MN100: VescoPlastics

The Company:
Founded in 1958, self-lubricated polymer bearings and bushings manufacturer VescoPlastics produces a proprietary range of bushings, bearings and wear plates that operate in dusty, dirty or wet conditions and last longer than other products on the market. VescoPlastics has warehouses in South Africa, the UK, the US, the Netherlands and New Zealand, with stocking distributors in Argentina, Australia and Singapore. VescoPlastics is the oldest operating manufacturer of engineering plastics materials in Africa. The development of its product, Vesconite, was initiated by a need to find a bearing material suitable for use in ultra-deep mines – mines that extract gold up to 3.5 km (2.2 miles) below the surface, under exceptionally harsh conditions. The firm has 71 employees.

Primary Product / Service:
VescoPlastics produces a range of thermoplastics that require no lubrication, are wear resistant, environmentally friendly, have high dimensional stability and do not swell. While the company supplies the marine industry with rudder bushings and stern tubes, it also supplies the hydropower, agriculture, pumps, rail and mining sectors with a range of products made specifically for the requirements of these industries.

The Case:
VescoPlastics supplies Vesconite and Vesconite Hilube stern tubes and rudder bushings globally. It does this directly and through resellers in large shipbuilding and repair hubs in North America, Europe, the Middle East, South America, Asia and Africa. Its proprietary thermoplastics offer performance superior to that of nylon and bronze, with lower life-cycle maintenance and operational costs. Resellers report that 27 boats annually are fitted with Vesconite and Vesconite Hilube rudder bushings and stern tubes.