Proving that experience truly does count, mainstream industrial plant and equipment rental company Afritech Equipment Solutions has secured notable contracts in the petrochemicals industry, having only been in operation for less than a year.

Offering what it claims to be the youngest and most technologically advanced Industrial rental fleet in Southern Africa, the company, which started in June last year, has secured supply purchase orders from the main mechanical contractors working on both major and minor shutdowns on various petrochemical refineries across South Africa, says Afritech projects manager Mornay Nortje. 

Afritech successfully supplied capital rental equipment, welding consumables and related accessories to many of the main mechanical contractors involved in the recent shutdowns that were executed in September and October, in both the prominent petrochemical refineries in Secunda and Sasolburg respectively.

The company was also successful in securing a term supply contract at a major petrochemical refinery in Cape Town.
Although most of its work has been in the petrochemicals sector, he highlights that Afritech’s equipment has been specifically researched, developed and manufactured for the various industry sectors in the Southern African market such as pulp and paper mills, power generation, ship building and repairs and mining.

Nortje says the company is taking small steps in sectors where it wants to become a prominent role player in the rental supply scope, with Afritech director Jacco du Toit stating that the company is marketing itself to these sectors through “foot work and word of mouth”.

Reason for Success
The company largely attributes its achievements to its highly-skilled staff, owing to its combined experience of more than 100 years, over which time strong relationships were cultivated with industry members. Also playing a role in the company’s growth story is its emphasis on safety, supply of high-quality equipment, fast turnaround times and commendable back-up service.

“Our clients know they can rely on our staff to support their projects,” states Du Toit.

All the equipment manufactured on Afritech’s behalf is designed to meet its specifications to reduce downtime and improve durability and user friendliness when operating in the highly demanding construction and maintenance sectors in Africa, Afritech operations manager Martiens Opperman points out. The company does not modify off-the-shelf equipment designed for workshop applications for use in its rental fleet like many other rental companies.

He emphasises that Afritech understands deadlines and the cost implications of downtime and late deliveries on a typical maintenance shutdown.

Afritech’s main distribution centre for its branches is based at its 10 000 m2 Gauteng facility, in Germiston, where the company ensures that its fleet is in top working order, undertaking repairs, calibration and load testing, as well as product training.

Besides its head office and branch in Gauteng, the company has regional offices in Secunda, Mpumalanga; Durban, KwaZulu-Natal; and Cape Town, Western Cape.

Black Shareholding
Another important part of Afritech’s growth story is Johannesburg-based black-controlled investment holding company Dlondlobala Capital (D Capital), which aims to become a market leader in the medium-sized private equity space, investing in unlisted companies that promise significant growth opportunities.

“D Capital has not only invested in Afritech as a brand but also understands the key importance that the staff contribute to the success of a business,” states Nortje.

Owing to D Capital’s substantial shareholding in Afritech, the company is proudly a black economic-empowerment Level 2 company.
Afritech directors Litha Gcwabe and Fundiswa Roji-Maplanka represent D Capital on the Afritech board.

Products and Services
The ISO 9001 and BS OHAS 18001-certified company rents and sells state-of-the-art single diesel-driven welding units from 300 A to 600 A, diesel-driven dual-pack welding units, mobile certified distribution boards, silent diesel generators from 5 Kva up to 2.5 MW, diesel-driven welding combination packs; diesel-driven compressors up to 1 100 cfm; inverter welding machines for different welding processes, lifting and rigging equipment, pneumatic tools and power tools, as well as sales related industrial and welding consumables. This product portfolio makes Afritech a rental company that is capable of catering for the complete scope of supply with regard to any projects or shutdowns in any industry sector.

“We have also secured distributorships from global brands that occupy a majority of the space in the international market segment, ensuring that Afritech Equipment Solutions stays up to date with global trends and standards pertaining to welding products, gas cutting equipment and consumables,” says Nortje.