Given South Africa’s unique topography and commodity-heavy economic profile, local partnerships are critical. The terrain, and the country’s need to transport high volumes of iron-ore and coal, place specific demands on rolling stock and products that are used on freight wagons and locomotives, says engineered bearings and industrial motion product supplier Timken South Africa MD Shaun Potgieter.

“Our relationships with operators, [such as State-owned rail and port operator] Transnet, are critical to ensure we continually supply the most effective journal bearings, with the most durable sealing arrangement.”

Timken’s long-standing relationship with Transnet dates back to 1934 when the company first started supplying the entity with journal bearings for its locomotives, passenger cars and freight wagons.

Potgieter explains that, when Timken South Africa was founded, its primary function was to support the South African railways, which at that stage had been one of the largest railroads in the world under a unified management structure.

“This demand culminated in the construction of Timken’s Benoni grinding and assembly plant in 1951, [the] precursor to our Pomona facility, which remains the highest contributor for local content in South Africa for bearing assemblies,” he highlights.

Timken also supplies ancillary journal bearing components for Transnet’s maintenance processes, as well as a variety of Timken cast products, including axle boxes, motor suspension units and adapters for Transnet and smaller customers across Southern Africa and the rest of Africa.

Potgieter notes the importance of maintaining “a cadence” with Timken customers, suggesting that, while customers may not always need components, continuous engagement ensures they have the foresight to understand which components or maintenance processes will be required in future.

Meanwhile, Potgieter stresses the need for the rail industry to mitigate the peripheral impact of losing out on commodity flows coming from the Southern African Development Community and Central Africa regions.

“Africa needs rail. Most African governments do not have the available funds to invest in rebuilding road networks and a large portion of Africa’s GDP is dependent on mining and commodities,” he comments.

Consequently, wherever bulk road transportation of a commodity is required, there is the corresponding deterioration of the road infrastructure.

In addition to the significant road deterioration, the cost per ton for the producer conveying its commodities is also significant, says Potgieter, adding that “the continent must get those volumes out at a cost-effective rate, which largely precludes road freight”.

Innovative Capacity

Timken’s research and development capabilities and its quality control processes are crucial to its position in Africa, the company stresses.

While it is not unusual for a Timken journal bearing to be in operation for over 50 years, Potgieter asserts that the key to this kind of longevity is Timken’s focus on quality, particularly with regard to its bearing steel, heat treatment processes and manufacturing standards.

“Our bearing steel is generally regarded as the highest quality in the world and our facility in Kempton Park is part of Timken’s global rail manufacturing footprint, hence our internal and external customer base. Our local supply chain is audited and accredited by Timken for use in our rail bearings assemblies globally,” he states.

Additionally, every aspect of the company’s manufacturing process is in accordance with Timken’s global manufacturing standards, with the facility being accredited by the International Organisation for Standardisation and Association of American Railroads, Potgieter notes.

Technology also plays a key role in the quality of Timken’s products, allowing bearings to be calculated to minute details, ensuring that the bearing design life is calculated accordingly.

“There is no aspect of a Timken bearing that is not known as every parameter is closely controlled to consistent tolerances, even the grease is weighed to a single gram,” Potgieter states.

Every bearing that leaves Timken’s facility has its own “passport”, and its own biometric life history that allows the company to review the bearing’s manufacturing process if needed, he concludes.