The 20-member-strong Valve and Actuator Manufacturers Cluster of South Africa (Vamcosa) announced last month that it would again participate in the Pumps, Valves and Pipes Africa (PVPA) expo that forms part of the successful South African Industry & Technology Fair (Indutec).

PVPA 2015 is the ninth edition of the event and runs from May 20 to 22, 2015, at the Gallagher Convention Centre, in Midrand.

Vamcosa spokesperson Greg Walker says the cluster’s participation in PVPA 2015 will help achieve its goal of building and strengthening relationships with other companies in the industry as well as State-owned enterprises (SOEs).

Established in 2011, Vamcosa aims to promote and facilitate much-needed growth in the local valve and actuator manufacturing industry. “We achieved some important targets at PVPA 2013 – hence, our decision to return to the show in 2015,” he says.

With the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI’s) recent Designation Law enacted in March this year, local industries have experienced some positive change. The law requires SOEs to buy 70% of required products from local manufacturers.

“We are working closely with the DTI to have valves and actuators designated for local procurement,” says Walker, adding that, in 2012, SOEs spent R4-billion on valves, with only R1.2-billion going to local manufacturers. “We are confident that the new law will help the industry grow again.”

Showcase for Local Industries
Exhibition Management Services is the organiser of the Indutec event, which comprises PVPA. Company MD John Thomson says South African engineering and mining companies, SOEs and municipalities should buy more valves and actuators from local manufacturers to boost the industry.

“Locally manufactured valves and control systems are just as effective and cost-efficient as any imported equivalent; this will be seen at next year’s PVPA event. It has proved to be an excellent platform to showcase South African manufacturers and their products to local and international customers,” he says.

Meanwhile, long-standing exhibitor Kira Valves & Engineering will exhibit for the fourth time at PVPA 2015.

The company provides products, services and solutions for the most challenging applications, particularly in the oil and gas, power, mining, chemicals, food and beverage, building and construction industries.

Kira Valves & Engineering will exhibit various strainers and valves at the expo. “These types of exhibitions have enhanced our growth tremendously. “We are currently suppliers to companies such as State-owned power utility Eskom, petrochemicals company Sasol and steel company Evraz,” says company director Krish Manichum.

He says the company’s goal is to show- case the highest-quality products and innovative design solutions and provide uncompromising service to customers. “It was an easy decision to return to the 2015 PVPA expo because we received a great deal of positive feedback from the previous expo. PVPA is a great platform to market our products, meet many new potential customers and, of course, increase sales.”