Capital Equipment News July 2019

COVER STORY

To shorten lead times for its sand and aggregates customers operating in Africa and the Middle East, Weir Minerals Africa has added Trio screens to its local production line-up in Africa, writes Munesu Shoko . EXPANDING LOCAL PRODUCTION

A s part of its drive to increase local production, Weir Minerals Africa now manufactures Trio ® screens at its Alrode, Johannesburg facility. Rajen Govender, marketing director at Weir Minerals Africa, says local manufacturing is one of the key focus areas for the company, and the venture will see several previously imported products being manufactured locally. Weir Minerals Africa offers two ranges of comminution equipment; Enduron ® and Trio ® . The Alrode facility has been manufacturing Enduron ® screens since 2012. According to Tiisetso Masekwameng, Product Manager – Trio/Enduron Comminution Products at Weir Minerals Africa, a sizeable amount of CAPEX has been invested into the existing facility to further capacitate the screen assembly bay. “A large proportion of the CAPEX went into the tooling, testing facilities and the cranage,” explains Masekwameng. “In addition, the provision of labour to support the expanded manufacturing activities was required, which feeds directly into the company’s local employment creation drive.” Local production of Trio ® screens commenced in December 2018. Later this

year, Weir Minerals Africa will start local production of Trio ® conveyors and apron feeders. “Trio conveyors and apron feeders will be the next batch of products to join the local production line-up. We will start with conveyors in July, which will be followed by apron feeders later in the year,” explains Masekwameng. Why local production? Masekwameng says Weir Minerals’ local production project is driven by a number of reasons. “Firstly, manufacturing locally means that the control is in our hands,” she says. “Secondly, production of the screens in South Africa was a natural progression, especially considering that the Weir Minerals’ Technology Group for screens development is based in South Africa. “All the screen design and engineering is done centrally from our Isando offices where the expertise sits. It made sense to produce these screens locally because the expertise is already based here in South Africa,” says Masekwameng. However, she adds that the big drive behind local production is shortening of lead times for customers. Masekwameng says manufacturing locally removes the “Local production means that we can turn around finished products at a faster and more reliable rate, which is key for our customers. Reducing lead times empowers us to improve reliability. Customers appreciate that they don’t have to worry about delayed shipments or long wait times between placing an order and having it fulfilled.”

uncertainty related to shipping periods. She reasons that quick lead times are critical, especially for sand and aggregates customers. The majority of the aggregates industry across Africa is driven by owner decisions and as opportunities arise, owners need to be responsive to capitalise on them. “With local production of Trio screens, apron feeders and conveyors, we are now better equipped to deliver on these requirements, offering strong, flexible and innovative solutions,” says Masekwameng. “Local production means that we can turn around finished products at a faster and more reliable rate, which is key for our customers. Reducing lead times empowers us to improve reliability. Customers appreciate that they don’t have to worry about delayed shipments or long wait times between placing an order and having it fulfilled,” she adds.

Tiisetso Masekwameng, Product Manager – Trio/Enduron Comminution Products at Weir Minerals Africa

TALKING POINTS

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JULY 2019 4