R300 million state-of-the-art expansion programme for Intaka Tech
To accommodate its rapid growth, Intaka Tech has commenced a R300 million, high tech, four-phase expansion program in Africa, scheduled for completion in November 2008.
Intaka Tech, a division of the international Intaka Group, manufactures and markets innovative, portable equipment, in particular water purification plants and on-site oxygen and medical air generation plants. This cost-effective equipment produces water and oxygen of a superior quality that is in accordance with international standards, ensuring it is fit for human consumption. It is used in many applications, ranging from construction and mining through to healthcare.
Already the company has well over 200 units in operation in a variety of local hospitals and rural communities, in both the private and public sector. The objective of this ambitious expansion program is to support and back the ever-increasing number of Intaka Tech state-of-the-art plants in South Africa and neighbouring countries, and to contribute to technical and infrastructural development throughout the continent, no matter how remote the locations requiring water purification or oxygen and medical air generation may be.
The program is fundamental to the company's strategy to increase and entrench its business throughout the continent on an ongoing basis. This R300 million investment has been allocated to the development of at least three, most probably four, additional manufacturing sites, and will go to their construction, the cutting edge equipment required, as well as labour and training and is over and above the initial R150 million that Intaka Tech has invested in developing its presence in South Africa and setting up its first manufacturing facility in the country.
“Integral to business expansion is customer service, and a fundamental and crucial element that distinguishes Intaka Tech is the level of service and results that we provide to our customers,” contends Dr Gastón Savoi, chairman of Intaka Tech. “The additional manufacturing sites will enable us to boost and enhance customer service. The high-tech facilities are being designed and constructed to meet the specific requirements of our customers.
“This latest undertaking is another step forward in the implementation of our policy to improve and enhance the lifestyle and well-being of our target market, and contribute meaningfully to industrial development in Southern Africa.”
Numerous Intaka Tech plants are operating at hospitals ranging for example from Appelbosch and Murchison Hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, to Kuruman Hospital and the Karoo Hospital in the Northern Cape, right through to Rhundu Hospital and Engela Hospital in northern Namibia, as well as Katima Mulilo situated close to the Capri Strip.
Intaka Tech's unique products offer numerous unusual benefits and practical distinctive features. These include portability, very easy installation, straight-forward operation (the plants are automatic) and uncomplicated maintenance.
Technical data based on the performance of Intaka Tech's plants in South Africa has proved conclusively that Intaka Tech equipment is achieving substantial cost savings for users of its equipment. For example, a feasibility study conducted in KwaZulu-Natal, has shown that a one mega litre per day plant can achieve a saving of half a million rand per annum.
“Equipment that realizes cost savings such as these can only help develop the infrastructure of South Africa,” comments Dr Savoi.
Phase one of the R300 million expansion project, which was finalised in July last year, covered the construction and development of one manufacturing site in Cape Town as well as a leading edge service and maintenance facility. Phase two of the project has two options. The first entails the construction and development of the three or four new manufacturing sites, while the second option is to identify and develop facilities throughout South Africa to outsource manufacturing, and this will be finished by the end of this year. A combination of the two options is also a possibility, for example constructing and developing two manufacturing sites and outsourcing another two. Phase three, which will focus on the expansion and optimisation of the company's service and maintenance facilities, is scheduled for completion by June 2008. The fourth phase will be the continued expansion, here again particularly with regard to service and maintenance, but with an emphasis on the company's scope and development in the greater African continent.
“The new manufacturing facilities are expected to epitomise the latest in innovative, cutting edge industrial techniques, and will streamline and make the most of our business to ensure we always achieve operational excellence,” contends Dr Savoi.
While healthcare challenges in primary healthcare organisations in South Africa and, to a far greater extent, in Africa are enormous, reports reveal that since 1994 alone, 2 298 hospitals have been upgraded and given new equipment. Having contributed to this upgrading to date, Intaka Tech is totally committed to all further development of this industry sector. Its expansion program will enable it to continue to work in conjunction with the medical industry to enable it to confront and deal with the industry's challenges, and improve the overall efficiency of the healthcare delivery system.
Intaka Tech is also active in the progress and transformation of more diverse industries in South Africa and Africa, such as the pivotal and dynamic mining industry, which is continually expanding and adapting to changing local and global conditions.
Just some of the other industries in which its equipment operates are engineering, construction, water suppliers, environmental and recreational organisations, the food and packaging industry, fishing, waste management and disaster zones.
