Biennial trade show KwaZulu-Natal Industrial Technology Exhibition (KITE), taking place between July 22 and 24 at the Durban Exhibition Centre, brings together industry stakeholders, showcasing authoritative insights, technical expertise and high-impact networking opportunities.

Now in its forty-eighth year, KITE continues to serve the province’s industrial ecosystem by providing business owners, engineers and production managers with access to the latest tools, equipment and technologies designed to enable more efficiency and smarter working practices.

KITE aims to serve the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) region by consistently bringing new and existing industrial technology to the local market, says event management company Specialised Exhibitions — a division of Montgomery Group.

With a well-established presence in manufacturing, logistics, petrochemicals, agroprocessing, automotive and packaging, the province contributes over 16% of the country’s GDP, Specialised Exhibitions observes. Further, with the Port of Durban and the Port of Richards Bay, the province is essential to national and regional supply chains.

“KZN is more than just a strategic gateway to South Africa’s trade routes — it’s a stronghold of industrial activity,” Specialised Exhibitions says.

Aligned to this, KITE plays a vital role in helping local businesses stay competitive and grow.

“In a province that’s building toward a stronger industrial future, KITE is more than a showcase — it’s a working event that helps businesses find workable solutions. By bringing people and ideas together under one roof, it helps keep KZN a vital part of South Africa’s economic engine,” Specialised Exhibitions portfolio director Charlene Hefer says.

This year’s KITE will be presented in partnership with industry bodies including the South African Institution of Mechanical Engineering (SAIMechE), the Lifting Equipment Engineering Association of SA (LEEASA), the South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC), the Society for Automation, Instrumentation, Mechatronics and Computer Engineering and the Production Technologies Association of South Africa.

“These partnerships elevate the exhibition from a standard trade show to a dynamic knowledge-sharing platform, where the latest industry trends, regulatory updates and technological advancements take centre stage,” Hefer says.

For exhibitors, this alignment enhances credibility and exposure, offering direct engagement with decision-makers, industry influencers and regulatory leaders. Meanwhile, visitors can benefit from exclusive access to seminars, conferences and live competitions that provide practical solutions, expert guidance and hands-on experience with the latest innovations.

“By fostering these strategic relationships, KITE 2025 solidifies its position as a must-attend event where industries don’t just showcase progress — they shape the future together,” says Hefer.

KITE offers practical solutions that can help streamline operations, lower costs and improve output for professionals. The exhibition is a valuable resource for businesses looking to make practical improvements, ranging from daily problem-solving to long-term planning.

The event also highlights solutions that increase worker satisfaction, well-being and safety, while supporting businesses in advancing their sustainability efforts.

The KITE exhibitor list is an “A-to-Z” of industrial technology products and services geared toward improving productivity and creating sustainable business growth.

The event will also bring in suppliers who understand the challenges that are unique to the KZN region and can speak directly to local needs, ranging from energy efficiency to staff training to maintaining older equipment while introducing new systems.

“The variety of offerings is extensive, from large to small tools and equipment, and all the ancillary solutions essential for organisations focused on providing their customers with consistent quality, faster turnaround times, and safer, more efficient operations in an increasingly competitive marketplace,” says Hefer.

Complementing the exhibitor displays, KITE features an extensive visitor programme, including a free-to-attend three-day seminar series hosted at the SAIMechE Seminar Theatre. The content is curated around current industry trends and key regulatory developments.

Day one will explore technology enhancing productivity and problem-solving, including integrating generative AI into workflows, digital twinning and virtual reality 2.0. while day two focuses on key technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with insight into how they create new innovative opportunities and disrupt existing systems, including augmented reality, cybersecurity and Internet of Things. Day three will provide insight into sustainable technologies, green energy technologies, smart factories, machine learning and data analytics.

The programme will also feature the one-day LEEASA Lifting Conference, which will provide information relevant for stakeholders in the lifting sector along with the newly launched LEEASA Forklift Operator Competition, which focuses on the skills of leading forklift operators.

Further, KITE’s New Products and Innovations Awards, co-hosted by SACEEC and judged by SACEEC CEO Eric Bruggeman, will highlight excellence and innovation in both local and international industrial technology product design.

“There is so much to see at KITE, and with exhibitors running ongoing live demonstrations, visitors can see solutions in action before making a purchasing decision,” Hefer concludes.