MechChem Africa March-April 2023

⎪ Products and industry news ⎪

Bosch Rexroth Botswana appoints first authorised distributor Bosch Rexroth Botswana has appointed DWD Solutions as its first authorised distributor. The company will serve the country’s sizeable mining sector with its products and services. pany also has a presence in Jwaneng, Letlhakane and Orapa as well as new premises in Ghanzi,” says Werner Joubert, General Manager, Hydraulic & Automation Warehouse.

A specialist in drilling, drill rig manufacturing, fabrication and gen eral engineering, DWD Solutions will have access to all Bosch Rexroth and Hydraulic & Automation Warehouse products. A 100% citizen-owned company, with a 74-year history and a footprint spanning Botswana, DWD Solutions has established business relationships with the major mining companies in the country. “DWD’s extensive hydraulic and engineering expertise originated in its drilling and manufacturing of drill rigs. They have two large workshops in Rasesa where their main offices and workshop are situated. The com

“In addition, DWD Solutions has an agreement with Minetek for the distribution of hoses and fittings; it has outlets inside Jwaneng and Orapa mine, Francistown and Toteng. The company’s manufacturing and repair capabilities also enable it to repair or build the largest shovel buckets in use in Botswana,” Joubert adds. DWD Solutions will receive product training in due course, and initially, will receive product back-up, and support for installation and commis sioning projects, from Bosch Rexroth Botswana. All parts distributed by DWD Solutions will carry the Bosch Rexroth warranty. The initial distribution agreement is (SSPC-SP 5). The zinc is usually mixed with a polymeric-containing carrier and must be agitated constantly during application to produce a homogenous mixture and ensure proper adhesion. Zinc-rich paints contain 65% to 95% metallic zinc in a dry film, with 92% to 95% zinc-containing paints being common. “The paints can be brushed or sprayed onto steel,” explains Simon Norton, Executive Director of the International Zinc Association (IZA) “On-time customer deliveries are a key element in creating excellent customer experiences,” says Arnesen. The Durban Branch works closely with a team of logis tics professionals to constantly improve its efficiency in this critical area. Although not always possible, the branch prides itself on getting a significant number of orders out in under 48 hours to all the far-flung corners of its territory. Arnesen highlights that the branch services customers in the automotive, manufacturing, engineering, agricultural, construction and retail sectors, as well as

for a one-year period, to be reviewed before the end of the term. Bosch Rexroth Botswana and Hydraulic & Automation Warehouse are members of the Bosch Rexroth South Africa Group of Companies. www.boschrexroth.africa Chris Briers, CEO of DWD Technologies Group, receives the Authorised Distributor Certificate from Gustav Kamfer, Acting Country Manager for Bosch Rexroth Botswana. the food and beverage sector, from abat toirs to bakeries. “The range of products we stock for such a diverse customer base is quite extensive,” adds Arnesen. However, with a full portfolio of 10 000 products and a reputation as the largest independent lubricants manufacturer in the world, FUCHS continues to gain trac tion in different markets and sectors. “The Durban team is extremely hands on and prides itself on being highly active in the field, including regularly visiting customers, conducting lubricant surveys and maintaining close contact with cus tomers. This allows them to better under stand customer-specific requirements and challenges,” says Arnesen. www.fuchs.com/za Africa. They can be applied either in the workshop or in the field; however, with inorganic zinc-rich primer paints, it is critical to allow the coating to cure completely before overcoating. Zinc-rich paints are also used widely as primers for high performance two- and three-coat systems and to repair batch hot dip galvanized steel and, in mildly corrosive environments, on their own without a top coat. zinc@iafrica.com

FUCHS: the lubricants company for KwaZulu-Natal The KwaZulu-Natal branch of FUCHS Lubricants South Africa in New Germany, Durban, is the largest in the country after the Isando head office in Johannesburg, and services one of the broadest geo graphical regions after Gauteng, says branch manager Hayley Arnesen. to Ladybrand near the Lesotho border. The branch has a substantial stockhold ing, replenished regularly from the Isando facility via superlink truck deliveries.

Where hot dip galvanizing is not fea sible, zinc-rich paints play a key role in corrosion protection of construction steel exposed to a range of corrosive conditions. Applied by brush or spray, these versatile coatings consist of zinc particles or flakes mixed with either organic or inorganic binders. Prior to application, the steel must be cleaned by grit blasting to near-white metal (SSPC-SP 10), commercial blast cleaning (SSPC-SP 6) or white metal Arnesen began her career at FUCHS as Durban Branch Manager two years ago during the height of the Covid-19 pan demic. Classified as an essential services provider, it was business as usual for the branch during that period. While the branch focuses on Durban, the area it services is substantially larger. Its territory covers all KwaZulu-Natal and extends south to Umtata in the Eastern Cape, north to Villiers and west

Zinc-rich paints enhance corrosion protection

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