generally, is not adequate or up to the standard to fulfil the task for which it was bought,” he adds.
Schwaecke emphasises that the companies he is referring to are not insignificant players, but“ big, big companies, big mining companies” that are widely known and respected as major players in the sector.“ Maybe even the biggest ones in South Africa,” he adds enigmatically. According to Schwaecke, it’ s not only a case of buying a cheaper product, but also a case of buying the wrong product for the required application, thereby significantly increasing the replacement cycle of the part.
The problem is further compounded by the person directing the purchase of the equipment, who is often not an expert themselves, lacking technical know-how and relying on the [ supposed ] knowledge and experience of the person selling the
product, who is not an OEM( original equipment manufacturer).
He reiterates,“ My job is to sell pumps; I am not talking about anything else,” and continues:“ What is happening is that the [ incorrectly selected ] pumps are mostly installed without the end user understanding volume and pressure,” he stresses. He explains that this means that the pump is manufactured to work within a certain specification“ and if it runs out of its curve, either the pump cavitates [ creating water hammering ] or it doesn’ t move enough water and the motor overheats through lack of cooling”. In both cases, the product will fail. Schwaecke states that he has first-hand exposure to this.
Schwaecke reiterates his initial observation:“ The engineers are book engineers( theoretical), they have little to no practical knowledge about pumps and electric motors. Also, the engineers don’ t take advice from us, as we are not seen as‘ qualified’ to advise an‘ engineer’, as we know nothing,” he adds, with growing irritation.“ Despite our 43 years of experience. It’ s arrogance,” he fumes. What they are not considering, he points out, is the knock-on effect of their poor decisions, namely the downtime while the pump is replaced, the labour involved in re-installing the new pump,“ and the actual unnecessary waste of time, generally”.
Schwaecke believes that another problem is“ name branding” and comments,“ We have big European companies represented in South Africa that, while they have a reasonably good product, get the job because of their name, and smother any opposition.” These big companies have the disadvantage of long lead times for their supply on spares,“ which stifles productivity while you wait”, he comments.
He adds interestingly:“ My philosophy is: The most economical pump is the one that lasts the longest. It’ s dependent on operating cost and lifespan. If it lasts 20 years, that’ s a good, economical pump, no matter what you paid for it,” Schwaecke concludes with a knowing grin.
Ernest Electro Engineering only supplies quality pumps and electric motors from certified European OEMs for which it is the sole agent in southern Africa. u
“ They bribe the big boys and, while they are the biggest pump company in the world, they don’ t even manufacture pumps!”
Gert Schwaecke is the owner of Ernest Electro Engineering, a South African pump supplier.
Kim Kemp
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Water Sewage & Effluent July / August 2018 27