MechChem Africa October 2018

⎪ Computer-aided engineering ⎪

Hytec Services Africa (HSA), a Hytec Group Company, has launched its mine site-based containerised hose workshops to provide a comprehensive onsite hose and fittings service to its mining customers across Africa. Containerised workshop for mine-based hydraulic services

The bolt-on canopy is used to accommodate the hose cut-off machine, which is normally situated outside the container in order to adhere to most mines’ health and safety regulations.

S etupinrefurbishedandbrandedship- ping containers varying in size from 20 to 40 feet, HAS’s containerised hose workshops not only provide hose and fittings services, but also enable Hytec to supply its entire range of hydraulic services on amine site – effectively function- ing as an onsite mobile branch. This new mine site services concept is unique to Hytec through the Bosch Rexroth expansion drive into Africa. This gives Hytec a distinct advantage over other companies, which generally only offer hose and fitting services. Inorder toprovide anonsite end-to- endhydraulic offering, theworkshop services include Hytec’s hydraulic cylinder service exchange programme, as well as supplying newor providing services for pumps, filtration systems, drives, valves, piston motors and hydraulic maintenance tools. Additionally, as a value-added benefit, Hytec is able to con- trol and stock other hydraulic components on request. Depending on the requirements of the mine and the urgency in providing services, Hytec can provide a start-up workshop with stockinveryshortturnaroundtimestoensure that hose replacement services begin themo- ment the workshop and stock arrives on the mine site. All workshops come standard with double side doors, 220 and 380 volt plugs with the plug design matching the destina- tion country requirements; all electrics; strip lighting; air conditioner; extractor fans; and shelving to accommodate approximately 800 small stock bins and start-up hose stock. These start-up workshops are manu- factured and readily available fully fitted in Johannesburg to ensure speedymobilisation and delivery times. “The workshop configuration depends on the mine’s requirements, explains Charlie Harrison, Africa mining services and opera- tions manager for HSA. “Mines that require services beyond hydraulic hose and fittings may need additional containers to accom- modate filter, pump or cylinder stock. It may also be appropriate to add an office using a 20 foot container. Each container and the configuration in setting up two or more con- tainers are custom-designed to each mine’s requirements.” He points out that if a Hytec container workshop is based in a country without an

established Hytec branch infrastructure, the container itself becomes the Hytec country base. “We ensure that theworkshop configu- ration is sufficiently flexible to accommodate all hydraulic components and services to the mines requirements,” he says. “If, for instance, the mine is in a remote and inaccessible area such as many in East, West and North Africa, the containers and their configurationneed to allowfor supplementary stockholdings due to extended and difficult supply routes. Start-up hose fittings and adaptors as well as start-up hose stock; crimping and cut-off machines; a manual engraver; work bench with vice and stool; hose rack; hose cleaning projectile kit and projectile stock; electric hand grinder and a 2.0×6.0mbolt-on side canopy form the bulk of the container’s standard contents. “The bolt-on canopy is used to accom- modate the hose cut-off machine, which is normally situated outside the container in order to adhere to most mines’ health and safety regulations,” explains HAS’s Africa development manager, Petrus Viljoen. Additional standard contents include a tool cabinet and workshop tools, storage bins and shelving, measuring instruments, display board and white board with markers. Office furniture with amenities such as a bar fridge are also included, as is all signage and a standard fire extinguisher. As the container workshops are pre-man- ufactured and setup in Johannesburg, Hytec will keepat least one instockat itsGauteng fa- cility in Johannesburg’s East Rand. “Generally speaking,” says Harrison, “in Africa a typical mobilisation period is approximately three months. By retaining fully equipped mobile workshops at our Johannesburg facility we can easily deliver within that period – more often than not a lot more quickly.” One workshop will remain at Hytec as a demonstrationmodelforpotentialcustomers to view and experience, and another located in the DRC will be used for the same pur- pose. The latter was the original prototype, which is a fully functional hose and fittings workshop and office that was developed for a Hytec distributor in the DRC. It is ready for mobilisation and until the order is received, it functions as a demonstration unit for poten- tial customers in that country. Later this year another fully functioning workshop will be

set up at the new Takoradi Ghana main base for West Africa. “The benefits of our containerised work- shops are almost quid pro quo for clients and Hytec alike,” Viljoen says. “Being permanently onsite our personnel is, for all intents and purposes, part of the customer’s operation making us first port of call for hydraulic services and equipment. For the customer, they have our hydraulic service offering on their doorstep for immediate turnaround and delivery, andwe separate our product pricing and our service fees so there are no hidden costs for customers.” Under normal circumstances a contract for this type of service and product offering is between two and three years, and this is where the advantage of having a ‘mobile’ workshop becomes apparent. “If a contract is not renewed, for whatever reason,” Harrison explains, “it is relatively easy to pack up and pick-up the container for relocation to anoth- ermine site, which can be done fairly quickly.” Due to the simplistic nature of relocat- ing the ‘onsite mobile branch’, Harrison and Viljoen share the viewthat, in some instances, a contract may not be necessary. “We will provide the mine with any of their require- ments within this specific service offering,” Viljoen concludes. “When our services are no longer needed, itwouldbe the same aswhena contract haddrawn to conclusion. Essentially, it is a win-win for both parties.” Hytec has already submitted a contain- erised workshop tender to a mining house in theDRC, with tenders for the sameunderway withmining houses inZimbabwe, Zambia and Ghana. q As the container workshops are pre-manufactured and setup in Johannesburg, Hytec will keep at least one in stock at its Gauteng facility in Johannesburg’s East Rand.

October 2018 • MechChem Africa ¦ 25