Bolt and Engineering Distributors Group (B.E.D.) has been appointed as an authorised distributor for the Harris Products Group, representing its full metalworking equipment and consumables portfolio in South Africa.
Harris’s appointment of B.E.D. establishes a single, nationally supported distribution channel for the company’s cutting, gas control and associated products portfolio – supported by extensive stockholding, deep technical expertise and value-adding pre-and after-sales support.
The Harris Products Group is globally recognised for its industry-leading metalworking equipment and consumables for brazing, soldering, welding, cutting and gas distribution; as well as its engineering-led approach, with products designed for demanding industrial environments where safety, reliability and longevity are critical.
According to Anthony McGuinness, Sales Manager for the Harris Products Group in Sub-Saharan Africa, there is a strong operational and cultural fit with B.E.D.: “South Africa is a market where robust technical understanding, safety compliance and product support are essential. B.E.D. brings an extensive national footprint, experienced technical and sales teams – and an established track record in supporting high-quality, high-performance industrial brands. This creates a solid platform for long-term customer support.”
Mike Giltrow, CEO of B.E.D. says that this milestone appointment marks a significant shift in how the Harris brand will be supported locally.
“We have worked with and respected the Harris brand for many of our 42 years in the industry. However, this appointment takes our engagement to a whole new level – with a direct relationship and full accountability for how Harris products are supplied, supported and positioned within key target sectors in South Africa.
Echoing our tagline, ‘the perfect fit’, we believe that B.E.D. is the perfect fit for Harris locally,” Giltrow points out.
“Harris products are engineered for safety, reliability and an impressively long service life. B.E.D.’s focus is on ensuring customers not only receive the correct product – but also the technical support and application knowledge to realise its inherent, long-term value,” Giltrow adds.
Engineering quality, safety and compliance
The Harris Products Group’s portfolio includes gas control equipment, cutting solutions and associated systems engineered to meet international safety and performance standards. Many products are designed for use in high-risk, regulated environments – with an emphasis on durability, traceability and consistent performance over extended service life.
Marco Gianelli, Director of International Business – Equipment for the Harris Products Group, explains: “Our products are built to operate safely and reliably in extreme conditions – from heavy industrial fabrication to mining and energy-related applications. Full manufacturing traceability and compliance with international standards form part of our value proposition. Having a local partner that understands these technical requirements is essential.”
Through B.E.D., customers will have access not only to Harris products, but also to B.E.D.’s excellent technical knowledge and guidance on correct product selection, application suitability and safe use – supported by trained specialists from the company’s welding and cutting division.
Local availability and technical support
A key focus of B.E.D.’s appointment by Harris is to ensure consistent product availability and responsive local support. B.E.D.’s countrywide branch network and logistics capability via these branches – and from a national distribution centre – enables customers to access Harris products with reduced dependency on extended supply chains, while benefiting from its local technical assistance.
Shaun Geyer, B.E.D.’s Harris Products brand ambassador and technical specialist says that this partnership strengthens B.E.D.’s technical offering to its customers: “Harris products are engineered for safety, efficiency and a long service life. We are very excited to play our role in supporting our customers with the correct technical advice, application knowledge, pre- and after-sales support, ensuring that the equipment performs as intended throughout its lifecycle.”
Supporting diversification across industries
While the Harris Products Group has a strong legacy in the mining sector, the appointment of B.E.D. as an authorised distributor also supports its expansion into additional target sectors – including metal fabrication, oil and gas, petrochemical, agriculture, HVAC and light manufacturing. These sectors increasingly require compliant, high-quality gas control and cutting equipment, supported by knowledgeable local partners.
McGuinness adds: “The appointment of B.E.D. is not about rapid expansion, but rather strategically building a sustainable presence across multiple key target industry sectors. As such, B.E.D. is well positioned to support this measured growth, based on its industry track record, technical competence and established customer relationships.”
“For B.E.D., this milestone appointment reinforces our strategy of selectively partnering with premier suppliers and manufacturers – whose products are defined by quality, safety and long-term value, to the benefit of our valued customers,” Giltrow concludes.
Sugar Apple
South Africa is placed 14th in a list of 21 countries ranked by international companies as top prospective investment destinations for 2012 to 2014, according to the 2012 World Investment Report by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad).