The Tool, Die, Mould-making and precision engineering sectors will take centerstage at the 5th edition of South African Automotive Week from October 11-13 2016 at the Tshwane Events Centre. Speaking after the launch of the Eastern Cape Tooling Initiative in Port Elizabeth in April, Inkanyezi Events CEO Andrew Binning said the sector would be showcased alongside the automotive supply chain as part of the co-hosted confex, titled TDM Africa. TDM Africa is supported by TASA and has developed a strategic alliance with German Tooling Association VDWF and Moulding Expo International Trade Fair, through which international tooling experts have been invited to address conference delegates.

Also speaking at the launch of the ECTI, National Tooling Initiative Executive Chair Bob Williamson reinforced the need for greater collaboration between the TDM and automotive manufacturing sectors. "There is no such thing as manufacturing without tooling. 60% of the efficiency of a manufactured product is based on the selection of tool used." Williamson said the ability to develop bespoke tooling for specific manufacturing needs was essential for South Africa's manufacturing growth.

He urged manufacturers to get involved in issues pertaining to the TDM sector. "Any business that is in manufacturing is in the tooling business. If you are not, you are open to attack. Local tooling must be developed to provide industry with options to make products more efficient.'' Binning said given the importance of new business (diversification) and the direct relationship of volumes (economies of scale) on quality, cost and delivery of manufactured components - from body panels and wiring to pistons and springs - the manufacturing supply chains for the Automotive, Aviation, Military, Railway, Mining and Renewable Energy sectors, have much to gain from synergy. Synergy, which is one of the key themes of South

African Automotive Week, through shared learnings or through the opportunity of providing locally manufactured components across sectors may make a fresh contribution to:

• Increased localisation of components for each sector, growing spend with local business and
• The identification and empowerment of black-owned manufacturers and policy compliance within each sector, which is a critical manufacturing concern

Collectively 56% of exhibitors concluded deals valued above R50 000 at the previous South African Automotive Week. Of that total, 15% netted deals valued between R100 000 and R500 000 and 21% concluded deals at the event above R500 000, Binning said.

1414 meetings were scheduled between buyers and sellers on the match-making programme between 968 profiled organisations.

The Week is actively supported by a range of automotive roleplayers including Plastics SA, The Aluminium Federation of South Africa, merSETA, NAAMSA, TASA the IDC, The Exporters Club, the AIEC, organised business, KZN Invest, the ECDC, SEDA and the AIDC among others. More information is available at www.saaw.co.za