http://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Follow @EngNewsZA

Manufacturing News

Storage automation in warehousing globally trending

By: Nica Schreuder 3rd November 2017 With the global shift among project managers toward automated storage solutions to rapidly meet customer needs, Germiston-based storage solution and racking manufacturer Acrow says South Africa has been quick on the uptake, with many companies implementing automated mobile racking storage... →

Vacuum tech manufacturer expands offering

By: Marleny Arnoldi 3rd November 2017 Heavy-duty industrial vacuum manufacturer Hencon Vacuum Technologies (Hencon VT) has expanded its service offering from only selling and manufacturing vacuum equipment to also providing cleaning services through a subsidiary called Afriveyor. →

CLEANING MACHINE Vacuum trucks are an efficient, albeit more expensive, cleaning method, compared with traditional cleaning methods that require intensive manual labour use

Firm extols the virtues of carton packaging for food and drink products

By: Dylan Slater 3rd November 2017 Food processing and packaging solutions company Tetra Pak showcased the advantages of carton packaging for food and drink products during a live food preparation event at Sandton-based culinary school Pick n Pay Good Food Studio, last month. →

DESIGNED FOR TODAY Cartons are lightweight and convenient, and their comprising fully recyclable materials means they are sustainable and ecofriendly

Transnet looking abroad for growth as it again pares back South Africa capex

By: Terence Creamer 30th October 2017 State-owned freight logistics group Transnet continues to pare back its investment portfolio in the South African, which is expected to grow by less than 1% in 2017. The group, which operates rail, port and pipelines businesses, expects to invest R229.2-billion over the coming seven years,... →

Transnet CEO Siyabonga Gama outlines how the utility is dealing with ongoing allegations of State Capture and corruption. Recorded: 30.10.2017. Camera Work & Editing: Nicholas Boyd

International recognition for SA stainless steel innovation

27th October 2017 The Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) was awarded the Bronze Award by the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF) in the category of Best New Applications Featuring New Technology, for the development of municipal water storage tanks that were made from 3 chrome... →

INNOVATIVE DESIGN Skyhill Heavy Engineering specified the use of 3CR12 for municipal water storage tanks in rural areas with a design that allows for sludge drainage and cleaning without emptying the tanks

Conference aims to strengthen cross-border relations

By: Nadine James 27th October 2017 The prospects for wind power within and beyond the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) will be discussed at this year’s Windaba conference and exhibition, exploring opportunities outside South Africa’s borders, and consider ways of establishing cross-border... →

ANSWERS IN THE WIND The Windaba programme has been designed to be relevant regardless of whether the mid-term outlook is good or uncertain

Financial results exhibit value-based growth

27th October 2017 In the 2017 financial year, energy and chemicals company Sasol’s results portrayed value-based growth on a robust foundation owing to a strong business performance across most of the value chain. →

STRONG PERFORMANCE The company’s strong cost performance was achieved by the sustainable delivery of its Business Performance Enhancement Programme and Response Plan

Continued volatility impacts on energy and chemicals company

27th October 2017 Continued volatility in the macroeconomic environment, particularly the stronger rand and low oil price, has adversely impacted energy and chemicals company Sasol’s financial performance, says Sasol CFO Paul Victor. →

Photo by Bloomberg
RECORD PRODUCTION Sasol showed great resilience and character through delivering record production volumes at Secunda Synfuels

Initiatives aim to reduce carbon footprint and production costs

By: Simone Liedtke 27th October 2017 Current initiatives in the global synthetic fuels (synfuels) industry are focussing on using coal feedstock more efficiently to reduce operational and capital costs of production, states chemicals process engineering company Holland and Hausberger CEO Dr Brendon Hausberger. →

GENERAL PUBLIC PERCEPTION The general public perception is that coal is a dirty and undesirable environment-costly option

Monitoring system assists with continuous safety and product quality

By: Simone Liedtke 27th October 2017 Industrial equipment supplier SICK Automation says its LMS511 Pro object detection system assists in decreasing the number of collisions and injuries for the chemicals, petrochemicals and automated bulk handling industries, where continuous process and proximity monitoring plays a critical role... →

