In a bid to invest in the South African plastic pipe market, Marley Pipe Systems has successfully acquired the assets of Petzetakis Africa, the South African based pipe producer, which were placed into liquidation a while back.

Marley’s journey to excellence recently gained ground, literally, as it reached one of its largest milestones yet.

In a public auction process conducted in February 2013, Marley Pipe Systems was successful in acquiring the assets of the former Petzetakis Africa for an amount in excess of R100 million.

The acquisition portrays a significant investment into Africa by the internationally-recognised Aliaxis Group, representing a confidence in Marley as a company to develop and grow the Aliaxis footprint in Southern Africa.  Following Petzetakis’ somewhat controversial closing in 2010, this welcome development presents a positive public interest outcome which is set to contribute not only to Marley as a brand, but also to the future of the South African economy.

Included in the assets procured by Marley are the land and buildings of the adjacent HDPE and hose sites at Rosslyn, and all productive equipment associated with these sites as well as all the movable assets of the PVC site. The purchase of the land and equipment will strengthen Marley’s position to better service the Infrastructure and Building markets by extending their product range and capacity. This includes additional solutions for large diameter storm water and drainage pipe applications with the manufacture of well-known structured-wall pipe, Weholite. The assets further include production equipment to produce the renowned Megaflex Flexible Hose range used in the Mining, Irrigation and Industrial sectors. Marley will now also have increased capabilities to cater for the production of Large Bore HDPE pipes in excess of 1m.

“This will put us in a position to add more value to our customers and business partners by ensuring world class service on a complete quality product offering, including Weholite, Megaflex Flexible Hoses and Large Bore HDPE,” explains Marley managing director, Louis Albertyn.

To get to this point, Marley was mindful of regulatory requirements, having received clearance to go ahead with the acquisition from competition authoritiesback in December 2011. Thereafter, Marley followed a challenging yet rewarding 18 month process that would allow them to strategicallyattain this influential acquisition for the benefit of their partners and customers.