In recent months, Bill Davidson, the North American president of Tsurumi Pumps, one of the world?s largest manufacturers of submersible mining and water treatment pumps, visited Australia. Davidson is a man with 30 years of submersible pump experience and was responsible for putting Tsurumi in a prominent position in North America?s mining, construction and rental pump markets.
Davidson?s experience was influential in Tsurumi?s development of a range of significantly better products. The company has developed pumps that are broader in scope and feature genuine engineering advantages that provide longevity and reliability to the user.
Tsurumi Pumps is headquartered in Osaka, Japan. Its Kyoto robotised plant has the capacity to build one million pumps a year. It is regarded as being the most automated and efficient manufacturing centre of its kind in the world.
Two and a half years ago, Australian Pump Industries was appointed by Tsurumi as the exclusive distributor for Australia and Papua New Guinea. In that time, there has been remarkable local market growth.
?One of the first things we did was slash prices by 40 per cent across the board to make these world leading products more competitively priced,? Aussie Pumps product manager Craig Bridgement explained.
?Aussie Pumps was able to do this by committing to significantly larger volumes than the previous distributor. We turned the cost savings generated by bulk buying and reduced freight rate to lower prices. Of course, it helps to have an undisputed product as well.?
During his visit, Davidson chaired a number of forums for business leaders in the mining, quarrying and concrete industries. He also undertook training for Aussie Pumps? growing Tsurumi distribution network.
The Tsurumi product range includes three phase pumps developed specifically for the North American mining market, where cost of ownership is key.
?The backbone of our product range is the LH series of three phase deep well dewatering pumps,? Davidson said. ?They offer great performance but their true value is in their slimline design, allowing the pumps to fit into tight spaces. The centre-flange construction balances the pump and enables it to be lifted up and down without disconnecting the piping.?
The product range includes big submersible pumps that offer up to a 250m head capacity and flows of up to 300,000 litres per minute.
Tsurumi incorporates a number of features that enhance the life expectancy of the pump and cut maintenance costs. These include a unique anti-wicking cable gland that makes it virtually impossible for water to enter the motor through the cable. A double silicon carbide mechanical seal arrangement where both seal surfaces are submerged in oil, well away from the pump liquid, is a standard Tsurumi feature.
?Those two simple features virtually knock out the two biggest single failure points on any submersible pump,? Davidson added. ?It?s one of the reasons we don?t sell as many parts as our competitors.?
Tsurumi is also a major manufacturer of cutter, grinder and sewage pumps and a world leader in submersible aeration equipment. Tsurumi?s promotional literature explains how aerators can cut sewage processing costs dramatically. Installation is simple and operating expenses are significantly lower than other methods.
Australian Pump Industries offers a full range of training courses in the use and application of Tsurumi submersible pumps. Courses can be delivered by local distributors or by attending regular seminars held at Aussie Pumps? headquarters in Sydney?s Norwest business district. Tsurumi Pump sees Australia as key to its expansion in South Pacific markets.
Source: Australian Pump Industries