Can you introduce Haver & Boecker and describe the company’s areas of focus?

Haver & Boecker’s mining division (known as Haver & Boecker Niagara) produces technologies and solutions related to the classification and separation of solid materials – mainly vibrating screening machines, screening media (rubber and PU), and wire mesh. We have two main product lines related to condition monitoring, industry 4.0, and IoT. One is a traditional condition monitoring system where you install sensors on the machine to collect data, and the other is a remote monitoring system that sends data to a cloud network every five minutes. This data is then analyzed through a machine learning system to inform decision making and predict mechanical problems up to four weeks in advance. An unplanned stop of a vibrating screen for five hours, for example, can create a bottleneck which costs (due to lost production) two or three times more than the equipment itself.

What are the main benefits of Haver & Boecker Niagara’s vibrating screens?

Haver & Boecker Niagara has two centers of excellence in the Americas – one in Brazil which is mainly focused on large linear motion vibrating machines from our German side of the business; and one in Canada, which is focused on the original W.S Tyler machines that are more medium to small sized. Haver & Boecker Niagara manufactures T-class and F-class vibrating screens which rotate in a circular motion rather than linear, with the difference being that the T-class has two bearings and the F-class four in the main shaft. The benefits of having four bearings is that you have a fixed amplitude of movement, which is an ideal solution for challenging screening applications requiring consistent performance, load independence and minimal vibration transmission into the structure. The four-bearing shaft assembly thus enhances positive circular motion, ensuring the most effective screening action.

What types of companies do you supply products to and what services does the company offer?

We work with everyone along the mining lifecycle – from directly with mining companies to contractors and EPCM firms. We are focused on keeping the total cost of ownership (TOC) as low as possible for our customers so they can attain the most benefit. From our Chilean office, we serve all South American countries that speaks Spanish, but approximately 80% of our business in the mining industry is in Chile and Peru.

Our sales and services relate to new machines, replacement machines, condition monitoring technologies, and services and spare parts. We provide our customers all components and spare parts to keep their machines in top condition. We also have a refurbishment division where we completely disassemble old machines, replace parts that need to be replaced, repair parts that can be repaired, and reassemble the machine. We guarantee that our refurbished machines are as good as new, and customers then basically have a new machine while saving near 40% on costs.

Which challenges have you noticed in the manufacturing of material handling machines recently?

The high price cycle combined with inflation and supply chain delays is impacting the industry as cost for materials such as steel needed to manufacture material handling equipment has also increased, leading to higher cost of equipment for our customers. From November 2021 to April 2022, we saw international steel prices increase by approximately 50% is some markets, including North America, which is a key hub for us.

What potential do you see for Haver & Boecker Niagara’s growth in the mining sector in the years ahead?

High commodity prices are giving a new lease of life to the mining industry, and we expect that projects that were suspended or are on standby will soon be progressing again. In the Chilean market, we have seen the need for getting new projects online, and most Peruvian projects are keeping on track. Over the past three years, Haver & Boecker has seen great success with new machines in the Peruvian market, but this has not been same in the Chilean market, maybe due to the pandemic, the international situation, and the current geopolitical situation in the country creating uncertainty and putting the mining industry on standby. We however expect a relaunch of the Chilean market in the near future, especially in light of high copper prices and expected increased demand, which will require increased production capacity.