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BMG launches R400m World site facility in Gauteng

By: Mia Breytenbach 15th 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... →

Certification upholds international standards

15th September 2017 The Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW) Welding Fabricator Certification Scheme, known as ISO 3834, is operated by independent company SAIW Certification, which is authorised by the International Institute of Welding (IIW) as South Africa’s Authorised National Body for Company... →

NDT testing integral to safety foundation

15th September 2017 The Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW) is Africa’s leading welder training organisation and also hosts the leading non-destructive testing (NDT) facility in Africa. The importance of NDT to the safety of structures must never be underestimated, SAIW systems and quality manager Harold... →

Welding company aims to bridge skills gap

By: Nica Schreuder 15th September 2017 Despite challenging economic conditions and a dire lack of welding skills, steel welding and fabrication service provider Federal Steel Company is committed to welding skills development initiatives that will expand nationally. Federal Steel Company MD Phakamile Buthelezi explains that the lack... →

PHAKAMILE BUTHELEZI The Federal Steel Company has invested in initiatives to monitor and facilitate the proper training of young artisans

Welding key in driving economic growth

By: Nica Schreuder 15th September 2017 Welding has been dubbed the “miracle career” by Johannesburg-based training institute, the Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW), owing to the number of opportunities associated with it. Manufacturing is essential for economic growth and with welding forming a significant part of... →

QCTO IN ACTION A trainee practising his gas-tungsten arc skills in the Southern African Institute of Welding welding school

Equipment manufacturer inaugurates new facility

By: Mia Breytenbach 15th September 2017 Heavy-equipment manufacturer Caterpillar has officially inaugurated its new parts distribution facility, near Johannesburg, in Gauteng. The 60 000 m2 facility consolidates two smaller parts-distribution sites – Linbro Park and Isando – and offers several advantages, including the ability to work... →

SHEER ADVANTAGE The 60 000 m2 facility allows for the ability to work more efficiently while increasing capacity to provide unmatched parts availability for customers across Africa

Labels assist in reducing domestic energy use

By: Robyn Wilkinson 15th September 2017 With all common household electronic appliances now required to display new energy efficiency labelling, the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) is confident that there will be a marked improvement in energy use and cost savings in South Africa, says NRCS communications and... →

Photo by Bloomberg
CUSTOMER PROTECTION Updated labelling informs end-users of the energy performance of household appliances, which must meet Minimum Energy Performance Standards to be sold in South Africa

New acid gas scrubber up to standard

By: Robyn Wilkinson 15th September 2017 Testing, inspection and certification services provider TÜV Rheinland Quality Services South Africa has ensured that the design and fabrication of a new 15-m-long acid gas scrubber for one of South Africa’s largest fuel refineries has met all quality and safety requirements for pressure vessels. →

Photo by Rolf Bille, TUV Rheinland AG
QUALITY AND SAFETY ASSURANCE The inspection process drew on the requirements of national pressure equipment regulations and international health and safety standards

New local engineering education standards internationally recognised

By: Robyn Wilkinson 15th September 2017 The Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) is preparing for a routine assessment by the International Engineering Alliance (IEA) for continued recognition as a signatory of the Dublin and Sydney accords, which will ensure that ECSA-accredited new engineering technology and technician... →

INCLUSIVE EDUCATION The new higher education qualifications subframework seeks to help students gain professional qualifications through a variety of pathways

Rope access ensures successful inspection of cyclone

By: Robyn Wilkinson 15th September 2017 Using rope access, inspection company Skyriders Access Specialists overcame height challenges, as well as confined-space and limited-access options, to conduct critical routine inspection of a cyclone at a Northern Cape-based cement producer. →

TOTAL-SOLUTIONS APPROACH To perform the inspection of the cyclone, the Skyriders team had to gain access to the ducting from the top, at a height of 30 m

Toolkits help companies navigate standards upgrades

By: Robyn Wilkinson 15th September 2017 Inspection, verification and certification company SGS South Africa has developed toolkits that have been circulated to all its clients to assist them with the transition process required to meet the updates in the International Organisation for Standardisation’s (ISO’s) three core management... →

MITIGATING RISKS Companies across all industries must ensure compliance with updates to health and safety, quality management and environmental standards by September next year

Harmful gas phase-out plan on track

By: Marleny Arnoldi 1st September 2017 The Department of Environmental Affairs has drafted a phase-out plan for the use of hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) across industries to be down to 2.5% by 2030, with the refrigerants industry already achieving results of 2 556 t in 2016, compared with 3 163 t in 2013. →

BREATHE IN BREATHE OUT Reducing harmful greenhouse gases is expected to lessen global warming by up to 0.5 ˚C by the end of the century

Abundant skills development in bus transport

25th August 2017 The Southern African Bus Operators’ Association (Saboa) and the Transport Education Training Authority (Teta) are working towards combatting the lack of skills development and training in South Africa’s transport sector. Teta’s primary goal is to establish a credible institutional mechanism for... →

TAKING THE WHEEL Training bus drivers is essential to reducing fatalities and comply with international driving standards

