Shaft power components


The torque of the town

Third Quarter 2024 Shaft power components

Bolt and Engineering Distributors (B.E.D.) is pleased to announce its new distribution agreement with torque and tensioning company Bolt Torque, which has a comprehensive range of manual, hydraulic, electric and battery bolt torque, and bolt tensioning solutions. This strategic partnership was announced just ahead of Electra Mining Africa 2024, where Bolt Torque and their principals, PLARAD Torque and Tension Systems from Germany exhibited. It marks a significant addition to B.E.D.’s industrial product and solutions portfolio, enhancing its ability to provide cutting-edge bolting solutions to a diverse range of industry sectors, including ship repair, wind farms, oil and gas, and mining.


Angus Houston, sales director and project manager at Bolt Torque and PLARAD representative for southern Africa.

Mike Giltrow, CEO of B.E.D. expresses his enthusiasm for this exciting collaboration: “As a leading fastener supplier to industry for the past four decades, we have naturally always recognised the importance of bolt torqueing and tensioning. However, without the right supplier expertise, we were cautious. Fortunately, Bolt Torque fits the bill perfectly, and is willing and able to work with us, leveraging our mutual bolt-related strengths and synergies.”

Angus Houston, sales director and project manager at Bolt Torque, shares Giltrow’s enthusiasm. “We have been searching for a legitimate national distributor for some time, and this collaboration with B.E.D. is a match made in heaven. With nine established branches, and an excellent existing customer base that aligns perfectly with our key target markets in mining, energy, power, oil and gas, it is ideal. The clear customer service orientation and passion of B.E.D.’s nationwide team fits our own operational ethos and approach perfectly,” says Houston.

Enhancing service offerings and capabilities

This new distribution agreement is set to enhance B.E.D.’s service offerings and capabilities significantly. Giltrow elaborates: “When bolting or fastening becomes specialised, involving for example, larger diameters, high tensile materials, stainless steel and other complex materials, we can now ensure that bolts or fasteners are properly tightened. We can also offer customers rental equipment with certification, providing a turnkey solution − a real ‘turn-bolt’ service.”

Existing and potential customers can expect several specific benefits from B.E.D.’s distribution of Bolt Torque’s offerings. “B.E.D.’s reputation for quality and service will now extend to torqueing and tensioning opportunities nationwide,” says Giltrow. “We will therefore be adding to the quality of our fasteners by ensuring they are correctly tightened, avoiding problems like overtightening that can lead to failures. Factors such as lubrication and galvanising can also affect torque values, and our experts will guide customers through these considerations.”

B.E.D. customers can now also benefit from calibration services at a contracted SANAS-certified calibration laboratory in Cape Town. B.E.D. can supply and calibrate torque tools and tensioners of any brand, not just the ones supplied by B.E.D. This includes force calibration for torque tools up to 20 000 Nm, single-stage and multi-stage tensioners, measuring gauges, and a wide range of electronic and measuring devices.

‘Bolting on’ to opportunities

“Specific projects and industries that will benefit from this distribution agreement include upcoming renewable energy projects, refineries, and mining,” says Houston. “Our products have several key advantages, such as attractive daily rental offerings and the high-quality, globally-recognised PLARAD Torque and Tension Systems from Germany. Our long-term rental pricing is also very cost-effective for companies that do not wish to invest capex, but require the service.

Houston adds that Bolt Torque’s new tooling options are among the world’s leading brands, particularly for the wind, power, and oil and gas sectors.

Bolt Torque ensures the quality and reliability of its equipment and services through rigorous standards and experience. “With over 30 years of expertise in bolt torqueing and tensioning technology, we ensure that only the highest quality tools are rented out. We will also have spare equipment available at B.E.D. offices to ensure readiness in case of an urgent customer requirement,” he says.

Great expectations

Houston concludes with high expectations for Bolt Torque’s collaboration with B.E.D. “Going forward, we will have rental tools and key PLARAD tools available from all of B.E.D.’s branches, including the latest PLARAD Battery Tools wind turbine tensioners. The sky is the limit,” he says.

For more information contact Bolt and Engineering Distribution, +27 14 597 7500, marketing@bolteng.co.za, www.bolteng.co.za




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