Kennametal South Africa expands its footprint

Kennametal South Africa expands its footprint

One of South Africa's leading suppliers of tooling, engineered components and advanced materials consumed in production processes, Kennametal South Africa, has recently completed a move to Boksburg East Industrial Sites, Gauteng that sees the company increase its area under roof by 300%.

The custom built 5 000m² greenfield production and administration facility is in alignment with the company's strategy to grow in emerging markets and enlarge Kennametal's footprint in Sub Saharan Africa.

"The new facility combines numerous functions including state-of-the-art conical and surface mining manufacturing, sales, finance and administration under one roof in one location," said Kennametal South Africa's Managing Director Mike Hankin, a company that is a subsidiary of NYSE listed Kennametal Inc., based in Latrobe, Pennsylvania in the United States.

RoadRazor ECO™ Pro picks, are also part of the Kennametal range of tooling and are used in road milling applications

"Kennametal has invested a large sum in the building and infrastructure as well as in new modern equipment for production. This has enabled us to dramatically improve our production processes, quality and integrated material flow, which has ultimately led to improved lead times for the supply of product to our customers," continued Hankin.

"The new equipment we have purchased includes a Ficep Gemini H 36 plate processing system, a 1250 ton press brake and a 25mm NC 4-roll plate roller. A strategic decision was made to increase our local presence in what is a relatively new area of business for Kennametal. Five years ago Kennametal Inc. acquired the assets of Tricon Metals & Services."

"Kennametal Tricon is a leading provider of custom wear solutions specialising in consumable proprietary steels for the surface and underground mining markets, including hard rock and coal. Solutions include cladded products, wear pins, shafting and custom fabricated replacement components."

Wear Solutions

"In surface mining, wear is everywhere. So is Kennametal. From the liners of shovel buckets and truck beds, to grader blade end protectors, to crusher grizzlies and screens, to VSI center feed discs, you name it. We’re there with a wear solution that will save you time, money, and lost production due to equipment wear damage."

"Up until now we have been either importing the plate and then outsourcing the processing or having the plate processed in the US. Both options have been very time consuming and not very attractive to the local market. Now that we have the equipment that can process the plate locally our delivery times will be shortened considerably."

Kennametal South Africa's Managing Director Mike Hankin

One of the plates used in the process is known as Super-CTM, which is a chromium carbide overlay, wear resistant plate with a mild steel base that can be easily welded, bolted, or studded to existing structures. It can also be applied to nickel-based, stainless, and other steel substrates. Tri-BrazeTM and Tri-Braze Dura-PlusTM are also products used in the impact and abrasion resistant applications.

"We are now able to stock and then process on order. We have also purchased Autodesk CAD/CAM software to assist in design solutions."

"This is an extra service that we are now offering the local market but more importantly we have added 14 more staff to our compliment because of this development."

KenCast™ Wear Solutions

"KenCast is our patented, unique tungsten carbide wear product that prevents premature wear damage to your equipment, so your equipment investment lasts longer."

"We take tungsten carbide particles and metallurgically bond them to air-hardened steel. The result is a composite that's extremely resistant to abrasion and impact."

Kennametal South Africa also beneficiates drill steel rods used for underground roof drilling operations

"Prior to first use, the outer surface of the KenCast part looks smooth because the carbide particles are encased. During use, the outer layer of steel gradually wears to expose the tungsten carbide particles. It's these particles that take the punishment of your abrasive applications so your equipment doesn't."

"It's common for customers to see significantly longer tool life on parts protected by KenCast, which is available in standard sizes or custom-fit to your equipment. KenCast is easy to weld and highly durable in challenging conditions."

"KenCast can be used on bucket lips, drill stabilisers, grouser bars, shovel protection and dozer blade wear areas for example."

"This new development provides us with an opportunity to leverage our presence in the emerging markets in Sub Saharan Africa. Kennametal Tricon's leadership position in surface mining, coupled with Kennametal's strength in underground mining, provides a strong basis for capitalising on world-class technologies and capabilities to deliver continued value, service and solutions to our customers."

