Tracy Hancock

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Tracy Hancock

Tracy Hancock is Creamer Media Contributing Editor for Engineering News and Mining Weekly.

Demand for Geostott vehicle locks driven by crime stats

30th October 2020 The high level of vehicle and automotive component theft in South Africa is steering owners towards installing vehicle security products from steelwork manufacturerthe George Stott Group (Geostott), thereby, increasing demand from the aftermarket sector. According to the Governance, Public Safety... →

High demand for TES in blasting sector

16th October 2020 The use of temporary employment services (TES) is common among South African blasting companies, and demand for this service is high, says TES provider Workforce Staffing area manager Hendri Poolman. The scarcity of skills in the field presents a challenge for blasting companies. →

FINDING FLEXIBILITY Temporary staffing services can address the fluctuating staffing requirements of blasting companies

Sustaining security of supply, efficiency amid state of disaster

16th October 2020 Adapting to the ‘new normal’ bought on by the Covid-19 outbreak will require companies to listen to and meet the changing needs of customers by adopting new working methods and complying with evolving lockdown regulations, says explosives and blasting services provider BME technology and... →

RALF HENNECKE The pandemic and subsequent hard lockdown was a wake-up call regarding supply security for everyone in the mining sector

Covid-19 regulations up demand for Kwikspace mobile classrooms

15th October 2020 With Covid-19 regulations requiring increased capacity to ensure adequate space to comply with physical distancing measures, modular buildings manufacturer Kwikspace Modular Buildings is seeing increased demand for its mobile classroom solutions, producing 497 classrooms so far this year.... →

4IR key to advanced NDT service

2nd October 2020 The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is an extremely significant focus for material testing and inspection services specialist Dekra Industrial because the collection and interpretation of data plays a vital role in forecasting, strategic growth and decision-making in organisations. While... →

JOHAN GERBER Advanced technologies can assist in monitoring defects in metal fabrication by establishing a digital fingerprint of the manufactured component

Safety up but costs hamper industry uptake

2nd October 2020 Safety is improving in the local metal fabrication sector as more companies realise the importance of having stricter safety protocols in place, says local blades and electrodes manufacturer, and cutting consumables and capital equipment supplier First Cut machine division GM Anthony Lezar. “Some... →

TICKING THE BOX Some companies are putting only the bare minimum in place to ensure safety within their manufacturing processes

Mining tops demand for IPS Fibreglass Mouldings products

1st October 2020 The mining industry continues to represent the greatest demand amid the Covid-19 pandemic for the fibreglass products, such as belt guards, produced by fibreglass moulds and mouldings solutions provider IPS Fibreglass Mouldings. The Benoni-based company also does “brisk trade” in shells for air... →

Industry body submits plastic-waste guidelines to govt

25th September 2020 South African plastics industry representative Plastics SA along with industry body Packaging SA and producer responsibility organisations (PROs) of various packaging waste streams submitted guidelines to government last month following the publication of draft Extended Producer Responsibility... →

PLASTIC STATS In 2018, 46.3% of all plastics placed on the market was collected for recycling in South Africa, with 352 000 t of plastics recycled

South Africa should ramp up e-waste recycling

25th September 2020 The level of e-waste recycling in South Africa is extremely low. While 6 kg/y to 7 kg/y of e-waste is generated for every South African citizen only 360 000 t/y of e-waste is placed on the market. Only 7% to 12% of the total volume is being recycled formally. This percentage could be doubled when... →

REUSING RESOURCES With up to 99% of all components that comprise information technology devices being recyclable, the world’s finite resources can be saved

IS programme gaining momentum

25th September 2020 The Industrial Symbiosis (IS) programme of the National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa (NCPC-SA), a division of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, will play a significant role in helping the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) meet South Africa’s... →

VICTOR MANAVHELA if all goes well, the Industrial Symbiosis programme will be launched in all nine provinces

Demand for BBO’s poultry and juice processing solutions skyrockets

18th September 2020 The poultry and fruit juice processing equipment manufactured by Free State-based agroprocessing equipment manufacturer Basils Business Opportunities (BBO) is in high demand, says owner Basil Phupha. The increasing need for this equipment is in line with the growth of South Africa’s agriculture... →

