When KLINGER South Africa set out to transform its spray shield offering, the goal was clear: bring production in-house to improve quality, speed and cost efficiency. What followed was a decisive shift that strengthened local capability and set a new benchmark for industrial safety products in the region.
Spray shields play a critical role in industrial environments by reducing the velocity and spread of leaks at bolted flange joints. They help prevent chemical spray-outs, safeguard personnel, and protect equipment from damage through hazardous and corrosive liquids. Previously imported from the United States, these shields required long lead times and exposed customers to fluctuating exchange rates. With regional markets demanding shorter turnaround and higher flexibility, KLINGER South Africa took action.
Contacts mentioned in the article:
Andries Fouche, Business Unit Manager for Pipe Products at KLINGER South Africa
A new era of local manufacturing
The move to internal production in Wadeville, South Africa, significantly reshaped the company’s service offering. Lead times dropped from weeks to just days, enabling KLINGER to respond quickly to urgent requirements and reduce the need for large stockholdings. Just as important, the team gained full control of material selection, design precision, and final quality. Andries Fouche, Business Unit Manager for Pipe Products at KLINGER South Africa, who led the implementation process, says,
“As the OEM, we can now react quickly and cost-effectively to quality requirements. This ensures superior consistency and lets us adapt rapidly to customer specifications.”
Andries Fouche, Business Unit Manager for Pipe Products at KLINGER South Africa
Design upgrades that make a difference
Developing the shield range in-house also opened the door for innovation. KLINGER replaced temperature-sensitive Velcro with robust stainless-steel press studs, increasing durability in demanding environments. The addition of KLINGER South Africa’s own braided modified yarn – known for its high tensile strength and chemical resistance – further reinforced performance, especially in critical applications.
For customers, the benefits are measurable:
- faster access to essential safety components
- more competitive pricing
- and the option to fully customized configurations.
The shields help reduce the risk of process fluid spray-outs, minimizing contamination, equipment damage, and downtime.
Fact box
Key Enhancements
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Stainless-steel press studs for improved heat resistance
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KLINGER-made braided yarn for higher tensile strength
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Faster delivery through local production
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Custom shapes, designs and materials, such as Standard PTFE, Premium PTFE, Clear PTFE or Orange Vinyl (PVC)
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Availability of stainless-steel spray shields and FME covers
Commitment to local manufacturing
Local production also aligns with KLINGER South Africa’s “buy local” commitment by strengthening the regional supply chain and supporting future skills development. As demand grows, the company expects to expand capacity and create additional job opportunities.
KLINGER South Africa is already developing stainless-steel spray shields for high-pressure steam applications, expanding opportunities in petrochemical and power generation sectors. This milestone supports KLINGER South Africa’s “Route 2025” strategy by encouraging innovation and reinforcing its leadership in sealing and safety solutions. Andries sums it up clearly: “KLINGER South Africa is committed to investing in local capability and innovation to provide complete, high-quality solutions. We keep things flowing – without interruption.”
