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Manufacturing

Sector’s GDP contribution not what it should be

By: Darren Parker 29th May 2020 For South Africa’s stage of economic development, manufacturing should be contributing at least double what it currently does to gross domestic product (GDP), states industry body Manufacturing Circle executive director Philippa Rodseth. Manufacturing has declined from 26% of South Africa’s GDP... →

Agility needed in sector transformation

By: Darren Parker 29th May 2020 The world is rapidly changing, with the onslaught of Covid-19 catalysing and concentrating the drivers behind this change. Consequently, manufacturers need to be agile in adapting their systems and processes, remain lean and use digital enablers in a digital transformation to remain relevant and... →

CONNECTING THE DOTS Digitalisation leads to connected plants and connected supply chains, which provides immediate benefits of reliability, stability, immediacy and agility

Manufacturers can use lockdown to fine-tune ERP

By: Darren Parker 29th May 2020 The priority for many manufacturers amid the Covid-19 lockdown involves “getting back to basics” in terms of enterprise resource planning (ERP) and supply chain management, says ERP systems provider Syspro professional services head Doug Hunter. “This includes ensuring visibility of what is... →

TAKING STOCK OF THE SITUATION The lockdown has provided a good opportunity for companies to check their ERP systems and ensure that they are being used properly and to their full potential

Manufacturer receives increased interest in face mask concept

By: Darren Parker 29th May 2020 Mine ventilation equipment and working-face consumables manufacturer Terramin has seen increased demand for its full-head precautionary respiratory protection solution named the Koplap as demand for face masks has increased on the back of the Covid-19 pandemic, Terramin CEO Martin van Schoor... →

AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION The Koplap comes in several iterations with the some versions including mesh eye pieces and a non-return valve over the mouth

Precast-concrete manufacturing complements construction sector

29th May 2020 The precast-concrete manufacturing sector is complementing conventional in-situ building methods by helping to accelerate strategic infrastructure projects and reducing construction costs. It is also augmenting the public sector’s drive to use infrastructure projects to create employment and... →

PRECAST PREFERENCE The elements are manufactured in a controlled factory environment and then transported to site where they are assembled

Reindustrialisation of manufacturing critical for growth

By: Darren Parker 29th May 2020 Measures to stimulate economic growth in South Africa after Covid-19 should include policies and interventions that will result in the reindustrialisation of the manufacturing sector, says industry body Manufacturing Circle executive director Philippa Rodseth. She tells Engineering News that... →

SPARKING SECTOR GROWTH It is critical to implement measures to stimulate the reindustrialisation of the manufacturing sector

Covid-19 an opportunity for better resource management

By: Darren Parker 29th May 2020 The national lockdown because of Covid-19 presents a good opportunity for manufacturing companies to improve their resource and utilities management, says government-funded programme National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa (NCPC-SA) KwaZulu-Natal regional manager Kevin Cilliers. There is... →

KEVIN CILLIERS It is important to have a good management practice in place for utility use while there is time and space to focus on it

Indaba to foster African trade

By: Mamaili Mamaila 14th June 2019 The 2019 Manufacturing Indaba will host several trade and industry Ministers from Africa, with the focus leaning towards facilitating trade between African countries. →

CROSSBORDER TRADE The Manufacturing Indaba will create a space for increased trade with neighbouring countries and facilitate deal-flow

Programme to revive local foundries

By: Mamaili Mamaila 14th June 2019 The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has mandated the National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa (NCPC-SA) to align its work stream with that of the National Foundries Technology Network (NFTN) to revive the local foundries sector. →

Photo by Bloomberg
RELEVANCE The NFTN facilitates the relevant skills and training projects to transfer knowledge in line with its skills development programme

NCPC-SA to drive resource efficiency in manufacturing

By: Mamaili Mamaila 14th June 2019 If the South African manufacturing sector wishes to mitigate the effects of rising tariffs and the new Carbon Tax, then it needs to become more resource efficient, according to the National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa (NCPC-SA) →