Green hydrogen requires renewable projects separate from the grid

18th September 2020 There should be a clear distinction between renewable-energy projects for the grid under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) and renewable-energy projects for the production of green hydrogen, says Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)... →

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS Renewable projects built for hydrogen production might even be a way for South Africa to subsidise the strengthening of its physical transmission grid

Hydrogen filling stations brought to African market

18th September 2020 Pressure equipment specialist Superior Pressure Solutions (Spress) has introduced hydrogen technology from German high-pressure systems supplier Maximator to the African market, offering local service and maintenance support by its technicians. Maximator is one of the world leaders in hydrogen... →

FILL HER UP FAST The dispenser built in the Maximator hydrogen filling station design enables cars and trucks to be refuelled in the shortest possible time

Local green methanol synthesis making headway

18th September 2020 The Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) Infrastructure Centre of Competence (CoC), co-hosted at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and North-West University, is designing a multi-litre-scale green methanol production unit that will be fabricated next year. HySA Infrastructure is... →

PROOF OF CONCEPT HySA successfully designed and fabricated a lab-scale green methanol synthesis demonstration unit after it reviewed the techno-economics of producing the chemical

Backsaver Farming Equipment is helping plant crops across Africa

7th September 2020 Free State farmer and inventor Michris Janse van Rensburg has supplied hand planters to more than 10 000 farmers across Africa to date and intends to become the John Deere of small-scale farmers. “I have grown my planter product range, which started with a hand maize precision planter, to include... →

Rolling ahead with railway wheel repairs

4th September 2020 Rail components manufacturer Bakara Engineering has completed repairs to railway wheels for a private rail operator and is working on a similar project for Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), Bakara technical manager Reg Taylor tells Engineering News. Appointed by the private rail... →

WHEELSHOP REDRESS Bakara was appointed by PRASA in November last year to repair railway wheels, but a technical assessment of its wheelshop was required before the company could start production

Council adapting to Covid-19 chokehold

4th September 2020 The South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC) is adopting new technological solutions to meet its goals of growing its membership and exports this year despite the Covid-19 outbreak, says SACEEC chairperson Benny Jiyane. Amid the pandemic, six new members have joined SACEEC, which... →

BENNY JIYANE The lockdown has had a huge impact on almost all business sectors locally and abroad, making it difficult to maintain pre-Covid-19 productivity levels

HVAC specialist launches new tech

4th September 2020 Three prototypes of a new modular mobile cool-air-drying system for agricultural use will be launched at the end of this year by Pretoria-headquartered multidisciplinary engineering company Specialist Mechanical Engineers (SME). The development of the system is in line with SME’s strategy to... →

HOT COMMODITY Specialist Mechanical Engineers has signed new contracts with clients, equating to 30% of its yearly turnover, to date this year

World-first heat pump to launch at Electra

4th September 2020 Krugersdorp heat pump manufacturer EMS Holdings will officially launch its world-first 200 ℓ low-pressure, integrated heat pump alongside its official distributor, ACDC, at Electra Mining Africa 2020 Connect from September 7 to 11. “For the first time in a long time, we have something that is... →

FRANCO DIEDERIKS Since the ease of the lockdown, sales are starting to pick up, especially among new developments and refurbishment projects

Local smoke vent fan gets green light

4th September 2020 Cape Town-based industrial fan design and manufacturing company CFW Industries has received certification for its 400 °C powered emergency smoke exhaust fans, which will add to its basket of solutions in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning sector. The certification has been provided by... →

FANTASTIC In three months, CFW should be able to provide smoke exhaust fans, rated to operate at a temperature of 400 °C for a minimum of 120 minutes to local and international markets

Wireless valve bank available locally

4th September 2020 The EX600-W wireless valve bank module from industrial automation technology company SMC is officially available in the South African market, says SMC senior technical sales engineer Wade Holland. The product has been available in Europe and Asia since early last year, but still needed to conform... →

TIME AND MONEY The EX600-W wireless valve bank module is designed to reduce downtime and costs

