The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) is on the hunt for first- and second-tier suppliers in automotive manufacturing to set up shop at its Nelson Mandela Bay Logistics Park (NMBLP), in Uitenhage, noting in a statement this week that component manufacturers that established themselves at the purpose-built facility would benefit from a recent announcement by nearby Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) that it would start production of a new car model.

VWSA’s plant was located adjacent to the NMBLP.

“Coega is working closely with VWSA and other original-equipment manufacturers to attract first- and second-tier suppliers to the logistics park in anticipation of the new car model,” commented CDC senior manager for international markets in the transport industries Gustav Meyer.

NMBLP facilities manager Mpumzi Flepu added that planned expansions by current automotive-focused tenants, including polymer business Rehau and engineering plastics producer Q-Plas, had driven interest by companies wishing to lease premises next year.

The park, which spanned over 183 ha, featured purpose-built infrastructure and shared services which included security, information communication technology and logistics to minimise costs for new investors and existing tenants.  

Current tenants included Benteler Automotive, Faurecia Interior Systems, Grupo Antolin, Inergy Automotive Systems, MSC, ITPASA and Hella SA.

An estimated 126.4 ha was still available in Precinct B for development to accommodate new suppliers in the automotive and other manufacturing sectors.

“The vision of the NMBLP is to obtain economics of scale for the automotive manufacturing industry through centralisation of different functions and suppliers to reduce costs by shortening and improving the supply chain to VWSA and other vehicle assemblers,” commented CDC head of marketing and communications Dr Ayanda Vilakazi.