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Quality Assurance News

Necsa shuts down key unit because of compliance failure

By: Keith Campbell 1st December 2017 The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) has executed an immediate shut down of its NTP Radiochemical Facility, because of non-compliance with licensing conditions. NTP produces radioisotopes for both industrial and an especially medical purposes, and many cancer and other patients in... →

Large companies driving increase in land contamination assessments

By: Simone Liedtke 1st December 2017 With there being an increase in land-contamination assessments among large companies owing to recently promulgated environmental legislation, sustainability services and consultancy Environmental Resources Management (ERM) partner Steve McKeown says this will hold companies accountable for the... →

STEVE MCKEOWN Companies that have a global footprint are more committed to assessing their impact on the environment

Declining industry could compromise steel industry quality standards

By: Nica Schreuder 24th November 2017 Cost-cutting measures have been forced upon companies that wish to remain in business in the steel construction and cladding sector, however, this could have a major impact on product safety and performance, with price considerations often taking precedence over quality and safety.... →

DODDS PRINGLE Clients must be aware of advertised quality standards in the steel construction industry

Outdoor gym sites increase

By: Nica Schreuder 24th November 2017 With there being an increase in steel-constructed outdoor gym equipment nationally, Johannesburg-based outdoor gym equipment manufacturer Lani Service Centre has contacted self-lubricating bearings and bushes manufacturer Vesconite to provide hard-wearing, self-lubricating bushings for the... →

SOCIAL COHESION An example of some of the hard-wearing gym equipment that has been produced by Lani Service Centre

Steel Awards 2017 confirms LSFB growth

24th November 2017 This year’s annual Steel Awards, hosted by the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction, showed excellent growth for the South African light steel frame building (LSFB) industry, with more than 25 000 m2 represented in category entries. The awards, which took place on September 13, saw 19... →

SUMMIT PLACE The Assupol Building, the 11-storey winning office block in the Summit Place development

South African nuclear body shuts down key unit because of compliance failure

By: Keith Campbell 22nd November 2017 The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) has executed an immediate shut down of its NTP Radiochemical Facility, because of non-compliance with licensing conditions. NTP produces radioisotopes for both industrial and an especially medical purposes, and many cancer and other patients in... →

Photo by Duane Daws/Creamer Media
An aerial view of Necsa’s complex at Pelindaba

Third biennial food and drink exhibition to be held in 2018

By: Simone Liedtke 17th November 2017 Conceptualised as a “for Africa by Africa” event, exhibition company Messe München South Africa (SA) will host the third biennial food and drink technology Africa (fdt Africa) exhibition from September 4 to 6 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, next year. →

FDT AFRICA 2018 The aim of fdt Africa 2018 is to consolidate the existing target groups of exhibitors and visitors

Tank cleaning ensures quality batch, every time

By: Simone Liedtke 17th November 2017 Although tank cleaning is considered a ‘necessary evil’ for any producer in the wine, brewery and beverage industry, South Africa-based industrial nozzle, pump and filter supplier Spray Nozzle says tank cleaning is required between batches to ensure that a reliable, uncontaminated, high-quality... →

SPECIALIST PRODUCT The HydroClaw nozzle is a specialist nozzle which is best suited for the cleaning of tanks with high solids content

Value-for-money centrifugal pumps to change process

17th November 2017 The food and beverage industry is continuously looking for solutions to increase production efficiency with extremely high system pressure applications becoming more common, especially in typical reverse osmosis applications for whey, wine and beer filtration. →

UPCOMING AVAILABILITY Higher flow rates are expected to be available very soon

Monitoring system streamlines maintenance activities

By: Robyn Wilkinson 17th November 2017 Global test equipment manufacturer Fluke is enjoying significant market success following the launch of Fluke Connect ™, which combines high-quality test tools and digital technology to help small, medium-sized and large industrial companies streamline critical maintenance operations. →

