Company launches rainwater harvesting solutions

Precast concrete infrastructural products and solutions provider Rocla Southern Africa, in collaboration with Rocla Australia, has launched the Rocla ecoRain and ecoRain plus water harvesting... 

Commuter television channel launches 3G offering

Commuter television network Massiv TV has launched the Massiv 3GTVm, which combines the latest generation of broadcasting capabilities with the importance of advertiser accountability. 

Varsity sees reality TV as a way of promoting engineering innovation

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) School of Electrical Engineering has started preparations for the South African Solar Challenge 2012 race by experimenting with a few cars powered by renewable... 

Role of ‘smart grids’ in securing energy explored

The introduction of the smart grid technology as an alternative source of energy has the potential to deal with the growing need for energy delivery in South Africa. 

R10m solar thermal flat-plate collector plant opens in East London

Locally owned solar collector manufacturer Ikhwezi Solar launched its new R10-million thermal flat plate manufacturing plant at the end of October.  

New chemicals report reflects mixed 2011 industry performance

Both pleasing and discouraging results are reflected in the ‘2011 Responsible Care Performance’ report, which was released at the end of October and is the fifth in a series issued by the Chemical... 

Philips wins prestigious US energy efficiency award

Consumer lifestyle, lighting and healthcare systems provider Philips Lighting, which is rapidly rolling out energy-efficient light emitting diode (LED) products in South Africa, has underscored its... 

Civil engineers keen for SA to emulate pre-World Cup push

South African Institution of Civil Engineering (Saice) president Seetella Makhetha has urged government to invest on a larger scale in infrastructure projects, such as was witnessed during the... 

All Africa Games athletes village built in record time

Building 840, three-bedroomed apartments in under a year may seem impossible and, as the deadline for the 2011 All Africa Games, which took place in Maputo, Mozambique, in September, loomed closer,... 

Logistics giant opens new Midrand hub

Logistics company DHL officially opened its brand new R5.5-million facility in Midrand, Gauteng, in September. 

Fuel enhancer provides ‘green’ benefits

Supplier of petroleum products Centron Energy has introduced an environment-friendly Centron fuel enhancer to the South African market. 

Prosthetic knee innovation able to make real-time speed, stride adjustments

Prosthetics manufacturer Icexpress Progressive Prosthetics announced this month that two of its high-profile clients, paralympic athletes Kim Robinson and Derik Schutte, have become the first South... 

Company leads in sustainable infrastructure development solutions in Africa

Infrastructure development consultancy Bigen Africa aims to increase its focus on providing innovative, sustainable infrastructure development solutions for projects in Africa and globally as part... 

SA opting for an evolutionary green-infrastructure transition

The infrastructure backlog has been hampering South Africa’s development over the past few years. But, in dealing with this challenge, the country also needs to consider ways to build sustainable... 

German firm unveils upgraded maintenance management system

Metallurgical plant and machine construction company SMS Siemag, in Germany, has introduced the upgraded integrated maintenance management system (IMMS) to the global market. 

Ghana forum offers African business leaders platform to share ideas

The Vodafone African Business Leaders Forum (ABLF) 2011 takes place in Accra, Ghana, from November 10 to 12. 

SA to host World Congress of Architects in 2014

South Africa will host the twenty-fifth World Congress of Architects, in Durban, in 2014.  

New supply-chain management and logistics study programme launched

Top ranked business school the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) and logistics and supply chain management provider Imperial Logistics have launched their supply chain management and... 

Formal apprenticeships programmes can yeild greater benefits

An appropriate balance between theory and practice in apprenticeships programmes is required if South Africa is to produce artisans who are able cope with the practical demands of the workplace,... 

New Companies Act has serious implications for SA firms

The new Companies Act, of 2008, which came into effect in May, has material implications for businesses, Werksmans Attorneys director Wildu du Plessis said at a recent seminar, highlighting the... 

Animal feed producer inks long-term transport deal

South African animal feed producer Meadow Feeds and supply chain management company Barloworld Logistics have announced the beginning of a ten-year transportation outsource contract.  

Firm launches range of energy optimisation products

Energy and lifestyle solutions provider Optimum PM has launched its range of solar products, which focus on energy optimisation into the South African market.  

Distribution warehouse completed on schedule, within budget

Property developer Investec Property, a division of Investec Bank, recently announced the completion and handover of one of their most significant projects to date – the Toyota South Africa Motors... 

New code a good start for setting building industry on energy efficiency course

South Africa faces daunting challenges in creating sustainable energy policies, which are easily implementable. 

Smart grid technology could offer energy crisis cure

Global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company Accenture says it is working on a number of smart meter deployments globally, including assisting State-owned power utility... 

Business calls for comprehensive freight logistics strategy

Business Unity South Africa’s (Busa) standing committee on Trade Policy, which met recently, has reemphasised key elements of its recent comprehensive submission to the Department of Transport on... 

Women benefit economically from government reforms

A new report from the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), released last week, has established that women still face legal and regulatory hurdles to fully participating in... 

Internship programmes helping SA tackle skills shortages

The South African government is taking the initiative to deal with the issue of key scarce skills shortages in the country, by offering young professional internships, in conjunction with the... 

SA, India seek to build on strong bilateral trade relations

India and South Africa have a historical relationship but, recently, the two countries have been focusing on ways and platforms to further strengthen trade relations. 

Skills focus seen as key to reviving Gauteng manufacturing

Focusing on technical skills training and a significant investment in training will ensure the growth and stability of the manufacturing and tooling sectors in South Africa. 

Innovative learning methods needed as technology changes workplaces

The notion of learning is changing in the workplace, owing to the changing world of technology and its impact on learning and teaching. 

Technology could help ease commuter pain, technology group asserts

Understanding the role technology can play in dealing with traffic congestion can contribute to effective traffic solutions faced for cities that participated in this year’s IBM Global Commuter... 

The SA Agulhas prepares for polar retirement

The 33-year-old SA Agulhas vessel is preparing for retirement from polar expeditions, in March 2012. 

R130m materials handling contract under way

Diversified engineering group Sandvik Materials Handling is working on a contract to provide Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) with a 2 500-t/h-capacity ship loader to be located at the Port of... 

Materials handling plant commissioned

Mining and mineral processing equipment provider Manhattan Corporation has commissioned a materials handling plant for one of iron-ore mining giants, in Thabazimbi. 

Significant contracts on schedule

Materials handling company Clyde Bergemann Africa (CBZ) says it has made significant progress on State power utility Eskom’s Medupi and Kusile power station contracts. 

Company moving 60 000 t/m of magnetite

Materials handling equipment provider Richard’s Rentals says it is currently involved with a contract for the loading and hauling of 60 000 t/m of magnetite for a steel manufacturer, in Mpumalanga. 

Materials handling contracts under way

Conveyor equipment manufacturing company Melco says it is nearing the end of a contract to supply conveyor materials for State-owned power utility’s Medupi power station and diversified miner... 

Innovative piping industry key to SA’s future growth

The need to focus on innovation in the piping industry is significant to ensure economic growth in any country. 

Centre of maths, science excellence launched in Senegal

A second centre for excellence in maths and science in Africa has been opened under the auspices of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) this month.