PPC George Offloading Project

R9million PPC George Offloading Zone set to drive efficiency in coastal cement operations
Relentless efforts to provide the Western Cape with 100% quality 100% local cement products
remain at the heart of PPC’s investment into South Africa’s construction industry

R9million PPC George Offloading Zone set to drive efficiency in coastal cement operations
Relentless efforts to provide the Western Cape with 100% quality 100% local cement products
remain at the heart of PPC’s investment into South Africa’s construction industry
11 March 2020, George: In a bid to improve cement production and service delivery in the Western
Cape, PPC has built a new pneumatic offloading facility at its George Depot. This allows the
business to receive product by rail, improving its turnaround to customers without compromising
quality This R9million project gives the PPC George Depot a logistical advantage as it has the
benefits of South Africa’s road and rail transport network while safeguarding the environment and
human health through the reduction of its environmental impact from its material handling
equipment.
“The decision to commission the pneumatic offloading facility included the construction of a new
250ton silo with its ancillary equipment located next to the old silo. The pneumatic offloading
system’s compressor and electrical equipment is located in a container that is positioned inside the
warehouse. The piping for the pneumatic offloading system is installed parallel to the rail line and
the warehouse,” explains Johan Vorster, Head of Coastal Business Unit at PPC.
Strategically located to bolster cement production and delivery in the region as it holds 45 tons of
cement per hour, the pneumatic offloading facility is a feature that embodies PPC’s brand promise,
‘Strength Beyond’. Having identified the need for these projects in 2018, the business has
minimised the risks that come with offloading by hand, thereby improving its offloading time by 40
minutes. The immediate benefit is seen in the road tankers idling time as the pneumatic offloading
facility increases PPC George Depot’s turnaround times.
Describing the value to the industry Vorster pronounced, “PPC George Depot affords us the
opportunity to create sustainable value for all stakeholders, here in the Western Cape, improving
our service to our customers! As a depot, we have a clear vision of how we continue to empower
the community to experience a better quality of life. Our production of 100% local cement that has
the PPC guarantee of 100% quality drives our ambition.”
Through the continued provision of world class materials and solutions, PPC George Depot has
etched a clear place for itself in history - showcasing PPC’s commitment to customer service and
delivery over the past 127 years.
Notes to the Editor
PPC George is a distribution Depot which receives different types of cement from PPC De Hoek
and PPC Riebeeck (Bulk & bags) via rail and road. The different types of cement are:
1. Sureroad 32.5N – Cement for Road Stabilization
2. Surecem 32.5R – Cement for Concrete, Mortar, Plaster & Bricks
3. Surebuild 42.5N – Premium Cement for General Building & Civil
4. Surecast 42.5R – Premium Cement for Precast Products
5. Suretech 52.5N – Premium Specialist Cement