Slurry pump company strives for optimisation

With continuous investment in improving its service offering, heavy-duty centrifugal slurry pump manufacturer Schurco Slurry has managed to downscale its energy consumption by optimising its selections and materials criteria, resulting in the absorption of less power to deliver the same service as its competitors.

Schurco Slurry’s focused research and development approach enables it to optimise processes, increase performance and decrease overall wastage. The Schurco approach translates directly into the company’s green energy strategy.

“Every Schurco pump is designed with the most reliable and efficient materials on the market, and can be applied over a comprehensive range of applications,” says Schurco Slurry South Africa CEO Emile Fourie.

He cites the development of the company’s one-piece liner technology – which he believes sets the company apart from top competitors – as an example, with the technology offering a more durable, cost-effective solution for pumping requirements.

This unique design offers improved efficiency and ease of maintenance, as the entire wet end of the pump can be replaced with one simple part.

Further, Fourie says the concept of total cost of ownership (TCOO) is an “exceedingly important” phrase in heavy industry and mineral processing plants. TCOO, also referred to as life cycle costs, is the study of cradle-to-grave costs of capital equipment. Many studies from these industries have shown that the initial cost for capital equipment is usually one of the lowest marginal factors for TCOO.

Slurry pumping can quickly become a “loss leader” if a manufacturer does not maintain inventory and deliver spare parts at a reasonable cost to the customer, notes Fourie.

“It is Schurco’s priority to excel in this area and deliver the lowest TCOO to customers.”

Schurco’s business model includes maintaining a high level of inventory and delivering the high-quality spare parts that customers can expect.

Fourie says the company’s streamlined procedures have resulted in optimised logistics, time efficiency and cost savings.

Original-Equipment Manufacturer

Schurco has in the last few years expanded its international footprint to South America and, more recently, South Africa, to leverage proximity to key supply chain elements, as well as add intellectual property assets and new sales support channels internationally.

He says the products have been vigorously tested at the Schurco slurry pump test lab – built in 2021 – in Jacksonville, Florida, in the US.

Schurco invests in modernising product realisation strategy, from two-dimensional computer-aided design (2D CAD), three-dimensional CAD and fully assembled modelling to performing computational fluid dynamics on hydraulics, finite-element analysis of products, and full-scale system performance modelling and predictions.

These products are also verified through a variety of assessments, including the spectrographic testing of metallurgies, hardness testing, dimensional analysis, fully certified hydrostatic pressure testing and bearing assembly run testing to ensure that customers receive the best possible service from the company.

Moreover, Schurco is ISO 9001:2015 certified to ensure a high level of service, quality, compliance and optimal safety.

“We solidify the efficiency of our offering with our Schurco 100% risk-free guarantee,” adds Fourie.

Becoming an original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) has enabled Schurco to provide full technical support for all equipment through expert guidance, and to maintain a high level of inventory, which results in major cost-saving benefits for customers.

Fourie adds that the company takes pride in understanding the nature of customers’ processes and in considering the need for viable and sustainable partnerships.

Meanwhile, Schurco has an established history with top-tier engineering, procurement and construction management services, consequently providing a multitude of full pump offerings globally and across sectors such as gold, copper, mineral sands, chrome, platinum, diamonds and phosphate.

Fourie says the company boasts a customer profile running the entire gamut – from some of the largest mining and mineral processing companies in the world to small contractors, which comprises of developing Schurco parts that are dimensionally and materially interchangeable with legacy OEM parts.

Schurco is one of the few slurry pump companies to export its products worldwide, he adds.

“Schurco’s focus is to keep expanding its geographical footprint, continuously invest in product development, identify new partners and become one of the leading full-service slurry pump manufacturing companies globally.

“Our passion is our drive to support our clients. Without passion, you do not have any energy, and without energy, you simply have nothing,” Fourie concludes.