POWERTECH TRANSFORMERS SMALL POWER TRANSFORMER FACILITY OFFICIALLY OPENED
04 February 2014

Powertech Transformers, a company in the Altron Power division of the JSE listed Altron Group is pleased to announce that its small power transformer facility was officially opened on 3 February 2014 by Charles Kalima, Senior Manager: Commercial, Commodity Sourcing, ESKOM and Robert Venter, CEO of Altron.  This facility was specially designed and built to improve the flow of a transformer through the manufacturing process resulting in shorter production lead times.

The transformer sizes that will be manufactured in the facility range from 20 to 60MVA 132kV.

The project which commenced eighteen months ago was carried out in two phases, the first one being the purchasing of new vertical winding machines and upgrading of the existing ones as well as the excavation of the existing factory space and the second phase the installation of additional equipment as well as reorganising the existing fabrication area to enable the tank fabrication to match the assembly area.

The facility which was locally designed and locally manufactured will double the Small Power Transformer (SPT) capacity The new SPT capacity is 4,400 MVA (previous 2,200 MVA) which equates to 120 transformers per annum (40x20MVA + 60x40MVA + 20x60MVA).

PTT's total revised factory capacity inclusive of medium power transformers (MPT) and large power transformers (LPTs') is 13,680 MVA per annum.

Bernard Meyer, CEO said "With Powertech Transformers 70th birthday celebration around the corner, we are thrilled with what the future holds in this market sector for both domestic and export supply. This major investment confirms the confidence we have in manufacturing in South Africa. We have nearly doubled our capacity in this market sector in anticipation of a R250m potential increase in the export market. The new facility is also perfectly timed with new growth opportunities in the renewable energy and rail market sectors. Lastly, and most importantly, we have created additional employment opportunities for many skilled, semi-skilled and professional young talent."

Powertech Transformers supplies a full range of transformers, from generator step-up to transmission and distribution transformers in its three factories. The range includes three-phase and single-phase units, auto-transformers, arc-furnace, locomotive and traction transformers, miniature sub-stations, NECRT's as well as LNER's and shunt reactors.  An after sales service division offering complete peace of mind for our customers which includes maintenance of their transformers and related equipment for an extended period specific to each and every customer has been added to our range of services.

ENDS...

Powertech Transformers is 80% owned by Power Technologies (Pty) Ltd (Powertech), the largest power-electrical group in Southern Africa and 20% owned by Power Matla (a local black empowered company).  Its main business is the design, manufacturing and selling of a complete range of power and distribution transformers for the African continent. Powertech Transformers' factories in Pretoria West, Johannesburg and Cape Town are state of the art world class facilities, amongst the best in the Southern hemisphere boasting ISO9001, ISO14001 and OHSAS18001 quality, environmental and health and safety listings respectively as well as a laboratory and test facility which has SANAS accreditation.  Powertech Transformers is a Level Three Contributor to BBBEE and their rating was re-certified in June 2013.

For more information please visit www.pttransformers.co.za.

For additional information contact

Bernard Meyer, CEO, Powertech Transformers +27 12 318-9700 or Bernard.meyer@pttransformers.co.za

or

Jacqui Burn, Communications Manager, Powertech Transformers on +27 12 318-9802 or jacqueline.burn@pttransformers.co.za

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