Local automotive products manufacturer GUD Holdings will increase its product offering to the automotive sector following its R100-millon investment in a 630 t servodrive transfer press and a new manufacturing site in Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape.

GUD CEO Red Shuttleworth said at the launch of the press and GUD facility earlier this month that the press was the first of its kind in Southern Africa.

He added that member company Precision Press MD Simon Ledgerwood had introduced GUD to the opportunity to start a metal-pressing business in South Africa.

Ledgerwood told Engineering News that GUD realised that it had to compete with India, China, Thailand and Eastern European countries in terms of metal pressing and decided to strategically invest in the press.

GUD COO Chris Haworth added that there was an opportunity in South Africa to create a competitive advantage over conventional metal-pressing operations.

He added that GUD wanted to diversify its product offering, but was particular about including manufacturing in this strategy.

“We want to invest in high-level technology for manufacturing to improve business. This press technology provides us with the opportunity to improve our ability to offer original- equipment manufacturer products that compete at any level, anywhere in the world,” Haworth said.

The press was ordered from German auto-motive solutions provider Schuler in May.

Schuler Americas sales director Andreas Kinzyk told Engineering News that a large portion of automotive parts were imported from Europe and not manufactured locally, but he was optimistic that that would change, as GUD now had the manufacturing capability to produce some parts locally.

Ledgerwood agreed, noting that 80% of work GUD did currently was not possible prior to obtaining the press. He added that there was now an opportunity to export some parts.

The press is four storeys high, with one of the storeys submerged underground.

The press can accommodate progressive and transfer dies and uses ServoDirect technology – which significantly increases productivity, compared with conventionally driven mechanical presses – and provides maximum production flexibility, owing to programmable stroke heights and motion sequences.

The press also increases part quality and die life through optimised motion sequences and is best suited to processing high-strength steels.

The press’s efficient drive system results in lower energy costs and, compared with conventionally driven mechanical presses, requires simpler maintenance because of fewer mechanical components.

The press will manufacture airbag inflator holders, spare wheel housings and vehicle bumper brackets, as well as seats and window metal parts.

Production operations have begun and GUD is negotiating with Schuler for a second press.

GUD also expects to establish a distribution centre in Port Elizabeth in 12 months’ time to further improve its brand presence and customer support.