JOHANNESBURG-based L & B Industrial Power has appointed a new distributor for the Viking Pumps brand in Cape Town. New entity, Positively Pumps is the result of a partnership between L & B Industrial Power and ex-employee Brian Cumming who has taken the challenge to breathe new life into the Viking brand in the region.

L & B CEO Jannie Bekker says that the Viking Brand has been under-represented in the Cape market for many years now. “Viking pumps supply a very niche market, and has been out-priced. We therefore are focusing on making sure that the product is priced right. It is an excellent quality pump, and at the right price, it will be a great value proposition … these days price and quality are the most important factors when a client is looking to buy products.”

Cumming has worked for market stalwart L & B Industrial Power for the last 18 months. When an opportunity opened in Cape Town it led to a discussion with Bekker and it was decided that Cumming would open his own entity, trading as L & B Industrial Power Cape Town.

“L & B are backing the project. They import the product, so I will purchase directly from L & B and keep a holding stock here in Cape Town. We will also do any repairs and after sales that is necessary, including technical backup. We will be the one stop shop for Viking Products really.”

“The market has been neglected for a number of years, and it is beyond time to get on top of this, bring the old customers back on board and grow the market in the area. Our main aim is to provide great quality, price competitive pumps and provide a service that has been lacking over the years,” says an enthusiastic Cumming.

“Viking also has some new products we are looking to launch to the Cape Town market. One of the exciting products is a revolution pump that we should have in stock by February. We will have to see what kind of response we get to it, but it is made for the Cape market, with applications in the dairy and the pharmaceuticals industries. It is up to us to knock on the doors and get the product into these industries. That is just one of many we would like to reintroduce.”

Positively Pumps will also be stocking the range of water pumps from L & B. “The range of solar pumps should be extremely popular in the Cape. The Cape is known as a very green market and it is time to get off the electricity grid and get the water solar pumps in. Off the grid you are looking at a saving of up to 70%. Within a few years the cost of the pumps can be entirely recouped just on electricity savings.” 

If you are looking for Viking Positive Displacement pumps, mag-drive pumps, gear pumps, water pumps or solar pumps, call Positively Pumps.

By Jenni McCann