Increasing Needs for Added Value

In today’s market, turnkey services, personalization, and specialization have become essential to ensuring competitiveness in a saturated market. One of Techflow’s biggest successes in recent years, according to the company’s Regional Manager Carlos Alberto Rojas, is the fact companies that use sustainable flow control machinery have been actively seeking out Techflow’s services as a way to reduce costs and improve efficiency while offering a sustainable solution. “We have been able to build strong relationships with many of our clients in recent years due to the extensive technical support we provide, both in person, at the plant, and via telephone and internet,” he shares. “Moreover, our sister company CiDRA Minerals has developed a mineral mud flow control mechanism, called SONARtrac, which is installed outside of the tubing system and measures the mineral content of the material. This increases the expected life of the mechanism from six months to 10 years, and we are proud to have been part of the development and distribution of these machines that are making a positive impact on the sustainability of the mining industry in Mexico.”

Of course, Rojas admits that the current price environment has had a somewhat negative effect on the business just like it has on many companies within the sector. “Many new projects that were planned before the downturn began have had to be postponed or even cancelled, which has been detrimental to our business,” he explains. “What is more, many of the projects that were already in operation are looking for cost reduction methods.” However, he maintains that Techflow’s product and service quality is of the highest standard, meaning that most clients recognize it as an essential part of the success of their business. Therefore, the company has been able to continue growing despite the market gyrations.

The quality of client service is the most important part of Techflow’s business, and the company works closely with the manufacturers to ensure delivery of the highest quality products to solve clients’ needs. “This dedication to detail has been an important part of our success over the years and has helped us establish ourselves in the market,” Rojas continues. “In recent years, we have seen that mining companies are increasingly looking for more durable and efficient products, as well as further technical support, and this is precisely what we offer our clients.”

One of the major trends within the mining industry lies in safety, and Rojas claims that Techflow is always looking to introduce new, innovative products that provide the safety boost the mining sector in Mexico needs. “There are several manufacturers now who are replicating European valve systems, which are often more advanced in terms of safety than local designs,” he shares. “In Europe, knife gate valves with exposed shutters have to be completely closed, whereas in the US and in Mexico these machines are often left open, which can be extremely dangerous. Therefore, we have been working with RF Valve, and a US-Finland based company, on bringing their RF SKG knife gate valve, which is designed based on European standards, to mines in Mexico.”

Innovation can take time and, in the case of the RF SKG valve, Techflow had to promote the product for five years before it was fully accepted by customers. “The process today is undoubtedly easier than it was five years ago due to of all the information that is available through the internet and satellites,” he maintains. “This also increases competition because it means companies have many more options to choose from and are far more informed, but we view this as a positive development as it forces us as the distributors to provide the most advanced possible products and service.”

Techflow tries to remain conscious of the need to protect the environment during all stages of its operation, whether that is refraining from printing something that does not need to be printed or using as little water as possible. Moreover, the company provides valves that have minimal effect on the environment and flow control mechanisms that are specifically designed to detect and prevent leaks. Gradually, the bigger operators are adopting more sustainable valve solutions, according to Rojas. “Last year, one of the biggest Mexican mining companies made a significant investment in flow control technology for the piping between plants and tailings dams, and now all of its mines are equipped with a system that detects a burst tube almost immediately,” he boasts. “This allows technicians to repair the issue before too much damage is done to the environment, and these are the kinds of products that we support at Techflow.”