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Ten-minute coronavirus test for $1 could be game changer

By: Bloomberg 20th March 2020 Already exhausted from testing for monkeypox and Lassa fever, Nigerian molecular bio-engineer Nnaemeka Ndodo had to work well past midnight earlier this month to find out if six Chinese construction workers were infected with the coronavirus. Ndodo had to collect samples from a hospital an hour... →

Gin makers bottle hand sanitiser for vulnerable as coronavirus spreads

By: Reuters 20th March 2020 Small gin distilleries across Britain have started producing hand sanitiser to help vulnerable people protect themselves from coronavirus amid a national shortage in a trend mirrored across the globe from Australia to the United States. Australian cricketer Shane Warne announced on Thursday that... →

Supplier provides quality equipment for optimum productivity

20th March 2020 Industrial equipment supplier BMG’s service to the agriculture sector focuses on the importance of investing in quality equipment and components for high efficiencies and optimum productivity across all farming disciplines. “The highly-experienced BMG team offers farming sustainability solutions... →

TOUGH CONDITIONS BMG supplies Tsubaki RS100HT heavy-duty reinforced roller chain to meet the high-volume capacity of agricultural machinery in tough operating conditions

Cluster emphasises importance of local manufacturing

By: Halima Frost 20th March 2020 It is of utmost importance to be able to draw a definitive line between locally manufactured and imported products in the South African pumps sector, as locally manufactured products need to take precedence over imports in projects, says industry association South African Pump Cluster chairperson... →

HOWARD JONES There is a need for a definitive line between locally manufactured and imported products in the South African pumps sector

Facility upgrades help to ramp up supply

By: Halima Frost 20th March 2020 Local high pressure pump supplier Werner South Africa Pumps & Equipment has successfully improved its turnaround time from between four and six months to between two and three months to manufacture a truck mounted pump system, depending on the unit ordered. “This is subsequent to the... →

UNDER THE PUMP Werner Pumps has managed to increase its turnaround time, to relieve the pressure of increased demand, by upgrading its facilities

Pump failures at mine addressed

20th March 2020 Last month, mechanical seal and pump supplier Mechanical Rotating Solutions (MRS) was asked to address the multiple failures experienced by a coal mine in Mpumalanga as a result of coupling misalignment between the pump shaft and the motor shaft. MRS MD Franscois Steenkamp suggests that after... →

SHAFTED A misalignment between the pump and motor shafts had been causing failures at a coal mine

Chamber launches Small Business Relief Centre

By: Marleny Arnoldi 19th March 2020 The National Small Business Chamber (NSBC) has launched a Covid-19 Small Business Relief Centre to assist businesses during this crisis. The centre collaborates with experts in various business fields, which should help small businesses weather the storm successfully. →

Covid-19 : manufacturers urged to scrutinise supply chains

By: Marleny Arnoldi 19th March 2020 The Coronavirus’ (Covid-19's) unpredictability and global reach has caused a supply chain shock that will undoubtedly cut into worldwide manufacturing revenue, which is currently forecasted to be $15-trillion this year, says technology market advisory firm ABI Research. The firm points out that... →

Stunned world grapples with 'once-in-100-year' coronavirus battle

By: Reuters 18th March 2020 Hundreds of millions of people worldwide were adjusting on Wednesday to once-in-a-generation measures to battle the coronavirus crisis that is not only killing the old and vulnerable but also threatening prolonged economic misery. The fast-spreading disease that jumped from animals to humans in... →

Adcock Ingram to acquire shoe, leather products manufacturer

By: Simone Liedtke 18th March 2020 In line with JSE-listed pharmaceuticals manufacturer Adcock Ingram’s strategy to pursue value-adding acquisitions, particularly in less-regulated areas of the market, the company has concluded a share purchase agreement to acquire 100% of shoe and leather products manufacturer Plush. The... →

Stakeholder communication, planning needed to limit Covid-19 impact on supply chains

By: Schalk Burger 18th March 2020 The impact on supply chains owing to the Covid-19 outbreak and from the closure of ports of entry can be mitigated through identification of potential impacts and early communications among affected stakeholders, advisory firm Deloitte Africa restructuring services leader Jo Mitchell-Marais tells... →

Every effort must be made to ensure economy ‘does not grind to a halt’

By: Terence Creamer 16th March 2020 Finance Minister Tito Mboweni stressed on Monday that, before contemplating any possible stimulus package to address the negative economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, all efforts should be geared towards ensuring that the already weak domestic economy “does not grind to a halt”. A failure... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni

