NU-LINE ELEVATOR PRODUCTS PTY LTD

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Nu-Line Elevator Products Pty Ltd Tailored elevator solutions without compromising quality, efficiency or design

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E l e vat i n g Businesses in South Africa Nu-Line says each elevator is different, and by offering a tailored design service in-country, they can guarantee customers receive a quality South African product, made by local people Writer Emily Jarvis Project Manager James Smith

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u-Line has had a presence in South Africa since 1990, where they have been manufacturing and installing elevator products across the country. As a local manufacturer based in South Africa’s largest city, Cape Town, the company offers a wide range of custom-made products, specifically designed to match client needs and specifications. Company Manager Allen Behr says that it is this local element which makes Nu-Line stand out from the crowd: “Most other elevator companies import complete elevator products and are therefore less flexible with regard to offering custom specifications and shorter delivery times on these specialist designs.” What’s more is that the company also offer to upgrade existing elevators whilst retaining some of the old equipment in order to pass a cost saving onto clients, but without compromising the lift’s efficiency.

From humble beginnings, a workshop was created to start the manufacture of small hoists and dumbwaiters to meet the identified market demand. Since then, further company growth and product development allowed for the design and creation of a home elevator and a commercial passenger elevator. As a result of this success, a further product was introduced to their product base, namely; the funicular which is used in steep terrain. “Company growth has been constant year on year with the average increase per year being 20%,” Behr claims. Moreover, 2014 saw Nu-Line reach their total sales budget in just six months, testament to their strong management systems and well trained personnel. “Our growth has also called for production expansion which has called for larger premises and equipment. As such, our focus has been to ensure that our expansion is sustainable,” he adds.

Intense Training Programme

The elevator industry is one that struggles with a continuous supply of qualified labour, in particular elevator technicians. Therefore, Behr says that undertaking in-house training is vital to maintaining high standards in all they do: “We undertook an intensive training programme with all members of Junior Management in order to equip our own staff with the skills needed to advance to supervisory positions and to accept accountability for department goals and targets.

As a result, older management positions have been fulfilled with a young dynamic and goal-orientated management team.” Furthermore,

ongoing health and safety training is in place to educate company staff on key regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and to ensure that work is performed safely in order to prevent injury to employees or damage to equipment. Additionally, Nu-Line provides opportunities to the previously disadvantaged so that they may benefit from staff training and the option to progress internally.

Also, Nu-Line is a supporter of Learn to Earn. This is a NGO that assists training unemployed people in various life skills. They have two training

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Africa. This is vital as most contracts depend on the supplier having presence and a service infrastructure in the area. If we are able to enter into a beneficial relationship with these companies, then we can offer to manufacture at very competitive rates, the local company can then attend all meetings with the project teams, install our products and take over the service agreements.

The relationship will thus benefit Safety On-Site both parties.”

“Export is key to increasing Contrary to popular belief that Originally in South Africa, both workflow” aggressive marketing in the modern the building regulations and SANS age will result in more business, regulations were not very thorough for Currently, Nu-Line have 107 projects the key to this growth so far has the design and requirements for the in progress across South Africa, been Nu-Line’s constant increase in manufacturing of elevator products.

Namibia, Zambia, Mozambique, sales and market share due to the Over time, and with a direct linked to Tanzania and an export project continual return of a good quality safety concerns, all of these laws have to Kenya. With an aim to increase product, resulting in repeat business been amended so that South African workflow and productivity in a from professional teams that they National Standards (SANS) are in line sustainable manner, the company have worked with on previous with the EN81 international standard. have begun implementing some projects; such as architects, building As per the updated SANS regulation, marketing initiatives. “To this end, contractors, consulting engineers all elevator products need to be we will definitely need to expand our and clients. “We guarantee that our manufactured and installed in line factory and even our premises in the with the requirements listed in the near future. Extra factory space would products are manufactured from the best quality material with emphasis regulations. Once the installation allow us to better accommodate on workmanship and safety. We will is complete, certification has to be the export market,” Behr continues: continue to enforce this along with issued by a government approved “Short term growth in this sector a continued appreciation of our staff lift inspector before the product is would entail building relationships efforts,” concludes Behr. put into public use. “This sets the with elevator companies across centres - one in Khayelitsha Cape Town and one in Hermanus – and Nu-Line have assisted them by providing the labour to install lifts in both facilities at no cost. “In addition, we also supply donations to assist with the day to day operations of the NGO. This is our contribution to try and assist people to develop skills which will in turn decrease the unemployment ratio in South Africa,” Behr proudly states.

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safety and quality standard for each completed installation. The safety factors are therefore inspected in-house by our team and then externally by the lift inspectors. As each installation site is unique, a separate safety file is also issued per project where the various hazards are identified and precautionary measures are included. Site appointments are made for safety officers and first aiders,” explains Behr.

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ATLANTIC CONTROLS Quality Solutions for Industry

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ATLANTIC CONTROLS is a privately owned, completely independent importer, stockist and distributor of quality industrial controls, electrical safety and switchgear and a variety of controls, many specific to the lift industry.

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Cody Products provides

a service to the goods hoist industry, as a leading supplier of the locally manufactured Easy-Fold door, Full Mid bar Picket gate and the Simple lift gate.

The Easy-Fold door is available in Stainless Steel, Galvanised or Epoxy coated finish. The Picket gate is available in Painted or Zinc plated finish The doors and gates are manufactured to customer specified sizes and applications.

Office:+27 (0)11 660 5859 Cell: +27 (0)82 451 4607 Email: john@codyproducts.co.za www.codyproducts.co.za

7 Aster street, Boltonia, Krugersdorp, Gauteng, South Africa.

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E n q u iries Tel (UK): +44 (0) 1603 559 151 Tel (SA): +27 (0) 21 527 0053 ben.weaver@outlookpublishing.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS Tel (UK): +44 (0) 1603 559 152 emily.jarvis@outlookpublishing.com

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Nu-Line Elevator Products Pty Ltd 33 Mansell Road Killarney Gardens 7441 Cape Town Tel: +27 21 556 2595/4 Fax: +27 21 556 2593 Email: info@nu-line.co.za

www.nu-line.co.za