Invincible Valves: Built on a solid foundation and always evolving

Invincible Valves may have started as a reconditioning business in 1982, but this has changed significantly since then. Today the company has grown into a leading supplier of local and imported valves and accessories for the mining sector.

The company already has an established footprint on the African continent and as MD PAM DU PLESSIS points out, there is more to come. GERARD PETER reports.

Operating out of its facility in Knights, Germiston, Invincible Valves offers an in-house rubber lining service for valves, pipes, fittings and vessels which is utilised by many of the South Africa's major valve manufacturers. In addition, its offers complete service, repair and valve reconditioning services for all types of valves.

The story of Invincible Valves is one of an ongoing evolution in its quest to be a one-stop shop for valves and ancillary equipment to mining sectors in all parts of the globe.

"Over the years, we’ve diversified to meet our clients’ demands. We have evolved from a reconditioning company into one that offers this service as well as valve sales and rubber lining. As we do a lot of project-based work, we often supply more than just valves to our clients. For example, we are also able to provide pumps and other related products," explains Du Plessis.

This business model has reaped substantial dividends over the years as the company continues to grow. A case in point: 15 years ago, Invincible Valves had a stock holding of R1 million and a turnover of R20 million. Fast track to 2022, the company's turnover has increased ten-fold and it currently has a stockholding of R48 million.

Recently, the company acquired a new facility in Knights. "Once commissioned, we will undertake reconditioning and rubber lining here while our current facility will be used for stock holding. In total, both facilities make up around 8 600 m2 under roof," Du Plessis adds.

Cutting costs, saving the environment

In mining, just like any other business, cost savings is of paramount importance. It is with this in mind that Invincible Valves offers a comprehensive valve reconditioning service. Du Plessis states that there are substantial benefits by using reconditioned valves in the mining sector. One such benefit is the fact that Invincible Valves is able to recondition a valve at half the cost of a new one.

Another benefit, and something that is becoming ever increasingly important, is that there is less impact on the environment. "You often drive past a mine site and you see crates of discarded valves. Many of these can be reworked and reused. Not only does this result in a cost saving but it also ensures that there is less wastage," Du Plessis states.

At the same time however, she advises that not all valves can be reconditioned. For the most part, it is not advisable to recondition valves that are smaller in size such as ball and butterfly valves as they are inexpensive to replace. "Generally, it is best to recondition valves that are specialised or actuated. We also recondition diaphragm and gate valves of all sizes as it is more cost effective to do so."

Du Plessis is a self-confessed techno junkie and ever since she took over the helm at Invincible Valves 8 years ago, she has made a concerted effort to introduce new technology into the company's operations. To that end the company has upgraded its IT infrastructure as well as introduced custom-made software which enables it to provide faster quotations to its customers.

A customer centric approach

While Invincible Valves offers a range of high-end valves and ancillary products, it is also its customer service that has earned it a stellar reputation in the mining industry. In fact, while it has a number of new clients, the majority of its business comes from an existing client base. This is largely in part due to the fact that Invincible Valves offers training, aftersales service and maintenance to it customers.

"We are currently underway with an installation at a mine site in Ghana and the client requires that someone is onsite during this time and as such we have sent someone to oversee the installation. This is one of the things that we do to ensure that our clients are happy," Du Plessis states.

In addition to its own sales and technical teams, Invincible Valves is also represented by agents throughout Africa. Du Plessis explains that becoming an agent is a rigorous process. In addition to doing the necessary due diligence to ensure that a company is legitimate and has the resources to take on the job, prospective agents are required to take an online training course.

This course is designed by the South African Valve and Actuator Manufacturers Association and trainees have to get a 78% pass mark in order to become an agent. Interestingly, all agents have to be nationals of the country where they operate and in this way, Invincible Valves also promotes local employment opportunities.

As stated earlier, Invincible Valves has a strong African footprint. Currently, its client list includes mines in South Africa, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo. That said, Du Plessis is keen to expand operations on the continent.

"We are looking at entering into North Africa, more specifically Libya, Algeria and Morocco as well as Kenya in East Africa. We see plenty of potential to establish agencies in these countries and grow our business even further," she concludes.