December 2016 Edition 13.6

- Exclusive interview with I-Cat Environmental Solutions 

- How IoT innovation can help South African Manufacturers compete internationally 

DIGITAL 

Edition 13.6 

Nov / Dec 2016 

8TH ANNUAL MESA AFRICA CONFERENCE 2016: 

“MASTERING THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION” 

Driving Operations Excellence 

AFRICA

PUMPS FOR VIETNAM 

KSB Aktiengesellschaft, Germany, has been 

contracted to supply 22 power station pumps for the 

new Vietnamese Long Phu-1 power plant by 

September 2017. The plant's two 600-MW units are 

currently being built by a Russian engineering 

contractor. The complex is situated 20 kilometres 

east of Soc Trang city, on the right bank of the Hau 

River. 

Included in the order are six boiler feed pump sets. 

The main and associated booster pumps are driven 

by 15,200-kW high-voltage electric motors. A 

geared variable speed coupling installed between 

the main pump and the motor varies the speed to 

achieve different operating parameters. Each pump 

set has been designed for a maximum flow rate of 

1200 cubic metres per hour and a head of 4400 m. 

The boiler feed water temperature is expected to be 

175 degrees Celsius. To reduce energy consumption, 

the seven-stage pumps are equipped with 

optimised hydraulic systems which have proven 

their quality many times over. 

The scope of supply also includes six vertical 

condensate pumps and four vertical cooling water 

pumps. All pump sets are supplied complete with 

electric motors, couplings, base frames and 

instruments. One of the reasons the Frankenthalbased 

pump manufacturer received the order was 

that it had already successfully implemented several 

other projects in India jointly with the Russian 

engineering contractor. A further selection criterion 

was the fact that the pumps are produced at German 

locations. Following completion in 2018, the new 

power station will improve the power supply of the 

surrounding region. 

KSB PUMPS AND VALVES (PTY) LTD. 

Telephone: +27 11 876 5600 

Contact Us From 

https://www.ksb.com/ksb-za/Company/

Articles 

6 

Publisher: 

Richard Scott: 

richard@africanpetrochemicals.co.za 

Print & Online Marketing Strategist: 

Louis Hanekom: 

sales@africanpetrochemicals.co.za 

Accounts and Admin: 

Ashni Padiachie: 

accounts@africanpetrochemicals.co.za 

Production: 

Lariza Vermeulen: 

production@africanpetrochemicals.co.za 

missed 

• PUMPS FOR VIETNAM - 

KSB PUMPS AND VALVES (PTY) LTD 

• “CHANGE THAT DOESN'T COST THE EARTH” - 

I-CAT ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS 

• ALTAIR 4X IS THE ONLY WATERPROOF MULTI-GAS DETECTOR ON THE MARKET - 

MSA AFRICA 

• NEW RADAR SOLUTION FOR THE WATER AND WASTEWATER INDUSTRY - 

VEGA CONTROLS SOUTH AFRICA(PTY)LTD 

• YOKOGAWA'S GC8000 PROCESS GAS CHROMATOGRAPH RECEIVES CIS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AWARD - 

YOKOGAWA SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD 

• 2016 - STAFSJÖ VALVES CELEBRATE 350 YEARS AND ARE NOW STRONGER THAN EVER - 

VALVE & AUTOMATION 

• WAZZUP - 

ENDRESS+HAUSER 

• VERIFI EQUIPMENT MONITORING - 

SPEROSENS 

• SWAZI PLAZA PROPERTIES USES ROPE ACCESS FOR FACILITIES MANAGEMENT - 

SKYRIDERS INDUSTRIAL ROPE ACCESS 

• HONEYWELL AUTOMATION TO CONTROL NORTH SEA PLATFORM REMOTELY FROM ONSHORE LOCATION - 

HONEYWELL PROCESS SOLUTIONS 

• KIRA VALVES & ENGINEERING - 

KIRA VALVES & ENGINEERING 

• ICP-OES ANALYSIS OF CRUDE OIL PRODUCTS - 

SPECTROMETER TECHNOLOGIES 

• SKF ANNOUNCES 30% EQUITY TRANSACTION WITH GOLELO TRUST - 

SKF SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD 

• FIRST CUT'S PALLET BLADE: 'NAILING' THE CUT WITH SPEED AND PRODUCTIVITY FOR AGRICULTURAL AND MANY OTHER SECTORS - 

FIRST CUT (PTY) LTD 

• ENGEN SUPPORTS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT'S #RIDEWISE CAMPAIGN - 

ENGEN GROUP 

• PLUG VALVE FOR DOUBLE BLOCK & BLEED & INSPECTION-SERVICE - 

AZ-ARMATUREN SOUTH AFRICA PTY LTD 

• DIGITALLY CHOREOGRAPHING THE FACTORY FLOOR - 

ABB 

• HELUKABEL APPS - 

HELUKABEL 

• CONFIGURE AND READ INSTRUMENTS VIA APP AND SMARTPHONE - 

WIKA INSTRUMENTS (PTY.) LTD 

• PROCESS VACUUM: BUSCH PUMPS CONTINUE TO LEAD THE WAY IN INNOVATION - 

PROCESS VACUUM 

• KOBOLD’S NEW INDUSTRIAL TEMPERATURE PROBE - 

INSTROTECH 

• FACTORYTALK TEAMONE APP FROM ROCKWELL AUTOMATION SPEEDS PLANT DIAGNOSTICS, 

COLLABORATION WITH ZERO FRICTION - 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION (PTY) LTD 

• LET’S TALK: FUTURE MATERIALS - 

SKF SOUTH AFRICA 

• ENGEN LAUNCHES PETRONAS LUBRICANTS THROUGH REBRANDED ENGEN OIL CENTRE FRANCHISE - 

THE ENGEN OIL CENTRE 

• SAIMC PRETORIA 2016 HIGHLIGHTS - 

SAIMC 

• SURVEY TO DETERMINE FEASIBILITY TO ESTABLISH A JOINT VOICE FOR C&I BUSINESSES 

ACCROSS VALUE CHAIN IN SOUTH AFRICA - 

SAIMC 

• 8TH ANNUAL MESA AFRICA CONFERENCE 2016: MASTERING THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION - 

MESA AFRICA 

• UNIQUE SILOXANES PROCESSING UNLEASHES THE POTENTIAL OF OPTOELECTRONIC DEVICES 

FOR THE INDUSTRIAL INTERNET OF THINGS - 

INKRON 

• HOW IOT INNOVATION CAN HELP SOUTH AFRICAN MANUFACTURERS COMPETE INTERNATIONALLY - 

DELOITTE & TOUCHE 

• HOW ARE AFRICAN MANUFACTURERS EMBRACING INDUSTRY 4.0 OPPORTUNITIES? - 

DELOITTE 

• VIETNAMESE ENERGY COMPANY GETS CONNECTED TO IMPROVE OPERATIONS - 

HONEYWELL SA (PTY) LTD 

• SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC LAUNCHES NEXT GENERATION OF ECOSTRUXURE, THE ARCHITECTURE AND PLATFORM 

FOR END-TO-END IOT-ENABLED SOLUTIONS AT SCALEA - 

SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SOUTH AFRICA 

• TAILORED CONTROL AND SWITCHGEAR PACKAGES FOR AFRICA: 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION COLLABORATES WITH LOW VOLTAGE SWITCHBOARDS - 

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION 

• PROPER FLOW CONSULTING AND SELECTION REDUCE PIPING, DESIGN AND INSTALLATION COSTS - 

EMERSON AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS

African Petrochemicals Exclusive © 

I-CAT ENVIRONMENTAL 

SOLUTIONS 

“Change that doesn't cost the earth” 

From Left to Right: Lourens Jansen van Rensburg Director I-CAT Environmental Solutions; Dawie Rothman Technical Manager I-CAT Environmental Solutions; 

Morne van Wyk Technical Manager I-CAT Environmental Solutions; Stefan Terblanche Lead Business Optimisation I-CAT Environmental Solutions 

African Petrochemicals recently met up with 

Lourens, Mornè, Dawie and Stefan from I-CAT to find 

out more about this company that has a “necessary 

passion for green practices”. 

I-CAT is a proudly South African market leader in 

environmental management. They have been 

supplying clients with exceptional services and 

products for ten years. The company originally 

started with dust suppression for the mining 

industry in Southern Africa (currently supplying 

road dust suppression to 34 mines in Southern 

Africa). 

I-CAT has five major sectors that they cover: 

· Environmental Solutions 

· Dust Solutions 

· Fire Solutions 

· Water Solutions 

· Forestry Solutions 

I-CAT has expanded their services and products 

to include: 

· Industrial waste-and feed water purification 

systems 

· Carbon footprint auditing and management 

services 

· Environmental compliance services 

· Licensing and environmental audits 

· Several specialised dust management services 

· Specialised fire protection and detection systems 

As with most new technology and innovation I-CAT 

worked tirelessly to prove the exceptional quality of 

their services and products. With changes to the Air 

Pollution act of 2008 as well as extra clauses to the 

OSH Act, I-CAT found a growing demand for their 

revolutionary technology and techniques. 

These include: 

· I-VAP Water Evaporation Cannon – a short term, 

cost effective excess water evaporation system 

that's 14% more effective than ponds. The I-VAP 500 

Evaporation Cannon is capable of handling 500 m3 

per 12-hour day. The evaporation rate is 60% to 65%, 

depending on ambient weather conditions. 

· I-CAT Dust Solutions – includes solutions like the 

RFID & E-CAM Systems, the DustMonster range of 

products and dry misting systems for problem areas 

at conveyors, crushers and plant areas. 

I-CAT delivers a “Complete Dust Management 

Service”. 

· Roto-Fire-Pack – a directional control of stream 

allows for fire extinguishing from any angle. It offers 

increased safety for operators as compared to other 

technologies. The unique nozzle creates a mist “halo” 

that protects the fire fighters from radiated heat and 

smoke. The mist stream can be used to protect 

trapped victims from flames, heat and smoke. It is a 

totally sustainable technology: completely safe for 

people, property and the environment. 

· R-SDR Retractable Stockpile Dust Ring - creates a 

virtual curtain around material flow for outstanding 

particle containment. Engineered to industrial 

strength and longevity, the R-SDR system surrounds 

the discharge flow on all sides, providing simple, 

focused dust management that is well suited to 

continuous duty applications, such as radial 

stackers. The R-SDR system boasts a stainless-steel 

misting ring designed for mounting at the end of 

conveyor belts to aid in dust suppression at the 

discharge point. What's more, a variable 

configuration allows nozzles to be added, removed 

or replaced with different types and sizes to suit 

specific applications. 

Fire Detection and Suppression Systems 

With regards to fire detection and suppression 

systems I-CAT utilizes a firefighting mist with the key 

extinguishing agent being water applied as very 

small droplets. I-CAT's mist exstinguishers has SABS 

approval in South Africa and most European and 

International accreditations and approvals. It is a 

world-leading technology and is effective in 

extinguishing all types of fires. 

The compression of the mist also significantly 

reduces the weight of all I-CAT Fire suppression 

systems, which is always a big positive. 

The I-CAT Extinguish Mist technology is applied 

in the following Ssystems, exclusively available 

from I-CAT: 

· I-Protect – low pressure detection and protection 

systems 

· Vehicle Protection Systems – mobile systems are 

used on mine tippers & haulage trucks, busses and 

more) 

· Localised Protection Systems – for generators, 

transformers, etc 

· Roto-Fire-Pac – first response fire fighting 

backpack 

· Mist Fire Extinguishers 

continued on next page

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work further in a first-floor 'chill area' that includes a 

laptop station. Construction of the new facility 

began in July, with the first formal training course 

p re s e nted i n N ove m b e r, I - C AT B u s i n e s s 

Development and Marketing Director Lourens 

Jansen van Rensburg reveals. “The proposed 

training programmes will be customised to focus on 

the needs of specific interest groups within both the 

public and private sectors,” he explains. 

I-CAT is most definitely proof that staying true to 

good principals and caring for the environment can 

have multiple rewards, even in the industrial sector. 

Keeping their moto “change that doesn't cost the 

earth” always insight. 

I-CAT 

Telephone: +27 86 112 4228 

E-mail info@i-cat.co.za 

http://www.i-cat.co.za 

Connect with I-CAT on Social Media to receive the 

company’s latest news. 

Another advantage of the water & foam mist 

technology is that training can be done more 

effectively due to lower refill costs for all the I-CAT 

suppression systems compared to the traditional 

CO2 fire extinguishers. Trainees can now experience 

first-hand practical experience in fire suppression, 

giving them more confidence when in life threating 

situations. 

One of the I-CAT products utilizing the mist 

technology is the Roto-Fire-Pac mobile unit. 

System Advantages 

· Creates a thermal shield that protects the fire 

fighter. 

· Compact, mobile and easy to use. 

· Easy and economical to refill. 

· “Green” technology and system. 

· Gives the extinguishing capability of a standard 

1,000-litre system. 

· No special training needed to operate. 

· Can extinguish all types of fires 

System Applications 

· Mining Proto Teams. 

· High structures and conveyors. 

· Difficult to reach places. 

· Fuel storage areas. 

· Underground and mining tunnels. 

· Fire rescue services. 

I-CAT has big plans for 2017 as well. They will be 

focussing on Waste Management courses at their 

brand new dedicated training facility at its Pretoria 

premises. A ground-floor training room 

accommodates 30 delegates, who can network or

Join us on 

Social Media 

ALTAIR 4X IS THE ONLY 

WATERPROOF MULTI-GAS 

DETECTOR ON THE MARKET 

The Altair 4X multi-gas detector from MSA Africa is the 

only instrument of its kind with ATEX certification. This 

means the device has an IP67 ingress rating, which 

certifies it for water immersion. 

