With an already extensive installed base in Zambia, SEW-EURODRIVE is building its capacity to serve customers with in-country skills, resources and inventory.
SEW-EURODRIVE's product range includes IEC certified motors.
Francis Musaba, Business Development Representative in Zambia for SEW-EURODRIVE, says the country holds exciting prospects in several economic sectors – and the company is embracing these with its proactive approach. The establishment of its Zambian branch aligns well with the country’s recent prioritisation of localising business. Further, there is a growing focus on conserving energy in the power-constrained economy – and SEW-EURODRIVE’s innovative technology is well positioned to respond to this.
As an electrical and mechanical engineer with more than a decade of experience in Zambia, Musaba has the knowledge of products and markets that gives him deep insight into local business dynamics and demands. He points out that the company’s Zambian branch is enabling quicker turnaround times and continuously improving service levels for customers in the mining, milling, sugar and beverage sectors.
“There is also a strong move by the country’s chambers of commerce and industry to localise transactions,” he notes. “The company’s commitment to strengthening its branch in Zambia is aligned with a strong focus on ensuring that the technical capacity and skills base for supplying and servicing our equipment locally, matches the global standards demanded by SEW-EURODRIVE.”
Musaba already works closely with customers to analyse their needs for critical components and plan their inventory requirements. This includes provision for condition monitoring and preventive maintenance plans.
“An important consideration for all sectors in Zambia is the shortage of electricity – and this is another area where SEW-EURODRIVE has a strong competitive advantage,” he says. “SEW-EURODRIVE’s engineered solutions are well known for their energy efficiency, and this is becoming critical for Zambian companies.”
Poor rainfall over recent years has undermined the electricity generation levels from the country’s hydropower stations. Musaba highlights that government is driving regulations that penalise energy users who have a poor power factor in their operations. This usually derives from the process and the efficiency of the equipment in use, including the standard motors used by many companies. As a certified energy auditor, Musaba is also able to audit customers’ operations and advise on strategies to improve energy efficiency.
“As a start, it is important to migrate to high efficiency motors,” he says. “With this move, the payback on the capital cost begins immediately by reducing energy costs, and it contributes to reducing the risk of penalisation.”
He also points to other SEW-EURODRIVE products such as gearmotors, frequency inverters, industrial gear units, decentralised drive systems and servo technology IEC certified motors, electronic drives, frequency inverters and in particular, the innovative DriveRadar® solution. With their advanced engineering, all products are designed to achieve high efficiency levels. From the materials of construction to the smart technology, this engineering provides for less energy to be used to generate the same torque as many other products on the market.
For more information visit: www.sew-eurodrive.co.za
