Vibrating screen and feeder original equipment manufacturer Sandvik Rock Processing says that it is experiencing rising demand and record growth levels.

To keep pace with equipment orders, the company says it is focussing on manufacturing agility at its South African facility. Sandvik Rock Processing director operations: Europe, the Middle East and Africa region Riaan Steinmann explains that the goal of agile manufacturing is to respond quickly to customer and market demands, while maintaining production output and quality.

The company notes that its exports have increased significantly with numerous screens being shipped across the African continent and internationally, highlighting a recently completed order to supply over 72 screens and associated equipment to a large copper mining operation in Central Asia. 

Sandvik Rock Processing South Africa says that it is driving manufacturing agility to be able to adapt to changing market conditions and meet customer expectations. 

“On the back of the significant growth of our screening offering in recent years, we have seen the need to continuously review and optimise our internal processes,” says Steinmann. “For example, our workshop layouts are based on job-shop lean manufacturing processes to cater for any customised components. We make use of in-house designed, precision engineered jigs and fixtures to increase our production efficiencies and at the same time secure quality of these components.”

To further drive agility, the company says it has adopted a strategic outsourcing programme for non-core components to alleviate pressure on its own manufacturing facilities and help ensure timeous customer deliveries. Some of the noncore components being outsourced to selected service providers include cleats, bearing covers, gearbox shafts and housings, amongst others. It also holds stock of various critical components to ensure ready availability.

Steinmann explains that the production and engineering teams work in close collaboration to quickly resolve any design and manufacturing discrepancies that might occur during manufacturing.

“Over time, our production and engineering teams have developed strict in-house quality standards which include, but are not limited to, welding procedures, fastening sequences, torquing of bolts, levelling, sequence of assembling subcomponents, shot blasting and paint specifications,” he says.

Sandvik Rock Processing also highlights its staff training and upskilling programme, noting that it has a large complement of highly skilled and qualified staff, including boilermakers, artisans, certified welders and engineers.

Steinmann notes that the impact of the current energy crisis in South Africa has been detrimental to local manufacturers but says that the company has invited local suppliers to tender for the supply of alternative power supply sources for its workshops.

Sandvik Rock Processing Solutions products include Kwatani screens, Schenck process mining screens and Sandvik’s original screening products.