Local kiln manufacturer Van Tuyl Kilns has amassed total deliveries of more than 600 kilns to its Australian distributor FiredUp Kilns, says Van Tuyl Kilns director Richard McCullough.

“We continue to supply kilns into Australia on a consistent basis and in the last 20 months, we have become recognised as a significate play in that market,” he enthuses.

He adds that the main advantage of the company exporting to Australia is its being able to build a reputable, reliable product that is competitively priced and durable.

Additionally, all Van Tuyl Kilns are manufactured in South Africa using international standard materials as well as others sourced locally where possible.

McCullough points out that, although international kilns with variable features or better aesthetic appeal are available in markets they supply into, the company’s kilns are the kiln of choice both locally and internationally, owing to their quality and competitive pricing.

The kilns supplied locally and to Australia range in size and are top- and front-loading, suitable for use in various industries – from ceramic manufacture to aeronautical applications.

“Like any business relationship, it is about trust and working together,” he says, adding that Van Tuyl Kilns and FiredUp Kilns regard service, backup and fit-for-purpose products as key deliverables to clients.

Both companies ascertained that Van Tuyl Kilns manufacture and deliver kilns to the Australian market quicker than the local suppliers, making them more competitive.

It takes on average of about eight weeks to manufacture an order, depending on quantity and combination of kilns for every order.

Subsequently, a further three to four weeks is required to ship from South Africa to Melbourne – through Port Louis, in Mauritius – which equates to a total turnaround time of about three months.

FiredUp Kilns boasts a distributorship from Sydney to Darwin and up the eastern coast of Australia, some of which travel up to 3 000 km across the continent.

Notably, some kiln manufacturers in Australia have a waiting list of between nine and 12 months.

McCullough explains that Van Tuyl Kilns’ in-house design makes them robust and easy to transport, once crated and wrapped in accordance with Australia’s stringent customs regulations.

Growing on Up

McCullough says although still in its infancy, Van Tuyl Kilns is in talks with Netherlands-based partmer Whizco to set up a European distribution base.

“We are confident that the same attention to service, and our competitive pricing and notable track record, will help us develop our European footprint.”

While gearing up for increased manufacturing volumes is always a challenge, owing to the kiln manufacturing process requiring experience and specific expertise, the company is up to the task.

“Unfortunately, in South Africa, there is a relatively small market for training, and upskilling of staff will be done in-house,” he adds.

Additionally, new manufacturing equipment will need to be procured and installed.

McCullough enthuses that Van Tuyl Kilns has benefited from the increase in demand from international markets, which, in turn, has enabled the company to improve its products and facilities, including installing alternative power supply to mitigate power-supply challenges and ensure that production is not negatively affected.