GREEN ECONOMY The manufacturing sector has not been growing because of its mounting challenges

Companies collaborate for competition at Manufacturing Indaba

By: Mamaili Mamaila 14th June 2019 Industry association the Manufacturing Circle will again join forces with management consulting company A.T. Kearny for the international Factory of the Year competition at the 2019 Manufacturing Indaba. →

PHILIPPA RODSETH The Manufacturing Circle will play a fundamental role in coordinating the agenda of the industry

Industry 4.0 presents transformation for African manufacturing sector

14th June 2019 The Manufacturing Indaba 2019 is set to explore the impact on, and opportunities associated with disruptive and revolutionary technologies that are transforming the global manufacturing sector. Despite its status as a developing continent, Africa’s manufacturing space stands the opportunity to... →

CAPITAL IMPACT The ultimate concern is how African manufacturers can capitalise on Industry 4.0 while simultaneously mitigating the accompanying risks

Atlas Copco

By: Yolande Botes 14th June 2019 The Atlas Copco group is an international enterprise with a global reach spanning 180 countries. The company’s products and services focus on productivity, energy efficiency, safety and ergonomics aimed at increasing customers’ productivity and competitiveness, while benefiting society and... →

Reliable Transformers

14th June 2019 From humble beginnings in 1982, Reliable Transformers (RT) has grown into a leading manufacturer of transformers and related magnetic components, with customers across Southern Africa and beyond. In its 4000 m2 custom-built factory in Benoni, South Africa, RT uses advanced computer numerical... →

DTI forges ahead with product standardisation task

By: Mamaili Mamaila 14th June 2019 Following Mining Charter III’s call to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to develop a “Standardised Coding and Product Identification System in the Mining Supply Chain” whereby products can be identified using a unique name and code, the department has established a multistakeholder... →

INDUSTRY GROWTH The DTI looks forward to exchanging lessons and experiences to unpack challenges and identify solutions for growth across the manufacturing sector

Indaba will create intra-Africa trade opportunities

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 8th June 2018 With the 2018 Manufacturing Indaba’s focus being on the development of intra-Africa trade, event organiser Siyenza Management MD Liz Hart says the event will bring key stakeholders together to create opportunities for engagement and dialogue. She tells Engineering News that Africa has many of... →

EXPANDING EXHIBITION Siyenza Management aims to expand the Manufacturing Indaba – the larger the event, the more companies to engage with and to explore added business opportunities

AI can optimise manufacturing processes; awareness needed

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 8th June 2018 Artificial intelligence (AI), data and automation tools can aid manufacturers in enhancing and optimising their processes, says Cape Town-based machine learning startup DataProphet cofounder and MD Frans Cronje. The company specialises in developing AI solutions for the manufacturing industry,... →

FRANS CRONJE Artificial intelligence should be seen as a tool for taking skills, knowledge and experience, and sharing it among new workers entering the world of employment

Company can save manufacturers years in R&D

8th June 2018 The world of augmented reality (AR) offers manufacturers a solution that can save them years in research and development, says information and communications technology provider T-Systems manufacturing and automotive sales and service management head Dereshin Pillay. AR can also save... →

DERESHIN PILLAY AR can also save manufacturing companies money spent on building, testing, rebuilding and retesting prototypes

Balance between mechanisation, job creation must be maintained

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 8th June 2018 Specialist equipment supplier Multotec believes that a balance between the mechanisation of manufacturing operations and job creation must be maintained, says COO Jannie de Jonge. He tells Engineering News that it is something Multotec believes and practices. →

LABOUR RELATIONS The manufacturing industry is labour intensive – it employs almost two-million people locally and sound labour relations, as well as policies, are crucial in this industry

Companies moving towards emerging technologies

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 8th June 2018 There is strong indication that manufacturing companies will in the short term start using emerging technologies. This is according to ‘The Mobile Corporation in South Africa 2018’ report, based on research conducted by research organisation World Wide Worx, in partnership with enterprise... →

