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Manufacturing News

Rolfes appoints new CEO

By: Anine Kilian 16th October 2017 Lizette Lynch has resigned as CEO of JSE-listed Rolfes and will be succeeded by current acting CFO Richard Buttle. The process of appointing a new permanent CFO has commenced. Buttle will retain the role of acting group CFO while a suitable successor is identified. →

Seifsa president laments slow pace of metals sector transformation

By: Terence Creamer 13th October 2017 The slow pace of transformation in the metals and engineering sector continues to be of concern, Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) president Michael Pimstein said during his presidential address in Johannesburg on Friday. He urged the sector, which represents... →

Well-maintained equipment ensures market competitiveness

By: Simone Liedtke 13th October 2017 Ensuring that income-generation capacity is not reduced in any way by ill-maintained equipment is an important way of staying competitive in the market, states Cape Town-based specialised equipment hire company Burma Plant Hire Group (BPH) MD Theuns Burger. →

THEUNS BURGER The proactive approach involves maintenance of a company’s equipment

Drainage system helps manufacturer achieve international standards

By: Robyn Wilkinson 13th October 2017 Drainage technology provider ACO Systems South Africa has completed the first phase of the installation of its flagship hygienic solution at food manufacturer Simba Pepsico’s production plant, in Johannesburg. →

MARCO CASSOL Effective drainage systems are important for protecting building infrastructure and production plants from the destructive effects of water damage

Italian manufacturer remains committed to quality

By: Robyn Wilkinson 13th October 2017 Despite growing competition in the South African geyser market and the generally depressed economic state of the country, global thermic comfort solutions provider Ariston Thermo Group has continued to achieve constant growth in the local market because of its high-quality products, says Ariston... →

ENERGY EFFICIENT SOLUTIONS Heat Tech products are gaining popularity in South Africa owing to their reliability

JV brings suspension products closer to market

By: Robyn Wilkinson 13th October 2017 A new joint venture (JV) – National Spring Manufacturers – between Italian suspension products provider Mollebalestra and local auto spring manufacturer Golden Spring & Engineering Services was launched last month, boosting the availability of the international brand and creating employment... →

AUTOMOTIVE ALLIES Mollebalestra and Golden Spring have finalised the JV agreement that will facilitate the manufacture of Italian suspension products in Vereeniging

Pan-European bank celebrates 45 years in SA

By: Robyn Wilkinson 13th October 2017 Pan-European banking and financial services provider UniCredit will celebrate 45 years of successful service in South Africa this year, having provided support for European companies entering African markets from its Johannesburg-based representative office since 1972. →

FAR-REACHING NETWORK Headquartered in Milan, UniCredit has a unique Pan-European network that provides expertise to 25-million clients globally

SA weighs market opportunities as utility-scale battery storage prospects improve

By: Mia Breytenbach 13th October 2017 Following the release of an energy storage techno-economic study ‘The South Africa Energy Storage Technology and Market Assessment’, advocating that South Africa requires market preparation to take advantage of growth opportunities in the stationary and mobility value chains of energy storage,... →

Insurance plays vital role in construction project success

By: Simone Liedtke 13th October 2017 Owing to insurance playing a vital role in the ultimate success of a construction project, insurance provider Risk Benefit Solutions (RBS) says contractors and engineers need to ensure that a contract includes the contractor all risk policy, which includes cover against damage and any liabilities... →

GEORGE DAVIS Every construction project is unique and has its own set of risks

BMG launches R400m World site facility in Gauteng

12th October 2017 Technical solutions provider BMG, which is part of Invicta Holdings, has officially launched its BMG World site, in Johannesburg last month. Mia Breytenbach tells us more. →

BMG launches R400m World site facility in Gauteng

DTI proposes establishment of State-owned industrial parks association

By: Schalk Burger 12th October 2017 A State-owned industrial parks (SOIPs) symposium, hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Wednesday, resolved that an SOIP association be formed to support the strategic planning of the SOIPs, while enhancing the business experience for firms operating from the SOIPs. The proposed... →

August manufacturing output up 1.5% y/y

By: Reuters 10th October 2017 South Africa's manufacturing output rose by a surprise 1.5% year-on-year in August after contracting by 1.1% in July, Statistics South Africa said on Tuesday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast manufacturing volumes would contract by 0.05% year-on-year in August. →

Brazil revives African ties, eyes expanding market

By: Reuters 10th October 2017 Agricultural powerhouse Brazil aims to revive ties with Africa after a lull and sees a vast export market for food and manufactured goods in a continent whose population is surging, its foreign minister said. Brazil's presence in Africa surged during the government of former President Luiz Inacio... →

