1. IMIESA October 2014 69
W
ITHIN A SHORT space of
time they have managed to
establish an exciting busi-
ness with innovative products
that compete on price and quality, and also
have export potential.
All standards compliant
The water reticulation industry has high
barriers to entry due to high development
cost and required technology. The regula-
tory environment is similarly stringent and
requires much attention to detail. Amanzi’s
manufacturing ranges from raw material to
final products, which include water meters,
ball valves and meter boxes. Products are
NRCS approved where required, a pre-req-
uisite for obtaining municipal tenders. The
water meters are also YASWIC accepted.
State of the art manufacturing
technology
The factory is based in Tongaat, KwaZulu-
Natal with easy access to the N2 and in
close proximity to Durban’s King Shaka air-
port. Advanced manufacturing technologies
are applied, which start in the design room
with CAD drawings done by experienced
designers and engineers. Before any tooling
is manufactured, a 3D model of the item
can be made to check for functionality and
ease of manufacturing.
Diversity and support
The founders have diverse backgrounds
that include manufacturing design, banking
and electronic engineering. Amanzi owes
much of its success to local suppliers who
allowed credit while Amanzi was still in
an incubator phase. This gave Amanzi the
opportunity to engage in R&D, build pro-
totypes and obtain NRCS approval for its
water meters before any sales took place.
On 1 September 2013, Amanzi Meters
became a subsidiary of Sebata Municipal
Solutions, a member of the MICROmega
Group, a public company listed on the main
board of the JSE. The synergies within
the group pro-
vide the oppor-
tunity for growth
and the ability
to provide an
end-to-end water management solution to
municipalities. They now offer a complete
meter reading and data management solu-
tion to meet the increasing demands on
water utilities and to bring water losses
under control.
Products and services
Amanzi Meters designs, develops and manu-
factures its own products. Moulding is done
in an ISO-rated facility and water meters
are tested according to the Trade Metrology
Act of 1977 in a SANAS-accredited labora-
tory to ensure the highest quality. Ongoing
development accommodates customer
requirements and ensures robustness for
field applications.
Product Range
• Plastic, volumetric water meters –
15 mm x 114/15 mm x 165/20 mm
• Water meter boxes – surface boxes and
above-ground boxes
• Ball valves – consumer and municipal ball
valves, including a tamper-free solution
• Restrictor valves – the iMvubu valve is
approved for the dispensing of free water
• AMR – an AMR device that clips onto the
meter for data collection
David and Goliath
Amanzi Meters designs,
develops and
manufactures its
own products
The founders of Amanzi took a huge leap of faith when they pooled
their resources to start their business in an industry dominated by well-
established international players.
COMPANY PROFILE
BELOW The assembly line INSET Amanzi meter and
iMvubu assembled in a surface box
te
lo
n
wn
Amanzi Me
devel
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2. IMIESA October 2014 71
COMPANY PROFILE
• Prepaid metering – these are being devel-
oped and refined.
Amanzi has developed the iMvubu valve for
the allocation and dispensing of free water
to indigent communities.
This product is cost-effective and has the
potential to save municipalities millions
of rands due to the serviceability of the
unit. The long-life battery is easily replace-
able without exposing the electronics of
the unit. An AMR unit is being tested and
a prepaid meter and valve combination is
being developed as a natural progression
of the product.
Research and development
Amanzi is committed to the on-going develop-
ment and enhancement of their products to
best serve the needs of their customers. The
company’s management philosophy is based
on responsibility and mutual respect, while
encouraging ownership of responsibilities to
help foster personal growth. Amanzi focuses
on productivity for growth and profitability,
as well as respect for its customers and
employees to increase repeat and referral
business while minimising employee turno-
ver. Additionally, the company encourages
employees to have fun by allowing creative
independence and providing work challenges
that are realistic, attainable and rewarding.
A strong manufacturing sector is a cru-
cial component of a country’s intellectual
capital, innovation capacity and economic
prosperity. Manufacturing competitiveness
is driven by an empowered talent base,
especially as manufacturers around the
world integrate technology platforms and
interfaces into their products.
A broader contribution
The manufacturing sector provides a locus
for stimulating the growth of other activi-
ties, such as services, and achieving spe-
cific outcomes, such as employment crea-
tion, development and economic empower-
ment. Amanzi is collaborating with tertiary
institutions to assist in a much-needed
skills transfer, which will allow previously
disadvantaged people to get involved in
the manufacturing sector.
Amanzi’s initiative to establish a South
African manufacturer of water management
systems and devices is therefore in support
of Government’s drive for local procurement
to create meaningful jobs.
For further information
Tel: +27 (0)32 944 6034
sales@amanzimeters.co.za
www.amanzimeters.co.za
Verification Laboratory