Bearings International (Bi), a market-leading supplier and distributor of premium mechanical industrial consumables to Southern Africa’s key industries for close to seven decades, made a deliberate decision to extend its offering into fluid handling products, strengthening the company’s value proposition to valued customers. This strategic move propelled Bi’s entry into the local pumps market in September 2025 through an exclusive distribution agreement with renowned Italian manufacturer SAER.
The agreement terms have empowered Bi to unlock the SAER range of surface pump types for clear‑water applications, including centrifugal, multi‑stage and high‑pressure units, complemented by end‑suction and close‑coupled variants as well as a selection of submersible solutions. While surface pumps will remain the primary focus, Bi is also offering submersible wastewater pumps ideally suited for select municipal and industrial applications, adding comprehensive and tailored solutions to meet diverse sector needs.
“Since the launch of the SAER pumps to the local market, the response from industry has been highly encouraging,” notes Glen Espag, Bi Product Application Engineer – Pumps. “While still in the early stages locally, market acceptance of the SAER range continues to build momentum, with customers responding positively to the SAER brand’s strong engineering pedigree and proven global track record. With more installations coming online, successful applications serving as strong references across the market and customers experiencing the product’s reliability and performance first-hand, confidence is steadily rising.” Espag observes that SAER pumps are increasingly being integrated into both new projects and retrofit applications, often displacing older, less efficient units and thereby enhancing reliability and energy efficiency.
According to Espag, the municipal, industrial and agricultural sectors are showing the strongest interest, propelled by infrastructure upgrades, water security initiatives and the need for efficient water transfer and pressure-boosting solutions. Mining, construction and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors seeking robust, reliable pumping solutions are also showing growing engagement. “SAER surface pumps are proving effective across applications including water transfer, pressure boosting, HVAC systems, irrigation and general industrial processes, with customers valuing their versatility and ease of maintenance,” notes Espag.
Building on this, further key adoption drivers include robust construction, high hydraulic efficiency and low energy consumption, with customers also valuing the quality of materials and consistent performance under Africa’s demanding operating conditions.
Adding to these strengths are SAER pumps’ plug-and-play configurations, which simplify installation and support efficient commissioning while ensuring market-leading reliability and improved uptime during operation. These advantages are being echoed by feedback from early adopters, who highlight the same strengths while also noting stable performance, improved operational efficiency and the benefit of responsive local technical expertise.
Founded in 1951 in Guastalla, Italy, SAER Elettropompe SpA is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-quality submersible and surface pumps. Engineered from stainless steel, cast iron and bronze, SAER products embody Italian excellence backed by in-house design and continuous R&D, with selected products carrying ACS drinking water approval where applicable. Designed and manufactured in line with ISO and CE, where applicable, SAER pumps differentiate themselves through a combination of high-quality Italian manufacturing, strong in-house engineering capability and flexibility in product configuration. The range offers a balance of performance, efficiency and durability, supported by proven global references.
After‑sales support is a critical differentiator, with Bi’s national footprint, reliable spare‑parts availability and a dedicated team of technical specialists ensuring customers receive timely, effective assistance. Bi’s highly acclaimed and trusted service is underpinned by ample local stock of critical components, maintained through a strategic branch network that reinforces the company’s ability to deliver consistent support nationwide. Through Bi’s exclusive distribution, customers benefit from improved availability, faster lead times and dedicated technical support.
Training remains a cornerstone of Bi’s customer support, enhancing product performance, longevity and overall customer satisfaction. A dedicated SAER-certified technician has equipped Bi staff with in-depth knowledge of product specifications, installation protocols, maintenance and troubleshooting, ensuring the team is fully equipped to assist customers. Bi has further strengthened its capacity by onboarding additional technical sales personnel and upskilling existing staff through comprehensive SAER training. “We are equally focused on empowering our customers with structured programmes,” highlights Espag. “Delivered both on-site and at Bi’s facilities, these sessions cover pump operation, maintenance, fault diagnosis and lifecycle optimisation, tailored to sector-specific requirements.”
Espag reveals future plans to expand into additional product lines such as borehole and deep-well submersible pumps, fire-fighting systems and customised pump solutions. “We have also identified a growing potential in energy-efficient and sustainability-driven applications as well as in pumps-as-turbines (PAT) for energy recovery. As infrastructure investment and water management initiatives continue, we anticipate broader adoption across multiple sectors.” “Through our collaboration with SAER, we are reinforcing our role as a trusted partner delivering tailored solutions to the mining, construction, sugar, agriculture and FMCG sectors across Southern Africa,” says Espag. “This partnership aligns with Bi’s legacy of working with top‑tier global manufacturers to deliver products engineered for African conditions. By adding pumps to our portfolio alongside drive systems, torque transfer, bearings, seals and field services, we now offer a comprehensive suite of solutions to keep our customers in motion. Looking ahead, we see strong opportunities in energy‑efficient and sustainability‑driven applications, as well as customised pump solutions. The SAER partnership represents a decisive step forward for Bi, future‑proofing customer operations and driving mutual long‑term success.”
