From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report. Specialist in the manufacture, assembly, sales and support of diamond tools and equipment Diamond Products has introduced a new range of Titan high frequency wall saw, which was introduced onto the market in June.

Nomvelo Buthelezi:
Speaking to Diamond Products co-director Brian Clark about the electric wall saw he goes in depth about what makes the product unique to the other products that are currently on the market.

Diamond Products co-director Brian Clark:
Primarily because it is electric, the main drive unit of the saw is an electric motor and not hydraulic motor and all the existing or majority of existing wall saws in South Africa are hydraulically driven. This is driven with a high frequency electric motor so it is lighter, it is much more portable and much easier to use on a construction site.

One other added value point is because it does not have hydraulic oil, it is green and it is environmentally friendly. There is no contamination on sites with leaking oil pipes, with the oil that has to be cleaned up afterwards.

Nomvelo Buthelezi:
Clark highlights the benefits and the key features of the electric wall saw.

Brian Clark:
Well like I have just said one of the key benefits is that it is more portable and it is lighter. Many of these saws that are used in multi-storey buildings and in areas that are difficult or have limited access so portability and the fact that a single person can use his or set it up. With the development of these high frequency motors they are now technically very reliable and offer great performance versus the old technology of hydraulic saws.

Nomvelo Buthelezi:
Clark goes on to say that the technology offered by the electric wall saw is new to South Africa.

Brian Clark:
The main thing this is high frequency motors. High frequency motors in our industry are relatively new, they have probably only been used in Europe for probably the last five years and we are now on the second generation of high frequency electric motors.

They have probably become very very reliable, they did have a reliability problem in the early years but are now very reliable and maintenance is very low and again very compact, very lightweight and very portable and reliable. Over the predecessors or hydraulic units they are a great alternative, it makes it easier and faster to do the work that you need to do.

Nomvelo Buthelezi:
Brian concludes by telling Engineering News that the electric wall saw is manufactured in Austria by leading manufacturers of wall saw and core drilling equipment.

Brian Clark:
The saw is made in Austria. Braun is one of the leading manufacturers of wall sawing and core drilling equipment in the world. They have been manufacturing saws sine 1984 and they have a vast history of expertise in the field and we have partnered with them to offer this technology to customers in South Africa and Southern Africa.

Shannon de Ryhove:
Other news making headlines this week: Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi vows to take steps to rid the construction industry of ‘criminal tendencies’; NamPort’s aim for the Walvis Bay port to be a gateway to SADC gains traction; and Private sector funding is critical for growth of the affordable rental market.

The combined fine of R1.46-billion imposed on the group of 15 construction companies admitting to collusive tendering, was viewed in many quarters as merely a “slap on the wrist” and sent out the message that large firms could get away with fraud and corruption, says Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi.

Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi

The engineering, procurement and construction contract for the Walvis Bay port expansion is set to be awarded in August, with construction to start on site early next year and completion scheduled for 2017.

Namibian Ports Authority marketing executive Christian Faure

Greater private sector investment, leveraged through sustainable public–private partnerships, is critical to effectively narrow the supply gap in the affordable rental housing market, housing development funder, the Gauteng Partnership Fund (GPF) investment officer Katleho Nchapha has said.

Gauteng Partnership Fund investment officer Katleho Nchapha

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy.