Scientific Engineering is a leading manufacturer and design company specialising in commercial appliances and laboratory and scientific equipment. Established in 1966, the company manufactures its own range of products, which are marketed through a worldwide dealer network. In 1993, a South African catering distribution company approached the Scientific Engineering team with a proposal to develop equipment for the food service industry. The company branded its new range Anvil, and the name and products have since become synonymous with industrial food service equipment in South Africa and worldwide.
“A strategy we have always adopted is to be progressive in how we operate. At board level, we are encouraged to invest in new technologies. This keeps us relevant in our industry,” explains Bernard Parschau, Scientific Engineering’s managing director.
“We are acutely aware of the need to create jobs, but at the same time we need to remain relevant by adopting technologies that assist and improve our manufacturing processes.”
Some of the laboratory and scientific equipment that Scientific Engineering manufactures
“We have also spent a great deal of time upskilling our operations and management teams. People need to be able to make their own decisions. A central-control approach just doesn’t work, and we, as the executive team, believe people need to be able to grow. If you have the right people, all the other systems work. This has all been part of our 60-year journey.”
“We are seeing growth in the custom products we can manufacture for our customers. We are finding that people are willing to pay a bit more for a premium product, and a lot of this is down to our experience in manufacturing. It’s about adapting to change and taking advantage of opportunities as they emerge.”
Continuous investment
“Looking to the future, we will continue to embrace our strategy of innovation and adopt technologies that fit our business requirements. We are currently formulating plans to upgrade certain aspects of our sheet metal processing. This is not limited to CNC machinery; we also pay close attention to time-consuming processes, which influence our decisions about the equipment and technology in which we invest.”
“Two areas we are specifically looking at are our bending and welding departments. We have already been using fiber laser welding equipment extensively, and this technology is evolving rapidly. We will be visiting EuroBLECH this year to actively seek out these technologies.”
“We have continued to invest in equipment over the years. Recent purchases include a 6kW Hugong fiber laser, supplied and installed by TRM Supplies. The laser has a bed size of 3 500mm by 1 500mm and is equipped with an automatic sheet loader and unloader, enabling accelerated production.”
“We have also recently installed a Hugong HGPS-7025 fiber tube laser, supplied by TRM Supplies. Our Hugong HGPS-7025 fiber tube laser brings advanced cutting technology in-house. Processing round and square tubes from 20mm to 250mm in diameter or size, and full six-metre lengths, its repositioning chuck system delivers precision, efficiency, and versatility, expanding our manufacturing capabilities while reducing material handling.”
“We have recently installed a Hugong HGPS-7025 fiber tube laser, supplied by TRM Supplies. Our Hugong HGPS-7025 fiber tube laser brings advanced cutting technology in-house. Processing round and square tubes from 20mm to 250mm in diameter or size, and full six-metre lengths, its repositioning chuck system delivers precision, efficiency, and versatility, expanding our manufacturing capabilities while reducing material handling.”
“Another important investment is the SigmaNEST software. It is helping us maximise material savings and reduce the time needed to handle material after processing. Post-processing also needs to be optimised to achieve maximum yield; otherwise, it becomes a complete mess for downstream production operations.”
“Bringing new and pioneering products to market is another part of our philosophy. We demonstrated this with the recent launch of our in-house-designed and developed Proinox Electrolytic Weld Cleaner and Passivator, which is designed to produce clean, corrosion-resistant welds for stainless steel fabrication.”
“Electrochemical weld cleaning removes surface contamination and oxidation caused by welding. The Proinox electrolytic weld-cleaning machine cleans stainless steel welds quickly and efficiently. It eliminates the need for toxic pickling paste and less efficient weld-cleaning methods. Our cleaning fluids are low-risk and contain mild electrolytes. A conductive carbon-fibre brush and mild cleaning fluid clean and passivate the weld, leaving the surface with good corrosion resistance.”
“Succession planning also needs to form part of this approach. Throughout our 60-year journey, this has been a key aspect we have emphasised. It comes down to investing in key people. When you’ve been in the game for as long as we have, you realise that everything revolves around people management,” concludes Parschau.
Scientific Engineering forms part of the Universal Industries Group, a diversified organisation with a strong presence in the foodservice equipment, commercial catering equipment and refrigeration industries across Southern Africa and international markets.
Scientific Engineering have developed the Pro Inox Electrolytic Weld Cleaner and Passivator to achieve clean, corrosion-resistant welds
The Group comprises several specialist businesses, including Colcab, Macadams, Staycold, CGIS, Foodserv and BCE Foodservice Equipment, with Group operational hubs extending into East Africa and Nigeria. Collectively, these businesses offer equipment, products and solutions for the commercial foodservice, retail and refrigeration sectors.
These capabilities reflect the Group’s commitment to delivering integrated solutions, supported by industry expertise and technical knowledge.
A defining characteristic of the Universal Industries Group is its decentralised management structure. Each business unit operates with considerable autonomy, enabling it to manage its operations, respond to market demands and focus on customer requirements.
This model combines the flexibility and accountability of independently managed businesses with the collective strength, experience and resources of a larger group. Through this approach, the Universal Industries Group continues to support the evolving needs of the food equipment, catering and refrigeration industries across Southern Africa and beyond.
Scientific Engineering maintains ISO 9001:2015 certification, as well as various international certifications and conformity marks, including ETL for the US market, CE marking for the European market, and NSF for the US market.
The company operates from two sites. The main factory covers 12 000m² under roof, while the second site covers 2 500m². The company employs approximately 190 people.
For further details, contact Scientific Engineering on +27 11 473 1080 or visit www.scientific.co.za
