Cement & Concrete
100 years of Slurry PPC Ltd., South Africa’s largest producer of cement, celebrates 100 years since the founding of its iconic Slurry cement factory near Mafikeng in the North West Province.
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rom its early beginnings, in 1913, the Slurry factory quickly turned the South African cement industry into a competitive and flourishing market, growing annual cement production from 60 000 tons to 128 000 tons annually. Situated on the borders of old Transvaal, in 1916, the factory produced its first lot of cement and from then on, has been operating at full capacity, breaking production records in quick succession. It is unclear who dubbed the factory ‘Slurry,’ which is the name of the mixed raw materials of the cement industry when the wet manufacturing process is used. But at the time, the name was apt, as the factory utilised a wet process. It was only in the 1950s that PPC changed the cement manufacturing process from a wet to a dry process for which Slurry was altered accordingly – but the name still stuck. General Manager at PPC Slurry, Frikkie Van Zyl said, “Leaders have come and gone, markets have risen and fallen, our products and processes have evolved over time, innovation and cost-saving opportunities have been exploited. Throughout all this, the one constant thing has been the reliability of our incredible team. Day after day (and many a night), the people of Slurry have worked tirelessly to keep the business running. They have cultivated a ‘can-do’ culture that is sustained by teamwork, a sense of ownership and accountability, and taking pride
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in what they do. We do it together, properly, or we don’t do it at all.” “We move with confidence and excitement into the second century and we are mindful of our responsibility and privilege, to build a new link in the Slurry chain – a link that unites our past with future generations of the Slurry family,” he said. PPC Chief Executive Officer, Ketso Gordhan said the company wants to optimise its current operations, and in particular the Slurry, Dwaalboom and De Hoek plants. “Slurry’s expansion process is currently under way and its manufacturing resources and capable team will play a leading role in ensuring we achieve our objectives,” said Gordhan. “By continuously investing in our people and plants, the company has built a strong foundation on which much of our country and region rests. PPC has a truly remarkable history and a proud heritage. For over 120 years this company has used the vision, courage and sheer determination of its leaders and their teams to navigate a course through the nation’s rich, invigorating and, at times, challenging history. Long may our journey continue,” said Gordhan. Follow PPC on Twitter @PPCisCement, like us on www.facebook.com/PPC.Cement and visit us at www.ppc.co.za.