Modern Mining June 2024

Sergio Mabunda completing the manufacture of the Nip Guard. Revving up R&D Developing cutting-edge products comes with hefty price tag and Brelko is not shy to invest across all spheres of its business – people, manufacturing, technology, and the environment. According to Riaan Rynders: Brelko’s Technical and CADD Manager, who has been with the com pany for 23 years (2001-2024), R&D is at the heart of the business. “Before we implement something new at Brelko, we devote time and resources on experimenting with options to address uncertainties and figure out how to develop an idea into something practical and feasible to achieve. Taking risks and experimenting helps us refine business practices to become more efficient and to develop higher quality products and innovate new and unique products to offer the mar ket. Moreover, if an existing product is no longer profitable or no longer holds value to our business or customers, we play with ideas to update and mod ernise the product line. Alternatively, we may also revisit products to improve their efficiency or make them more cost effective to produce, without com promising on the product quality,” he explains. Brelko has a hands-on approach with its custom ers; always ready to modify its products to meet a mine’s specific requirements. Although the designs from an end-user may be found to be workable on paper, in reality, challenges may emerge during the product’s installation phase, and these require the solutions-based company to adjust its equipment to ensure it is fit for purpose. “Our field service team works closely with engi neers and mining houses to ensure that our products

Automation of shaft machining for polyurethane rollers.

A special order of a stainless-steel food grade tracking system.

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