AEA Limited (formerly known as Avery East Africa) has consistently remained as the pioneer supplier of weighing equipment in East Africa region; however, the company has continuously diversified its activities and products offering due to the strong after sale support with a chief focus on power and infrastructure.
The firm provides key market leading products in Coding & Marking Equipment, Power Systems, Industrial Products (Bearings and related industrial spares) and Power Infrastructure Projects like Substations and Power Transmission for Production Plants.
The firm has collaborated with world renowned technology manufactures in the world like: Schaeffler Technologies AG and Company in Germany for INA/ FAG bearing, Laser Marking Systems for laser marking and coding Videojet™ machines from USA, Perkins Power Generators from Italy where they import some of their products.
Their latest entry into the market has been a New Pothole Patching Technology; the Velocity Patching machine which is manufactured by Velocity Patching (UK) Limited based in the UK. For all these brands of equipment, AEA Limited undertakes fully, the supply, installation, servicing, repair and maintenance of the same from a countrywide network of branches using a highly trained and licensed technical workforce.
Introducing AEA-Velocity Patching
An innovative Road Repair Solutions
AEA Limited works closely with the Velocity UK manufactures. For example they offer technical support and back up services where necessary. “Technical Teams from UK go to the ground to get feedback on the machine as they provide solutions where necessary,” explains Michael Karigithu, the Head of the AEA-Velocity Department.
According to Mr. Karigithu, with their highly-skilled staff and hi-tech machines, they offer a complete service; carrying out super-fast pothole repairs at a fraction of the cost of conventional methods. Involving exceptionally low carbon emissions, the Velocity Patching method permanently repairs a pothole in about three minutes, a fraction of the time it takes a repair gang to do the job manually.
AEA-Velocity Patching 3-Step Repair Process
1. High-velocity air is used to remove all dust and debris from the defect.
2. A cold bitumen emulsion is forced into every crack and crevice, sealing the defect and protecting it by preventing the ingress of water.
3. The aggregate mix is fired at high velocity through the delivery hose, evenly coating the granules with bitumen emulsion.
Why AEA-Velocity Patching Technology
Very Low on Carbon Emissions
As heat is not involved in the repair, this greener method involves exceptionally low CO2 emissions. The process produces minimal waste material and causes no further damage to the road base.
Defects Fully Sealed
The process is not just used to remove defects, as it is an excellent preventative tool to halt road surface deterioration; thus this prevents water ingress hence preventing further damage.
Fast Repair
The AEA-Velocity Patching Team works alone, once they know which roads need repairing. Due to the speed of the process, road closures are not required in most instances, dramatically reducing disruption and related costs.
Fast & Efficient
The AEA-Velocity Patching machines can carry out fast and efficient repairs which mean shorter road closure periods and improved public perception.
Cost Saving
According to Mr. Karigithu, for an average Kenyan Pothole of Size 0.5m Diameter and 50mm Deep; the Average Cost per Pothole using: Conventional Method is roughly KES 3,500 while using AEA Patching Method is roughly KES 1,800: This Constitutes up to 48% Cost Saving.
Clients Rapport
The AEA-Velocity Patching Technology maximizes on 3M’s for uncompetitive Service Delivery:
1. Manpower – High Skilled and Fully Trained Machine Operators.
2. Quality Material – High Quality Government Certified Materials which
undergo through Quality Assurance Checks prior to
application.
3. State-of-the-Art Machine – The most Technically Advanced and Fully Self-Contained
Road Repair Machine.
All of these qualities enable them to execute successfully winning business strategies that results in AEA Limited being able to offer unparalleled service delivery to their clients. Besides, in accordance with Mr. Karigithu, the company is always ready to discuss customers’ financial need and offer them financial considerate solutions. “We offer several Costing Proposals and we are willing to discuss uniquely tailored plans that aim to minimize their overall Maintenance Costs while maximizing efficiency and customer satisfaction,” he clarifies.
AEA Limited maintains a long standing rapport between themselves and the clients by visiting the sites during different phases of the projects, providing professional advice. Confirming this, Mr. Karigithu says, they first carry out a mandatory Site Survey; this enables them to know the right material quantities to be used as they come up with an all-inclusive competitive quotation. Additionally they offer a minimum Six (6) Months Warranty on all their Pothole Repairs; as a result the company confidently stands behind their promise to provide clients with infrastructure solutions.
Furthermore, getting certified and working closely with the Ministry of Transport – Materials Testing & Research Division officials and the Ministry of Transport – Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Kenyan Government has enabled them to secure business considering the fact that some clients were skeptical about the technology in the initial introductory stages.
This has enabled them to significantly increase and maintain their customer base, which now range from Institutional Facilities, Private, Government and Commercial Clients such as Tran-zoia County, in Naivasha KenGen – Geothermal Development Project (Olkaria), Mombasa County, and Nakuru County among many others.
According to Mr. Karigithu, AEA Limited is in this venture to provide clients with total infrastructure solutions. The AEA-Velocity Patching Technology is ideal for treating the following Repairs: Potholes, Pre-surface Treatment, Depression / Deformations, Cracking / Crazing and Edge Deterioration.
Location
The Firm’s Offices and Showrooms in Kenya are located in:
1. Nairobi – Industrial Area, Along Factory Street off Commercial street
2. Mombasa – Makupa, Along Kenyatta Avenue
3. Kisumu – Gor Mahia Street
They also have fully operational Branches in Kampala, Uganda and Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
The use of Velocity Patching technology (VPT) by AEA is an innovation that all Counties in Kenya are looking for. VPT saves the cost which would otherwise be spent in building a bypass, to pave way for main road construction. The County Government of Tharaka Nithi should be prevailed upon to employ technology in road construction. It employs human muscles to tarmac the road. After inquiring why people must be used to construct and also tarmac the road, the response was that the government was keen to creating jobs for the young people. The use of VPT in such a government could save enough money to initiate industries to create long term jobs for young people. I am convinced that the the Isiolo- Marsabit- Moyale roads which are well constructed can be maintained by use of VPT. These government require rigorous capacity building.