Industry Forum adds Value to Pumps, Valves and Pipes Expo

With visitors expected from all over the region, the South African pump and valve manufacturers and assemblers and pipe suppliers are expected to use the event as an export platform to the rest of Africa.

"South Africa has a strong pump manufacturing base of about 60 major players who produce more than 70% of their product in South Africa. Also, there's a further 400 companies that assemble from imported components and service the repairs and spares market," says John Thomson, managing director of Exhibition Management Services (EMS), the event's organisers.

Although the local valve industry is much smaller, representing about 20% of SA valve spend, the South African Valves and Actuators Manufacturers Association (SAVAMA) aims to increase the number of locally manufactured valves sold in SA to 50% within the next five years.

"Obviously this expo will be the springboard for many companies. South African products are well suited to conditions in the rest of Africa and can compete favourably with any imported product," adds Thomson.

The event, which is endorsed by nine professional, industry and governmental organisations and associations, includes a two day forum comprising an extensive programme of presentations designed to meet the needs of buyers, vendors and manufacturers alike.

"The forum is attracting some leading industry spokespeople and we expect to draw a large number of local and international delegates from a wide range of industries. The main focus of the forum will be on general and industry-specific trends and technologies.

"However, one aspect of the event is being designed to help the South African pumps, pipes and valves industries leverage regional infrastructure development and projects not only with their products but also technical expertise."

The forum will look at new and emerging markets, and, in the general session, feature subjects such as export requirements, how South African contractors can benefit from the policies of the African Caribbean Pacific regional group to gain access to European markets and credit and export finance and funding.

Sector specific sessions at the forum, which is to be held on June 3 and 4 at the Kyalami Exhibition Centre, Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, will focus more closely on new trends, technologies and procurement requirements in Mining, Water and Petrochemicals.

Representatives from major organisations will discuss their requirements and problems.

Other relevant industry issues such as training, cost efficiency, appropriate technology, maintenance and technical assistance and local versus imported will also be addressed.

While SA's PVP industry looks northwards, the exhibition, to be held June 3- 5 at the same venue, has attracted numerous overseas vendors, many of whom are looking for local distributors as well as those wanting to expand their existing markets.

Krishna Engineering Industries, which manufactures rotary steam valves and accessories used in the Paper, Corrugated Box, Chemical, Rubber and Plastic industries in India, is looking for a suitable agent in South Africa.

Another Indian company looking for local representation is the Lubi Group, which manufacturers a range of pumps from monoblock, submersibles and domestic pumps to dewatering and end suction systems, suitable for domestic, agricultural and industrial applications.

"We have a manufacturing capacity of 500 000 pumps a year and are ISO 9001:2000 certified. We currently export to the UK, US, France, North Africa and the Middle East. Now we're launching in South Africa and are looking for a national agent," says Rajan Porecha, Lubi Submersibles.

In addition to a number of Italian pump and valve manufacturers participating at the event, the exhibition is also supported by the Italian-South African Chamber of Trade and Industries, which was formed to promote, develop and encourage trade and commercial activities between South Africa and Italy, and to promote the business interests of its members.

PVP 2003 also includes a number of South African-based manufacturers looking to expand their markets northwards and into niche markets overseas.

Thermal Valve Manufacturers, a Black Empowered valve manufacturer, will be exhibiting a selection of its locally manufactured valves for the mining, power generation, petrochemical, pulp and paper and iron and steel markets.

A local manufacturer and exhibitor who already exports extensively is Andrag Agrico, which, in addition to importing and distributing a range of pumps and valves for municipal and water treatment plants, manufactures lightweight galvanized steel pipe, PVC and LDPE pipes at its Cape Town and Nigel plants. It also manufactures mobile pump units for dewatering in open cast mining.

Sulzer will be highlighting its engineered and standard centrifugal pumps which leverage the company's ability to design, manufacture and install complete turnkey projects. Initial feasibility studies to commissioned installations are supported by in-house, tailored control instrumentation. Application ranges span water transport, general industry, mining, hydrocarbon processing and power generation.

Fluid Pumps, which has been servicing the waste water sector for 13 years, has changed from being an importer to local manufacturer and exporter of submersible sewage pumps under its patented VX design.

Several major South African manufacturers within the South African Valve Association have joined forces for the exhibition to promote their products to local and international markets. Products offered in sizes up to 3000mm and pressures up to 250 bar.

US manufacturer, Wilden, will be represented by Letaba Industrial Pumps, the sole importer and leading supplier of Wilden air operated double diaphragm pumps in Southern Africa to the chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food manufacturing and mining.

Vintec, the engineering supply and service company that provides systems, equipment and services to hygienic process industries, will be available to discuss its experience in dairy, juice, beverage and food industries, including the supply of filtration plate heat exchangers and evaporators. Of specific interest are their proven range of pumps including centrifugal, liquid ring, lobe, impeller, multistage and mono, blenders and a full range of valves and fittings for hygienic applications.

Among the 80 exhibitors at PVP 2003 are a number of companies representing pump, valve and pipe manufacturers from the US, UK, Germany, Sweden, France, Italy and India.

PVP 2003 is endorsed by: the South African Bureau of Standards. The Association of Steel Tube & Pipe Manufacturers of South Africa, South African Pump Manufacturers Association, Valve Manufacturers of South Africa, South African Institution of Chemical Engineers, the South African Association of Consulting Engineers, the Institution of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa, Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of South Africa and the South African Capital Equipment Export Council.

The third International Pumps, Valves and Pipes Africa 2003 (PVP 2003) exhibition is to be held at the Kyalami Exhibition Centre, Midrand, Gauteng from June 3 to June 5, 2003. The PVP 2003 forum is to be held on June 3 to June 4.

Exhibition Management Services (Pty) LTD, PO Box 650302, Benmore, 2010, South Africa.For further information please contact:Serean Thomson, exhibition manager: director@exhibitionsafrica.com

For further information on the forum, please contact Sharon Stocks: sharonstocks@mweb.co.za