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Local supplier, exclusive distributor

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GRINDEX PUMPS Mine dewatering using a Grindex drainage pump

12th September 2014

By: Pimani Baloyi

Creamer Media Writer

  

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Newly established Boksburg-based pumps supplier Integrated Pump Technology was named in June as the exclusive Southern Africa distributor for the world’s third-largest submersible pumps manufacturer Grindex AB, which is based in Sweden.

Integrated Pump Technology GM Klint Bawden tells Mining Weekly that the company branched out from local components manufacturer Voith Turbo, when Integrated Pump Technology was granted the sole local and sub-Saharan Africa distributing rights for Grindex products.

“Our marketing strategy is to develop broader product lines and niche, noncompeting premium brands. We also want to grow the Grindex footprint in the mining, marine and construction industries to keep with the brand’s market segment internationally,” he explains.

Bawden adds that, as Southern Africa is a mining-rich region, the company will also focus more on developing and specifying pumps solutions to meet the region’s dewatering, slurry and sludge pumping needs.

“We are a pumps-focused business delivering an improved all-round service to our customers,” he says, adding that the company will capitalise on Grindex’s existing local market share.

Grindex has had a presence in South Africa since the late 1980s through various distributors and, most recently, through Voith Turbo. Bawden assures clients who are currently using the Grindex range that it will continue to be distributed in the region, following the seamless transition from Voith.

Grindex Pumps

Grindex’s sub-18 kW range of dewatering pumps feature a dry-run capability, enabling the impeller to pass air, instead of water, past the motor. The pump’s patented motor protector prevents thermal overload and phase-loss, and provides phase-rotation protection.

“The protector and all associated electrical switchgear are installed inside the pump, which eliminates the need for a control panel. An added benefit is that the pump can function without supervision,” explains Bawden.

He tells Mining Weekly that the Grindex sludge range has all the advantages of the dewatering range, coupled with a recessed vortex impeller and replaceable polyurethane linings.

“This makes the sludge units more capable of handling solids that have increased abrasion resistance. The lightweight aluminium construction means that these highly portable and robust pumps are ideal for underground face dewatering.”

Bawden states that the dewatering and sludge pumps are also available in cast 316 stainless steel, with the capacity to handle pH values of between 2 and 13, which makes them ideal for process applications.

“Grindex also manufactures a range of pedigree slurry pumps, which feature a hard chrome wet-end and are designed to move medium to heavy slurries that have high abrasive content without sacrificing efficiency, abrasion resistance or production downtime,” he says.

About Integrated Pump Technology

Integrated Pump Technology’s staff complement comprises 12 sales, service and administration personnel who understand the Grindex product range. The company also has an established distribution network of 16 strategically located and specialised pumps companies and key account managers, who are located near the company’s clients for fast, personal service, says Bawden.

Integrated Pump Technology’s Boksburg warehouse supports the company’s distribution structures in terms of sales and repairs, helping to service customers in Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mozambique and Zimbabwe, as well as those in South Africa.

The company is also developing a rental service for Grindex products. “We see the rental business as a big opportunity and are building a significant rental stockholding to service this sector,” says Bawden, adding that Integrated Pump Technology also plans to broaden its product offerings.

He tells Mining Weekly that South Africa and other sub- Saharan Africa markets were the largest export markets for Grindex in 2011 and 2012 and the second-largest in 2013. He adds that this year’s sales are driven by exports to the DRC and Zambia, where Grindex has a service and test facility.

Recent projects include the supply of 25 wear-resistant Grindex Bravo 700 submersible slurry pumps to a mine in the DRC and 12 submersible Grindex Mega N pumps to another mine in Zambia.

Locally, Integrated Pump Technology has conducted several demonstration test trials on pond dewatering applications in Rustenburg, in the North West, and Richards Bay, in KwaZulu-Natal.

The company further aims to continue the long tradition of taking its distributors and employees to Grindex’ Sweden factory for advanced product training, concludes Bawden.

Edited by Samantha Herbst
Creamer Media Deputy Editor

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