Visitors to MineSafe and Electra Mining Africa 2016 

were treated to a special demonstration by MSA 

Africa, which saw its Altair 4X multi-gas detector 

submerged in a tank of water for two hours, after 

which it was shown to still be in perfect working 

order. 

While ATEX certification requires water immersion 

for 30 minutes at a depth of 1 m, this demonstration 

clearly shows that the Altair 4X performs well 

beyond this minimum requirement, according to 

MSA Africa. 

Water damage is a common cause of failure on 

most multi-gas detectors, especially in harsh 

underground mining environments. The 

exceptional robustness and durability of the Altair 

4X is testament to the emphasis that MSA Africa 

places on the safety of workers. 

The Altair 4X has been put through its paces at 

Harmony's Bambanani Mine near Welkom in the 

Free State. One device was dropped accidentally, 

and run over by a piece of heavy machinery used to 

convey blast material from the rock face. 

Another was caught up in a mud rush, and 

recovered nearly a month later after a clean-up 

operation. After a good clean and a replacement 

screen for the former, MSA Africa Instrument 

Technician Riaan Swanepoel confirmed that both 

devices were still fully functional. 

Harmony attributes the 

Altair 4X's ruggedness to it 

being water- and dustproof, 

which makes it perfect for 

conditions underground. In 

a d d i t i o n , t h e m i n i n g 

company states that its 

Altair 4Xs have not needed a 

battery change in three 

years, showcasing the coste 

f f e c t i v e n e s s o f t h i s 

p o r t a b l e m u l t i - g a s 

detection solution. 

The Altair 4X's rugged 

polycarbonate housing has allowed it to pass a 7 m 

drop test onto concrete with flying colours. In 

addition, a rubberised instrument over-moulding 

acts as extra armour. The instrument is also available 

with an optional glow-in-the-dark housing for 

optimum visibility. A patented catalytic bead 

support wire protects the methane sensor from 

shock. 

Adding to its impressive credentials is the fact that 

the Altair 4X is the only multi-gas detector in South 

Africa to carry the SABS Mark for Flammable Gas 

Detectors, which means it is fully compliant with the 

regulations of SANS 1515-1. 

The key to the Altair 4X's effectiveness is the 

patented XCell sensor, which has a 'clear time' 

response of under 15 seconds. The sensor has a 

lifespan of four years, which is double the industry 

average. MSA manufactures its own sensors inhouse, 

with full quality control procedures as per 

SANS 1515-1. 

MSA Africa is a leading innovator in safety 

technology, as demonstrated by its water-resistant 

Altair 4X. This instrument is testament to the 

company's ongoing commitment to improve safety 

in all sectors of the South African mining industry. 

MSA Africa 

Telephone: +27 11 610 2600 

E-mail: Colin.Oliver@msasafety.com 

http://za.msasafety.com 

NEW RADAR SOLUTION 

FOR THE WATER AND 

WASTEWATER INDUSTRY 

VEGAPULS WL S 61, VEGA's new sensor for 

measuring levels in the water and wastewater 

industry, offers an affordable radar solution with 

diverse mounting options and can be easily 

integrated into existing infrastructures. 

Radar technology has proven itself in practice in 

many applications and offers numerous 

advantages. It is not only independent of 

temperature influence, wind movement, fog and 

rain, but also makes compensating the signal 

propagation time due to temperature fluctuations 

unnecessary. A real big plus is its measurement 

accuracy of ±5 mm. 

Completely new is its wireless Bluetooth operation 

via smartphone, tablet or PC with PACTware and 

Bluetooth USB adapter, which further simplifies 

setup and diagnostics. 

When using this new instrument, customers 

benefit from VEGA's many years of experience. Today 

nearly 40,000 radar sensors are operating in plants in 

the water and wastewater industry worldwide. 

VEGAPULS WL S 61 

VEGA's newest radar level sensor for all basic applications in the water 

and wastewater sector now also available with Bluetooth. 

VEGA CONTROLS SOUTH AFRICA(PTY)LTD 

Telephone: +27 11 795 3249 

E-mail: info.za@vega.com 

https://www.vega.com/home_za

YOKOGAWA RELEASES 

ISA100 WIRELESS-BASED 

FIELD WIRELESS VIBRATION 

SENSOR WITH FAST DATA 

UPDATES AND 

LONG BATTERY LIFE 

Yokogawa announces that it has developed an 

ISA100 Wireless*-based field wireless vibration 

sensor with the ability to quickly update data and a 

long battery life, and will release it in markets other 

than Japan on December 7. By providing real-time 

updates on vibration levels in plant facilities, this 

sensor helps users quickly detect equipment 

anomalies and enables predictive maintenance. 

With a field wireless system, plant field devices and 

analyzers are able to communicate wirelessly with 

host-level monitoring and control systems. The 

rising need to improve productivity and enhance 

safety by collecting more data on plant operations is 

driving the demand for field wireless devices, which 

can be installed even in difficult to access locations. 

Field wireless devices have the added advantage of 

reducing installation costs. 

Vibration sensors are useful for the condition 

monitoring and predictive maintenance of plant 

machinery such as compressors, pumps, and 

motors. Conventional methods for monitoring 

vibration include the use of vibration sensors that 

rely on wired communications with a host system, 

and patrols by maintenance staff to collect vibration 

data. With the widening use of field wireless systems 

and the need to reduce installation costs, there is an 

increasing demand for wireless vibration sensors. 

Since releasing the world's first ISA100 Wirelessbased 

field wireless devices and wireless systems, 

Yokogawa has expanded its lineup of field wireless 

devices that measure temperature, pressure, flow 

rate, and the like. This new vibration sensor will meet 

our customers' needs for a device that can provide 

the quick updates on vibration levels needed to 

detect anomalies at an early stage. 

Product Features 

The principal components of this field wireless 

vibration sensor are the FN510 field wireless 

multifunction module, the LN01 piezoelectric type 

acceleration sensor, and the FN110 field wireless 

communication module. Via a gateway device, the 

FN510 uses the ISA100 Wireless communications 

protocol to exchange data with a host-level system 

such as a DCS. The data collected with this vibration 

sensor enables plant operators and maintenance 

staff to monitor vibration levels in real time. 

Both explosion proof and non-explosion proof 

types are available. Key features of this sensor are as 

follows: 

1. Fast data updates 

The sensor can be set to update data as quickly as 

every 10 seconds. This update time is ideal for 

monitoring vibration levels in plant facilities. 

2. Long battery life and easy maintenance 

When the vibration sensor is set to update data once 

per minute, it can operate on a single set of batteries 



for up to 10 years. In addition to eliminating the cost 

of providing replacement batteries, this reduces 

maintenance workload. 

3. Highly reliable and versatile system 

Thanks to the features of ISA100 Wireless and our 

technical know-how, we have achieved a highly 

reliable wireless network with fully redundant 

communications that is capable of sending and 

receiving different types of sensor signals over long 

distances. 

Yokogawa's Approach to Field Wireless 

Communications 

Yokogawa released the world's first ISA100 

Wireless system devices and wireless pressure and 

temperature transmitters in July 2010. In addition to 

enabling sophisticated control techniques in 

continuous processes, this gave customers a wider 


range of devices to choose from. 

Yokogawa will continue to expand its lineup of 

ISA100 Wireless transmitters and other devices such 

as adaptors to develop best-in-class solutions that 

provide higher value to customers, and promote the 

use of field wireless technologies. 

*ISA100 Wireless: A technology that is based on 

the ISA100.11a standard. It includes ISA100.11a- 

2011 communications, an application layer with 

process control industry standard objects, device 

descriptions and capabilities, a gateway interface, 

infrared provisioning, and a backbone router. 

The names of the companies, organizations, and 

brands in this text are the trademarks or registered 

trademarks of the respective holders. 

YOKOGAWA SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD. 

Telephone: +27 11 831 6300 

E-mail: info@za.yokogawa.com 

http://www.yokogawa.com/za

Join us on 

Social Media 

2016 - STAFSJÖ VALVES 

CELEBRATE 350 YEARS AND 

ARE NOW STRONGER THAN 

EVER 

Innovation and local availability worldwide are 

Stafsjö's strengths. 

Established already in 1666, Stafsjö is one of the 

oldest operating companies in Sweden. Production 

commenced with the manufacture of cannons for 

the Swedish armed forces and remained the core 

business activity for two centuries. In 1881, the 

production of valves started and in 1928 the first 

knife gate valve was launched for the paper and pulp 

industry in the region. 

In recent years, Stafsjö has invested over Euro 5 

million in order to expand its production. Within four 

years the annual turnover should be Euro 20 million 

annually. This goal will be attained with new 

products, within new market sectors and in new 

countries, whilst simultaneously strengthening the 

position on existing markets with the existing range 

of products. 

Together with their customers, the Stafsjö team 

work to understand the demands placed, not only 

on today's processes, but also those of tomorrow. By 

ensuring that Stafsjö valves are in stock around the 

globe Stafsjö operates as a fast and flexible supplier 

of high performance knife gate valves for complex 

processes in varying dimensions. Stafsjö is a wellknown 

name amongst major players within paper 

and pulp, mining, power generation and water 

treatment. More than 1 million Stafsjö valves have 

been installed around the world and 86% of 

production is exported. 

Stafsjö has seen huge growth in the USA, Australia, 

South Africa and South East Asia, the latter primarily 

driven by Indonesia. An initiative made in the 

mining industry in Mexico has also been successful. 

Stafsjö have a product portfolio covering a broad 

range of knife gate valves. Stafsjö's extensive 

experience of high performance shut-off valves with 

superior flow characteristics enables the 

development team to push this technology still 

further. 

Valve & Automation are the exclusive agents for 

Stafsjö valves. 

VALVE & AUTOMATION 

Telephone: +27 11 397 2833 

E-mail: sales@valve.co.za 

http://valve.co.za 

READ MORE

VERIFI EQUIPMENT MONITORING 

USING THE INTERNET TO 

VERIFI YOUR FIRE RISK 

EXPOSURE! 




The Sperosens Verifi system provides an 

encompassing, accurate, always-available status of 

various critical systems such as fire protection, 

operational and facilities equipment. Verifi monitors 

and reports the real-time status and fault conditions 

to users. In accordance with SANS requirements the 

user can obtain electronic records of inspections 

and events. 

All sources of information are communicated to a 

remote control room, from where the safety and 

operational readiness of all systems can be closely 

monitored and logged 24/7. The control room also 

operates as the go-between to and from a facility 

and the fire brigade, ensures that fire alarms are not 

false, and that emergency response personnel are 

notified. The property manager or owner can also be 

notified by SMS or alarms per their personal 

preference. 

Real-time computer displays provide a detailed 

overview of the entire facility, including event 

logging, alarming and reports. The Verifi system 

provides the user with peace of mind that the 

investment in fire protection or other critical 

systems is worthwhile. Early warning is given to 

report faulty equipment or overdue inspections to 

prevent loss of property, loss of lives, income and 

downtime. 

Verifi measures parameters and communicates 

the data using the Internet of Things (IoT) 

communication technology. 

The system uses several technologies to form a 

user friendly picture of the state of critical 

systems: 

· Using the Internet of Things, the system is able to 

remotely monitor fire water pressure, fire water 

reservoirs, suppression gas pressure, faults and fires 

over distances as far as 8km, without the need for 

SIM cards or antennae. 

· Using NFC tagging, the system forces discipline to 

do visual audits of equipment such as fire reels, fire 

extinguishers, water pumps, fire doors, piping and 

nozzles. On this equipment several metrics can be 

audited, such as pressure in fire extinguishers, 

damage to fire reels, or obstacles in fire doors. 

· Using standard instrumentation technologies, the 

system can measure many parameters such as air 

temperature, air flow speed, equipment on/off 

status, ambient gas concentrations such as CO, LP, 

CO2 and more. 

Customers can benefit from: 

· Easily Obtainable Fire Audit information where 

legal responsibility applies 

· Early fault detection to plan preventative 

maintenance 

· Ensure the safety of people, inventor y, 

infrastructure and income 

· Early warning prevents damage 

· Possible reduction of insurance costs 

· Early warning when events occur 

· 24/7, 365 Dashboard information of threats, events 

and failures 

Applications include Fire Safety Systems in 

Buildings, Service Delivery Companies to provide 

data on i.e. reservoir levels, flow, cooling, 

overheating or any other critical data, Warehouses, 

Factories, Office Complexes, Hotels, and Shopping 

Malls. 

Sperosens have a team of Fire Engineers, Hardware 

and Software engineers to make sure products and 

solutions meet specific customer requirements. 

For more product information for your own use or 

re-sell opportunities please contact: 

SPEROSENS 

Telephone: +27 82 557 3463 

E-mail: marihette.hattingh@spero.co.za 

http://www.spero.co.za

Join us on 

Social Media 

SWAZI PLAZA PROPERTIES 

USES ROPE ACCESS FOR 

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT 

Leading rope-access specialist Skyriders Access 

Specialists has completed a fast-track facilities 

management (FM) contract for Swazi Plaza 

Properties in Mbabane, Swaziland. 

The property development company is 

owner of Swazi Plaza, the largest shopping 

centre in Swaziland. Marketing Manager Mike 

Zinn explains that Skyriders deployed a fiveperson 

team for the 27-day contract, which 

encompassed a range of FM services, from 

window and louvre cleaning to signage 

maintenance and painting, as well as the 

installation of bird spikes. 

“There is a definite upsurge in interest from 

the FM industry in rope access in terms of costeffective 

and flexible maintenance,” Zinn 

comments. “Maintenance budgets are under 

considerable pressure, and rope access can 

offer considerable cost-savings.” 

