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Maintenance News

SAAT spreads its wings over Africa

By: Keith Campbell 23rd June 2015 South African Airways Technical (SAAT), the aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) subsidiary of the South African Airways (SAA) group, is pushing strongly into the African market. This was reported at a media briefing on Tuesday by SAAT head of department: sales and marketing Mike... →

Free State welding training facility upgraded, reopened to attract skills interest

By: Mia Breytenbach 12th June 2015 Bloemfontein-based Louis Botha Technical High School officially reopened its welding centre earlier this month, after the facility had undergone a complete overhaul and upgrade, which was funded by local gas and welding company Afrox. Louis Botha is the latest of 12 high schools over the past two... →

SKILLS DRIVE Afrox’s initiative aims to upgrade technical facilities at 25 schools nationwide to support and enhance economic and skills development in South Africa

Welding services specialist secures several petrochem contracts

By: Mia Breytenbach 12th June 2015 Following the completion of several local projects showcasing engineering and labour-broking services provider Fabricon Pipe & Labour Hire’s knowledge about welding processes and its swift project execution methods, the company has been awarded several new contracts in the local petrochemicals... →

DECIDING FACTOR Fabricon was awarded the new multiproduct pipeline and Vopak projects because of its project execution methods, adaptability and rapid delivery

Training academy boosts local skills complement

By: Mia Breytenbach 12th June 2015 Engineering company Steinmüller Africa’s technical training academy is rapidly introducing young blood into its welder, boilermaking, rigging and fitting teams to boost the company’s on-site maintenance welding and cutting teams. Steinmüller Africa’s welding operations manager Morne Kidson notes... →

ARTISAN CULTIVATION The training centres collectively specialise in welding, boilermaking, fitting and rigging and produce about 165 artisans over 24 to 48 months

Fabricator completes maintenance project at PetroSA refinery

By: Mia Breytenbach 12th June 2015 Engineering company Steinmüller Africa, a subsidiary of Germany-based international engineering and services group Bilfinger, completed a planned maintenance project in March for State-owned national oil company PetroSA’s Mossel Bay-based Gas-To-Liquids refinery, in the Western Cape. Steinmüller... →

Photo by Duane Daws
PLANNED MAINTENANCE Steinmüller Africa replaced the Synthol Reactor internal coil U section and structurally replaced and welded the pipe components at PetroSA's GTL refinery, in Mossel Bay

Welding supplier’s consolidation initiatives increase end-user benefits

By: Mia Breytenbach 12th June 2015 Welding products supplier Weldamax has embarked on several rightsizing and consolidation initiatives to mitigate the effects of a contracting local welding sector and the cost pressures that welding equipment end-users face. “Weldamax focused on premises rationalisation by consolidating the... →

MARKET EDGE Weldamax’s brand of Thermamax welding equipment and consumables sales and market share have increased in the past year

New welding technologies cultivate global competitiveness

By: Mia Breytenbach 12th June 2015 Adopting new welding technologies and processes that will improve productivity and assist with cost reduction is critical for the local welding and fabrication industry to be globally competitive in terms of price offering, and service and product delivery, says South Africa-based gas and welding... →

Afrox manufacturing industries business manager Johann Pieterse discusses how the PipeWorx Fieldpro meets industry's need for new technology

Mothballed fibre processing plant costs R2.7m/y to maintain

By: Megan van Wyngaardt 10th June 2015 Owing to the production of poor-quality fibre by Sustainable Fibre Solutions, which was started using a R130-million loan from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) in 2006, the processing plant has failed to penetrate the market and has been mothballed in an attempt to cut the recurring... →

Photo by Duane Daws
Minister Ebrahim Patel

Air-process machinery branch to provide fast, cost-effective service

By: Mia Breytenbach 29th May 2015 Gas conveying and compression company Aerzen Airgas Blowers and Compressors is opening a new branch north of Durban, in KwaZulu-Natal in June. KwaZulu-Natal Airgas branch manager Earl Houston tells Engineering News that the branch will be operational from June 1, noting that the facility will be... →

ROBUST CONTRIBUTION The product offering for the KwaZulu-Natal region will include the Aerzen Delta Blower Generation 5 roots type blower for the sugar production industry

