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African countries can leapfrog technologies, if they understand the requirements

By: Rebecca Campbell 17th October 2018 The world, in trade and industrial terms, is being disrupted by both technological and political developments, providing opportunities but also posing risks to African countries. So highlighted University of Cape Town Mandela School of Public Governance Professor Carlos Lopes. On the... →

Numsa plastic sector workers to strike over wages

By: African News Agency 15th October 2018 Thousands of National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa are expected to strike in more than 450 companies in the plastic sector on Monday over wages and benefits, the union said. Numsa said these workers had, until 2016, enjoyed the same rights and benefits as those in engineering, but the... →

Steel Awards showcase resilience, workmanship in South African steel industry

By: Simone Liedtke 12th October 2018 South African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC) CEO Paolo Trinchero believes the industry continues to produce “outstanding work, [which] demonstrates its capability and expertise”. Speaking at its yearly Steel Awards function on Thursday evening, he said there was continued perseverance in... →

Seifsa president points to ‘signs of green shoots' for metals sector

12th October 2018 In an address at the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa’s (Seifsa’s) Presidential Breakfast on Friday, outgoing interim president Alph Ngapo expressed optimism that the political transition, which saw President Jacob Zuma replaced by President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier... →

Opportunities abound for Italian entrepreneurs expanding into Africa

By: Shannon de Ryhove 12th October 2018 The Italian-South African Chamber of Trade and Industries says Italian companies are becoming increasingly positive about the opportunities offered by South Africa, which is being acknowledged as a hub from which to expand and invest into surrounding African countries, says Italian-South African... →

Speciality textiles firm to produce flame-resistant fabrics for Africa

By: Schalk Burger 12th October 2018 South Africa-based speciality textiles manufacturer Gelvenor Textiles will produce flame-resistant Nomex and flame- and arc-resistant Protera fabrics to be distributed in Africa in partnership with industrial multinational DuPont, says Gelvenor Textiles CEO Dicky Coetzee. The company underwent 18... →

Air Products launches centralised acetylene facility

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 11th October 2018 Air Products has invested more than R90-million into a centrally located dissolved acetylene facility in Midvaal and decommissioning its two existing plants in Kempton Park, in Gauteng, and Pinetown, in KwaZulu-Natal. The company officially unveiled the new central facility on Thursday. →

Air Products MD Rob Richardson details that company’s new dissolved acetylene facility in Midvaal, and Midvaal executive mayor Bongani Baloyi outlines the impact for the area. Video and editing: Nicholas Boyd.

August manufacturing production gains 1.3% on food and beverages

By: African News Agency 11th October 2018 Manufacturing production for August came in far better than the purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the same month had suggested, expanding 1.3% year-on-year from 2.8% in July. Statistics South Africa reported on Tuesday that manufacturing production increased by 1.3% in August 2018 compared... →

AMSA seeks growth opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa amid muted domestic steel demand

By: Nadine James 10th October 2018 In light of weak domestic demand, ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) has implemented a strategy to enhance its short-term profitability and cashflow, thereby, ensuring the business’ sustainability and positioning it to exploit growth in the sub-Saharan Africa region, says CEO Kobus Verster. During... →

Photo by ARCELORMITTAL
ArcelorMittal Vanderbijlparjk Works

India’s High Commission co-sponsors artisan centre of specialisation

By: Schalk Burger 8th October 2018 The High Commission of India and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) on Monday jointly launched a centre of specialisation at the Tshwane South technical and vocational education and training college to train electricians, boilermakers, mechanical fitters and millwrights, the... →

Sappi launches sustainable dissolving wood pulp brand

By: Simone Liedtke 5th October 2018 Diversified woodfibre company Sappi on Friday launched its Sappi Verve brand, which the company intends to use to strengthen its leadership in the dissolving wood pulp (DWP) market. Sappi CEO Steve Binnie said the company’s products and service offering within the DWP market are “highly valued... →

Marine waste a pressing issue, but few solutions in sight

By: Dylan Slater 5th October 2018 Plastics have become the “ubiquitous workhorse material” of the modern economy, combining unrivalled functional properties with low cost, and its use has increased twenty-fold in the past half-century, according to circular economy advocacy charity The Ellen MacArthur Foundation. →

First African Rolls-Royce lease engine storage facility opens at SAAT

By: Simone Liedtke 3rd October 2018 In the culmination of a two-year journey, Rolls-Royce and South African Airways Technical (SAAT) on Wednesday celebrated the official opening of Rolls-Royce’s first lease engine storage facility in Africa. This facility, based at SAAT’s premises in Kempton Park, Gauteng, marks a milestone event... →

(Left to Right) Rolls-Royce Africa customers VP Kevin Evans, Trade and Industry acting deputy director general Thandi Phele and SAAT acting CEO Wellington Nyuswa

