The Sunday News
Dumisani Nsingo, Business Reporter
GROWING Bulawayo-based heavy duty electrical manufacturing and engineering firm, Leaford Electric Rewind has introduced a new product into the market, a high voltage transformer.
Leaford Electric Rewind technical manager, Mr Orphan Bhiza said the company added its latest innovation, the 33 kilovolt transformer to the list of electrical products it manufacturers under its electrical division last year.
“We have introduced a new transformer product in our electrical division. It’s in the high voltage range, which is the 33 kilovolt. Locally there are very few companies which manufacture this device.
“It’s unique and user friendly and it’s even cheaper than the exported ones. We have done a market research and managed to control our cost drivers to enable us to be competitive on the market and this has enhanced our electrical division,” Mr Bhiza said.
High voltage transformers range from 10 KVA to 1 000 KVA and are used to increase or decrease the voltages of alternating current in electric power applications.
“Transformers are mainly used in the mining and agriculture sector to step down the transmitted voltage to accepted voltage.
As you are aware most farms are situated where there is normally overhead voltage, which is not normally accessible.
“We realised that we have a number of potential customers in those that are starting mining and agricultural activities. We intend to enjoy a competitive edge over our competitors for some time,” Mr Bhiza said.
He said the company had set sights at partnering a foreign company as it bids to enhance its capacity.
“We intend to engage in a partnership with an international firm, which will be willing to give us capital as debt or to come in as a strategic partner where we will give it shares to share the risks,” Mr Bhiza.
The company opened its engineering department in 2013 as part of its rebranding initiative aimed at increasing its clientele base.
In 2012, the Bulawayo-based company had successfully spread its tentacles and managed to open another branch in Harare.
The company also produces components such as industrial welding machines, current transformers, voltage transformers as well as power distribution transformers.
