Industrial equipment and unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) pipe wholesaler Corde Africa launched its 5" internal diameter uPVC borehole column for high-flow rates, typic- ally used in mining applications, in January, Corde Africa owner Errol Cornelius tells Engineering News.

These uPVC borehole pipe columns have a number of technical advantages over traditional galvanised-iron borehole piping, such as being lightweight, easy to transport, corrosion resistant and resistant to solids build-up in the pipe.

The uPVC alternative has the highest specifications in the industry, with pressure ratings between 18 bar and 50 bar. The smooth walls ensure water flow at low friction losses, contributing to a high ‘water-to-wire’ ratio and reduced energy costs.

Entering New Markets
Corde Africa is also moving into the local pumps market and, although relatively new to the market, the company’s operations are underpinned by the industry experience of more than three decades of its owners, Cornelius and Debby McLellan, who have invested in the new market venture.

Based in Edenvale, Gauteng, on a site that incorporates 780 m2 under roof and 650 m2 of yard, Corde Africa recently introduced two new product ranges to the local pumps market. The first is an expanded range of Evak sewage and drainage pumps, many of which are being made available to the South African market for the first time.

The company also introduced a range of Corde borehole motors, manufactured by international motor producer Sumoto in Italy. These borehole motors offer excellent performance and real value for money. The 6" OYC series motor is cooled using a special food-grade lubricant and incorporates a plug in lead cable for ease of installation and maintenance, while the 4" 4WP series features a new size stator core and a watertight cable connector.

“Corde Africa was launched with the core objective of providing high-quality products and services for customers. The South African pumps market is well established and highly competitive, but we’re already differentiating ourselves through the quality of our products, the flexibility of our services and our quick reaction times. We aim to restore the culture of excellent service and ‘going the extra mile’ for our customers,” says Cornelius.

He adds that the company is not tied to any one pumps manufact- urer, which allows Corde Africa to source pumps from a wide variety of suppliers that are appropriate to the skills levels of both installers and operators. “Rather than adopting a ‘one size fits all’ approach, our products have been hand-picked to suit local conditions. These high- quality pumps have all been well proven for our focus sectors of agriculture, sewerage and drainage.

“Since we opened our doors in March 2013, our customer base has expanded rapidly and we recently appointed wholesalers in the Western and Eastern Cape provinces and are in negotiations to set one up in KwaZulu-Natal. We have found a common thread in the feedback received from customers, who say we are easy to do business with. We are reach- able outside of business hours and since decision-making is taken by the owners, this allows for a quick and responsive process,” Cornelius concludes.