Perkins has released new, simplified overhaul kits designed to keep the full range of Perkins 4000 Series diesel engines performing at their best

The company's 4000 Series engines provide power for gensets across Africa and in other global markets.

The new kits, which can be used on all 4000 Series diesel engines, including 6- and 8-cylinder inline models, as well as 12- and 16-cylinder vee configurations, are intended to maximise engine working life.

“Perkins engines are built for the long haul, offering industry-leading performance, reliability, durability and value,” said Matt Burton, senior product lifecycle manager.

“Our new overhaul kits for the full diesel range of Perkins 4000 Series engines allow equipment owners to select the precise mix of components they need to revitalise their engines and achieve even greater returns on their investments.”

The new overhaul kits deliver the factory fit and performance of genuine Perkins parts, simplify ordering with a single part number, and provide peace of mind with a 12-month standard Perkins warranty. By including only the necessary components, they also help customers avoid unnecessary waste and expense.

Available now from Perkins distributors worldwide, each modular kit contains the latest specification genuine Perkins parts, manufactured to fit specific engines and restore them to optimal working condition, improving compression, efficiency, power and fuel economy.

Various kits have been developed to support servicing requirements typically carried out every 15,000 hours.

Copper kits are designed for single cylinder head overhauls:

Top gasket kit: Includes the head gasket (combustion ring), exhaust and induction gaskets, rocker box gasket, rocker cover gasket, and seals. Typically used during cylinder head overhauls at 15,000-hour intervals.

Valvetrain kit: Includes valves, guides, seats, springs, injector tube, injector washer, and seals. Typically used during cylinder head overhauls and servicing at 15,000-hour intervals.

Silver kits are designed for single cylinder overhauls:

Includes piston, piston rings, cylinder liner, gaskets and seals, and conrod bolts. These are intended for major overhaul inspections typically required every 15,000 hours.

“The kits are ideal for both single and multiple cylinder overhauls, ensuring greater stock availability compared with complete overhaul solutions,” added Burton.

“We can help specify kits depending on the required service, including head replacement, head overhaul, single cylinder overhaul, either full replacement or ‘re-ring’, and full bottom-end overhaul, providing flexibility and convenience for engine overhaul needs.”

Perkins has also introduced a range of gasket kits, including inspection door seals, oil cooler seals, and additional gaskets for 4012 and 4016 engines.

As many components are shared across different engine models, a relatively small inventory can support a wide range of engines.

Perkins 4000 Series engines are also widely used in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America.

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Roller manufacturer Hamm has introduced the Smart Compact Pro under the motto “Measure it right. Measure it now.”

For the first time, real-time density is being used as a decisive parameter for qualitative assessment and integrated into automated compaction. Smart Compact Pro makes a significant contribution to extending the service life of road surfaces and, in the long term, reduces construction and repair costs, as well as potential additional expenses for the contractor.

Automated compaction with Smart Compact

Despite advances in digitalisation, asphalt compaction has so far been heavily dependent on empirical data and the experience of the roller driver. Consistent double passes and the correct use of dynamic compaction were often dependent on the driver’s knowledge. Since 2022, the Smart Compact digital compaction assistant from Hamm has been simplifying the compaction process in asphalt construction by controlling the compaction modes and forces based on the selected layer type – base, binder or surface course – automatically and separately for both drums.

The system continuously monitors the asphalt’s physical properties, such as temperature and rigidity, as well as its complex cooling behaviour, to ensure homogeneous compaction by applying the optimum compaction energy and modes in each case. There is even the option of incorporating local weather data.

Smart Compact Pro with real-time density measurement: Higher quality, lower costs

Hamm is now expanding Smart Compact to incorporate an essential measured value – real-time asphalt density. Industry experts agree that it is the decisive parameter for qualitative assessment during the compaction process and will become the key indicator for rigorously meeting regulatory requirements and minimising financial deductions.

Smart Compact Pro closes this gap by integrating the new “Realtime Density Scan” sensor into the automated compaction process. It determines the asphalt density in real time by measuring the dielectric conductivity of the asphalt mix to be compacted, therefore forming the basis for the correlation with the asphalt density or the porosity. Both parameters are crucial for self-monitoring or control testing. With the help of real-time density, Smart Compact Pro is able to provide construction companies with a decisive advantage by accurately implementing regulatory requirements.

This can significantly reduce potential financial deductions due to inadequate quality in the construction work and also save costs for premature repairs. Using Smart Compact Pro also significantly reduces the costs for extracting drill cores.

In summary, the world-first integration of real-time density into automated compaction represents a significant step forward for asphalt compaction. Even inexperienced operators can achieve optimal compaction results with Smart Compact Pro, with no need for extensive prior knowledge. This offers a significant boost for construction companies in times of an increasing shortage of skilled workers.

