The 2020 global pandemic was by far one of the biggest challenges that most businesses had to endure. Its long-term impact on the economy has yet to be revealed and unfortunately, some businesses have collapsed due to the unexpected pressures they experienced. Starting a business during the pandemic may have seemed impossible. Nevertheless, many professionals who had been furloughed or laid off, decided to forge their own path and launch a business. These newly minted entrepreneurs quickly discovered that, despite the national and global circumstances, there were plenty of pandemic-friendly business ideas that could be successfully executed.
A surge of creativity, innovation and adaptability by many businesses in a variety of sectors grew amongst the catastrophe and devastation that the global economy faced. Food outlets diversified, digital art erupted and offices became virtual and streamlined. It didn’t take long to identify those who weren’t going to let Covid bring them down!
TP Products manufactures a vast array of products for the outdoor life, including braai products, such as built-in braais, and accessories
Covid pushed the fast forward button on digital access, it provided companies with the perfect opportunity to innovate, it highlighted the importance of training and upskilling, it’s seen a rise in productivity levels and it encouraged a stronger sense of community. The pandemic changed the course of daily life and we witnessed people and businesses embrace the unexpected in creative ways. It also changed human behaviour, while we all lived in an uncertain time.
For those not involved in all the aspects of being directly involved with the pandemic remote working tools such as Internet, connectivity, working apps and software were high on the list of must haves. Of course, only for those of us that could afford them.
With many not wanting to visit public spaces and restrictions, as was the case in South Africa, being put in place by governments, delivery service businesses enjoyed strong growth. Some of the negatives included the prices of food and packaging increasing and shortages becoming a real scare. Faced with the uncertainty, many people around the world began to stockpile food and other products. The routine grocery and food shopping runs changed dramatically.
TP Products manufactures combustion ovens
“The pandemic reshaped the way we buy, prepare and consume food. With plenty of time on their hands people looked for new, creative methods and ways when making their food-related decisions and South Africans were not short of declaring themselves as culinary maestros,” said Technipunch CC’s owner Johan Steyn.
Three years after establishing Technipunch CC in 2007, a company which focuses on supplying precision sheet metal components to a vast variety of markets, including the aviation, shopfitting, security, electronics and wine industry, Steyn started Technipunch Products. Today the company is better known as TP Products and it produces a vast array of products that are distributed to retail companies locally and internationally and via website orders.
“Our passion in the beginning was to manufacture products and accessories for what probably every South African has a passion for. Because of the extensive amount of sunshine we have and our love for the outdoor life, what better way is there to enjoy this lifestyle than by having a braai with family and friends. It does not take a national holiday for South Africans to be encouraged to light a fire and cook some food, generally meat, and have a braai or a barbeque (BBQ) as it is referred to in the rest of the world.”
Mobile braais that are easily folded into reduced storage space are popular
“We started off with a range of products that just filled a 2-page catalogue. The demand for our fire and braai-related products just grew every year and we soon became one of the leaders manufacturing stainless steel braai products in South Africa. But as our dreams grew bigger our catalogue and range of products also grew.”
“We now offer gas-braais, pizza ovens, braai accessories, built in braai’s, combustion ovens and fireplaces, flue pipes and cowls, mobile braai’s, other camping and outdoor products, as well as post boxes and street and home numbers and letters.”
“Our latest catalogue, which is a few years old and needs to be redesigned and updated, is 44 pages. That gives you an idea of the number of products we now market.”
In 2023 Technipunch CC added a further two fibre lasers to the floor with the latest purchase only being installed late last year. The DNE is a 6kW laser and has a bed size of 4m by 2m
“I mentioned earlier how the pandemic reshaped our lives in many aspects and I was particularly referring to the food and lifestyle industry as all TP Products are influenced directly by the trends and economy in this segment. In a funny way the pandemic helped us to grow our business because of the demand for our products. Coupled with the phenomenal growth in online purchasing and, while the restrictions were in place, this was the only way to order products. This trend has certainly continued post the pandemic.”
“We can’t say that we are grateful for the pandemic. We will however express our gratitude in how we were supported by our customers. The pandemic has reminded us that first and foremost that time spent with our loved ones should not be taken for granted. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of prioritising our overall health and wellness, not just for ourselves, but for everyone around us.”
Technipunch has invested in two hand-held laser welding systems from Hugong HGLW and supplied by TRM Supplies
“The pandemic also saw the birth of a new breed of cooks and culinary experts. Braaiing is a lifestyle. It provides relaxation, the smell of the meat cooking, the sociability of friends and family, and the flames of a real fire, all contribute. It is where we can prepare an entire meal and come together. Patio areas, balconies and entertainment areas form part of the house, and this has created the need for well-designed and modern braai products and accessories.”
“And every new cook and culinary expert wants the best equipment and accessories! Since the pandemic began, we have introduced 50 new products and variants of existing products.”
Growth at Technipunch CC
“The original company – Technipunch CC – is the main supplier of product to TP Products and because of TP Products’ growth, Technipunch CC has accordingly grown. All of the braai and lifestyle products are made of high-grade stainless steel (304 and 316) and entry level stainless steel (430). Where there is a call, we will duplicate products and manufacture them in mild steel. But by far the majority are manufactured in stainless steel because of the aesthetics and longevity of the material.”
Technipunch have now purchased a Hugong 3kW hand-held fibre laser welding, cutting and cleaning machine that has a 300mm cleaning width from TRM Supplies
“There is a bit of a mis-conception in the world about stainless steel. 304 and 316 stainless steel is suitable to be used in coastal areas and 430 stainless steel is entry level stainless steel and not suitable for coastal areas.”
“Stainless steel is not a maintenance free steel and can bend, discolour, rust when direct heat has been promoted. We have tried and tested our products and we only manufacture them in the recommended material.”
“We have also been very busy with introducing new equipment and also added 800m² to our production department.”
“After initially purchasing our first fibre laser – an Ermaksan Fibermark – in 2015, which is still running, we only purchased our second one in 2019. The Salvagnini is a 6kW fibre laser and we added entry level automation to it.”
“In 2023 we added a further two fibre lasers to the floor with the latest purchase only being installed late last year. The DNE is a 6kW laser and has a bed size of 4m by 2m. This has taken our laser numbers to three.”
In the press brake department Technipunch have installed two Bystronic machines. One is a 250 ton by 4m and the other is a 150 ton by 3m
“Investment did not stop there though. With all the new products there were capacity requirements that we had to take care of and also new processes. In the press brake department we have installed two Bystronic machines. One is a 250 ton by 4m and the other is a 150 ton by 3m.”
“Another investment is in a CoastOne C15, which is a smaller press brake with a 1.5m width and a 44 ton force.”
Hand-held fibre lasers
“We decided to invest in two hand-held laser welding systems from Hugong HGLW and supplied by TRM Supplies because of the potential it offers in the environment that we operate in. Manual fibre laser welding will never replace the traditional MIG and TIG welding processes but for the size and thickness of sheet that we use it gives a company like ours an opportunity to do finishing fabricating a lot quicker. Once we have cut, punched or bent sheet for our products we fibre laser weld using the two Hugong machines and the additional two DNE machines that we purchased. They are quick and easy to use, faster than the traditional welding processes and the finish is better in most cases.”
Technipunch’s mix of materials processed is 50/50 between stainless steel and mild steel. However, the majority of TP Products’ products are manufactured in stainless steel
Hugong fibre laser cleaning
“As has been the case with fibre laser welding machines now being readily accepted and purchased for the many benefits that they offer, I foresee a rapid growth in fibre laser cleaning machines. They are used to clean a variety of materials including metals and ceramics. They use a highly focused beam of light to remove contaminants such as oil, dust, rust, paint, and electrolyte. Because they are precise, efficient, and eco-friendly, they are commonly used in the automotive, aerospace, and medical industries.”
“Fibre laser cleaners are becoming increasingly popular to clean metal surfaces due to their many advantages over traditional cleaning methods like sandblasting and chemical cleaning. Handheld laser cleaning machines are designed to be portable, which is a massive benefit.”
Technipunch also has two DNE hand-held fibre laser welders
“After initially purchasing our first fibre laser – an Ermaksan Fibermark – in 2015, which is still running, we only purchased our second one in 2019. The Salvagnini is a 6kW fibre laser and we added entry level automation to it.”
“We have purchased a Hugong 3kW machine that has a 300mm cleaning width from TRM Supplies that will be arriving soon.”
“We have always invested in technology that we can afford and will continue to do so going forward. We believe if you look after your engine room you will have a positive outcome.”
“Technipunch’s mix of materials processed is 50/50 between stainless steel and mild steel. The main focus of the company is to supply precision sheet metal components to a vast variety of markets, including the aviation, shopfitting, security, electronics and wine industry.”
“TP Products is a big ‘client’ but so are our other clients who provide us with respectable numbers that we do not neglect them.”
For further details contact Technipunch on TEL: 021 905 0894 or visit www.technipunch.co.za or www.tpproducts.co.za
