Metso inaugurates new screen manufacturing facility

Metso celebrated the inauguration of its new screen manufacturing facility in Germiston, Johannesburg, Gauteng on January 16th with customers and other key stakeholders. The new facility developed on an assembly test and paint basis will significantly increase Metso’s supply and delivery capabilities of screening solutions.

The minerals and aggregates process solution company has formed a partnership with specialist fabrication company Efficient Engineering, for its screening manufacture and fabrication, assembly, testing and painting to provide localised solutions for mining screening such as vibrators, addressing the need for tailored products to meet regional requirements.

The facility is a first of its kind for the company globally and comprises a site area of 4 250m² and a workshop area of 2 550m², housing a workshop and a training centre to upskill Metso staff and local customers.

A large screen manufactured locally

“Global technologies adapted for local manufacturing will provide competitive screening solutions for our African customers ensuring the best-in-class return on investment. Our aim is to introduce the customer to the facility that has a complete screening solution right on the customers’ doorstep,” said Ian Barnard, President, Metso Africa market area.

“This local development is in line with Metso Screening’s regional strategy of being closer to the customer to develop a market focused approach for Africa. To do this we have added skilled personnel in engineering, sourcing, key account management, and technical support. We are committed to continuously developing our operations close to customers to further improve our service capability,” said Adrian Wood, Vice President, Screening Central.

Wood said: “The company had split its responsibilities with Efficient Engineering, whereby Metso would provide vibrators and drives, screening media through locally based third-parties and test sign-off. Efficient Engineering would be responsible for fabrication, assembly, testing and painting.

“If a customer has a challenge, we are able to offer a solution, and now we’ve got the solution right at their doorstep,” added Metso technical sales support manager Jan Venter.

Metso offers a wide range of screening solutions and services designed to meet regional specifications and needs. Metso’s screen offering consists of among other things the high-performance energy and water efficient UFS Series (Ultra Fine Screen), EF Series (Ellipti-Flo) and BSE Series (Banana Screen Elliptical) screens that are part of the Metso Plus offering, and horizontal screens, inclined screens, mobile screens, portable screens, and ultrafine screens. With Trellex screening media solutions that range from rubber and polyurethane to classic wire, Metso offers versatile screening media systems for a wide range of screening applications.