The South African manufacturing sector currently produces below installed capacity levels, resulting in manufacturing firms not benefiting from economies of scale and competitive advantages that they would enjoy if they were operating at manufacturing capacity. Low demand, stagnant domestic growth, competition from imports and high input costs are all contributing to the strain on the manufacturing sectors growth prospects.

Despite these challenges, local manufacturers possess world-class technical and problem-solving capabilities. The extensive and well-developed human resources and know-how within the industry make it an invaluable key economic enabler of growth and job creation in the country as it supports broad employment and skills development goals. Also, local manufacturing can ramp up capacity whenever strategic opportunities arise, leading to fast turnaround times and market flexibility.

Local manufacturers will be on the look-out for new business opportunities and strategic industry partnerships at this year’s Electra Mining Africa and co-located Local Southern African Manufacturing Expo taking place later this year. The exhibition provides an ideal opportunity for local manufacturing companies to build relationships and source new clients as they look for ways to ramp up manufacturing capacity and increase competitiveness. “Local manufacturing firms will take advantage of the marketing opportunity to generate business leads and develop industry partnerships, which have been shown to boost sales for the 12-18 months following the event,” says Charlene Hefer, Portfolio Director at Montgomery Group Africa, organisers of the show.

Local manufacturers represented at the show include suppliers from across the mining, industrial, electrical, power, automation and transportation sectors, including the latest in mine ventilation monitoring solutions and noise reduction technology suppliers. Locally produced consumables and critical spares suppliers showing how local manufacturers can partner with local companies to solve problems and keep production plants running smoothly and efficiently. Local manufacturers delivering practical, performance-driven engineering for metallurgical applications, including slurry control dart valves, high-pressure enclosed pinch valves, dosing systems, distribution boxes and process samplers tailored to metallurgical applications. Together with local water storage solutions suppliers for mining applications that boost productivity and ensure a steady water supply.

Exhibitors will be showcasing all the latest innovations, advances in technology and breakthrough solutions, including the latest local solutions for retrofitting Tier 2 and 3 engines with Diesel Particulate Filter systems which can enable mines to comply with new mine health and safety regulations relating to diesel particulate matter. The locally developed solution helps to improve air quality in worker health, without requiring mines to replace their entire fleet of old engines.

Many South African manufacturers have been able to overcome growth constraints by growing their businesses beyond the country’s borders. While the local demand for manufactured goods has been stunted, demand in the rest of Africa for locally manufactured goods has been growing, which is one way that local manufacturers are able to grow their operations. Visitors to Electra Mining Africa 2026 will be able to see many of these locally produced components that are exported all over Africa and the world, including industrial agitator sand gearboxes built for the harsh operating conditions of the  local mining industry which are now exported to the UK, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Chile.

Visitors will also be able to see innovative pumps specifically designed for the agricultural and construction sectors to provide solutions that don’t rely on electricity, while reducing cost of ownership to the client.

The exhibition is an opportunity to showcase the excellence and innovation of locally designed and manufactured parts and components for the local and international market. Locally designed and manufactured Neutral Earthing Compensator Resister Transformers (NECRTs) that provide reliable earthfault management for transformers will be on show. These and other locally made components strengthen South African manufacturing capability and ensure critical protection equipment is produced, supported and maintained locally. Also on show will be locally assembled new industrial gear units designed to improve availability, reduce lead times and support high-torque applications in Africa. The new design will improve serviceability and reduce downtime, expanding the options available to engineers and plant operators seeking robust solutions for conveyors, crushers, mixers and other heavy-duty systems.

“Beyond the exhibition floor, as part of its commitment to delivering high-value, free-to-attend content, the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) will host the Seminar Theatre at Electra Mining Africa,” says Hefer. “In addition, the Society for Automation Instrumentation Mechatronics and Computer Engineering (SAIMC) will present valuable industry workshops on the second day of the show.”

Electra Mining Africa will take place at Nasrec, Johannesburg between 7-11 September 2026. Visitors can register at www.electramining.co.za