BLP rubber group expands, gains solid traction
ONE OF the moulding businesses in the rubber sector which has managed to gain traction in these challenging times is Van Ryn Rubber, a KZN-based manufacturer of precision injection and compression moulded rubber components.
Van Ryn Rubber (VRR) manufactures components for a diverse range of applications and industries and exports, at last count, to 38 countries.
Based in Maxmead, Durban, VRR provides a comprehensive turnkey solution for highly technical products in the automotive, construction, mining, plumbing and explosives sectors.
VRR has achieved steady growth and technology rollout since its inception in 1983. However, in recent years the company was faced with a degree of stagnation caused by the previous majority shareholder’s exit strategy.
A partnership involving the owners of rival rubber moulder BLP Rubber & Plastics and investors was put together and the sale of VRR was concluded in 2021. VRR has since been merged into the BLP Group. The management change – involving directors, executives, managers and operators with sound experience in rubber moulding – provided a welcome enthusiasm injection that has proved a boon for both businesses.
VRR operates from 4000m² premises in Maxmead, Durban, and BLP from a similarly sized factory in Cato Ridge, closer to Maritzburg, which also serves as the group’s distribution centre. Significant investment has been made, further augmenting operational productivity and technical advancements at the two plants.
The merged companies within the BLP Group operate over 60 injection machines and numerous highly specified production machines, making it the largest technical rubber goods manufacturer in South Africa.
Built-in advantages
The companies had some different product specialties, but possibly the biggest plus for the ‘new’ business was the opportunity to take advantage of the installed rubber compounding capacity at the Maxmead plant, which comprises of two rubber mixing units.
BLP was buying in all its rubber compound and the most logical steps therefore was to upgrade the group’s rubber mixing equipment. The decision to formulate its own compounds and mix its materials on-site has given it an economy-of-scale advantage, also reducing transport costs and time. By all accounts, the BLP Group is now taking full advantage of this opportunity. Now the mixers are operating full tilt at the Maxmead plant. Efficiency in this area is a big advantage for both the manufacturing units.
The Maxmead factory had undergone a major redesign and upgrade in 2010 and the new management team is running the operation in the same vein, as a result of which it must be one of the neatest and cleanest rubber plants anywhere.
The BLP Group has a state-of-the-art toolroom and is able to build high accuracy and fast cycling moulds.
The new team at BLP is taking full advantage of the technologies, skills and synergies that has been unlocked by the acquisition.The BLP Group is well positioned to cater for future growth and enhancements in technology to remain at the competitive edge of our industry.