Fire-protection equipment and ongoing maintenance provided by consultant

25th August 2017 With the National Building Standard and Building Regulations Act stating that all buildings – including shopping centres – should meet the South African National Standards (SANS) 10400 part ‘T’ fire-protection standards requirements, fire risk management and support consultant ASP Fire supplies... →

MICHAEL VAN NIEKERK ASP Fire has completed a number of risk assessments in shopping centres

Attention to detail crucial for conveyor belts

By: Robyn Wilkinson 18th August 2017 Stringent adherence to safety protocols and a fit-for-purpose design are important factors governing the successful use of conveyor belts to increase production rates in mining, say industrial rubber products manufacturer Dunlop Industrial Products product managers Paul Nel and Dave Pitcher. →

SAFETY FIRST It is imperative that a risk assessment be performed prior to working on conveyors and that all operators are educated on the learning points identified

New code to benefit smaller companies

By: Marleny Arnoldi 18th August 2017 With the Amended Construction Sector Code (CSC) in its final stages, business strategy consultancy Gestalt says that the CSC will provide revised specifications in terms of the black economic empowerment (BEE) requirements in the sector. The sector codes continue to advance the transformation... →

Photo by Duane Daws
DEON OBERHOLZER Some companies prefer noncompliance with BEE requirements, but subsequently lose lucrative opportunities to supply government or public-sector-related projects

Procurement standard set to stop use of ‘cheap’ professional services

By: Marleny Arnoldi 18th August 2017 The National Treasury’s (NT’s) standard for infrastructure procurement and delivery management aimed at addressing government’s use of “cheap” professional service providers in public infrastructure projects officially became applicable to municipalities last month. →

Photo by Duane Daws
INCLUSIVE DECISION-MAKING Government bodies in their respective procurement departments, should make more of a crossfunctional team effort regarding procurement

Local manufacturer looks to bridge skills gap

By: Nadine James 11th August 2017 Sealing products manufacturer Klinger Mzansi has opened its training academy, which offers a learnership programme, joint integrity training as well as an introductory course on all of the company’s products. Klinger sales and marketing director Phillip Herbst notes that the academy opened on... →

KLINGER TRAINING ACADEMY The trainees have access to a fully equipped workshop, and gain both practical and theoretical knowledge

Company providing a package for complete heat containment

11th August 2017 Johannesburg-based incineration technology company Saubatech (formerly a division of Safurnco) is now offering a total heat containment package. Saubatech’s total heat containment package starts with the heat transfer service. Saubatech enlightens that a common problem is where companies put too... →

Photo by Bloomberg
DRAWING THE LINE A common problem is where companies put too thick or too thin a lining into their furnaces, which Saubatech aims to circumvent

TITAN vacuum furnace purchased to support aerospace industry

11th August 2017 With a focus on pursuing additional market sectors, such as the aerospace industry, last month, heat-treating company Diamond Heat Treat purchased a TITAN H6 vacuum furnace with six-bar gas quenching to expand its capabilities. The TITAN H6 vacuum furnace is one of industrial vacuum and... →

Photo by Bloomberg
PURSUING INDUSTRIES Diamond Heat Treat will use the TITAN vacuum furnace to pursue the aerospace industry

Forum to address rail maintenance and rehabilitation

4th August 2017 A delegation of international rail maintenance and rehabilitation professionals, together with an “unbeatable” line-up of thought leaders in Africa’s transport sector will be in Durban, South Africa in October to address challenges faced by the rail fraternity in Africa. →

Company to hold short courses and workshops this year

By: Simone Liedtke 28th July 2017 Environment solutions company I-CAT plans to hold a range of external, environment-oriented short courses and workshops at its Pretoria-based training facility by the last quarter of this year, as a means to keep the industry updated on legislation changes and the responsibility of industry players. →

Photo by Duane Daws
LOURENS JANSEN VAN RENSBURG I-CAT uses highly qualified and experienced facilitators to provide competency-based specialised training programmes

Education institutions struggling with connectivity

By: Simone Liedtke 28th July 2017 Amid water, electricity and basic infrastructure challenges at various education institutions, the lack of Internet connectivity has also been a challenge, states wireless connectivity firm Ruckus sub-Saharan Africa sales director Riaan Graham. →

RIAAN GRAHAM Connectivity to the Internet is essential and if it is available at a school, WiFi can be used to distribute access to the students

First red-seal toolmaker certificates handed over

By: Simone Liedtke 28th July 2017 The National Tooling Initiative Programme (NTIP) celebrated the milestone of handing over the first red-seal toolmaker occupational certificates to twelve graduates last month at the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation, in Pretoria. →

SEAL OF APPROVAL The first cohort of graduates received their red-seal toolmaker occupational certificates last month

Not enough high school mathematics and science graduates

By: Simone Liedtke 28th July 2017 Irrespective of the considerable amount of money invested in the South African education system, engineering consultancy WSP Africa head of people, culture and engagement Elaine Porter, states that the number of high-school graduates with good results in higher-grade mathematics and science is... →

NECESSARY FOUNDATIONS Mathematics and science abilities cannot suddenly be learnt, without foundations in analytical skills

Bearings, power transmission giant moves to 5 000 m2 site

By: Mia Breytenbach 28th July 2017 As part of its business strategy to re-engineer and optimise global operations, bearings and mechanical power transmission solutions provider Timken has opened a new facility in Gauteng. The facility spans almost 5,000 m2 and is home to Timken South Africa’s bearing repair and assembly... →

Timken South Africa MD Kevin Holloway and Timken Middle East, Africa and Turkey MD Sudesh Kumar discuss the advantages and strategic importance of Timken’s new facility. Camerawork: Nicholas Boyd. Editing: Lionel da Silva.

