2019 is here! I hope you had a relaxing and safe festive break and are in the thick of things like me, it seems like the holidays were too short and far too long ago. I trust 2019 will be a prosperous year for the industry, bringing on more challenges and with it, more opportunities.
SAFPA has been relatively quiet over the past quarter in terms of technical evenings at the Italian club and showcasing new products within the industry. It seems as if everyone has been extremely busy and focused on the job at hand up to the end of the year. I would like to encourage SAFPA members and OEMs to please get in touch with the SAFPA committee if there is a guest speaker in the country introducing new technology or showcasing relevant products that may be beneficial to attendees.
There has been a significant amount of requests for an updated market survey to be conducted. The previous survey was concluded in 2012 and with the significant amount of acquisitions, rebranding and OEM entries into the local market sector, there is a definite need to conduct an updated market survey.
SAFPA is in the fortunate position that we can make use of the same independent services of DB Janse van Rensburg. He formerly ran the Centre for Marketing Research at Tshwane University of Technology. He now works independently, as a consultant in market research. Total impartiality and confidentiality are guaranteed.
It is the intention of SAFPA to approach all importers of fluid power equipment (hydraulic, pneumatic, hose/fittings, and steel tube/fittings) and ask for their participation in this important exercise.
SAFPA will not be approaching the resellers or the secondary market, thereby cutting out the compounding of sales figures. Sales data for the 12 months ending December 2018 will be utilised in the compiling of the survey.
Once the survey is complete, it will be made available, free of charge to all participants. Any other parties will be asked to pay a fee for a copy of the survey.
The survey will serve as a reference to the size of the fluid power market in South Africa, therefore giving more sway when dealing with the DTI and trade incentives for exporting of manufactured goods.
A technical evening will be arranged where the guest speaker will give an overview of his processes and how the survey will be conducted together with interpolation of the results. We encourage SAFPA members to attend the evening and allay any fears or concerns with regards to confidentiality. You should receive communication from SAFPA soon to confirm the dates and times.
Beyond the survey, the formation of a sub-committee for pressure vessel regulations will be actioned by the end of March. Many queries relating to SANS 347, PER and OHSACT have been received by SAFPA. A committee will therefore present a PER guide with regards to hydraulic accumulators within the industry inline with regulations and best practice guidelines. Once the guidelines are complete and a consensus reached within the sub-committee, they will be available to SAFPA members.
All the best for 2019, I hope it will be a prosperous one.
Regards
Dustin Pereira
| Tel: | +27 11 061 5000 |
| Fax: | 086 589 2158 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
| www: | www.vdw.co.za |
| Articles: | More information and articles about SA Fluid Power Association (SAFPA) |
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