Defence Minister hopes defence budget will grow to 2% of GDP over time

By: Keith Campbell 29th May 2015 South African Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has expressed the hope that the defence budget will be significantly increased over the next five years. She did so while addressing the media in her recent budget vote media briefing. The 2015/2016 defence budget comes to R44.5-billion,... →

Mata secures European accreditation for aircraft maintenance courses

By: Natasha Odendaal 27th May 2015 East Rand-based Mega Aero Training Academy (Mata) has secured European accreditation and recognition for its aircraft maintenance courses. The Safomar Group subsidiary and College Ireland on Wednesday signed an agreement to enable Mata students to obtain European Aviation Safety Agency- (Easa-)... →

East Rand-based Mega Aero Training Academy has secured European accreditation and recognition for its aircraft maintenance courses. Video and video editing: Darlene Creamer

Drive solution reduces energy consumption of plants

By: Mia Breytenbach 22nd May 2015 Energy can constitute up to 90% of the life-cycle costs of drive systems that have not been enhanced, notes specialist drive engineering company SEW-Eurodrive. The company addresses this issue using its effiDRIVE energy-saving solutions, which are based on SEW-Eurodrive’s proven modular concept. →

MECHATRONIC EFFICIENCY The Movigear drive technology meets premium efficiency IE4 and can result in up to 50% energy cost savings in drive system applications

Exclusive range of unbalanced motors for Africa launched

By: Mia Breytenbach 22nd May 2015 Specialist vibrating-equipment supplier Joest South Africa launched an exclusive range of unbalanced motors, specifically for use in Africa’s harsh operating conditions, in March. The range has been developed in partnership with an established Europe-based vibrating-motor manufacturer, which has... →

KEY BENEFIT The replaceable stator housing pack of the motor allows for easy maintenance and increased life and improved efficiency

‘Flagship’ gearbox orders to new coal-fired builds completed

By: Mia Breytenbach 15th May 2015 Gearbox designer and manufacturer Hansen Transmissions South Africa has completed the supply of 384 Hansen M4 air-cooled condenser (ACC) drives each to State-owned power utility Eskom’s coal-fired Medupi power station, in Limpopo, and the Kusile power station, in Mpumalanga, last month. While the... →

MEGA-DELIVERY The Medupi ACC drive order was the single biggest order received by the Sumitomo group worldwide, and became a material reference project

Rope access maintenance could reduce power station shutdown durations

By: Mia Breytenbach 15th May 2015 Rope access use can assist in speeding up maintenance and shortening the duration of shutdowns and planned outages at State-owned electricity entity Eskom’s coal-fired power stations, states industrial rope access specialist Skyriders Access Specialists marketing manager Mike Zinn. “Rope access... →

ACCESS ALTERNATIVE Inspections and maintenance at some power stations are performed using ropes, reducing the need for expensive, and time-consuming traditional access systems

New Maydon Wharf technology ‘a first for SA’

By: Kimberley Smuts 15th May 2015 SSAXSYS JV, a joint venture (JV) between construction group Stefanutti Stocks and enterprise development partner AXSYS Infrastructure has set the completion date for construction at Maydon Wharf, in Durban, in South Africa for December 2016. The contract to start construction was signed on April... →

PROJECT APPROACH Sucessfully upgrading the berth will require using a phased approach with limited construction access minimising disruption to the available quay space at the Port of Durban, which is already under capacity

Koeberg generators, tank replacement projects still on track

By: Mia Breytenbach 15th May 2015 Technical resources provider, Lesedi Nuclear Services, remains on track to complete its portion of the steam generator replacement (SGR) project in 2018 at State-owned power utility Eskom’s Koeberg nuclear power station, in the Western Cape. Lesedi Nuclear Services, part of the South African SGR... →

ON TRACK The scope of work of the South African SGR consortium at the Koeberg nuclear power station include removal and off-loading of the old steam generators

Davies sets up broad-based ownership task team amid codes outcry

By: Terence Creamer 8th May 2015 Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies has defended the new codes for Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEEE), but has also moved swiftly to deal with the fallout arising from the controversial last-minute decision to downgrade recognition for broad-based ownership schemes and employee... →

