Drying catalysts and resins manufacturer and exporter Metallica Chemicals aims to use this year’s Manufacturing Indaba to identify and understand the key drivers of growth in the manufacturing industry from industry leaders at the event, says Metallica Chemicals MD Neville Naicker.

He tells Engineering News that the company wants to apply this knowledge to improve its production processes.

The Manufacturing Indaba, which will take place from June 29 to 30 at Emperors Palace, in Ekurhuleni, is an industry-driven initiative that draws on the leadership and expertise of individuals and entities from various manufacturing subsectors. 

“All of us are planning to use the event to identify and address challenges confronting the manufacturing industry, such as using resources efficiently, achieving longer machine life and training and skilling operators,” says Naicker.

He adds that Metallica Chemicals, which manufactures drying catalysts, commonly known as metallic or paint driers, and alkyd resins will also aim to invest in new manufacturing technologies in the hope that they will also help increase company productivity.

He adds that establishing business relationships with industry leaders will enable the company to adopt global manufacturing best practices that will, in turn, help to improve its manufacturing processes.

Metallica Chemicals will also deliver some presentations at the indaba on topics that include product innovation and diversification, improved operational costs, and how to increase competitiveness to improve a company’s value proposition to customers.

“We want to increase our exports to other African countries and are also hoping for an improved local market to provide opportunities for our customers,” Naicker tells Engineering News.

Metallica Chemicals also aims to gain exposure to opportunities that will help it improve its cost-control measures and to focus on development activities that will enable it to supply the required quality of products to customers.

“We hope that the indaba will lead to an improved local market for our drying catalysts and alkyd resins. We also hope to improve market growth for our toll manufacturing services,” says Naicker.

“The indaba will hopefully provide a launching pad for our manufacturing industry. We need events like these to move our industry forward,” he says.

Established in 2000, Metallica Chemicals manufactures and exports drying catalysts and alkyd resins to Africa. The company also offers toll manufacturing services to international business partners in the chemicals industry.

Metallica Chemicals also strives to ensure that emerging companies in the chemicals sector succeed, says Naicker. “To this effect, we are currently assisting emerging chemicals company 4M Chemicals through technology, skills and financial means.”

He adds that 4M Chemicals will be based in Johannesburg and will act as an agent to Metallica Chemicals in its endeavour to strengthen its product base over a wider footprint and also into Africa.