Construction industry depressed, but upturn expected

16th November 2018 By: Jessica Oosthuizen - Creamer Media Reporter

South African thermoplastic valves supplier Astore Keymak depends on project and maintenance work, as the civil engineering and construction sector is depressed, says Astore Keymak compression fittings and saddles manager Aldrin Velan.

However, he believes that there will be an upturn, especially in water projects, in the first quarter of 2019, before the national elections.

Meanwhile, Astore Keymak’s flagship compression fittings and saddles brand, Unidelta, has been used in the mining, civil and plumbing sectors. Velan highlights that Unidelta is a preferred brand by many municipalities and water authorities, adding that the products have been used in several water projects. The products are used in the plumbing sector for water lines, and for fire lines at factories, hotels and office parks, he adds.

The company is working with a municipality in the Western Cape to supply products for daily use in a water application. Astore Keymak has shown the municipality the benefits of using the products, and he comments that the municipality has approved the products for use for maintenance or new installations.

Moreover, the company launched a budget range of products in August. The new range consists of compression fittings, and ranges in size from 20 mm to 63 mm. The markets that the fittings will cater for are the ‘do-it-yourself’ plumbing and irrigation sectors, Velan tells Engineering News.

He notes that Astore Keymak supplies quality and high-end pipes, fittings and valves, but that an influx of cheap products from the East has prompted the company to launch the new range.

The company aims to secure more market share and maintain the market share it has, he concludes.