Capital Equipment News January 2022

Business as usual as Kwatani/Sandvik transaction closes

Business as usual is how Kim Schoepflin CEO of Kwatani describes the news of the closing date of the transaction whereby Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions and Kwatani signed an agreement for the multi-national Sandvik Group to acquire the shares of this 45-year-old leading vibrating screen and feeder original transaction, which was subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions, was made known to the mining and materials handling industries earlier this year it was exceptionally well received by the markets, from both potential and existing customers. “Kwatani has operated its world class production facility in South Africa for more than 45 years, and both Sandvik and Kwatani are technology leaders so bringing our combined resources to customers will be of enormous benefit,” she says. “What is most significant for the South African industry is that the collaboration is aligned with our government’s industri- alization strategy. Furthermore, Kwatani is known for its commitment to compliance equipment manufacturer (OEM). Schoepflin says when the exciting With the bulk of its business in Africa driven by mining, Cummins has continued to support its major mining clients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. From blasthole drills and front-end loaders to 360 t haul trucks and 1 000 t excavators, Cummins’ mining platform delivers engine power from 85 hp to 3 500 hp. This is coupled with 80 years’ experience in the mining industry globally, developing fuel- efficient and emissions-compliant technology to ensure the lowest cost-per-ton in the most demanding applications. The mining industry has kept the pedal to the metal throughout the COVID-19 pandem- ic, notes Dave Rehse, Director Mining Afri- ca, Cummins Africa Middle East. “Business has largely carried on as usual. We are just entering some very good rebuild cycles right now. Overall, I would say that the industry has remained buoyant throughout this difficult period.” Specific commodity sectors such as diamonds are showing green shoots, while the open-cast mining sector has also proven quite resilient. Having worked at Cummins for over 30 years, of which the bulk has been in the mining industry, Rehse high- lights that a particular challenge has been the restrictions on travel and having to deal with problems on client sites remotely. However, these restrictions are easing

with the South African Mining Charter and we are a proudly Level 2 B-BBEE company.” Add to this, and a game changing move for the South African economy is that the Kwatani facility is set to become the global engineering and manufacturing base for vibrating screens and feeders for both local and international customers. The interna- tionally recognised Kwatani brand, with its promise of being engineered for tonnage, will remain unchanged and the Kwatani brand will continue to be used across Africa while products sold internationally will be sold through the Sandvik sales channels under the Kwatani product name. Schoepflin says that also exciting for the market is that Sandvik will further develop the Kwatani vibrating equipment brand globally. “This will see increased access to the Kwatani product through Sandvik’s global distribution network and customers will benefit by having access to a vastly increased customer service network.” “Sandvik will also, through its global technology resources, provide access to monitoring and automation processes as well as access to its extensive R&D facilities

Kim Schoepflin, CEO of Kwatani.

which include simulators.” This, Schoepflin says, will provide opportunities for driving efficiency arising from the advance of artificial intelligence in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and will significantly empower the process of cost effective customisation. b

Cummins’ global supply-chain network offers a lifeline to the mining industry

Cummins has ensured a consistent supply of parts and spares during the global pandemic.

globally, which is signalling a slow return to normal for the mining industry. A particular achievement for Cummins during the pandemic has been ensuring a consistent supply of parts and spares, despite the global constraints in this regard, stresses Marco Gouveia, Parts Marketing Director, Cummins Africa Middle East. “We have manufacturing facilities worldwide, and different countries have been impacted by COVID-19 at different times, and also responded differently in how they have dealt with the pandemic.” A major headache has simply been circulating manufactured goods around the

globe, with airplane and shipping space at a premium due to a reduced number of flights and even a shortage of shipping containers to contend with. Despite these challenges, Cummins’ resilient supply chain network has ensured a steady supply of parts and spares globally. “It is imperative that our mining clients are up and running at all times, as any parts-supply issues can impact rebuild or service times and have a major impact on uptime. In this regard, the global Cummins team has done a sterling job in literally keeping our engines running worldwide,” adds Rehse. b

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