Photo by: Duane Daws
AltX-listed engineering technology company Ansys on Monday said it had been awarded an R188-million contract by Transnet to supply integrated dashboard display systems to the freight rail utility’s locomotives.
Black-owned and controlled Ansys developed the bespoke integrated system display (ISD) in-house. The company devised technology-driven engineering solutions for the rail, mining, industrial and defence markets.
The ISDs would be fitted over five years into Transnet’s fleet of existing and new locomotives, enabling drivers to switch between different locomotive onboard systems on one integrated dashboard panel.
Ansys CEO Teddy Daka, who had assumed an executive position at the company in June last year, said the Transnet contract reflected the group’s focus on growing its order book.
“Our new strategy of securing longer-term contracts, with the potential of annuity income in the maintenance phase, is gaining traction.”
The group’s order book had leapt tenfold in value and lengthened in roll-out since the end of August last year, when it stood at R28-million for the short term.
Daka said Ansys had leveraged its in-house design and development capability to create the prototype ISD, and maintained ownership of the intellectual property.
“We have also undertaken rigorous testing on Transnet locomotives to ensure maximum efficacy.”
Daka emphasised that the ISD, like the high tech group, was proudly South African.
“We developed the ISD locally and it will be manufactured and assembled right here in South Africa, putting us on a par with similar projects around the world.”
The assembly had been subcontracted to businesses which formed part of Ansys’ enterprise development programme.
Daka believed the contract was just one milestone on the group’s growth trajectory.
“Ansys has begun proving its high-tech design and development capability and is well positioned to continue participating in infrastructure development in rail and other targets sectors, with a view to growing the order book sustainably over the long term.”