Providing a top quality product at the most competitive price isn’t easy – but this South African firm has built its reputation on doing exactly that
By Ian Armitage
Fabricated Piping Systems is something of the authority on pipe fabrication, serving the infrastructure and industrial markets in South Africa attentively and with finesse. Its pledge – quality delivered on time and on budget – has stood the test of time.
“Increased levels of investment into infrastructure improvements and industrial facilities, like power stations and process plants, are bringing new opportunities our way,” says Peter Crowe, CEO. “Our reputation is time tested and our goal is to meet customer expectations, no matter how high they might be.”
Since 1987, Fabricated Piping Systems has expanded and its offering has grown with it. Today it presents a broad array of solutions and services, creating a genuine ‘one stop shop’.
“We aim to provide the highest quality product at the most competitive price,” says Crowe. “This goal is accomplished because all the company’s employees believe in and live this vision.”
In the pursuit of market share, the odd plucky claim can be made to secure contracts. But Germiston-based Fabricated Piping Systems isn’t one for audacity; it always keeps a promise. If you doubt that just ask any number of the firm’s many satisfied customers. “We have vast experience, dedication and ability,” says Crowe. “We are also reliable and strive for quality, bringing a can-do attitude to everything we do.”
GO-GETTING GAMBLE
Fabricated Piping Systems was born out of Murray and Roberts, South Africa’s leading engineering, contracting and construction services company. Crowe’s vision was to “break out” and do things properly. “We wanted to make the construction process simpler,” he says. “There was a real need to reduce the red tape that was holding us up and preventing customers from getting what they wanted.”
The method worked and success immediately followed: “We were pretty fortunate that, because of our origins, we had a number of good contacts and we were able to land fairly sizeable contracts in our early years,” Crowe says. “At the time there was a gold boom, the industry started opening up and a number of small players entered the game. We jumped on that bandwagon. Of course the price of gold went down, but then along came platinum – that has taken the place of gold. To date, we have built something like 19 platinum plants.”
Crowe’s ambition was to “get established” fairly early, a goal that has been achieved. He also wanted to create a hands-on organisation. “That’s right,” he says, “and I think we have done that too. We have always been involved in every step of the process, from the estimate stage of putting the tenders together to then landing the contract, carrying out the fabrication in our workshops and final erection. This gives us total intimate knowledge of the whole process.”
CRUX OF THE MATTER
South Africa has its troubles, but then which country in the current economic climate doesn’t? With the political turmoil, it’s easy to forget that there is a tremendous amount being invested in South Africa’s infrastructure. Then there is the investment in soccer stadia for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
“Those are great opportunities,” admits Crowe, “but besides all that, there is still tremendous potential within the mining base industry. There are numerous platinum junior mining companies with new mining rights for instance. Also, at this stage coal, with the power crisis we have been through, is exciting. A lot has been happening in terms of power generation, and there is huge demand for coal. To date, we have built nine coal plants and are currently involved on a project for Anglo Coal. There are a number of other coal plants coming up, which we are hoping to be able to land. We have the experience in coal, so why shouldn’t we be able to?”
Fabricated Piping Systems has quite a pedigree. It has worked with the likes of Anglo Platinum, BKN and Aquarius Platinum.
“Clients often say how good it is for them to work with us,” Crowe says. Our people are good at what they do. Jobs go smoothly and that is because of the skill and experience we have.”
A modest man, Crowe is keen to point out that his team has played an important role in the company’s success, building the quality reputation for which it has become renowned.
Expect to see much more from this exciting enterprise in the coming months and years.