NEWS
13
SUPAHOT – A new brand of local
geysers
In a milestone for South Africa’s localisation
programme, a 100%-local company, SUPAHOT Geysers,
is in the process of establishing a manufacturing line
for its own range of hot water geysers in Germiston,
Johannesburg, says owner and managing director
Mohammed Shaaz Moosa.
“We have our LOA (Letter of Authority) from NRCS (National
Regulator for Compulsory Specifications), because the
product has to comply with new legislation of energy
efficiency, and the fact that the product is a hazard if not
manufactured correctly, it must comply strictly with the
relevant SANS standard. The LOA indicates we have passed
the stringent testing required.
“Our product is characteristically different from existing
manufacturers and competitors – we’re going back to the
basics of geyser design. For instance, we’re not cutting
costs: the minimum specification for an anode in a geyser is
19mm, ours is larger which adds considerably to the lifespan
of a geyser. We’ve also kept a galvanised end cap whereas
the market, for cost savings purposes, has moved to plastic.
Our end-caps are much more expensive than plastic, but the
benefits are that metal retains heat better than plastic and
consequently is more energy efficient. It is also more robust,”
says Moosa.
He also says: “Due to the better quality and components,
the cost will consequently be more expensive by a margin of
perhaps 15% but our pricing will be market related. Quality
and localisation are SUPAHOT’s strategy for breaking into an
already monopolistic market and will require a campaign to
create awareness of its quality characteristics among end
users – particularly among plumbers. Moosa says he would
ultimately like consumers to be as aware of the features of
their geyser as they are today of their television sets, fridges
and other appliances in their homes – as the geyser is also
an appliance.
April 2020 Volume 26 I Number 02
“A geyser is an electrical item, and I want to make the end
user – be it the plumber or the homeowner – more aware of
the different products available, as well as their differences.
They shouldn’t buy a geyser brand just because they have to –
they must make an informed decision.”
Describing how the geyser is made according to ‘world
class methods’, Moosa says each of the components of
manufacture has received close scrutiny. “An important aspect
of a geyser is the welding, and our welding will be performed
by the best robotic welding machines in the world, used by car
manufactures, the likes of Toyota, Porsche and BMW.
“The enamelling process is the next most important aspect
of manufacturing. We also have a world-class dry powder
coating process by an electrostatic system, and the geyser’s
boiler is then baked at 840°C to cure and bake the enamel.
For the foam between the boiler and the outer case we also
use a new technology than is currently used in the market,
and this further assists in retaining the heat, which in turn
regulates how often the thermal element kicks in. This can
make us in aggregate about 7% more energy efficient than our
competitors – bearing in mind all geysers have to comply with
new regulations requiring they are B rated (as opposed to the
old less energy-efficient D rating).”
“An important
aspect of a
geyser is the
welding, and
our welding
will be
performed
by the best
robotic
welding
machines in
the world."
When the SUPAHOT facility attains full production, it will have
the capacity to produce about 20 000 units a month, and the
plan is for these to be distributed through the retail market,
both independents and nationals, says Moosa. “Geysers are
a highly monopolised market in South Africa, and we want
people to know that we’re going to break into it. The major
players have monopolised the market, dictating pricing, as
well as how, when and where you buy their product. Our
components are universal and can be bought anywhere.”
Moosa says a plumber can install any element he chooses. He
says the companies BBBEE level 1 rating is helpful and looks
forward to servicing the plumber, home-owner and retailer. PA
www.plumbingafrica.co.za