Archive: July 30, 2025

The HDGASA galvanizes micro-enterprises to learn and grow with its ‘open door’ approach

July 30, 2025

The Hot Dip Galvanizers Association of South Africa (HDGASA) has a distinctive ‘open door’ approach when it comes to educating and equipping micro-enterprises – small businesses – to embrace hot dip galvanizing, the widely preferred method of corrosion control for steel.

“A great oak tree does not grow overnight. As an industry, we must remember that the great oaks of tomorrow are just saplings today,” says HDGASA Marketing Manager, Anthony Botha.

“In South Africa, youth unemployment is currently sitting at approximately 60%. Government is looking at youth training programmes such as welding and metalworking. People will use these skills for their own entrepreneurial pursuits. Others may have already developed skills in fabrication or manufacturing, and are now trying to set up their own businesses. Despite having had some exposure, they may not yet fully understand the technology,” Botha points out.

The HDGASA provides technical support to micro-enterprises online via the Association’s website and responds to phone and email enquiries – providing what Botha calls “ground-level entry to education on galvanizing” for the entrepreneur who may be working out of his home garage or a small factory unit.

Guidelines can be easily downloaded and are written not only for technically qualified people such as engineers, but for non-technical entrepreneurs, who are looking for practical information and advice about hot dip galvanizing as a means of corrosion control.

Supply and demand

In certain parts of the country where corrosion is high, there is already significant demand for galvanizing – even from small businesses or semi-professional DIY businesses making steel articles such as gates, burglar proofing, fencing or trailers.

“However, to optimise the protection provided by galvanizing, micro-entrepreneurs must understand their role: for example, inserting venting and drainage holes, as well as other technical requirements,” Botha points out.

He adds that micro-enterprises should understand that hot dip galvanizing is a final phase in the downstream supply of steel products. It is therefore a finishing, rather than an applied coating: “It is not paint, or something that you can take and put on yourself. There are some misconceptions around what the market perceives as ‘cold’ galvanizing. This refers to a zinc-rich paint, applied to very small items in non-aggressive environments.  With hot dip galvanizing, an item is dipped into a kettle of molten zinc at 450°C. There is a significant difference in the outcome.”

A two-pronged approach to protection

Botha notes that the end-user also requires education: “The person bringing in the work is not necessarily the one who gets to use the product. So the galvanized gate, the boat anchor; the burglar proofing or fencing is used by another party. This is about protecting both the business owner and their customers. It is a two-pronged approach.”

He stresses that the quality of galvanizing is driven by the steel itself. Once an article has been made, the dye is cast and there is very little that a galvanizer can do.

Different types of steel have a different chemical composition, which reacts with the zinc to give it a certain appearance. This varies from bright, shiny, silvery galvanizing to a dull grey. Corrosion control is the primary focus – with aesthetics being a secondary consideration.

Paint can be applied to galvanized steel – but again, the right choice of paint and preparation is essential: “We supply a lot of information on our website about how to prepare galvanizing for a paint coating. Once again, it comes to communicating, coordinating and cooperating around the galvanizing of an item.”

Botha says it is important for the small business to ask the big questions and to “be its own policeman” when it comes to quality control: “Small businesses should not only understand what they are dealing with – but should use the resources at their disposal, including the Hot Dip Galvanizing Association and the galvanizer.

For example, before buying steel, the small business should ask the galvanizer for their recommendations and referrals to reputable steel merchants, and request certificates for any steel that is bought.”

Ambassadors for galvanizing

“We would really like to see the education, training and advisory requirements of micro-enterprises more adequately catered to by established industry,” Botha emphasises.

The good news on the galvanizing front is that this is already happening, with galvanizers that are members of the HDGASA setting up remote depots specifically to accommodate the needs of micro-enterprises.

Many HDGASA member galvanizers provide for depots in remote areas where articles for galvanizing can be dropped off and collected. Access to galvanizing is therefore closer than if it was only available at the galvanizers’ main facilities,” he explains.

