In a bid to invest in the South African plastic pipe market, Marley Pipe Systems has successfully acquired the assets of Petzetakis Africa.

Marley’s journey has recently gained ground, literally, as it reaches one of its biggest milestones yet. In a public auction process conducted on 15 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 presented 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 its product range and capacity. This includes additional solutions for large diameter stormwater 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 1 m.

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