Plumbing Africa April 2019 | Page 31

EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS 29 Valsir symposium and product launch for ISH  2019 Held at the Johannesburg Country Club in Woodmead on 21 February 2019, representatives from Valsir presented the company’s various products. By Benjamin Brits Tommaso Gruppi, export sales director for Valsir SpA, kicked off the proceedings with an overview of Valsir’s holding company on an international scale, a brief history of the company, as well as the Group’s other represented brands. Valsir represents approximately 31% of the Group and is therefore a significant contributor to the Group’s turnover. Gruppi also touched on the Valsir manufacturing facility where the pipes and various fittings are produced under strict controls and processes, as well as on Valsir Solutions, which is bringing productivity to the job sites, design efficiency, and service levels through availability of stock. 1 Speaking to industry players, plumbers, engineers, consultants, and merchants, the local South African team and members from Italy addressed the attendees. This was the last of three symposiums from around South Africa with the preceding symposiums being held in Cape Town and Durban. 2 Nino Agostinelli, CEO for Valsir-Uneeq SA, spoke on some of the flagship projects done in South Africa, some of the challenges experienced, and unique designs that were achieved on these projects, such as the siphonic rainwater system installed in the Sasol Building in Sandton. Dorianne Isaacman, head of marketing and retail sales for Valsir- Uneeq SA, presented the Valsir concealed cistern named the Tropea-S. The cistern has been designed with the same concept on the piping products through low-noise technology. A unique feature is that the cistern base is tapered, which allows the water to flow better into the waste pipe, avoiding debris build-up. Another feature of the cistern is the stop valve, which is preassembled as well as made of DZR brass — Valsir manufactures this specifically to ensure compliance in South Africa. The cistern also does not have a flexi-hose, which is usually one of the problematic components of a cistern. Alessandro Giovannini, technical director for Valsir SpA, spoke to attendees on the Valsir siphonic rainwater system — Rainplus — with technical comparisons to other products that are available on the market. These include the volume of water that the system can handle per second, which far exceeds others’ capabilities; the amount of piping required for such installations, as only a single line is required to be installed; and that there is no requirement to install the system with a gradient or slope for the water to flow, as the system is designed to work correctly when installed flat. www.plumbingafrica.co.za 3 1. 2. 3. On display at the symposium in Johannesburg, the HDPE and Triplus range. After the symposium, attendees enjoyed networking and snacks with the Valsir team. From left: Nino Agostinelli (South Africa), Tommaso Gruppi (Italy), and Alessandro Giovannini (Italy). Continued on page 31 >> April 2019 Volume 25 I Number 2