Local Manufacturing an option , subject to the size , colour and paint type that is required .
“ Paint selection involves choosing a precise shade , and consideration of various environmental factors . As a result , custom orders take a little longer to process than orders for standard products ( which are typically delivered in as little as four working days , and always within 10 working days – even for the largest orders ),” added Kruger .
DAT is committed to developing their product line-up to continue offering unique solutions . In this way , they are supporting local suppliers and contractors . Product development involves consultation with various industry stakeholders and consultants who may be looking for new designs . The DAT team is always willing to engage with clients and explain product development processes and cost implications ( especially for short production runs on specially purchased dies ).
SUPPORTING INNOVATION IN LOCAL MANUFACTURING The partners in DAT are committed to supporting local businesses and the national economy , through purchasing policies , employment opportunity creation , and empowerment through upskilling .
“ We are always interested in supporting new ideas or product concepts that can ultimately be manufactured locally . As an example , we recently formed a partnership with Ever Breeze , a South African company that has developed an industrial High-Volume Low Speed ( HVLS ) roof or ceiling fan with aerofoils spanning anywhere from 3.9 to 7.4 metres . This innovation will create skilled jobs through local manufacture , and cater to the need of industrial , commercial and agricultural industries for efficient , cost-effective cooling of very large spaces ,” explained Venter .
DAT also sources locally-manufactured filter and flex ducting , giving the company access to a wider range of quality solutions that they can then offer to their own clients .
SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS TO-DATE Despite being a relatively young company , DAT has already notched up export successes with sales to Namibia , Botswana , Zambia , Angola and Congo . Further expansion of their African footprint is planned .
Other notable achievements include supplying their products to a range of local developments , from small buildings to sustainable , large-scale , high-profile and award-winning projects .
CHALLENGES FACING THE INDUSTRY Material supply shortages are familiar to many South African manufacturing firms . In the case of DAT , constraints in aluminium supply have forced them to absorb the costs of bulk-buying and storage of aluminium as a hedge against future shortages . This places a significant planning burden on DAT and obliges them to act as an aluminium stockholder .
“ In the past we could predict what was happening for the next six months ; exactly which projects were to be signed off ; when , where and how everything was scheduled . Today , the picture is very different , and planning has become a much less precise function . Like
DAT ’ s unique expanded-copper tube installed in the grille eliminates rattling .
Profiles being rolled from raw steel coils .
A grille being assembled . The thicker , stronger materials used create a very high-quality product .
Products can be custom colour coded . Here , a particular blue was applied to meet the client ’ s requirements .
www . hvacronline . co . za RACA Journal I February 2021 49