African Fusion meets Lizane Espach – a director at ABLE Synergy, a leading provider of piping, structural engineering, maintenance services, and ISO 3834-2 certified fabrication solutions – to discuss the company’s recent successes and its vision to expand into a comprehensive turnkey EPCM solutions provider.
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Able Synergy’s ISO 3834-certified offering involves the fabrication of precision piping and structural steel components, which are manufactured in one of the workshops and often transported for installation by onsite teams.
Founded on May 16, 2023, ABLE Synergy was created to build upon the foundation laid by Lizane Espach’s father, Johan Espach, through his engineering and design company, SIS. Based in Sasolburg, SIS delivers expertise in mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and piping (MEIP), as well as structural, civil, building and project work.
“We founded ABLE Synergy to bring my father’s vision to life. Before his passing in 2021, he had started developing a manufacturing and fabrication workshop alongside his engineering design business. Although he could not complete the project, we carried his vision forward by acquiring a new facility and securing the necessary registrations and accreditations,” Lizane Espach explains.
“With ABLE Synergy and SIS working in tandem, we can now seamlessly transition an engineering design, such as replacement piping, across to one of our fabrication shops for production to exact specifications. This integration allows us to offer both design and fabrication services under one umbrella,” she adds.
ABLE Synergy’s independent status allows for clear separation of liabilities, while also enabling the company to take on standalone design or fabrication projects. Elaborating on the company’s typical operations she highlights the maintenance support services provided to Henkel, Air Products and Omnia’s local plants. “For instance, when complex piping needs replacement, we use laser scanning technology to capture the precise routing and connections for the new system. At SIS, we draft the piping design and then hand it over to ABLE Synergy for fabrication. This collaboration enables our installation teams to complete the work swiftly and efficiently,” she explains.
Comprehensive maintenance services
- ABLE Synergy offers a broad range of maintenance services, including:
- Preventative maintenance, scheduled inspections and upkeep to prevent costly breakdowns and extend asset life.
- Efficient shutdown management to minimise operational downtime.
- Maintenance for critical systems such as HVAC, plumbing, and electrical.
- Utilisation of advanced diagnostic tools to identify issues early, avoiding expensive failures.
- Rapid repairs and system upgrades to optimise performance and compliance.
Welding and fabrication at ABLE Synergy
A key part of ABLE Synergy’s ISO 3834-2 certified offerings is its piping and structural fabrication services. The company operates two fabrication workshops, equipped with a 10-ton and a 3.5-ton crane, enabling direct loading and offloading from the shop floor to trucks. “Our fabrication focuses on precision piping and structural steel components, which are often transported for installation by our onsite teams, who also handle welded assembly and quality assurance,” she explains.
ABLE Synergy has also become a trusted coded-welder certification provider for Swift International Recruiters, a pan-African agency specialising in recruiting labour. Espach highlights the company’s investment in developing in-house skills to meet client requirements. “Currently, we employ six welders, but our partnership with Swift allows us to recruit hundreds of welders for large projects or maintenance shutdowns,” she says.
The company received its ISO 3834-2 certification in late 2024, demonstrating its capability to weld pressure piping, equipment, tanks, lifting equipment, structural steel, and sheet metal. “While we haven’t yet ventured into manufacturing pressure vessels, we possess the engineering and fabrication capabilities to do so when needed,” notes Lizane Espach.
In terms of welding processes, ABLE Synergy uses manual welders skilled in MMAW/stick, GTAW/TIG, or GMAW/MIG, depending on the project’s quality standards. The company maintains strong relationships with local suppliers, such as EWS, to ensure access to the necessary equipment, consumables, and PPE.
Lizane Espach, in addition to her role as a director and engineering designer, also manages the company’s ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 45001 (health and safety), and ISO 14001 (environmental management) certifications.
Turnkey Projects and the Future of ABLE Synergy
“We take immense pride in seeing projects through from start to finish. Having worked in design and engineering for 15 years, it is a rewarding experience to watch our own designs come to life in our fabrication shop,” she says.
SIS and ABLE Synergy recently secured a major local construction project, which involves structural fabrication, onsite construction, and the electrical infrastructure for the plant’s control room and offices.
Reflecting on ABLE Synergy’s ISO 3834 certification, she underscores its importance to the company’s client base: “ISO 3834 certification is essential for the types of projects we pursue, and we see it as a critical accreditation for our growth. My goal is for ABLE Synergy to evolve into a full turnkey EPCM solutions provider, expanding from our base in Sasolburg and establishing a national and international presence.”
ABLE Synergy’s recent project in Botswana, involving various welding related activities for Hannom – an expert in turbo and high-speed rotating equipment – exemplifies the company’s ambition.
“This is the type of project we aim to replicate, where clients rely on us for comprehensive EPCM services, with SIS handling design and ABLE Synergy turning those designs into reality. Our proven expertise in maintenance ensures that we can also extend the operational life of the plants we serve,” concludes Lizane Espach.
