As part of its strategic consolidation in response to ongoing changes in South Africa’s heavy engineering industry, the DCD Group is consolidating aspects of its manufacturing capacity and expertise into its Gravico Heavy Engineering joint venture.

According to DCD chief executive officer Digby Glover, the move comes after detailed market studies and follow years of depressed market conditions – particularly in the minerals and industrial sectors.

Louw Kriel, managing director of Gravico, said: “The South African manufacturing industry is changing substantially, and manufacturers are re-evaluating their strategies and developing new ways to do business.”

He said Gravico’s strategy for the new economy is focused on developing and applying value-adding technologies, rather than relying on a market upswing or short-term cost containment measures.

“Gravico is instituting a long-term cost management and operational improvement culture by investing in technology,” said Kriel. “We will offer our own products instead of just manufacturing capacity, and will concentrate on the expansion of sales territories and coverage; we will also prospect and exploit new market niches on a continuous basis, where no single customer can dominate capacity.” 

The company focuses on the design, manufacture and distribution of components and structures used in the mining and industrial sectors – with a product portfolio including mining excavator and dragline buckets, dump truck bowls and excavator booms and arms.

There is also capacity for the manufacturing of materials handling equipment such as manipulators, ship-to-shore cranes and loaders. Gravico is recognised for providing highly innovative and durable products and structures.

With its head office in Vereeniging, South Africa, the company employs almost 70 people across the country and operates 18,500 m² manufacturing facility under roof, including lifting capacity of 80 tons. The facility hosts a large number of unique steel profiling, forming, turning, vertical and horizontal machining. Gravico’s highly skilled engineering team specialise in designing high-end mechanical structures and components for the mining and industrial sectors.

“We understand that customers are looking for sustainable margin improvements through innovation and cost reduction,” said Kriel. “Our commitment is therefore to offer highly competitive products with the lowest ownership and operating cost.”