The ongoing success of shaft-hoisting specialist, Winder Controls, has led to a large installed base in multiple countries, says MD Tim Keegan. 2023 was a significant milestone for the company. “We are most grateful for the support of our clients, and while celebrating our 50 years of experience in the design, manufacture, supply, installation, commissioning and servicing of high-quality hoisting and associated equipment, we reflect on the depth of our rich mining history.”
Further to targeted mergers and acquisitions, Winder Controls today comprises the best elements of the original Winder Controls, Blane & Co. Engineers, and Siemag South Africa. This combination integrates the company’s technical expertise in electrical and automation engineering, mechanical engineering, and hydraulic engineering, while retaining and building on decades of installed product base and specialist knowledge in the hoisting industry.
Highest ethical standards
Being European-based, the Siemag Tecberg Group requires all processes to be audited and in line with International Financial Reporting Standards. “Our management and governance systems are pitched at the highest level with a focus on transparency, compliance with the principles and practices of King IV, and diligent segregation of duties,” says Tim.
The company also places significant focus on its SHE initiatives with a strong safety team ensuring the wellbeing of its personnel as well as compliance of its operations with all legislated and client requirements.
Stakeholders
In addition to providing effective solutions to their clients, Winder Controls places high value on its employees, the requirements of shareholders, and the communities in which it operates, with the company managing to retain 100% of its personnel through the Covid-19 pandemic. “We have experienced significant peaks and troughs in the hoisting market over the years. Our strategic decision to focus primarily on an excellent core of technical skills has enabled us to ride out the storms on the basis of delivering invaluable expertise to our clients,” he adds.
As a certified ISO 9001:2015 company, Winder Controls continually strives to enhance its client service and experience by implementing improvements to its systems and tools.
Multiple equipment brands and single point responsibility
“We are not exclusively committed to any one make of equipment, and since we have thorough technical knowledge of multiple equipment brands, we are able to implement complex solutions utilising our clients’ preferred equipment brand, so as to facilitate standardised spares holding and training of mine personnel,” Tim highlights.
The company’s in-house electrical manufacturing facility, large machining and assembly capabilities, and industry leading in-house services department further enhance its ability to offer a focused, specialist product line through a single point of responsibility.
Developing industry experts
The company has played a significant role in the training and experience of many current industry experts, and ongoing training of personnel is far in excess of CPD and other legislated requirements. Theoretical training includes formal qualifications, short courses, and equipment or subject specific training, while practical training includes internal technical procedures, trade test and safety related training.
The company also offers a range of specialised training courses for client personnel in terms of complex engineering theory, as well as operation and maintenance of its equipment.
Solution philosophies
Winder Controls is able to add significant value to pre-feasibility and feasibility studies by offering upfront project analysis services, duty cycle optimisation, solution philosophies, and equipment specifications to address a wide range of client project parameters. Its in-house tools further allow the company to offer network studies as well as complex analysis of mechanical and electrical components and systems.
The company has consistently stayed at the forefront of changing technologies without compromising its ability to work on legacy systems. Cutting-edge products from supply chain partners ensure that the company not only keeps up with, but also develops new trends in the hoisting industry.
Significant energy reduction
“We are acutely aware of the need for energy-reducing solutions and are extremely proud of our contribution to our clients in terms of significant energy-reduction projects involving pressure exchange systems, as well as retrofitting large legacy winders with modern energy-efficient drive systems,” says Tim.
He states further, “We actively maintain our ethos of development and are proud to have launched several cutting-edge new products in the last two years alone.” These include the company’s newly developed, energy-efficient drive solutions, electromechanical Clamping & Lifting Device (CLD), high-tension friction winch, and SAMS (Strain Analysis & Monitoring System) live online strain monitoring system.
