A rising force in Zimbabwe’s industrial landscape, Verify Engineering, is making significant strides in providing a diverse range of solutions across the nation and beyond. A wholly government-owned company, it operates through several key Strategic Business Units (SBUs) that are set to redefine the
country’s capabilities in gases, energy, and engineering. The company’s expansion, particularly through its VE Gases SBU, which came online in 2022, is already making a tangible impact on various sectors, from healthcare to heavy industry.
The company’s multifaceted approach, as detailed by its leadership, is designed to be both strategic and disruptive, providing essential services and products that were previously scarce or difficult to access. With the Mine Entra Exhibition on the horizon, Verify Engineering is sharply focused on showcasing its capabilities to Zimbabwe’s mining industry, a sector critical to the country’s economic growth. The company is poised to become a key supplier for mining operations, offering a range of products and services that address the sector’s unique challenges, including the need for reliable gas supplies, consistent power, and specialized engineering support.
Gases and Distribution for the Mining Sector
VE Gases, with its main production plant located in Mutare, is spearheading this transformation. The company has two operational plants—one for oxygen and nitrogen and another for acetylene, an industrial gas. In an interview, Michael Kateketa, the Commercial Director, explained, “These are basically industrial gases. Above that, we also do medical oxygen, which would be beneficial to our public health system and private health providers throughout the country.”
This dual focus positions Verify Engineering as a critical supplier for both industrial growth and national health security.
Industrial gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, and acetylene are indispensable in mining and metal processing. Oxygen is used in smelting and refining processes to improve efficiency and remove impurities, while nitrogen can be used to create an inert environment underground to prevent explosions caused by flammable gases like methane. Acetylene is a primary gas for welding, cutting, and metal fabrication, all of which are essential for maintaining and repairing mining equipment.
The company’s rapid expansion is not just limited to production but also extends to its distribution network, with a particular focus on mining hubs. VE Gases has strategically placed temporary distribution points in key locations across the country to ensure accessibility for its customers.
“We are in Beitbridge, you can get product in Beitbridge, you can also get our product in Bulawayo, you can also get product in Mutare, you can also get product in Hwange, you can also get product in Harare, Masvingo and Kwekwe.” This widespread reach is a deliberate effort to make products available while the company develops more permanent, long-term infrastructure.
The flagship of this new distribution model is under development at Harare Polytechnic College. Here, Verify Engineering is building a prototype depot that will be a “game-changer” for the Harare catchment area. Kateketa described the new multi-purpose facility, which will include offices, a retail space for gas accessories, and an on-site filling station.
“Basically what we mean by filling station is that we will be bringing our products, especially oxygen, from our plant in Mutare. We decant it in a storage tank and we then fill our cylinders from there.” This will dramatically reduce turnaround times and lower distribution costs, making the company’s products more competitive and easily accessible for clients.
This prototype will serve as a model for future depots in other cities, ensuring that all customers have easy access to products.The company’s entry into the market has provided much-needed relief and a viable alternative for customers who previously had limited options. “I think our coming into the market has been also a major relief in the sense that we provided an alternative option for the customers,” Kateketa said. This is a relationship the company hopes to continue to grow, with plans to expand its network even further by adding new distribution points throughout the country.
This commitment to quality is underscored by the company’s ISO certification. “We are ISO certified, ISO 9001 of 2015. We thought that was necessary because most of our clients are also ISO certified. So we didn’t want them to doubt us in terms of our quality,” Kateketa explained, emphasizing the company’s strategic decision to operate at the same high standards as its clientele. The company undergoes regular audits to maintain this certification, assuring clients of its unwavering commitment to quality.
Energy and Engineering Solutions
Beyond gases, Verify Engineering operates its VE Energy SBU, which provides comprehensive renewable energy solutions. The SBU can handle turnkey projects, particularly in the solar field, from design and sizing to installation. This is a crucial service for industries like mining and manufacturing that are seeking independent power solutions due to ongoing energy challenges.
Many Zimbabwean mining houses are already investing in solar projects to ensure stable and cost effective power, and Verify Engineering is positioning itself to be a key partner in this transition. The company is there to provide such solutions, as shown by the 100-kilowatt grid-tied solar system at their plant as a successful prototype. The company is also a technical partner in potential projects, including a 50-megawatt plant awaiting financial closure, demonstrating its capacity to deliver large-scale solutions for industrial, commercial, and even domestic needs.
The company’s third SBU, VE Technical Services, focuses on providing expert engineering solutions. This includes designing and installing processing plants and other technical equipment. The SBU’s impressive portfolio includes a feedstock processing plant at Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) and a nanoparticles plant for Great Zimbabwe University.
The company’s expertise is also being sought internationally. Kateketa proudly shared, “We were contracted by the Ministry of Health in Mozambique to put up oxygen, liquid oxygen storage tanks. There are four hospitals, two in Beira, one in Chimoio and one in Tete, where we have put up these tanks on behalf of the Ministry of Health.”
This SBU’s capabilities were further highlighted by David Ruocha, Sales &Marketing Executive. “Our technical service teams projects provide the bestsolutions in doing gas reticulation systems whether in
hospitals or let’s say their malls like the recent one is the Greenfield Shopping Mall at Harare Showgrounds. We are the ones who did the reticulation system for all those restaurants that are around there,” Ruocha said.
As it continues to grow, Verify Engineering is planning to establish a state-of-the-art machine shop to complement its engineering services. The company also aims to make VE Gases a “one-stop shop”
for industrial gases, meeting the increasing demand from the market. Kateketa expressed satisfaction with the company’s progress, stating, “We are carving our niche in the market and we hope to sincerely maintain the customer relationships which we have created and also maintain our market share. We like what we are doing in the market. We have been positive and disruptive.”This confident assertion
reflects a company that is not only contributing to Zimbabwe’s industrial growth but is also poised to be a significant regional player.