Heavy-duty pumps manufacturer Hazleton Pumps will compete in six categories at the biennial 2018 Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) Columbus Stainless Awards, with an entry submitted for the use of duplex stainless steel to decrease pumping costs in the mining industry.

Through the design and development of new products, Hazelton is set to grow as a leader in the field of slurry submersible pumps manufac-tured from duplex stainless steel castings.

Through customised engineering and advanced technology, Hazleton Pumps designs, develops and manufactures the Hippo submersible pumps range to accommodate a variety of applications and specific duties. Owing to the company’s receiving various awards and achievements, its innovations have been recognised.

Owing to the successful use of stainless steel in its Hippo slurry pump and pumping systems range, Hazleton Pumps entered Category 1 – subcategory: environmental; Category 2 – subcategory: engineering; Category 3 – subcategory: duplex stainless steel; Category 3 – subcategory: product development; Category 4 – subcategory: business excellence; and Category 4 – subcategory: export.

Hazleton Pumps director Maureen Wehmeyer says the company has taken part in the awards several times in the past and has been the winner in several categories.

At the 2015 South African Premier Business Awards, the company was crowned the small, medium-sixed and microenterprise (SMME) of the year and manufacturer of the year for innovative manufacturing.

In the same year, Hazleton Pumps was also crowned company of the year and customer service company of the year at the Engineering Federation of South Africa Awards.

The company was honoured with several awards in 2016, winning the Sassda awards for manufacturing and innovation; and the Southern African Development Community quality awards for the Southern Africa SMME company of the year and product of the year.

“Achieving accolades is an excellent way of marketing the company and getting very positive publicity and feedback from clients,” Wehmeyer concludes.