Transnet locomotive corruption probe extended as Parliament gears up for inquiry

By: Terence Creamer 9th October 2017 Democratic Alliance (DA) Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry Dean Macpherson is preparing a list of witnesses to appear before a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee for Trade and Industry inquiry into the failure of China South Rail (CSR) to meet local-content obligations as part of its supply of... →

South Africa 'in limbo' regarding the rapidly arriving Fourth Industrial Revolution

By: Keith Campbell 6th October 2017 South Africa is underprepared for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as Industry 4.0. However, it is not badly underprepared. This was reported by AT Kearney Associate Mark Saunders at the Sixth Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Conference, in Pretoria, on Friday. Industry... →

Innovative system helps control wastewater pumping

6th October 2017 Pumps and valves producer KSB Pumps and Valves has introduced the PumpDrive variable speed system, for the effective and controlled pumping of waste water. The system has been designed specifically to overcome problems related to the pumping of waste water. Three innovative functions have been... →

INDUSTRY PLATFORM The annual Agritech Expo in Zambia is an opportunity for industry stakeholders and consumers to communicate and find solutions

Lifting stations ensure efficient wastewater disposal

6th October 2017 Germany-based pumps manufacturer and supplier company Kessel has developed a lifting station with a pump designed to satisfy all modern sewage technology requirements, while simultaneously ensuring user profitability and efficiency. →

AQUALIFT F BASIC The lifting station has been deemed the new standard and economic solution for wastewater disposal

Manufacturer innovates to address lack of water and sanitation challenges

6th October 2017 With South Africa’s lack of clean water and sanitation has pressurising the country’s pumps industry to provide solutions, pump manufacturer Sulzer’s new pump ranges cater to the country’s need for improved water and sanitation, with ranges specifically developed for water transportation and... →

TESTING STANDARDS Results of computational fluid dynamics and finite element analysis are validated through prototype and model testing at Sulzer

Pumps investment solidifies Mozambique sugar industry

By: Nica Schreuder 6th October 2017 South African pumps manufacturer and supplier Brehnor Pumps has commissioned two Ornel Floodlifter 1 200-mm-diameter pumps on the Xinavane sugar estate, in Mozambique, owned by agricultural and agroprocessing business company Tongaat Hulett. →

FLOOD MITIGATION The 1 200 nominal bore (NB) Brehnor Ornel Floodlifter pump on the right, with a smaller 600 NB pump on the left

Routine mechanical maintenance emphasised as preventive measure

6th October 2017 UK-based pump supplier SPP Pumps has emphasised the importance of routine mechanical maintenance, among other preventive measures, to improve pump reliability. SPP Pumps’ products comply with mandatory UK and European regulations and approvals, which guarantee extensive testing of all pumps. →

QUALITY IN CONFORMING SPP Pumps conforms to various UK and European standards to ensure quality and longevity in their pumps products

Exhibition marks firm’s international re-entry

By: Simone Liedtke 6th October 2017 Protective workwear manufacturer Sweet-Orr is set to exhibit at this year’s A+A Trade Show exhibition – which is an important trade forum for safety, security and health at work – from October 17 to 20 in Dusseldorf, Germany. →

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT Sweet Orr benchmarks its continuous improvement process in order to maintain national and international quality standards

Work apparel company sees further growth in sales

By: Simone Liedtke 6th October 2017 Since the beginning of the year, industrial supplier and solutions provider Total Blasting – a subsidiary of Total Product Solutions Group – has sold more than 50 sets of water blast and water jet personal protective equipment (PPE) and the company foresees this number steadily growing at a... →

SPECIAL DESIGN The personal protective equipment was designed to not restrict operator movement and flexibility

Industry trying to reduce reliance on imports

By: Robyn Wilkinson 6th October 2017 High quality, increased productivity and cost reduction are vital for success as the South African automotive industry works to reduce its reliance on automotive component imports while growing its export potential in a slow economy, says industrial equipment supplier Germ Africa director Robert... →

WELL-EQUIPPED Germ Africa provides high-quality filtration and dosing pump solutions that improve the automotive manufacturing process

Intra-industry dialogue crucial for components advancement

By: Robyn Wilkinson 6th October 2017 Given the multifaceted nature of South Africa’s automotive sector, intra-industry dialogue and collaboration are crucial to advancing the industry’s ability to provide high-quality products and much-needed employment in a rapidly evolving world, says Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI)... →

Photo by Bloomberg
KEEPING PACE Advancing education and training in the automotive sector is crucial for keeping up with changes in technology and the local demand for skilled technicians

Local innovation key for growing automotive industry

By: Robyn Wilkinson 6th October 2017 Key to realising the growth potential of South Africa’s automotive sector is local innovation, albeit with due consideration to conditions and operating environments, as local companies are not always able to use international innovations and technologies, says enterprise resource planning (ERP)... →

