Valve trading and reconditioning solutions provider Kira Valves & Engineering has developed its first range of ball valves.

Kira Valves & Engineering founder and director Krish Manichum says the company imported American Petroleum Institute 607-certified carbon and stainless steel ball valves to expand its product range offering to clients. “The expansion is a natural progression for the company.”

Manichum says the company added its input into the design specifications of the valves. “The company, which is in its sixth year of operation, has acquired enough in-house expertise to start altering drawings and designs to create innovative products.”

He adds that the company spent nearly a year-and-a-half researching over 30 different suppliers to provide the product. “Companies are sometimes wary of using Chinese suppliers, as a negative perception about the quality of Chinese products has been formed, but the product meets Kira Valves & Engineering’s high expectations,” he adds.
He says the company aims to deliver affordable, high-quality products, and the import project allows it to achieve this goal.

The company made alterations to the valve to ensure that it is as environment friendly as possible. “The packing box of the valve was adjusted to ensure that as few as possible pollutants or fugitive emissions enter the surrounding environment,” adds Manichum.

The product’s components will be tested locally and, as a result, the company will be contributing to the South African economy while taking responsibility for the quality standards of the products.

Meanwhile, the first ball valve shipment has arrived in the country and was installed at a client’s facility. In total, 30 Alloy 20 valves, with a value of about R1-million, were installed for use in acid applications.

Kira Valve & Engineering sales manager Bilall Sheik says, even though the products at the mine are still in a trial period, the mine has already placed another order.

Further, the company has supplied a Rustenburg-based platinum mine with a tank dart valve that is used in high-tempera- ture mining water applications. “It usually takes six to seven weeks to assemble this valve, but the company completed its assembly in only three weeks,” says Sheik.

He says there has also been an increase in the demand for the company’s bucket strainer, which is a filtration unit used in the mining, chemicals and water industries.

The whole strainer is locally produced and 140 units have been assembled and delivered since production started in 2008. Unlike conventional strainers, the bucket strainer reduces the pressure drop when used in filtration applications. The strainers can be made from carbon steel and most other materials as specified by the client.

The company also trades in other unique products, such as metal-seated ball valves, ceramic inner valve linings and epoxy valve coatings.

In addition, the company took part in the Pumps, Valves and Pipes Africa 2011 exhibition, at Gallagher Estate, in Midrand, at the beginning of June. Manichum says the company received immediate feedback and enquiries from potential clients.

Facility and Training
Kira Valves & Engineering comprises 13 employees operating and managing a 850 m2 trading, reconditioning, welding, fabrication, machining and oxygen preparation facility.

The facility houses unique oxygen preparation equipment and two 50 000 kPa testing rigs as well as a 380 V, 300 A Mig welding machine.

The company also has an in-house employee training programme. “The staff expertise has increased to the level where they can train and teach new employees without the help of senior management,” says Manichum.

Challenges
Sheik explains that lead times are often increased as a result of shortages of special materials, such as alloy 20, which is very expensive when bought locally.

The increasing demand for steel is also putting pressure on companies as steel prices increase, concludes Sheik.

To subscribe to Mining Weekly's print magazine email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or buy now.