LOCAL MANUFACTURER 33
Currently we have evolved to sourcing a combination of local and imported products for installation at our South African project sites . With much enthusiasm and belief in the future growth potential of this sector we are now back to local manufacturing ! Our specific focus in the local manufacturing arena is hot water storage vessels or heat accumulators .
RM : What is it that attracted the founders / owners to this type of business ? SR : Empty storage vessels or accumulators are often very big and bulky to move around , and transport and the costs associated to import ‘ air ’ would price the products out the market . We found that taking control of the process from beginning to end , design – manufacture – install – maintain , means we can tailor make solutions to suit every client and ensure they get the best performance from their system .
RM : What was the need to manufacture your own tanks ? SR : The cost of importing and unreliable local manufacturers forced us to find a way to manufacture our own solution , our own heat accumulators . We control all the processes from design , material selection , manufacture , quality control , testing , installation and aftersales service . Through this we can guarantee a superior customer experience .
RM : What fundamentally is the advantage of local manufacture to the company , the country , and the economy ?
SR : We employ 5 extra staff , 90 % of the materials we use are procured from local manufacturers , all hardware used is sourced from independent local suppliers . RM : Does the Government provide support to local manufacturers in the way of incentives and if so , what form ? SR : None that we are aware of or have ever been offered ?
RM : If not , what should they be doing to encourage local manufacture ? SR : Government needs to support local small business at every level in the supply chain with the quickest impact to be felt from cutting much ‘ red tape ’ for small business owners .
RM : Are your staff in the factory trained in specific tasks or can they multi-task ? SR : They all have specific skills ; fibreglass applicators , plumbers , welders and general labourers . RM : If there are speciality skills required , do you encourage upskilling / training ? SR : Our applicators are training junior staff on the skills and techniques used during the manufacturing process . PA
“… means we can tailor make solutions to suit every client …”
All images by Solar Heat Exchangers
2 X 2500 solar and heat pump installation .
March 2023 Volume 29 I Number 1 www . plumbingafrica . co . za