“A strong relationship with a galvanizer gives the micro-entrepreneur opportunities over time. For example, the better the relationship, the better the quality of the products coming in, the welding and the preparation for hot dip galvanizing. Ultimately, this is about growing both businesses. The solo micro-entrepreneur who starts out making one gate, could be making 20 by the end of the year,” concludes Botha

A practical partner: B.E.D.’s sustained support of farmers and agri sector skills in South Africa

July 22, 2025

Bolt and Engineering Distributors (B.E.D.) Mpumalanga participated recently in the 4th annual AmberMacs Expo, which took place in White River. The macadamia nut industry has grown significantly in South Africa since the 1960s, and this prestigious event, hosted by AmberMacs – a leading macadamia nut processing plant – brought together over 150 exhibitors, showcasing the latest innovations in agricultural technology, equipment and services.

The AmberMacs expo was established by founder Philip Moufarrige in response to the post-COVID-19 requirement for a platform where agricultural suppliers and service providers could reconnect in person, in a meaningful and impactful way with farming communities. Since then, this has grown into a major event, fostering collaboration and innovation across the agricultural sector.

Connecting with the agri community

For B.E.D. Middelburg, the company’s branch in Mpumalanga, this year’s expo also marked a significant opportunity to engage with existing and potential customers. The company’s stand – in collaboration with leading suppliers such as Kennedy hand tools, Milwaukee power tools and SKF -displayed a comprehensive range of tools and solutions relevant to the agricultural sector.

Operations Manager Marc Jewitt comments: “Participating in the AmberMacs expo provided a great platform for us to connect directly with the agricultural community. By showcasing products from our trusted international suppliers such as Fronius, GYS, Kennedy hand tools and Milwaukee power tools, we were able to demonstrate the breadth and versatility of our offerings.”

Jewitt adds that key highlights from the event included the TLGB 21 battery-driven grease gun, which provides precision lubrication to enhance machinery performance.

“Another standout was the portable induction heater TMBH 5, designed for effortless and damage-free bearing removal. A range of advanced welding and cutting solutions from Fronius – as well as GYS plasma cutters and compact inverter welding machines – were also showcased, which are ideal for farm maintenance and repairs,” he explains.

Tackling ‘nuts and bolts’ of agri challenges

The expo served as a valuable platform for direct engagement with farmers, many of whom face unique operational challenges. One notable example was a customer visit, sparked by discussions at the expo, where critical power supply issues were identified. B.E.D. was easily able to demonstrate how its reliable and cost-effective solutions can tackle the ‘nuts and bolts’ or ground roots challenges that the agri sector faces. Such real-world interactions underscore the significance of B.E.D.’s presence at agricultural expos, ensuring farmers have access to the right tools, products and expertise to optimise their operations.

“Being able to take our solutions directly to the farmers at exhibitions such as this is essential for B.E.D., as many of them might not have the ability to visit us in person. These events bridge that gap, enabling us to demonstrate how we can provide the agri sector with everything from bearings and greases to consultations and advice regarding equipment failures – ensuring that they have the right tools and solutions for the job,” Jewitt advises.

The enthusiastic feedback that B.E.D. received from farmers highlighted the importance of providing the agri sector with relevant solutions to meet their specific requirements.

“It was gratifying to address their concerns and offer solutions which will make a tangible difference to their daily operations,” he adds.

As B.E.D. continues to expand its focus on the agricultural sector, events such as the AmberMacs Expo play a vital role in strengthening relationships with farmers and reinforcing the company’s commitment to their success.

“We are a long-term and committed partner to the farmer, and to all those in the pivotal and essential agricultural sector. As such, our partnerships with agri professionals are crucial in driving their efficiency and productivity, and B.E.D. remains dedicated to delivering innovative, high-quality solutions which support a sustainable and growing industry.

We are really excited about our future in the vital agricultural sector, and we look forward to further opportunities to connect with farmers and the rest of the agri value chain, providing them with the tools, equipment and expertise they need to thrive,” Jewitt concludes.

