From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.

Sashnee Moodley:

Specialist fabrication company Efficient Engineering is dedicated to helping address South Africa’s high unemployment rate by facilitating skills development, but also realises the value of investing in automation to ensure the company’s sustainability. Tracy Hancock tells us more.

Tracy Hancock:

Efficient Engineering is increasingly automating its manufacturing facilities, in Gauteng, and expects to commission a state-of-the art CNC floor boring machine in July, which is one of the biggest of its kind in South Africa. This follows delivery of an automated welding machine for its pressure vessel division this year.

Efficient Engineering COO Gary Colegate:

Tracy Hancock:

A manufacturer of mining, materials handling, minerals processing, and petrochemicals and oil and gas equipment on behalf of original-equipment manufacturers, Efficient Engineering committed R59-million in the previous financial year towards automation. And with this automation comes various benefits.

Efficient Engineering COO Gary Colegate:

Tracy Hancock:

But while automation will play an important role in the company’s sustainability, it’s also a catalyst for training.

Efficient Engineering COO Gary Colegate:

Tracy Hancock:

Efficient Engineering also advances skills development through its apprenticeship programme.

Efficient Engineering COO Gary Colegate:

Tracy Hancock:

Nurturing leadership qualities in youth is also important to the company.

Tracy Hancock:

While Efficient Engineering is concentrating extensively on automation, the company is cognisant of the fact that it’s an employer.

Efficient Engineering COO Gary Colegate:

Sashnee Moodley:

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy. Don’t forget to listen to the audio version of our Engineering News daily email newsletter.