When Everite AC Pipes withdrew from the Namibian market they were looking for an agent for their product range.  Mr Walter Behr of Valco Sales & Service saw the potential in this, and established Valco Pipes in June 1996 and Eric Detering joined the company in 1998. The business soon became the leader in bulk water and reticulation pipe supply and has since expanded its product offering to include, amongst others, water meters and manhole covers. “A great part of our country’s water infrastructure was built with products supplied by us – a feat that we are very proud of” says Eric Detering, the company’s Managing Member. 

Valco Pipes is in the process of being acquired by Heat Exchange Products (Pty) Ltd, a company founded by Henning Mercker and recently majority-owned by local private equity firm Eos Capital as part of its aggressive growth path in the water sector which it believes to be one of the most attractive growth sectors over the medium term. 

The aim of Heat Exchange products is to build an end to end Namibian water services and engineering company, offering its customers freedom of choice between a vast product and service portfolio. “Valco Pipes fits squarely into our vision and we are excited to have them on board” said Henning Mercker, CEO of Heat Exchange Products. 

All employees will be retained, and Eric Detering will still guide the business for a transition period of six months where after he would like to retire. The business will relocate to the Heat Exchange Products premises, just a bit further down Simmentaler road and will offer the same service to its customers. 

The business holds massive potential and will be more competitive with improved empowerment credentials and access to a wider and deeper stockholding of quality products for its customers.