Training facility to improve skills deficit in artisan industry

By: Simone Liedtke 28th July 2017 Industrial rope access specialist Skyriders Access Specialists aims to bridge the rope access skills deficit in the artisan industry through offering training at its Midrand-based facility, states Skyriders marketing manager Mike Zinn. →

Skyriders marketing manager Mike Zinn gives a tour of their training facility, in Midrand. Camerawork and Editing: Nicholas Boyd.

Software-defined storage allows schools to use commodity hardware to build storage pool

By: Simone Liedtke 28th July 2017 Enterprise open-source software company SUSE has released what it calls software-defined storage which supports schools using free open-source software (FOSS), says SUSE client executive Derek Rule. →

DEREK RULE The global community of open-source software users and developers provides a constant stream of updates and improvements

Arteor Exclusive developed for global projects

21st July 2017 Global electrical and digital building infrastructures specialist Legrand’s range of Arteor wiring devices now encompasses the new ‘Arteor Exclusive’ portfolio, which has been developed for projects globally. Legrand highlights that these demand more than standard electrical fittings. The range... →

IMPRINTED Legrand’s Tattoo collection, with intricate patterns, is the inspiration of urban culture

Multidisciplinary platform pursued for project

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 21st July 2017 Engineering professional services consulting firm WSP Africa is making its infrastructure consultancy offering available through one multidisciplinary project delivery platform. WSP Transport and Infrastructure MD Dr Terence Milne joined the company last month to spearhead this venture and... →

Photo by Bloomberg
WHOLE OTHER DIMENSION Three-dimensional modelling allows for a project’s building design to be viewed in virtual reality using headsets

Otis relaunches training academy to build skills, expertise in industry

By: Mia Breytenbach 21st July 2017 Elevator and escalator manufacturer Otis South Africa earlier this month relaunched its training academy in line with its skills development programme, which is designed to create technical and functional expertise in African markets. “Building skills and expertise through the Otis training... →

ESCALATED OFFERING The training academy will now offer programmes that include service and maintenance, installations, as well as quality, environment health and safety

Conformity assessment key to navigating disruption in the power sector

By: Robyn Wilkinson 14th July 2017 The power industry is a global community that has developed a strong habit of sharing best practice and discussing joint problems – making events like POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa invaluable for advancing the sector in times of disruption, says testing, inspection and certification services... →

Photo by Reuters
UP TO STANDARD Conformity assessment involves ensuring clients’ power assets are developed, constructed and operated in line with all applicable regulations

Power crucial to Africa’s economic development

By: Robyn Wilkinson 14th July 2017 With strong correlations between electric capacity and economic development, access to reliable and cost-effective power is crucial to enabling nations to harness the productive capabilities of their people and obtain meaningful growth, says engineering, procurement and construction company Black... →

WEBB MEKO POWER-GEN & DistribuTECH Africa is the ideal platform to shift the conversations surrounding new power technology into meaningful action

Control system minimises dust escape during grab discharge

By: Simone Liedtke 7th July 2017 Materials handling equipment supplier BLT South Africa’s Samson travelling Eco-Hoppers have an effective dust control system that minimises the escape of dust during the grab discharge cycle. →

DUST CONTROL The grab discharge cycle includes transferring materials down the line using handling systems

Steel remains invaluable commodity, despite decline

By: Nica Schreuder 7th July 2017 Despite the decrease in demand in the local steel industry, the industry remains invaluable to South Africa’s economy, says local provider of high-quality global electrical, automation, mechanical, consumable and capital equipment products, Elquip Solutions MD Mike Cronin. He explains that steel... →

DYNAMIC AUTOMATION Tooling and machinery company Elquip Solutions’ dynamic bandsaw, the Behringer HBE 312

Driver report programme enhances total service offering

By: Marleny Arnoldi 7th July 2017 Fleet management company MiX Telematics (MiX) last month announced the relaunch of its MiX ReportMyDriving programme, previously offered by a division of MiX, Compass Fleet Management, after an incremental development period to ensure key improvements to the reports offered to clients, as well as... →

MIX REPORTMYDRIVING MiX Telematics Journey Management Centre provides road users with a platform to report traffic incidents or driver offences of subscribed fleet vehicles

Filter standard replacement to occur over 18-month transition period

7th July 2017 The new test standard for International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 16890, for filter testing and assessment, replaced European Standard (EN) 779 as of January this year, with a transition period of 18 months. →

SHIFTING PARADIGM This new method for the evaluation of air filter elements represents a paradigm shift

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