Centurion-based slurry pumping solutions pro- vider Hazleton Pumps notes that the South African pumps industry continues to be hampered, losing out on export opportunities, owing to the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) certification still not being internationally recognised.

“The matter of international accreditation has been brought to the attention of the SABS on numerous occasions over the past few years without any positive reaction. Some time ago, we were informed that the process of being audited and obtaining international accreditation would be difficult and too costly,” comments South African Pumps Systems Development Association’s (Sapsda) executive member, Hazleton Pumps MD and CEO Thys Wehmeyer.

He says the company has been exporting pumps since 2005, but realised the limitations of the South African export market.

He asserts that, when penetra- ting the international market, all countries have standards of acceptance that are upheld by an association when importing and/or exporting products. Therefore, manufacturers that seek to export need to ensure that their products comply with the specific stan- dards enforced by that country.

Although there is demand for South African pumps abroad and SABS certification is in line with international standards, they are not internationally recognised, Wehmeyer adds.

Therefore, South African manufacturers are required to obtain certification from the nonprofit, nongovernmental international standards organisation International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), whose stan- dards are recognised worldwide.

Hence, any South African pro- duct that is associated electrically will not be exported to another country unless it is certified by a countries’ local certification authority, laments Wehmeyer.

Challenges
Having to obtain IEC certification also leads to delayed manufacturing and deliveries, thereby increasing costs, Wehmeyer adds.

Hazleton Pumps mostly exports products to Canada, where products must comply with the standards of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). He adds that it takes a week to certify a product through the CSA.

Wehmeyer points out that the CSA applies the same standards to products as those the SABS applies and these standards should, therefore, be interna- tionally accredited.

Meanwhile, recertification of the company’s product by the CSA for export to Canada can cost between R50 000 and R100 000, in addition to the cost of obtaining SABS approval.

Wehmeyer adds that there is currently no other way through which South African companies can certify their products exported to Canada.

Untapped Opportunities
Wehmeyer notes that Hazleton Pumps has been fortunate enough to remain price competitive, with clients returning to use the family-owned company’s services regardless of the certification constraint, owing to its previous work and references.

He says there are untapped opportunities in State-owned enterprises (SoEs), such as rail and port company Transnet and power utility Eskom, which are involved in major projects. Pumps and materials for these projects are imported and could have been manufactured and sourced locally.

A process of designation was started about two years ago by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) which would have forced the various SoEs to consider South African companies first when buying materials for their products.

Wehmeyer explains that, in order to comply with the DTI guidelines, the South African Pump Cluster was formed under the auspices of Sapsda, noting that it was to no avail as pumps and related products had to date not been designated.

“Ensuring that the SABS is internationally recognised, as well as giving urgent attention to designation of more locally manufactured products, will expand business opportunities for the pumps industry, resulting in job creation.”

He adds that countries, such as Canada, which have limited manufacturing capabilities, import most of their pumps and related services. This, Wehmeyer concludes, is one of the key untapped opportunities that South Africa can take advantage of to become a permanent pumps supplier to these countries.