Valve and related components industry association Valve and Actuator Manufacturers Cluster of South Africa (VAMCOSA) is aiming to facilitate industry growth and stability through collaborations with local valve and actuator manufacturers, says VAMCOSA membership champion Julius Frauendorf.

While VAMCOSA experienced some difficulties in recent years, it has since been reestablished following the Covid-19 pandemic – a move met with enthusiasm, he tells Mining Weekly.

Through collaborating with South African capital equipment manufacturer association South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC), the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) and other government departments, VAMCOSA aims to drive significant change and development in the valve and actuator sector, he says.

“VAMCOSA allows members with like-minded ideas to work together with the likes of the dtic and SABS to stabilise and contribute positively to policies that government creates and implements, affecting the manufacturing sector,” notes Frauendorf.

The collaboration with the dtic has facilitated VAMCOSA’s connection with other State-owned enterprises (SOEs), promoting local products and skills as opposed to relying on imports.

This allows VAMCOSA to break down barriers with municipal water authorities throughout the country, enabling them to showcase the importance of supporting the local manufacturing sector.

This ongoing support, he says, is crucial as industry stakeholders await the new Preferential Procurement Bill to be published in the Government Gazette.

Further, by working with the dtic to include valves and actuators in the designated sector list, VAMCOSA has been providing protection to local valve and actuator manufacturers since 2014, says Frauendorf.

He explains that such designation ensures continued survival of the sector in an economic landscape where 80% of valves and actuators supplied in South Africa are imported.

Further, VAMCOSA notes that the dtic is actively involved in promoting goals that benefit all VAMCOSA members, helping to grow this designated segment to its full potential, says Frauendorf.

Combined Efforts
VAMCOSA’s members enjoy numerous benefits, in addition to direct interactions with the dtic and SABS, both of which play significant roles in the valves and actuators sector.

A key component of VAMCOSA’s member offering is facilitating discussions on industry challenges in a forum which enables members to collaborate on solutions and collectively contribute to shaping beneficial policies and procedures.

“VAMCOSA, as a cluster, is often more welcome than a single company that wishes to highlight concerns or add value to policies or procedures,” emphasises Frauendorf.

Further, through its collaboration with SACEEC, VAMCOSA is able to provide members with expertise, guidance and opportunities to promote exports and grow their businesses in new markets across Africa and globally.

SACEEC’s support ranges from outbound exhibitions and embassy connections to offering strategic advice on market entry and helping members avoid common pitfalls in new markets.

In particular, SACEEC assists members in navigating new markets, ensuring that business trips and market entries are successful and add value.

SACEEC has also supported VAMCOSA members by offering exhibition stand training to highlight the importance of gaining traction at important industry events.