MechChem Africa May 2017

⎪ Products and industry news ⎪

Festoon systems, the lifeblood of bulk materials handling

Festoon systems are the lifeblood of mo- bile electric bulk materials handling ma- chinery, feeding energy, data, air or fluids to these machines to keep them moving. As operations such as open cast and un- derground mines, quarries, stockyards, and ports greatly depend on the reliable operation of these machines, equipment longevity, maximum uptime and high productivity levels are fundamental to sustainable production and subsequently profitability. “No matter how extreme and ardu- ous the conditions, it is paramount that festoon systems maintain a reliable,

world-class technology,” continuesMarks. “Benefits delivered to customers and end- users include above-average operational life, easy installation, uncomplicatedoper- ationand cost-effectivemaintenancewith subsequent lowest possible operational and ownership costs and rapid return on investment.” The design and correct alignment of the cable significantly influences the per- formanceof energyanddata transmission. The compact, rugged and reliable custom- made Powermite/Conductix-Wampfler cable carriers on the festoon systems effectively and efficiently handle and protect flat and round power/data cables that transfer electrical energy and data to machinery. The Powermite/Conductix festoon- ing range presents an extensive array of configurations for straight runs, bends and circular configurations, making these feeding systems ideally suited for virtually any type of moving equipment, including: bulkmaterial conveyors, stackers, reclaim- ers, travelling hoppers, rail car and dump- ers; plating lines; water treatment and car wash systems that operate in mines; steel mills; container handling and ship- to-shore power supplies; power plants; airports, warehouses; and automotive facilities. www.powermite.co.za

efficient, seamless and uninterrupted feed to machinery at all cost,” states Powermite marketing director, Donovan Marks. “Our specialised festoon systems set the benchmark in quality and rugged reliability because there can simply be no compromise.” Powermite is part of theHudacoGroup and has been a specialist supplier to local industry of electrical and mechani- cal equipment for moving machinery for close on 50 years. In partnership with French multinational, Delachaux and its Conductix-Wampfler operation, Powermite’s materials handling divi-

sion has been distributing Conductix festoon sys- tems, cable reeling drums (CRDs) and slip-ring housings to the Southern Africanmining and indus- try for over four decades. “Drawing on Power­ mite and Conductix- Wampfler’s combined experience in electrifica- tion systems of over a century, the modular de- sign of our light, medium and heavy duty festoon systems incorporates the latest state-of-the-art,

The Powermite/Conductix festooning range presents an extensive array of configurations for straight runs, bends and circular configurations, making these feeding systems ideally suited for virtually any type of moving equipment.

Graduate skills development programme Graduates are finding it increasingly difficult to get into the jobmar- ket, not only due to job scarcity but alsobecause companies are often not keen to employ graduates straight from universities or colleges because of their lack of work experience. “Many companies in South Africa prefer to employ experienced graduates as they are simply not prepared to invest in training, an expensive and time intensive exercise,” says Siphindile Madonsela, a director at thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions South Africa and the head of Human Resources. As graduates cannot compete with people with both a tertiary education and job experience they often remain unemployed, unable to earn a living, build a career and make a positive contribution to the South African economy. Recognising the gravity of the current situation, thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions took the decision to implement a graduate programme in late 2016.

duty of every company to be progressive on the skills development front. We are very excited about this programme and believe that it will add value and present a win-win not only for thyssenkrupp but also for the country as a whole. Although the graduates add to our staff complement they to do not add to the company’s head count. While they are learning and gaining experience the graduates are in turn assisting us with projects.” www.thyssenkrupp-industrial-solutions.co.za

The programme has officially kickedoff and15 graduates straight out of tertiary education are nowemployedby thyssenkrupp and are being given 12-month’s of training. “As far as possible, we have tried to place the graduates in divisions that match their line of study,” affirms Siphindile. The graduates will each spend the full period in the department to which they have been assigned to ensure that they receive thorough training and have complete understanding of that particular area. Although thyssenkrupp has successfully employed graduates in the past, Siphindile says that it is the first time that thyssenkrupp has undertaken this type of structured initiative in SouthAfrica. “It is the

Graduates participating in the thyssenkrupp programme. From left to right: Kethu Nkwanyana, Yastira Singh, Zakithi Chili, Kamogelo Molokwane and Johannes Magomane.

42 ¦ MechChem Africa • May 2017