Weir Group has been awarded a contract to supply its ENDURON high pressure grinding rolls (HPGR) to Ivanhoe Mines for use at the Platreef Mine, supporting the project’s Phase 2 expansion

The HPGR circuit will form part of the concentrator’s tertiary crushing stage. The decision to incorporate this technology draws on its proven performance at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, which Ivanhoe Mines operates in partnership with Zijin Mining.

Situated roughly 280 km northeast of Johannesburg, the Platreef Mine represents one of the largest undeveloped precious metals deposits globally. Phase 1 production commenced in November 2025, while Phase 2 is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027. Ivanhoe Mines is also planning a further expansion phase aimed at positioning Platreef among the world’s largest and lowest-cost producers of platinum group metals (PGMs).

ENDURON HPGR technology offers an energy-efficient comminution solution, using up to 40% less energy than conventional tumbling mills. This contributes to reduced operational costs and lower carbon emissions. The financial details of the contract have not been disclosed.

Bjorn Dierx, Weir, director of HPGR and Process, said, "Weir is delighted to be partnering with Ivanhoe Mines to supply our proven ENDURON HPGR technology. There has been a discernible trend in the mining sector towards reducing its environmental impact in recent years. The continued adoption of HPGR systems as the preferred solution for efficient, high-performance and sustainable ore processing provides one of the most significant opportunities in this regard."

"We have a large installed base of ENDURON HPGRs, and these orders reflect the strong confidence miners have in Weir’s advanced grinding technology and process expertise."

"Weir has always prioritised the service and support element of these partnerships. We understand the importance of being close to our customers and, in this case, we have a service centre less than 10km from the site to ensure we can provide immediate support during operations."

Steve Amos, Ivanhoe Mines, executive vice-president, projects, remarked, ‘HPGR technology is now fairly standard in the mining industry and has proven to be cost and energy efficient. Ivanhoe Mines has extensive HPGR operational experience gained from the three operating HPGRs at our Kamoa copper mine in DRC. We look forward to a successful and long-lasting partnership with Weir.’

Trafigura has finalised the inaugural sale of low-carbon copper anodes manufactured by Kamoa Copper to the Aurubis Group, a globally recognised non-ferrous metals producer known for its high sustainability standards

The milestone delivery represents an important move towards supplying some of the lowest-carbon refined copper available worldwide.

The anodes were transferred to Trafigura’s dry port facility in Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and are scheduled for rail transport on the Lobito Atlantic Railway in the coming days. After reaching the Port of Lobito, the shipment will continue by sea to Aurubis for processing at its European refining facilities. The Lobito corridor offers the most direct connection between Kolwezi and an African export port, shortening inland transit to approximately seven days.

Production of the copper anodes took place at the newly commissioned smelter at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the DRC. The facility features advanced direct to blister smelting technology provided by Metso Outotec. The Kamoa-Kakula operation has been recognised as the lowest carbon-emitting major copper mine globally.

Kamoa Copper manages the complex through a joint venture partnership between Ivanhoe Mines and Zijin Mining. Trafigura serves as one of three designated offtake partners for output from the smelter. Following full ramp-up, the facility is expected to produce up to 500,000 tonnes annually of 99.7% pure copper anodes, positioning it as Africa’s largest copper smelter.

Gonzalo De Olazaval, head of metals, minerals and bulk commodities, Trafigura, commented, "Bringing together Trafigura, Aurubis, Kamoa Copper and the Lobito Atlantic Railway to complete the sale and transport of low-carbon copper anodes from the DRC shows what the mining supply chain can achieve when it works together."

"This transaction reflects the strength of our long-standing relationships with Aurubis, a world class company in its field, and Kamoa Copper, whose state-of-the-art smelter is among the least carbon-intensive in the industry - a testament to the world-class operation it has established in the DRC."

"We are equally proud that these anodes will be transported via LAR - a milestone made possible by the vision and support of the governments of the DRC and Angola, as well as the loan package provided by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).”

Ivanhoe Mines’ founder and executive co-chairman, Robert Friedland, commented, "The first shipment of 99.7%-pure copper anodes marks another milestone for Kamoa-Kakula and for Africa’s rapidly advancing infrastructure. The Lobito Atlantic Railway has become a transformational gateway linking the extraordinary mineral wealth of the DRC with global markets at unprecedented speed and efficiency."

"Copper produced at Kamoa-Kakula, transported via the Lobito Atlantic Railway and refined in Aurubis’s industry-leading low-carbon facilities in Europe, represents a new paradigm in the creation of the greenest and most sustainable refined copper supply chain serving global markets. Combined with our state-of-the-art smelter, this integrated supply chain is setting a new global benchmark for low-carbon-intensive copper for generations to come."

Operational data reflects the corridor’s growing momentum. In 2025, the Lobito Atlantic Railway transported more than 200,000 tonnes of cargo through the Port of Lobito. In January 2026 alone, volumes reached 30,000 tonnes, while the port handled a record 50,000-tonne bulk sulphur shipment.

Throughput is expected to rise consistently over the course of the year as the Lobito Atlantic Railway continues to strengthen its role as a dependable, high-capacity export route for the region.

South Africa has joined the ranks of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), bringing with it an US$8bn country programme that will target industrialisation efforts in the republic, and support projects in sectors like mining, automotives and manufacturing

It becomes the 54th state to accede to the banking group, marking the formal entry of one of Africa’s largest economies into the Bank’s membership, “heralding deeper financial sovereignty,” an Afreximbank statement read.

The bank called the accession a “historic milestone” as the two partners seek to unlock trade opportunities “within a global financial architecture that is rapidly fragmenting due to protectionist policies and shifting trade blocks.”

The US$8 billion country programme aims to enhance industrial development and regional supply chains and boost intra-African trade and investment flows, Afreximbank said.

“We have put together what we consider an important package of US$8bn for South Africa,” said Dr George Elombi, the bank’s president and chairman.

“The country programme is aligned with South Africa's national development plan 2030 and national industrial and trade priorities, and targets key strategic areas.”

He added that Afreximbank’s current pipeline of projects in South Africa, at different stages of review, already exceeds US$6bn, spanning healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, energy and the industrial and mining sectors.

Leveraging Afreximbank’s trade infrastructure and pan-African reach, South Africa can also more readily diversify export markets and further regional economic integration.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called it a milestone in the quest to realise the economic integration of our continent.

“South Africa’s accession to the African Export-Import Bank affirms our commitment to African industrial development and to deepening trade, investment and development across our continent,” he said.

“Once finalised, the South African-Afreximbank country programme will be operationalised with a finance package that will initially support a range of strategic projects across the trade and industrial cluster.”

He said one of those areas to receive immediate effect will be the nation’s Transformation Fund with the aim of supporting more black businesses.

“This partnership will strengthen in more ways than one South Africa’s ability to support South African exporters, industrial projects and regional value chains while advancing our continent’s progress.”

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A new report from management consultancy Arthur D. Little warns that rising product portfolio complexity is quietly eroding profitability in the manufacturing sector, constraining digital growth, and limiting operational flexibility.

The study, Rise of Complexity in Manufacturing, highlights that companies must take decisive action to simplify their offerings and leverage modularisation to stay competitive.

“Unchecked complexity is a silent profitability killer,” the report states. “With resources limited and markets increasingly commoditised, companies must reduce product portfolio complexity to drive profitability and innovation.”

Manufacturers often expand product variants to meet customer demand, but without systematic portfolio pruning, these efforts generate hidden costs. Non-customer-facing complexity such as outdated products, excessive SKUs, and intricate internal processes can slow development, reduce scalability, and impede time to market.

The report identifies four key challenges for manufacturers: maintaining profitability amid market commoditisation, differentiating through digital solutions, ensuring supply chain resilience, and balancing legacy systems with emerging technologies such as new materials, battery-powered engines, or alternative fuels.

Arthur D. Little recommends a data-driven approach to complexity, starting with measuring the cost of complexity (CoC) across product lines and functions. A monetary proxy for CoC can capture inefficiencies in development, manufacturing, warehousing, and support, helping firms identify underperforming products for phaseout.

Strategic modularisation is highlighted as a crucial tool for managing complexity. By designing standardised, interchangeable product modules, manufacturers can simplify portfolios, accelerate time to market, and reduce costs while enabling cost-effective customisation.

The report cites Electrolux, which cut component numbers by 40% and reduced development time by 30% through modular design, and Siemens, which applied modularity to its industrial automation systems, reducing design time by 40% and improving scalability.

Arthur D. Little stresses that complexity reduction requires more than technical solutions: it demands cross-functional coordination, strong governance, and a cultural shift away from short-term gains. Companies must embed modular principles in product development, eliminate low-performing products, and ensure that both hardware and software systems are designed with simplicity in mind.

“Reducing product portfolio complexity is not a technical fix — it is a strategic transformation,” the report concludes. “By making complexity measurable, pruning underperforming products, and embedding modular design, manufacturers can release trapped value, improve speed to market, and build more resilient operations.”

The consultancy urges manufacturers to act decisively now, turning awareness of complexity into structured strategies for long-term profitability and innovation.