Plumbing Africa July 2018 | Page 8

6 NEWS No shortcuts to quality pipes The Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA) is taking a no-nonsense, uncompromising stance on the quality of pipes that are manufactured by its members. Photographed at the factory visit, from left: Louise Muller (SAPPMA), Ian Venter (product specialist at Marley Pipe Systems), Ronnie Motebejane (head of manufacturing at Marley Pipe Systems SA), and Jan Venter (CEO of SAPPMA). Marley Pipe Systems was proud to showcase their products at a recent visit to their factory in Rosslyn. Operating in an industry that is facing various challenges, it has become all too easy for pipe producers to want to take shortcuts or compromise on quality by using inferior raw materials and the like. These pipes enter the market and are sold to unsuspecting customers who do not know any better or what to look for. upon to provide vital infrastructure that has to offer a lifespan of 100 years or more. Companies who bear the SAPPMA mark should therefore be clearly differentiated from those companies who do not bear the mark and who do not hesitate to produce inferior quality pipes. However, SAPPMA is refusing to lower its standards — even if it runs the risk of losing members — as it holds firm to its belief that plastic pipes are relied SAPPMA recently arranged a factory visit to Marley Pipe Systems in Rosslyn for members of the media to witness what the process involves in manufacturing pipes. PA July 2018 Volume 24 I Number 5 www.plumbingafrica.co.za