Transformer manufacturer, LH Marthinusen (LHM), a division of ACTOM, recently manufactured and supplied seven traction transformers for the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s (PRASA) key line restoration project.
Shuveer Maharaj, General Manager of the Transformer Engineering Services division at LHM, says the 6.1 MVA traction transformers had to be constructed in six months to meet the terms of the contract. The result was a huge success.
“These transformers were manufactured to our usual superior standards of quality, material and design. From the feedback we’ve received, our product has outperformed the international brands that the client had looked at,” says Maharaj.
Six of the traction transformers were supplied to a key project to restore several rail corridors in Gauteng by upgrading their overhead traction equipment, while the last unit was supplied to the Western Cape.
Maharaj notes that LHM’s ability to manufacture the transformers in under six months underscores the company’s – as well as South Africa’s – manufacturing capacity. LHM’s factory is already geared towards fast deliveries of specialised transformers.
Short lead times
“Our process at LHM is designed for short lead times and special transformers, such as these traction transformers. Our environment is set up to tackle these types of highly competitive projects that require lower lead time,” he says.
The extremely tight deadline of the contract was not without challenges and required the entire workforce comprehending the levels of urgency involved.
“For a project of this nature, we needed to ensure we had our priorities in order. This included making sure that there was enough material on hand and that the right amount of work shifts had been put in place so that we could manage the timelines along with the existing workload that we already had,” says Maharaj.
He adds that LHM is glad to be playing a part in key infrastructure projects such as the upgrade of the country’s rail corridors and says that such projects present an opportunity for local manufacturers to showcase their abilities and capacity.
“Instead of sourcing internationally, it is important to support local and make sure that South African businesses are part of and can benefit from these types of infrastructure projects. We should be showing that everything can really be done in-house,” he says.
More to come
Maharaj points out that since LHM now has a track record of success in this area, it plans to do more research on the different variants of traction transformers and finalise designs upfront to be ready when tender opportunities arise.
“We want customers to know that we are ready to ‘press the button’ to manufacture these transformers because we have already completed the backbone of the work,” he says.
In anticipation of a growing demand for specialised transformers, the company has purchased a new facility in Driehoek, in Germiston, and is currently also upgrading its factory in Cape Town to increase manufacturing capacity.
“We are proud to be doing our bit for the PRASA upgrade and to make sure that these railways are up and running. However, this must also be the springboard for local and successful manufacturers, as supporting local businesses is of crucial importance,” he concludes.