Amacro approach is needed to overcome the lack of new skills being created in the motors and drives indus- try, says mining and indus- trial products supplier Deebar Automation MD Gareth Davies.

He says South Africa’s ter- tiary education systems offer training in electrical and electronic disciplines; how- ever, there are difficulties in encouraging the youth to enter these disciplines.

“The motors and drives industry in South Africa is, therefore, challenged by an older generation that is reach- ing retirement age, without suitable new blood entering the industry.”

Davies suggests that government, educational and representative institutions, and private enterprises map out the requirements, approaches and funding to attract more people into the industry and train them.

Meanwhile, he says there are many good quality products available on the South African market that are backed by large international corporates, but states that the South African motors and drives industry will not grow until local companies become internationally competitive.

He says most user requirements in the local motors and drives industry are being met by international brands.

Internationally recognised quality assurance programmes for products are important and need to be adhered to and implemented. Deebar invests in the quality assurance of all motors and drives that it incorporates into its systems, as reliability is paramount, Davies says.

Deebar has extended the warranty on the range of variable speed drives it dis- tributes in South Africa on behalf of global industrial distribution business IMO to five years.

Davies says the warranty ensures that Deebar offers quality products for customer satisfaction.

Further, the company’s product offering helps customers reduce their carbon footprint. The deployment of its systems prevents the need for diesel transport systems.
Davies says the local motors and drives industry requires a full range of seamlessly inte- grated motors and drives that can be deployed with minimal setup.

Deebar has developed strate- gies to ensure it grows its market share in existing and new sectors.

“We will continue to represent quality products but will also ensure technical excellence is available when drives and motors form part of the system design,” he says.