The local valve and actuator manufacturing industry is under strain, with several factors affecting performance in recent years, says valve manufacturing industry body the South African Valve and Actuator Manufacturers Association (SAVAMA) chairperson Pam du Plessis.

Challenges hindering growth in the industry include cheap imports, slow or low mining capital expenditure, and local infrastructure projects being delayed or awarded to companies that are outside the SAVAMA network, and that usually prefer imports.

On the topic of procurement, Du Plessis says that, in Africa, including South Africa, localisation efforts have been limited in sectors such as mining, water and sewerage and while manufacturers collaborate with industry bodies, government support for local procurement remains insufficient.

Further, while local valve producers might explore markets in other parts of the continent, especially because African countries generally do not require international certifications, these markets may require conformity in the future, which may introduce some complexity.

Despite these pressures, the South African valve industry is working to improve efficiency, with automation becoming key to valve manufacturing and distribution, says Du Plessis.

“Making products more precise, more reliable and easier to control remotely have enhanced productivity and quality for manufacturers while improving uptime, safety and efficiency for customers.”

Moreover, the local industry has shifted from producing manual products to flow control solutions that support long-term financial performance.

However, while digitalisation has proved beneficial from a product development perspective, Du Plessis notes that some of the processes required to implement supply chain digitalisation are labour intensive, particularly regarding registration on multiple client platforms, most with varying document requirements.

“The shift has made business interactions less personal and more reliant on data,” which carries risks, as such data is typically generated through human input, rather than based on direct measures of supplier efficiency, she says.

Reshaped Sector

Previously a key feature of project-based orders, customisation has become more standardised. Actuated valves, for example, were once rarely requested but are now widely used and are becoming standard items.

Material innovation is also reshaping the sector, with Du Plessis also noting a move towards lightweight aluminium and various plastics: “These materials are considered durable and fit for purpose while . . . reducing weight and enabling cost savings”.

She adds that new materials are now competing effectively with traditional cast iron and ductile iron products.

Meanwhile, repair, maintenance and refurbishment services remain critical to the industry, as they “extend the life span of valves, reduce costs and allow clients to maintain their own stock of critical components, supporting operational continuity and minimising downtime,” Du Plessis concludes.