IN CONVERSATION
modular concept is that the timeframe is
fixed and determinable. It’s quick to install
and very little can go wrong on-site during
installation and commissioning as the
modules are all factory pre-assembled.
Will an operation need to undertake
civil works to build a modular plant?
(FM) They will require a flat, level,
compacted area depending on the size
of the plant. Large plants require a big
footprint. So yes, there is a little civil
works involved. When there is a primary
crushing stage, they will probably need
to build a retaining wall, which is the
biggest civils requirement.
What is the difference between a
semi-mobile modular plant and
a fixed plant?
(SS) A Pilot Modular plant requires
minimal civils, is quick to install as every
module and component is standard and
previously assembled in our factory and
is ready to run. No on site fabrication or
modification is required.
Another benefit is that the plant can
be moved or re-configured easily. It is
not fixed forever. We say it is relocatable.
Fixed plants are very difficult to upgrade,
add crushing or screening units to, or
move. Usually the costs of relocating or
upgrading a fixed plant exceed the costs
of any benefit gained by trying to upgrade
or move. The infrastructure tends to
be too expensive to move and all that
is relocatable on a fixed plant are the
crushing or screening machines.
How difficult was it to sell the
modular concept, as the mining
industry is known for their resistance
to change?
(SS) The first few were very difficult
to sell particularly as we used Chinese
manufactured crushers, but once the
benefits of fixed pricing, determinable
installation period and the speed of supply
and installation became apparent, and
the addition of Metso components, it has
become a lot easier to sell.
Is the unit you sold to the quarry in King
Williams Town a semi-mobile plant?
(SS) Yes, it is a semi-mobile plant and
can be moved. However, as the customer
www.equipmentandhire.co.za
Pilot Crushtec designs and assembles modular plants in their workshop in
Kempton Park, Gauteng.
owns and operates a fixed commercial
quarry on the site, he intends to keep
the plant fixed and has laid down some
concrete pads. Although the plant is
‘fixed’ the quick supply, quick installation
determinable outcome at a fixed price
helped his decision to opt for a Pilot
Modular plant.
So, there are a lot of benefits
for customers?
(SS) One of the major benefits is that
the client doesn’t have to pay for the
engineering design and the time to
complete this part of a plant, it’s all done,
it’s all standard, the design of our plant is
about more than just the positioning of
our modules. It’s cheaper and quicker. It is
known that we don’t charge the clients to
sit down and do the design, process flows
and layout.
The deal with Metso happened four
years ago, what does the agreement
entail?
(SS) Yes, it happened almost four years
ago. It has been great for us. Last year
we were Metso’s third biggest distributor
worldwide. We are the exclusive southern
African distributors for Metso’s mobile
range of equipment in all industries and
for the mobile and static components in
the aggregate industry. The partnership
continues to grow, and I believe Metso has
is as pleased with our partnership as we are.
The business environment in South
Africa has been difficult. What is your
view and your outlook for the future?
(SS) Business in South Africa has been
completely unpredictable. We have
gone through phases of optimism,
pessimism and complete frustration.
When Ramaphosa became president
early in 2018 there was a significant
uptick, which got us excited, but the
optimism died towards the end of the
year. Last year started off quite well
but slowed up towards the end of the
year. Earlier this year, when the country
reported negative growth, we had the
best quarter in our history, and when
the county’s GDP showed improvement,
orders seemed to slow down. It is very
confusing and unpredictable. Mining has
been performing well and our business
into Africa has been really good. The
African territories have been a lot more
buoyant in 2019 than the domestic
market, which spurred the growth in 2018.
This year, domestic growth in mining has
been driven by the coal industry. There
has, however, been no movement in the
South African construction sector.
The outlook for Pilot Crushtec is
positive. Our interests are spread across
southern Africa and across different
industries. Furthermore, we export to
Australia and Europe, so we remain
positive that despite what happens in the
local market we will continue growing.
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