Local company diversifies product offering

Following the slump in the mining industry, hose manufacturer Astore Keymak has diversified its range of hoses for application in the industrial and agriculture sectors.

“The company has always specialised in the manufacturing of polyvinylchloride (PVC) hose products, mainly for the mining industry; however, we have shifted focus to our dragline hose for the agriculture industry and the fire reel hose for industrial use,” says Astore Keymak business development director Malindi Nkambule.

She describes the dragline hose as a durable, high-quality and locally manufactured product designed to service the agriculture and irrigation markets.

“Dragline hose can be manufactured to a custom length, subject to terms and conditions. It is available with a five-year design guarantee for use in standard duty applications. For heavy-duty applications, the hose is available with a ten-year design guarantee.”

Dragline has been used at sugar cane farms in KwaZulu-Natal for irrigation processes.

Meanwhile, the fire reel hose is used in the firefighting industry and is locally manufactured using high-quality locally sourced raw material. The hose is easily identifiable by its distinct red colour and ribbed outer cover, which is 12.5 mm in diameter and used on fire extinguishers. The 20-mm-diameter hose is used on fire hose reels and mobile firefighting equipment.

The company intends to expand its footprint through its dragline and fire reel hose products into neighbouring countries, such as Zimbabwe and Zambia.

“Zimbabwe is going through a recovery period in most industries, including agriculture, and we would like to introduce our products and help the industries by supplying reliable hoses,” adds Nkambule.

Although the company is diversifying into other markets, it is still invested in the mining industry, as it continues to produce hoses that can be used to convey water and/or air and for heavy-duty mining equipment, she adds.

The company is contracted by coal, platinum and gold miners for the supply of hoses. Keymak Astore manufactures a full range of PVC mining hoses for all applications, according to SANS 1086:2015.

“We have a fully equipped laboratory at our factory in Randfontein, Johannesburg, to test all manufactured products, as quality is at the centre of everything we do,” she concludes.