Babcock complements OEM range with specialised long-lead products. 
Babcock secures boiler components supply
Babcock has over 130 years’ experience in steam generation and industrial plants, and is the original designer of many steam boilers in South Africa and further afield into Africa. As the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Babcock supplies high quality OEM spares to the utility and industrial sectors in the region. To complement its OEM range, Babcock has established supplier or agency agreements with a suite of specialised international partners to provide customers with the best solutions and products available.
Due to the high temperatures and pressures that boiler components are subjected to, specialised material is required. To secure material availability of specialised long-lead items such as tubing, Babcock has entered into a long-term contract with Spanish company Tubos Reunidos to secure not only delivery but also competitive pricing of high-pressure boiler tubing on an ongoing basis. Tubos Reunidos are certified to manufacture up to X20 tubing material including rifle bore tubing in a full range of materials (which is currently challenging to obtain on the open market from reputable boiler tube suppliers), and can manufacture tubing according to Babcock's customers’ stringent specifications.
Additionally, Babcock is the exclusive agent for Persta high-pressure globe and gate valves in southern Africa. Manufactured in Germany, these valves are fully forged, conform to EN and ASME specifications and are synonymous with durability and quality.
Thava Govender, Chief Executive Officer of Babcock’s engineering business, says that customers can plan ahead more efficiently for events such as outages by entering into a long-term contract with Babcock to secure availability of specialised long-lead items and benefit from better pricing.
“By entering into a long-term contract with Babcock, we can specify items such as tubing according to customers’ needs and maintenance plans, or pre-order material for long-lead items such as forged components that can be quickly assembled or fabricated at our fabrication facility for quicker turnaround times in the event of breakdowns.
“We can also enter into consignment agreements whereby stock of major components is kept on customers’ premises and is available immediately.
“Through our long-standing partnerships with our suppliers, we can secure the availability and ensure predictable lead times for critical long-lead items,” says Govender.
