German headquartered multi- national machine tools manufac-turer TML Technik in July stated that it is strengthening its presence on the African continent through growing its distributorships in South Africa.

TML Technik South Africa (SA) first opened shop in Benoni, Johannesburg, in 2008 and now distributes to most African markets. The branch offers a wide range of tailor-made machine tools suited to the African industry conditions and which are designed, developed and manufactured in Germany. It also conducts on-site flow tests and hydraulic remote con- trol installations for its custom-ers, explains TML Technik president Volker Bongardt.

“We believe that our new 5.5 t model Unidachs C0520, which we launched in South Africa last year, will prove to be popular very soon. At TML we offer our customers a partnership solution. Our philosophy is to support customers by tackling their problems with custom-made machinery, which further underpins TML Technik SA’s commitment to boosting productivity by minimising production downtime,” he says.

TML’s flagship products include telescopic debricking machines with a 360˚ rotating boom, with the Unidachs models first introduced in 1963. The company highlights that the machines are a niche product with a key role in the metallurgical industry, adding that they are extremely popular in European markets.

TML Technik SA director Leonette Bethell adds that the debricking machine increases production in the metallurgical industry as it works in extremely hot conditions. It is energy saving owing to reduced heating periods. Further, it is precise in its movements and saves time.

“The industry is currently experiencing challenging times, especially in the mining and steel sectors. Satisfied customers worldwide trust the TML brand and local markets have reacted positively to our offerings,” she details.

Bethell assures that, in addition to quality products and services and supplying spare parts, TML also guarantees after-sales customer services that includes inspections, maintenance, safety testing and machinery repairs.

TML Technik SA has sold various products to some of the main metallurgical plants in South Africa and Southern Africa in the past few years and plans to expand its product range throughout the continent, she adds.

“The African market needs further development when com-pared with other markets, as in many cases, work is done in a very simple way with less effici- ency, a short-term view, less focus on safety and fewer cost savings.

“With our product range we aim to improve the production process of ferrous and nonferrous industries that use the smelting process. The African continent is increasingly important, owing to the high volume of minerals, which are mined and finished in smelters that are close to the mines. We offer solutions for the production process and are committed to being a long-term partner in providing all plant machinery,” she elaborates.

TML Technik’s local branch is also a distributor for Promove hydraulic hammers and shears, Gross-Funk remote controlled systems, McQuaid Engineering pedestals, mobile and scaler boom systems for crushing and handling purposes as well as MPTech laser and radar technology for slag and hot spot detecting and levelling sensors in metallurgical plants.

TML has sales and services facilities in Brazil, China, India and the Ukraine, as well as the TML Technik head office and production centre in Germany.