Bearings International (Bi) has officially entered South Africa’s pump market through an exclusive distribution partnership with Italian manufacturer SAER, bringing a wider range of fluid handling solutions to local industries, including agriculture.

For six decades, Bi has supplied premium mechanical industrial consumables across Southern Africa. According to Glen Espag, Product Application Engineer (pumps) at Bi, the move into pumps was a natural extension of the company’s existing offering.

“By adding pumps to our product portfolio alongside drive systems, torque transfer, bearings, seals and field services, we are now able to offer customers a more complete solution to keep their operations moving,” he explains.

The South African pump market continues to grow steadily, driven by infrastructure development, water security projects and increasing demand from agriculture, mining and construction. Espag says the agricultural sector, particularly irrigation, is expected to remain an important growth area as farmers look for reliable and energy-efficient water management solutions.

Italian engineering for African conditions

Bearings International first identified SAER as a potential partner during technical evaluations and industry benchmarking in early 2025. Founded in Italy in 1951, SAER has built a strong global reputation for designing and manufacturing high-quality submersible and surface pumps and motors.

SAER pumps are engineered for efficiency, durability and long-term reliability. Manufactured in Italy using high-grade stainless steel, cast iron and bronze components, the pumps comply with international ISO and CE standards, as well as local SABS requirements where applicable.

The products are designed to handle demanding African operating conditions while maintaining strong hydraulic performance and low energy consumption. Plug-and-play configurations also simplify installation and operation, an important advantage for agricultural users looking for dependable systems that are easy to maintain.

Focus on agriculture and irrigation

Under the agreement, Bi will distribute SAER’s range of surface pumps for clear water applications, including centrifugal, multi-stage and high-pressure units, as well as end-suction and close-coupled variants. Selected submersible wastewater pumps will also be available for municipal and industrial use.

Espag says surface pumps were prioritised because of strong demand in municipal, industrial and agricultural markets across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. “Surface pumps offer easier installation and servicing, while also providing greater versatility for applications such as irrigation, water transfer and pressure boosting,” he explains.

Future expansion plans include borehole and deep-well submersible pumps, fire-fighting pump sets and custom-engineered pump skids.

Technical support and customer training

 

Bearings International has also focused heavily on after-sales service and technical support. Local stock of critical spare parts is maintained through the company’s national branch network, helping to reduce downtime and improve turnaround times for customers.

To ensure strong technical support from the start, a SAER-certified technician conducted extensive training for Bi staff on installation, maintenance, troubleshooting and product specifications. Additional technical sales staff have also been appointed.

Customer training forms an important part of the partnership. Bearings International plans to offer structured training programmes both on-site and at its facilities, covering pump operation, maintenance, fault diagnosis and lifecycle optimisation.

Espag believes the partnership strengthens Bi’s role as a solutions-driven partner to industries such as agriculture, mining, construction and FMCG. “This partnership reinforces our commitment to helping customers future-proof their operations by providing reliable, high-quality solutions tailored to African conditions,” he says.

Bearings International formalised the sole distributorship agreement with SAER in July 2025, with the first shipment of pumps arriving in South Africa in early October last year.

For more information, visit https://www.bearings.co.za/