Aveng to sell rail business to Mathupha Capital for R133m

By: Terence Creamer 3rd October 2018 JSE-listed infrastructure group Aveng announced on Wednesday that it would sell its rail business to black-owned investment company Mathupha Capital for R133-million. The proposed transaction is subject to several conditions, including Competition Commission approval, but it is nevertheless... →

Mantashe calls for marketing of platinum

By: Martin Creamer 3rd October 2018 A platinum Mandela coin should be minted and marketed and platinum-catalysed fuel cells used to power off-grid areas, Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe said on Wednesday. In his opening speech to the well-attended Joburg Indaba, Mantashe, who is seven months into the job, said he had... →

Photo by Dylan Slater
Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe (left) with Mining Weekly Online’s Martin Creamer at the Joburg Indaba.

Japan's Kansai to help Zambia paint out malaria

By: Reuters 2nd October 2018 Kansai Plascon, owned by Tokyo-listed Kansai Paint, has launched the world's first mosquito repellant paint in Zambia to help it reach a target to eliminate malaria by 2021, the company and a Japanese government official said. Malaria, spread by mosquitoes, is a treatable disease if caught early,... →

Dube TradePort continues to inject billions into local economy, job creation – MEC

By: Simone Liedtke 2nd October 2018 The Dube TradePort, which incorporates the King Shaka International Airport, has in the past ten years invested R11.5-billion into the South African economy and created nearly 100 000 jobs, KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Sihle Zikalala said on Tuesday.... →

Absa PMI weakens further in September

By: Marleny Arnoldi 1st October 2018 The Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) remained virtually unchanged at a weak level of 43.2 points in September. The latest figure dashed hopes that the sharp PMI decline in August – to 43.4 points, down from July’s 51.5 points – was a one-off occurrence. The August figure was already an... →

Manufacturer keeps up with increasingly complex orders

28th September 2018 As manufacturing becomes more specialised, manufacturing companies have to keep up with customers’ changing demands with regards to complexity of manufactured parts as well as functionality and the aesthetic appeal of the product. South African arm of Germany-based metallurgical plant and rolling... →

EXTRUSION The SMS group has expertise in aluminium, copper, copper alloys and steel extrusion

Record-high margins for aluminium sales

By: Erin Steenhoff-Snethlage 28th September 2018 Johannesburg-based precision water-cutting and -profiling company AquaJet Profiles noted record-high aluminium sales profit margins earlier this year, owing to the sanctions placed on Russian suppliers exporting to the US, claims AquaJet Profiles director Preeshan Naidoo. The sanctions were... →

Photo by Reuters
TARIFF SEE-SAW US tariffs have had a positive and negative effect on aluminium profit margins

Lion Match division boosts local manufacture of feminine personal care products

By: Shirley le Guern 27th September 2018 NSP Unsgaard, a division of Lion Match Company, has commissioned a R20-million pantyliner production line at its Cape Town factory. Lion Match CEO Basie Van Wyk says the new equipment – dubbed “the pink lady” – is some of the most sophisticated of its kind in the country and has grown the... →

Lion Match Company CEO Basie van Wyk

Aveng reports strong market interest in most of its noncore assets

By: Terence Creamer 26th September 2018 Following a series of capital markets transactions, which have helped stabilise Aveng’s precarious balance sheet, the JSE-listed infrastructure group has turned its attention to the disposal, by June 2019, of several noncore businesses, including its well-known construction business,... →

Aveng executive chairperson Eric Diack in conversation with Engineering News editor Terence Creamer on prospects for the group following some major interventions aimed at stabilising the balance sheet and turning around the struggling business. Camera Work & Editing: Nicholas Boyd. Recorded: 26.09.2018

KSB Pumps and Valves obtains Level 1 BBBEE certification

By: Simone Liedtke 25th September 2018 Global pump manufacturer KSB Pumps and Valves has obtained Level 1 broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) certification. This follows the acquisition of a 30% equity stake in the company by black women-owned firm Insikazi Synergies, which has joined the KSB board to play an active role in... →

Ascendis launches new strategic focus, announces positive FY18 results

By: Nadine James 25th September 2018 JSE-listed pharmaceutical company Ascendis Health on Tuesday announced a new strategic focus prioritising pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare. The company, which also reported on its results for the financial year ended June 30, plans to divest its biosciences businesses. →

CEO Thomas Thomsen discussing the company's new strategy and the need for divestment. Video and editing: Nicholas Boyd

Africa’s metals, engineering cluster needs to do more to attract investment

By: Marleny Arnoldi 21st September 2018 Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) chief economist Dr Michael Ade has declared Africa’s metals and engineering sector open for business. Ade was addressing delegates on the second day of Seifsa’s fourth annual Metals and Engineering Indaba, in Johannesburg. →

Seifsa chief economist Dr Michael Ade talks about the need for South Africa's metals and engineering sector to increase its exports throughout Africa, while IFC senior investment officer Paul Mukasa discusses financing in Africa. Video and editing: Darlene Creamer.

