Quality brands and reliable aftermarket support are key to combat the surge in price-sensitive products entering the local market, especially Chinese imports, according to fluid conveyance solutions provider Incledon engineering sales director Bruce Crystal.

The company is a preferred importer and distributor of the Italian Pentax pumps range as well as locally produced Grundfos pumps. Both ranges include booster pump stations, which are becoming popular in high-rise buildings, estates, industry, game lodges, retirement villages, and business parks.

“We have a range of variable-speed drives (VSDs) and vertical multi-stage pumps to cater for these specific markets,” Crystal notes. Incledon supplies various Pentax and Grundfos booster sets and reticulation pumps to the air-conditioning, refrigeration, and water treatment sectors, as well as directly to pump contractors who install, commission and service these units.

A critical area in this regard is electronic control, which uses VSDs to reduce power consumption and increase the efficiency of the units. For example, in a pressure-boosting system in a block of flats consisting of a number of booster pumps, the VSD will only allow one pump to run at a modulated frequency at low demand times during the day, and at maximum duty when required for peak-duty times during the day, all the pumps in the designed system will operate.

“The units are designed and assembled locally. “Most of the components such as manifolds, baseplates and fabricated fittings are manufactured locally,” Crystal explains.

This has resulted in an increased demand for technical skills, especially as these diverse markets continue to develop. “This is the main reason why we involve our customers to assist in growing these markets, and train and develop the necessary skills required.

“We are very aware to keep up with technology as it improves. “Our suppliers liaise, train and advise us on an ongoing basis as developments advance,” Crystal notes.

“Product development and expansion are of the utmost importance. “Studying and getting to understand our markets, holding the correct stock, and keeping abreast with developments have most definitely enhanced our growth.”

In this regard, Incledon is also focusing on enhancing skills development and training, and employing the correct people to market and sell our products, Crystal concludes.