INSTANT INFORMATION Measurements obtained from Fluke Connect enabled tools can be viewed simultaneously at the inspection site and from an off-site location

Maintenance and upgrades on cards for Platinum Corridor in 2018

By: Simone Liedtke 10th November 2017 The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) private concessionaire Bakwena Platinum Corridor Concessionaire (Bakwena) will conduct several maintenance and construction projects along the South African N1/N4 routes in 2018. →

Photo by Duane Daws
LIAM CLARKE Construction of a second carriageway on the N4 between the M17 and the R512 will start in January 2018

New council announced by architectural body

By: Donna Slater 10th November 2017 The South African Council for the Landscape Architectural Profession (Saclap) recently annouced its new four-year council, as appointed by Department of Public Works Minister Nathi Nhleko. Council members will serve a four year term of office from September 1, 2017, to August 31, 2021. →

Organisation assists business in becoming energy efficient

By: Nica Schreuder 10th November 2017 Lack of energy supply security, economic costs associated with energy, and environmental costs, such as depleting resources, contributing to climate change are just some of the factors that can be mitigated if South Africa embraces energy efficiency and reliable renewable energy alternatives,... →

MONITORED CONSUMPTION NCPC-SA is trying to find ways to optimise South Africa’s energy consumption

Upcoming energy event to showcase African project opportunities

By: Simone Liedtke 10th November 2017 A key focus point of the African Energy Indaba (AEI) – which celebrates its ten-year milestone next year – is to provide access to project opportunities across the African continent. →

Africa Energy Indaba (AEI) MD Liz Hart, AEI chairperson Brian Statham and South African Electrotechnical Export Council CEO Chiboni Evans discuss the AEI next year. Camera: Nicholas Boyd. Editing: Lionel da Silva.

Continued volatility impacts on energy and chemicals company

27th October 2017 Continued volatility in the macroeconomic environment, particularly the stronger rand and low oil price, has adversely impacted energy and chemicals company Sasol’s financial performance, says Sasol CFO Paul Victor. →

Photo by Bloomberg
RECORD PRODUCTION Sasol showed great resilience and character through delivering record production volumes at Secunda Synfuels

Supplier prepares for maintenance shutdown

By: Marleny Arnoldi 27th October 2017 Specialist valve, overpressure, combustion, pipeline, and product storage equipment supplier Heaton Valves Africa (HVA) is gearing up for petrochemicals giant Sasol’s major plant maintenance shutdown, planned for September next year in Secunda, Mpumalanga, which will also affect Sasol’s Sasolburg... →

SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE Sasol’s Secunda plant shutdown every eight years gives many suppliers the opportunity to do maintenance and replacements

Partnership seeks to provide best-practice health and safety training

By: Schalk Burger 27th October 2017 Inspection, testing, verification and certification multinational SGS and State-owned power utility Eskom have partnered to train 24 local youths at Eskom’s Grootvlei power station in the Dipaleseng municipality, in Mpumalanga, south of Heidelberg, in 12 subjects related to safety, health and... →

Positive prospects for synfuels sector with focus on efficient maintenance

By: Simone Liedtke 27th October 2017 Welding and construction equipment-related supplier Renttech South Africa (SA) sees prospects for the synfuels industry improving, as the recent depressed period - owing to the decline globally in hydrocarbon fuel prices - has seen the petrochemicals industry focusing on efficient maintenance,... →

TO GROW AND PROSPER The country needs to have an efficient, cost-competitive local petrochemicals industry

Property developer launches SA’s first dual-certified property portfolio

By: Mia Breytenbach 20th October 2017 Real estate investment trust (Reit) Growthpoint Properties has launched the first and only property portfolio in South Africa to be highly rated by the South African Property Owners Association (Sapoa) and the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA). The Thrive Portfolio combines quality and... →

WRAPPING UP Growthpoint Properties is nearing completion on the 112 000 m2 office development for Discovery, in Sandton

