Additive manufacturing, which includes the use of three-dimensional and computer- aided-design to make stronger and more reliable components for the machine tools industry, has revolutionised the machine tools industry, says machine tools supplier Reliable Technical Consultants (Retecon).

Retecon sales director Mike Lee says Industry 4.0, which entails the automation and data exchange that allows for the computerisation of manufacturing, has also come to the fore in recent times.

“The supply of leading technology has been crucial for Retecon in the past and will be for the future as well,” he notes, adding that the company has been supplying the Southern Africa metal working industry since its inception in 1970.

Retecon, with a market share of about 30%, supplies to the automotive, mining, structural, tool and die-casting, as well as general metalworking industries.

The company offers a portfolio of installation, servicing, repairs, spare parts and consumables, programming, training, machine moving, time studies of the machines they provide, after-hours support and project implementation.

“With the ongoing quest for new technologies, the level of service demanded by our clients has increased to more than just the capability to repair machinery,” adds Lee.

The leading international brands which Retecon represents in South Africa include Trumpf, Ficep, DMG Mori, Kasto, Koike and Hexagon. These brands represent vertical and horizontal machining centres, turning centres, large boring mills, profile cutting and drilling lines, grinding machines, laser cutting systems, bending machines, punching and forming machinery, automatic sawing equipment, roll forming and tube bending machinery, manufacturing lines for tubes, presses and measuring equipment.

hemicals company Sasol has awarded Retecon a Green grade for its safety policy, owing to its in-house apprenticeship training offered, including being trained by the various machine builders. A Green-graded service provider, as per Sasol’s assessment criteria, is considered to have the commitment, organisational ability and competencies to manage its integrated safety, health and environment performance effectively and efficiently.

A Green-graded service provider has a recordable case rate (RCR) that is less than the Sasol RCR target, with auditable proof of close-out on recordable incident findings. The service provider must also score at least 85% on the service provider certification assessment. A new supplier with a Green grading may be placed on the Sasol suppliers list, and existing service providers with a Green grading may be awarded contract renewals.