DEIRDRE FRYER Using the most suitable technology in the right areas can give rise to large cost reductions for businesses

Effective control of substance abuse in industry crucial

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 8th June 2018 There is a need for effective control of substance abuse in the manufacturing industry as it is a major issue, says drug and alcohol testing equipment supplier Alco-Safe MD Rhys Evans. Alco-Safe has more than 4 000 clients using its services, across industries, including mining, construction,... →

RHYS EVANS Using Alco-Safe’s solutions, some of our clients have shown a 60% reduction in substance abuse in their companies

Industry pursuing better management of energy use

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 8th June 2018 There has been a growing trend among South African manufacturing plants to pursue energy reduction and manage its use better, says energy training services provider the Energy Training Foundation (EnTF) training manager Yolanda de Lange. She explains that significant hikes in electricity rates... →

YOLANDA DE LANGE The Energy Training Foundation is looking forward to expanding further into West Africa

Local manufacturing crucial for economic growth

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 8th June 2018 Providing locally manufactured goods and supporting local manufacturing are massively important for the growth of the South African economy, says plastic conveyor components manufacturer IRP Engineering Plastics MD Kris Kibble. “Supporting international supply over local manufacture and supply... →

KRIS KIBBLE IRP Engineering Plastics places a large focus on local manufacture and it is an issue that we as a company constantly reiterate to our market

S Africa must maintain cost-competitive sector

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 8th June 2018 It is vital for South Africa to maintain a manufacturing sector that is internationally cost competitive and can produce quality end-products, says Germiston-based material transfer solutions provider Weba Chute Systems MD Mark Baller. “The manufacturing industry has been under a lot of... →

LATEST TECHNOLOGY Weba Chute Systems uses the latest techniques and technologies to ensure optimum accuracy during the design and engineering phases, which also facilitate improved efficiencies

Zest to enter renewables market

By: Shannon de Ryhove 8th June 2018 Local manufacturer of large electrical equipment and supplier of motors, drives and switchgear Zest WEG Group Africa has announced exclusively to Engineering News that it has recently restructured its business to include the renewable-energy industry. This move is strategically aligned with the... →

The fourth industrial revolution, an African perspective

8th June 2018 New and emerging technologies are fundamentally changing the world in ways that were previously unimaginable. Technology driven innovation has always caused business models to go extinct. Some companies could not evolve and went out of business while others adapted, seized opportunities and... →

Initiative addresses barriers to expand aerospace manufacturing

By: Nica Schreuder 23rd June 2017 The aerospace industry has, among others, two important international players – Airbus and Boeing. This applies to local aerospace as well as international aerospace manufacturing industries, all competing to be part of the global supply chain. Aerospace manufacturing in South Africa is dependent... →

TO INFINITY European aircraft manufacturer Airbus plays an important role in the world’s aerospace manufacturing industry

Revolution draws mixed reaction from industry

By: Nica Schreuder 23rd June 2017 Although the fourth industrial revolution is set to disrupt almost every industry globally by transforming production, management systems and governance, Department of Science and Technology advanced manufacturing technologies acting director Sechaba Tsubella says for the manufacturing industry,... →

Photo by Bloomberg
MANUAL SACRIFICE The fourth industrial revolution will disrupt labour practices in the manufacturing industry

Indaba to focus on emerging sector developments

By: Nica Schreuder 23rd June 2017 With the 2017 Manufacturing Indaba’s focus being on the development of emerging manufacturers, event organisers Siyenza Management MD Liz Hart says the event will continue to provide new and innovative content as well as showcase the latest in local and global trends in manufacturing. She notes... →

Photo by Cumulus
DEBATE FOR CHANGE Department of Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies and paper and plastic packaging business Mpact Limited CEO Bruce Strong participate in a panel discussion at the Manufacturing Indaba

Innovative software ensures security in manufacturing automation

23rd June 2017 Owing to rapidly advancing manufacturing innovations and technologies bringing about disruptions in the software and technology currently used in manufacturing, family-owned enterprise resource planning (ERP) software company Global Shop Solutions’ cloud ERP has many benefits, a notable one being... →