Rope access is one of the safer means of 

accessing difficult-to-reach points in a number 

of applications, especially when the cost of 

access is disproportionate to the scope of 

work. The scope of rope-access work includes 

general maintenance such as cleaning, repair, 

painting and inspections. 

“Rope access provides flexibility, as rope 

access technicians are able to traverse 

obstacles in order to carry out numerous tasks 

relating to inspection, maintenance and 

surveying, all while they are suspended 

securely. It is highly-effective for numerous 

rescue tasks in any application over 2 m above 

ground,” Zinn highlights. 

While Skyriders initially cut its teeth on 

maintenance contracts such as that for Swazi 

Plaza Properties, the company has since 

diversified into highly-specialised sectors such 

as power generation, where rope access is 

ideal for inspection and maintenance on tall 

structures such as smoke stacks, cooling 

towers and boilers. 

Skyriders boasts extensive experience in all 

rope-access applications, and also undertakes 

work in the mining and heavy industrial 

sectors. It offers services such as nondestructive 

testing (NDT) and inspection, 

concrete inspection, maintenance and repairs, 

application of coating systems, working-atheight 

safety systems, welding, and confined 

space rescue and standby. 

SKYRIDERS INDUSTRIAL ROPE ACCESS 

Telephone: +27 11 312 1418 

E-mail: mike@ropeaccess.co.za 

http://www.ropeaccess.co.za

Welcome to KROHNE South Africa 

Contact News Product Releases 

KROHNE is a world-leading manufacturer and 

supplier of solutions in industrial process 

instrumentation. 

KROHNE Pty. Ltd. in Midrand is place of business of 

the KROHNE service and sales in South Africa. 

Contact details 

KROHNE Pty. Ltd. 

Bushbuck Close, 

Corporate Park South 

Midrand, Gauteng 

P.O. Box 2069, 

Midrand, 1685 

South Africa 

Mobile:+27 (0)82 556 3934 

Tel.:+27 (0) 11 314 1391 

Fax:+27 (0) 11 314 1681 

Email: salesza@krohne.com 

Web: http://za.krohne.com/ 

eLearning 

Go to the platform 

Go to the OPTIMASS WebApp 

OPTIMASS Family Video 

OPTIBAR LC 1010: new submersible level probe 

with ceramic diaphragm 

OPTIBAR LC 1010 features a robust 316L stainless 

steel housing and a high overload-proof ceramic 

diaphragm for long operating life. For safe and easy 

cleaning on site, the diaphragm is flush mounted. 

With a diameter of 22 mm / 1", OPTIBAR LC 1010 can 

be used also in small vessels. 

more 

Entrained Gas Management EGM now available 

for all OPTIMASS Coriolis mass flowmeters 

Entrained Gas Management EGM technology is now 

available for all KROHNE OPTIMASS Coriolis mass 

flowmeters. With the latest additions OPTIMASS 

3400 and OPTIMASS 7400, now the whole 

OPTIMASS series offers continuous and repeatable 

mass flow or density measurement with 2-phase 

flows. 

more 

H250 M40: Extended options for oil and gas 

applications 

KROHNE has extended the available options for the 

H250 M40 flowmeter in order to match the 

requirements of the oil and gas industry. 

more 

WATERFLUX 3070: new features and options for 

the battery powered water meter 

KROHNE introduces several new features and 

options for WATERFLUX 3070. As water meters are 

often installed in remote locations, reducing the 

frequency of visits to the sites and the time spend on 

set-up and maintenance is crucial. 

more 

SMARTMAC 200 W: New operating device for 

SMARTPAT series 

With SMARTMAC 200 W, KROHNE introduces a 2- 

wire loop powered operating device with HART 7 

communication to the SMARTPAT series. 

more 

H250 M40 globally approved flowmeter for 

hazardous areas 

more about H250 M40 

Intrinsically safe electronics 

more 

Variable area flowmeter H250 

M40 has received more than 30 

approvals worldwide for 

hazardous areas.

HONEYWELL AUTOMATION 

TO CONTROL NORTH SEA 

PLATFORM REMOTELY FROM 

ONSHORE LOCATION 

Suite of Honeywell Technologies, Including Experion® 

Process Knowledge System, to Drive Safety and 

Efficiency at Statoil's Valemon Platform 

Honeywell (NYSE: HON) Process Solutions (HPS) 

today announced it will provide advanced 

automation and safety solutions to enable remote 

onshore operation for an unmanned offshore 

platform in the North Sea, reducing overall 

production costs and improving safety. 

When drilling operations are completed, Statoil's 

Valemon platform, located on the Norwegian 

Continental Shelf, will become a periodicallymanned 

installation and Statoil's first platform that 

will be operated from shore. Control operations will 

be located in Bergen, some 100 miles (160 

kilometers) away from the platform itself. Moving 

personnel off the facility will improve the overall 

safety of the operations while also boosting 

efficiency by centralizing the controls at the 

company's Bergen location. 

“This project is a great example of how Honeywell is 

able to use its technology and experience to help 

Statoil remotely control operations at an important 

gas production facility,” said Pieter Krynauw, vice 

president and general manager of the Projects and 

Automation Solutions business within Honeywell 

Process Solutions. “As companies move oil platforms 



farther offshore and into 

other remote, challenging 

locations to find oil and 

gas, managing those 

operations efficiently 

while reducing risk to 

workers will become 

increasingly important.” 

Honeywell will serve as 

t h e e n g i n e e r i n g , 

p r o c u r e m e n t a n d 

c o n s t r u c t i o n ( E P C ) 

automation contractor for 

the project. Honeywell 

will provide a range of 

c o n t r o l a n d s a f e t y 

technologies for the 

project including new 

operator stations and 

critical alarm panels at the 

o n s h o r e B e r g e n 

operations center that will 

communicate with the 

systems on Valemon. This 

solution will reduce the complexity of remote 

operations and reduce overall operating costs 

compared with standard solutions. 

The Valemon platform sits in about 440 feet (135 

meters) of water and will produce natural gas and 

condensate from one of the biggest undeveloped 

natural gas fields in the North Sea with an estimated 

192 million barrels of oil equivalent. Once drilling is 

complete in 2017, the platform will have 10 

production wells. 

Among the technologies Honeywell will provide are 


its Experion® Process Knowledge System (PKS), 

integrated protective solutions, Critical Alarm Panel 

with Safety Manager, integrated fire and gas and 

emergency shutdown solutions, and closed circuit 

TV software. 

Use this link for more information about Honeywell's 

solutions for offshore oil and gas operations. 

HONEYWELL PROCESS SOLUTIONS 

Telephone: +2711 695 8033 

E-mail: boni.magudulela@Honeywell.com 

http://www.honeywell.com

Join us on 

Social Media 


Kira Valves & Engineering, a Black Woman 

Empowered & BBBEE Level 1 Company, was 

established in 2005. We have been providing 10 

years of market-leading products, services & 

solutions for the most challenging applications and 

have succeeded in supporting our clients to keep 

their maintenance costs to a minimum. Kira Valves 

comprises of a highly motivated team of 33 

personnel, dedicated to quality, excellent delivery & 

exceptional customer services. 

The company holds the following credentials: 

BBBEE Level 1 - ISO 9001:2008 - OHSAS 18001:2007 

The expertise of our personnel, who are familiar with 

the design principals of pressure vessels, guarantee 

that quality is not compromised. We are suppliers to 

Sasol, Rand Water, Johannesburg Water, Eskom, 

Sappi, etc. Kira Valves & Engineering are Eskom Level 

1 accredited which allows us to work on high 

pressure valves. 

Our Services Include: 

• CNC & Conventional Engineering 

• Valve Refurbishment 

• Site Work 

• Valve Trading 

• Sandblasting & Spray Painting 

• Machining, Manufacturing & Modifications 

• Fabrication, Welding & Strainers 

The Markets Served Include: 

• Mining 

• Power Generation 

• Petro- Chemical 

• Food 

• Pulp & Paper 

• Iron & Steel 

• Water Works 

• We are equipped with conventional & CNC 

m a c h i n e r y required fo r m o d i f i c a t i o n & 

manufacturing for an array of components. 

• Kira Valves & Engineering possesses a Valve 

Hydraulic Test Bench which can test up to 500 Bar. 

• The company has also added its input into the 

design specification of valves. 

• Our premises consist of a valve refurbishing facility 

which comprises of stripping, sandblasting, 

machining, welding, assembly, testing and spraying 

services. 

• Our experienced team are capable of performing 

services in-situ or to remove valves to our machine 

shop for complete refurbishment works. 


Telephone: +27 11 626 3312/6/7 

E-mail: info3@kiravalves.co.za 

http://kiravalves.co.za 

ICP-OES ANALYSIS OF 

CRUDE OIL PRODUCTS 

ICP-OES analysis of crude oil products was 

carried out according to ASTM D7691-11 

on the High Resolution Array ICP-OES 

PlasmaQuant® PQ 9000 Elite equipped 

with temperature-controlled Organic Kit. 

A total of seven samples including crude 

oil, feed and vacuum gas oil samples were 

diluted to 10 mass % in mixed xylenes 

(SIGMA-ALDRICH) and matrix-matched 

calibration standards were prepared by 

spiking of Element Blank Oil 75cSt with 

organometallic standards S-21+K (100 

ppm, 885 ppm), Hg (100 ppm) and As (100 

ppm) all from CONOSTAN. Organometallic 

Yttrium (1000 ppm, CONOSTAN) was 

added as internal standard. Trace elements 

including Al, As, Hg, Mg, Ni, P, Pb, Si and V were 

determined by axial plasma views and elevated 

contents of Ca, K, Na and P were analysed radially. 

Due to the vertical plasma geometry of the V Shuttle 

Torch soot formation, memory effects and frequent 

torch replacement can be avoided. The total argon 

consumption of about 18 L/min sets a new standard 

in this industry and the analysis time per sample 

including sample transport and rinsing of the spray 

chamber was less than 3 minutes, which is rather 

exceptional given the detectability achieved. That is, 

matrix specific detection limits smaller than 10 

μg/kg were obtained for all elements. In addition, 

method robustness was tested for crude oil samples 

B to E that exhibit Phosphorous contents in the 

range from 0.30 to 4.0 mg/kg. Good agreement was 

found between results obtained for three different 

emission lines (P 177.436, P 213.616 and P 214.914 

nm) illustrating the unique analytical potential of 

the PlasmaQuant® PQ 9000 Elite for crude oil 

analysis. 

Offshore-produced oil contains considerable 

chlorine contents, which adversely affect the 

transportation and refining process. High 

temperature oxidation followed by coulometric 

titration is the ideal technique to determine this 

parameter but suffers from incomplete combustion, 

escalating with the sample complexity. But the 

intelligent flame sensor technology of multi EA® 

5000 fully automatically takes the varied 

combustion behaviours of samples and different 

quantities into account, which leads to complete 

oxidation, small variations, less need for replicates, 

and a distinct reduction of maintenance 

requirements. Besides, it is twice as fast as common 

s y s t e m s, a l l o w s c a l i b r a t i n g t h e s y s t e m 

independently of the sample matrix, and ensures 

automated analysis even of unknown samples. 

Flame sensor technology – your advantages at a 

glance 

• A single method for sample matrices with the same 

state of aggregation 

•Matrix-dependent adjustment of process 

parameters is now redundant 

• No prior knowledge of the combustion behaviour 

of the samples required 

• No time-consuming method development 

• Uniquely high sample quantities 

• Guaranteed quantitative sample decomposition, 

no more soot formation in systems 

• Improved precision thanks to complete oxidation 

• Minimized effects of sample matrix 

• Clearly reduced maintenance effort 

SPECTROMETER TECHNOLOGIES 

Telephone: +27 21 905 0476 

E-mail: marketing@ustech.co.za 

http://www.us-tech.co.za

SKF ANNOUNCES 30% 

EQUITY TRANSACTION 

WITH GOLELO TRUST 

On 16th November 2016 the management of SKF 

South Africa (Pty) Ltd. announced the recent signing of 

a black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) ownership 

agreement with black women owned Golelo Trust. 

Despite ongoing policies and programmes to 

address the imbalances of the past, statistics show 

t h a t b l a c k w o m e n e n g i n e e r s a r e s t i l l 

disproportionately under-represented in the 

workforce. “Concerned about this shortfall in the 

field of engineering, SKF sees the education and 

development of black women engineers as crucial 

for the future of our industry as well as of the country 

as a whole,” states Ian Cillié, Managing Director, SKF 

South Africa. 

This drive is also in line with SKF's commitment to 

South Africa and its communities. Embracing its role 

as a responsible corporate citizen, SKF has been 

supporting a number of important projects and has, 

since 2007, been involved in two community 

projects that support children who are affected or 

infected by HIV/Aids. In addition to providing 

financial support to St. Francis' Rainbow Cottage 

and the Legae Day Care Centre in Daveyton, SKF 

employees are represented on the Board of Legae 

and offer management advice and time to both 

projects. 

Over the past few years, SKF South Africa has, 

together with recently acquired Lincoln Lubrication 

South Africa, been focusing meaningfully on the 

skills development of black people, including black 

people with disabilities, through learnership and 



apprenticeship programmes as well as study grants. 

Cillié explains that SKF has supported the 

country's policies and plans since the inception of 

BEE legislation which he says is more than a moral 

initiative: “It is a pragmatic growth strategy aimed at 

realising the country's full economic potential while 

helping to bring the black majority into the 

economic mainstream. So simply put, it is the right 

thing to do.” 

South Africa's stated goals of its Broad Based Black 

Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Act align with 

SKF's global 'SKF Care' approach to running its 

business in a responsible manner. This approach 

addresses Business, Employee, Community and 

Environmental Care. SKF recognises the importance 

of contributing to all elements of the B-BBEE 

scorecard and has, since 2010, been meticulously 

working and focussing on all B-BBEE scorecard 

elements within its control. 

