iTek Drives, the Germiston-based variable frequency drives distributor, is to open a training centre for transferring and improving knowledge of Optidrive product installation, programming and repair.

The training centre will open in May of this year.

Variable frequency drives (VFDs), also known as an inverters, are electronic controllers that change electric motor speeds by adjusting the frequencies and voltages of current supplied.

They are most commonly fitted to fans, pumps and compressors, but are also found in lifting equipment and other applications where fully adjustable speeds during start, stop and machine acceleration are advantageous.

Optidrive products are manufactured in the UK by Invertek Drives. In South Africa, iTek Drives has built upon the brand’s solid reputation for quality by supporting it with pricing up to 25 percent lower than competitors.

The result has been significant local competitive advantage.

Besides increased sales, iTek’s training centre is needed for an expanding geographic footprint. The company recently announced an export order for 20 drives for mining machinery in Zimbabwe.

Sales director Ryan Bisnath says that, besides the training centre, the company has plans to establish a separate service centre for product maintenance, repair and refurbishment, removing this responsibility from Invertek in the UK.

“We will focus on the service centre as a secondary objective after our expanded training programmes are running,” Bisnath said.

“Local enquiry flows are strong, so the aim now is to become a distribution hub for the Optidrive range across sub-Saharan Africa. We have begun exploratory negotiations with potential agencies in Zambia and Namibia to expand our network beyond the ten we have here in South Africa.”

In addition to the 20 VFDs for Zimbabwe, there have been significant orders within South Africa’s borders: 20 drives for lifting equipment, and another for 17 VFDs for a local steel mill.

These orders include eight large units of 55kW, 70kW and 75kW.

Bisnath noted that iTek Drives has seen a significant increase in the number of enquiries from potential customers not yet on the company books.

“We did suffer from the impact of global supply shortages, but these difficulties are behind us now. We are looking forward to becoming central and southern Africa’s one-stop automation solution company for drives, motors, gears and control panels,” he said.