Capital Equipment News January-February 2024

MINING NEWS

SKF showcases its circular economy product, technology and service solutions With mining a key account segment for SKF globally, SKF South Africa used Mining Indaba 2024 to spotlight its premium brand mining and industrial product, technology and service solutions that underpin its relentless drive towards a circular economy. With businesses doubling down on cal ibrating increased production, decreased operating costs, and environmental compliance, the global focus has shifted to creating a circular economy. Saien Rugdeo, Industrial Distribution and Regional Sales Manager at SKF South Africa points out that mines face similar and unique challenges. Achieving machine reliability and subsequent rotating asset optimisation is pivotal for efficient, sustainable and profitable operations. SKF is on a global and local drive that embraces the concept of reliability and a circular economy, which go hand in glove. Here, remanufacturing, predictive maintenance and asset management play Bühler Johannesburg offers complete solutions for the mining industry As a regional hub for value-added solutions and aftersales service across Sub-Saharan Africa, Bühler Johannesburg was established in 1972. The office and manufacturing facility in Honeydew, Gauteng, was set up in 2004 to consolidate its presence there, explains Francois Knoetze, Head of Manufacturing and Logistics. Manufacturing services at the Johannesburg facility range from small steel construction to heavy processing equipment. Its primary focus is chain conveyors for grain collection points, terminals, and processing plants. These are compact and have a high conveying capacity over long distances thanks to their premium quality drop-forged chain. They also provide gentle handling of granular and floury bulk goods. Bühler chain conveyors set new standards for service life, sanitation, and versatility, with up to 1,200 t/h throughputs. The manufacturing setup in Johannes burg is an independent entity operating as a standalone Bühler business in the mar ket, supplying assemblies for machines and production plants globally. Value-add

a pivotal role. “In a bid to ensure that crucially important factors such as mainte nance, repair and operations (MRO) work, which regrettably do not always enjoy top priority, are prioritised, we must first have a clear understanding of the mine’s vision and ensure that our premium technical sup port and supply is done through the right channels,” notes Rugdeo. Programmes such as Customer Needs Analysis (CNA) and Stock Inventory Management Optimisation (SIMO) perfectly position SKF South Africa to assist mines on the African continent with streamlining their supply chains by procuring application-specific products. “Through an integrated approach – prod uct, technology, engineering, reliability, intelli gent and service solutions – in collaboration with our wide Authorised Distributor network and our Circular Economy Centre located at our head office in Johannesburg, Gauteng, we have created a strategic efficient supply chain ecosystem with distributors, customers and end-users,” shares Rugdeo. Training programmes are part and parcel of SKF’s reliability and circular economy drive. “There is a direct correlation be tween correct product use and equipment reliability,” stresses Rugdeo. “Our objective is to train future leaders, engineers and in ed services include drafting, prototyping, general steel fabrication (specialising in mild steel, stainless steel, and alumin ium), bending, rolling, welding, boiler making, sheet metal work, laser cutting, powder coating and painting, pickling and passivating, and assembly. A unique aspect of Bühler Johannes burg is that it manufactures and exports mining equipment. “For example, we assist Brazil with expertise and knowl edge because it has many woodworking plants, which use similar equipment to the mining industry,” says Knoetze. The company supplies equipment for the pow er generation sector. Other focal markets include sugar, bottling, smelting, brewing, and agricultural processing. “Our market segmentation and diver sification assist us to weather cyclical variances in any specific industries and sectors,” says Knoetze. However, he points out that extended load shedding is having a significant impact on feed customers. Hence, the current trend is for longer-lasting equipment and a backup power supply to maintain production during any outages. Bühler Johannesburg’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and full stockhold ing of essential spares underscore its

SKF is on a global and local drive that embraces reliability and a circular economy, which go hand in hand.

dustry pioneers.” Training programmes of fered to local communities and educational institutions form the cornerstone of SKF’s corporate social responsibility initiatives. “We are committed to developing local tal ent by equipping them with the necessary skills and SKF knowledge on best modern mining practices about rotating equipment reliability,” says Rugdeo. He also points out that continuous training and skill honing arm people with the necessary tools to keep in step with the rapid advancement of technology. Visitors to Mining Indaba 2024 will also have the opportunity to view some of SKF’s intelligent solutions, includ ing the smart Quick Collect sensors. b

The Bühler Johannesburg manufacturing facility.

vision of ‘if you can imagine it, we can make it’. Knoetze reveals that customisa tion is the norm, mainly due to the lack of Greenfield projects in South Africa. “We often have to take an existing building and ensure our equipment fits into that specific footprint and layout, which is where a lot of the customisa tion comes in. We also carry out a lot of equipment replacement, which is all part of our value-added service offering to our clients,” says Knoetze. “From a manufacturing perspective to a group perspective, Bühler Johannesburg is committed to ensuring its clients get the best value possible, from planning to logistics and assisting with energy effi ciency and optimisation,” says Knoetze. b

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CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JAN - FEB 2024