Iconic brand supports South Africa
during Covid-19
By
Rory Macnamara
NEWS
7
South Africa’s lockdown was implemented with one critical
goal in mind: to stem the tide of Covid-19 cases so that the
country’s healthcare system could be properly prepared for
the medical attention required for the pandemic.
“By providing plumbing and maintenance staff with the
knowledge necessary to identify spares quickly and to adjust
settings correctly, we ensured that they were less reliant on
outside contractors when time was of the essence.”
Before the onset of Covid-19, South Africa did not have the
medical infrastructure or equipment to manage a pandemic
of this magnitude, and the lockdown was an attempt at
ensuring all health facilities were ready.
During this period, iconic South African brand Cobra rallied
to respond to the calls issued by various government
departments. “We were proud to provide our turnkey solutions
wherever they were required, as well as our technical
installation and service expertise,” says Werner Beukes, chief
marketing and sales officer at LIXIL Africa. “Our team rose to
the challenge and offered their skills and products in helping
South Africa prepare for and deal with the pandemic.”
The Cobra team worked extensively with key plumbing and
maintenance teams to ensure they were trained to handle
any situation that could arise, including installing and
maintaining the medical hygiene products used in hospitals.
“These products are critical in ensuring that hospital
environments are kept clean and safe,” adds Beukes.
Cobra Assist service teams also heeded the call when it
came to the installation of their products. Working on the
frontline at various clinics and hospitals, the teams helped
contractors to guarantee that products were correctly
installed and maintained. “This has ensured that our medical
facilities can continue to work optimally in caring for those
infected with and affected by Covid-19,” says Werner.
Plumbing Africa spoke to Victor Gericke, National Product
Support Manager at LIXIL Africa about their involvement.
“We supplied both sanware and Cobra and Grohe brassware
in each room unit with a ceramic basin and toilet, infrared
mixer and equipped the scrub up areas with the necessary
elbow mixers. What was good to see were the smaller
plumbers employed, as contract plumbers were in lockdown,
and the willingness to learn.”When asked how LIXIL Africa
got involved, Gericke says, “Through our specifications
department and our ongoing work with various government
departments. We were also involved with public, private and
field hospitals all around the country.” PA
“These
products
are critical
in ensuring
that hospital
environments
are kept clean
and safe.”
October 2020 Volume 26 I Number 08
www.plumbingafrica.co.za