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Its primary objective is to create consumer confidence within the plastic pipe industry by promoting the production and use of high- quality plastic pipes and pipes systems . Only plastic pipes manufactured by members who have committed to abide by the Association ’ s Code of Conduct , which includes agreeing to be audited independently and unannounced , are allowed to display the SAPPMA logo as proof that they meet local and international quality standards .
Short-cuts on quality cause long-term harm “ Piping systems is one of the key elements of a country ’ s infrastructure . Communities rely on the pipes our members provide for their water , sewage , telecommunication , and gas supply .
Similarly , a wide spectrum of industries , such as mining , agriculture , telecommunication , building , and construction need pipelines they can trust not to fail as the cost of disruption and repairs is prohibitive .
When produced according to the standards specified and tested by SAPPMA , we know that plastic pipes will last for fifty to a hundred years before they need to be replaced . Unfortunately , we have seen a growing number of players in the industry unwilling to meet our criteria for the sake of cutting costs or taking shortcuts . We are receiving more and more reports of pipes that are underweight or shorter in length that are entering the market . Companies that are guilty of using substandard procedures , skipping certain quality tests , or including recycled materials are causing irreparable harm to the reputation and longevity of our industry and will not be awarded membership to SAPPMA ,” Venter stresses .
Strengthening and improving the value chain The research report has also made it clear that the pipe manufacturing sector cannot be viewed in isolation . The broader supply chain and executive players in that supply chain have a direct impact on the industry and therefore need to be approached holistically if the sector ’ s current position is to be improved . SAPPMA is in the privileged position to have the entire value chain represented as members , including raw material suppliers , manufacturers , and installers .
Improving Quality Management Systems Optimising the value chain and improving quality management systems were sub-questions of the research methodology , and the study has revealed that much could be leveraged in this area . Venter explains that Quality Management Systems is already a key focus area for SAPPMA and is an important element of their audits .
“ Few manufacturers , specifiers and end-users understand that combining quality concepts result in an optimal balance between cost and quality and lead to an improved system and life cost cycle .
For this reason , we frequently host webinars or workshops where members and non-members alike , as well as other interested parties are offered insights into the benefits of combining risk management , total cost of quality and functional quality management systems ,” Venter explains .
Upgrading technology and equipment The South African pipe industry has been subjected to low demand for products from the construction industry during the last few
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African Mining Publication years , which in turn has had a direct impact on the profitability of plastic pipe manufacturers . Added to this , were the pressures faced by the country ’ s gold and platinum mining sectors , which resulted in allocated budgets not being properly applied in mining projects and fewer orders for pipes being placed .
“ In addition to the extremely difficult trading conditions , such as the cost of raw materials which have reached an all-time high , the impact of COVID lockdowns , unreliable and expensive electricity supply and other high input costs , plastic pipe manufacturers also have to continuously upgrade their production machinery and invest in laboratory test equipment if they are to remain competitive , produce quality pipes and hope to increase output . However , the cost of importing quality machinery is a huge factor affecting company competitiveness .
Out-dated technology and machinery continue to burden the industry . Our members are ultimately delivering a service to the end-user , municipalities , and communities around the country without passing the burden of cost on to them . They should therefore not be expected to carry the financial burden of machinery upgrades alone without government support ,” the SAPPMA CEO stresses .
Raising standards through skills transfer and development As is the case in other manufacturing industries , the plastic pipe industry has identified the need for skilled people such as polymer technologists and extrusion operators , who have a proper work ethic . In this regard , SAPPMA has been working in close partnership with Plastics | SA , who has introduced a range of short training courses that can be applied in the pipe industry . These courses , along with SAPPMA ’ s regular technical Quality Workshops / webinars , annual PIPES conferences and popular Technical Manual for PVC and HDPE piping systems are valuable in ensuring technical skills are transferred to a new generation of leaders who need to be exposed and trained in latest technical information about design , manufacture , maintenance , evaluation , testing procedures and standards .
Close partnerships with certification and standards bodies Although regular audits of factories , systems and products are a key function of SAPPMA , the pipes body is not in competition with any certification or standards authorities . In fact , a close partnership exists with them to promote quality products and weed out inferior quality plastic piping systems .
“ Without continuous intervention , product quality and standards inevitably deteriorate . Thousands of meters of pipe find their way onto the South African market every month . It is impossible for the standards and certification bodies to be everywhere to oversee and regulate all the products . For this reason , SAPPMA acts as the eyes and ears on the ground . Regular forum meetings take place during which technical standards are discussed and future projects identified .
Looking ahead “ Over the past year , Government has gone on record on numerous occasions with promises to fast-track high-impact structural reforms in water sanitation and reticulation . As an industry , we can only hope and pray that these intentions will be met with Treasury ’ s
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