Diamond tools and equipment manufacturer and distributor for industrial applications Diamond Products will launch the new Diamatic floor-grinding, polishing and cleaning system, as well as its newly introduced Qwikchange floor-grinding and polishing pads, at the first bauma Africa trade show.

“These were introduced by Diamond Products onto the local market this year. Unlike other floor pads, the Qwikchange range includes a universal adaptor plate that enables the product to be attached to the majority of floor-grinding machinery currently available in South Africa. The development of these universal adaptor plates enables the company to provide the market with a high-quality and precision alternative at a considerably discounted rate, which could reduce the overall costs of floor-polishing projects by up to 30%,” says Diamond Products director Darryl Gray.

“The universal adaptor plates simply click onto grinding machines, which reduces downtime and additional costs associated with bolting and mechanical installation,” he explains, noting that these adaptors are being provided at a highly competitive price, adding significant value to the local market, which has been severely restricted by brand-dominant fixed pricing for several years.

Gray says Diamond Products is the exclusive distributor of Qwikchange floor-grinding and polishing pads, which are manu-factured in the Netherlands and branded locally under the Diamond Products banner.

“Diamond Products will also display equipment from global leaders in the field of concrete cutting, drilling and grinding, as well as our high-quality diamond tools, core drills and Diamatic concrete-polishing machines. All the equipment is serviced and maintained by technicians from our offices in Jet Park,” says Gray.

Diamond Products also stocks a range of Diamatic grinding machines, scarifying machines and dust collectors to provide the market with a comprehensive floor-preparation, cleaning and maintenance solution.

The company further stocks six different stages of resin and metal bond systems that are available in hard, medium and soft matrix, with an option of five grit sizes to cater for various applications. This will allow for the supply of tailor-made tools for any project.

The Diamatic range of floor-grinding machines is available in sizes that range from 180 mm to 780 mm and is a more productive, efficient and hygienic alternative to industry-standard manual labour.

“There is an increasing demand for more efficient and cost-effec- tive methods for industrial floor preparation and care. This new range provides the ideal solution to reduce periodic maintenance and improve the overall appearance and cleanliness of a floor,” says Gray, adding that, owing to Qwikchange floor pads being universal, the market will no longer be dominated by monopolistic behaviour.

He notes that Diamond Products intends to improve its exposure to the concrete sawing, drilling and polishing markets, where it sees great opportunity for growth. “The company hopes to use bauma Africa as an oppor- tunity to showcase its range of products for potential and existing customers, as well as position itself as a market leader in cutting, drilling and grinding products,” Gray adds.

Diamond Products says bauma Africa will give it greater exposure to existing markets, as the company believes it is important to keep its existing clients abreast of new products and ever-improving technological developments.

The company is also looking to expand its footprint north of South Africa and to dominate existing markets. It is currently in negotiations with distributors in Tanzania and Kenya and will be training existing distributors on the new range, he says.

Gray notes that the trade show offers “the African construction industry a platform where it can congregate, discuss and showcase new products, technologies and trends in the industry – it will hopefully also generate opportunities for South African companies such as Diamond Products to expand their footprints further into Africa”.

Diamond Products has noti- fied its existing customers of its attendance at bauma Africa and has carefully considered the content of its exhibit to reach as many potential customers as possible, states Gray.

Industry Challenges
Gray says all industries hope government’s limited spend on infrastructure projects thus far will improve in the near future, following the October 2012 announcement by President Jacob Zuma that the Department of Economic Development is drafting legislation to enable the fast-tracking of infrastructure development, which will assist in the raising of funds required to implement the hundreds of indivi- dual projects that constitute the 18 strategic infrastructure projects, estimated to be worth more than R4-trillion over 15 years.

“Cheap inferior imports from the East are also a major concern, but it is the responsibility of local companies to educate the market on the long-term benefits of buying high-quality products, even if they are more expensive, as these products outlast the cheaper products to such a degree that major long-term cost savings will be achieved,” he explains.