Company Announcement - Leading security, fire, anti-radiation and transformer door producer, Bitcon Industries, has completed a modernisation programme at its production plant in Jansen Road, Boksburg. Included in the factory upgrade is the installation of two new high-tech CNC machines: a Safan B Shear guillotine from the Netherlands, locally supplied to Bitcon by CML Machine Tools; and an Amada RG Series press brake from Japan, supplied by Amada South Africa. Bitcon director, Bob Vollmer, says the machines are operated through programmable parameters via touchscreen and have substantially assisted the operators in improving overall quality by eliminating human error, increasing production through minimal tool changes and adjustments, as well as operating at higher speeds with lower power consumption Vollmer says the demand for the company’s products from both southern as well as sub-Saharan and northern Africa necessitated the acquisition and installation of new equipment to streamline production. In addition to supplying the local market, Bitcon has recently supplied security or fire doors to African countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Namibia, Ghana, Nigeria, Botswana and Mozambique, to name just a few.

He says the soaring demand for Bitcon security and fire doors, in particular, would probably require a factory expansion during the next 18 months. The plant currently houses metalwork equipment for fabrication (punching and bending), welding facilities, painting facilities, a specialised batching plant for the preparation of the proprietary Rubidor fire door cores, a lamination line and assembly section. Design and drawing facilities are located within the offices and provide the relevant technical assistance. Vollmer says competitive pricing and product quality have been instrumental in expanding the African market for Bitcon. “With Bitcon’s pricing having the edge on competitors in Europe, the number of Northern African countries where our fire and security doors have been installed is growing at an unprecedented rate, while southern African and local demand remains steady as well,” Vollmer stated. Bitcon produces its Rubidor fire doors; Anti-Bandit, Polar and Hippo security doors; transformer and lead-lined doors from a 2 000sq m factory in Jet Park, Boksburg.

Bitcon’s Rubidor Class A, B & D hinged fire doors meet the requirements of SANS 1253:2003. The doors’ cores are constructed from a magnesium-oxychloride monolithic-reinforced insulating material with exceptional fire resistance and mechanical strength. Compliance with the national standard is based on successful tests for stability, integrity, insulation and impact resistance. The doors are clad with a variety of finishes including Masonite, timber veneers, galvanised sheeting, Formica laminate, and edged with hardwood lipping. Double doors are fitted with rebated stainless steel meeting stiles. The company also produces sliding fire doors in the Class A, B and D categories which fulfill the national test standard. The doors are available in single, bi-parting, or double direction format.

Bitcon Industries Anti-Bandit security doors are manufactured to fulfil the requirements of SABS Test Standard 1658-1996 for “Ballistic resistance of body armour” with regards to weapons and ammunition (small armed attack); while its Polar and Hippo Security Doors meet the requirements of SABS Test Standard 1658-1996 for “Ballistic resistance of body armour” with regards to weapons and ammunition (medium to heavy armed attack). The company also produces lead-lined anti-radiation hinged door and frame assemblies, lead-lined anti-radiation sliding doors and transformer room hinged door and frame assemblies.

The company was established in 1967, initially specialising in the manufacture of door and window frames. It then entered the fire door manufacturing market in 1975, subsequently expanding its product range to include security doors, lead lined doors for areas exposed to radiation, as well as electrical transformer room doors.