www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I June 2024 21
Business
LOCAL MANUFACTURER DEMAN INNOVATES IN HVAC
AND CONTROLS SECTOR
By Eamonn Ryan
In the heart of Pretoria ' s industrial landscape lies Deman , a dynamic 40-yearold company with a dual focus on electronics design and manufacturing .
Founded with a vision to revolutionise the HVAC controls sector , Deman has established itself as a leading player in the market .
The business operates through two distinct entities : the first , specialising in electronics design , particularly catering to the HVAC industry , and the second , a manufacturing operation producing a wide range of electronic products on contract manufacturing . Nico Putter , director of Deman Controls , says innovation and quality are at the core of their operations . Its controllers cater to the HVAC industry , providing solutions for large buildings . These controllers boast reliability and efficiency , earning them a prominent place in the market .
" Our main industry at the moment is the HVAC industry . We design , develop and manufacture electronic products primarily for large buildings in areas like Sandton ." It wasn ’ t always like that – after Covid lockdown the HVAC component of their business dwindled to almost nothing . Navigating global supply chain disruptions post-Covid , Deman faced hurdles in sourcing critical components .
Reflecting on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic , Putter says Deman ' s operations experienced a significant downturn , with manufacturing activities grinding to a halt . However , as the dust settled and economic activities resumed , Deman witnessed a resurgence in demand , particularly driven by renovation projects .
Despite the recent uptick , there remains a sense of caution regarding the long-term sustainability of the industry ' s growth . With a noticeable absence of new building projects , concerns linger about the industry ' s capacity to maintain its current momentum .
But Deman ' s reach extends beyond HVAC solutions . The company ' s manufacturing arm handles a diverse portfolio , serving clients with varied electronic product needs . " We manufacture PC boards for anyone who requires electronic products . From design to manufacturing , testing , and shipping , everything happens in-house , we do
All images by © RACA Journal everything locally , from designing the plastic components to manufacturing them . While many opt for cheap overseas options , we find that keeping production local offers significant cost savings over those products as well as quality control . " On the design side , we work closely with clients to understand their needs and develop customised solutions . For manufacturing , clients provide design files and material specifications , and we handle the rest ," says Putter . Innovation is a key driver of Deman ' s success . It is constantly upgrading its products to incorporate the latest technology . For example , its next generation of controllers will feature Bluetooth connectivity , allowing users to control them remotely via smartphone apps .
This innovation not only enhances user experience but also addresses practical challenges in building construction .
The PC boards being assembled .
One of the production lines in the Deman factory in Pretoria .
www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I June 2024 21