Localisation key to economic recovery

4th September 2020 Localisation should be the main driver of South Africa’s economic recovery following the Covid-19 outbreak, says diversified engineering company Pamodzi Unique Engineering CEO Sindi Dlamini. The Boksburg-based broad-based black economic-empowerment Level 1 company designs, manufactures and... →

INTERNATIONALLY ACTIVE Pamodzi Unique Engineering has supplied off-road pantographs to the US, Panama, Belgium, Zambia, Namibia and recently Russia

More local laser R&D needed

28th August 2020 South Africa is not placing enough focus on laser research and development (R&D), especially in the private sector, but there is hope, says the director of the Laser Research Institute (LRI) within the Physics Department at Stellenbosch University Dr Pieter Neethling. “Laser and photonics R&D is... →

PRIVATE PARTICIPATION Getting private-sector companies to fund laser research and development at local universities is expected to change the landscape dramatically

Laser tech key to developing economy

28th August 2020 It is vital that South Africa has an in-depth understanding of the impact photonics-based technologies will have on its economic development, as they underpin the communication systems and sensors needed to drive the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The country also needs to ensure that it can... →

LASER FOCUS The present focus of the Rental Pool Programme is to improve the commercialisation of research done by research groups

Increased demand for laser marking

28th August 2020 Identification and traceability company Traceability Solutions has seen an increase in enquiries for laser-marking systems despite the national lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19, says MD Kelby Parker. “Many sectors, such as fast-moving consumer goods, did not have a loss of production from... →

iZONIT VISION SYSTEM The product enables the user to establish view mark positioning accurately and easily before firing a laser

Ensuring productivity in tough conditions

21st August 2020 Platinum group metals (PGMs) strata present some of the most unforgiving digging conditions imaginable for earthmoving equipment attachments, says earthmoving mining equipment and attachments expert VR Steel GM Dr Justin Martens. “It drains the protective ‘life force’ of the digging tools at an... →

DESIGNED TO BE DURABLE VR Steel’s equipment, such as this VR Dipper fitted on electric rope shovel, is designed to withstand extreme punishment in the platinum-group metal sector

PGMs recovery under way, but uncertainty remains

21st August 2020 Many geographic regions active in the platinum group metals (PGMs) sector are in the early stages of recovery, following the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, with platinum, palladium and rhodium expected to remain in deficit this year. However, a great deal of uncertainty remains, as... →

PGMs PREDICTION Amplats expects platinum group metals supply and demand to recover and, overall, experience relatively little change in its markets owing to Covid-19

Foundry company ensuring safe platinum smelting

21st August 2020 Foundry and engineering company Thos Begbie expects to finalise production of the Phase B coolers for platinum producer Anglo American Platinum’s (Amplats’) Anglo Converter Plant (ACP) in Rustenburg, in the North West, by November this year. This will ensure the interchangeability with the... →

RESPONSIBLE MANUFACTURING In accordance with Covid-19 government regulations, Thos Begbie has implemented additional shifts to reduce contact between employees

PGMs producer navigating Covid-19 market disruption

21st August 2020 ‘Business unusual’ is expected to characterise much of the 2021 financial year, owing to the Covid-19 outbreak, says platinum group metals producer Impala Platinum (Implats). The company expects to face increasing challenges in terms of its medical preparedness and operational resilience,... →

PUSHING AHEAD Impala Platinum has realised continued improvements during the 2020 financial year to deliver production ramp-up

Pump Optimiser is Shockwave’s solution to remote-controlled efficiency

20th August 2020 The national lockdown to curb the Covid-19 outbreak in South Africa has provided smart farming agricultural Internet of Things (IoT) solutions provider Shockwave Engineering dedicated time to further develop its Pump Optimiser, says CEO Murray Bredin. The company upgraded the IoT monitoring and... →

‘Soil conditioner’ production keeps manufacturer bustling

7th August 2020 The processing facility of manufacturer and minerals producer Pratley has been significantly busy producing Pratley Vulture Creek Clino during the national lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19, as the product is mainly supplied to the agriculture sector and, therefore, classified as essential,... →

PRODUCTIVE PROPERTIES More farmers are experiencing improved crop yields when using Vulture Creek Clino, owing to its cation-exchange and slow-release fertiliser properties

