Articles

Originally established as a closed corporation in 1995, Allmech has grown into a leading South African manufacturer of boilers and supplier of water treatment components, servicing the entire country and expanding its services beyond the borders. While 2024 has brought its share of challenges, MD Lionel Maasdorp says it’s been a good year overall and the company is positioned well for 2025, which will mark 30 years in the business. “With the 2024 national election came hope f

Poor boiler water treatment is the primary cause of poor boiler performance, according to Chris Paterson, Managing Director of specialist operations and maintenance service provider to the steam and boiler sector, Associated Energy Services (AES). Not all water is created equal and there is a lot more to water treatment than ensuring that it appears clean, he says. Yet, this is where many companies are tempted to cut costs. However, because correctly treated boiler water is i

South Africa is on the edge of a precipice. More than three million South Africans lack access to basic water provision and 19% of rural communities in South Africa lack access to a reliable water supply. An estimated 26% of our schools are facing severe water supply challenges and only 23% of our municipalities achieved good capacity scores for effective water management. Economic forecasts suggest that by the year 2030, water demand could exceed supply by 10%. Given the gri

South Africa faces a dual challenge of balancing the rising demand for energy with the urgent need to reduce environmental impact. As we grapple with load shedding, escalating utility costs and a global climate crisis, it’s clear that sustainability must be at the forefront of our national agenda. One often overlooked but impactful area in this effort is water heating, which accounts for a significant portion of household energy consumption. The Energy Burden of Water Heating

By providing tailored, value-added services that complement its world-class lubricants, FUCHS LUBRICANTS South Africa ensures that clients achieve greater productivity, reduced downtime, and optimised maintenance cycles. “Our approach goes beyond simply supplying oils and greases,” explains Service Manager Tiaan Le Roux. “We deliver a complete solution by combining top-tier lubricants with expert services, tailored to meet each customer’s unique operational requirements.” The

There’s a lot to be said about the unsung heroes of this world; those man and machines that deliver such important functions, often overlooked and recognised. One such machine is turbomachinery, and whilst the name does sound quite obvious to the layman, its rich history and daily functions are not. Turbomachinery today refers to machines that transfer energy between a rotor and a fluid, including both gasses and liquids. It includes devices like turbines, compressors, and p

Werner Pumps recently handed over two high-pressure jetting truck units to Swakopmund Municipality where they have been put to work for sewer drain cleaning and sewer pump station maintenance in the coastal city. The Werner Impi 10 000l Combination Vacuum and jetting truck and Werner Hippo 8000l jetting truck were both manufactured by Werner Pumps in South Africa at the company’s headquarters in Springs. The Impi unit offers hydraulically operated jetting and vacuum functiona

Equipment manufacturers in the water industry should play a central role in developing solutions to the country’s growing potable and waste water challenges. Hugo du Plessis, market area manager for KSB Pumps and Valves, says manufacturers of pumps, valves and related equipment have an important role to play when systems are being designed or upgraded as they know their products’ s capabilities better than anyone else and should be included at every stage of a project to ensu

DÜCHTING is proud to present one of its most recent and impactful pump installations for a mining application in the Copperbelt region of Africa – a region globally recognized for its extensive copper production and its particularly demanding operational conditions. The Copperbelt is not only one of the most productive mining regions in the world, it is also an environment where equipment is exposed to extreme loads, continuous operation, and very limited opportunities for do

At its core, Schurco Slurry’s message is straightforward: slurry pump performance is not defined on paper, but proven in the field. In an industry where operating conditions vary widely, the company maintains that slurry handling is as much an art as it is a science. No two applications are identical and it is this variability that underscores the importance of deep, hands-on field experience in supporting customers. Pipes, Pumps & Valves Africa spoke to Oliver C. Nobels, Shc

Pumps are at the heart of countless industrial and municipal operations, yet they are also among the largest consumers of energy. Inefficiencies often go unnoticed, quietly driving up costs, while unexpected equipment failures can lead to expensive downtime and operational disruptions. Industrial pumps installed by Artesis, demonstrating robust engineering and modern design in an industrial setting. In this environment, remote pump monitoring has emerged as a powerful, proact

BMG and Agrico have collaborated to enhance compatibility between BMG Synergy PI500 variable speed drives (VSDs) and Agrico’s Web Control platform, giving farmers and industrial users across Africa new options for efficient, intelligent pumping and motor control. “Through close collaboration and extensive on-site testing, teams from BMG and Agrico have verified the seamless operation of Synergy PI500 VSDs within the Agrico Pump Controller ecosystem,” explains Mike Williams, B

In the realm of chemical process manufacturing, pumps do not just move fluids—they move the entire industry forward. As chemical formulas grow more complex and markets demand faster, cleaner and safer production, the importance of choosing the right pump has never been greater. Among the technologies available, air-operated double-diaphragm (AODD) pumps offer a versatile and reliable option for processing a wide range of process fluids. Shifting Paradigm: A New Age of Chemist

OST-Africa has developed the Efficiency Base (E-Base) system, which is a precision-engineered belt drive base system, developed to optimise tension, alignment and efficiency in pump and motor applications in mining and heavy industry. “Our robust E-Base system is a self-tensioning base, designed for pump applications with V-belt drives, to ensure precise belt alignment and reduced energy losses. The E-Base was designed in response to persistent and costly drive-alignment prob

In a significant milestone for South Africa’s power generation infrastructure, Ithuba Valves has successfully manufactured and delivered eight electrically operated triple eccentric, metal-to-metal seated butterfly valves to Eskom Kriel Power Station. Designed and built in full compliance with the stringent technical requirements of Eskom, the valves incorporate robust locking mechanisms and advanced actuation systems to ensure reliable isolation and operational safety in cri

The success of automation is a never-ending story, and the valve industry plays a key role in it. For many years, valves have benefited from the advantages automation brings. Now digitalisation, and increasingly the use of artificial intelligence, is taking this success story even further. True to the motto: The Sky is the Limit! The demand for smart, connected valves is rising: As intelligent nodes, valves are increasingly embedded in digital networks, capturing and processi

In sectors such as mining, water infrastructure, petrochemicals, power generation, and manufacturing, pumps and valves are the silent workhorses that keep critical processes flowing. These components regulate pressure, control flow, and ensure the safe and efficient movement of liquids and gases throughout complex industrial systems. But while pumps and valves are engineered for performance and reliability, getting them from manufacturer to site requires a different kind of..

The ever increasing complexity of modern process plants, combined with tighter safety regulations and space constraints, is driving demand for electric actuators that deliver reliable performance in hazardous areas without excessive size or system overhead. PROFOX X from AUMA Actuators Limited has been designed to meet these requirements, providing a compact electric actuator platform specifically for use in explosive atmospheres and safety-critical installations. PROFOX X is

The handling of pipes, pumps, and valves in industrial environments often exposes workers to significant risks, including pinch points, crush zones, and sharp edges. PSC Hand Safety (PSC) is leading the charge in revolutionising safety standards with its hands-free tools, designed to eliminate hand injuries and improve operational efficiency. Hands-Free Pipe Handling: A Safer Alternative PSC’s hands-free tools are engineered to keep workers’ hands away from hazardous zones

The onus is on businesses to carefully manage their industrial water ecosystems. Water restrictions and unreliability are daily risks. Companies must evaluate their water sources: municipal, rainwater, borehole or river, ensuring that water is suitable for its intended use and that it is being used efficiently. When water leaves the plant, should it be recycled for further use or treated prior to discharge? These are critical considerations highlighted by CEO Shaun Golding an