History

Kennametal Inc. has had a presence in South Africa since 1983 when it set up an office to market mining picks (conicals) locally. The parent company was founded in 1938 by Philip McKenna, who invented a range of tungsten-titanium carbide alloys. Philip started the McKenna Metals Company in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Later renamed Kennametal, the corporation has become a world leader in the metalworking industry and remains headquartered in Latrobe. This year the company celebrates its 75th anniversary.

The following year, 1984, the company started marketing its range of metalworking tools, which includes milling, turning, threading and hole-making tools and tooling systems.

Kennametal South Africa moved into the manufacturing field in 2002 to promote local content and began production of its range of underground mining tools for the local industry

In 1987 the three directors of the South African operation affected a MBO, which was fully supported by Kennametal Inc. The company continued to sell the Kennametal products but changed the name to Kennasystems and moved to a bigger facility in Jet Park, Gauteng until the recent move to its current site in April 2013.

Kennasystems traded until 1996 when it was purchased back and became a fully owned subsidiary of Kennametal Inc.

Pick Manufacturing

Kennametal South Africa moved into the manufacturing field in 2002 to promote local content and began production of its range of underground mining tools for the local industry.

Forgings are sourced locally and the tungsten carbide is sourced from the US. All other manufacturing is done in-house.

The new 25mm NC 4-roll plate roller that has been purchased to process custom wear solutions of consumable proprietary steels for the surface and underground mining markets. The machine has been supplied by Standard/Coastal Machine Tools

This whole line was seamlessly transferred to the new site and technological and productivity improvements were made to enhance production.

Kennametal's ProPoint™ tools are slim, narrow-bottom carbide-tipped, and designed to cut coal with better penetration, lower cutting forces, and additional productivity enhancers. Sizes range from 19mm to 35mm shank diameters.

A Ficep Gemini H 36 plate processing system has also been purchased, supplied by Retecon Machine Tools

The RoadRazor ECO™ Pro picks, are also part of the Kennametal range of tooling and are used in road milling applications.

Kennametal Inc. – Global Growth

Kennametal developed an international presence from the start. Founder Philip McKenna sold early patent rights to British industrialists who later also began Kennametal of Canada. Exports through the company's first five years totalled more than $2.5 million, and by 1955 Kennametal had representation in 19 countries. The company's overseas manufacturing started in 1957 with a joint venture in Italy. A joint venture in the United Kingdom and a German sales subsidiary soon followed. Between 1972 and 1981, foreign sales grew from 17 to 34 percent of the total.

Kennametal South Africa has been marketing its range of metalworking tools in South Africa since 1984. The range includes milling, turning, threading and hole-making tools and tooling systems

Kennametal South Africa has been marketing its range of metalworking tools in South Africa since 1984. The range includes milling, turning, threading and hole-making tools and tooling systems

Kennametal South Africa has been marketing its range of metalworking tools in South Africa since 1984. The range includes milling, turning, threading and hole-making tools and tooling systems

In 1993, Kennametal acquired Hertel AG, a tooling systems manufacturer headquartered in Fürth, Germany, with operations throughout Europe and worldwide. This enabled the corporation to compete more effectively in Western Europe, gain better access to emerging markets in Eastern Europe, and offer additional product lines in Asia Pacific. The Asia Pacific effort was further expanded to include manufacturing joint ventures for mining tools in China and a metalworking tool manufacturing plant in Shanghai.

In 2002, Kennametal acquired WIDIA, a leading manufacturer and marketer of metalworking tools in Europe and India. Other acquisitions include Kennametal Conforma Clad, a leading provider of engineered components that deliver premium wear solutions, and Kennametal Extrude Hone, supplying market leading engineered component process technology.

Today customers buy over $3 billion annually of Kennametal Inc. products and services, delivered by approximately nearly 13 000 employees in over 60 countries with almost 50 percent of these revenues coming from outside the United States.

For further details contact Kennametal South Africa on TEL: +27 (11) 748 9300 or visit www.kennametal.com