Johannesburg, South Africa: KDI Group, a South African business, founded by Kuseni Dlamini has signed a strategic partnership deal with Bonfiglioli, a global manufacturing company, headquartered in Italy. Bonfiglioli, a family owned business, has been operating in South Africa for over 31 years, servicing key industries in mining, construction, energy and many more. KDI now holds 25% shares of Bonfiglioli South Africa.

“It has been a worthwhile journey and as KDI we are pleased to be a strategic partner to Bonfiglioli. Though a global company, we share the common vision, values and mission and we are particularly proud of its commitment to its people, customers and community. We see opportunities to further entrench the Bonfiglioli brand among our many customers and stakeholders in order to expand and grow the business into Africa,” commented Kuseni Dlamini, KDI chairman, at the signing ceremony held last week.

Founded in 1956 in Italy, Bonfiglioli is a family business and a global leader in design, production and distribution of a full range of gearmotors, drive systems, planetary gearboxes and inverters and handles the most complex demands in industrial automation, mobile machinery and renewable energy. In South Africa the company services a wide range of strategic clients who help to keep South Africa’s wheels in motion. The company operates in more than 80 countries globally, with more than 4 000 employees and its local assembly operations are based in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg. 

“We are a global business, but embedded in communities, we believe in “local for local”. The strategic partnership with Kuseni Dlamini and KDI is an important milestone in our business. There are strong synergies between KDI Group and Bonfiglioli and we believe that the values and vision we both share will take this partnership to new heights and add value, not only for the business but for our people, our customers and communities,” said Fausto Carboni (CEO Bonfiglioli Group)

“This transaction and partnership allows KDI an opportunity to contribute to providing products that our country needs to keep the economy in motion. These innovative specialised products enable South African companies to compete globally, being equipped with state of the art gearmotors and drive systems. Through this partnership, we want to be a catalyst for modernization and economic growth not only in South Africa but also across the rest of the continent,” added Kuseni Dlamini.

Bonfiglioli South Africa is managed by a South African, Professor Henco du Plooy and at the global helm is its owner and chairman, Sonia Bonfiglioli.