Photo by Duane Daws
Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies

Manufacturing standards evolving, says industry body

By: Kimberley Smuts 8th May 2015 Significant changes are currently under way in the concrete industry, with amendments being made to design codes, construction standards, material specifications and test methods for concrete, says technical services provider to the cement and concrete industry, The Concrete Institute (TCI).... →

CHANGING CONSTRUCTION CODESIndustry specifications in the construction industry ensure that the public and the company overseeing construction are protected

Concrete seminar highlights need for reduced maintenance costs

By: Kimberley Smuts 8th May 2015 Hosted by nonprofit public benefit organisation The Concrete Society of Southern Africa (CSSA), the RepSem Concrete Repair and Protection seminar, which took place in March in the four major centres around the country, focused on starting repair and rehabilitation processes at the design stage of... →

UPDATING THE INDUSTRY The CSSA offers seminars, site visits, student support and continuing professional development accreditation for its members

Construction chemicals specialist to open East Africa branch

By: Kimberley Smuts 8th May 2015 The establishment of construction chemicals specialist Chryso Southern Africa Group’s first subsidiary outside South Africa – Chryso Eastern Africa, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya – is currently under way and is expected to be operational by June 2015. This development is part of Chryso Group’s... →

CEMENT'S GLOBAL GROWTH One of the primary demands from customers is the assurance that the Chryso Group’s products are 'green'

Association hosts conference alongside utility expo

By: Pimani Baloyi 1st May 2015 The Southern African Asset Management Association (Saama) will, for the second year running, host an asset management conference alongside the African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from May 12 to 14. Saama VP Craig Henry tells Engineering... →

CRAIG HENRY Had proper asset management been implemented in South Africa's power sector, the country would not have to deal with the electricity challenges it is currently facing

Rope-access specialist continues with repair services for Sappi mills

By: Kimberley Smuts 27th March 2015 Rope access specialist Skyriders completed hard-to-reach inspection and repair work on time and within budget early last year for South African pulp and paper producer Sappi’s Ngodwana mill, in Mpumalanga, Skyriders marketing manager Mike Zinn tells Engineering News. Zinn explains that, rather... →

Skyriders technicians use ropes to abseil down into confined spaces as a means of moving from point A to point B.

Will Eskom inquiry yield anything new on poor performance of coal fleet?

By: Terence Creamer 17th March 2015 One of the main reasons given for the recent suspension of Eskom CEO Tshediso Matona and three other senior executives related to a “lack of credible information” surrounding the poor performance of the existing coal-fired power plants. In response, the Eskom board established an independent... →

Company highlights benefits of thermography for maintenance

By: Pimani Baloyi 13th March 2015 South African companies and government entities need to realise the benefits of applying thermographic imaging to maintenance procedures, says process control equipment solutions provider Comtest thermography products specialist Jeanri Mellanby. Mellanby is Southern Africa’s first female Snell... →

Food-safe metal-detectable technology receives trademark

By: Mia Breytenbach 6th March 2015 UK-based lubrication manufacturer Rocol in September 2014 received the trademark for its X-ray and metal-detectable Detex technology, applied to its food grade products to offer an additional layer of protection against foreign-object contamination. “This is a significant step forward for the... →

EASY DETECTION The Detex X-ray and metal-detectable plastic actuators and caps used on the Foodlube and food-grade lubricants can be identified using standard X-ray or metal-detection equipment

Aircraft maintenance academy has new training centre

By: Keith Campbell 13th February 2015 One of the country’s few training centres for aircraft maintenance technicians, the Safomar Group’s Mega Aero Training Academy (MATA) can now provide practical as well as theoretical training for apprentices at its own facility, thanks to the opening, at the start of this year, of its dedicated... →

Industry-proven lubricants ensure steady sales

By: Dylan Slater 6th February 2015 Wynberg-based special lubricants manufacturer Spanjaard’s products are gaining in popularity, owing to their increasing use in many specialised and industrial applications – in a niche field of the sector where competing products are falling short of meeting the requirements of heavy industrial... →

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS Spanjaard's products serve a niche field, whereas competing products are falling short of meeting the requirements of heavy industrial applications