In 2013 SKF turned its attention to the final 

remaining element on the B-BBEE scorecard, that of 

Ownership. This culminated in the establishment of 

Golelo Trust. Golelo means 'growth' in Tswana and 

perfectly portrays the aim of the Trust: 'To grow and 

empower black women and thereby the economy 

and country through education and development'. 

“Ownership is a priority element in accordance 

with the Revised Code of Good Practice 

requirements and we recognise our responsibility to 

our customers and distributors in addressing this 

important scorecard criterion,” emphasises Cillié. 

Citing the benefits that ownership, and in particular 

black women ownership holds for SKF as a bearing 

and rotating engineering and technology specialist, 

Cillié says that the company will meet the 

requirements of its extensive customer base, 

particularly those within the mining sector. 

“Additionally, the significant improvement in our 


FLTR: Dr. Namane Magau (Independent Trustee), Corlé Grobler (Trustee 

and SKF Sub-Saharan Africa HR Manager), Dr. Nomonde Mabuya 

(Independent Trustee), Ian Cillié (SKF Managing Director). 

recognition level will also positively impact on the 

scorecards of our distributors who direct a 

significant portion of their procurement spend to 

SKF South Africa.” 

The selling of shares to Golelo Trust is a pivotal 

point in the company's illustrious 100 year history in 

South Africa but will not affect the day-to-day 

running of SKF and its focus on supporting 

customers with the best-in-class bearings, 

lubrication systems and ancillary products. The 

Chairperson of the Trust will be appointed as a nonexecutive 

director to the Board of SKF South Africa 

and all parties are committed to the continued 

profitable growth of the company and look forward 

to the contribution that Golelo Trust will make. “We 

are extremely excited and look forward to making a 

contribution to the South African economy through 

the empowerment of black women as the future 

leaders our of country,” concludes Cillié who 

confirms that the first engineering bursaries for 

black women will be granted in the 2017 academic 

year. 

SKF SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD. 

Telephone: +27 11 821 3500 

E-mail: sales.za@skf.com 

http://www.skf.com/africa/en/index.html

Join us on 

Social Media 

FIRST CUT'S PALLET BLADE: 

'NAILING' THE CUT WITH 

SPEED AND PRODUCTIVITY 

FOR AGRICULTURAL AND 

MANY OTHER SECTORS 

Pallets are widely used in agricultural 

environments, and it is inevitable that a fair number 

of these end up being damaged inadvertently. As 

pallets are typically not high-value items, repairs 

need to be done as quickly as possible by sawing off 

any damaged wood strips and replacing them. 

To do this, a hand-held reciprocating saw is ideal. 

However, the saw blade needs to be able to cut 

through both wood and nails without having the 

blade clog up or the teeth blunted. To do this, First 

Cut, a leading South African manufacturer and 

distributor of cutting consumables to the local 

market for 60 years, designed a blade with a varied 

pitch tooth configuration, which clears both wood 

swarf and metal particles from the cut efficiently. 

As the blade is used in a reciprocating hand-held 

power saw, it has been designed to be fairly rigid. To 

do this, First Cut developed a bi-metal blade, where 

the 'body' of the blade is of a softer material than the 

cutting edge, which is made of a hardened, highspeed 

steel (HSS), suited for high-speed cutting. The 

two types of steel are laser-welded together by the 

Swiss raw material supplier to form the blade blank. 

"It was a question of finding the right combination 

of metals for use in the bi-metal, without it being 

prohibitively expensive," says Ian McCrystal, CEO of 

First Cut. 

Considering that the quality of the cut is not a 

major consideration, and that there is every 

likelihood that rough handling will break the blade 

long before it goes blunt, the quality of the blade has 

to be a sensible compromise, he explains. 

However, as the blades work in a harsh and 

demanding environment, the pallet blades have 

been designed with rugged longevity in mind. 

"In developing a blade such as this, we started with 

a prototype, and working with feedback from 

the customer, developed a blade that was fit-forpurpose. 

For example, if the customer told us 

that the blades were going blunt too quickly, 

then we would work on improving the hardness 

of the teeth," he adds. 

A key part of First Cut's philosophy is never to 

turn away from a challenge. "It is our ingrained 

'can do' attitude that sees us developing 

solutions such as these," says McCrystal. All the 

company's products are scrutinised regularly to 

see if further improvements can be made to 

them. In the case of this blade - which is 

manufactured in First Cut's Cape Town blade 

manufacturing facility - a number of 

improvements have been made over the years to 

the original design. 

Agriculture uses many varied types of First Cut 

blades. For example, every farmer has a hacksaw 

and conventional wood saw at least. Meat 

farmers and processors use a number of 

purpose-manufactured blades for their 

specialised applications. And then, for those 

farming timber, First Cut produces a range of 

specialised blades for cutting logs into planks. 

In addition, First Cut's capital equipment is 

used by manufacturers of agricultural 

equipment, for any number of applications from 

manufacturing a plough to constructing an 

irrigation system. "A farm of any size will have a 

tool room where equipment is repaired. Here 

First Cut can supply tools from measuring 

equipment to band saws," McCrystal continues. 

"For anyone in farming who has questions 

concerning cutting equipment or techniques, at 

First Cut we are always pleased to be able to offer 

consultancy or advice," he concludes. 

FIRST CUT (PTY) LTD 

Telephone: +27 11 614 1112 

Contact Us 

http://www.firstcut.co.za

ENGEN SUPPORTS DEPARTMENT OF 

TRANSPORT'S #RIDEWISE CAMPAIGN 

The Department of Transport, in collaboration with 

Engen, the Road Traffic Management Corporation 

(RTMC) and Youth in Road Safety launched #Ridewise, 

a Festive Season Road Safety Campaign at the Engen 

Grasmere 1-Stop (South) in Gauteng on Saturday, 3 

December. 

The initiative is aimed at increasing awareness 

around the dangers of texting and driving, driver 

fatigue and speeding and the impact it has on 

motorists and pedestrians. 

#Ridewise will be rolled out over a one-year period 

from December 2016 to November 2017, with ten 

activations hosted over this time. There will be a 

special focus over high traffic periods such as the 

Festive Season, Easter holidays and in October 2017, 

National Transport Month. 

On board to communicate driver safety messages 

to young South African drivers between the ages of 

18-34 are well known celebrity DJ's, Dr Malinga and 

DJ Zinhle who will entertain motorists at Engen 

service stations and engage in a series of fun games 

and other cool activations. 

Minister of Transport, Dipuo Peters, will be actively 

involved in the campaign. Motorists are encouraged 

to look out for the Minister at select Engen service 

stations around the country this Festive Season, 

where she will help fill up cars and share key safety 

messages with motorists. 

Engen General Manager: Corporate Affairs, 

Tasneem Sulaiman-Bray says Engen is very excited 

to be part of #Ridewise. 



“We believe that this worthy 

i n i t i a t i v e w i l l r e d u c e 

unnecessary risk taking and 

change driver behaviour, 

ensuring increased road safety 

awareness, whilst making a 

meaningful difference to the 

lives of all South African road 

users.” 

Sulaiman-Bray says motorists 

and pedestrians share the 

responsibility of keeping 

themselves and others on the 

road safe. “A high portion of road 

fatalities in South Africa are 

pedestrian. Many of these 

people are victims of reckless 

driving where they are killed or 

injured through no fault of their 

own. This is why Engen believes 

road safety is everyone's business and why as a 

proud South African company we feel duty-bound 

to support road safety initiatives such as #Ridewise.” 

Engen's Corporate Social Investment Manager, 

Mntu Nduvane says that Engen's focus on health 

and safety is entrenched in every aspect of the 

company's operations and an integral part of their 

social investment efforts. “Our Engen Driver 

Wellness campaign, which targets truck drivers by 

providing free health screenings, is another of our 

initiatives that promotes driver safety.” 

Engen General Manager Corporate 

Affairs, Tasneem Sulaiman Bray with 

Minister of Transport Dipuo Peters 


Adds Nduvane: “Texting while driving is a serious 

problem and cause of accidents especially among 

our younger drivers. Education will help remind our 

country's drivers how life choices, such as driving 

while texting can have a serious impact on their 

safety and the safety of other drivers and 

pedestrians on the road.” 

ENGEN GROUP 

Telephone: +27 21 403 4312 

E-mail: Gavin.Smith@engenoil.com 

http://www.engen.co.za

Join us on 

Social Media 

PLUG VALVE FOR DOUBLE 

BLOCK & BLEED & 

INSPECTION-SERVICE 

Type DBI 

The AZ-Armaturen double block and bleed valve is 

a plug valve with two independent sealing areas 

which provide a tight seal against pressure from 

both ends of the valve. Additionally, the cavity 

between the sealing areas can be vented/bleeded 

(DBI Type A) in order to recognise a leakage on one 

sealing immediately. 

The AZ-Armaturen double block and bleed valves 

are used in critical applications where any kind of 

leakage is not allowed to occur. Furthermore, the 

valve can be fitted upstream and/or downstream 

with additional inspection valves (Type B & C). 

This provides the advantage of inspection 

capabilities of the medium and draining possibilities 

for revision-service. The AZ-Armaturen double block 

and bleed valve can be operated manually or fully 

actuated. 

AZ-ARMATUREN SOUTH AFRICA PTY LTD 

Telephone: +27 11 397 3665 

E-mail: sales@az-armaturen.co.za 

http://southafrica.az-armaturen.de 

AZ-Armaturen South Africa will be closing for the festive 

season on 22 December 2016 and we will be returning 03 

January 2017. We thank you for your support throughout the 

year and wish you and your family happy holidays.



DIGITALLY CHOREOGRAPHING THE FACTORY FLOOR 


African 

Petrochemicals 

The clock is ticking 

Once again, the task seems impossible. The shop needs to be up and running when? How is anyone supposed 

to meet that timeline? Especially when the equipment needs reprogramming? And by the way, the floor is 

already tied up with another project. What’s needed is a way to get ahead of the game, right now. 

With the ever increasing appeal of online 

marketing, we at African Petrochemicals are 

delighted to inform you that we are now 

focusing strongly on online advertising as well 

as our normal printed magazine. Having control 

over SEO services, instant editing functions and 

being able to target an audience through 

geographic and industry specific data, all ensure 

maximum exposure to advertisers using online 

marketing. Why not utilize this eco-friendly 

opportunity to enhance the advertising scope of 

your company and ensure a high impact 

response to your marketing campaign for 2016 

& 2017. 

The Digital African Petrochemicals is posted 

on our website. The hyperlink will be mailed to 

all readers & advertisers to use at their discretion. 

It will also be posted on top social media 

networks, including our Google+; LinkedIn, 

Twitter and Facebook pages and our weekly 

Newsletter which is mailed to more than 9000 

subscribers worldwide. 

Enter the 4-D simulated factory 

We take ABB’s expert knowledge of factory operations and add the intelligence of ABB Ability systems like 

RobotStudio® to speed up commissioning. RobotStudio is able to simulate an exact replica of the factory in 

the virtual realm, including automated motion over time, so that all technical issues can be solved in advance. 

In essence, you get to run the factory before you run the actual factory. 

Ÿ 

Ÿ 

Ÿ 

Ÿ 

Ÿ 

Virtual commissioning does full testing prior to installing the line in the physical world 

Integrates all automation assets (robots, PLCs, motors, drives) 

Adjusting parameters for different simulations allows optimization in the real world 

Testing and actual software are identical, so no reprogramming is needed 

Reduced need for real-life adjustments during installation 

*Relevant SEO data will be made available to 

advertisers on request. 

AFRICAN PETROCHEMICALS 

Telephone: +27 87 750 1904 

E-mail: sales@africanpetrochemicals.co.za 

http://africanpetrochemicals.co.za 



Commission right the first time 

Ÿ Lets you design and test without shutting down the factory floor 

Ÿ Faster real-world shop-floor set-up 

Ÿ Reduces risk of collisions on shop floor 

Ÿ Better quality and process control 

More speed, more productivity 

Ÿ Reduced shop-floor commissioning time by up to 25 percent 

Ÿ Earlier production starts 

Ÿ Reduced maintenance costs 

Ÿ Increased productivity 

Ÿ Reduced opportunity costs 

Join us on 

Social Media 

Receive the latest industry 

news on our digital newsletter 

ABB CONTACT CENTRE FOR SOUTH AFRICA 

Telephone: +27 10 202-6995 

E-mail: contact.center@za.abb.com 

http://new.abb.com/africa

Join us on 

Social Media 

HELUKABEL APPS 

Current catalogs, brochures and flyers on your 

tablet 

Download your HELUKABEL App today 

iPad App 

Get the new HELUKABEL iPad App! So you always 

have access to the latest catalogues and brochures 

Social Media Pages 

CONFIGURE AND READ 

INSTRUMENTS VIA APP 

AND SMARTPHONE 

With the new CPG1500 precision digital pressure 

gauge from WIKA, customers can now also 

communicate with it via smartphone. The 

corresponding mobile app, “myWIKA device”, can be 

downloaded free of charge from the Google Play 

Store. 

Via the app and the WIKA-Wireless connection, the 

CPG1500 can be conveniently configured for test 

and calibration tasks via mobile phone. During the 

pressure measurement, the measured value is 

shown on the display in the desired unit. Moreover, 

users can access further parameters such as 

temperature and pressure change rate and also 

additional instrument information via the WIKA 

website. The app also enables the configuration, 

control and storage of log operations. Since the app 

also communicates with the WIKA-Cal software, the 

logged data can be transmitted wirelessly for further 

processing on a suitable computer. 

The new mobile app is currently available for 

smartphones with Android operating systems. For 

the time being, its functions relate only to the 

CPG1500 - however, versions for other WIKA 

calibration instruments are already planned. 

