As Eskom struggles to meet its supply obligations, municipalities embark on a process of introducing solar water heating targets. SunTank is taking a lead by offering plumbers to install competitively priced Solar-Ready™ electric geysers, allowing the customer to add solar panels at a later stage.

Pretoria, September 2006. The decision to introduce the range of SunTank’s Solar-Ready™ electric geysers at substantial discount directly to the plumbing industry is a result of continuous request from industry members wishing to provide their customers with additional value at reasonable prices.

The gradual opening of South African markets to new technologies brought along a new wave of challenges and opportunities. Modern plumbing businesses have come to realise that developing new specialities and providing 3399customer value beyond the “hit and run” approach are essential for sustainability and growth.

Through the introduction of the Solar-Ready™ program SunTank aims to assist participating plumbers in creating a snowball of opportunities for themselves by introducing the unit into customers’ houses through the conventional route of geyser replacement or a new installation.

With the assistance of SunTank’s marketing department, a second potential job will be created for the additional installation of solar panels onto the previously installed geyser. SunTank’s Managing Director, Yoram Gur Arie stresses: "The process of acquiring the necessary installation skills and reaping the benefits will require that plumbers demonstrate long-term vision and a high level of commitment". He also emphasised that SunTank is setting up the necessary structures to provide the training and support systems as well as automated tracking procedures ensuring that every Solar-Ready™ installation is followed with a joint effort by both the plumber and SunTank to complete the deal of installing the additional panels at a later stage.

To facilitate good service levels and stock availability SunTank is opening a national network of factory showrooms where plumbers will be able to buy the Solar-Ready™ electric geysers, plumbing accessories and other speciality items such as hot water circulating pumps, gas geysers, solar under-floor heating solutions, solar pool heating solutions, heat exchangers and more. The showrooms will allow plumbers easy interaction with SunTank’s engineering department, assisting in advice and technical support.

The Pretoria showroom will open on the 2nd of October at 354 Derdepoort Road, Silverton providing plumbers easy access and comfortable introduction to the solar heating opportunity.

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