KEY POINTS
- South Africa’s market sees surge of low-cost pump and valve imports.
- KSB highlights its new wastewater pump built entirely in South Africa.
- Company emphasizes after-sales support and decades-long durability.
As South Africa faces a growing tide of low-cost pump and valve imports from Asia and other global manufacturing hubs, one of the few manufacturers with a sizeable local footprint is doubling down on its long-term pitch: reliability, support and local innovation.
At the IFAT Africa trade show in Johannesburg, KSB Pumps and Valves part of the German engineering group KSB SE used the stage not only to display products but to reassert its staying power in an increasingly price-driven market.
“We need to be seen,” said Hugo du Plessis, area manager at KSB. “If customers walk through the halls and don’t see us but the economy-priced opposition is present, they start asking questions. Shows like IFAT are where we demonstrate the difference between price and true long-term value.”
Fighting the lowest-bidder mindset
South Africa’s municipalities and contractors often award contracts based on price, du Plessis said, even when that means higher costs in the long run due to failures, spare part shortages and lack of technical support from importers.
“Who’s going to fix it three years down the line? Who’s also going to have the parts on hand?” he asked. “That’s the real test.”
KSB positioned its stand as an answer: a commitment to local manufacturing, after-sales service, and technical expertise. The company employs over 400 people at its South African factory and says it has no intention of becoming a warehouse for imports.
New wastewater pump takes center stage
The firm showcased a new anti-clogging wastewater pump designed and manufactured entirely in South Africa. According to du Plessis, the pump has been running in the Western Cape for more than 130 days without incident—outperforming a competitor’s model that frequently blocks.
The product is scheduled for a formal launch by late 2025, both digitally and in person, and is billed as a cornerstone of KSB’s strategy to invest in local R&D.
Technical sales edge
KSB also leaned into its sales approach: engineers who know every specification and detail, rather than resellers quoting prices. “We provide true engineering solutions,” du Plessis said, contrasting the model with competitors that rely on indirect distribution with limited expertise.
The firm also highlighted its global partnerships, with representatives from KSB France and Dubai joining local sales partners at the expo. The event also showcased smaller distributors, including solar pump specialists, alongside flagship products.
Playing the long game
Furthermore, KSB’s message at IFAT was as much about brand endurance as it was about technology. The company pointed to its pumps running in the field for 50 to 60 years, underscoring the longevity it believes distinguishes it from cut-price imports.
“In an industry where equipment needs to perform reliably for decades, it’s not just about the initial price tag,” du Plessis further said. “It’s about who will still be around to pick up the phone in ten years’ time.”
