NEWS
9
World’s biggest pipe
conference comes to SA
For the first time, the international Pipes Conference is set to
take place in South Africa. The two-day Pipes XI Conference
will be held on 4 and 5 September 2017 at Emperors Palace
Convention Centre in Kempton Park.
More than 35 of South Africa and the world’s top experts
on issues relating to plastic piping, water infrastructure,
and engineering will be presenting at this year’s Pipes XI
Conference, which is an annual event hosted by the Southern
African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA).
“We are extremely privileged to be hosting our conference
this year in conjunction with the Plastic Pipe Conference
Association (PPCA). It will be a two-day event taking place
on the 4th and 5th of September 2017 at Emperors Palace
Convention Centre, conveniently located close to the OR Tambo
International Airport in Gauteng. In addition to the line-up of
top national and international speakers that we would normally
have at our conferences, this year’s Pipes XI also sees at least
10 of the best papers that were presented at Pipes XVIII in
Berlin last year being delivered to our local audience,” says Jan
Venter, CEO of SAPPMA.
Every two years, the PPCA plays host to the world’s biggest
international pipe conference, which takes place either in Europe
or the US. Venter explains that it is the first time that their
spin-off conference, which is organised every alternate year,
will be coming to South Africa. “The excitement over the event
is tremendous. We have already sold an impressive amount
of tickets and are hoping to have more than 300 delegates
attending both days,” Venter said.
Topics that will be covered at this year’s event are varied,
ranging from raw materials and additives to the life cycle and
material design of plastic pipes. Installations, applications, and
rehabilitations, as well as standards, testing, certification, and
various case studies will also be covered. The opening keynote
address will be delivered by Dr Roelof Botha, a local economist
of the GOPA Group, after which delegates can choose between
presentations in two breakaway sessions.
The 35 speakers hail from different countries, including the US,
Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, Spain, Norway, Austria,
India, Belgium, Austria, and South Africa. The speakers will
give presentations on different topics, including raw materials,
additives, life cycle, pipe material design, case studies,
application, rehabilitation, standards, testing, certification,
installation, associations, and general interest.
“We cannot emphasise enough the importance of this
event, and encourage local engineers, students, specifiers,
and decision-makers on all levels to make the most of this
opportunity to be exposed to this kind of professionalism and
expertise,” added Venter.
For more information about the speakers and the programme of
events or to register, visit www.pipesxiconference.co.za or email
[email protected] / [email protected]. PA
Vaal advert retraction
Following the publicising of the Vaal Sanitaryware
advertisement in Plumbing Africa June 2017, Grohe Dawn
Water Technology (GDWT) issued a full retraction, which has
appeared on www.plumbingafrica.co.za since 8 June 2017.
Incorrect prices appeared on the Vaal Sanitaryware
advertisement that, according to GDWT, was placed “in error in
that the incorrect artwork was sent to the publisher.”
www.plumbingafrica.co.za
GDWT stated further, “The price displayed was an inadvertent
and obvious error; GDWT would not be bound by that price
in terms of the Consumer Protection Act, 2008, provided
that we correct the error and take reasonable steps to inform
consumers of the error and the correct price.”
GDWT concluded, “For this we apologise and undertake to
minimise any harm that may have been caused.” PA
July 2017 Volume 23 I Number 5