INDUSTRY CHALLENGE There is a need for artisan mechanical skills in the generator industry
Despite the generator industry facing various challenges, some of the industry’s leaders say they are optimistic about the future of the industry.
Industrial equipment company Generator & Plant Hire South Africa (GPHSA) tells Engineering News that the company is growing “at a rapid rate”, recording growth of 20% to 25% over the last ten years.
Growth of 20%has been achieved so far in 2017. At the end of 2014, the previous owners of GPHSA decided to bring on board a black economic-empowerment (BEE) partner.
Following a thorough search for a potential candidate who would invest in GPHSA to become part owners, GPHSA settled on two companies seeking to invest in GPHSA.
“With them on board, we improved our BEE score and are now at level four.
In August, we will reach level three,” says GPHSA CEO Dave Pretorius.
GPHSA business development manager Michael Muller says it is one of the company’s main priorities to provide power solutions and ensure best practice at GPHSA, regardless of challenges in industry.
There is a need for skilled artisans in the generator industry for maintenance purposes, says Muller.
“Companies are struggling to find mechanical, practical and technical personnel as, in recent times, young people have tended to pursue careers in finance and arts rather than artisan mechanics.”
Pretorius says artisans are also more scarce, owing to the digitalisation of mechanical equipment which has caused fewer people to pursue a career in mechanics.
GPHSA sales director Wayne Morris says the company provides in-house training, however, it enables the experienced and new staff to maintain or develop the levels of excellence demanded by GPHSA.
Construction and mining are two major sectors that rely on generators and standby power. Owing to the struggling South African economy, Muller says these traditional industries are suffering the most, as there is a major scaling back of big projects and the mining sector has dramatically reduced its equipment spend.
He continues to say that renewable energy is also becoming more prevalent in the industry and it is becoming a core focus of GPHSA.
“To survive this challenge, we are expanding our presence into other industries and market segments and exploring energy storage and renewable energy, to provide robust mobile energy solutions for South Africa’s power requirements,” Muller concludes.