Afrox focuses on repair and maintenance during trying drought and economic conditions facing SA agriculture sector
In trying times Afrox acknowledges that farmers are more cost conscious, and to this end the theme of Afrox’s display at the 2016 NAMPO Harvest Day exhibition is ‘Total Solutions Partner’. Afrox will demonstrate complete solutions focusing on in-house fabrication, repair and maintenance, as well as hardfacing for all farming welding applications, aimed at assisting famers reduce their costs in light of the current economic conditions and the severe drought crisis gripping South Africa.
Afrox’s do-it-yourself approach to this year’s exhibition is not only an acknowledgement of the support Afrox has received from the agricultural industry over the last 89 years, but also a gesture of assistance, with an emphasis on fabrication and products that can be used for repairing their own implements rather than the more costly replacement option.
“We want to show famers how to repair equipment themselves so that there is no need to outsource or unnecessarily replace existing machinery,” says Johann Pieterse, Afrox Manufacturing Industries Business Manager. “Experts from our manufacturing division will be at the stand to physically demonstrate some of these applications,” he adds.
A live manufacturing display will be an exciting and interactive highlight at the Afrox stand this year where, among other things, there will be a step-by-step demonstration on how to build your own trailer. “It’s all about hands-on practical advice this year,” comments Pieterse. “For example, with our trailer build demonstration, we will be giving a detailed explanation and practical display of how to build your own trailer as well as providing particulars on the basic products required for this project,” says Pieterse.
In a further endorsement towards its commitment to the South African agricultural sector, Afrox will be running numerous product promotions on a large range of welding and gas products commonly used in the farming environment. “We want to show our support to the agricultural sector by providing special prices during the Nampo exhibition and by equipping farmers with necessary skills,” says Dewald Bodenstein, Afrox Product Manager, Arc Equipment.
Afrox is sub-Saharan Africa’s leading supplier of gases, welding consumables and equipment, and offers a broad range of solutions suitable for agricultural applications, many of which will be available to purchase at the exhibition. Among them is Vitemax, Afrox’s leading premium electrode for mild steel applications; the Handigas brand with a range of LPG products that can be used in the agricultural sector; and the Miller range of welding machines including the XPS 450 and the MigMatic 380, both recommended for maintenance repair and fabrication.
Another sought-after DIY product is the light and robust PortaPak® welding and cutting set that allows work to be performed at remote locations, elevated areas, etc. Also on display will be the Agrigas and Porta range of gas cylinders, an exclusive offer from Afrox. Agrigas provides farmers with the flexibility of keeping gas cylinders without having to pay a separate monthly rental fee for cylinders. The rental fee is incorporated in the gas price and is only charged when a cylinder is refilled. A non-refundable maintenance fee is charged for any additional cylinder requirements. The Porta range of gas cylinders offers farmers the option of acquiring a cylinder without paying any rental fees. This range consists of the PortaPak® oxygen and acetylene cylinders as well as the Portashield® (shielding gas suitable for MIG welding) and PortaTIG® (shielding gas suitable for TIG welding) cylinders.
A professional technical team will also be in attendance and available for advice, and to answer questions about the Afrox range of products suited for the agricultural sector. Afrox technicians will be on hand to support farmers as well as their artisans by providing guidance and assistance with practical welding,” says Pieterse.
This year’s NAMPO Harvest Day Exhibition will run from 17-20 May in Bothaville, Free State. The event is one of the largest agricultural exhibits in the Southern Hemisphere where producers and other role players in the agricultural industry can experience first-hand the latest technology and products on offer in the agricultural sector.
The Afrox range of gases, welding and cutting equipment, together with associated consumables, is available through co-ops, certain local distributors and Afrox retail outlets in the region. Agrigas is exclusively available via approved co-ops.
Issued by: Serendipity Events, Promotions & Exhibitions
On behalf of: Afrox
Editorial contact: Loll Thomson (011) 467 2133
Mail to: loll@sepe.co.za
Client contact: Johan Pieterse
Mail to: Johan.Pieterse@afrox.linde.com