Hamar Controls, a trusted provider of advanced electrical, control and instrumentation solutions to Africa’s mining and industrial sectors for over 40 years, has been honoured with two Smart Infrastructure Partner of the Year Awards by German multinational technology conglomerate, Siemens.

Presented at the annual Siemens Partner Conference on 2nd September 2025, the two Awards acknowledge Hamar Control’s exceptional manufacturing output within the Siemens SIVACON S8 partner programme.

As part of a continuous partnership with Siemens, the SIVACON S8 switchgear assemblies and motor control centres are manufactured under licence at Hamar Control’s in-house factory in Roodepoort, Johannesburg, in full compliance with IEC 61439. While widely adopted across the mining sector, SIVACON S8 is also ideally suited to a broad range of industrial applications - from food and beverage processing to paper manufacturing - essentially any environment where electric motors require controlled switching. To ensure continued compliance and quality, Hamar Control’s facility and manufacturing practices are subject to annual audits by dedicated Siemens specialists.

“We are delighted to have clinched these prestigious Awards and are extremely proud of our partnership with Siemens, a brand that is globally recognised for its outstanding quality and engineering excellence,” says Hamar Controls Managing Director, Chris Joubert. “All electrical and switchgear components are developed and supplied directly by Siemens and all components comply with international switchgear standards, ensuring the highest standards of performance and reliability. At the same time, we are committed to supporting local industry by sourcing all fabrication materials including sheet metal and copper, locally.”

While the SIVACON S8 is a fully tested solution, each unit can be individually designed, manufactured and assembled to meet the specific operational requirements of the customer’s plant. One of its key value-adds is the ability to accommodate up to sixteen starters within a single tier, allowing for a more compact footprint and subsequent efficient use of space which is a critical consideration in many industrial environments. Hamar Controls recently manufactured several of these systems, which are currently under commissioning at a mining operation in Zambia and enroute to petrochemical operations in Nigeria. “We also supplied SIVACON S8 solutions to one of South Africa’s leading paper manufacturers and several more motor control centres are on the factory floor for supply to the same customer,” adds Joubert.

Joubert explains that the SIVACON S8 solution forms part of Hamar Control’s ongoing panel building factory expansion programme. “As part of our strategic shift towards expansion of our panel building operations, and in a bid to further improve our product and service solutions, we expanded and upgraded our factory and strengthened our quality and control processes. Our testing facilities were expanded to allow bench testing of SIVACON S8 Draw Out units.” Established in 1981, Hamar Controls has built a powerful reputation not only for the quality of its products, but also for its commitment to integrity and ethical business practices. “We take pride in manufacturing every unit to the same exacting standards - without exception,” adds Joubert.

Hamar Controls is deeply committed to creating shared value and uplifting the communities in which it operates - a principle that is demonstrated through meaningful, action-based initiatives. As part of the recent factory upgrade, the company also expanded its in-house training programme, providing structured development opportunities to 20 individuals who met the selection criteria namely, they must be under the age of 25, in possession of a Grade 12 certificate and unemployed.

The 12-month programme comprises a three-month classroom training component, followed by nine months of hands-on, practical, on-the-job experience. Upon completion of the programme, trainees are awarded a Certificate of Service, and those who excel are offered positions within Hamar Control’s permanent workforce. “It’s a win–win,” says Joubert. “We maintain our commitment to continuous improvement, while also equipping young people with specialised skills that improve their employability and long-term prospects in the job market.”

In addition to its Siemens SIVACON S8 partnership, Hamar Controls supplies a range of switchgear and drives representing premium international brands. Complementing their Electrical Panel Building are Distribution Boards and MCCs, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Distributed Control Systems (DCSs), a wide range of lock-out stations, and high-pressure pump panels. “Put simply, if it’s electrical equipment that fits within a box, we have the expertise and capability to supply it,” affirms Joubert.

Building on its reputation for manufacturing excellence, Hamar Controls continues to innovate and expand its product offerings. Alongside purpose-built, fully customised mobile solutions for remote, pilot and semi-permanent plants as well as fast-track projects, the company also designs and manufactures complete containerised electrical substations and custom-sized e-houses which can be placed on sites in a permanent position or can be skid mounted. “These solutions deliver significant cost and time savings for customers,” emphasises Joubert. “We can provide containerised solutions in various layouts and recently extended a 12m container to 15m - ultimately, our capabilities are only limited by transport regulations.”

Serving a diverse range of industries, from gold, platinum, diamond, coal and iron ore mines to aluminium smelters, food and beverage plants, ports and harbours, water treatment facilities, cement producers, and paper, pulp and petrochemical plants, Hamar Controls is a trusted partner to customers across the continent. This broad market presence is underpinned by a relentless focus on innovation, performance and long-term value. “Recognition such as the recent Siemens Partner of the Year Awards reinforces our resolve to continuously improve to ensure that we deliver products of uncompromising quality that meet the evolving needs of Africa’s mining and industrial landscape,” concludes Joubert.