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Local pump suppliers explore expo’s African linkages

8th February 2013

By: Anine Kilian

Contributing Editor Online

  

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The Pumps, Valves and Pipes Africa (PVPA) exhibition is one of ten component shows in the South African Industrial and Technology Fair (Indutec) taking place at Gallagher Convention Centre from May 14 to 16, in Midrand.

The show is targeted at suppliers in the mining, water utilities, national and local government, industrial and civil engineering, manufacturing, food and beverage, dairy, brewing, agriculture and horticulture, petrochemicals, and pulp and paper sectors.

“South Africa’s stagnant mining sector is driving local pump manufacturers and distributors to launch export growth strategies beyond the country’s borders. A number of them are planning to use the upcoming PVPA expo to position themselves in the global mining sector and pursue new business opportunities,” states PVPA expo exhibition management services MD John Thomson.

“The South African mining sector has suffered a serious drop in production of between 4% to 5% over the past year, owing to a number of local and international factors,” he says.

“The ailing mining sector is affecting all its ancillary suppliers, including local pump manufacturers and suppliers,” says Thomson.

He continues that they are consequently moving into mining-friendly African countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Senegal, Ghana and Burkina Faso, in search of more lucrative new markets.

“A number of our exhibitors have indicated that they are using this year’s show specifically to grow this sector of their market.”

South African Pumps Manufacturers’ Asso- ciation vice chairperson Gavin Doran states that the current mining climate has made investors more wary of spending money on South African mining, which has made the local pumps industry highly vulnerable.

“Most of our members are now chasing markets in Africa where many new mines are opening up,” adds Doran.

“They are supplying pumps to mines in Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo; some are supplying the Middle East and making inroads into international markets,” he says.

PVPA Pivotal in Promoting Pumps Industry

Doran believes that the PVPA 2013 expo plays a key role in establishing and growing the association’s links to new international markets, particularly in Africa, and is important to keeping the local pumps industry going.

“PVPA 2013 provides a huge opportunity to network, grow our markets, develop new strategies to promote our industry and products, and keep in contact with our current partners – that is why the association is supporting the event and exhibiting again this year,” he says.

Africa’s Surging GDP Attracting Huge Interest

Long-time PVPA exhibitor pump supplier Performa Pumps will be exhibiting at the expo again this year. The Benoni-based company specialises in pumps for the mining and agricultural sectors and has been an exhibitor at PVPA from the exhibition’s inception.

Performa Pumps MD Johann Malherbe tells Engineering News that current challenges have not stopped the pumps industry from growing in other areas.

“We are expanding into Africa where continental gross domestic product is growing by more than 5% a year – this opens up many opportunities for us,” says Malherbe.

Performa Pumps is the sole supplier for Kenflo pumps and now supplies to projects in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia and Mozam- bique, and is also considering Middle East markets.

“I have been to similar industry events, but none have been as successful as PVPA. We appreciate the opportunity to be part of a specialised trade fair that promotes our industry, our business and our products,” he says.

He adds that Africa has many resources and is a major producer of more than 60% of the world’s most important metal and mineral products, including gold, diamonds, uranium, manganese, chromium, nickel, bauxite, cobalt and many platinum-group metals.

“Although some parts of Africa are still untapped, the continent still holds about 30% of the planet’s mineral reserves, including 40% of its gold, 60% of its cobalt and 90% of the world’s platinum-group metals reserves.

“Businesses around the globe are now looking at Africa as a continent of massive business opportunities. New mines and industries are starting up, and this is creating new markets for other businesses, such as the pumps industry, outside of South Africa,” he says.

Pumps Industry Rides Indutec Business Surge

Another pumps company looking forward to leveraging opportunities at PVPA is pumps supplier Letaba Pumps, which provides dewatering pumps to a number of mines in South Africa.

“PVPA is our ticket to move into the African market and to advertise ourselves,” states Letaba Pumps director Ian Drake.

“We will be showcasing our new Neptune pump, a specialised chemicals dosing pump, along with the Wilden Stallion range of double diaphragm dewatering pumps at the exhibition,” he says.

He adds that Neptune’s major applications are associated within power generation, petro- chemicals, irrigation and mining markets.

Edited by Megan van Wyngaardt
Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

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