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Mpact agrees to pay R7m penalty

By: Simone Liedtke 13th February 2020 The Competition Commission has referred to the Competition Tribunal for confirmation a consent agreement with corrugated box packaging company Mpact in respect of alleged acts of collusion and prior implementation of merger acquisitions in contravention of the Competition Act. In terms of the... →

ARB’s lighting division lifts its interim profitability

By: Marleny Arnoldi 13th February 2020 Investment company ARB Holdings on Thursday reported that turnover growth in its lighting division had helped to offset turnover loss in the electrical division for the six months ended December 31. The company’s revenue for the six months increased by 4.5% year-on-year to R1.42-billion, as a... →

Italtile continues to find growth opportunities internally in a stunted economy

By: Marleny Arnoldi 13th February 2020 While the economy has shown low growth and decreased consumer spending for some time, JSE-listed Italtile had been shifting its focus for achieving growth to gaining market share, instead of relying on growth from an economic point of view. CEO Jan Potgieter said on Thursday that this strategy,... →

Tongaat mulls sale of its starch division

By: Simone Liedtke 13th February 2020 JSE-listed sugar producer Tongaat Hulett has entered into negotiations with regard to the potential sale of Tongaat Hulett Starch. The division is Africa’s largest producer of starch, glucose and related products. It converts more than 670 000 t/y of bought-in maize into starch and starch-based... →

Manufacturing industry’s growth prospects remain poor

By: Marleny Arnoldi 11th February 2020 Data published by Statistics South Africa on Tuesday showed a 5.9% year-on-year decrease in manufacturing production for December. The largest negative contributors to manufacturing production in the month under review were motor vehicles, parts and accessories at -24.9%; petroleum, chemical... →

Italtile’s consumer strategy continues to drive manufacturing, retail sales growth

By: Marleny Arnoldi 7th February 2020 JSE-listed tile manufacturer Italtile achieved creditable retail turnover growth in the six months ended December 31, despite the weak demand environment. The company expects to report headline earnings per share (HEPS) of between 54.7c and 55.8c for the six months, compared with the HEPS of... →

Rocky political climate hinders conveyor industry growth

By: Darren Parker 7th February 2020 The “turmoil” of South African politics has engendered a decline in investment currently and doubt over possible future investment in the mining industry, Conveyor Manufacturers Association of South Africa (CMASA) chairperson Jay Pillay tells Engineering News. Typically, mine expansions, new... →

BUMPY RIDE The health of the local conveyor manufacturing industry directly depends on the health of the mining industry ealth mining industry

New forklift models for South African market

By: Darren Parker 7th February 2020 Local forklift and compressor distributor Avir is introducing four new Chinese JAC forklift models to South Africa this year. One of these new models is a special edition 3 t forklift for loading and offloading in steep-gradient conditions. →

RAISING THE BAR The new models of JAC forklifts will enter the South African market this year

Isando lubricants manufacturer evaluating upgrades

By: Tracy Hancock 7th February 2020 Lubricants supplier FUCHS LUBRICANTS SOUTH AFRICA, part of Germany-headquartered multinational FUCHS PETROLUB Group, is investigating upgrades to the warehouse and production capacity of its manufacturing hub in Isando, Johannesburg, as part of the group’s global growth initiative. The upgrade... →

DELIVERING ON DEMAND The upgrade of the FUCHS manufacturing hub in Johannesburg would ensure adequate capacity to meet future market demand and quality standards

Watchdog needed, not more standards

By: Tracy Hancock 7th February 2020 South Africa would be better served by an industry regulator rather than a standards body to ensure compliance with globally accepted lubricant standards, says industrial and automotive lubricants manufacturer Castrol strategy and projects manager Satha Govender. In the past, local manufacturers... →

MAGNATEC IN MOTION Castrol’s Magnatec Dual Lock will be available to the South African market in September

Automated solution supplied to OEM

By: Darren Parker 7th February 2020 Drive engineering and automation company SEW-Eurodrive has supplied its highly configurable HandlingKinematics to a local original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) of concrete brick, block and paving machinery for use in a greenfield plant in East London, in the Eastern Cape. SEW-Eurodrive Maxolution... →

MOVING TECHNOLOGY Incorporating the freely programmable MOVI-PLC into the HandlingKinematics solution allows for greater flexibility

AMSA slumps to R3.3bn loss amid ‘exceptionally difficult’ conditions

By: Terence Creamer 6th February 2020 Steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) slumped to a R3.3-billion headline loss in 2019, which the JSE-listed group described as an exceptionally difficult one for the South African economy and also the most challenging for the world steel industry since the global financial crisis of... →