OBJECT DETECTION The LMS511 Pro object detection system will detect any objects or humans in the reclaimer path

Rotor blade manufacturing facility officially opens in Tangier

27th October 2017 Wind turbine components manufacturer Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) officially inaugurated its new rotor blade factory in Tangier, Morocco, earlier this month, at an event chaired by Moroccan Minister of Industry, Investment, Trade and Digital Economy, Moulay Hafid El Alamy, and Siemens... →

Local stainless steel industry remains optimistic

By: Robyn Wilkinson 27th October 2017 While South African demand for stainless steel is under severe pressure, the potential for growth once the local economy improves is strong and distributors are starting to position themselves strategically to take advantage of this, says stainless steel producer Columbus Stainless CEO Lucien... →

CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM The global stainless steel market had a strong run early this year, on the back of substantial chromium and nickel price increases at the end of last year, which continued into 2017

Manufacturer expands international reach

By: Robyn Wilkinson 27th October 2017 Having secured its reputation for cost-effective, but high-quality and fit-for-purpose stainless steel hydraulic products in South Africa, manufacturer Wekaba is expanding its reach and targeting new international markets. →

STRONG BASE Wekaba is a top manufacturer in South Africa of one-piece 90° and 45° stainless steel fittings, producing hose fittings and collars for industrial markets

Steady demand for customisable stainless steel products

By: Robyn Wilkinson 27th October 2017 Owing to its strong reputation for customisable turnkey solutions, there is steady and strong demand for stainless steel processing equipment manufacturer Anderson Engineering’s products throughout the African markets that it serves, says Anderson Engineering deputy MD David Nienaber. →

CUSTOM DESIGN Anderson Engineering developed several unique processing steps to ensure AR Brands can meet expected demand for its mayonnaise over a five-year period

Positive prospects for synfuels sector with focus on efficient maintenance

By: Simone Liedtke 27th October 2017 Welding and construction equipment-related supplier Renttech South Africa (SA) sees prospects for the synfuels industry improving, as the recent depressed period - owing to the decline globally in hydrocarbon fuel prices - has seen the petrochemicals industry focusing on efficient maintenance,... →

TO GROW AND PROSPER The country needs to have an efficient, cost-competitive local petrochemicals industry

Fabric containers used to divert Orange river for bridge-widening project

By: Dylan Slater 27th October 2017 To facilitate the construction of a bridge-widening project in the Northern Cape, engineered fabrics company Kaytech used its geotextile containers to assist in redirecting part of the Orange river to allow pile-driving equipment access to riverside infrastructure. →

GEOTEXTILE SOLUTION The project required 1 000 GeoRevet Geobags to help create the piling platform structure

Steel company raises the bar in Africa with new technologies

By: Robyn Wilkinson 27th October 2017 Taking a long-term view that predicts significant growth in demand for stainless steel products in Africa in the next few years, steel supplier and processing company Allied Steelrode has invested in advanced processing technologies that will cement its position as a market-leader in product... →

Altron’s continuing operations maintain performance despite ‘tough’ H1

By: Anine Kilian 26th October 2017 JSE-listed Allied Electronics’ continuing operations delivered results in line with expectations in the six months ended August 31, despite difficult local economic conditions, a strengthening currency and one-off costs associated with the group’s restructuring processes. Speaking at a... →

Workers on strike for union recognition at Toyota’s subsidiary

By: African News Agency 23rd October 2017 The Liberated Metalworkers Union of South Africa’s (Limusa) strike at Toyota Tsusho Africa in Durban, entered its fourth day on Monday. Limusa, an affiliate of the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu), said that the protected industrial action was as a result of the company’s refusal to grant the... →

enX says true earnings power seen after transition into full industrial company

By: Natasha Odendaal 23rd October 2017 Following a year of transformation into a “pure-play industrial company”, JSE-listed enX on Monday posted significant improvements in revenue, operating profit and adjusted earnings for the financial year to August 31, demonstrating the group’s “true earnings potential” after it exited contract... →

