Inside Mining Magazine - Redefining Inspection Through Technology

With more than 45 years of industry experience, De-Tect Unit Inspection has established itself as a leader in specialised inspection and non-destructive testing (NDT) services. The company is committed to delivering reliable, cost-effective solutions within strict timelines - while also upholding the highest standards of integrity and quality. Managing Director Shaun Meerholz explained more to Hannah Barnett.

By leveraging the latest technologies and sharing best practices across projects, De-Tect Unit Inspection has never stopped innovating. The South African-based business is known for consistently providing value-added inspection and testing solutions tailored to the specific needs of each industry sector. Additionally, the company counts some of the best minds in the business among its staff.

“We have a rare combination of elite technical certification and visionary leadership,” said Shaun Meerholz, Managing Director. “Having eight NDT Level III professionals within our organisation means our clients are not just getting a service provider – they are getting a partner with unparalleled technical authority.”

Back to roots

“The journey of De-Tect Unit Inspection has been defined by strategic evolution and what Mr Meerholz described as “a triumphant return to our roots.”

Since the company was founded in 1980, significant milestones have included its acquisition by CRC-Evans and subsequent incorporation into the global giant Stanley Black & Decker. However, this was followed by another pivotal turning point, in the form of a successful management buyout, led by some of the original owners.

“This move successfully transitioned the business back into the proudly 100 per cent South African-owned company we are today,” said Mr Meerholz. “We have reinforced this legacy by investing heavily in our personnel and we boast an elite technical backbone of professionals within our organisation.”

Bringing this expertise to international audiences, De-Tect has successfully established international branches in Houston, the United Kingdom and Brazil. Next, the company is planning to broaden its European footprint by evaluating further expansion into Germany.

The innovative offer

De-Tect provides the mining sector with a comprehensive suite of inspection solutions designed to maximise uptime and structural integrity. In addition to core NDT methods like ultrasonic, penetrant, magnetic particle and radiographic testing, the company also deploys specialised high-tier services tailored for harsh mining environments.

These include corrosion mapping, which involves monitoring wear and wall-loss in processing plants, laser inspection which allows for high-precision geometric verification of critical components and Pulsed Eddy Current services, where hidden flaws are detected through insulation or coatings. The company also offers Long Range Ultrasonic Testing, which provides rapid screening of long pipelines and inaccessible structures from a single contact point, and much more.

Innovation at De-Tect is driven by the company’s heavy involvement in R&D. Recently, the company has directed this drive into developing the potential of automation.

“We do not just use technology; we design, build, test and integrate entirely new electronic and robotic systems into our inspection workflows,” said Mr Meerholz. “We are moving away from manual methods toward advanced automation that removes human error and increases data density.”

This shift towards fully-robotic systems is driving change faster than anything else in the sector. The De-Tect R&D department is currently spearheading the development of innovations like Automated Corrosion Mapping, which involves implementing precision robotics to scan vast surface areas with extreme accuracy.

“We are also investing in Turbine Blade Inspections, designing fully-robotic systems to navigate complex blade geometries and Coil Retaining Ring Inspections, where fully-automated phased array systems are used to ensure the integrity of critical generator components,” said Mr Meerholz.

Training the best

Over the past 45 years, De-Tect Unit Inspection has trained thousands of technicians in the field, setting a benchmark for technical competence in the industry. With such a high calibre of workforce, the company maintains a level of technical depth that is unmatched in the sector.

“We don’t just hire technicians; we cultivate experts,” Mr Meerholz said. “For example, in February 2026, we initiated rigorous trials to qualify five technicians specifically for specialised inspection systems. A recent project that showcases this synergy involved the seamless integration of our custom-designed robotic inspection procedures to provide a comprehensive life-assessment of critical assets.”

The company aims to demonstrate this excellence at Electra Mining in September 2026. The leading mining exhibition in South Africa brings together mining companies, industry suppliers, contractors and thousands of professionals from across the continent. Visitors come to explore new technologies, compare equipment, meet new suppliers and discover solutions that drive safer, smarter and more efficient mining operations.

“Our goal is to connect with industry peers and demonstrate that NDT is a vital component of a sustainable mining ecosystem,” said Mr Meerholz. “We look forward to showcasing our latest specialised inspection methodologies, specifically those geared toward heavy-duty mining equipment, and exploring new partnerships that align with our global expansion strategy.”

The company’s approach to supply chain sustainability is rooted in long-term reliability and technical synergy. This means viewing suppliers not just as vendors, but as critical components within the De-Tect quality promise.

“By maintaining rigorous standards and open communication,” said Mr Meerholz, “we ensure that every piece of equipment and consumable that enters our workflow meets the high-tier requirements of the NDT industry. This consistency allows us to provide stable, predictable and elite service to our clients, ensuring that our supply chain is as resilient as the infrastructure we inspect.”

Moving ahead

The company’s future is focused on global expansion. This means aggressively scaling its footprint to ensure that the De-Tect signature level of technical excellence is accessible in every major industrial hub worldwide. By establishing a permanent, localised presence in key regions, the company is moving closer to its goal of becoming the world’s premier specialised inspection partner.

“The primary challenge is maintaining our rigorous quality standards across different regulatory landscapes,” reflected Mr Meerholz. “To overcome this, we are investing heavily in standardised process flowcharts and high-level technician training to ensure that a De-Tect inspection delivers the same absolute certainty whether it is performed in Johannesburg, Houston or Brazil.”

When it comes to safety, De-Tect’s ethos is that ‘good enough’ is the enemy. Whether this is performing high-level corrosion mapping or implementing a new safety policy, the company maintains standards of intensity and precision that define it as a leader in the South African engineering landscape. Ultimately, De-Tect is a company powered by skills, safety and innovation.

“As Managing Director, nothing beats the energy of the workshop,” said Mr Meerholz, in conclusion. “I am equally at home in a suit in the boardroom as I am in coveralls. Leading a team of energetic professionals and pushing the boundaries of what specialised NDT technology can achieve is what keeps me motivated every day.”