Wind-down of the Saldanha Works, in the Western Cape, to be largely completed by the end of the first quarter

Transnet’s new head promises an open door and action

By: Kim Cloete 5th February 2020 State-owned Transnet’s newly appointed CE Portia Derby has pledged to partner with the mining industry in an open and transparent way in a bid to boost the utility and ultimately help grow the economy. “We want to be a cool, easy company to deal with. We don’t want to make it difficult for you to... →

DRC to benefit from rise in global copper demand

By: Kim Cloete 5th February 2020 Canadian mining company Ivanhoe Mines chairperson Robert Friedland is capitalising on the rising need for more copper globally, with a mission to restore the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC's) position as the number one producer of copper metal in the world. Friedland told the 2020 Investing... →

Ivanhoe Mines chairperson Robert Friedland addresses the Investing in African Mining Indaba. Video and editing: Nicholas Boyd.

Absa’s PMI at lowest level since September 2019

By: Simone Liedtke 3rd February 2020 The seasonally adjusted Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) started the year on the back foot and declined further in January, decreasing by 1.9 points to 45.2, the lowest level since September 2019. The performance of the five major subcomponents was mixed, Absa said on Monday, noting that two... →

Hudaco performs well, despite economic downturn

By: Simone Liedtke 31st January 2020 Automotive, industrial and electrical consumable products supplier Hudaco managed to grow its headline earnings a share for the financial year ended November 30, 2019, by 5.1% year-on-year to R13.55. The company said this was “an achievement” given the tough business environment in South Africa,... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
Hudaco CEO Graham Dunford

Company supplies motor units for German project

31st January 2020 Drive technology company SEW-Eurodrive supplied 64 Movigear servo motors from its Cape Town branch to a major original-equipment manufacturer (OEM). →

IDEAL SOLUTIONS The Movigear solution was ideal for this application owing to its 200:1 speed range

Company leverages off diverse industrial supplier’s strengths

31st January 2020 As part of automotive consumable products supplier Hudaco Group, Bearings International (BI) is able to leverage synergies across a broad range of companies, meaning it can offer a complete product basket across its branch network nationally. →

Company supplies motors for automotive plant upgrade

By: Mamaili Mamaila 31st January 2020 Drive technology provider SEW-Eurodrive has supplied geared motors to an automotive company as part of an expansion project at its assembly plant in Silverton, Pretoria. →

SEW-Eurodrive export sales representative Phillip Steyn discusses one of the company’s latest projects. Camerawork: Creamer Media’s Kutlwano Matlala. Editing: Creamer Media’s Nicholas Boyd. Recorded: 11.12.2019 latest projects

Company stirs interest in pump-engine range

31st January 2020 Solutions provider Cummins held a highly successful seminar in October, in both Dubai and in South Africa, to introduce end-users and original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to its range of high-quality engines for the pumps segment. →

SENSIBLY SPEAKING Cummin's strategy to break into the pump segment is to reassure its customers that it can supply fit-for-market solutions that make a lot more sense in terms of the harsh operating conditions in Africa

Factory now fully compliant with local requirements

31st January 2020 Following much investment and transfer of knowledge and skills, multinational corporation ABB South Africa’s motor and generator factory in Alrode, near Johannesburg in Gauteng, is now fully compliant with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s (DTIC’s) greater than 70% local... →

More demand for lower costs and efficient designs

By: Mamaili Mamaila 31st January 2020 There has been growing demand in the conveyor market for more compact and efficient designs at lower costs, says industrial equipment supplier BMG. →

SO, SO VERSATILE BMG’s cam clutches can also be used for belt conveyors, metals, timber, pulp and wood chip, as well as bucket elevators for cement and grain

Company increases footprint in Africa through distributorship

31st January 2020 Electro-mechanical power transmission supplier Vert Energy’s Leroy-Somer LSK direct current (DC) motors provide cost-effective solutions for variable speed applications. →

EXCLUSIVE PICKS Vert Energy is the exclusive distributor for Leroy-Somer in Southern Africa

Doyle to succeed MacDougall as CEO of Tiger Brands

By: Creamer Media Reporter 29th January 2020 Branded food, home care and personal care product manufacturer Tiger Brands' CFO Noel Doyle will succeed Lawrence MacDougall as CEO, effective February 1. MacDougall, who has been CEO since 2016, has reached the company's mandatory retirement age of 63 and will exit the company on March 31 to... →