Electrical equipment range expanded

21st September 2018 Power distribution system supplier Magnet Group has expanded on its Carlo Gavazzi range by introducing multi-channel power analyser and automation products. These include WM50 multi-channel power analysers, which efficiently measure main electrical variables as well as voltage and current... →

MULTI-CHANNEL POWER ANALYSERS The Magnet Group specialises in the supply, implementation and support of electrical equipment

Smart factories reshaping the face of manufacturing

By: Schalk Burger 21st September 2018 Advanced manufacturing technologies, connectivity and analytics are helping factories to become integrated, intelligent, adaptable and efficient, says Japanese-based industrial technology multinational Omron South Africa GM and sub-Saharan Africa head Victor Marques. This global trend is mirrored... →

VICTOR MARQUES Demands from manufacturers in South Africa indicate a sustained move towards advanced manufacturing and automation

Collaboration, innovation needed to drive localisation

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 19th September 2018 There is much opportunity in South Africa to expand local manufacturing and innovation, and this should be pursued through greater collaboration within the business community, delegates attending an industry collaboration workshop, hosted by DuPont in collaboration with the Department of Trade... →

Defence industry needs to adapt, optimise for Industry 4.0 – panel

By: Simone Liedtke 19th September 2018 The South African defence industry will need to pilot new projects and adapt to the Fourth Industrial Revolution in order to grow the defence sector and create jobs in the process. To do this, however, Engineers Without Borders founder and CEO Wiebke Toussaint suggested the industry adopt the... →

Photo by Dylan Slater
(Left to Right) Department of Science and Technology chief director Beeuwen Gerryts, Security and Defence Technology Consulting CEO Zane Cleophas and Engineers Without Borders founder and CEO Wiebke Toussaint

World’s first hydrogen fuel cell train enters commercial service

By: Simone Liedtke 17th September 2018 The world’s first hydrogen fuel cell train, the Coradia iLint, made its debut this past weekend. The train is equipped with fuel cells that convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, thereby eliminating pollutant emissions related to propulsion. →

Mandela Mining Precinct to bolster mining sector

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 14th September 2018 JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Science and Technology Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane on Friday stressed the need for the mining industry to embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Speaking at the launch of the Mandela Mining Precinct, in Melville, Johannesburg, she reassured the industry... →

Science & Technology Minister Mmamoloko Kubyi-Ngubane discusses the role of the Mandela Mining Precinct in driving innovation in South Africa, while Mining Equipment Manufacturers of South Africa chairperson Freddy Mugeri talks about exporting products from South Africa. Video: Nicholas Boyd; Editing: Christo Greyling.

Company announces new partnership

14th September 2018 Global testing, inspection certification company Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services announced a new collaboration with New Zealand-based forensic food-science firm Oritain to provide their scientific traceability services as part of Bureau Veritas' Origin Traceability Solution. →

TÜV SÜD receives SANS accreditation

14th September 2018 Global technical services company TÜV SÜD’s inspection services were awarded South African National Accreditation System accreditation to South African National Standard (SANS) 17020 in March this year, in line with the expanded development of the company. The scope of accreditation covers the... →

ACCREDITATION The new accreditation allows the company to service a wider market

ZEISS to showcase range at IMTS

14th September 2018 Optical systems, and industrial measurement and medical devices manufacturer ZEISS Industrial Metrology will display its broad range of customised quality systems and support at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), from September 12 to 15, in Chicago, US. Whether in the lab,... →

SHOWCASE ZEISS will showcase a variety of inspection services at IMTS 2018

CSIR NLC to develop local photonics industry

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 14th September 2018 The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) National Laser Centre (NLC), in Pretoria, aims to contribute to the development of the South African photonics industry, says NLC head Delon Mudaly. “In relation to the global environment and the number of companies that exist worldwide,... →

PHOTONICS DEVELOPMENT The Photonics Prototyping Facility will officially be launched during the 2018/19 financial year

First Xeno 1 laser installation complete

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 14th September 2018 Product identification equipment manufacturer Cab Technology South Africa has completed the installation of a Xeno 1 laser marking system at cable and connector solutions supplier Hiconnex Industrial’s new facility, in Centurion, in Gauteng, says Cab Technology South Africa technical sales... →

XENO 1 LASER SYSTEM The Xeno 1 is a desktop system that meets all the requirements for a cyber-physical system

New tech will change nature of work, but could also create jobs

By: Schalk Burger 14th September 2018 New technologies, including advanced computing systems and the automation of various job activities, will change about 30% of activities in about 60% of occupations, and will require new skills across most industries, management consulting multinational McKinsey Global Institute global economic... →

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