines.

One of the key market differentiators for Marley, Grobbelaar says, is the company’s ability to manufacture both large and complex products in stipulated timelines, while maintaining high-quality standards. The company has the capacity to manufacture HDPE pipes in diameters up to 1 000 mm.

Marley also prides itself on the quality of its HDPE fabricated pipefittings, which are tested using advanced X-ray technology capable of scanning fittings for any defects and voids. “The use of this technology puts Marley in the unique position to guarantee void-free fittings. This takes quality delivery in the piping industry to a new level,” he states.

Marley’s legacy in the mining industry dates back to the early 1970s – in the days when plastic pipe materials first began to make their mark in South Africa – with roots in various other well-known and established companies.

From 1992, Marley worked with a factory based in Port Shepstone, which at the time, was owned by a blue chip company. In 2002, Marley reached a significant milestone as it joined forces with Glynwed Pipe Systems and incorporated the Port Shepstone factory under the Marley Pipe Systems umbrella.

About four years ago, Marley further concentrated its focus on the mining and industrial sector with the placement of a dedicated team and a comprehensive product offering to suit the individual needs of this market.

Following this milestone, Marley gained even more ground by acquiring the assets of Petzetakis in 2013, an investment that represented a significant contribution to not only Marley as a brand, but also to the future of the South African economy – resulting in job creation opportunities and a confidence in locally manufactured products.

Marley has become renowned for bringing back the popular range of Megaflex PVC hose products, and for its quality HDPE pipes. Other significant product milestones include becoming the only South African licensee of the large diameter Weholite structured wall pipe.

One of Marley’s “game changing” products is Petroplas, a high-performance polyethylene pipe system designed specifically for the transfer of fuels, which has been specified for use in a recent major Transnet pipeline.

“Petroplas offers the unique benefit of being implemented as an integral primary/secondary containment pipe system, used to transport fuel as well as to protect water lines from the effect of contaminated ground. The system can also be applied to large diameter pipe, up to and exceeding 630 mm, making it a cost-effective solution over long distances,” Grobbelaar explains.

With a key focus on staff empowerment, Marley believes in securing a sustainable future for its employees, prompting the formation of the Marley Pipe Systems employee trust, which gives employees shares in the company, allowing them to share in the future value created by Marley.

Hall 6 Stand J17

 

 

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

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