WIKA INSTRUMENTS (PTY.) LTD. 

Telephone: +27 11 621 00 00 

E-mail: sales@wika.co.za 

http://www.wika.co.za

PROCESS VACUUM: 

BUSCH PUMPS 

CONTINUE TO LEAD THE 

WAY IN INNOVATION 

Businesses around the world look to Busch for 

innovation in the vacuum pump industry. Many 

companies are dependent on Busch to provide 

them with the vacuum pump technology needed to 

operate effectively and competitively in the global 

economy. This world leader in vacuum pump 

technology is registered with ISO 9001-2000 and has 

always illustrated their commitment to producing 

the very best quality and high-performing vacuum 

products. 

The first Busch vacuum pump was manufactured 

in 1963 and since then, the manufacturer has grown 

to achieve global recognition and dominance. 

Today, Busch has more than 30 companies and four 

manufacturing plants around the world. You can 

find a Busch vacuum pump for just about every 

application, whether you are looking for a single 

pump or a complete system. You choose products 

by their working range and they can also be tailored 

to meet your company’s specific needs. 

Some of the most popular Busch vacuum pump 

ranges include the Huckepack Series and the Fossa 

Series, among many others. With double-stage 

compression, the Huckepack pumps lead the way 

forward in the vacuum pump sector across the 

globe with their powerful and strong fresh oil 

lubricated rotary vane vacuum pumps. These 

pumps are used to handle solvent and condensable 

gases, thanks to their high water vapour tolerance. 



Busch Pumps – An Answer to High Vacuum 

Applications 

The Fossa Scroll range of vacuum pumps from 

Busch is ideally used in high vacuum applications 

that are dry and clean. Providing an oil-free and noncontact 

compression, along with low noise levels 

and compact, light-weight size, the Fossa Scroll 

vacuum pumps continue to lead the way forward in 

innovation. This pump is popularly used in 

important sectors, such as electronics, laboratories, 

research and semiconductors. 

The Cobra NC series of vacuum pumps from Busch 

is considered screw vacuum pumps. These work on 

the oil and water free compression principle. It is a 

pump that is exceptionally compatible with water 

and liquid vapours, making it perfectly suited for use 

in chemical, plastic and pharmaceutical processes. 

With its simple and robust construction and high 

volumetric efficiency, it also provides easy access to 

pump internals and an improved cooling system. 

Take Your Operations to the Next Level with 

Busch Vacuum Pumps 

With more than 50 years of experience in the 

vacuum and compressors industry, Busch continues 

to provide the very best quality solutions and 

innovation available. At Process Vacuum, we are 

proud to be official distributors of Busch pumps in 

South Africa. We work hard to bring the innovation 

of Busch pumps to the South African economy, and 

provide our products at the most competitive rates 

around. 

Throughout our long history of service in the 

industry, we have curated a range of vacuum 

solutions and technologies that are unique, and that 


allows us to tailor the correct solution to your needs. 

Whether you are in search of steam ejectors, dry 

vacuum or liquid ring vacuum pumps, mechanical 

boosters or flat-sided and conical pumps, we have 

the solution. However, our service doesn’t stop 

there. 

We also provide vacuum pump repairs, testing and 

training solutions, in an effort to help our valued 

customers get the best returns on their investment 

and enjoy the best value for money. Aside from 

providing Busch pumps to the South African 

economy, we also represent others of the world’s 

best vacuum equipment manufacturers, including 

Mtus, Edwards UK, ERTP Hibon and Garuda, to name 

only a few. 

When it comes to understanding the needs of our 

customers and supplying the correct vacuum 

systems to meet those needs, we have the edge. We 

tap into our years of industry experience to help our 

customers find the perfect solution for their vacuum 

needs, while keeping the prices competitive and 

accessible. Having access to the best liquid ring 

vacuum equipment and manufacturers in the world 

allows us to provide you with the reliable solutions 

and support that your business needs. 

We are proud of our service history and continue 

to provide each of our clients with the dedicated 

service expected of an industry leader. Whether you 

are looking for your next vacuum system or require 

training or repairs, we have the solutions that you 

need to take your business to the next level. Speak to 

our team of industry professionals for a tailored 

solution to your Busch vacuum pump needs. 

PROCESS VACUUM 

Telephone: +27 16 362 2761 

E-mail: info@process-vacuum.com 

http://process-vacuum.com

Join us on 

Social Media 

KOBOLD’S NEW INDUSTRIAL 

TEMPERATURE PROBE 

KOBOLD, represented locally by Instrotech, is 

proud to introduce their new MMA range of 

industrial temperature probes, or insertion 

r e s i s t a n c e t h e r m o m e t e r s ( w i t h / w i t h o u t 

transmitter). The MMA is engineered using 316 

stainless steel and incorporates high accuracy Pt100 

resistance sensors with analogue output options. 

The MMA is delivered standard with M12 or DIN plug 

electrical connections, as well as a wide variety of 

popular process connections. 

Kobold MMA features: 

Ÿ 

Ÿ 

Ÿ 

Ÿ 

Ÿ 

Ÿ 

Economically-priced digital thermometer with 

optional plug-in display 

Compact construction with or without 

transmitter 4-20mA output 

Measuring ranges: -198°C - +250°C (more on 

request) 

Pt100 sensor class A, ⅓ DIN, 1/10 DIN or 

cryogenic 

Stainless steel 

Withstands vibration 

This quality range of economically priced 

temperature instrument is suitable for a wide range 

of industrial applications such as: pharmaceuticals, 

chemical & marine engineering, machine tools, 

dairy, food & beverage, hydraulics & lube, heating 

installations & furnace, refrigeration & cryogenics, 

and R&D. 

For more information on Kobold's MMA range of 

industrial temperature probes, contact Instrotech 

on 010 595 1831 or sales@instrotech.co.za



ENGEN LAUNCHES PETRONAS LUBRICANTS THROUGH 

REBRANDED ENGEN OIL 

CENTRE FRANCHISE 

Engen Petroleum, a leading producer and 

marketer of a wide range of fuels, lubricants and oil 

based products, has rebranded its lubricants 

distribution business as Engen Oil Centre – marking 

its official launch of the PETRONAS Lubricants 

International (PLI) range in the market. 

Engen Oil Centre's comprises of a national network 

of approved distributors for Engen and PETRONAS 

lubricant products, and associated lubricant 

products. 

Flagship distributor 

The Engen Oil Centre franchise, previously known 

as The Oil Centre, is Engen's flagship lubricants 

distributor. 

It opened its first branch in Port Elizabeth in 2004, 

focusing on small and medium-sized business 

customers with a full range of lubricating oils and 

proactive service offerings tailored for the 

automotive, industrial, marine, aviation and 

agricultural markets. 

Since then it has opened 10 more stores in major 

cities and towns, including Johannesburg (three 

outlets), Durban, Cape Town, East London, 

Rustenburg, Phalaborwa, Nelspruit and Kimberley, 

says Keshwin Soni, new business development 

executive at Engen Lubricants. 

its catalogue heralds a new era for Engen, in which it 

will be able to focus more on its own range and that 

of its parent company, PETRONAS – the headline 

Formula 1 sponsor of Mercedes AMG. 

“The Oil Centre concept is an initiative undertaken 

by the lubricants division of Engen Petroleum to 

empower small enterprises to service lubricants 

customers in a proactive and efficient manner,” 

explains Kennedy. 

The PETRONAS range complements Engen's own 

wide-ranging portfolio of automotive and industrial 

lubricants and extensive knowledge of local 

conditions, with cutting-edge global product 

expertise and leading performance. 

“In particular, the PETRONAS Syntium brand of 

high-performance lubricants should excite South 

African motorists, as it is used in all Mercedes AMG 

cars worldwide,” says Kennedy. 

“We're looking forward to serving our customers 

with an even more exciting line-up and signature 

Engen care,” says Joe Mahlo, General Manager: 

Engen Sales and Marketing. 

“Franchise opportunities are available for people 

with entrepreneurial skills,” he adds. 


New era of focus 

John Kennedy, Engen's Lubricants Business 

Manager says the rebranding and reinvigoration of 

For further franchise information, interested 

parties are welcome to contact 

Keshwin Soni (031) 2502676/ 0848510613 or via 

email keshwin.soni@engenoil.com 

19

Now Launching: 

AFRICA 

4. 

Cover Story 

Information, Tech Trends 

Interviews and More... 

Utilizing the next Revolution. 

8TH ANNUAL MESA AFRICA 

CONFERENCE - 17/18 NOVEMBER 2016 

MESA (Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions 

Association) International is a global non-profit 

community of miners, refiners, manufacturers, 

producers, industry leaders, and solution providers 

who are focused on driving business results from 

industrial plant, process, mining and manufacturing 

information. MESA helps members formulate 

strategies to turn plant-floor data into valuable 

knowledge that is used throughout an enterprise, to 

provide effective Manufacturing Operations 

Management (MOM). 

The annual MESA Africa conference is a 2-day event 

hosted within the economic hub of Southern Africa, 

in Johannesburg, Gauteng. The Conference theme 

for this year 2016 was “Mastering the 4th Industrial 

Revolution – Smart MOM 4 Industrie“, which 

attracted 98 registrations from around South Africa. 

Three commanding opening keynote presentations 

were delivered, as follows: 

1. I n d u s t r y 4 . 0 R e s e a r c h R e s u l t s ( P W C 

Partner/Director Pieter Theron) - The presentation 

highlighted the noteworthy increase in industrial 

digitisation that is predicted to generate significant 

addition revenue growth from digital products and 

services, over the next 5 years. During this 

presentation the enablement of industrial 

companies to optimise customer relations through 

digital collaboration, at different levels, was 

emphasized. Nevertheless, the absence of a rooted 

digital culture and the associated training, was 

outlined as the most important challenge for 

industrial companies, to successfully do digital 

business in the foreseeable future. 

2. Technology Trends in a Disruptive Age (Sasol 

Head of Group MES Architecture Gerhard Botha) - 

The presentation explored the impact of the 

Internet of Things (IoT) on industry, and introduced 

the concept of Industry 4.0 - the 4th industrial 

revolution. The presenter unpacked the capabilities 

required by a company to successfully exploit the 

opportunities presented by the IoT, and suggested a 

transformation roadmap companies could consider 

to ensure that they were not rendered obsolete 

during the next industrial cycle. 

3. IoT and other Disruptive Technology (Altron 

Group Executive: Technology and Strategy Dr.Willie 

Oosthuizen) – The presenter unpacked converging 

technologies for smart environments and 

integrated ecosystems. He highlighted the practical 

impact of this industrial revolution on everyday 

private and business life. The presentation outlined 

macro-economic trends such as autonomous 

connected motors cars and smart homes, and 

multitenant cloud-based ecosystems. 

Eight user presentations were delivered by 

r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s f r o m t h e m i n i n g a n d 

manufacturing and industry sectors, and sponsors 

this year included Siemens, Wonderware SA, Bytes 

PMC, OSISoft, Business Connexion, SAIMC, Afrihost 

and Yokogawa. 

The voted best user presentation was for Asset 

Performance Measurement in the mining industry 

with special focus on concentrators. A conceptual 

model, which was tested and verified across seven 

concentrators at a major PGM producer in South 

Africa with actual data, was well presented as a 

concept that can be used in the industry. 

Other presentations included: 

Magazine 

The real and virtual worlds integrating at a steadily increased pace, the Internet of 

Things is pushing the evolutionary journey towards the fourth industrial 

revolution with various far reaching consequences. 

This fourth industrial revolution will not only herald change for the industrial 

sector, but will also have a major impact on how we live and work in general. 

Therefore, we are launching Africa 4.0 as a digital platform to the latest trends, 

technology and views regarding the IoT and Industry 4.0. 

Please subscribe to this magazine and always keep up to date with worldwide 

developments for smart factories, Industrial Internet of Things, smart 

manufacturing, advanced manufacturing and more. 

1. An application that filters through huge volumes 

of data to find the information that reveals critical 

truths, and allows for game changing operational 

decisions, in a manufacturing environment. 

Working towards achieving an accurate and reliable 

mass balance, this application effectively 

demonstrated the use of available data to monitor 

staff activities, stock movement and production 

figures, to achieve stable processes and eliminate 

problems; in doing so ensuring that all possible 

benefits are derived from the data. 

2. An application where, despite resource 

constraints and other challenges, a MES 

implementation within the MOM layer derives 

significant transformation in the way in which the 

business operates. The first part of the presentation 

demystified the confusion surrounding the 

definition of MES and MOM and then outlined how 

the ISA-95 standard has become the de-facto way of 

describing the various layers of MOM software. The 

integration methods with other level three MOM 

systems; such as LIMS, as well as future integration 

with home grown systems, were also presented, 

3. A n a p p l i c a t i o n j o u r n e y t o w a r d s t h e 

implementation of an advanced scheduling 

solution. This presentation covered the operational 

environment, scheduling technology employed 

and difficulties experienced prior to the start of the 

journey. Also the issues faced and problems 

overcome during the implementation process and 

review of the operating procedure and benefits 

achieved, as a result of implementing advanced 

scheduling technology. 

4. A MES/OMS system in the mining space with 

material tracking, overcoming integration 

complications between systems, and the 

generation of accurate production reports from 

historians. In this application implemented systems 

included system visibility on a daily basis across 

mining operations, and material tracking systems to 

cater for time based, as well as batched operations. 

The presentation further included metals 

accounting, operator log sheets, charting, Overall 

Equipment Efficiency (OEE), loop monitoring, 

statistical process control, weighbridge 

management, LIMS reporting, and operational KPI 

measurement. 

