pricing and contribute further towards
possible returns on investment and give
reducing the cost per unit produced by
buyers the edge in a hotly contested
them,” says Booysen.
industry,” says Booysen.
According to Anthony Gracie of Cape Brick, the initial price of the PMSA Rock
Market-driven
Solid moulds is approximately one-third
As a wholly-owned, local company PMSA
mor e ex pensi v e than compe ti tor s’
also had the advantage of involving cus-
moulds, but have up to double the life-
tomers throughout the process of devel-
span with better tolerances and more
oping its range of moulds. This input and
accuracy, This ensures the products
refinement has led to the evolution of
are symmetrical and the right weight,
its moulds to the point where concrete
which amounts to big savings in mate-
manufacturers with PMSA moulds are
rial as well better equipment availability
getting more drops out of them due to
and vastly improved operational costs.
better surface hardening techniques
Booysen concludes that this type of
and materials being employed by PMSA.
attention to detail can give manufactur-
He adds that in the case of PMSA
ers a considerable advantage over com-
and its branded Rock Solid range, qual-
petitors through improved operations
ity is standard, with customers being
and lower life-cycle costs. “With good-
able to select the right kind of mould
quality aggregates, capable machines,
for their requirement in either solid,
correct settings and the right moulds,
welded or bolted moulds. “We looked at
manufacturers can set themselves up
different solutions based on common
to succeed. With the right maintenance
requirements of our customers and
and support from PMSA, their opera-
developed products to match these,”
tional success is another step closer.”
says Booysen. The company also invested heavily in technology to manufacture moulds that can compete with the very best in the world. But, says Booysen, local concrete manufacturers also enjoy the benefits of dealing with a home-grown company with fast turnaround times and easy access to spares. The additional access to technical support is a windfall and many a manufacturer has benefited from expert advice of PMSA support staff when servicing or selecting moulds that
(Above): Walter and Robert Ebeling of PMSA.
best suit their operations.
(Below and left): A premium-quality Rock Solid mould on display at the Totally Concrete 2017 exhibition.
Well supported “As a result, the savings on concrete
Customers also have access to PMSA’s
and labour over the period of this month
bespoke moulds that can be designed
are close to or even exceed the cost of
inhouse to strict requirements, with the
a quality new insert on a bolted mould.
additional benefit of being able to provide
But monetary value aside, of more con-
advanced surface finishes to create
cern to manufacturers should be that
unique and eye-catching products. This
units entering the marketplace from
type of ability allows manufacturers
worn moulds will be irregularly sized and
to move from a low-value product to
more difficult to place. This makes the
a higher-value product while still using
work of installers more difficult. As a
the same materials, processes and
result, the pavers will become unpopular
equipment.
among the workforce and probably not be purchased again.
“Among the examples of our moulds in operation is Cape Brick, where our Rock
“Fur thermor e, our f indings have
Solid moulds have increased the mould
shown that quality moulds actually play
replacement intervals to almost double
a critical role in sustaining high levels
before needing a mould insert replace-
of production. As a result, we focus
ment. Even when they are worn, parts
our attention on manufacturing rugged
of the mould can be re-used to reduce
PRECAST | ISSUE TWO | 2017
COVER STORY
and reliable moulds that deliver the best
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