Sector welcomes bearing distributor’s new products

7th August 2020 Demand for the agriculture-specific products offered by Southern Africa bearings and power transmission products distributor Bearings International (BI) is slowly picking up now that lockdown restriction have eased, says agriculture business development leader Gerhard Pienaar. In addition, there... →

HANDY RANGE Bearings International has seen a huge increase in demand for its range of Grippaz hand gloves and has increased its stockholding

Agricultural engineers are an endangered species

7th August 2020 The agricultural industry remains key to the development of South Africa and addressing the country’s prevalent unemployment issues, but local agricultural engineers are a scarce breed, says South African Institute of Agricultural Engineers (SAIAE) VP Thabo Mavundza. “Despite the drought, water... →

DIRECTING DEVELOPMENTS The need to improve the efficiency of water and energy use, coupled with the introduction of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, are shaping agricultural engineering innovations in South Africa

New interface’s mobile version coming soon

7th August 2020 Data-driven agricultural solutions provider SupPlant has launched a new user interface for its decision support system (DSS), with a mobile version to follow, enabling farmers to keep an eye on their crops wherever they are. The Israeli company first entered the South African market when it... →

ADVANCING AGRICULTURE The new platform makes all the data from SupPlant’s sensors, such as the first continuous measurement fruit sensor on Macadamia fruit in South Africa, easily accessible and understood

Offering diversified with new crop input solution

7th August 2020 Environmental management company I-CAT will soon launch agricultural and forestry input solution Cyflo, as part of its product offering, targeting existing and potential clients, says I-CAT Planting Business Unit head Rachelle Botha. The product was developed by diagnostic agronomist Charl Marais... →

ENHANCED EFFECT Cyflo effects cellular permeability of agricultural remedies and fertilisers, and significantly improves their efficacy

Pump rentals effective contingency plan to ensure food security

7th August 2020 When a pump used for agricultural applications fails, it poses a significant risk to the food production cycle, revenue generation and, ultimately, the food supply chain during a time when South Africa is facing food-security pressure. The local agriculture industry cannot afford to lose crops... →

MEETING MARKET DEMANDS Rand-Air offer diesel-driven pumps for when power is not available at the source that meet the needs of the undersupplied market for high-head pumps

Stanfra answers need for local quarter-turn segmented ball valve

6th August 2020 Meyerton-based valve manufacturer Stanfra Abrasive Solutions is exposing South Africa’s first 100% locally manufactured quarter-turn segmented ball valves to extreme testing in the pulp and paper industry. The three test valves, comprising two 100 nominal bore (NB) valves and one 200 NB valve,... →

Local zero-plastics amenities range developed for City Lodge Hotel Group

24th July 2020 Hotel chain City Lodge Hotel Group (CLHG) is believed to be the first in South Africa to introduce a zero-plastics bathroom amenities range, which includes a hair and body bar and hand bar made using no water. CLHG has already started using the new amenities in hotels that have finished their old... →

High-mileage drive belt introduced locally

24th July 2020 Automotive parts supplier Autobax extended its range of Gates automotive components in March this year by introducing drive belts specifically designed for high-mileage cars. This involved a soft launch of the RoadMAX belt to existing customers across South Africa, following which South Africa... →

TO THE MAX The RoadMAX belts for high-mileage vehicles feature improved dimensions, good belt flexibility and stability, as well as smooth-running operation

Lower human activity limiting tyre sales

24th July 2020 Every business is going to face the consequences of lower human activity and, thereby, commercial activity, as South Africans consume less or differently, owing to Covid-19, says automotive tyre manufacturer and supplier Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (Sumitomo Dunlop) CEO Riaz Haffejee. Tyre sales... →

REBOUNDING DEMAND Demand for Sumitomo Dunlop’s tyres is increasing since the restrictions of lockdown have eased

Variable demand requires new strategy

24th July 2020 Uncertain demand in the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket environments, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, is impacting on short- to medium-term capacity management decisions to meet variable demand, says automotive parts manufacturer GUD Holdings CEO Chris Haworth. “However,... →

CAPACITY CUT GUD’s plants have reopened under conservative conditions to about 60% of normal capacity

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