HOT SEAT
The masters
in fluid control
APE Pumps and Mather+Platt have led the market in South Africa since 1952, building on a proud legacy dating back to the world’s first industrial revolution. John Montgomery, general manager, speaks to IMIESA about the challenges and opportunities within the South African and broader African markets. What are the Group’s core areas of specialisation? JM APE Pumps has been an innovator in the field of fluid transfer solutions since 1952 across industries that include water utilities, mining, municipalities and the energy sector. This comprehensive skill set is aligned with
John Montgomery, general manager, APE Pumps and Mather+Platt
10
IMIESA July 2020
sister company Mather+Platt, which traces its own heritage back to England in 1845. Mather+Platt manufactures horizontal multistage pumps designed for high-pressure applications and split-case pumps chiefly for high volumes. In turn, APE Pumps specialises in the design and manufacture of vertical industrial turbine pumps, split-case and endsuction pumps for most industries. What sets APE Pumps and Mather+Platt apart from the competition? A major distinction is that we are both an OEM and a CIDB 8 ME registered contractor. In addition, we have one of the few pattern shops left in Africa, where our specialist artisans produce wooden patterns in the age-old tradition, alongside the latest trends in 3D printing. Our unsurpassed skill in patternmaking enables us to produce specialised patterns for our components on a breakdown basis. APE Pumps and Mather+Platt have completed major turnkey projects that include a complete overhaul of the Blantyre Water Board’s pump station and pipeline infrastructure in Malawi. We are currently working on some largescale installations in South Africa where we are responsible for delivering all the mechanical, electrical and civil components
as an integrated turnkey solution. That covers the design, installation and commissioning for variable-speed drives (VSDs), low- and medium-voltage switchgear, distribution boards, cabling, motors, pipe work and pipelines, and, of course, pumps. Another strategic advantage is our ability to turn solutions around quickly with a combination of project management acumen, technical know-how and a workshop equipped with the latest technologies. In a recent example, we completed a pump refurbishment for a client during a tight, fiveday shutdown window. Our team worked two shifts per day to accelerate the repair – delivering, installing and commissioning the pump ahead of schedule. How are your solutions helping to sustain the energy sector? APE Pumps and Mather+Platt have been part of South Africa’s power station landscape from inception. Our cooling water pumps are installed at every Eskom power station except Medupi and Kusile. Refurbishing older power stations is an ongoing process. Some of them date back to the 1970s. The upside is that we have the capability to restore any pump or fluid transfer process. Keeping power stations online is essential for a smooth-running economy.