Premier Wash & Wax a 100% waterless car cleaning product

By: Tracy Hancock 27th January 2020 Developed by automotive enthusiasts in response to Africa’s water crisis, demand for Premier Wash & Wax is growing monthly as more people become conscious of the need to conserve water and fall in love with the products’ results, says Premier Products owner Gerhard Veldsman. “Africa’s water... →

Company completes purchase of Italian thermoplastic specialist

24th January 2020 Technology services company Continental has successfully completed its purchase of Italian thermoplastic specialist Merlett Group. →

Global sights set for export association

By: Mamaili Mamaila 24th January 2020 Steel industry association the Steel Tube Export Association of South Africa (Steasa) and some of its members will participate at the national pavilion at the International Wire and Tube Trade Fair 2020. →

SOARING HIGHER Exports of high-carbon and low-alloy steel tubes and pipes remain on an upward trajectory and are resilient amid export competitiveness challenges

Company transforming SA’s industrial landscape

24th January 2020 Built from startup, industrial solutions provider BT Industrial – a new-generation, black-owned, high-energy business driven by innovation, international standards, and service excellence – is transforming the industrial landscape in South Africa. →

AMSA warns of big 2019 loss, as it sheds more than 1 000 jobs

By: Terence Creamer 23rd January 2020 JSE-listed steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) warned on Thursday that it would swing back into a large lossmaking position following an “exceptionally difficult” 2019 financial year, which the company described as the most challenging for the steel industry since the Global... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Wind-down of Saldanha Works (pictured) anticipated to be largely completed by the end of the first quarter

First group of MSI welder trainees graduate

By: Yvonne Silaule 22nd January 2020 More than 20 aspiring welding entrepreneurs have graduated after completing a training course under the Mpumalanga Informal Welders Recruitment Programme, which was organised by the Mpumalanga Stainless Initiative (MSI), the Small Enterprise Development Agency and the Manufacturing, Engineering... →

Iron-ore demand to slow, while seaborne supply rises

By: Simone Liedtke 21st January 2020 Slower demand growth, especially in China, and a decent recovery in seaborne supply is expected to continue to feature prominently in the iron-ore industry this year, says global energy, chemicals, renewables, metals and mining research and consultancy group Wood Mackenzie (WoodMac). Prices are... →

Index shows policy uncertainty remains elevated

By: Simone Liedtke 20th January 2020 The Policy Uncertainty Index (PUI), as published by the North West University (NWU) Business School, increased to 53.6 index points in the fourth quarter of 2019, from 53.1 index points in the third quarter. The business school points out that “negative factors outweighed positive ones” in the... →

Glencore, Merafe to retrench Rustenburg Smelter employees

By: Simone Liedtke 17th January 2020 Global miner Glencore Alloys and Merafe Resources have started a Section 189A process. The companies confirmed on Friday that written notice had been given to its employees at its joint venture (JV), the Rustenburg Smelter, in the North West. →

Seifsa welcomes lower repo rate

By: Simone Liedtke 17th January 2020 The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) has welcomed the South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB’s) decision to reduce the repo rate by 25 basis points, thereby “providing another boost to the stagnant economy”. The federation’s economist Marique Kruger is of the... →

SKF launches green finance framework

By: Simone Liedtke 17th January 2020 Bearings supplier SKF has launched a green finance framework, allowing the company to, by engaging in green financing, become more aligned with the group’s climate objectives to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from its manufacturing and supply chain operations, as well as supporting... →

SKF CFO and senior VP Niclas Rosenlew

Company expands into boiler manufacturing

By: Cameron Mackay 17th January 2020 Boiler management, consulting, engineering and quality-assurance services provider GM Boiler and Steam Consulting Engineering (GMB) will continue to expand its business this year to include the manufacturing of boilers and boiler components for plant and production industries. Last year, the... →

BOILER UPKEEP The company’s knowledge and expertise in refurbishment services has become vital for the maintenance of second- and third-hand boilers

Despite IRP gaps, the outlook for solar in SA has strengthened

By: Terence Creamer 17th January 2020 One of the first questions posed to Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe after Cabinet finally approved the 2019 edition of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2019) in October related to the ongoing capacity addition gaps for solar photovoltaic (PV). While the IRP 2019 envisages... →

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Thos Begbie Bionetix International Boeing Cortec Corporation HP Engineering Projects Stainless Steel Steel System Tubes Africa Energy Health Mining PROJECT Resources Screening Testing Bell Equipment Business Financial Casting Indaba Manufacturing Switzerland Base Metal Chemical Corrosion Hard-facing Welding Services Heavy Earthmoving Machinery ... more

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