The sole importer of SABS-approved WEG products in Southern Africa, Zest Electric Motors & Drives, has acquired the business of IMS Engineering Cape, a specialised genset manufacturer in the Western Cape, with 30 years’ experience in the industry, Zest chairman James Blakemore tells Engineering News. IMS Engineering Cape manufactures diesel-driven gensets from 50 kVA to 2 MW.



IMS Engineering Cape managing director Eugene Coetzee says the acquisition is a natural synthesis, as genset manufacture and WEG alternators go hand in hand.



Blakemore says Zest has been sup- plying WEG alternators to the mar- ket for nearly a decade. “It is, therefore, a logical and strategic decision to enter this market. It cements our reputation as an electrical systems solutions provider,” he says.



Blakemore comments that the South African genset market has undergone rapid growth, driven by consumer fears of interruptions in the main power supply by State-owned electricity utility Eskom, as it struggles to meet the burgeoning demand.



The genset market ranges from small and medium-sized enter- prises to individual homeowners and banks, shopping centres, hospitals, hotels, computer centres, agriculture and the wine industry.



“Eskom’s difficulties with ensuring continuous power means that gensets are now being used not only by traditional customers. Healthy growth is expected among the larger genset-consuming segments which, in turn, will boost demand across the board,” says Frost & Sullivan research analyst Cornelis van der Waal. Frost & Sullivan published a report on the South African genset market in May last year.



Other reasons promoting genset sales include gross domestic product growth and the relative strength of the rand. Strong expansion in sectors such as construction, agriculture, mining, tourism and telecoms will boost the number of energy users.



Pegged at $73-million in 2005, market revenue in this sector is expected to soar to $130-million by 2010.



“Entering into long-term service agreements with customers and offering loyalty benefits to large genset users will assist in attract- ing and retaining customers. “Improvements in market share will rely on the ability to offer incre- ased levels of service excellence. Hence, emphasis on turnaround time and quality will become pivotal to market success,” Van der Waal says.



Blakemore believes it is Zest’s commitment to service excellence, combined with IMS Engineering Cape’s reliable and durable pro-ducts, which will result in a winning combination for both players. “There are many opportunities in the rest of Africa, where business has been reasonably static for a while now. “In addition, we plan to increase the manufacturing base in both Cape Town and in Johannesburg,” he enthuses.



Zest is a leading distributor and marketer of a range of low-voltage, high-voltage, direct current and special electric motors, variable speed drives, soft starters, switchgear and transformers in sub-Saharan Africa. Blakemore says that, in conjunction with IMS Engineering Cape, a project management and in-house installation service will also be offered.