5. A tracking application that required accurate 

genealogy in an application where each final 

product is made up of 14 individual parts, and where 

the manufacturing processes uses 100's of different 

recipes and 150 raw materials, to manufacture 20 

material types in 21 processes. To add to the 

complexity the process is made up of 81 machines 

and ending up in 148 moulding cavities with raw 

material batch's that have a shelf-life of only 7 days. 

The presentation showed how the manufacturer 

approached the challenges, listed the over 137 

hardware components and explained how the 100 

software MES client licenses enabled the final 

solution successfully. 

Overall the MESA Africa 2016 Conference was 

praised by several attendees for being an even 

better success than previous years, and a great value 

contributor to the Southern African industrial 

community. 

Looking forward, the 2017 conference is planned for 

16 and 17 November 2017, whilst at least four 

Special Interest Group (SIG) sessions are proposed in 

Johannesburg during March 2017 and September 

2017, in Pretoria during August 2017 and then for 

the first time in Port Elizabeth during May 2017. 

Participation in the KZN Industrial Technology 

Exhibition, together with a SIG in that region in also 

proposed during July 2017. 

http://www.mesa-africa.org/


8TH ANNUAL MESA AFRICA CONFERENCE 2016: 

MASTERING THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION 

AFRICA 

4. 




Halilou Mohaman, Boxmore 

Andre Brits, Daniiel Spies




AFRICA 

4. 




Antoine Snyman & Thomas Copley, 

Winner & Runner UP 

Francis Rousseau, GE 

Willie Oosthuizen 

MESA Africa Presentations 

2016 

Click Here 

Duan Gauche, 1Worx 

CNC Machining 

Valve Refurbishment 

Valve Trading 

Spraypainting & Sandblasting 

Welding & Fabrication 

Site Work


AFRICA 

4. 




LET’S TALK: 

FUTURE MATERIALS 

Game changers for industry 

We are still in the steel age, but digital 

manufacturing technology like 3D printing will be a 

game changer for industry. New materials, like 

polymers, composites, ceramics and other metals 

are actively being developed, but mostly to be 

significant complements to steel. 

Watch the video to learn more. Then share your 

k n o w l e d g e i n s o c i a l m e d i a u s i n g 

#LetsTalkFutureMaterials. 

Here are the different topics covered: 

1. Status of steel – its current role and new steel 

research 

2. Materials technology - why alternative materials 

are needed, where they’re used, benefits 

3. Industry and academia – closing the gap on 

collaboration 

4. Game changers for designers – 3D printing, masscustomization, 

other materials engineering 

5. Sustainability – lifecycle of components, reuse of 

ceramics 

6. 5-10 year vision – future of steel, alloys, ceramics, 

polymers 

7. Q&A – recycling & refurbishment, reducing weight 

of steel, bottom-up manufacturing 

MEET THE PANEL – 

LET’S TALK FUTURE 

MATERIALS 

Were excited to announce the experts who will 

discuss the topic of future materials for the 

manufacturing industry. Together they draw on 

their collective expertise, knowledge and 

experience to offer different perspectives on what 

we can expect in the future. 

Filmed at Cambridge University in the UK, it’s a 

future-focused discussion about where we are 

headed, what we’ll need to think about to get there, 

and what challenges we will face. 

Read More 

SKF TALKS FUTURE 

MATERIALS: 

GAME CHANGERS FOR THE 

INDUSTRY? 

We live in the steel age, so even though it will remain a 

fundamental part of the industry for years to come, 

alternative materials are actively being researched 

and developed to complement steel. Polymers, 

composites or ceramics are just a few. What role will 

they play in the future? And how viable are they for the 

manufacturing industry? 

SKF is sparking conversation and spreading ideas 

with a new series of a knowledge-sharing 

symposium called “Let’s Talk”. Industry experts are 

discussing industry trends such as Digitalization, 

Industry Ecology and Counterfeiting in front of a live 

audience at leading universities. 

The latest “Let’s Talk” event focuses on Future 

Materials and its role in meeting industry demands, 

such as reducing weight, size and cost of a product. 

Speakers are Harry Bhadeshia, Tata Steel Professor of 

Metallurgy, University of Cambridge; Martin 

Rawson, Technical Specialist on steels, Rolls-Royce; 

Professor Theo Dingemans, Department of Applied 

Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina and 

Steve Lane, Manager of the Metallic Materials and 

Ceramics Department, SKF. 

“Steel remains the predominant material in 

industry. More than 1.7 billion tonnes of steel are in 

use worldwide and it’s expected to grow to 2.8 

billion in 2050.”, says Steve Lane, SKF. “Incremental 

steps are being made to develop new grades and to 

clean up the steel making processes in order to 

reduce CO2 emissions by more usage of recycled 

scrap metal. However, the weight to strength 

relationship of materials is becoming increasingly 

relevant for design engineers, which is opening up 

new possibilities to use ceramics, composites, 

polymers and light alloys, providing of course they 

are both technically and economically feasible for 

replacing steel”. 

The recorded symposiums are available on SKF’s 

YouTube channel. Further information can also be 

found on our website: www.skf.com or by following 

the hashtag #LetsTalkFutureMaterials across Twitter, 

Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. 

More “Let’s Talk” videos will be published in the 

upcoming months. 

For further information, please contact: 

sabine.hergenroder@skf.com




FACTORYTALK TEAMONE APP 

FROM ROCKWELL AUTOMATION SPEEDS 

PLANT DIAGNOSTICS, COLLABORATION 

WITH ZERO FRICTION 

App removes friction for industrial companies to boost productivity of workers 

When production experiences a glitch, there is not time for a lengthy 

process of discovery and finding colleagues. In many industrial operations 

today, plant-floor workers must deal with downtime events by connecting 

to the server, hopscotching between devices and data sources, running back 

and forth between information portals, and hunting down colleagues who 

have expertise with the particular issue. The time to solution is only 

multiplied when workers lack visualization, collaboration tools or 

information systems available instantly from their preferred device. 

Today, Rockwell Automation has announced a new app, FactoryTalk 

TeamONE, for iOS and Android smartphones. As part of the company’s 

expanded Information Solutions strategy to help employees make better 

decisions across their enterprise, the app seamlessly connects to the 

technology that manufacturers adopt during their digital transformation. 

The app boosts team productivity by enabling users to collaborate and share 

knowledge, view live production diagnostics, interact with machine alarms, 

and troubleshoot devices. Teams that use the FactoryTalk TeamONE app 

could drive a reduction in mean time to repair (MTTR). 

By offering near-instantaneous incident and device data, plant floor, 

engineering and IT workers can collaborate as a team to quickly solve 

problems. From their smartphone, employees can choose from the variety 

of modules with the FactoryTalk TeamONE app to directly view information 

from devices, such as Allen-Bradley PowerFlex drives, or see the high-level 

health status of any EtherNet/IP device. This information is shareable across 

the app’s collaboration and troubleshooting modules with other trusted 

team members. Once issues are resolved, learnings can then be flagged, 

saved and searched for the next time an incident arises. 

“Industrial companies usually spend years and make significant capital 

investments in new technology to view data from machines before they 

even begin to see it pay off through productivity gains,” said Kyle Reissner, 

mobility platform leader, Integrated Architecture, Rockwell Automation. 

“The “FactoryTalk TeamONE app introduces a new, zero-friction-to-value 

paradigm where teams can download the app, form a team and use their 

knowledge alongside device data to drive productivity increases. The app 

doesn’t need teams to install servers, have pre-existing infrastructure like 

OPC servers, or connect automation assets and devices to the cloud in order 

to use the modules.” 

The FactoryTalk TeamONE app is a smart node. Rather than act as a client 

that connects to a server, the app’s device modules communicate directly to 

devices on the network for live data viewing. When secure cloud access is 

available, the modules sync with other trusted team members. 

The initial release, known as the FactoryTalk TeamONE Free Edition, is 

available now and includes eight modules: Incident, Device Health, 

Teamboard, Knowledgebase, Connect, Pinboard and Chat, Connect and 

Trend. It can be downloaded off the Google Play or Apple app stores. In the 

future, FactoryTalk TeamONE Standard Edition, will be offered in 2017 on a 

yearly user-based subscription. It will provide an additional alarms module, 

multiple team logins and other features as customer feedback is compiled. 

Teams with a mix of free and subscription versions are not hindered from 

seamlessly collaborating. 

“We view FactoryTalk TeamONE as the first app focused solely on 

increasing industrial worker productivity by converging team collaboration 

and automation-centric data,” said Reissner. “It’s a really exciting, innovative 

space where we’re planning to update often. In fact, we’re already planning 

for future modules, integration with FactoryTalk Analytics applications, and 

even contributed content.” 

The app was previewed with over 500 customers since September 2016. It 

was developed closely with Microsoft by using a lean startup team 

previously known as “Project Stanton.” 

Download is currently free. Visit the iTunes and Google Play app stores to 

download the FactoryTalk TeamOne Free Edition app release now. 

AFRICA 

4. 




ROCKWELL AUTOMATION (PTY) LTD 

Telephone: +27 11 654 9807 

Customer Care 

http://www.rockwellautomation.com


SAIMC PRETORIA 

2016 at a glance: 

AFRICA 

4. 




The SAIMC Pretoria Branch held their annual 

year-end function on the 30th of November at 

Cheers in Centurion. 

We started our year in February at AGM with a 

presentation by Mr. Duncan Bonnet (then from 

Whitehouse & Associates), a specialist research 

company with strategic insight into specifically 

Africa who provided a very insightful message on 

why it is imperative to look at other markets such as 

rest of Africa and what it holds and how to go about 

business in these regions. 

In March Mr. Kevin Preston Group Manager (CIS 

&IE) from Phoenix Contac t gave a ver y 

comprehensive yet easy to follow presentation on 

IEC61511 (Process Industry) which forms part of 

IEC61508 (Functional Safety). SANS recently 

adopted these which means it is no longer optional 

to consider aspects such as SIF / SIL and others when 

designing control systems. 

In April Petrus (Ai2SA) introduced resource 

efficiency cleaner production (RECP) principles and 

how it applies to the C&I domain. ISO5000x, EnMS, 

ESO and other cost saving / value adding 

philosophies was discussed along with respective 

DTI programs to reduce energy and other resources 

costs. 

The DTI sponsored program was also looking at 

“host sites” who have a monthly spend of more than 

R1,000,000-00 (R1M) to participate in cost saving 

exercises but unfortunately response was limited. 

Hopefully in new year response will be more 

positive. 

In May, we hosted our annual golf day which main 

purpose really is a fund-raising event for our branch 

to carry us through the year and to allow us to pay for 

venue where we are hosting events. 

In June Mr. Kallie Bodenstein of Yokogawa, 

compared the differences between “DCS vs. PLC”. 

This presentation was not only very insightful but 

also very well presented and a lot of effort went into 

presenting this event show casing the plant in a box 

simulators used to train engineers. 

In July Mr. Ralph White from IFM Electronic, 

introduced “Condition monitoring vibration 

analysis”, loosely referred to Condition Based 

Monitoring (CBM). This proved to be a very 

mathematical presentation and as such a very 

strong knowledge was depicted throughout. 

In August Mr., Du Toit Grobler (IntPI(SA)(EE), PR 

ING(EE), PR DIPL ING(EM), FELLOW SAIEE, SENIOR 

MEMBER ICMEESA, BSc (Ing)(Elek)(Pret), DP(Unisa) 

GCC (Elec & Mech) (Factories, Mines & Works)) from 

the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), 

introduced “PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING 

REGISTRATION”. 

In September Mr. Dave Bean from Industrial Data 

Exchange (IDX), introduced “Some general 

observations on the Industrial Internet of Things 

(IIOT) landscape. It was also in September when our 

branch was awarded bronze status at the very 

prestigious annual SAIMC gala dinner. 

In October Mr. Bill Peet from Swagelok presented 

“The Bloodhound SSC”, a high-tech project aimed at 

designing a car that will break to 1000 MPH barrier. 

Please feel free to request copies of any of our 

presentations from author. 

Some other successes or achievements for the year: 

1. Branch hosted two very well received factory 

visits at SAB Rosslyn and Ford Silverton 

2. Ai2SA introduced 1st ever on line (South African) 

booking system 

(http://www.greenexhibitions.co.za/) to capture 

SAIMC bookings which assisted with tidying up 

our data base 

3. Branch attracted some of the brightest 

upcoming engineers from the respective training 

institutions within out geographical area. 

4. Nico (Yokogawa) promoted SAIMC at more than 

one event (not only in PTA / Tshwane) and 

educated a fair number of students on 1st 

principles in instrumentation 

5. Ai2SA attended TUT open day where we 

provided a presentation on SAIMC and career 

planning guidelines within the C&I domain 

6. Mark (Dessoft), Muhammad / Azmat (Ai2SA) and 

others at National level also marketed SAIMC at a 

host of industry events such as African 

Petrochemical roadshow(s), Eskom Open day, DST 

China / Africa day, Wonderware SI day, etc. 

We are also very proud that from our branch we 

have managed to establish at a national level the 

Professional Services Standards Sub Committee, 

more details to be provided in due course.




AFRICA 

4. 




Survey to determine feasibility to establish a joint voice for C&I businesses accross 

value chain in South Africa. 

Go to survey


UNIQUE SILOXANES 

PROCESSING UNLEASHES 

THE POTENTIAL OF 

OPTOELECTRONIC DEVICES 

FOR THE INDUSTRIAL INTERNET OF THINGS 

AFRICA 

4. 




HOW IOT INNOVATION CAN 

HELP SOUTH AFRICAN 

MANUFACTURERS 

COMPETE INTERNATIONALLY 

Hong Kong, SAR China and HELSINKI, Finland 

26.4.2016 – Inkron, a technology leader in printed 

nano-composite siloxane based electronic packaging 

materials for the optoelectronics; printed electronics 

and display industries, announces today the 

availability of turnkey optoelectronic service solutions 

to address megatrends in industrial internet 

applications utilizing its advanced inks and pastes. 

