In Southern Africa, where effective water management is key to mining, agriculture and infrastructure, Atlas Copco’s Power Technique business area has steadily evolved from being a leader in portable air and power solutions to becoming a significant player in portable pump solutions. Since the strategic decision to enter the pump market in 2016, which marked a pivotal point, Power Technique went on to expand its offerings to address the region’s growing need for reliable, high-performance dewatering systems.
Following the launch of its inaugural pump, the PAS range, a centrifugal pump engineered for optimal water management efficiency with capacities of up to 1,200 m³/h, Power Technique has continued to broaden its portable pump portfolio, ranging from compact models with capacities of 200 m³/h to high-capacity options exceeding 2,800 m³/h. These pumps are specifically designed to tackle a variety of dewatering and water management challenges within mining and construction operations as well as infrastructure projects.
“Engineered for optimal performance, reliability, and efficiency, our robust pumps enhance uptime, simplify installation and maintenance, reduce fuel consumption and offer extended lifecycle, all while delivering significant environmental benefits,” says Theuns Viljoen, Business Development Manager at Atlas Copco Power Technique. “These features have been instrumental in solidifying our strong presence in the pump space and significantly increasing our market share both locally and cross border.”
Another factor highlighted by Viljoen that has strengthened their pump portfolio is Atlas Copco’s strategic acquisition of the Australia-based Sykes Group in Q4 2023. “The integration of Sykes’ industry-leading dewatering solutions into Atlas Copco’s offerings has expanded our capabilities, particularly in the mining sector, gaining us access to new markets and bolstering our ability to provide tailored solutions for dewatering applications globally.”
By leveraging the expertise gained through the acquisition and focusing on customer-centric solutions, Atlas Copco aims to enhance its presence in key markets such as Southern Africa and beyond. Viljoen observes that the Southern African pump market has seen steady growth, especially in regions such as West Africa and sectors like the local coal industry. Mining remains a significant driver of demand for portable pumps, especially submersible pumps, which are favoured in both mining and construction for their efficiency. Additionally, the growing significance of urbanisation, industrialisation and water scarcity has spurred the need for reliable dewatering solutions across the region.
Looking ahead, Atlas Copco’s strategic growth plan over the next two to three years focuses on further expansion of their portable pump portfolio. The introduction of new high-head pumps, specifically designed for challenging dewatering applications in mining, is a key part of this initiative. The organisation’s ongoing investment in R&D focuses on aligning with sustainability trends by developing energy-efficient pumps that can support renewable energy and wastewater management projects,” asserts Viljoen.
Atlas Copco Power Technique is also heavily focused on after-market support and training. Comprehensive maintenance, repairs and upgrades will assist customers in optimising the performance, efficiency and longevity of their pumps, ensuring efficient performance, reduced operational costs and maximising uptime.
“Providing our customers with expert after-market service and training is central to our long-term success,” stresses Viljoen. “This high level of support fosters lasting partnerships with our customers, empowering them to enhance productivity and product lifecycle, as well as to achieve cost efficiency for ultimate business sustainability. We remain dedicated to effectively address the region’s unique water management challenges by expanding our presence in the Southern African pump market and delivering premium products, services and after-market solutions,” concludes Viljoen.
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