Partnering with AES to solve the thermal combustion puzzle and achieve optimised energy plant

July 2, 2025

Although fuel cost has a significant impact on steam generation, it is just a part of the overall value chain – a single piece in a broader puzzle. Keeping all in synch requires expert oversight, says Gavin Evezard, Projects Director at steam and boiler operations and maintenance service provider, Associated Energy Services (AES).

“It is an ongoing task to make sure that the level of awareness, interrogation, insight, foresight and focus is maintained. Combustion is an exothermic chemical reaction, thus the ingredients for this reaction, namely air and fuel, need to be combined in such a way that the process is optimized and provides the desired output,” he explains.

Core competency versus peripheral process

The key question is whether a company running its own steam plant will achieve the same outcomes which an expert such as AES is able to.

“Ultimately, it comes down to whether you have the resources, time, knowledge and experience. All can be put in place, but it comes at a cost. In real terms, this is typically not viable. When the main goal is manufacturing a product to earn income, the production process is the priority. Peripheral processes will unfortunately always lag behind,” notes AES Commercial Director, Dennis Williams.

No single client operates a greater number of boilers than AES. Even those operating across multiple sites cannot always share information and technical understanding. AES operates all sites according to a single standard and learnings are shared.

For both Evezard and Williams, it is about knowing what the critical components to be leveraged are. From a cost perspective, the most important are people and fuel. This enables AES to guarantee cost-effective pricing: “The sale of steam to client is always the best approach. We factor all our operational commitments into the pricing and provide guarantees. If we do not achieve our targets, we fund the cost.”

A process of elimination

Williams advises that many potential problems only become evident when AES arrives on site:

“For example, if a client has a heavy fuel oil storage tank, sludge develops at the bottom of that tank over time. If this is not cleaned out, it gets to the offtake point for the pumps – and starts blocking filters, either at the tank or the burner itself.

“We generally find that critical aspects are not necessarily addressed because the operation of the plant is not up to scratch. For example, under-grate dampers on the stoker are not working, draft across the boiler is not ideally set up and there are issues with the emission abatement plant. In this scenario, things are either not working properly or are worn out.”

One of the most serious problems is ingress of air into the boiler system: “One of the main control inputs is air, and how that is controlled to obtain complete combustion. If additional air goes in,  energy starts draining out of the system up the stack,” Williams explains.

For some clients – such as the one for which AES has achieved improvements of 21 % on one site and 35 % on another – optimised thermal combustion is immediate. Other areas where improvements could be made need to be identified via a process of elimination. This can include partnering with clients to address complex issues such as optimising water consumption, condensate return usage and boiler water treatment.

Often, it is only once a boiler is taken off-line that important underlying technical and operational issues – representing potential areas for optimisation – are uncovered.

People and safety factors

Evezard adds that collecting and interpreting data is critical to optimising efficiency and productivity: “If we do not measure it, we cannot manage it. If we do not analyse it, we cannot act on it. Through understanding what we are seeing in the data, we can make improvements and troubleshoot issues effectively.”

Although remote monitoring – particularly with the more automated liquid and gas fuel systems – is useful, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and related digital technologies to optimise thermal combustion may still be some way off.

“This is very much the case when it comes to the more traditional fuels such as coal – where human intervention is needed to make the operational changes to allow for constant changes in specifications,” Evezard says.

Closely aligned with this is safety, and on-the-ground protocols and procedures which align with thermal combustion fundamentals. These include regular inspections and good maintenance, the use of skilled operators and the correct design and installation of plants.

“With pressure vessel (boiler) equipment, certain maintenance and statutory requirements are fundamental and non-negotiable. Good maintenance practices are enhanced when one has excess available boiler capacity on a site so plant and equipment can be rotated. The most challenging sites we work at do not have this spare capacity. Every piece of equipment is running, most of the time.

“Notwithstanding the inherent capacity and maintenance challenges, our overall aim is to be a trusted partner in the optimisation of our clients’ energy plants, successfully slotting all the pieces of the thermal combustion puzzle into place,” Williams concludes.