South African producer and supplier of corrosion protection rubber sheeting Rema Tip Top South Africa has set out to correct the poor image of rubber corrosion protection applicators in the industry, owing to, what the company believes, was poor service practice in the past.

The company is starting a drive to train and empower its applicator partners, which previously worked for Specialised Rubber Products (SRP), a local company operating in the same field, says Rema Tip Top South Africa project manager of corrosion and wear protection Anthony Knott. SRP, formerly part of the Dunlop Group, was acquired by Rema Tip Top South Africa last year.

Rema Tip Top South Africa GM Dries van Coller says that, in the past, the industry would supply incorrectly specified material, however, Rema Tip Top's diverse compound range supports its applicators. He says that the company's range of products in all four of its divisions is not suitable for ‘box-dropping'. It has to ensure that those buying, acquiring and using the material are fully qualified to work with Rema Tip Top products.

Knott says that the company aims to increase the applicators' knowledge of the products, and of the correct and professional operating procedures, by training them according to the company's corrosion protection guidelines, and increasing their exposure and involvement in project execution. In this way, it hopes to ensure that they are properly equipped to execute projects. Rema Tip Top South Africa will oversee their work, from the feasibility stage of projects to the commissioning stages.

Applicator partners work according to Rema Tip Top South Africa's safety and preparation procedures to complete contracts and the company handles the safety, training and operational procedures behind the scenes, ensuring that mines, and other clients, enhance the value created, says Van Coller.

Despite the poor legacy of the past, he believes that the company is changing this negative perception in its drive to better its applicators. He says that there is greater demand for, and interest in, the products with more mining houses coming on board and identifying short-term benefits.

New Developments
The business model that the company has in place to deal with its applicators has contributed to the awarding of a contract to supply corrosion protection material to a large South African gold-mining company, says Van Coller.

In other new developments, Knott reveals that Rema Tip Top South Africa (in collaboration with its German parent office) is developing a butyl-based product for corrosion protection. The product is effective overseas, but the company is trying to develop it as a truly South African product, more applicable to the local market, says Knott. The company is set to release the product this year, as it has already lined up potential chemicals and power-generation clients in South Africa and its neighbouring countries.

Meanwhile, the company's involvement in global projects is increasing its exposure and allowing it to facilitate projects in new territory, such as in Madagascar. An order to supply rubber lining to Madagascan vessels on site at the port of Durban, was won by its sister company in Europe, but Rema Tip Top South Africa fulfilled the contract.

Knott says that the South African office has a large project in Madagascar, to supply 35 000 m2 of rubber lining for vessels, and this could run from the next two years. The company is also involved in training local Madagascan workers for the project. Knott says that the company sees this as a challenge, given the low skills base in Madagascar.

Rema Tip Top South Africa is in the process of negotiating a total cost-of-ownership model to establish an office in Madagascar, to facilitate the project. While there are currently representatives on site from the company's offices in Germany, the UK and Australia, after the commission phase, it will become a Rema Tip Top South Africa office. At this stage, the office will only offer corrosion protection.

Rema Tip Top South Africa will be expanding its footprint into Africa, as it is solely responsible for the African market within the Rema Tip Tip Group. "Africa is alive for the company at this point, with clients from a wide spectrum of industries. The turnaround time for the continent has been cut down by not facilitating African customers through Europe," says Van Coller, adding that it has appointed permanent staff in West Africa, from the local office.

Skills Training
In other news, Mining Weekly previously reported that the newly formed Rema Tip Top Training Foundation will deliver accredited and unit standard-aligned training to employees, customers and applicator partners in neighbouring countries. Once the first accredited programme is implemented, the training will include the company's current programmes, such as the cold and hot splicing of multiple conveyor belts, the splicing of steel cord conveyor belts, temporary and permanent repairs to conveyor belts, pulley lagging and rubber lining, among others.

The company is also involved with the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of South Africa in including young graduates in its on-site learnership programmes.

Further, it facilitates exchange programmes with workers from other African countries, joining local workshops and training programmes. Van Coller says that the company is making good headway in this regard, particularly in countries in West Africa.

Whereas Rema Tip Top South Africa was always known as a conveyor company, during the past two years, it has focused much of its effort and marketing strategy into driving its corrosion capabilities and products. It has the backing of Rema Tip Top in Munich, Germany, and a full list of references of companies currently facilitated in South Africa, he concludes.

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