Materials handling company perseveres amid industry decline

14th August 2015

By: Kimberley Smuts

Creamer Media Reporter

  

Font size: - +

Mining industry cost cutting, as a result of low commodity prices, is having a knock-on effect in the materials handling industry, as capital spending is reduced and maintenance budgets are slashed, says bulk materials handling solutions provider Martin Engineering.

In addition, many marginal operations are closing and the state of the global economy is dire.

Martin Engineering MD Hannes Kotze says the company is mitigating these challenges by focusing on providing its clients with the best possible materials handling solutions while achieving short-term investment returns.

He notes that the materials handling industry is focusing on technical advances associated with wear parts to achieve reduced costs per ton.

Future Growth

Despite the current economic outlook in the materials handling industry, there are areas that have potential to grow, Kotze says, stating that sub-Saharan Africa’s mining industry will be able to reach its full potential once the necessary infrastructure is put in place.

Martin Engineering is expanding into Africa through its sales representatives, focusing on exports. The company was awarded a three-month contract in May by a global mining company in Mozambique. In terms of the contract, which officially started in June and is scheduled to end in August, Martin Engineering will provide maintenance services and supply spare parts.

A company team provides maintenance services, with company products such as the SC16 secondary belt cleaner, V Ploughs and the EVO High Speed Roller Cradle having been sold already.

Kotze explains that Martin Engineering was initially contracted to get the plant up to standard while there was a monthlong shutdown, after which the three-month maintenance contract started, adding that about 53 belts are currently being serviced.

Edited by Leandi Kolver
Creamer Media Deputy Editor

Comments

The content you are trying to access is only available to subscribers.

If you are already a subscriber, you can Login Here.

If you are not a subscriber, you can subscribe now, by selecting one of the below options.

For more information or assistance, please contact us at subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za.

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION