History

Since its inception in 1967, Metpro has established itself as the leading manufacturer and supplier of composite friction material to the South African market. A change in its economic focus led to an expansion of its market base, which now incorporates the South African Mining and Rail Industries. However, Metpro remains a highly specialized manufacturer of a range of rail brake shoes for diverse applications.

Market Position

Metpro has played a major role in transforming the traditional cast iron brake shoe to composite substitutes. It develops, manufactures and supplies composite railway brake shoes and disc brake pads for application on locomotives, freight wagons, passenger coaches, motorized coaches, mining locomotives and mining hoppers for the South African market. As a predominant technological leader in its field, it focuses on maintaining a high level of reliability and produces world-class quality cost-competitive products. Due to the competitive and specialized market environment, this small, high performance business unit has diversified and now services and maintains both the existing market as well as the newly acquired international market.

Business Focus

Metpro’s main drive is business growth, and is focused on expanding its base market in South Africa and on becoming globally competitive through the development of new markets and new products within the brake block range. Business growth is based on quality management and the criteria of constant operational improvement to ensure quality, reliability and availability.

Business Culture

Metpro’s employees foster a culture of engineering expertise, quality and customer service. Long-term relationships are forged and personalized customer contact is maintained on a regular basis.

Due to the nature of the business and its research and development facilities, Metpro remains abreast of national and international market trends and is a preferred supplier to many of its customers based on its ability to develop specialized products according to customer requirements.

Competitive Advantage

Metpro was one of the first to successfully develop and manufacture composite asbestos-free brake shoes as an alternative to cast iron shoes. It has the largest and most sophisticated dynamometer testing facility in Africa, which forms an integral part of its product research and development strategy.

The dedication of Metpro’s employees, together with its specialized research and development programmes, have led to the development, testing and manufacturing of new products for the South African, American and Australian markets. These products have already been approved in accordance with the required customer specification. Metpro has built up a network of strong partnership associations with its support companies.

Accreditations and Achievements

The test and development facility forms an integral part of Metpro’s SABS / ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems. Metpro is also an ISO 14000 accredited company and has recently received AAR approval for products developed for the USA market.

Skills Development and Diversity

An approved budget has been allocated to the upliftment and ongoing training of each of Metrpo’s employees throughout the organization. This has led to the successful development of a highly skilled and dedicated team. Compliance with government legislated labour practices and the pro-active implementation of the Employment Equity Bill ensures a stable and productive work environment.

Research and Development

Metpro’s research and development facility offers full scale dynamometer testing and brake simulations under all conditions. As the largest dynamometer facility in Africa, it provides customers with technically accurate comparative measurement results. Furthermore, cost effective solutions for braking problems are researched and tested according to national and international railway specifications.

Alliances and Agreements

Metpro has agreements with approved distributors throughout Africa, Australia, USA, Indonesia and Taiwan.

Confidentiality

Metpro’s manufacturing process consists of the implementation of the latest mixing technology and mould designs. Customer confidentiality is essential as formulae are developed specifically according to customer requirements and specifications, and for different applications in different industries.

Products

Metpro produces a wide range of high performance brake shoe products.

Website: www.dcd-dorbyl.com