Adapting to evolving market conditions and diversifying its customer base has not only been integral in keeping heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system manufacturer Booyco Engineering’s doors open for the past 40 years but has also enabled its growth.

The company is familiar with taking adversity and turning it into opportunity, says Booyco Engineering MD Brenton Spies.

The Covid-19 pandemic allowed Booyco Engineering to re-evaluate its business strategy, while the current uncertainty regarding global trade tariffs has resulted in increased enquiries from companies that are reconsidering their supply chains.

Starting as a military HVAC systems supplier, the company has diversified to supply the rail and mining sectors. It has more recently reduced the complexity of its product offering to provide more flexible solutions. This is in addition to ensuring that it upholds its high quality standards and continues to innovate to meet the changing needs of its customers, which operate in demanding conditions.

“Quality is something that we don't compromise on, which helps to ensure new orders, through word of mouth, as well as repeat business,” explains Spies, adding that a significant percentage of Booyco Engineering’s growth is owed to its products being used in local builds for the export market.

The company’s equipment has been shipped to 40 countries on six continents, including Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and Africa.

Booyco Engineering provides a reliable after-sales service to support its products should failures occur in the field or if solutions do not function as expected.

“We are committed to ensuring customer satisfaction. If a technician must be flown halfway around the world to solve a problem, that's what we’ll do,” highlights Spies, sharing that the company is also forming strategic partnerships with suppliers already servicing Booyco Engineering clients outside South Africa to enhance its after-sales support further afield.

He further attributes the company’s longevity to its ability to retain its skilled staff.

“Some members of staff have been working at the company for 20 to 25 years. Consequently, we have a lot of corporate intellectual property, which is something that is underrated by many companies. We also spend considerable time and effort on developing learners to ensure skills are transferred.”

Practicing an open-door policy, Spies also encourages communication with employees at every level of the business. He adds that staff are also more likely to remain loyal to a company that is loyal to them in return.

Product Development and Innovation

Increasing its focus on the mining sector over the past five years, Booyco Engineering has reduced the complexity of its stockholding, offering standard systems with capacities ranging from3 kW to 14 kW, in addition to its bespoke HVAC designs. Focusing on supplying the mining sector has also provided the company with a more consistent flow of orders, as projects in the rail and military sectors are extensive and can often take years to conclude.

The company’s product offering, previously only geared towards bespoke solutions for military vehicles and rail, is now more flexible, while still meeting customers specific needs. Standard units can be combined or augmented as required to achieve the desired results.

“While larger manufacturers aren’t keen to modify their standard units, we are open to slight modifications and will tweak the design where necessary,” highlights Spies.

Simplifying its range has allowed the company to standardise components and keep a minimum stockholding of each unit, ensuring shorter lead times. These units are not only designed for the mining sector, but also with agriculture in mind, and are also supplied to military vehicle manufacturers looking for more cost-effective options.

Spies says the company continues to offer bespoke designs as “it’s the core of our legacy.””.

“But there's a huge market for standard units, which is driving our growth and expansion strategy.”

Reliable HVAC systems are playing a bigger role in workplace safety and productivity, especially in the mining and earthmoving sectors. While operators are kept comfortable in extreme weather conditions, improving their output, vehicle availability is also increased, which boosts productivity.

Booyco Engineering has also been distributing Sy-Klone air filtration systems for the past three years. The technology captures dust particles before they enter vehicle cabs, helping to prevent lung diseases. These Sy-Klone systems can also be used as engine pre-cleaners.

“We have combined these units with our HVAC systems to not only create a comfortable but also a clean air working environment for vehicle operators.”

Further, with the rise of electric vehicles in developed markets, Spies highlights that it is still important to service developing markets, where internal combustion engines dominate.

The company’s anti-idle auxiliary power unit (APU), launched late last year, helps to support sustainability goals in tough operating environments.

“Looking at South Africa and Africa in general, most industrial vehicles are still diesel-driven. Our APU can save operations a considerable amount of diesel yearly by eliminating the need to run the vehicle’s main engines to power HVAC systems when vehicles are stationary and idling,” says Spies.

Consequently, the vehicle operator is kept comfortable while their employer saves on diesel costs and simultaneously reduces the carbon footprint of their operation.

“There's been significant interest in this technology worldwide,” highlights Spies, adding that the company is currently in discussions with mines to trial the APU.