In a bid to improve cement production and service delivery in the Western Cape, PPC has built a new pneumatic offloading facility at its George Depot. This allows the business to receive product by rail, improving its turnaround to customers without compromising quality This R9million project gives the PPC George Depot a logistical advantage as it has the benefits of South Africa’s road and rail transport network while safeguarding the environment and human health through the reduction of its environmental impact from its material handling equipment.
“The decision to commission the pneumatic offloading facility included the construction of a new 250ton silo with its ancillary equipment located next to the old silo. The pneumatic offloading system’s compressor and electrical equipment is located in a container that is positioned inside the warehouse. The piping for the pneumatic offloading system is installed parallel to the rail line and the warehouse,” explains Johan Vorster, Head of Coastal Business Unit at PPC.
Strategically located to bolster cement production and delivery in the region as it holds 45 tons of cement per hour, the pneumatic offloading facility is a feature that embodies PPC’s brand promise, ‘Strength Beyond’. Having identified the need for these projects in 2018, the business has minimised the risks that come with offloading by hand, thereby improving its offloading time by 40 minutes. The immediate benefit is seen in the road tankers idling time as the pneumatic offloading facility increases PPC George Depot’s turnaround times.
Describing the value to the industry Vorster pronounced, “PPC George Depot affords us the opportunity to create sustainable value for all stakeholders, here in the Western Cape, improving our service to our customers! As a depot, we have a clear vision of how we continue to empower the community to experience a better quality of life. Our production of 100% local cement that has the PPC guarantee of 100% quality drives our ambition.”
Through the continued provision of world class materials and solutions, PPC George Depot has etched a clear place for itself in history - showcasing PPC’s commitment to customer service and delivery over the past 127 years.
