AFRICA NEWS
‘Innovating our tomorrow’ is the
slogan that drives the Faculty
of Engineering, Built
Environment and Information
Technology (EBIT) at the
University of Pretoria. The
Innovate magazine is EBIT’s
research as well as teaching and
learning publication that covers
new and emerging technologies
in the fields of engineering, the
built environment, and
information technology. In this
publication, the faculty
highlights its research and the
impact it has on business
matters, higher education
issues, and the community at
large. Innovate gives insight into
how technology will shape our
lives in the future. In the current
Innovate Issue 13 – 2018, the
dean of EBIT, Prof. Sunil Maharaj,
discusses the challenges and
opportunities of the Fourth
Industrial Revolution (4IR).
Innovate can be downloaded
free of charge from the Innovate
website: https://www.up.ac.za/
innovate
Three concept designs for a new rock drill that
is set to disrupt the mining industry were
revealed at the Mandela Mining Precinct (MMP) at
the end of October 2018. Following a nationwide
initiative driven by the MMP, called the ‘Isidingo
Drill Open Design Challenge’, which called for
designs and concepts for new underground mining
drills, the MMP has announced three winning
entries, submitted by Fermel, HPE, and Novatek.
These finalists’ concept designs will move on to
phase II in developing a proof of concept that will
deliver a lighter and energy-efficient rock drill.
“This initiative is fully aligned to the South
African Mining Extraction, Research, Development
and Innovation (SAMERDI) programmes looking at
sustainability and longevity of current mines,” says
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
manager: mineral resources, Navin Singh. He adds
that this is the first initiative for developing South
African solutions to a South African problem. Singh
is also the co-director of the MMP.
“We will be working with the Technology
Innovation Agency to fund the finalists in taking
their concept further,” said Clen Cook, director of
the Research Institute for Innovation and
Sustainability. Finalists had until the end of
December to come up with a proof of concept.
Following the proof of concept phase, finalists
will be required to develop a prototype drill in
early 2019.
Wacker Neuson, supplier of
quality-engineered, efficient
compact and light equipment
to the construction, mining,
and agricultural sectors in sub-
Saharan Africa, and Demolition
Technologies, supplier of
pneumatic and hydraulic
construction, demolition, and
portable power equipment,
signed a dealer agreement in
October 2018.
The agreement solidifies the
two companies’ relationship,
strengthens Wacker Neuson’s
footprint in the Western Cape,
and adds the complete range of
light compaction and concrete
equipment to Demolition
Technologies’ product portfolio.
Demolition Technologies
managing member, Brendan
Drummond-Hay, anticipates
that the Wacker Neuson
compact equipment range
of mini excavators, dumpers,
loaders, and tele-handlers will
open the door to a host of new
lucrative business opportunities
for Demolition Technologies,
along with the added value of
operator training, preventative
maintenance training, and on-site
support. He acknowledges
that a big challenge will be to
keep customers focused on
purchasing a premium-brand
product in the current sluggish
and economically unfriendly
market, but says that on a more
positive note, government has
allocated substantial budget to
infrastructure, so this will be an
area of considerable focus as the
company shifts gear into 2019.
6
JANUARY 2019
Wacker Neuson and Demolition Technologies solidify dealer partnership
Wacker Neuson and Demolition Technologies seal the dealership agreement. From left: John Ramshaw,
Wacker Neuson branch manager in Cape Town; Dennis Vietze, Wacker Neuson sub-Saharan Africa managing
director; Brendan Drummond-Hay, Demolition Technologies managing member, and Shelley le Roux, Demolition
Technologies general manager.
Wacker Neuson remains
steadfast in its commitment
to nurturing its vast dealer
network across South Africa
and beyond the borders. “There
is no doubt that we will benefit
greatly from this partnership
with Demolition Technologies,”
says Dennis Vietze, Wacker
Neuson sub-Saharan Africa
managing director. “In addition
to boosting our number of
salespeople who are now able
to attend to a larger customer
base, the increased awareness
of the Wacker Neuson brand
in the marketplace will
further attract new business
opportunities,” adds Vietze, who
also points out that alongside an
increased number of contacts
and locations, Demolition
Technologies customers will be
able to continue dealing with
people with whom they have
already developed a relationship.
After-sales service is a vital
factor in maintaining lasting
relationships with customers,
and Wacker Neuson’s Cape
Town branch, headed up by
John Ramshaw, will provide
Demolition Technologies with
the necessary support, including
product training, to equip the
team to provide efficient after-
sales service. All repairs and
maintenance on Wacker Neuson
equipment will be managed
from the company’s fully
fitted workshop facility under
the auspices of Demolition
Technologies general manager,
Shelley le Roux.
Wacker Neuson is confident
that the shared synergies with
Demolition Technologies will
create a positive and lasting
relationship. “We welcome
Demolition Technologies and
look forward to sharing the
benefits of our new partnership
with customers and end users,”
says Vietze.
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