Heavy-duty engineering, sheet-metal fabricator and manufacturer Efficient Engineering has imported a 1 250-t pressbrake from the US, valued at about R10-million, for its newly expanded premises.

Efficient Engineering MD Tony Cimato says, "This pressbrake will be the largest one available in South Africa when it lands at the docks in October. The machine will improve the company's margins as well as provide an extra service to its clients. The press brake will also streamline operations on the factory floor for the company."

Previously, a sheet of metal had to be split for pressing. With the new pressbrake the company will now be able to handle lengths of up to 12 m.

The pressbrake is a 10-m long, 160-t machine.

Hurricane Ike in the US delayed the shipping of the pressbrake, which was scheduled to arrive in September. "This has turned out to be a blessing with the press brake arriving in South Africa at the end of October. This will give the new factory floor an opportunity to cure, before the 160-t machine can be dropped onto it. With the initial schedule, the press brake would have had to be stored until the factory floor was ready for the installation. Now, as soon as the machine arrives, it will immediately be assembled onto the factory floor and available for use."

Cimato comments that there are few particularly large fabrication shops on the South African market. He says, "Given the skills drain there is a shortage of skilled artisans available to do the kind of work required by the company. Efficient Engineering invested in the machinery to provide a niche offering that is offered by very few companies in the country. With the current mining boom, there is no real competition for work, and projects are being negotiated with potential customers, rather than going through a tendering process."

The new 4 100-m2 factory facility, which is next to the current premises, was to be completed and fully operational by the beginning of this month.

Increased Crane Height

In the new facility, there are two new 50-t cranes that have been installed on the same gantry, which are capable of lifting weights of up to 100 t. The crane has been modified to allow for a 14-m height under the hook, where the company is now able to assemble stacker reclaimers and booms. Trial assembly is now possible on the premises, without going onsite, where it is much more difficult to work around.

Current Projects

The company is currently sourcing material for the building of two 50-t truck bodies for mining and construction equipment manufacturer Komatsu's 930E. The truck bodies are valued at about R2,6-million each. The truck bodies will have to be delivered before the company closes in early December.

The company is also busy building two ladle cars for steel giant Mittal Steel South Africa. These are the cars which transfer the ladle filled with the molten ore to the furnaces. The project is valued at about R7,2-million. The project will be completed by the end of March 2009.

Machine Shop Facilities

The 1 200-m2 existing machine shop services the company's fabrication capacities, adding value to the fabrications. Outside work is taken on at the machine shop, because the company is predominantly a fabrication facility.

The machine shop houses two computerized numerical control vertical boring machines that can accommodate up to 15 t, two milling and boring machines, one milling machine, an additional milling machine, one floor boring machine, two lathes and two horizontal boring mills.

Expanded Offerings

Cimato further notes that the new expansions and investments enable Efficient Engineering to offer a one-stop facility that caters for the full needs of its potential customers. He says that the company is looking to attract clients with its modern facilities and equipment, and its central-location in Gauteng near the design houses, is a logistical plus for the company.

Further, the company has just started construction work on a new 2 200 m2-factory floor close to the main premises of the company. These premises will house the factory that manufactures wheel-loader buckets, and which is currently operating out of rented space in Edenvale. The expected completion date is early 2009.

On completion of the additions currently in progress, the company will own a total of 14 000-m2 floor space.

To watch a video of the interview with Efficient Engineering MD Tony Cimato please go to www.engineeringnews.co.za and click on "Video Clips"

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