FEATURE 15
Perseverance and development
By
Richard Wiederhold , edited by Rory Macnamara
Local manufacture is essential for a whole bunch of reasons .
Richard Weiderhold .
Plumbing Africa will be featuring a local manufacturer in each issue going forward . This series is not at the expense of Importers that comply to the compulsory standards .
This issue we feature Advanced Valves in the words of the founder , Richard Wiederhold .
1 . Briefly describe your business track record leading up to current company . I studied Architecture at Wits Technikon and during that time became interested in plumbing . While I was studying , I started a small company doing maintenance plumbing in the afternoons for pocket money .
28 years ago , I started Valveco H20 , a brass geyser valve reconditioning business in Johannesburg . These units are still sold and branded as K-400 , M-400 & Fast-400 .
Through the knowledge and experience gained in manufacturing , I discovered that technical polymers are as good as brass but cost way less , and that engineering plastics represent the way forward . The development of the Advanced Valve became a logical progression in product offering to the market .
The new generation HYPAflo 400 and 600 Pressure Control Valve is patented and the PCV body is moulded in metal replacement WRAS approved Nylon PA 66 polymer . Each unit is tested and calibrated to ensure individual quality control with a two-year guarantee . There is no better value for money pressure control geyser valve on the market . Our product range is designed to withstand 10 000 kPa water pressure & 180 degrees Celsius temperature .
Advanced Valves is now the largest hot water ancillary product manufacturing business in South Africa , and a “ Proudly South African ” member . With 77 employees assembling over 2 million components a month , to produce 63 000 completed products for the South African market , we are growing by more than 20 % year on year , which is remarkable .
Advanced Valves continues to make giant advances in producing the most affordable , highest quality products available in South Africa .
Milestones 1994 Valve maintenance business called Valveco H20 2000 Amanzi Valve SABS approved
2013
AD Valve launch with SABS mark with vacuum Breakers ,
Safety Valves and draincocks 2021 AD-s 400 and 600 redesigned as the HYPAflo 400 and 600
Achievements
• ISO 9001 accredited 2021
• New Products : Advanced Valves has consistently and regularly introduced new products - Thermostatic Mixing Valve , Diverter Valve , Dual Port Drain Cock and Safety Valve
• Thermostatic Probe manufactured in-house
• Injection moulding of our own polymer valves
Design Recently completed is the HYPAflo 400 / 600 which is taking the market by storm with its exceptional flow rate and reliability .
The design team is currently working on a smart valve that will detect leaks automatically – shutting off the water supply to your geyser with an
All photos © Plumbing Africa Rory Macnamara
HYPAflo conveyor production line and calibrating section . Advanced Valves Management team .
September 2022 Volume 28 I Number 7 www . plumbingafrica . co . za