SOUTH AFRICA – Global water technology company Xylem has announced a strategic update to its Southern African distribution model, expanding its Applied Water support through a new regional structure effective 1 June 2026.
As part of the updated Xylem Applied Water support strategy, the company has appointed AQS Liquid Transfer PTY Ltd as the master distributor for its Applied Water segment across key Southern African Development Community (SADC) markets. The announcement was made on 25 May 2026 and reflects Xylem’s continued focus on strengthening customer proximity, technical responsiveness, and distribution efficiency in regional water infrastructure markets.
Under the revised structure, AQS Liquid Transfer will manage commercial operations, customer support, technical service, and order fulfilment for Xylem’s Applied Water portfolio. The coverage area includes Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The Applied Water segment includes key pumping and fluid-handling solutions such as the Lowara pump range, widely used across municipal, industrial, and commercial applications. Xylem confirmed that other business units, including Transport, Treatment within Water Infrastructure, and Water Solutions & Services, remain unchanged under this restructuring.
Xylem Applied Water Support Model
According to Xylem, the updated distribution structure is designed to improve service alignment and enhance customer experience across Southern Africa. “AxFlow Holding brings deep expertise and a strong customer focus, making them an excellent partner for our Applied Water business,” said Ahmed Yassin, Sales Director Applied Water at Xylem Africa. The company emphasized that the transition is intended to ensure continuity for customers while strengthening regional technical and commercial support.
AQS Liquid Transfer’s Role in Regional Distribution
AQS Liquid Transfer, based in Pretoria, specializes in fluid-handling equipment distribution, technical sales engineering, and aftermarket support services. The company has operated in Southern Africa’s pump distribution sector since 2003 and became part of Sweden-based AxFlow Holding in 2016. Leon Fourie, Managing Director at AQS Liquid Transfer, highlighted the company’s long-term commitment to strengthening distribution efficiency in the region. “Lowara is a brand proven in the field, and our focus is to support it with strong distribution discipline, demand-driven stock, and long-term commitment through our regional partner network,” he said.
AxFlow’s Global Industrial Footprint
AxFlow Group operates in 31 markets globally, serving industries including chemical processing, petrochemicals, food and beverage, power generation, environmental services, and wastewater treatment. The group employs approximately 1,723 people and reports an annual turnover of around €542 million. Its role in the updated Xylem Applied Water support structure strengthens its position within Africa’s fluid-handling and pump distribution ecosystem.
Customer Transition and Market Continuity
Xylem has advised customers across the region to channel all Applied Water-related inquiries through AQS Liquid Transfer from 1 June 2026. The company stated that the transition is structured to ensure continuity of service and uninterrupted access to technical and commercial support. This change reinforces Xylem’s strategy of aligning regional distribution with specialized partners capable of delivering localized expertise and faster response times.
Why the Shift Matters
The updated Xylem Applied Water support model reflects a broader transformation in global water infrastructure supply chains. Across Africa, demand is rising for faster technical support response times, stronger local inventory availability, energy-efficient pumping systems, integrated lifecycle service models, and improved wastewater and water treatment reliability. As urbanization accelerates and water infrastructure investment increases, distribution networks are becoming critical to system performance and uptime.
About Xylem
Xylem is a Fortune 500 water technology company focused on solving global water challenges through smart infrastructure, pumping systems, treatment technologies, and digital water solutions. The company also invests heavily in innovation, sustainability initiatives, and digital transformation platforms aimed at improving water efficiency and resilience worldwide.
The company reported approximately US$9 billion in revenue in 2025 and employs around 22,000 people across more than 150 countries.