PAULO DE MATOS South Africa is no laggard when it comes to the uptake of new technologies, especially in the automotive sector

Mobile workshop enhances interactions with automotive OEMs

By: Robyn Wilkinson 6th October 2017 Science and technology company 3M South Africa has launched its new mobile workshop – Abrasive Solutions On the Move – which will provide easy access to its technologies and services for its original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) clients in the automotive sector. →

ON THE MOVE 3M’s mobile unit features a full test laboratory, training facilities and capabilities for providing all of the company’s abrasive solutions on site

Geospatial products distributor launches world’s smallest image laser scanner locally

By: Mia Breytenbach 6th October 2017 Geospatial products distributor Aciel Geomatics has officially locally launched the Leica BLK360 imaging laser scanner – the world’s smallest and lightest image laser scanner. Aciel Geomatics, the appointed distributor for Switzerland-based Leica Geosystems AG, launched the scanner at the... →

EASE OF USE The integration of the Leica BLK360 laser image scanner and Autodesk software streamlines the reality capture process

Closed steel mill discovering new life as an industrial park

By: Mia Breytenbach 6th October 2017 Following the implementation of the business strategy to convert Evraz Highveld Steel and Vanadium complex, in Mpumalanga, into an industrial park, the park is capitalising on its strategic location, says Highveld Industrial Park CFO Andrew Maralack. Highveld Industrial Park is situated close to... →

CAPITAL LOCATION in less than a year of being operational, Highveld Industrial Park has set up a sustainable business

Dow Packaging homes in on sustainable solutions

By: Anine Kilian 5th October 2017 With continued rapid urbanisation in South Africa putting pressure on the food and beverage industry in terms of food safety, shelf life and adequate supply transportation, packaging manufacturer Dow is focusing on developing innovative and sustainable solutions to mitigate these types of... →

Dow plastics division director Felip Vidiella

South Africa continues on path of deindustrialisation

By: Natasha Odendaal 5th October 2017 With some exceptions, South Africa’s industrial policy is not working, leaving the nation to continue down its current path of deindustrialisation, says Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) industrial development deputy director-general Garth Strachan. Addressing delegates at the sixth... →

Department of Trade and Industry industrial development deputy director-general Garth Strachan

Fourth Industrial Revolution prioritises innovation – Davies

By: Keith Campbell 5th October 2017 Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies has highlighted the challenges being posed to the South African economy, and especially industry, by what is called the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0. He was delivering the keynote address at the sixth Council for Scientific and Industrial... →

Photo by Duane Daws
Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies

Manufacturing sector bore brunt of industrial cyberattacks in first half of 2017

By: Schalk Burger 4th October 2017 The manufacturing sector emerged as the hardest hit by cyberattacks during the first half of 2017 as the target of one in every three attacks on industrial control system (ICS) computers, global cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab said on Wednesday. The Threat Landscape for Industrial Automation... →

Caterpillar to localise components as part of R1.3bn empowerment deal

By: Terence Creamer 4th October 2017 US capital equipment giant Caterpillar has announced and equity-equivalent investment programme in South Africa through which it aims improve its black-empowerment rating by localising R1.3-billion-worth of components used in the construction and mining equipment it sells domestically through... →

Caterpillar Industries MD Zakieya Parker

Public hearings into Atlantis SEZ set for next week

By: Schalk Burger 4th October 2017 The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism will host a public hearing session on the designation of the Atlantis Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for Green Technologies on Wednesday next week. The session will take place in Protea... →

Absa PMI rises slightly in September; remains below 50

By: Anine Kilian 2nd October 2017 The Absa Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI), compiled by the Bureau for Economic Research (BER), nudged slightly higher to a still weak level of 44.9 in September from 44 in August. The index has been well below its neutral level of 50 for four consecutive months. →

BMW SA to invest another R160m in Rosslyn plant

By: Anine Kilian 2nd October 2017 BMW Group South Africa (BMW SA) will invest an additional R160-million into its Rosslyn manufacturing facility to enhance production linespeed. The enhancement raises the maximum production capacity by almost 10%, from 71 000 units to 76 000 units, leaving the plant with potential in the future... →

Photo by Duane Daws
BMW SA CEO Tim Abbott

AfDB sells first $39m Industrialise Africa theme bond

By: Schalk Burger 29th September 2017 Development finance institution, the African Development Bank (AfDB), has sold an Industrialise Africa theme bond to Fukoku Mutual Life Insurance Company for $39.21-million. The bond, which will mature at the end of September 2027, will be used to support private sector industrial development and... →

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