Energy savings with advanced lubricant for heavy industry

By: Dylan Slater 6th February 2015 US-based lubricant specialist Lubrication Engineers is helping heavy industries to register significant savings, owing to the improved energy efficiency and product longevity provided by the company’s advanced series of Pyroshield lubricants. →

SUPERIOR BASE STOCK Lubrication Engineers’ production facility uses mainly mineral oils for base stock and only synthetic formulas for specialised applications

Cement kiln maintenance optimisation important for efficiency

By: Schalk Burger 6th February 2015 Cement producers must prepare adequately for shutdowns so that maintenance work proceeds rapidly and must optimise their plants to enable efficient maintenance and repairs during shutdowns. This will also improve the efficiency of repairs during unplanned stoppages, says cement and limekiln... →

Photo by Duane Daws
MAINTENANCE PREPARATION Proper maintenance planning will also improve the efficiency of repairs during unplanned stoppages

State rail company invests in track management

By: Bruce Montiea 12th December 2014 In support of its Market Demand Strategy (MDS), State-owned freight and logistics company Transnet is concentrating on refurbishing the country’s rail track system through training and the introduction of new rail track monitoring and management methods, says Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) track... →

Transnet Freight Rail track and technology principal engineer Kanak Mistry discusses the parastatal’s training initiatives

Positive responses to product received, growth expected

By: Jonathan Rodin 21st November 2014 Energy and petrochemicals company Shell has received positive responses from original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for its range of transmission-component protection oil, Shell Spirax, which was launched in April. Shell commercial technical manager Raymond Abraham explains that products, such... →

Metal roofing industry body releases standard for cladding

21st November 2014 Metal roofing industry body Southern African Metal Cladding and Roofing Association (Samcra), a division of the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction, completed the draft of the new standard for cladding, aimed at assisting engineers and specifiers with cladding work, says association... →

CLADDING WORK Samcra is regulating the industry to benefit metal roofing professionals

Rail fleet maintenance backlog cleared

By: Mia Breytenbach 14th November 2014 State-owned logistics company Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has cleared its fleet backlog with the new locomotives being brought on board and old locomotives having been retired, TFR spokesperson Mike Asefovitz tells Engineering News. TFR plans to replace some of its aging stock with 1 400 new... →

Photo by Duane Daws
REFIT PROGRAMME About 30 6E1 locomotives will be upgraded to 18E locomotives within this financial year

High-performance fan manufacturer to diversify industry focus

By: Mia Breytenbach 14th November 2014 Having been awarded significant contracts to retrofit fans at several mining operations in South Africa in the past two years, high-performance fan designer and manufacturer MechCaL will actively focus on establishing a footprint in other industries, such as steelmaking, MD Gavin Ratner tells... →

COST REDUCTION MechCal had repaired only 121 of 1 347 composite and steel impeller fans since initial installation in the mining industry in 2012

OEM registers significant service contracts demand increase

By: Mia Breytenbach 14th November 2014 Gas conveying and compression company Aerzen sub-Saharan Africa subsidiary Airgas Compressors has noted a significant increase in the demand for maintenance and service contracts, as well as a 300% increase in it services division in the past 14 years, Airgas Compressors assistant service manager... →

SERVICE RANGE Airgas Compressors offers field service, repairs, overhauls and maintenance contracts to Aerzener Maschinenfabrik roots blowers and screw compressors

Water treatment units upkeep complete

14th November 2014 Rope access specialists Skyriders has successfully completed the maintenance of six water treatment units, which form part of the water treatment plant at the Medupi power station, a greenfield coal-fired power plant near Lephalale, in Limpopo. Skyriders was originally approached and tasked with... →

CONCRETE COMPLETION Skyriders was commissioned to complete maintenance on the entire water treatment building’s 6-m-high columns at the Medupi power station, in Lephalale, in Limpopo

Topics In These Articles

Agriculture Construction Expertise Financial Manufacturing Mining SRK Consulting Business Components Design Electrical Engineering Environment Gas Health Parsons Brinckerhoff Power PROJECT Switchgear System Systems WSP Education Industrial Innovation Resources SECURITY Sustainable Water Eskom ... more

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