Preferred supplier status key in Australian market

Efforts to continue supplying customers with high-quality products through valued service are reaping dividends for foundry services and engineering company Thos Begbie, with about R42-million in orders being placed since the beginning of the year, consequently ensuring it remains the preferred supplier to Australia-based customers.

The current order book is required to be completed and delivered within a six-month period, says Thos Begbie sales manager Scott Paterson, adding that, to date, the company has quoted an estimated R300-million worth of products and services towards the Australian market.

“We manufacture, supply and deliver furnace and mining components to the precious metals mining and smelting industry in Australia.”

Thos Begbie is the preferred supplier for a number of mining and platinum group metals processing companies in Australia, including diversified miners BHP, for its Olympic Dam and Nickel West mining operations; Glencore Technologies for Mount Isa; and for process and optimisation company Metso.

Highlighting that certain furnace components have a campaign life and should be replaced once campaign end is reached, some on average every four to five years, Paterson adds that there is always a drive to try to make these components more durable, which is beneficial to Thos Begbie customers.

The company retains its status as a preferred components supplier by always collaborating and being in communication with customers, he says.

“Despite the present trend we are noticing . . . of remote meetings, Thos Begbie commits to yearly visits to Australia to see our customers face to face to ensure we are meeting their requirements . . . in quality and service.”

Thos Begbie continues to effect its strategic considerations by, for example, investing time and resources in the casting and manufacturing process capabilities of the company to build long-lasting critical furnace components.

Paterson also highlights that the company is placing additional focus on foundry casting methods and materials to ensure that its components last longer in furnace smelting applications.

Research and development involving Thos Begbie’s foundry casting process have enabled the company to improve the quality of their products, thereby making them more cost competitive, with these savings being passed on to customers, explains Paterson.

The company has also bolstered its South Africa manufacturing capability, consequently allowing for a continuation of services despite possible electricity service disruptions.

There is also a need to keep up with customer quality and specification requirements, which are becoming more stringent on a yearly basis.

In terms of challenges, Paterson adds that the only business hindrance to the company’s supply chain process is the inconsistency of processing by local exporters through the Port of Durban, in KwaZulu-Natal, owing to a lack of accurate commitments from freight forwarders in terms of securing vessels and sailing dates.