With an 85% export rate in the past year from its member companies in Portugal, Portuguese mouldmaking association Cefamol secretary-general Manuel Oliveira says the recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) it signed with South Africa’s National Toolmaking Initiative Programme (NTIP) and the Tooling Association of South Africa (Tasa) will be equally beneficial to both countries.

“The MoU is in line with the collaboration already existing between both associations within the International Special Tooling and Machining Association, and aims to promote networking, cooperation activities and information sharing among member companies from Portugal and South Africa.”

The MoU will enable Cefamol to share its expertise with the NTIP and Tasa, which will, in turn, enable the two organisations to positively impact on the manufacturing industry in South Africa and its relationship with the Portuguese mouldmaking industry.

Cefamol comprises 450 member companies that collectively employ about 10 000 people.

potential in the South African market for future growth, integrated mould solutions producer Vangest Group CEO Carlos Oliveira says small markets, such as South Africa, present an opportunity for the establishment of new plants and further expansion.

Drawing from his presentation at the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers show last year in South Africa, he reiterates that “forming a cluster will be important for the industry to promote dialogue and, in some cases, promote good understanding among companies”.

One of the Cefamol member companies, engineering services supplier Iberomoldes Group, exports about 90% of its products and, in the past year, recorded a €90-millon turnover and hopes to increase this in the next few years, following the structural and economic automotive sector evolution.

Iberomoldes Group sales manager Pedro Pereira

says that South Africa’s automotive sector is small, compared with those of European countries, suggesting that South Africa should stabilise its relations with companies within the Southern African Development Community region, which would be beneficial in terms of information sharing and creating business relations that will boost the region’s economy, Pereira suggests.

Another member company, mouldmaking company Prifer, believes that there is scope for development in South Africa. “We export about 83% of our products to the automotive industry,” states Prifer commercial director Marco Laranjeira.

Another member company that is establishing its footprint in Morocco is mouldmaking company TJ Moldes. Forecasting a €20-million turnover by 2020, TJ Moldes technical manager Gonçalo Neto says 90% of its business comprises the moulding of automotive components, which he believes will continue being its core business as the global automotive sector continues to grow.

Zandile Mavuso took part in a media tour to Portugal from November 20 to 24 as a guest of AICEP Portugal Global.