CAPE TOWN, South Africa, November 17 /PRNewswire/ --

The fragile South African valve and actuator market is starting to find its feet. Manufacturers need to position themselves to reap the maximum benefits from the diffuse increase in demand.

New analysis from Frost Sullivan (http://www.industrialautomation.frost.com), South African Valves and Actuators Market, finds that the market earned revenues of $265.5 million in 2007 and estimates this to reach $668.4 million in 2014.

The valve and actuator market is witnessing a rapid growth spurt brought about by several key national projects in the water and wastewater sector as well as the power sector, notes Frost Sullivan Research Analyst Keith Mauppa. This large-scale demand holds the potential to enable a significant turnaround from the decline this market suffered several years ago.

Numerous manufacturers are positioning themselves to take advantage of the massive outlay in spending on infrastructure projects and refurbishments. A few large manufacturers are winning most of these projects on the back of their service quality and track record, then sourcing whatever products they need from other manufacturers. This presents the obvious opportunity for companies to improve their service quality in order to better position themselves to benefit from the large-scale spending windfall.

However, the impact of the South African skills crisis has a significant effect on the valve and actuator industry. The unavailability of a pool of skilled staff to tap into for expansion, restrains manufacturers from exploring the potential of verticals outside of the one in which they are focused.

Although most manufacturers believe their staff to be highly skilled, they are unaware of the potential growth they could attain with a larger staff resource, remarks Mauppa. The focus of most manufacturers is on their primary product segment and very few of them have the staff resources to spread their reach across all product segments within the valve and actuator market.

Companies that have recognised this limit have their own comprehensive training programmes for new employees to maintain an adequately trained pool of staff. Government policy initiatives taken by the DST and DTI will also help to create a more skilled labour force that is less susceptible to workforce flight.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users and other industry participants with an overview of the South African valves and actuator markets, then send an e-mail to Patrick Cairns, Corporate Communications, at patrick.cairns@frost.com, with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company website, city, state and country. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by e-mail.

South African Valves and Actuators Market is part of the Industrial Automation Process Control Growth Partnership Services Programme, which also includes research in the following markets: Electric motors, geared motors, sensors and HMI. All research included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews with the press are available.

Frost Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company's TEAM Research, Growth Consulting and Growth Team Membership(TM) empower clients to create a growth-focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents. For more information about Frost Sullivan's Growth Partnership Services, visit http://www.frost.com.

South African Valves and Actuators Market M2B5 Contact: Patrick Cairns Corporate Communications - Europe Africa P: +27-18-468-2315 E: patrick.cairns@frost.com http://www.frost.com

Patrick Cairns, Corporate Communications - Europe Africa of Frost Sullivan, +27-18-468-2315, patrick.cairns@frost.com