Local gas company trials diesel dual-fuel kits on long-haul trucks

By: Mia Breytenbach 20th October 2017 As fleet operators increasingly aim to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce costs, natural gas company Tetra4, a subsidiary of JSE-listed energy company Renergen, has started trialling diesel dual-fuel (DDF) kits on two European brands of trucks to establish the advantages of natural gas as a fuel... →

SAVINGS PURSUIT Indicative results can play a role in the development of an alternative cost-saving methodology for fleet owners and in pursuing and encouraging fleet optimisation

Carlyle snaps up Nosa to access occupational health, safety growth in emerging markets

By: Schalk Burger 13th October 2017 Nasdaq-listed asset management multinational Carlyle Group will acquire emerging markets-focused occupational health and safety training company Nosa Group from JSE-listed Micromega Holdings for up to R747.8-million. The occupational health and safety sector is particularly attractive across... →

Groundwater a viable water saving initiative

13th October 2017 South African consulting and engineering firm JG Afrika is working hard to change the mind-set around using South Africa’s groundwater to mitigate water scarcity, despite project failures in the past. JG Afrika technical director Mark Schapers and JG Afrika executive associate Regan Rose agree... →

MARK SCHAPERS JG Afrika’s systematic approach is transferred to all activities involved in completing groundwater projects

Nonconformance of standards exacerbates drought conditions

By: Nica Schreuder 13th October 2017 Fundamental conformities not being upheld during the manufacturing stages of pipe production has exacerbated South Africa’s current water scarcity, says plastics and polymer testing laboratory P.E.S.C. MD Graham Marsberg. “The basics of pipe manufacturing involves quality workmanship. This... →

CONFORMING TO STANDARDS SATAS or SABS accreditation is essential to ensuring reliable water infrastructure that adheres to strict standards

Western Cape municipality begins master plan to combat water loss

13th October 2017 The Drakenstein local municipality in Paarl, Western Cape, has begun a 20-year master plan to replace old or ageing asbestos pipes in the region with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes, which will achieve significant success in reducing water loss throughout the municipal area. Water leakage... →

MASTER PLANNERS Willem Liebenberg and André Kowalewski (right) of the Drakenstein municipality are at the forefront of the master plan

Italian company ensures engineering success in KZN

By: Robyn Wilkinson 13th October 2017 As it celebrates its sixtieth year in South Africa, Italian multinational engineering solutions provider Maccaferri will complete the construction of one of the country’s largest surfaces of mechanically stabilised earth walls to date – at 10 000 m2 – at the Mount Edgecombe interchange, in... →

MAMMOTH TASK Careful project management ensured that each of the nine mechanically stabilised earth walls was constructed and delivered to site as it was needed

Construction management council establishes transformation committee

By: Donna Slater 13th October 2017 The South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) has set up a committee to further its transformation goals and a hotline to encourage the public to report any misconduct pertaining to the council’s scope of influence following reports of malpractice,... →

Tjiamogale Manchidi Demographic representativeness in the project and construction management professions is crucial

Disregard for PPE one of biggest causes of fatalities in work-at-height environment

By: Simone Liedtke 6th October 2017 Disregard for using personal protective equipment (PPE) is one of the common causes of workplace incidents, accidents and fatalities resulting from falls from height at sites in South Africa, states the Institute for Working at Height Professional Body (IWH PB). →

CONTINUOUSLY EVOLVING Personal protective equipment is continuously evolving to ensure maximum safety

Innovative system helps control wastewater pumping

6th October 2017 Pumps and valves producer KSB Pumps and Valves has introduced the PumpDrive variable speed system, for the effective and controlled pumping of waste water. The system has been designed specifically to overcome problems related to the pumping of waste water. Three innovative functions have been... →

INDUSTRY PLATFORM The annual Agritech Expo in Zambia is an opportunity for industry stakeholders and consumers to communicate and find solutions

