Plumbing Africa August 2017 | Page 53

FEATURES 51 Africa are clamping down and becoming quite strict when it comes to the disposal of oils and greases into the country’s waste water systems. This creates more business for local manufacturers, as clients are faced with fines if they do not comply,” he explains. While the external diameter of pipework can vary between manufacturers and may not be interchangeable, various clamps and couplings are used to avoid problems. Pipe can also be rolled to the correct sized outside diameter. As with most local products, the challenge lies in manufacturing a quality product with all applicable accreditations for a competitive price against the imports. “Dutton Plastics strives to supply high-quality products with the added benefit of the universal design, giving our customers the advantage of stocking fewer products with more function,” says regional sales manager, Charlene Joubert. The resources and raw material available to the African market, although superior to imported products, come at a higher cost, she says. “If supplied through a credible manufacturer, customer support, after-sales service, and product training offer huge advantages to not only the merchant and plumber, but also to the end user. “We are being challenged by cheap imports. Our products are being copied and some of these are plagued with quality issues,” she says. “As a local manufacturer, we guarantee our products with the right backup and service. And we are ISO-certified.” Joubert says local waste water trap manufacturing companies are making further investments in terms of capital expenditure as well as upgrading existing systems and machinery to offer world-class quality products. “The benefit a number of international markets had over the local manufacturers for a number of years was their output volumes. That is changing with the arrival of new machinery, multicavity moulds, and South African production expertise, which is increasing annually,” she concludes. PA “The future of local waste water trap manufacturing looks positive.” August 2017 Volume 23 I Number 6