24 October 2011
GE and AECI Create Alliance to Distribute Water Treatment
Products in Africa
AECI (JSE: AFE), will
distribute GE's
water and chemical process technologies, monitoring
solutions and
water and process equipment systems in Africa. The
distribution agreement will leverage GE's advanced
technologies and ImproChem's extensive local expertise to
create greater access to innovative water solutions in the
African market. The distribution agreement will cover South
Africa, Angola, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius,
Namibia, Nigeria, Reunion, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
and Mozambique.
ImproChem provides integrated water, energy and air solutions
to the chemical, refining, petrochemical, mining and food and
beverage industries. The agreement will enable ImproChem to
deliver GE's latest water technologies to its customers to
improve efficiency, while reducing operating costs.
GE and ImproChem also have entered into a memorandum of
understanding to explore further business opportunities to
better serve customers throughout Africa.
"The signing of the distribution agreement for Africa will
strengthen both GE and ImproChem's presence in the water and
process chemicals and equipment systems market," said Louis
du Toit, managing director, ImproChem. "Customers in the
region can only benefit from the new water equipment and
chemical technologies they now can access."
"GE is at work connecting people and ideas everywhere to
create advanced technologies that power a cleaner, more
productive world," said Ralph Hadley, GE region executive,
CMS Europe & Africa-water and process technologies for GE
Power & Water. "The African distribution agreement with
ImproChem is another example of how we help our customers
tackle challenges in new, innovative ways."
GE continues to offer a complete portfolio of solutions to
customers in Africa, including advanced cooling chemistry,
process chemistry, membrane chemicals and equipment
systems to help customers protect their assets, optimize
processes and improve efficiency. Together, both GE and
ImproChem are committed to bringing technology, expertise and
best practices to the African market.
About AECI
AECI is a specialty product and services group of 20
companies which provide value-adding solutions to customers
through science, technology and industry knowledge. The focus
is on serving the mining and manufacturing sectors. The
company is domiciled in South Africa and is listed on the JSE
Limited. At December 31, 2010, its market capitalization was
ZAR9.8 billion.
The alliance with GE is in line with AECI's strategic intent
to become the supplier of choice of specialty chemicals and
services for customers in Africa and in other selected
developing markets. The focus is on the water, oil, gas and
energy sectors as well as on food and agriculture. For more
information, visit www.aeci.co.za.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is an advanced technology, services and finance
company taking on the world's toughest challenges. Dedicated
to innovation in energy, health, transportation and
infrastructure, GE operates in more than 100 countries and
employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information,
visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.
GE also serves the energy sector by providing technology and
service solutions that are based on a commitment to quality
and innovation. The company continues to invest in new
technology solutions and grow through strategic acquisitions
to strengthen its local presence and better serve customers
around the world. The businesses that comprise GE Energy-GE Power & Water, GE
Energy Management and GE Oil & Gas-work together with more
than 100,000 global employees and 2010 revenues of $38
billion, to provide integrated product and service solutions
in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil,
natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as
water, wind, solar and biogas; as well as other alternative
fuels andnew grid modernization technologies to meet 21st
century energy needs.