Integrated heat pumps provide cost-effective energy efficiency

By: Nica Schreuder 6th October 2017 With the South African heat pumps market experiencing a high-growth phase, driven by the cost of energy, energy efficiency requirements for buildings, and overall cost and performance efficiency of the technology used, water heating solutions company HydraTherm has responded to the trend of wider... →

BIG PLANS HydraTherm has upcoming ranges of energy efficient water heating solutions in the gas and solar water sectors for 2018

Predictive maintenance made portable

6th October 2017 To detect early signs of component wear or failure in pumps and other mechanical assemblies, vibration sensors and monitoring systems company Monitran, represented locally by manufacturer Instrotech, has designed a portable, rechargeable instrument for measuring vibration levels. The MTN/VM220 is... →

Routine mechanical maintenance emphasised as preventive measure

6th October 2017 UK-based pump supplier SPP Pumps has emphasised the importance of routine mechanical maintenance, among other preventive measures, to improve pump reliability. SPP Pumps’ products comply with mandatory UK and European regulations and approvals, which guarantee extensive testing of all pumps. →

QUALITY IN CONFORMING SPP Pumps conforms to various UK and European standards to ensure quality and longevity in their pumps products

Sapma promotes industry interests through training courses

6th October 2017 As a means to prioritise the interests of the South African pump industry and pump manufacturing companies, the South African Pump Manufacturers Association (Sapma) has taken on projects designed to benefit the industry, in the form of pumps training courses. The Engineering Council of South... →

Photo by Duane Daws
DR OSWALD FRANKS The Engineering Council of South Africa provides advanced pumps training courses

Exhibition marks firm’s international re-entry

By: Simone Liedtke 6th October 2017 Protective workwear manufacturer Sweet-Orr is set to exhibit at this year’s A+A Trade Show exhibition – which is an important trade forum for safety, security and health at work – from October 17 to 20 in Dusseldorf, Germany. →

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT Sweet Orr benchmarks its continuous improvement process in order to maintain national and international quality standards

Work apparel company sees further growth in sales

By: Simone Liedtke 6th October 2017 Since the beginning of the year, industrial supplier and solutions provider Total Blasting – a subsidiary of Total Product Solutions Group – has sold more than 50 sets of water blast and water jet personal protective equipment (PPE) and the company foresees this number steadily growing at a... →

SPECIAL DESIGN The personal protective equipment was designed to not restrict operator movement and flexibility

Intra-industry dialogue crucial for components advancement

By: Robyn Wilkinson 6th October 2017 Given the multifaceted nature of South Africa’s automotive sector, intra-industry dialogue and collaboration are crucial to advancing the industry’s ability to provide high-quality products and much-needed employment in a rapidly evolving world, says Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI)... →

Photo by Bloomberg
KEEPING PACE Advancing education and training in the automotive sector is crucial for keeping up with changes in technology and the local demand for skilled technicians

Geospatial products distributor launches world’s smallest image laser scanner locally

By: Mia Breytenbach 6th October 2017 Geospatial products distributor Aciel Geomatics has officially locally launched the Leica BLK360 imaging laser scanner – the world’s smallest and lightest image laser scanner. Aciel Geomatics, the appointed distributor for Switzerland-based Leica Geosystems AG, launched the scanner at the... →

EASE OF USE The integration of the Leica BLK360 laser image scanner and Autodesk software streamlines the reality capture process

BMG invests R400m in Joburg distribution centre

By: Mia Breytenbach 29th September 2017 Technical solutions provider BMG, which is part of Invicta Holdings, has officially launched its BMG World site, in Johannesburg, which is the culmination of a consolidation and supply chain re-engineering strategy that began nearly ten years ago. “The company’s R400-million investment to upgrade... →

BMG MD Gavin Pelser discusses the upgraded BMG World site facility in Johannesburg. Camerawork and Editing: Nicholas Boyd.

Topics In These Articles

Business Nuclear Power Service Africa Engineering Health Safety Seifsa Steel Technology Financial Systems Maintenance Services Infrastructure Environmental ... more

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