The Optoelectronic industry including LEDs, lasers 

and optical sensors’ market size in 2015 was over $35 

billion and this highly fragmented field has 

outpaced the CAGR of the integrated circuit market 

since the mid-1990s. With the continued growth 

over the next five years predicted, new end-use 

applications such as medical and automotive 

devices shall continue this trend at the same rate (11 

% growth in 2015) mainly due to the increased 

adoption of smart devices and the industrial IoT. 

Optoelectronic applications are based on highvalue 

manufacturing and complex supply chains. 

Inkron’s turnkey packaging service combined with 

advanced proprietary materials offers application 

developers a fast and unique path to markets. To 

achieve their ultimate performance, next 

generation optoelectronic devices require a range 

of specialty materials. These may include advanced 

die attach, optical underfill, light scattering and 

encapsulation enabling increased light-coupling, 

w avelength c o nversion, b e t t e r t h e r m a l 

management, electrical connectivity and increased 

device lifetime. 

Working with our material designers and process 

specialists, will provide our clients fast turn-around 

times of prototyping and easy route to evaluate 

their packaging concepts and designs; while also 

providing companies with access to small to 

medium volume packaging and the potential for 

further improvements in device performance. 

Inkron’s turnkey packaging service also provides a 

scalable solution for easy transfer to third party high 

volume production facilities. This allows clients to 

avoid costly start-up costs and NRE expenses often 

prohibiting multiple design evaluations when 

bringing specialty packaging to market. 

“The initial orders of 

specialty optoelectronic 

devices which include for 

example novel white light 

anti-bacterial LEDs to 

h o s p i t a l s ’ s m a r t 

disinfection approach are 

now being processed,” 

c o m p a n y ’ s C h i e f 

Executive Dr. Juha Rantala 

reveals and explains “our 

emphasis is in utilizing our 

l e a d i n g p o s i t i o n i n 

enabling siloxane-based 

packaging materials by 

providing services for 

specialized high valueadded 

markets in industrial 

applications such as additive 

m a n u f a c t u r i n g a n d 

healthcare optoelectronics. Our initial customers 

are smart photonics system developers and 

manufacturers who need customized optical 

components in small to medium volume runs.” 

The platform technology materials and processes 

utilized under Inkron’s turnkey solution are 

thoroughly tested for reliability, environmental 

stability and safety. The service also provides clients 

with an opportunity to characterize novel R&D 

materials and processes within a production 

environment. Inkron can provide specialized 

turnkey optoelectronic packaging solutions for 

primarily plastic lead frame; metal core; ceramic; 

Silicon and FR4 type substrates. Looking forward, 

together with its partners, Inkron will introduce 

turnkey solutions for next generation wafer and 

panel level packaging processes in the next 12 

months. 

With the new service announced Inkron’s core 

business continues to be the supplier of the 

specialty materials for the device manufacturers 

and packaging fabs. Inkron will continue to 

revolutionize material solutions for the megatrends 

in the IoT, sensors, wearable devices and 

optoelectronics for virtual reality. 

About Inkron 

Inkron is a technology leader and manufacturer of 

next generation materials for the Displays, LED, 

Power IC, semiconductor and printed electronics 

industries. Inkron’s proprietary advanced siloxane 

polymer chemistry capabilities, along with our cost 

effective manufacturing process for nanomaterials, 

enable the development of a wide range of 

customized material products with superior 

performance advantages in high-tech applications. 

INKRON 

Telephone: +358 10 581 2650 (Finland) 

E-mail: info@inkron.com 

http://inkron.com 

The South African manufacturing industry has 

come under significant pressure in the last decade. 

According to Deloitte's Global Manufacturing 

Competitiveness survey, South Africa is ranked 27th 

in the world, down three places from 2013 and we're 

expected to slip further down the ranking in the next 

five to ten years. The rising cost of production 

combined with muted investments in technology 

are making it difficult for South African 

manufacturers to compete with their international 

peers. 

However, Mike Vincent, Africa Industrial Products 

and Services Sector Leader at Deloitte believes 

advanced technology and the Internet of Things 

(IOT) can help manufacturers in South Africa and the 

rest of the continent be more globally competitive, 

streamline operations and increase productivity. 

Vincent says, “Thanks to IoT, we have a positive 

outlook on the future of manufacturing in Africa on 

condition that appropriate investments are made. 

Innovative new sensory technology in the IoT space 

allows manufacturing companies to better monitor 

and analyse the manufacturing process. This 

includes how the end user interacts with the 

products. There is an exciting opportunity now to 

use this business knowledge and customer insight 

to improve the manufacturing process and most 

importantly the product itself.” 

IoT's new data processing technologies and 

availability of analytical forecasting models monitor 

the entire manufacturing value chain - from concept 

to completion and beyond. By adding innovative IoT 

sensors in the operation, connectivity is improved at 

all levels. The business becomes inherently smarter. 

For example, sophisticated cars are built almost 

completely by machines using parts manufactured 

and imported from different parts of the world. 





This is a time consuming and costly process. Now 

the digital supply chain is supported by advanced 

predictive analytics that coordinate all principal 

partners, countries, individual parts, thousands of 

suppliers and even employees in the factories. 

Vincent continues, “As this example illustrates, IoT 

and analytics are innovating manufacturing, 

improving interoperability across a large set of 

assets and linking machines, products, computers, 

people, and analytical resources into one 

ecosystem. IoT and analytics are creating two 

important buckets of value in manufacturing: 

growing the business and operating the existing 

business more efficiently.” 

To reap the benefits of IoT, African entrepreneurs 

who want to operate on a global scale should be 

increasing investment in IoT infrastructure. Doing 

this reduces the dependency on labour intensive 

and time consuming tasks and brings cost 

efficiencies and improved competence to the 

business. As a result, the business will make smarter 

decisions and realise better profits. 

IoT in manufacturing can help companies realise 

the following efficiencies: 

1. Accelerate planning and pre-manufacturing – IoT 

and analytics can deliver insight to help companies 

gain a better grasp on selecting suppliers, 

considering risk, managing material costs, and 

fluctuations, potentially resulting in improved 

predictability and performance in the local and 

international market. 

2. Streamline manufacturing processes – Predictive 

tools and machine learning allow potential 

problems to be identified and corrected before they 

occur. The value of lean manufacturing and just-intime 

processes improves exponentially when 

intelligence obtained via IoT analytics is applied. 

3. Improve post-manufacturing support and service 

– New levels of connectedness and the higher-level 

insights of IoT and analytics can help manufacturers 

gather information from customers effectively and 

improve service and support in the aftermarket. This 

enhanced support costs and builds long-term brand 

loyalty. 

Vincent concludes, “Manufacturers that want to 

improve their competitiveness internationally 

should seriously consider applying IoT data 

processing and analytical forecasting technologies 

i n t h e i r o p e r a t i o n s . Te c h n o l o g y - d r i v e n 

manufacturing innovations are evolving rapidly, 

which makes analytics and IoT a trend to watch in 

2016 and beyond.” 

DELOITTE & TOUCHE 

Telephone: +27 11 304 -5618 

E-mail: ithibedi@deloitte.co.za 

https://www2.deloitte.com/za/en.html 

DELOITTE & TOUCHE: Oil and Gas 

Andrew Lane 

Energy & 

Resources Leader 

alane@deloitte.co.za 

+27833262849 

HOW ARE AFRICAN 

MANUFACTURERS 

EMBRACING INDUSTRY 4.0 

OPPORTUNITIES? 

The use of industry 4.0 technologies makes it 

possible to manufacture entirely new things in 

entirely new ways and revolutionise research and 

development, supply chains, production and 

business models; and around the world, the 

traditional manufacturing industry is in the throes of 

a digital transformation that is accelerated by the 

exponential growth of these smart technologies. 

Companies in developed and emerging markets 

alike need to adapt to this rapid change and 

exponential growth if they are not to be left behind 

by developments in their sector and by their 

competitors. 

My team and I at Deloitte conducted a study on 

industry 4.0 in Africa by holding interviews with 

leading role players in manufacturing such as the 

CSIR-Meraka Institute, Department of Science and 

Technology, IDC (International Data Corporation) 

and Manufacturing Circle, as well as with executives 

from manufacturers such as CAD House, Ford, 

Hulamin, Nampak, Nissan and Toyota South Africa. 

Adoption of industry 4.0 in Africa/South Africa is 

low compared to the rest of the world 

The results of our survey found that the overall 

adoption level of smart technologies that accelerate 

industry 4.0 remains at a foundation stage in the 

South African/African manufacturing industries, but 

has the potential to reverse the dwindling 

contribution of manufacturing GDP in the case of 

South Africa, which is currently 12% of GDP 

compared to 25% in the 60s. 

While a stronger usage of advanced analytics 

exists within the automation and automotive 

sectors, the real opportunities of advanced analytics 

in other sectors are generally not yet being explored 

by manufacturers. 

Usage of robotics is mostly at an automated stage 

and not yet at a smart or advanced stage. 

There is no widespread adoption of 3D printing yet 

within the South African manufacturing industry, 

although awareness of the significance and the 

potential of this exponential technology is high. 

Reasons for low adoption of industry 4.0 

technologies 

The broader industry 4.0 adoption is hindered by a 

general reluctance to invest in new knowledge and 

technologies within government and industry, as 

the current economic environment forces South 

African manufacturers to save costs first and spend 

less on innovation. 

Poor connectivity and accessibility are also factors 

that influence low adoption, as well as concerns 

around cyber security. 

Outlook for usage of smart technologies amongst 

African manufacturers 

AFRICA 

4. 




Article written by Karthi Pillay 

Previous Africa Manufacturing & Automotive Leader 

Deloitte 

Emerging economies can become early adopters 

of industry 4.0, acquire capabilities to develop 

advanced manufacturing systems and leapfrog 

their global competitors with unique locallydeveloped 

high-tech products and services. China’s 

shift in recent years from a manufacturing-intensive 

‘made in China’ economy to an innovation driven 

‘designed in China’ economy clearly illustrates that 

opportunity. 

The majority of our interviewees believe that 

industry 4.0 will have a strong impact in the coming 

years on Africa/South Africa in general and 

especially the South African manufacturing 

industry. At the moment, however, manufacturing 

in South Africa is going backwards in its percentage 

contribution to GDP. The question we have to ask 

ourselves at this moment in time is, do we continue 

on this path of deindustrialisation without 

complementing it with industry 4.0, or do we try to 

reverse the decline? If it is to be the latter, then it will 

require a getting together of the right minds to 

define where manufacturing is going in South 

Africa. 

I invite you to connect with me to discuss this topic 

further. South Africa is not short of brainpower both 

in the private and public sectors, but it needs to 

become a collective effort. You are welcome to also 

download our Africa Industry 4.0 report, for further 

reading. 

Mike Vincent 

Africa Industrial Products and Services Sector 

Leader 

mivincent@deloitte.co.za 

011 806 5467 

The need for the Next Generation 

Forensic Practitioner


VIETNAMESE ENERGY 

COMPANY GETS 

CONNECTED TO IMPROVE 

OPERATIONS 

PetroVietnam, one of the largest energy 

companies in Southeast Asia, will use Honeywell’s 

Connected Performance Services (CPS) to improve 

performance and operations at Binh Son Refining 

and Petrochemical (BSR), a manufacturing 

subsidiary located in Quang Ngai City, Vietnam. 

BSR refines crude oil and produces bio-fuel and 

petroleum products such as polypropylene. To 

improve its processes, BSR will combine CPS’ 

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies and 

domain knowledge of the petroleum refining 

industries. The combination gives BSR greater 

visibility into its operations, allowing operators to 

detect and prevent issues that can reduce plant 

efficiency or impede productivity. 

The result is a cloud-based solution that 

continuously monitors streaming plant data and 

applies process models, best practices, big data 

analytics, and machine learning to find latent and 

emerging performance problems. If issues are 

identified, plant personnel are immediately alerted 

with specific operational recommendations. 

Honeywell experts serve as secondary process 

advisors, providing further monitoring and 

direction as needed. This can help plants increase 

output and avoid unplanned shutdowns, resulting 

in millions of dollars per year in increased 

productivity. 

“Honeywell’s CPS technology uses the plant’s own 

process data with cloud-based optimization and 

reliability solutions to ensure the operation runs at 

peak efficiency,” said Zak Alzein, vice president for 

Honeywell UOP’s CPS business. “Honeywell will be in 

a position to use plant-specific information to 

provide BSR with actionable recommendations that 

can significantly improve its profitability.” 

“The CPS system is an important tool to help our 

refinery produce more gasoline and consume less 

energy,” said Tran Ngoc Nguyen, President and CEO 

of Binh Son Refining & Petrochemical Co. “We 

believe it will improve our staff’s capabilities so they 

can keep our operation running at peak 

performance.” 

Vietnam’s oil reserves—currently totally about 4.4 

billion barrels—make it the third-largest reserve of 

crude oil in Asia, after China and India. According to 

the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Vietnam 

produced an estimated 355,000 barrels per day of 

petroleum and other liquids in 2015. 

