Having established its coolant manufacturing plant in July 2015, in Woodmead, Johannesburg, global filtration products designer and manufacturer Cummins Filtration appointed hydraulic fluid specialist Hytec Fluid Technology (HFT) as its ‘super dealer’ for the company’s Fleetguard range of engine protection products for Southern Africa.

The facility will serve as Southern Africa’s new regional distribution centre and will produce Fleetguard fuel, air filters and the Fleetguard organic acid technology (OAT) engine coolant, which reduces the environmental impact that stems from the disposing of traditional coolants.

Cummins says the OAT requires change subsequent to midlife build-up unlike other coolants, which need to be drained every 4 000 hours to 6 000 hours.

Representatives from both companies have cited African expansion as one of the driving forces behind the collaboration.

“Cummins Filtration’s manufacturing investment in South Africa, along with its technical skills and stockholding, and coupled with HFT’s African experience and tailored hydraulic products, means our collaboration is mutually beneficial,” says HFT GM Sandor Bottyan.

He tells Engineering News that Hytec Group has a product distribution network through Hytec Services Africa, which is active in many countries north of South Africa’s borders, which complements Cummins Filtration’s African ambitions.

Countries that form part of HFT’s comprehensive distribution network and operations include Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Cummins Filtration Africa components director Feroze Chowdary further highlights the similarities between the two companies that prompted them to collaborate: “Our overlapping company cultures played a pivotal role in this collaboration, as Cummins values integrity and investment in the local community.”

The collaboration will result in HFT marketing and distributing the entire Fleetguard range, which includes products such as NanoNet – a synthetic fuel filter media designed to extend engine life.

“When NanoNet is used in our filters on diesel applications, it removes the particulate in the diesel to meet a cleanliness class of 12/9/6 ISO 4006,” explains Bottyan, adding that NanoNet fuel filtration extends the life of an engine and its service intervals.

The range also includes NanoForce air filters that are made of the same synthetic nanomedia found in nanotechnology as well as cellulose media layers.