Among several other positive changes that will complement the local pumps industry and its stakeholders, the Southern African Pump Systems Development Association (Sapsda) recently elected its first female chairperson, in what is generally perceived to be a male-dominated industry.

Newly elected chairperson Lorraine Smart, who is also marketing manager at pumps manufacturer and components supplier Grundfos South Africa, envisions that, by working closely with government and the private sector, the association will be able to reach out to its stakeholders nationally.

Two new vice-chairs were also elected, namely Ronelle Colyn, who is also transformation and development manager at pumps manufacturer Sulzer Pumps South Africa, and Patrick Hindry, general sales manager at fluid management solutions provider Kirloskar Brothers International’s South Africa branch.

Hindry tells Engineering News that developing the pumps production and distribution industry not only in the country but also across Southern Africa will remain one of Sapsda’s key focus areas.

He says the Sapsda committee is working towards redirecting the association to one that can add value to its members and the industry by addressing collective issues, such as skills development, job creation, and knowledge transfer.

“We believe there is enough for all industry participants to have a piece of the pie. But, while there are opportunities within parastatals and municipalities, success can only be achieved if the industry’s members work together to address common challenges,” says Hindry.

He adds that a key aspect of the association’s repositioning is through increased association membership – including industry and associated companies, as well as private individuals in the pumps industry, at a national level.

Hindry tells Engineering News that training will remain a driving force in the development of Southern Africa’s pumps industry, owing to Sapsda’s training courses that cover every aspect of the industry, including pump systems, seals, electric motors, couplings and drives.

He also mentions that Sapsda conducted its first training programme outside South Africa in Namibia last year and, following the success of the course and a request from the industry for more technical assistance, Sapsda decided to offer consulting services.

Hindry explains that Sapsda’s training programme is practically orientated and tries to provide a basic knowledge of pumps and related products for companies involved in pumps and pumping systems, thereby also exposing companies’ employees to the pumps industry.

The objective of the programme is to provide nontechnical staff, such as receptionists; finance, administration, logistics and sales staff; buyers; and store personnel with an elementary understanding of how pumps function, says Hindry, adding that this will enable trainees to have a sound foundational knowledge about pumps.

Further, these training programmes will be enhanced by accredited courses, as Sapsda is looking not only to address skills development in the industry but also to encourage current and future engineering students to consider a career in the pumps industry.

Sapsda aims to forge public and private partnerships and engage with government and academia in support of its plan. Hindry says the recent establishment of accredited courses in various disciplines within the pumps industry is fundamental to the association’s skills programme as the core branch of long-term learning.

The accredited courses are about to be rolled out in partnership with an accredited training and academic institution of higher learning registered with the Department of Higher Education and the South African Qualifications Authority.

“Promoting training in the industry will lead to job creation, which will inevitably have a positive impact on South Africa’s economy,” says Hindry.

Dovetailing with Sapsda’s education and skills programme objectives are those members of the industry’s workforce who have developed their careers in the industry over several years.

Hindry explains that Sapsda has a large pool of individual members with the experience and expertise to assist in solving specific pumps problems.

“The reality is that we are sitting with retired and soon-to-be retired engineers and other highly skilled members of the industry who can add value to engineering academic faculties by providing ad hoc support in a very specific area of engineering – pump systems – which is often [overlooked],” says Hindry, adding that these older, more skilled individuals will also be able to provide a consulting service to the Sapsda members.

“We will be looking to make Sapsda the industry’s ‘go-to’ centre, which will provide members and nonmembers with industry-relevant information and reshape it into a research and info hub.”

Meanwhile, Hindry points out that South Africa’s pumps industry is one of the major users of castings in the country, which is why Sapsda is committed to maintaining a positive working relationship between its members and the South African foundry industry, which has a significant influence on pumps being manufactured locally.

He adds that there have been structural changes in terms of the association’s membership criteria, where Sapsda’s membership categories have also been amended, with local manufacturing member companies representing the majority of the association.

“Sapsda membership is open to consultants, local and international companies as well as students where the only prerequisite is any involvement, albeit directly or indirectly, related to the Southern Africa pumps industry,” Hindry concludes.