Industrial Water Cooling

What Industrial Water Cooling does

Industrial Water Cooling (IWC), trading as IWC Industrial, is a South African subsidiary of NEXT Cooling Group specializing in evaporative water cooling and engineered thermal solutions for heavy industry. The company designs and manufactures cooling towers (EWK, FM, and PLT package ranges plus large-scale field-erected towers in pultruded GRP, concrete, and steel construction), heat exchangers (gasketed, brazed, and spiral plate designs), and distributes complementary thermal products from partners including Danfoss, Solex Thermal Science, Bowman, and Aprovis. Its proprietary technology includes patented cooling tower nozzles with profiled swirlers, non-clogging splash grid fill for harsh mining environments, and a patented isolation methodology for refurbishment projects. IWC claims approximately 85% market share of natural draft cooling tower refurbishments in southern Africa and holds ISO 9001 and certified asbestos contractor credentials.

The company generates revenue through one-time equipment sales (cooling towers and heat exchangers), professional services including refurbishment projects and aftermarket maintenance, and hardware sales of spare parts through an e-commerce shop. It serves enterprise customers primarily in mining (platinum, gold, copper), power generation (Eskom, Sasol, CS Energy), petrochemical (Chevron, Sasol), pulp and paper (Sappi), and food and beverage (Willowton Group, Helden Distillery, Western Cape wineries). Marquee customers include Eskom, Sasol, Sappi, Anglo American, Sibanye-Stillwater, Gold Fields, Impala Platinum, Barrick/Newmont, and Ero Copper across projects in South Africa, Australia, Brazil, Dominican Republic, and other geographies.

IWC distributes through direct sales offices in South Africa (Edenvale HQ, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Johannesburg) and Australia (Perth), supported by an agent network spanning 25+ countries across Africa, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Central Asia. The company operates under an enterprise field sales go-to-market motion, relying on engineering expertise, project-based sales for large infrastructure, EPC and engineering consultant relationships (Howden, DRA SENET, BBE Projects, Wood PLC), and recurring aftermarket service contracts. The business traces its origins to 1994 when Tektower was registered following Sulzer Group's unbundling, was acquired by IWC in 2014, and today operates as part of NEXT Cooling Group with offices in Switzerland, South Africa, India, Australia, and Italy.

Name

Industrial Water Cooling

Legal name

Industrial Water Cooling Proprietary Limited

Website

https://iwc.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Industrial Water Cooling (IWC) is a South African subsidiary of NEXT Cooling Group that designs, manufactures, and services industrial cooling towers, heat exchangers, and thermal solutions for mining, power generation, petrochemical, and food and beverage enterprises across Africa, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Cooling Equipment and Thermal Engineering

NAICS

Power Boiler and Heat Exchanger Manufacturing (332410), Heating Equipment (except Warm Air Furnaces) Manufacturing (333414), Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341)

SIC

Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585), Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580)

akta.pro primary industry

Heat Exchangers & Thermal Transfer Equipment (IMAHAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Heat Transfer Equipment (Heat Exchangers, Boilers, Condensers) (IMAHAEAC), Boilers, Furnaces & Process Heating Equipment (IMAHAKAD)

Keywords

• Evaporative cooling towers
• Industrial heat exchangers
• Thermal engineering solutions
• Cooling tower refurbishment
• Mine ventilation cooling

Headquarters

HQ city

Johannesburg

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Cooling Tower Sales: Sale of factory-assembled package cooling towers (EWK, FM, PLT ranges) and field-erected cooling towers (concrete, pultruded GRP, steel structures) for industrial applications
2. Heat Exchanger Sales: Sale and distribution of plate heat exchangers including gasketed, semi-welded, copper/nickel brazed, and spiral configurations
3. Aftermarket Services: Maintenance, servicing, and spare parts for cooling towers and heat exchangers including routine inspections, cleaning, full refurbishment, and 24/7 support
4. Spare Parts: Online shop for cooling tower components including fills, motors, drives, nozzles, drift eliminators, and basin components for various tower models
5. Refurbishment Projects: Large-scale cooling tower refurbishment projects including asbestos removal, FRP support installation, and complete internal replacement

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IWC Industrial designs, manufactures, sells and services evaporative cooling towers and plate heat exchangers for industrial customers in mining, power generation, petrochemical, sugar, food and beverage, and general industrial sectors. The portfolio spans factory-assembled package cooling towers (EWK, FM, PLT ranges), large field-erected cooling towers in GRP, concrete and steel, and a full range of gasketed, brazed and spiral heat exchangers, complemented by aftermarket maintenance, refurbishment and spare parts services delivered from offices across Africa and Asia Pacific.

Product overview

IWC Industrial is a subsidiary of NEXT Cooling and operates as Africa's leading cooling tower specialist, offering a comprehensive portfolio of engineered thermal solutions. The core product portfolio centers on three main categories: (1) Cooling Towers encompassing the iconic EWK range (plug-and-play package towers in GRP casings for small to medium applications), FM range (multi-fanned high-capacity package towers), and PLT range (custom-built towers with pultruded fiberglass for larger applications), plus large-scale Field Erected Cooling Towers in pultruded GRP, concrete, or steel; (2) Heat Exchangers including proprietary gasketed plate heat exchangers, copper/nickel brazed plate exchangers, and spiral heat exchangers, complemented by distributed Danfoss products (gasketed, welded, and semi-welded plate exchangers), represented Solex bulk solid heat exchangers, distributed Bowman hydraulic oil coolers, and Aprovis exhaust gas heat recovery solutions as a German partner; and (3) Aftermarket Services providing maintenance, servicing, spare parts, and refurbishment for cooling towers and heat exchangers, including Legionella prevention. The company also operates an e-commerce shop for cooling tower spare parts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EWK Range: Iconic EWK package cooling towers manufactured in robust, durable and compact glass reinforced polyester casing. Simple plug and play design suitable for small to medium size applications such as distilleries, dry cleaners, and wineries.
• FM Range
• PLT Cooling Tower Range