Covid-19 presents ‘clear and present danger’ to South African economy

By: Simone Liedtke 16th March 2020 Market trends and other economic data confirm that the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic now poses “a clear and present danger” to the South African economy, North West University Business School Professor Raymond Parsons said in a statement. According to Parsons, the ripple effects from the... →

Data, AI to increase FMCG profits and save costs

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 13th March 2020 In order for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies to increase profits and remain cost efficient, value chain software company MACmobile believes that such companies need to consider merging artificial intelligence (AI) with the data generated in their supply chain. Owing to the amount of... →

ANDREW DAWSON Using technology will enable distributors to acquire feedback on all their products through the amount of data that is collected

Consultancy predicts potential downcycle for petrochemicals industry

13th March 2020 Chemicals consultancy group Wood Mackenzie predicts the start of a downcycle in China’s petrochemicals industry. A supply overhang has hit the country’s paraxylene (PX) market, with olefins and polyolefins markets almost certain to follow. →

Photo by Bloomberg
TURBULENT MARKETS Weak global economic growth, the US-China trade war, a decrease in automobile production and a booming electronic-commerce industry influenced China’s polyolefins market last year

South African factory output contracts For eighth straight month

By: Bloomberg 12th March 2020 South Africa manufacturing output contracted for the eighth straight month in January as fewer wood products, paper and vehicles were made. Manufacturing output fell 2% from a year earlier, compared with a 5.9% decline in the December, Pretoria-based Statistics South Africa said Thursday on its... →

South Africa losing R250m a day because of illicit trade – BLSA

By: Simone Liedtke 10th March 2020 Illicit trade is one of the biggest contributors to the strain that South Africa’s fiscus is currently experiencing, as the country is losing about R250-million a day in tax revenue as a direct result of illicit trade. Illicit trade is defined as the production, import, export, purchase, sale or... →

Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busi Mavuso speaks to Engineering News about the commissioned report surrounding illicit trade in South Africa. Video: Creamer Media's Kutlwano Matlala. Editing: Creamer Media's Nicholas Boyd.

Seifsa invites entries for sixth Awards for Excellence

By: Marleny Arnoldi 9th March 2020 The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) has invited manufacturers operating in the metals and engineering sector to submit their entries for the Seifsa Awards for Excellence. The awards are now in the sixth year, honouring both small and big manufactures that... →

Localisation to boost industries

By: Cameron Mackay 6th March 2020 Government’s intention to increase demand for locally manufactured content to at least 60% across industries will have a positive impact on the local casting, forging and machining sector, says nonprofit entity the Casting, Forging and Machining Cluster (CFMC) of South Africa project leader Steve... →

CLUSTER COLLABORATION The CFMC is a development purposed vehicle which will enable companies to work together to achieve what could not be achieved individually

Online purchasing first for South Africa

By: Tracy Hancock 6th March 2020 US construction machinery manufacturer Caterpillar’s mini excavators will be one of the first Cat product lines to be sold online through its Southern Africa dealer, Barloworld Equipment, this year. Following the launch last year, there is growing excitement around the Cat Next Generation mini... →

SOUTH AFRICAN INFLUENCE Air conditioning has also been introduced as an option on all Cat Next Generation mini excavator model sizes in response to direct feedback from South African customers

Pratley launches all-rounder cable gland

5th March 2020 Industrial products and adhesives manufacturer Pratley has launched a new internationally-certified corrosion-resistant flameproof compression cable gland that boasts a number of world firsts. Natasha Odendaal tells us more. →

Pratley launches all-rounder cable gland

Mpact performs well, despite 2019 financial year not having gone ‘to plan’

By: Simone Liedtke 4th March 2020 The weak South African economy, low business and consumer confidence, as well as the re-emergence of load-shedding and uncertainty in a number of areas, had a marked impact on paper and plastics packaging business Mpact’s customers and consumer-facing business in 2019. This resulted in tough... →

Mpact's paper punnets

Nigeria’s immense gas reserves offer great scope to boost economic growth

By: Kim Cloete 3rd March 2020 Nigeria is hoping to make the most of its immense gas reserves, but needs to refine its legislation and get its projects moving swiftly. Professor Abubakar Sani Sambo from the Nigerian Ministerial Task Force on Power said Nigeria had the ninth largest gas reserves in the world and was number one... →

Companies urged to gear up for gas revolution in Mozambique

By: Kim Cloete 3rd March 2020 Key players in the gas industry have urged the South African government and companies to gear up for the tremendous opportunities that the gas resources uncovered in Mozambique will offer. A final investment decision (FID) has been taken for two projects, while the FID for a third project is... →

