Local manufacturer HVAC Distributors recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Shamlin Govender, HVAC Distributors director. Images supplied by RACA Journal.
The heating, ventilation and air conditioning component-,product-and systems-supplier is based in Johannesburg.
Shamlin Govender, director, describes how the company had arisen from the liquidation of an earlier company called EuropAir Africa. “When EuropAir went into liquidation in May 2013, it caught all of us by surprise. Nevertheless, three months later, I was approached by my current partners to open up a similar company and we called it HVAC Distributors, with myself in charge of the day-to-day running of the business.”
“Initially, our focal point was on our duct lock range, then it was the flexible ducting, and then the importation of various accessories.”
By getting up and running so quickly, the business ensured continuity with its large client base of primarily air-conditioning contractors, the bulk of which it retains to this day, explains Govender. The company’s customer base has since grown through referrals from satisfied customers who have used their products and services and been impressed by them. Word of mouth has been a significant source of new business for the company. Even though the business is 10 years old, it effectively has a 20-year history with many of its clients. “We pride ourselves on using quality materials that are South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) certified. The company has consequently taken a fair amount of market share in the flexible ducting product sector, which is a big market for us.
What we don’t manufacture ourselves, we import from a single supplier in China.” He explains that the product range was a matter of trial and error – over the years responding to what clients asked for and gradually broadening its basket of products with the aim of becoming a one-stop-shop to its client base. “Except the actual air conditioner, the contractor can get everything else from HVAC Distributors for an installation.” Govender describes a recent highlight for the company as being the launch of its EZ bracket – a product that can be used in a wide range of sectors: air conditioning, data centres, electrical and solar panels. “It’s a highly versatile bracket that can be used for more than one application.
Our locally manufactured products include flexible ducting, diffusers, grills, duct lock range, volume control dampers, accessories like washers, access panels, and nuts and bolts, insulation, and a variety of tapes and adhesives. “Initially, our focal point was on our duct lock range, then it was the flexible ducting, and then the importation of various accessories.”
Apart from its Johannesburg distribution point which has walk-in customers and deliveries throughout Gauteng, the company has distributors in Durban, and plans opening another in Cape Town. HVAC distributors has a good footprint in Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Angola, Swaziland, Mozambique, Mauritius and Seychelles and is looking at growing the export market. As a local manufacturer, Govender says HVAC Distributors has a competitive edge over imports due to the rand/dollar exchange rate.
“I am grateful to our customers for their support over the past 10 years – and in many cases even 20 years – and look forward to serving them for many more years to come,” says Govender.
