As the COVID-19 pandemic hit South Africa and panic started to spread, many unscrupulous companies and individuals saw the opportunity to make a quick buck. As is the norm in these circumstances, numerous people were burned and a lot of money was lost. The best advice is ‘always use a reputable supplier’, yet when people are blinded by opportunity, this advice is often ignored.
HellermannTyton has seen it all before. Ryan Burger, Divisional Product Manager – Tools and Instruments, notes that the company had already been supplying thermal imaging cameras and digital thermometers to measure surface temperatures for the electrical industry, but in the first few months of 2020, even the traditional slow-moving items were selling out. “What many do not realise when making a purchasing decision for COVID-19 screening is that there is a distinct difference between surface temperature and body temperature,” he explains.
Surface temperature is susceptible to the environment, so if screenings are done in a cold area, the temperature will not be accurate. “We did much research and there is a link between the surface temperature, ambient temperature and body temperature. Originally there was an algorithm to do conversions until manufacturers started to implement these algorithms into their chips and thermometers.”
The problem, however, with using an industrial thermometer is that it will generally have a wide measuring range, from -40°C to 1000°C. As a result, accuracy is compromised in the region of 1-3°C, which is not really an issue in an industrial setting, but can make a world of difference with body temperature. Using an existing manufacturer, HellermannTyton has found reliable body temperature thermometers that are accurate up to 0.4°C. “We got in quite early, at the beginning of March before the initial lockdown, but the prices were exorbitant; R3000 per unit owing to supply and demand,” he says. A price war then started. Manufacturers in China elevated prices, daily spam emails from across the world offered thermometers, and more and more companies and individuals jumped on the bandwagon.
“Fly-by nights started to import products that were fake, with no wiring and no proper electronics inside, and a lot of people lost a lot of money and trust,” says Burger. His advice is to make sure you choose a reputable supplier that offers after sales support and a warranty. “Ask if the item comes with a medical certificate, ROHS compliance, and importantly, did the companies that imported them receive a CIPC certificate for importation and to deliver and sell the stock?”
Although the hype is slowing down there are still many orders coming in. As lockdown went to Level 4 and screening at businesses became a regulation, prices dropped to the R1200-1500 range. “I believe that pricing may come down again. Market saturation is the biggest fear at the moment, yet I do not think the bubble has burst – with around a million businesses still to go back at Level 3, the demand will still be there,” he says.
Importing product at this time, however, has proved to be a challenge. Firstly, China has tight regulations on exporting thermometers, secondly, shipping costs change on a daily basis so it is difficult to work out costs, and finally, to compound matters, South Africa doesn’t accept air freight direct from China, so the stock has to go via Hong Kong, Bahrain and Dubai, thus there are no guarantees on delivery time. “Customers get upset because we cannot guarantee a delivery date,” Burger says, “It can be anything from 10 days to three weeks.”
Burger is adamant that the decision to source quality thermometers was the right thing to do. “It is not exploitation, it is a need. The thermometers helped cover for lost sales over this period, and ensured we could pay salaries. We also know that the stock we have brought in is delivering accurate results and curbing the spread of COVID-19, unlike many of the other products that have been brought into the country.
Enquiries: www.hellermanntyton.co.za