Capital Equipment News June 2017

PARTS & MAINTENANCE

WearCheck acquires Transformer Chemistry Services

Durban-based reliability solutions specialist, WearCheck, recently bought out Transformer Chemistry Services (TCS), adding an already-established transformer analysis and monitoring division to the company’s condition monitoring portfolio. Coupled with WearCheck’s Africa-wide network, the expertise of TCS and a general growth in the number of transformers across the continent, WearCheck is now poised to provide large-scale and widespread comprehensive transformer reliability services. The primary function of the newly- formed transformer division is the promotion of transformer health through regular assessment of insulating fluid and diagnosis of the results. Transformers are extremely critical apparatus for providing reliable energy. No-one can precisely answer when equip- Torre Parts and Components has acquired 100% of the share capital of Top Class Automotive. Torre Parts and Components manufac- tures and distributes branded parts and components. Established in 1948, the company owns or represents a basket of well-known brands which include Gabri- el, Autocom, Echlin, VDO, ACSA-Mag, Textar, MagBrakes, Warn, Hi-Lift, Vision-X, Truck-Lite, Piusi, Pneumax and Raasm. “The acquisition of Top Class Automotive with its premium basket of brands, namely SKF, Permatex, DJ and FTE (BI), a member of the Hudaco Group, has appointed Trevor Veeradu as the new Regional Manager at its KwaZulu- Natal branch in Durban, South Africa. Veeradu has been promoted to his new role following a stint as Junior Sales Representative since 2015. BI’s main industry focus is the automotive, OEM, and aftermarket sectors in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and other countries within Sub-Saharan Africa. “With our extensive network of more than 47 branches, we support clients in most major cities. However, where the Hudaco Group expands through acquisitions, we will be willing to look into those areas of opportunity,” says Burtie Roberts, BI CEO. New KZN regional manager for BI Leading distributor Bearings International

ment will fail, but it is essen- tial to manage risk. Compared with the cost of premature or catastrophic failure, regular- ly scheduled oil testing is a cost-effective and sound main- tenance practice that is used to extend the life of transformers. WearCheck has now added the transformer tests done by TCS to its existing transform- er oil analysis programme, increasing the number of available fluid and non-fluid tests, such as Insulation Pa- per Quality Testing. This test provides a measure of paper aging, and correlates it with important physical proper-

WearCheck MD Neil Robinson (right) and TCS MD Ian Gray shake hands following the merger of TCS into WearCheck.

estimating the real aging of the main transformer insulation. b

ties such as resistance to tearing and bursting. This is a critical factor in

Torre Parts acquires Top Class Automotive

Single device multi-controller gains traction Ease of use has been taken to another level with the recent introduction, by Booyco Electronics, of the ESI Multi Controller with I/O. Jaco du Plessis, continuous improvement manager at Booyco Electronics, says the company has expanded its ESI range of environmental sensing instruments with the addition of a single device multi-controller which combines the controller, repeater and input/output functions. “Essentially, this is a fire detection system in a box and it is anticipated that the new product will rapidly gain traction across a wide sector of industry that need to meet environmental safety requirements,” says Du Plessis. “The acquisition will allow the group to continue to leverage its infrastructure and associated resources, and will help grow the business of Top Class Automotive and its associated brands.” As a result of the acquisition and continues to enhance our strategic growth in the automotive aftermarket sector and expands Torre’s product range, providing further reach into the commercial and off-highway markets which are seen as strategic growth nodes for the Torre group,” says Kevin Rogers, MD of Torre Parts and Components.

Aftermarket brake pads from Federal- Mogul Motorparts Federal-Mogul Motorparts, a division of Federal- Mogul Holdings Corporation, has launched Wagner QS application-specific brake pads for commercial vehicles. The new range is targeted to meet the expectations of workshop and fleet operators who are looking for reduced parts cost with no compromise on safety. “The competitive positioning of a reliable and affordable range adds a new option to the market for commercial vehicle brake pads,” says Mark Bonney, Braking & Wiper Product Manager, South Africa at Federal-Mogul Motorparts. “By offering high-value products that still meet such demanding quality standards, we enable operators to safely extend the economic life of their vehicles.” “SKF will continue to support Top Class Automotive and its new shareholder, Torre Parts and Components. We see this new association as a great opportunity to extend our reach into target markets and to further improve the support and service levels currently provided to customers,” says Gary Czapski, manager – Vehicle Service Market, SKF South Africa. b subsequent negotiation, Torre Parts and Components has also been appointed the official SKF Automotive Distributor for South and southern Africa.

IN BRIEF

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JUNE 2017 38