DPI Plastics (Pty) Ltd is a leading manufacturer of PVC and HDPE water reticulation and drainage pipe and fitting systems with two ISO 9001 certified South African factories based in Johannesburg and Cape Town. In addition, within the DPI Group are wholly owned subsidiary plants in Namibia and Botswana and joint venture (JV) manufacturing operations in Mauritius, Tanzania and Angola, producing plastic pipes to the relevant SABS or international specification.

Born from the 1988 merger of Duropenta (AECI) and Paxit Pipekor (Everite), DPI Plastics has a proud tradition of world firsts and pioneering product development in plastic piping. In 1994 the company introduced its Ultraflo impact modified PVC-M pressure pipe to the continent, which led to a “Technology Top 100” award from the Engineering Association of South Africa and the subsequent sale of the technology through a license agreement to an Australian manufacturer in 1996.

1999 saw the launch of its ribbed fittings for sewer and drain systems followed by a new SV fittings range in 2002. That same year, the company launched Ultracor, a multilayer sewer and drain plastic pipe, followed by Gemini Biax, a PVC-O molecularly oriented pressure pipe made under Uponor License and utilising a unique extrusion method which results in a PVC pipe stronger and tougher than any of its predecessors. In 2003, DPI Plastics added Duroflex flexible PVC hose to the company’s offering followed shortly by Durothene, a range of polyethylene pipes for drainage and ducting

Always striving for continual improvement, DPI Plastics implemented a Total Productive Management (TPM) International Strategy in 2005 in order to achieve operational excellence in all aspects of the company. At about the same time, DPI was recognised as a “Top 300” South African company and has been nominated every year since then.

Incledon, the trading division of DPI Plastics, celebrated a milestone 100 years in operation in 2006 and DPI-Simba, the Tanzanian factory, received the President’s Manufacturer of the Year award. In addition, DAWN (Distribution and Warehousing Network) acquired 100% ownership of DPI Holdings from existing shareholders Group Five and Sasol, and was placed 4th in the Business Times Top 100 survey, followed by a first place ranking a year later in 2007.

Today DPI is wholly-owned by industry leader Dawn, which is listed in the construction, building materials and fixtures sector of the JSE. The group’s strategy is centred on the manufacturing and wholesale distribution of local and international quality branded hardware, sanitaryware, plumbing, kitchen, engineering and civil products through a national, strategically-positioned branch network, as well as in selected African countries.

Dawn adds significant value to the distribution channel through its optimised logistics services, and by acquiring leading brand manufacturers to reduce duplication and enhance efficiencies between the production and distribution of the group’s products. Its subsidiary businesses complement each other’s product ranges, thereby creating significant cross-selling opportunities. Service functions such as warehousing, distribution and administration are shared, allowing for maximum efficiency.

Recent associations with two European manufacturers of plastic pipe systems, namely the Prandelli Group with its Coprax PP-R pipe and fittings system for hot and cold water, and PlomyPlas with its PE-Xa piping systems for the Refrigeration, Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (RHVAC) market, has enabled the group to add these offerings to its mix.

DPI Plastics products and related components are sold to the rest of Africa via the Exports Department based in Johannesburg, as well as through relationships with African Swiss Trading (AST) and Saffer International, each with offices of their own across the continent.