Pratley in push to increase export sales

By: Schalk Burger 28th February 2020 Electrical terminations specialist company Pratley is having a range of its products recertified, and new products certified in countries to which it exports as part of its drive to grow its exports and diversify the range of products sold in these markets, says Pratley CEO Kim Pratley. Expanding... →

PERFORMANCE FOCUS The company is having its new products certified, and aims to grow exports

Sector in dire need of transformation

By: Mamaili Mamaila 28th February 2020 The manufacturing industry, and particularly the metals and engineering sector, is in much need of transformation, says national employer federation the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa). →

MICHELLE NORRIS Women working in the metals and engineering sector are predominantly found in administrative job functions

Market feels project pinch

By: Mamaili Mamaila 28th February 2020 The lack of significant public infrastructure spend to boost steel consumption and construction activity are some of the challenges that the local steel tube market has to deal with, says steel industry association the Association of Steel Pipe Manufacturers (ASTPM). →

KEITUMETSE MOUMAKOE The influx of cheap small-bore steel tube imports has not aided the industry

Stainless steel growth unlikely in 2020

By: Mamaili Mamaila 28th February 2020 The level of activity in the local stainless steel sector’s value chain has dwindled in the past decade, mainly owing to international competition, low steel prices and the slow growth of the local economy. →

FULL OF VIGOR Stainless steel is one of the youngest industrial materials globally, managing to positively change people’s lives

Digitalisation beneficial for steel producers

By: Mamaili Mamaila 28th February 2020 Digitalisation will become an increasingly important strategy for steel producers to achieve a competitive advantage in the market, says metallurgical industry plant and integrated systems provider SMS group MD Pieter Bezuidenhout. →

Local steel industry still holds much potential

By: Mamaili Mamaila 28th February 2020 The current capacity and capabilities of the local steel industry are still largely understated, says export trade promotion agency the International Steel Fabricators (ISF). →

International Steel Fabricators CEO Neels van Niekerk discusses the South African steel sector. Camerawork: Creamer Media’s Nicholas Boyd. Editing: Creamer Media’s Nicholas Boyd. Recorded: 30.01.2020

Volatile steel prices to continue in 2020

By: Mamaili Mamaila 28th February 2020 The volatile prices of domestic steel producers and domestic steel merchants are likely to continue in 2020, says national employer federation Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) chief economist Dr Michael Ade. →

MICHAEL ADE 2020 is still going to be a difficult year for the metals and engineering sector, with ongoing pressure on margins

Regulator says local tyres are ‘export worthy’

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st February 2020 South African pneumatic tyres are on par with their global counterparts, says regulatory authority the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS). →

HIGHLY GUARDED Any amendments for compulsory specifications are governed by the development and approval of relevant products

Company launches lithium solar battery range

21st February 2020 Lithium iron phosphate batteries – the battery of the future – provide powerful solutions to consumers and commercial enterprises alike, particularly in solar installations. For South Africans, however, taking advantage of these batteries has been hindered by a high price tag as a result of... →

SUNNY SIDE UP With the Max Li range, home owners and small businesses will have a battery solution to help use solar technology - be it off-grid or grid-tied

Regulator seeks to improve tyre homologation process

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st February 2020 Regulatory authority the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) is not “completely satisfied” with the current approval period for pneumatic tyre homologation, says NRCS automotive GM Duncan Mutengwe. →

TWICE THE TROUBLE The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications follows a two-stage approach for importers applying for tyre homologation

Specialist on course despite pressures

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st February 2020 Despite the local manufacturing sector being under pressure, mouldered product specialist DEMS’ rubber manufacturing division – which operates within a very niche and specialised market – has not been affected negatively, says DEMS MD Mark Baptie. →

ALWAYS ON EDGE DEMS is always investigating and looking for opportunities to remain competitive and continue to have an edge in the market

Rubber remains resilient despite strained sector

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st February 2020 Engineered rubber remains a requirement for many industries notwithstanding local manufacturing industry woes, says rubber products manufacturer Hudson Rubber MD Stoney Steenkamp. →

RUBBING OFF THE RIGHT WAY The rubber sector will survive the current unfavourable economic climate as the product remains resilient and relevant in the industrial markets

Bleak outlook for rubber SMMEs in 2020

By: Mamaili Mamaila 21st February 2020 With the industrial market aspect of its rubber business having declined in 2019 by 25%, rubber compounding specialist National Rubber Matmin (NRM) MD Mike Stuart says 2020 is “not looking much better”. →

MIKE STUART National Rubber Matmin has had success in supplying products to the Australian mining sector

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