An irresistible sense of excitement and conviction will be on full display when B.E.D. joins long-term partner Fronius SA at its outdoor demonstration stand at Electra Mining Africa (EMA) 2026, which takes place from 7 to 11 September 2026 in Johannesburg.
For visitors, the message is simple: come and experience our welding products and expertise for yourself!
Next-level technology, first-hand
“Every product and process at Fronius is driven by a clear focus on next-level quality, efficiency and reliability for long-term customer value,” says Edric van der Walt, Welding Specialist at Fronius SA.
“Every process is carried out by a skilled person who takes ownership and pride in their work, highlighting Fronius’s deep investment in research, development and continuous innovation. This is certainly not a rebranded import product,” van der Walt emphasises.
Fronius welding machines undergo rigorous testing including IP rating, drop and vibration tests before going to market, making them well suited to demanding conditions.
Van der Walt draws a distinction that resonates locally: “A lot of people say Fronius is the ‘Rolls Royce’ of welding: yes, in terms of exclusivity and top-of-range quality, that is true. But in terms of toughness, it is more like a Land Cruiser. It is built to last!”
Jaco Booyens, Fronius Welding Specialist at Bolt and Engineering Distributors Group (B.E.D.) will be joining Van der Walt on the EMA stand. Booyens underwent intensive training at Fronius in Austria recently, and is a zealous Fronius product ambassador: “I am not here to sell you a welding machine,” he tells every customer. “I am here to sell you the welding arc, and that is what I believe sets Fronius apart!”
What to expect at EMA 2026
The Fronius outdoor stand at EMA 2026 has been designed around live welding demonstrations, with a structured daily demonstration schedule to keep the stand active and engaging throughout the show. Its next-generation, energy-efficient flagship products on display are perfectly aligned with EMA 2026’s sustainability and energy innovation theme.
These include Fronius Fortis, the company’s new industrial workhorse and successor to the TransSteel; the Fronius Ignis Battery, an improved cordless welding solution which enables welding anywhere, anytime; and the Fronius iWave and TPS/i flagship systems, demonstrating advanced features including the Velo system, which allows welders to weld long seams with ease – described by van der Walt as “cruise control for welding” – as well as the Dynamic Wire system for TIG welding.
In line with Fronius’s robotic welding offerings, one of the most anticipated features of the stand will be a live demonstration of collaborative robot – or ‘cobot’ – welding. Unlike conventional industrial robots, a cobot can be taught by physically guiding it into position, without the need for programming language or a pendant controller. It also works safely alongside human operators, stopping immediately on contact.
“I can see the South African market moving towards this kind of soft automation in the coming years,” says van der Walt. “The quality requirements are there, the cobot is continuously reliable, and for small-to-medium manufacturers doing production runs of 50 to 100 parts before changing over, this is an ideal solution.”
The invitation
“If you are looking to improve welding quality, productivity, reliability and long-term operational efficiency, there has never been a better time to experience the future of welding technology,” says van der Walt. “EMA 2026 provides a unique opportunity to engage directly with welding and automation specialists, see live demonstrations, explore automated and robotic welding applications and understand how these solutions can be tailored to your specific operational requirements.”
Booyens adds his encouragement: “Come and experience the weld – and the technical welding knowledge we have to share! All questions will be answered, and if there are any welding demonstrations which customers require after Electra Mining, B.E.D. – with our nationwide network of branches and extensive welding expertise – is more than willing to do a demonstration at customers’ premises. It will be a life-changing for their welding efficiency and productivity!” he concludes.