MEA manufacturing sector second-most vulnerable to cyberattacks

By: Schalk Burger 20th October 2017 The manufacturing sector was second only to the finance industry in terms of the most cyberattacks recorded in any sector in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region in 2016, information technology (IT) services multinational Dimension Data’s ‘Global Threat Intelligence Report for 2017’ reveals.... →

Dimension Data Security Solutions MEA executive Sean Duffy

Improved African policy can harness industrial development – UN

By: African News Agency 20th October 2017 The right African policy framework, including industrial policies that will generate the skilled jobs and productivity gains needed for the structural transformation of economies, could harness the continent’s rapid urban transition to drive industrial development, the UN said. “African... →

Over 6 000 visitors expected at packaging event

By: Victor Moolman 20th October 2017 This year, Propak Cape, taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from October 24 to 26, will host more than 200 local and international exhibitors. Based on the previous Propak Cape, held in 2014, this year, the company is expecting more than 6 000 visitors. →

BAIC implementing catch-up strategy to meet 2018 Coega deadline

By: Dylan Slater 20th October 2017 China-based vehicle manufacturer Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC), is accelerating some of its construction plans for its vehicle manufacturing plant, currently under construction at the Port Elizabeth-based Coega Industrial Development Zone, to catch up on delays incurred owing to primarily... →

PORT ELIZABETH FACTORY In the foreground of the newly completed steel superstructure are BAIC vehicles that will be available in South Africa once production reaches full capacity

Insimbi’s H1 earnings rise

By: Anine Kilian 19th October 2017 JSE-listed Insimbi Refractory and Alloys’ earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation increased by 273% year-on-year to R179.8-million for the six months ended August 31. Earnings a share were up by 142% year-on-year to 11.97c and headline earnings a share increased by 150%... →

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... →

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... →

Latest News

Govt eyes staff cuts, hiring caps after wage deal

More must be done for youth development, job creation – Mabuza

IDC denies politically connected elite has ‘hijacked’ black industrialist scheme

Zambia shortlists ten firms for 100 MW solar projects

Arid cities urged to adopt climate responsive design solutions

IFC signs $34m financing agreement for Zambia solar project

Saldanha Bay aquaculture development zone gets green light

AfDB launches index to drive improvements in electricity regulatory environment

Seychelles parliament blocks planned Indian naval base on remote island

Kenya Airways to restart hedging to counter oil price volatility

Restructuring Eskom top of South Africa's agenda – Nene

Getting below the surface of the Cape Town water crisis

World Bank approves $455m loan for Tanzania power projects

Durban High Court lifts Shongweni landfill interdict

New-look IPP bid documents will need to strike delicate balance

more

Latest Videos

When crime intelligence is lacking

Eskom to approach courts to have Nersa’s 5.23% tariff decision set aside

Manufacturing sector investment to remain stable in Q2 – Manufacturing Circle

A reflection on the DA-De Lille imbroglio

Rik Rhino

Agriculture industry grows despite challenges

Coal ‘not like buying bread’, Hadebe says as Eskom reverses policy on cost-plus mines

Rescue Rod

more

Projects

JDA public transport facility upgrades, South Africa

Zinia 2 deep offshore development, Angola

Biomass power plant, Japan

more

Topics In These Articles

Beijing Construction Johannesburg Port Tangier Cairo Expertise Gold Nelson Mandela Bay Port Elizabeth Slurry Brasilia Douma Moscow New Delhi Pretoria Annahagh Monaghan Polokwane Washington Aluminium EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK Financial Power Africa Export Hulamin Innovation Manufacturing Technology ... more

RSS Feed

About

Engineering News is a product of Creamer Media.
www.creamermedia.co.za

Other Creamer Media Products include:
Mining Weekly
Research Channel Africa
Polity

Newsletters

Sign up for our FREE daily email newsletter

Receive daily sector news alerts

More

Subscriptions

We offer a variety of subscriptions to our Magazine, Website, PDF Reports and our photo library.

Subscriptions are available via the Creamer Media Store.

View store

Advertise

Advertising on Engineering News is an effective way to build and consolidate a company's profile among clients and prospective clients. Email advertising@creamermedia.co.za

View options

Subscribe