Mixing and pumping equipment manufacturer Afromix is committed to increasing the local content of its customisable AMX Agitator range, manufactured at its facility in Kariega, Eastern Cape, to 100% where possible.

“Afromix agitators currently consist of between 70% and 80% local content, and we are finalising our local content verification with the South African Bureau of Standards,” says Afromix internal sales manager Verna Els, highlighting that several Afromix products already have local content verification.

The AMX Agitator range has been a part of the Afromix offering for more than 15 years.

Clients provide the parameters and specify general mechanical and electrical information, and Afromix designs the agitator according to their needs. As each design differs, so do lead times. Larger agitators or those manufactured from exotic materials tend to carry a longer lead time, explains Els.

However, Afromix does stock a large range of agitator components that allow the company to assemble smaller agitators in one to two weeks, meeting the demands of small businesses that require the units to generate income.

Afromix is the only agitator supplier with an in-house manufacturing facility in South Africa. This capacity enables the company to control its schedules and fast-track the fabrication of custom-built components should an unlikely breakdown occur, says Els.

Clients are, however, advised on the spares holding required during the lifecycle of the equipment, as many components are custom built.

About 75 people are involved in the various stages of manufacturing the AMX Agitators, from the design to the final inspection of these customised products.

The manufacturing process starts with acquiring the necessary material. This is followed by the fabrication process which involves a team of specialised welders and large plate forming equipment. Thereafter, Afromix’s in-house computer numerically controlled machine shop takes over, using equipment such as specialised lathes that can machine up to 20 m.

The company has invested significant capital into software and manufacturing equipment to offer a more competitive product that fulfils high quality standards.

“While our product speaks for itself, it is also our unparalleled level of service that sets us apart from our competitors,” notes Els.

Hence, Afromix has a substantial installed base with its global client list including the world’s top ten mining companies, she says.

The minerals processing sector remains the largest consumer of Afromix’s agitators, especially where hydrometallurgical plants are involved in the extraction of copper, gold and platinum, for example. The company’s clients also include companies operating in the chemicals, pulp and paper, food and pharmaceuticals industries.

Afromix started exporting its agitators to Australia, Europe and North America more than ten years ago owing to demand.

Subsequently, the company was awarded exporter of the year in the medium business category in 2019 at the inaugural South African Capital Equipment Exporter Council Exporter of the Year Awards and was the winner of the exports into Africa category in 2021.

“We are honoured to have met and exceeded the criteria to place first in our respective categories on both occasions,” says Els.

Afromix notes that the greatest demand for its AMX Agitators is still in Africa, followed by North America and the UK, where the company accordingly opened offices.

Always eager to enter new markets, Afromix has also observed great demand for its agitators in Middle Eastern countries as well as in Asia.

“These markets tend to be saturated with off-shelf products, which in most cases cannot meet the clients’ application requirements. Therefore, a bespoke high-quality product combined with our vast experience and knowledge is sought after.

“The production of such products, however, is only possible through continuous improvement of our employees’ skill sets and processes, as per our ISO 9001 accreditation,” explains Els.