Roff industries, a leader in the design and construction of high quality maize milling plants began its inception in 1992, starting as a supplier to the small mill market. Since then the company have made groundbreaking strides forward evidenced by the fact that machinery supplied in 1992 had the capacity to deliver 500kg per hour, today Roff supplies machinery that can deliver 15 tonnes per hour.

1. R
off industries, a leader in the design and
construction of high quality maize milling plants
began its inception in 1992, starting as a supplier to
the small mill market. Since then the company have
made groundbreaking strides forward evidenced by
the fact that machinery supplied in 1992 had the capacity to deliver
500kg per hour, today Roff supplies machinery that can deliver 15
tonnes per hour.
With expertise of more than 20 years in the African Market
combined with remarkable design and manufacturing capabilities,
Roff are renouned for their medium size maize milling projects in
Africa.
The company recently announced that it has been appointed
the agent for Golfetto Sangati in South Africa. The move has
far-reaching consequences for the local industry, as major South
African millers now have access to a fully-integrated local Golfetto
Sangati resource capable of supplying the Italian brand’s complete
range of high-tech milling equipment and spares coupled with
comprehensive after-sales service – a first for the South African
industry.
The partnership is significant for Roff too, as after 22 years
of successfully serving the medium (up to 120 tonnes per day)
maize milling market, the company has now entered the large
commercial milling market. Large commercial clients can now rely
on Roff to meet all their milling plant needs as both a supplier and
a project manager, as it offers a full turnkey project management
service for the design and construction of new mills.
During the recent IAOM MEA, held this year in South Africa,
Milling and Grain magazine met with Charl Marais, director of
company technology, Roff industries in order to find out about the
history of the company and what the recent developments as above
will mean for the continuing growth and development of Roff
industries.
When asked about partnering with an esteemed and reputable
Italian manufacturer such as Golfetto Sangati, Marais affirmed the
company chose to partner with Golfetto Sangati not only because
of its prominent standing in the global milling industry, but also
because of the values it shares with Roff.
“We share the same design philosophy – to produce quality
machines that are affordable and easy to operate. Over and above
this, Golfetto Sangati is one of the top three milling equipment
manufacturers in the world, and its products are used extensively in
the South African market where the brand has a loyal following. As
the South African agent for Golfetto Sangati, we are able to service
customers looking for both its high-end top of the range milling
equipment and its more affordable milling machines.”
“Golfetto Sangati is under new management of the Pavan Group,
and was looking for a new agent in South Africa,” explains
Claudio Zavatta, CEO of Golfetto Sangati. “In Roff we found a
good partner that will help to improve our business offering in the
country. Roff is highly experienced in the field of maize mills, with
young staff who are willing to challenge the market with our latest
products. Roff also has a well-equipped workshop and well-trained
technical staff that allow for efficient after-sales and maintenance
services.”
Entering a large
commericial milling
market
Roff Industries is appointented to
take Golfetto Sangati equipment into
the South African market
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CASE STUDY
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2. What is the background story to Roff industries and what range
of skills does Roff now have at its disposal?
For the past 22 years, Roff Industries (Pty) Ltd has provided high
quality medium size maize roller and hammer mills to the Sub-
Sahara African Market. We provide maize mills from 500kg per hour
to 4,000kg per hour according to our client’s needs. Our machinery
fits in most existing buildings and we install all our equipment
on one floor. Because we pre-assemble the parts in the factory,
installation and commissioning are done in very short periods of
time. A 4000kg/h plant can normally be installed and operational in
less than six months from date of order, on the client’s premises.
We have plants operational in South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho,
Swaziland, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Angola,
Tanzania, Kenya, DRC and as far as Eastern Europe, Syria and Belgium.
The head office of Roff Industries (Pty) Ltd is located 2 hours
south west of Johannesburg in the town of Kroonstad where we have
approximately 100 employees, a manufacturing facility of 2500
square meters and 500 square meters of office space.
What makes Roff different and unique to international
competition?
Roff has a local presence to the market in South Africa and Sub
Saharan Africa. All stock is kept locally, and after sales support and
spare parts are readily available. Our technical experts can be on site
withing 48 hours of a client logging an issue.
How do Roff listen to customers’ needs and offer after-sales
solutions?
Roff has 16 people in the technical & service department with
relevant experience. In terms of after sales service and spare parts,
we have a fast turnaround time. When a client phones with a problem
a technician can be on site with the relevant parts within 48 hours –
depending on where in Africa the site is. Roff also stocks all spares
on all products ever manufactured. When doing turnkey projects
- Roff includes training which enables the client to fix or service his
own plant if needed.
What special advantages for customers of maize (and now flour)
milling can Roff offer in one solution that others cannot in the
Sub-Saharan Africa?
With Golfetto Sangati machines coming from overseas, purchasing
spares and accessing after-sales service was previously tricky for
local customers. But with Roff now stepping into this role, large
commercial mills can enjoy a more streamlined purchase process
with full service back-up on site, provided by Roff’s highly skilled
technical team.
Do you see maize milling growing in line with rising middle-
classes or will their nutrition come from other types of milling?
The rise of the upper middle class has certainly caused a higher
demand for products other than maize. But for most, maize remains
the staple – and will always remain the fall back product as soon as
times get tough.
What can you now offer as part of your local agency role for
Golfetto Sangati that you could not offer before to customers?
Our product offering was capped at machinery that could deliver 4
tonnes per hour – now being the agent for Golfetto Sangati we’ve
increased that capacity to 15 tonnes. In the past we could only offer
products and services to medium sized mills – and with the new
agency we’ve entered the commercial arena.
Q&A with Charl Marais,
Director of company
technology, Roff
Industries
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January 2015 | 57
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