Looking forward to some warmer weather, “Bulk Handling Today” went down to the KZN Industrial Show (KITE) in late July this year. Having set up our stand, we found ourselves chatting to many visitors who showed a keen interest in getting to know more about the publication and the industries it serves.
Over three days, we also had the opportunity to pay a visit to many of the other exhibitors covering the bulk handling field. We asked these stand-holders to give us a short run-down on their products and services.
Demag
Having started life in 1819, this company is an industry leader and a local OEM with eleven branches servicing South Africa. In addition, the firm has a vast distribution network in sub-Saharan Africa. As the developer of the revolutionary V-type girder, Demag has joined forces with KoneCranes to make for a powerhouse in the lifting industry.
Ifm Electronic
Think instrumentation, controllers, sensors and you have the measure of ifm. Their products allow high precision across the total angular range in two axes. Full Can integration is possible, Can-in and Can-out. Represented in Centurion, Cape Town, Durban, Klerksdorp, Northern Cape, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay, Rustenburg, Steelpoort and the Vaal Triangle, the company also has a subsidiary in Namibia.
KoneCranes
Jokingly these guys say that the size of their stand accurately reflects the size of their company which happens to be true as this is one of the largest crane companies in the world. In addition to new products, Konecranes showcased their sophisticated diagnostic service suitable for all makes of cranes. Not just a glorified loadcell, instrumentation can record the number of overloads for example making it easier for the user to be alerted to potential trouble and to undertake preventative and planned maintenance.
Lift & Shift Equipment
A 40-year family-owned company, the Bowman name is synonymous with lifting equipment. As local manufacturers of aerial platforms, the company has recently taken on the national exclusive distributorship of Steelbro sidelifters.
Loadtech Loadcells
Specialising in industrial weighing and 
instrumentation, this company manufactures in Pretoria while also importing a range of equipment. In addition, Loadtech provides support either to installers or to clients direct.
Megadyne
Although Megadyne buys direct from Italy, the company can customise its V-belts for local needs. They supply everything from entry level to gold standard and have a broad range and a wide reach supported by 11 factories worldwide.
Nuquip
With an emphasis on upholding their professional reputation in the lifting and rigging industry, the company is an LME (Lifting Machinery Entity) and employs six LMI’s (Lifting Machinery Inspectors). Having been in business for 24 years, safety is the guiding ethos at the company.
ProCrane
Although a relatively young company, the management team ha
s over 100 years’ experience across sub-Saharan Africa in providing quality cranes and hoists. ProCrane manufactures locally under licence to OEM standards and to local customers’ requirements. Although expenditure is slow on capital equipment right now, the company is doing brisk business through their servicing and maintenance division. With four LMI’s (Lifting Machinery Inspectors) employed, safety for ProCrane is non-negotiable.
They have also seen an uptick through their Lifting Online shop where light tackle can be ordered without a credit application and product is dispatched by courier pronto arriving in Zambia within a week, for example.
Truco
Think rubber and you have a supplier – everything that is except tyres. The company imports belting from China to ISO standards. Belting represents about 20 percent of the turnover.
Specialised Exhibitions, Natasha Helberg,
Email: info@kznindustrial.co.za
