Celebrating 40 years in business, Booyco Engineering has successfully evolved its specialised heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) offerings while remaining true to its commitment to quality and reliability, says Managing Director Brenton Spies.

“As a South African company, we are proud to have thrived through the many national and global shifts and challenges of the past four decades,” says Spies. “Our achievements speak to the value customers have gained from our engineering quality and innovation over the years.”

Initially focused on HVAC solutions for demanding military applications, Booyco Engineering soon diversified into the rail, mining and other industrial sectors - driven by the robustness of its products and strong manufacturing capability. In the rail sector, its specialised HVAC units commonly last up to 20 years, providing users with the lowest total cost of ownership while reducing the indirect costs of unplanned repairs and maintenance.

Grant Miller, Executive Director at Booyco Engineering, highlights that the company’s solutions are designed for applications where conventional HVAC systems simply cannot withstand the conditions.

“As in military applications, the rail and mining sectors require solutions that can cope with high vibration levels, dust contamination and extreme temperature variations,” he explains. “Over the years, the strength of our solutions has been proven to customers who avoid frequent replacement or repair costs. This, combined with reduced downtime, ensures the lowest total cost of ownership.”

HVAC's Growing Role in Workplace Safety

In recent decades, industries such as mining and earthmoving have seen a tightening of health and safety regulations. Employers are now required to ensure that mobile plant operators work in comfortable conditions, necessitating HVAC systems in sealed cabs.

“In many parts of Africa and beyond, hot daytime conditions make an HVAC system in mobile machinery indispensable for outdoor work,” says Spies. “When an HVAC system malfunctions, operations can come to a halt. The reliability of our solutions is not just a health issue - it’s a production issue. This is where customers see the real value of investing in quality and certainty.”

Another challenge arising from stricter health and safety standards is the common practice of operators idling their machines when stationary - such as when trucks wait to be loaded in an open pit - just to keep the HVAC running. This increases fuel costs and carbon emissions.

“A major advantage of being in business for so long is the depth of technical expertise and experience in our company,” says Miller. “We tackled this challenge on behalf of the sector by developing a dedicated Anti-Idle Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) that keeps the HVAC system running while the engine is switched off - significantly reducing fuel consumption and emissions.”

Driving Innovation and Expanding Reach

Booyco Engineering’s strong reputation has been built on its expertise in designing bespoke HVAC solutions for demanding applications. More recently, the company has also standardised many of its systems to enhance cost competitiveness and significantly reduce lead times.

“Our ability to deliver quickly is vital for Africa’s mining sector, where projects are often fast tracked and customers do not have the luxury of waiting for a bespoke design,” says Miller. “However, where a custom solution is required, our full design and engineering team ensures an optimal outcome including finite element analysis and ducting flow optimisation.”

Spies highlights that Booyco Engineering’s success is reflected not only in Africa but also in global markets with its HVAC units operating in Europe, North America and South America.

“Our recent focus on mining is opening doors in Asia and Australia as well, where many of our OEM customers are deploying their machines with our equipment,” he says. “Our value is especially evident in remote locations, where replacements and repairs are difficult and customers can rely on Booyco Engineering for a product that performs reliably under the harshest conditions.”