DripTech is a family owned business that was started in 1995 originally focusing on micro-irrigation solutions. Over the last 30 years they have expanded exponentially to become the leading suppliers of all aspects of urban and agricultural projects relating to water supply, reticulation and storage. They supply borehole, submersible and booster pumps, as well as pivot and overhead irrigation.

They also supply dewatering solutions and firefighting and mining pumps, as well as a range of generators. Sister company One Stop Solar can supply and install solar solutions to meet the need to power their water supply systems.

One Stop Solar is not represented at the new Glenara branch although DripTech share the premises with another company in the group – TyreZim. DripTech can design sophisticated irrigation systems in-house and supply all the necessary materials, as well as assisting in the installation.

It’s an invaluable service for many agricultural producers. DripTech are agents for leading brands including DAB, Tesla, Netafim, Elysee, Global Water Solutions, Morrison, Adelino and OTech. They not only supply these brands they also carry a full range of spares and offer a complete repair and maintenance service at their fully equipped workshop in Workington.

DripTech supplies and manufactures PVC, HDPE and LDPE pipes in a wide variety of sizes from 20mm up to 500mm.

They also manufacture the well-known Jumbo brand of water tanks in sizes including 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000 litres.

Tanks are manufactured in Workington and are available at the Glenara branch. The Glenara branch is located in a mixed residential and commercial area so there’s no manufacturing at that branch to avoid disturbing or inconveniencing residents.

DripTech still has its headquarters in Workington but has six other outlets across Harare and one in Mutare. They recently built a new branch in Belgravia to replace their previous outlet nearby on Sam Nujoma Street (Second Street Extension) which had become too small. (See Structure and Design issue 62.) They have also fairly recently established their Msasa branch and done extensive renovations to their headquarters.

All the renovations, new builds and extensions have been designed in a similar style to help establish a distinctive brand identity so they are immediately recognisable for customers.

The construction of their Glenara Avenue branch is their most recent project, following on from their new Belgravia branch. Many of the same team of contractors and sub-contractors have been used over the years as a good working relationship has been established over time.

InArc Design has worked on various of DripTech’s new projects to help maintain the overall architectural look and feel of the various branches.

The main contractor for the Glenara branch was RadX Construction (formerly Berrycon Construction) who have worked on a number of projects for DripTech, so have a good idea of the client and the architects’ needs and expectations.

RadX were responsible for most of the construction work – foundations, specialised floor slabs, brick work as well as overseeing all the various aspects of plumbing and electrical work and other details.

Agristructures supplied and installed the steel skeleton and the Chromadek roof and wall cladding in DripTech’s recognisable signature dark charcoal grey. The roof also incorporates a bull-nosed design that obviates the need for gutters and down pipes and gives the building a simpler and more modern profile – it’s also low maintenance.

The steel structure, roofing and cladding made for a quicker and more economical construction process. Work started mid-January 2024 and the branch officially opened in mid-May. The Glenara branch was established in 2012 in an older residential property but it had become so popular and busy that it no longer managed to cater for all the customers’ needs, and in addition storage space was limited.

InArc Design were the designers for the Glenara branch as well as for several other DripTech projects. InArc Design originally tried to preserve some of the existing structure but they said, “due to space requirements for the branch expansion the layout of the building and size was not adequate. It was then decided to demolish and build new.”

The new structure is about 635 sq. meters in total which, according to Council by-laws, covers about 30% of the stand.
Of the total space TyreZim occupies about one third of the structure – also with a mezzanine for tyre storage.

The building has been nestled into a landscaped garden – by Wild Suburban Landscapers – to help it blend into the neighbourhood and provide a relaxing ambiance. At the moment the garden is still in its early stages but will no doubt develop beautifully in the next few seasons. Sparkling water features and ponds utilise pumps, water reticulation and irrigation from in-house designs to enhance the appeal.

Entrance to the new DripTech branch is from Glenara Avenue with ample parking at the front for customers as well as a driveway to loading and dispatch at the back for bigger orders.

There are 17 parking bays on the Glenara side as well as an additional 10 bays on the Samora Machel side, catering for both DripTech and TyreZim. There’s a ClearView barrier between the parking area and the main building and there’s a guard outside to protect and guard customers vehicles and keep them safe. The entrance to Driptech is behind sliding glass and aluminium doors with sand blasted looking vinyl logos. There’s a small portico over the entrance to protect customers from rain or sun.

Once inside there are four counters to assist customers (plus a dedicated counter for delivery and dispatch) – all manned by helpful, knowledgeable and friendly staff. Just behind the counters is the management office staffed by Jonathan Keatley, the branch manager. Behind the counter are extensive pipe racks for product storage plus additional storage space outside within an enclosed structure so most orders can be filled on site.

The exterior pipe storage shed provides an additional 114 sq. m of space. If additional material is needed it can be dispatched from their central stores within a short time. There’s also a mezzanine floor for even more storage space.

To the left of the entrance is Hoff’s café providing excellent coffee and other beverages as well as bagels and light meals. They have indoor and outdoor seating for customers waiting for their orders to be filled, or just a great stop over for people in the area whether they’re doing business at DripTech or just passing by.

While DripTech faces onto Glenara Avenue tucked around the corner and facing Samora Machel is TyreZim taking up around 225 sq. metres and also with storage space on the mezzanine.There’s a reception area as well as three bays fitted out with really high-tech equipment.

There are two bays for tyre fitment – done extremely quickly – and one bay for computerised alignment. Fitting and alignment can be done while you enjoy a coffee at Hoff’s! TyreZim is managed by Kudzai Mativenga who oversees two fitters (the high tech equipment means less manual labour is needed) and three sales reps. DripTech and their sister companies are expanding rapidly and establishing their brand identity and will no doubt continue to grow in the future.

Text by Michael Nott, Photos by Fotohaus, Plan by InArc Designs

From S&D ISSUE 66