The South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC) has announced the winners of its New Products and Innovation Awards competition at the Electra Mining Africa exhibition, at the Expo Centre in Nasrec, Johannesburg.

The awards are given to both local and international exhibiting companies that have contributed excellence in innovation within their respective subsectors of the mining industry.

Of 951 exhibitors, 63 applied with eligible innovations on show at this year’s Electra Mining.

The winners of the New Products and Innovation Awards were announced to align with Innovation Day on September 5.

SACEEC CEO Eric Bruggeman said he was particularly impressed with the level of innovation demonstrated by local companies.

“To get local companies to come up with these ideas, simple ideas, that they're selling all over the world, it blows my mind. It gives us hope. South African manufacturing is depressed, but we still export about R205-billion worth of mining equipment a year around the world, and this just adds to it, because people are going to buy it.

“Under difficult market conditions, South Africans are still coming up with innovations that can compete against anybody in the world,” he told Mining Weekly.

LOCAL WINNERS

Among local manufacturers, in the category of general mining, ABC Ventilation won for its MiVent system, which uses smart technology to sense the occupation levels of underground sections to adjust ventilation accordingly. In the category of electrical equipment, Aztec won for its novel dry-type mini-substation that can provide emergency power underground without the need for batteries or diesel generators.

Information and technology communications (ITC) company Intuate won the award in its category for a locally made wearable safety device that monitors safety clips and harnesses for work-at-height technicians, while in the industrial category, RNE Pumps won for a second time in a row, this time for its diesel-driven vertical spindle pump design for use in areas without access to electricity.

South African manufacturer Advanced Fire Suppression Technologies was awarded top prize in the transport category for its trailer-mounted fire suppression system, which offers all the benefits of a fully-equipped fire truck at a much lower cost.

Finally, Brelko Conveyor Products was recognised as the winner in the general category for its novel adjustable nip protector for conveyor safety.

Runners-up among local manufacturers were Phasecon Mining in the mining category, Verispeed in the ITC category, Afromix in the industrial category, and Dynamic Fluid Control in the general category.

“People want to buy from winners. Over time, we see the winning companies increase their turnover, and it’s not only the local sales that increase, but also exports into Africa and beyond.”

To enter the competition, both the new products and enhanced existing products must be new to Electra Mining Africa 2024.

Judged by Bruggeman and another engineer, they looked for companies that have developed innovative products with a “wow” factor.

The judges also judged the exhibitor's respective stands and how their representatives related to the new product or innovation.

“It’s important for us to see that the company is clearly invested in the new product or innovation,” Bruggeman noted.

INTERNATIONAL MANUFACTURING

Of the international manufacturers that were recognised by SACEEC, Kaltire Mining Tyres South Africa won in the mining category, Wam South Africa Bulk Handling won in the industrial category, Az-Armaturen South Africa won in the general category, Tru-Trac Rollers won in the ITC category, Uvex Safety won in the health and safety category, while Demolition & Drilling Equipment won in the transport category.

The international runners up were Corrocoat, Wilo Pumps, Soteria Advance Technologies and Wanawake Industrial Supplies.

“These awards motivate exhibitors like you won’t believe. To get an award like that not only motivates the staff but it thanks the company for the effort they put in and for what they have achieved. It recognises the company and helps them win tenders, because people want to buy from innovative, winning companies,” Bruggeman said.