Name of the Project
Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) manufacturing plant expansion.

Location
East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Client
MBSA.

Project Description
MBSA plans to significantly expand its East London manufacturing plant to build the new generation of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The project includes the construction of a new paint shop and a new body shop, an upgrade of the assembly shop and new logistic warehouses.

The new body shop has been designed for higher capacities and features more than 500 Internet of Things-ready robots, laying the foundation for Industry 4.0 readiness.

About 700 t of steel will be installed for the addition of three lines in the assembly shop, which will be undertaken in the current building. Using new methods, the new paint shop will be more energy efficient and more environmentally friendly. Overall, the energy consumption for each vehicle produced will be further reduced by 25% at the East London plant. This is in line with the plant’s initiative for green production. Other examples include an on-site battery storage container, rainwater harvesting on rooftops, water storage of one-million litres and the creation of green corridors.

Potential Job Creation
The expansion will create about 800 additional jobs at the manufacturing facility.

Value
€600-million.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
The project was announced at the end of June.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Mercedes-Benz Cars global business communications head Sofia Stauber, tel +49 711 174 0598, fax +49 711 177 909 1184 or email sofia.stauber@daimler.com.