The local valves market is estimated at $549-million by 2014, and South African valve manufacturers will find opportunities to increase this growth at the Pumps, Valves and Pipes Africa (PVPA) exhibition, scheduled to take place at the Gallagher convention centre, in Midrand, from June 7 to 9, 2011.

Current global trends point towards increased demand in the industry, the result of a number of factors, ranging from growing demand in the oil and gas sector, food processing advancements and the global water crisis. The PVPA 2011 exhibition will give local suppliers the platform they need to raise their market profile and take advantage of this growth.

Recent research undertaken among leading valve suppliers by Middle East publication Oil & Gas Middle East found that valve suppliers to the oil and gas industry are witnessing a rebound in demand as upstream projects and drilling operations get the green light in the Middle East.

“The global valves market is estimated to be worth around $45-billion, with a yearly growth of 4% to 5%,” says Exhibition Management Services, organisers of PVPA 2011, MD John Thomson.

“Out of this market, oil and gas makes up 18%, with refining operations taking a 14% share.” Further to opportunities in the oil and gas sector, increased demand from other sectors is helping to drive this growth.

“Developments in the food processing sector, in particular, are proving to be extremely lucrative for pneumatic valve manufacturers. The shift towards automation in this industry, as well as in the packaging sector, is allowing these suppliers to profit from increased demand for food products in light of the population explosion,” he adds.

Desalination on the Rise

Given the recent research undertaken by the World Resources Institute suggesting that South Africa will be facing a significant water availability crisis by 2025, the search for alternative water sources, particularly desalinated water, has also given rise to increased valve demand.

The reverse-osmosis process of desalination, a common process in such plants, uses high-pressure valves, pumps and piping. The increasing scarcity of water is one of the greatest challenges of this century and the valve and sealing industry has long recognised this.

Valve manufacturers are actively involved in developing water supply systems, from extraction to treatment, transport and supply. The gradual depletion of water resources means that water catchment is becoming increasingly impor- tant, and many companies believe that seawater desalination plants are a viable solution as they offer inexhaustible potential.

Local Industry Strength

The sophistication of South Africa’s valve manufacturing processes, as well as the country’s capability of providing internationally accredited products, has placed the local industry in a prime position to become a preferred supplier to meet increasing demand. Both exhibitors and visitors to the PVPA exhibition will be looking to make relevant business connections.

“The valve manufacturing industry is capital intensive and was developed at great expense. Local investment is extensive in terms of facilities, equipment, trained manpower and material, supported by a well-established foundry industry for the supply of raw castings, including stainless steel and more exotic materials,” says South African Valve Actuator Manufacturer’s Association chairperson Peter Thompson, who also represents Premier Valves, an exhibitor at PVPA 2011.

“The valves industry in South Africa comprises small and medium-sized business selling predominantly locally manufactured valves to the Southern African community, with growing sales in niche markets worldwide,” he adds.

A number of leading brands have already signed up for PVPA 2011, including manu- facturer of a variety of ball, butterfly and check valves Enserve Engineering, a repeat exhibitor, which is a major supplier of both reconditioned valves and new valves, and has Engen, Sasol, Rand Water, Mondi and Sappi as part of its customer list.

“Pumps, Valves and Pipes Africa is definitely a good venue to showcase our company and the type of business we are in,” says Enserve Engineering sales and marketing manager Allan Leathers.

Specialist supplier to the water industry Royce Water Systems will be exhibiting its wide range of thermoplastic valves, as well as measuring, analysing and controlling instruments.

PVPA 2011 is the seventh international trade fair for suppliers to water utilities and national and local government, as well as the industrial, civil engineering, manufacturing, food and beverages, dairy, brewery, agriculture, horticulture, petrochemicals, and pulp and paper industries.