A new manufacturers’ association has come out in support of Pumps, Valves and Pipes Africa (PVPA 2013), one of 10 component expos at the SA Industry and Technology Fair 2013 (INDUTEC). The Valve and Actuator Manufacturers’ Cluster of South Africa (VAMCOSA) will exhibit en masse at INDUTEC in May, showcasing some of South Africa’s manufacturing prowess to businesses around the world.

VAMCOSA was formed in June 2011 by Ross Hunter of RGR Technologies and Mark Wilson of Gunric Valves to promote growth in the slowly declining South African valve and actuator manufacturing industry.

“Local valve manufacturing in South Africa has declined by 60% since 1994,” says Ross Hunter, VAMCOSA’s Chief Spokesperson. “We persuaded a number of local companies to come together as a cluster to help combat the shrinking industry, and that resulted in the formation of VAMCOSA, which now has 14 members comprising 90% of local manufacturers.”

“The Pumps, Valves and Pipes Africa show will help us achieve our aim to create and strengthen relationships with state owned enterprises,” adds Hunter. “The valve manufacturing industry is well organised with a strong code of ethics, and is fully capable of competing with imported products. We manufacture high quality valves and we have a lot to offer.”

“We are delighted to welcome VAMCOSA to Pumps Valves & Pipes Africa,” says John Thomson, Managing Director of Exhibition Management Services, organisers of the expo. “It’s vital to have local manufacturers supporting these events, especially since a key element of the National Development Plan (NDP) focuses on increasing exports – PVPA offers an unparalleled opportunity to achieve that.”

“The NDP aims to grow the country’s GDP to 5,4% per year, increasing almost threefold by 2030,” adds Thomson. “It will also remove most constraints to economic growth, and expand water and energy infrastructure, for example, increasing water supply to agriculture and industry, and building 40 000 megawatts of new power generation capacity.”

Eskom will spend about R1.47 billion over the next five years on valves and valve spares, and about R2 billion over the next 15 years on on-going operations, new build projects and maintenance projects at existing power plants.

“Eskom’s approved capacity expansion budget is expected to grow to well over R1-trillion by 2025,” explains Thomson. “Key products that will be in demand include control valves, multi-turn valves, quarter turn valves and electric and pneumatic actuators; local valve manufacturers are certain to benefit from this massive build programme.”

PetroSA’s Mthombo crude refinery in the Coega Industrial Development Zone in the Eastern Cape will provide security of supply for South Africa’s future fuel requirements from 2014. “With a capacity of 360 000 barrels a day, Mthombo will be the biggest refinery in Africa, with significant demand prospects for valve manufacturers for control valves, pneumatic actuators and quarter turn valves,” adds Thomson.

Pumps Valves & Pipes Africa 2013
PVPA 2013 is the eighth international trade fair for suppliers to mining, water utilities, national and local government, industrial and civil engineering, manufacturing, food, beverage, dairy, brewing, agriculture and horticulture, petrochemicals, pulp and paper. This year it forms part of the SA Industry and Technology Fair – INDUTEC, a platform of 10 defined industry sector trade shows and takes place at Gallagher Convention Centre from 14 to 16 May 2013.