Get ready for the rain, Integrated Pump Rental is ready for you

Pump users are increasingly taking the rental route for equipment as it offers definite market advantages while reducing capital costs. Henru Strydom, Operations Manager for Integrated Pump Rental, says the upward trend in the rental is expected to continue as the benefits are increasingly being realised.

Efficient, reliable and cost-effective aptly describes pump rental. Furthermore, there is no initial capital outlay to purchasing the equipment and maintenance and repair costs are immediately reduced not to mention that the entire process is convenient, says Strydom. Ever since the economic downturn, the rental industry has seen a steady uptake. Industries, like mining, were hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and considering the above benefits renting makes financial sense in these tough economic times. “Industry is also increasingly more comfortable with the idea of renting versus buying,” says Strydom. “The delivery of a solution meeting their exact needs without any cost of ownership makes sense while it also includes flexibility and reduces risk.”

Traditionally, South African companies have always opted to rather a purchase than rent, but the concept of rental is fast-evolving as the realization of the various market

advantages hit home.

Rental considerations

Pumps, for the most part, ar manufactured for a specific application. There is no one size fits all solution, explains Strydom. “One of the challenges for pump users is first, finding a fit-for-purpose solution and then the availability of those pump sets.” He says by renting users can far easier get what they need. “We have a variety of pumps available and fleet that can meet and fill the needs of every application out there.” Whether it is an efficient dewatering solution in a remote area, diesel-driven pump sets or submersibles – rental companies can deliver whatever the requirement. At the same time, the rental industry itself is constantly improving and evolving. According to Strydom, expanding its fleet is always on the agenda at Integrated Pump Rental.

“We are continuously adding to our range to ensure we have versatility in our fleet to meet our customers’ needs. It is, however, not about quantity, but rather ensuring a range of equipment is available to fulfil the variety of requests in the market. Our goal is to cover all types of applications with all types of pumps.” Meaning whether someone wants to empty a small swimming pool or rapidly dewater an open-pit mine, Integrated Pump Solutions can assist. “We have a variety of electrical submersible pumps in our rental fleet ranging from 1-90 kW dewatering, sludge and slurry to name a few. It also includes stainless steel submersible pumps. These pumps can deliver flows of up to 150 litres per second and heads of up to 200 meters,” says Strydom. The company has also opted to start manufacturing diesel units. “This is fulfilling a real need that we identified in the market. Especially in the mining sector where there is an ever-expanding need for efficient dewatering solutions.” These diesel units can deliver regardless of whether there is electricity – a real issue for operators in Africa – and can easily be installed in remote areas. “Also in the range is the diesel-driven pumps that we also offer in stainless steel options, ranging from 35-360 kW packages. These pumps can deliver flows of up to 180 litres per second and heads of up to 200 meters.”

Being prepared

According to Strydom, rentals are becoming very popular in the mining sector – especially opencast mines that need dewatering pumps or dredging or that need pumping solutions to process water. Also in underground mines where water needs to be drained to ensure operations can take place the need for pumps is growing. “Often mines are equipped to handle their needs but are caught off guard when it starts raining and flooding happens. More often than not the pumps are not able to perform sufficiently. This is where renting pumps play a role as it ensures users are never in such situations.” He says Integrated Pump Rental not only deliver bespoke solutions but they also ensure that the pumps are maintained and operational at all times. “We make sure we know the pit area of our client, the weather forecast is considered and a solution delivered that speaks directly to each situation.” Strydom says the company furthermore make sure they keep track of challenges and concerns ahead of bad weather allowing to mitigate against flooding of the mine as much as possible.

Top tips

With a constant need for specialised pump equipment renting, says Strydom, makes sense. “We can offer better pumps that meet specific application needs without the massive capital outlay.” It is also far more advisable to rent than purchasing a cheap import that more often than not has no after-sales service included. “Be prepared for any situation by making sure you have a solution that is going to be efficient and cost-effective. Renting a pump delivers that.” Renting also addresses the impact that breakages can have on operations. “Unforeseen breakages can have a massive impact on operations bringing them to a complete standstill. By renting this problem is eliminated. Rentals come with back-up solutions, maintenance, services and repairs all included in the monthly cost. It delivers flexibility and reliability to operations that can be the competitive advantage the company needs.”

Integrated Pump Rental, +27 (0) 11 894-2906, admin@pumprental.co.za, www.pumprental.co.za