Motor and large-drive systems supplier Innomotics (formerly Siemens Large Drives and Low Voltage Motors) on November 28 launched its new Geared Motors assembly factory in Midrand. The factory is expected to improve efficiency and quality in Innomotics’ production process.

Speaking to Engineering News on the sidelines of the launch, Innomotics portfolio consulting manager and facility operational manager Gregory van Niekerk said the new factory was an improvement on the old facility in Isando.

Parts are imported from the headquarters in Germany and delivered to the warehouse at the new facility.

Assembly of the gearbox then took place. Assembly time ranged from between half an hour and four hours, depending on the size and specs, Van Niekerk explained.

This was followed by thorough testing and quality control. Cleaning then occured, followed by painting of the gearbox in the spray booth. Van Niekerk said the new facility boasted a new spray booth, which he said was a marked improvement on the old one at the previous facility.

The gearboxes are then dispatched for shipping.

Van Niekerk said the facility currently had the capacity to assemble about 400 gearboxes a month, with this varying depending on the sizes required. 

He elaborated that the new facility brought together warehousing and assembly into one combined building, compared with the Isando facility where these were in separate places. This was aimed at improving efficiency, delivery and service in the future.

Moreover, Van Niekerk informed that the company would also soon implement a warehouse management system to further bolster efficiency at the facility. It was also targeting further improvements on its processing side.

The facility had been fully operational since the middle of October. Discussions to undertake the move started last year, construction of the facility earlier this year, movement of the equipment from the old facility in about July and the movement of parts in September, Van Niekerk outlined.  

The employee contingent of 23 people, including salespeople, has been maintained.

Van Niekerk mentioned that the new location provided better exposure from the highway and was an improved industrial area compared with the previous one.

With the new facility, the company would look to maintain and grow its current customer base, while simultaneously seeking new customers and expanding into new market segment, Van Niekerk informed.

He explained that mining accounted for the majority of its business, at about 70%, with wastewater treatment also a considerable contributor.

However, there were also opportunities in industries including food and beverage and logistics, Van Niekerk pointed out, noting that the company would look to capitalise on these.