A Case Study of Brick Making Machine Procurement at a Building Materials Factory in Nigeria: The Secret to a 30% Increase in Production Capacity

A Case Study of Brick Making Machine Procurement at a Building Materials Factory in Nigeria: The Secret to a 30% Increase in Production Capacity

In the suburbs of Lagos, Nigeria, a building materials factory called "Golden Brick" achieved a breakthrough increase in production capacity, rising from 8,000 bricks per day to 10,400 bricks by introducing the Chinese-made QT6-15 hydraulic brick making machine. This case not only verifies the empowering value of advanced equipment for African manufacturing but also reveals the systemic solutions behind the capacity increase.

I. Equipment Selection: Precisely Matching Local Needs

Golden Brick previously used a traditional vibratory brick making machine, which had three major pain points: a molding cycle of up to 12 seconds, a brick blank qualification rate of only 82%, and energy consumption accounting for 28% of production costs. After comparing 12 global suppliers, the factory ultimately selected the QT6-15 model from Fujian Hongyi Machinery. Its core advantages are:

1. High-Pressure Rapid Molding Technology: Utilizing a dual-pump confluence system, the main pressure cylinder pressurization time is reduced to 3.5 seconds, increasing efficiency by 71% compared to traditional models.

2. Intelligent Temperature Control System: Equipped with an oil temperature sensor and cooling device, ensuring the hydraulic oil operating temperature remains constant between 55-65℃, reducing pressure decay by 40%.

3. Multi-Cavity Design: A six-cavity mold can produce 6 standard bricks (240×115×53mm) per press, increasing efficiency by 200% compared to dual-cavity models. This equipment is specifically optimized for the high-temperature and high-humidity environment of Nigeria: key components are treated with corrosion-resistant coatings, reinforced tires are equipped to adapt to rough terrain, and the engine fuel filtration system is compatible with local low-quality diesel fuel.

II. Process Innovation: Optimization of the Entire Process
Based on the imported equipment, Golden... Brick implemented four key process improvements:

1. Raw material pretreatment system: Introducing a JS500 forced mixer to precisely control the moisture content of the mixture at 8.5% (±0.5%), combined with a dual-mode vibratory and forced feeding system, reducing the brick corner defect rate from 18% to 2%.

2. Intelligent curing system: Employing a segmented temperature-controlled curing kiln, with the heating phase controlled at 12℃/h and the constant temperature phase maintained at 60℃±2℃, shortening the curing cycle by 60% compared to traditional natural curing.

3. Logistics automation upgrade: Deploying B800 wide-width conveyor belts (speed 1.2m/s) and ZDJ-120 intelligent stacking machines to achieve fully unmanned operation from molding to stacking.

4. Data-driven production: Real-time data collection from 12 monitoring points via a PLC system to establish a pressure-speed matching model, automatically optimizing molding parameters for different raw materials (shale/coal gangue/construction waste).

III. Ecological Collaboration: Creating an industrial cluster effect. Brick's success has spurred the development of its surrounding industrial chain:

1. Raw material localization: Strategic partnerships with local quarries have increased the proportion of recycled aggregate from construction waste to 30%, reducing raw material costs by 22%.

2. Equipment sharing platform: A joint equipment alliance with three building material factories has been established, enabling cross-factory scheduling of molds and pallets via AGVs, increasing equipment utilization by 40%.

3. Technology export model: The establishment of a brick-making technology training center in Nigeria has trained over 200 technical personnel from 12 states, exporting complete production line solutions.

IV. Industry Implications: Upgrading Path for African Manufacturing
This case provides a replicable model for African manufacturing. Paradigm Principles:

1. Precise Equipment Selection: Equipment procurement should comprehensively consider local factors such as climate conditions, energy structure, and raw material characteristics.

2. System Integration: Avoid upgrading single equipment; instead, build a complete system covering raw material processing, molding and curing, and logistics packaging.

3. Capacity Building: Use technology transfer as the core of cooperation, and achieve knowledge localization through a standardized training system.

4. Ecosystem Building: Reduce the transformation costs of individual enterprises through industry alliances and technology sharing.

According to statistics from the Nigerian Manufacturing Association, building materials companies adopting similar solutions have shortened their average investment payback period to 18 months and increased their overall equipment efficiency (OEE) to 78%. Golden Brick's practice demonstrates that the deep integration of Chinese equipment and technology management experience is creating new value growth points in the process of African industrialization. With the advancement of the "Nigeria Agenda 2050," this three-dimensional upgrade model of "hardware + software + ecosystem" may reshape the competitive landscape of African manufacturing.