Products and services

• EWK Cooling Tower Range

Quantifiable outcome

• 6.5 MW of additional cooling capacity installed for Impala Platinum mine ventilation expansion
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DanfosscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 September 2024IWC entered a distribution partnership with Danfoss to distribute Danfoss-made heat exchangers (gasketed, welded, and semi-welded plate heat exchangers) to IWC's client base across South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. Danfoss acquired Sondex in 2016, which has an established installed base in South Africa. IWC holds stock of standard heat exchanger components and provides custom assembly solutions.
• Solex Thermal SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIWC represents Solex Thermal Science in Southern Africa since 2020, providing heat exchangers for dry bulk solids including soybeans, sugar crystals, polymer pellets, coffee beans, and foundry sand. Solex is the global leader in indirect heat transfer technology for bulk solid cooling.
• BowmanminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIWC is a proud supplier of Bowman Hydraulic Oil Coolers, offering a comprehensive range including sizes for the largest systems.
• AprovisminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIWC is a proud partner of Aprovis from Germany, offering comprehensive range of exhaust gas treatment and heat recovery solutions for various industries.
• NEXT Cooling GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIWC Industrial is a subsidiary company of NEXT Cooling. NEXT Cooling has offices in Switzerland, South Africa, India, Australia and Italy, delivering cooling towers, air-cooled condensers, and comprehensive aftermarket services worldwide. The group portfolio includes field erected cooling towers, air cooled condensers, bulk air coolers, and solution/slurry cooling towers.
• BBE ProjectscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIWC was contracted by BBE Projects (specialist in mine refrigeration and ventilation systems across Africa) to deliver cooling solutions for Impala Platinum mine ventilation expansion. BBE Projects selected IWC based on proven track record and mining cooling expertise.
• UGLminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUGL served as subcontractor for IWC Australasia on the Callide Power Station cooling tower replacement project in Queensland, Australia.
• DRA SENETcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDRA SENET appointed IWC to provide solution cooling towers for Pueblo Viejo gold mine expansion in Dominican Republic. DRA SENET served as engineering company for the process plant expansion with responsibility for Engineering and Procurement.
• HowdencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIWC has an ongoing partnership with Howden (global mine ventilation and cooling company) for bulk air coolers and cooling towers. Projects include Roxgold mine in Burkina Faso, Ero Copper Caraiba Mining Complex in Brazil, and multiple South African mining operations.
• Coldfact ProjectsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIWC was contracted by Coldfact Projects to supply EWK441 cooling towers for Sundays River Citrus Company degreening rooms, integrated with water-cooled chillers.
• Australian EPC SpecialistminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIWC teamed with Australian-based EPC specialist to supply and install PLT cooling towers for a gold mine near Victoria, Australia.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Energo Engineering: India-based specialist in natural draft and mechanical draft cooling towers serving power and industrial markets, with growing presence in Africa and Middle East — comparable in engineering-led project execution for thermal power.

Broad incumbents

• Howden: Global provider of mission-critical air and gas handling solutions, including mine ventilation and cooling. Competitor in bulk air coolers and cooling towers for mining and a partner of IWC; comparable in mining thermal solutions.
• Alfa Laval: Global leader in heat transfer, separation, and fluid handling — directly comparable to IWC's plate heat exchanger business (gasketed, brazed, welded) and a much larger incumbent in the heat exchanger market.

Direct peers

• SPX Cooling Technologies: Manufacturer of evaporative cooling towers, air-cooled condensers, and dry coolers with strong presence in power generation and industrial markets — overlapping customer base and product portfolio with IWC, particularly in field-erected installations.
• Kelvion: Global manufacturer of heat exchangers and cooling solutions for power, oil & gas, chemical, and marine industries — closely comparable to IWC's heat exchanger and industrial cooling tower offerings.
• Baltimore Aircoil Company (BAC): Global leader in evaporative cooling, heat transfer, and ice thermal storage with a comprehensive cooling tower and heat exchanger portfolio serving HVAC, industrial, and process cooling markets — directly comparable to IWC's core offerings.
• Paharpur Cooling Towers: India-based cooling tower manufacturer with global presence in power, industrial, and HVAC segments; comparable in industrial and field-erected cooling towers, particularly relevant given IWC's growing Asia Pacific footprint.
• Brentwood Industries: Manufacturer of cooling tower fills, drift eliminators, and components with a global industrial cooling tower aftermarket business — overlapping with IWC's spare parts and splash grid fill product lines.
• Hamon: Specialist in cooling towers, heat exchangers, and air-cooled condensers with strong presence in power generation and industrial markets across Europe, Asia, and Africa — comparable engineered cooling tower portfolio.
• EVAPCO: Global manufacturer of cooling towers, closed-circuit coolers, and ice thermal storage with broad industrial, HVAC, and process cooling applications — a direct competitor in the package and field-erected cooling tower segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/iwc
• Facebookfacebook.com/IWC-Industrial-Water-Cooling-113891387104461
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iwc-pty-ltd

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Industrial Water Cooling