MEDIA CONTACT 

John Simley 

Honeywell UOP 

+1 (847) 391-2278 

+1 (847) 612-1484 - Mobile 

John.Simley@Honeywell.com 

HONEYWELL SA (PTY) LTD 

Local Enquires 

Telephone: +27 11 695 8000 

https://honeywell.com/country/za 

SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC LAUNCHES NEXT GENERATION OF 

ECOSTRUXURE, THE ARCHITECTURE AND PLATFORM FOR 

END-TO-END IOT-ENABLED SOLUTIONS AT SCALEA 

• Open and interoperable system architecture and IoT 

platform delivering enhanced value around safety, 

reliability, efficiency, sustainability and connectivity 

for Building, Grid, Industry, Data Center customers 

• Leveraging advancements in IoT, mobility, sensing, 

cloud, analytics, and cybersecurity technologies to 

deliver Innovation At Every Level from Connected 

Products to Edge Control to Applications, Analytics 

and Services 

• Developed with partners Microsoft, Intel and others 

and open to an ecosystem of developers, data 

scientists, hardware and service partners who can 

create or co-create solutions and applications 

RUEIL-MALMAISON, France - November 29, 2016 - 

Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy 

management and automation, today announced 

the launch of its next generation EcoStruxure 

architecture and platform to deliver IoT-enabled 

solutions at scale for building, grid, industry and 

data center customers. The enhanced architecture 

and platform is open, scalable and interoperable, 

connecting the three core layers of Schneider 

Electric’s technology stack, from connected 

products, to edge control, to applications, analytics 

and services. This next generation EcoStruxure 

delivers enhanced value around safety, reliability, 

efficiency, sustainability, and connectivity of IoTenabled 

operations. 

Next Generation EcoStruxure delivers advanced 

value 

EcoStruxure enables Schneider Electric, its partners 

and end-user customers to develop scalable and 

converged IT/OT solutions that deliver innovation at 

every level to an organization or enterprise. 

Leveraging connectivity and data to create controls 

and actionable business insights, with the 

combined power of analytics and closed-loop 

applications, Schneider Electric empowers 

customers and partners to augment operations to 

reach new levels of operational efficiency, 

sustainability, asset performance and people 

productivity. EcoStruxure fosters open innovation 

and interoperability and is developed in partnership 

with leading standards organizations and best-inclass 

technology leaders. 

“EcoStruxure combines our history in pioneering in 

automation, energy management and deep domain 

expertise with data-driven metrics and analytics to 

help us maximize the value of the Internet of Things 

for our customers,” said Dr. Prith Banerjee, Chief 

Technology Officer, Schneider Electric. “EcoStruxure 

gives our customers the platform, architecture and 

roadmap to quickly and easily implement IoT in an 

enterprise, extending the benefits of IoT beyond the 

device layer to create a more intelligent, efficient 

and secure operation.” 

Delivering Innovation at Every Level of the 

Technology Stack 

AFRICA 

4. 




EcoStruxure builds on Schneider Electric’s longstanding 

product and system leadership to provide 

the industry’s most comprehensive portfolio of 

interoperable and cloud-connected and/or onpremise 

technologies organized around its three 

layers of technology innovation: 

• The first layer builds on Schneider Electric’s core 

competency in developing connected products 

with embedded intelligence, such as sensors, 

medium and low voltage breakers, drives and 

actuators. 

• The Edge Control layer gives organizations the 

critical capability to manage their operations onpremise 

as well as from the cloud depending on 

their needs. This includes connected control 

platforms with remote access, advanced 

automation and operator override capabilities. 

Local control and firewall protection is included to 

maximize the benefits especially for mission-critical 

applications. 

• Schneider Electric’s focused investment in R&D and 

product development in the critical areas of 

software, analytics and services, coupled with the 

integration of recent acquisitions such as Invensys, 

Telvent and Summit Energy forms the third layer of 

the stack – a portfolio of apps, analytics and services. 

EcoStruxure enables the most extensive breadth of 

vendor-agnostic apps, analytics and services on 

open IP protocols in order to work with any 

hardware, system, or control. 

“Our innovation technology stack is critical to our 

open innovation approach, designed to deliver the 

most innovative IoT-enabled solutions to our 

customers,” added Banerjee. “Introducing a 

comprehensive suite of apps, analytics and services 

built on the capabilities from within Schneider 

Electric and our network of partners and developers, 

enables our customers to benefit from open, 

interoperable and future-proof solutions that 

maximize the value, performance, reliability and 

efficiency of their entire operation and enterprise 

over time.” 

Innovation at Every Level: Delivering Advanced 

Platform Capabilities 

EcoStruxure is designed to meet the core customer 

challenge of implementing IoT solutions seamlessly, 

cost-effectively and at scale. The redefined IoT 

platform bridges the IT/OT gap and connects the 

three core layers of Schneider Electric’s innovation 

technology stack to maximize value for customers. 

The launch of the EcoStruxure platform provides 

a secure, IoT-enabled technology backbone with 

three core technology capabilities: 

• Embedded connectivity and intelligence that 

enables smart sensing, embedded computing, IP 

networking and edge analytics 

• A foundation for smart operations to serve as the 

building blocks for control, management, 

automaton and optimization 





• The infrastructure for cloud-connected digital 

services that enables the delivery of cloud-based 

connected apps, analytics, services, control and 

monitoring 

“Our advanced platform connects the three layers of 

the technology stack through an elastic cloud 

backbone that leverages the full power of our 

partnership with Microsoft,” said Cyril Perducat, 

Executive Vice President, Digital Transformation and 

IoT, Schneider Electric. “The platform has become 

the foundation for smarter grids, buildings, data 

centers and industrial plants, enabling our 

customers to reach new levels of efficiency and 

sustainability and provides a path to maximize the 

power of their operational data.” 

Innovation at Every Level: Future-proof 

Reference Architectures 

Schneider Electric delivers these efficiency and 

sustainability solutions to customers through a set 

of core reference architectures. The architectures 

build on the company’s deep domain expertise and 

portfolio and are tested, validated and tailored for its 

core end markets of Buildings, Grid, Industry and 

Data Centers, with even more specific architectures 

also available for industrial plants, industrial 

machines, and power distribution. The architectures 

give customers access to documented and 

standardized system reference designs that can be 

used in the implementation of interoperable, 

sustainable, efficient and connected systems. 

“Smarter, more precise operations is the future for 

every industry,” said Vernon Turner, Senior Vice 

President, Enterprise Systems, IDC. “Customers are 

looking for answers on how to best take advantage 

of today’s IoT-enabled digital world to be as 

differentiated, efficient and sustainable as possible. 

If you don’t have a ‘sense and respond’ model with 

listening, scalable, measurable, agile networks and 

systems, you won’t be able to connect and extract 

that value.” 

Schneider Electric also announced it is working with 

established partners such as Microsoft and Intel, and 

new partners who the company will be working with 

to create or co-create customer solutions and 

applications. For more information on this 

ecosystem of partners, see the accompanying press 

release. 

For more information on EcoStruxure, please visit 

http://www.schneiderelectric.com/b2b/en/campaign/innovation/overvie 

w.jsp. 

SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SOUTH AFRICA 

Telephone: +27 11 230 5880 (All countries) 

E-mail: theo.kleynhans@schneider-electric.com 

www.schneider-electric.com 

AFRICA 

4. 




All products for @Work


TAILORED CONTROL AND 

SWITCHGEAR PACKAGES 

FOR AFRICA: 


COLLABORATES WITH LOW 

VOLTAGE SWITCHBOARDS 

Rockwell Automation Sub-Saharan Africa is 

marking seven years of successful collaboration 

with panel and cabinet assembler Low Voltage 

Switchboards. It is a collaboration that is leveraging 

increased market competitiveness by maximising 

the capabilities of the industrial automation 

specialist to package its IEC-rated drive and control 

equipment in tailored, fully compliant panel 

technology solutions to industrial markets in sub- 

Saharan Africa. The fruits of this collaboration are 

today seen in some of the largest mining and 

industrial projects across the region. 

The association includes the assembly of Rockwell 

Automation switchgear and controlgear in Low 

Voltage Switchboards' modular panel and cabinet 

configurations. 

“Our collaboration with Low Voltage Switchboards 

broadens our project delivery capabilities with 

synergies from both sides,” explains Adrian van Wyk, 

Business Manager – Power and Components 

Business, Southern & Sub-Saharan Africa, Rockwell 

Automation. “As Rockwell Automation, we supply a 

product and the technical ability to deliver solutions 

required from a customer perspective; which Low 

Voltage Switchboards then integrates into a 

structure so that the solution meets both customer 

and local specifications. It's an integral part of 

increasing the competitiveness of Rockwell 

Automation in delivering full-scale projects that 

meet local end user- and application-specific 

standards and quality requirements.” 

The association demonstrates Rockwell 

Automation Sub-Saharan Africa's continuing 

strategy to align with independent suppliers to 

facilitate attractive, competitive and innovative 

product solutions to industrial end users. 

“We seek out strategic alliances and collaborators 

that fit with Rockwell Automation's view of 

maximum quality standards through a solution with 

maximum compliance,” van Wyk continues. 

In a company like Low Voltage Switchboards, with 

a track record of over 18 years, Rockwell Automation 

has an independent panel building agent that 

leverages its knowledge of regional industrial 

applications to supply customised solutions to the 

specific requirements of each industry and 

workspace. 

“Low Voltage Switchboards is an SABS-certified 

assembler of IEC 60439- and 61439-compliant 

electrical switchboards, aligning ourselves with the 

CUBIC modular panel system brand,” explains 

Stephan Smit, Operations Director, Low Voltage 

Switchboards. “These systems provide solutions for 

main distribution boards, marine panels, MCCs, fully 

withdrawable systems, PLC panels, 19” modular 

racks and desks in a range of steels.” 

Strategic wins 

Since its formation in 2009, the collaboration has 

supplied EC&I systems to some of the largest mining 

projects in the world, including the world's twolargest 

gold mines, located in Central Africa. “These 

are systems providing critical control functions in 

tremendously hostile environments, with high 

ambient temperatures and high humidity in 

extremely remote locations,” van Wyk explains. 

“We've supplied equipment to a large portfolio of 

mining projects in sub-Saharan Africa that cover a 

range of minerals, from a large ilmenite plant in 

Madagascar to uranium mines in Namibia. Outside 

of mining, we've supplied critical solutions in oil and 

gas; food and beverage; and water and wastewater 

treatment plants.” 

In what is becoming an increasingly important 

component of successful business expansion in 

today's industries, Rockwell Automation Sub- 

Saharan Africa's collaboration with Low Voltage 

Switchboards demonstrates the value of strategic 

synergies in packaging complete, customised 

solutions that offer attractive and competitive 

project bids to market. 


Telephone: +27 (11) 654 9700 (RSA/SSA Head Office) 

E-mail: avanwyk@ra.rockwell.com 

http://www.rockwellautomation.com 

AFRICA 

4. 




PROPER FLOW CONSULTING 

AND SELECTION REDUCE 

PIPING, DESIGN AND 

INSTALLATION COSTS 

Emerson and FLEXIM are collaborating to help 

process customers optimize their flow process 

design, flow meter selection and flow meter 

installation on capital projects to reduce execution 

risk and costs. 

With customers under severe pressure to reduce 

schedule and cost targets on capital projects, 

Emerson’s project teams, using FLEXIM’s clamp-on, 

ultrasonic flow metering portfolio in combination 

with Emerson’s broad, in-line flow metering offering, 

are able to consult early and throughout the project 

cycle to reduce engineering, piping and installation 

costs as well as schedule risk. 

FLEXIM’s non-intrusive flow metering offering is 

the leader in the clamp-on, ultrasonic marketplace 

and provides the best reliability and the most 

advanced capability when addressing difficult 

applications with a non-intrusive flow solution. This 

joint cooperation will improve delivery of the exact 

flow solution needed by clients while supporting 

Emerson’s Project Certainty – a transformational 

approach to enabling top-quartile performance in 

capital projects. 

By empowering project teams with flow expertise 

to work with clients early in project phases, Emerson 

has consistently eliminated cost, accommodated 

change and reduced complexity on capital projects. 

The non-intrusive nature of FLEXIM’s ultrasonic flow 

meters makes this product a powerful contributor to 

reduced engineering, piping and installation costs 

as well as schedule risk, given that it can be installed 

after piping is fabricated. Emerson and FLEXIM will 

collaborate to ensure less time is spent on 

engineering and installation through the selection 

of the optimal flow solution for a given application 

by leveraging the most comprehensive flow 

portfolio available. 

“In today’s market, we are seeing that our 

customers are looking for us to advise them early in 

their project cycle on technology to ensure 

streamlined and cost-effective project execution,” 

said Bret Shanahan, vice president of flow solutions, 

Emerson Automation Solutions. “We are pleased to 

be working with FLEXIM to provide our clients with 

the most appropriate flow solution that can be 

applied and support greater capital efficiency.” 

“FLEXIM is excited to partner with Emerson on 

capital projects; our flexible, world-class, noninvasive 

meters are a perfect fit with Emerson’s 

experienced projec t teams,” said Guido 

Schwanekamp, managing director sales and 

marketing of FLEXIM. “Together we will be able to 

offer fully customized solutions that are tailor made 

for a wide variety of capital projects aimed at 

reducing capital expenditures while increasing 

efficiency for our clients and reducing total cost of 

ownership at the same time.” 

FLEXIM 

For more information, visit www.flexim.com. 

EMERSON AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS 

Telephone: +27 11 451 3700 

Contact Us 

http://www.raihome.com

DIGITAL 

ABB South Africa (Pty) Ltd 

Endress+Hauser (Pty) Ltd 

Helukabel South Africa 

Honeywell SA (Pty) Ltd 

Instrotech (Pty) Ltd 

Kira Valves & Engineering 

KROHNE Pty. Ltd 

LVSA GROUP 

Process Vacuum 

Rockwell Automation (Pty) Ltd 

SKF South Africa (Pty) Ltd 

Skyriders Industrial Rope Access 

Sperosens 

ThyssenKrupp 

United Spectrometer Technologies 

Valve & Automation (Pty) Ltd 

WIKA Instruments (Pty) 

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