Photo by Bloomberg
CLOUD NINE Cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) will ensure efficiency, reliability, cost benefits and security in automated manufacturing

R&D incentives pivotal for sector growth

By: Nica Schreuder 23rd June 2017 The direct correlation between successful economies and their investment into research and development (R&D), is the reason consultancy firm Cova Advisory joint MD Duane Newman says it is important that local manufacturing sector and government continue to engage in the R&D incentives made... →

Photo by Paulo Jorge Photograpy
DUANE NEWMAN Cova Advisory joint managing director and co-founder is a respected sustainability strategy and business consultant, with an expertise in grants, incentives and tax in the green economy

Advanced tech key to unlocking future competitiveness

By: Nica Schreuder 23rd June 2017 According to the Deloitte 2016 Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Index, CEOs globally believe that advanced manufacturing technologies are key to unlocking future competitiveness. “As the digital and physical worlds converge within manufacturing, executives indicate the path to manufacturing... →

MIKE VINCENT The Deloitte 2016 Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Index is essential to fostering competitiveness in manufacturing, a factor essential in ensuring growth in the industry

Companies join forces to support local manufacturing

23rd June 2017 The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), air defence developer, manufacturer and supplier Rheinmetall Air Defence AG – a division of German armament manufacturer Rheinmetall – global engineering and technology services company Siemens and engineering solutions company ESTEQ... →

RHEINMETALL The international group is one of the companies collaborating with the CSIR to strengthen South Africa’s manufacturing industry

Data is the new currency in manufacturing sector

23rd June 2017 According to growth strategy company Frost & Sullivan, the Internet of Things and data analytics are transforming the manufacturing space, as data is the new currency. “With the rise of cognitive technologies, human intervention will no longer be needed for logical and reasonable decision-making.... →

Photo by Bloomberg
AUTOMATED MANUFACTURING Cognitive technology is advancing, especially in the automotive manufacturing sector

Expansion ensures greater manufacturing capability for Hydra-Arc

By: Nica Schreuder 23rd June 2017 Steel fabricator Hydra-Arc has recently expanded its machining capability allowing them to take on work previously done by international manufacturing and engineering companies. Founded in 1987 by Jose Maciel, Hydra-Arc has grown from a supplier of specialised welders into a leading refinery... →

BEACON OF HOPE Mshiniwami trainees do practical training by assisting with the less complex welds on Hydra- Arc’s water tank projects, helping water-scarce rural communities

Indaba critical for policy engagement

By: Nica Schreuder 23rd June 2017 With the policy environment changing as a result of global and local competition, consulting firm Cova Advisory believes that this year’s Manufacturing Indaba can play a significant role to assist industry in staying abreast of the changes. Cova Advisory has been a sponsor of the Manufacturing... →

Cova Advisory joint MD Duane Newman discuss why the Manufacturing Indaba is important for the manufacturing industry. Video Cameraperson: Nicholas Boyd. Editing: Lionel da Silva

Lighting solutions company adapts to changing technology

By: Nica Schreuder 23rd June 2017 Leading lighting solutions company Beka Schrèder is succeeding in adapting to rapidly changing lighting technology, in its manufacturing process, while maintaining focus on cost benefits for consumers. Beka Schrèder product development manager Daniel Kasper says the company prioritises cost... →

Caption: HIGHMAST LIGHTING Beka Schrèder completed a highmast lighting project on the N3 national route connecting Johannesburg and Durban

Prioritise labour-intensive industries – EU Chamber

By: Nadine James 17th June 2016 The European Union Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Southern Africa (EUCCIISA) believes that the manufacturing sector and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) should prioritise less complex, labour-intensive production – as opposed to high-end, high-precision production – to increase... →

Photo by Bloomberg
DRIVING GROWTH? Industry stakeholders call for greater public-private engagement and warn against prioritizing high-end high-precision industries

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