DLM is well known to the local instrumentation and control industry with its broad range of product offerings in overpressure protection, flow, level, and density measurement, automation and control. DLM is now a subsidiary of the Unihold Group with the company's own management holding 10% of the equity.
After more than 20 years of operation at Forge Road in Spartan it became clear to management that with the current rate of growth in turnover and staff there was no more room for expansion. The search for new premises began last year but nothing suitable with the required office and warehouse space could be found. Instead DLM followed the route of having a new purpose-built facility designed and constructed for them. The new premises are located in the Long Meadow Business Park located right next to the Modderfontein turnoff on the N3. The staff moved into the new premises at the end of July this year, and although new telephone lines have been installed the old Spartan number has also been retained.
The new facility allows DLM space to expand beyond its present staff complement of 130 people and has allowed it to incorporate its own subsidiary Metermatic with the rest of the business. Metermatic was previously located in Alberton. A large section of the ground floor of the two-storey building has been set aside for the use of customers. A spacious state-of-the-art training facility is located alongside the demonstration area and meeting rooms. The training centre opens out onto a shaded courtyard with braai facilities. Next to this is of course the DLM pub, which is used by both customers and staff for their regular Friday evening get together. Full catering facilities are now available so that light lunches and refreshments can be provided for course attendees.
Staff are located in spacious open-plan areas according to division, with complementary divisions being in close proximity to promote interaction between staff. The new management area provides individual offices for all the directors and is located next to a large and well-lit boardroom. The huge warehouse (containing stock valued at close to R20 million) and engineering/repair area adjoins the main building and has a separate access for trucks and delivery vehicles.
DLM prides itself on being an engineering company and it offers a technologically advanced range of products sourced from leading global manufacturers. Its unbeatable product portfolio comes from principals based in no less than 12 countries, including the UK and USA. DLM is itself organised into four divisions, three of these addressing the fields of control, flow and energy. The fourth division, instrumentation, focuses on the very wide range of flow and level products produced by the UK-based Solartron Mobrey. In addition to supplying products from its principals, DLM also manufactures its own range of ball valves, rubber lined knife gate and non-return valves. It also distributes the products developed and manufactured by Metermatic, which will remain a subsidiary, not a division. Metermatic is certified to ISO 9002 and its products for the petrochemical industry meet all international safety standards including ATEX 100.
DLM is always on the lookout for new and innovative products that can satisfy other needs of its customers. An agreement was recently signed with OPW Fuelling Components in terms of which DLM has exclusive rights to market the Petrovend range of automated fuel management systems. With the company's own expertise in flow measurement, particularly with the petrochemical industry, the Petrovend range is an ideal fit into the product portfolio. DLM also has in-house a SABS 0259 verification laboratory, one of a few in the country that is certified for the calibration of point-of-sale flow equipment for petroleum products and liquid gas.
In another recent deal DLM was appointed as the exclusive distributor for Hattersley Millcentric valves and Braukmann reducing and relief valves. Hattersley had worked with DLM on a nonexclusive basis for a number of years but now wants to strengthen its position in South Africa, and in particular the mining industry. Likewise, DLM had also previously represented Braukmann on a non-exclusive basis. Both companies saw DLM as the ideal partner, being able to provide engineering expertise in addition to solid market knowledge.
When it comes to major projects DLM was appointed this year as a valves and actuator supplier to the Skorpion Zinc Mining Project in Namibia with an initial R12m order. Here the leaching process to be used is extremely corrosive but DLM was able to get around that problem through providing the Technova range of butterfly valves. This special valve product is lined with PTFE and uses titanium discs. DLM will also be supplying the Habonim COMPACT actuators for use on the Skorpion project.
DLM was also the preferred supplier of a turnkey metering and fuel delivery system for the new Smit Pentow Marine bunker barge (the Smit Dudula) that has been put into operation at Richards Bay. The company had previously (1997) supplied the Durban-based bunker barge with state-of-the-art flow measuring equipment. For the Smit Dudula the Smith meters provided were complemented with intrinsically safe electronic presets manufactured by Metermatic.
With its wide range of quality products and its extensive local stockholding, DLM provides an excellent single source for virtually any valve requirement. Another major advantage that DLM provides is that repair of virtually all products supplied can be carried out locally, while its engineering section also has the resources to install and commission on a turnkey basis.
The business of DLM is based on growth areas that include the mining process, petrochemical, power generation, food and beverage and water management sectors. While traditionally the company's core business has been representation of world leading manufacturers, a great export opportunity now exists for the innovative locally designed products from Metermatic. Inroads have already been made in terms of sales to Europe, Russia, Africa and the Far East and this side of DLM's business seems set to grow exponentially.
Despite its strong growth DLM remains a family type customer oriented company and it intends to stay that way. Although part of the Unihold Group it is not core to the listed company's business and operates autonomously with a strong bottom line. Turnover in the last financial year exceeded R100 million and with the company being free from debt its operating margins are very healthy.
For more information contact Gillian Darge, DLM, 011 457 0500, [email protected], www.dlm.co.za
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