From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.
Sashnee Moodley:
Focused on being a direct service supplier to local customers, German forklift manufacturer Jungheinrich has officially re-launched its South African offices, based in Edenvale, Gauteng. Anine Kilian tells us more.
Anine Kilian:
Jungheinrich board member Dr Lars Brzoska said that the company was previously a small operation in South Africa and that it had decided to expand its services exponentially.
Jungheinrich board member Dr Lars Brzoska:
Anine Kilian:
He also noted that the company took over assets and people from its former partner BME, and brought those assets into the new establishment an invested a lot throughout the country to bring quality and efficiency to its South African customer base.
He added that bringing trust to its customers and potential customers in South Africa was a significant challenge facing the company.
Jungheinrich board member Dr Lars Brzoska:
Anine Kilian:
Meanwhile, Brzoska highlighted several trends that were driving the industry, noting that, customers were shifting from using internal combustion, or (IC) trucks to electrical trucks
Jungheinrich board member Dr Lars Brzoska:
Anine Kilian:
He added that suppliers would need to diversify, delivering outstanding performance to survive this new trend. Brzoska also highlighted that many manufacturers were leap-frogging from the IC sector to the lithium-ion counterbalance truck market.
He added that the company would deliver its first lithium-ion counterbalance truck with 48 V at German trade fair Cemat this year.
Sashnee Moodley:
Other news making headlines this week:
South African, Tunisian researchers display potential of light to increase bandwidth
Free State poised to be helium pioneer as gas developments unfold
And, there is a need for greater focus on local welding skills
Researchers from Wits University and the CSIR have published their findings in a study that shows it is possible to increase bandwidth using the patterns of light used in optical communications links.
The discovery and proposed exploitation of a natural gas dome containing methane and some of the highest concentrations of helium in the world in the Free State has created much excitement and visions of a local gas hub.
Renergen CEO Stefano Marani
The lack of good quality artisanal skills in South Africa, specifically welding skills, calls for a bigger focus on the development of training schools.
Plasma Cut MD Kanyisa Limekaya
That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy.