The Western Cape economy, anchored in agriculture, food and beverage processing, manufacturing and logistics, continues to drive demand for flexible and energy-efficient industrial technologies, says drive and automation specialist SEW-EURODRIVE Cape Town branch manager Dwane Jacobs.

He avers that this regional industrial mix requires solutions that can be adapted across sectors, rather than a standardised approach for one application.

Food and beverage manufacturing has emerged as one of the strongest demand drivers for SEW-EURODRIVE’s products and services in the Western Cape. Over recent years, the company has supplied drive and automation solutions to several large beverage-sector projects, largely through partnerships with local original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs), delivering complete processing and bottling lines.

Agriculture and agri-processing also remain central to SEW-EURODRIVE’s regional footprint. The company supports operations across the full agricultural value chain, from irrigation and pumping systems on farms to grain handling, silos, animal feed plants and final packaging facilities.

“Our involvement starts at field level and extends through to the finished product, encompassing everything from pivot drives and gear units for use in conveyors to augers within processing plants,” Jacobs says.

SEW-EURODRIVE has also expanded its service offering to wastewater treatment infrastructure and materials handling, completing several projects over the past year, with further installations planned for 2026.

Efficiency, Regulatory Alignment and Automation

Energy efficiency and compliance have become increasingly important considerations for agricultural and industrial operators, particularly in light of the updated Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) regulations, introduced in October 2023.

Jacobs highlights that SEW-EURODRIVE is well positioned in this regard, having supplied International Efficiency Class- (IE3-) rated motors as standard for several years, thereby enabling customers to meet regulatory requirements while reducing operating costs.

Beyond motors, the company’s mechatronic drive solutions, including MOVIGEAR and MOVIMOT, offer efficiency levels of up to IE5, making them suitable for high-throughput and continuous-duty applications such as bottling and food processing.

Its digital monitoring technologies further support operational reliability, while condition-monitoring capabilities enable operators to track equipment performance and plan maintenance proactively to reduce the risk of unplanned downtime.

“These monitoring solutions are particularly valuable in seasonal or continuous operations, where reliability is critical,” Jacobs says.

As Western Cape industries continue to increase their focus on automation and digital integration, SEW-EURODRIVE has also introduced technologies aimed at simplifying system architecture and improving operational visibility.

One such development is the company’s Digital Drive Interface technology, and cables which allow for integration with existing supervisory control and data acquisition systems, consequently allowing for real-time monitoring, enhanced diagnostics and improved transparency across plant operations.

Further, the adoption of single-cable technology, combining power and communication in one connection, has also gained traction, with Jacobs adding that this innovation reduces cabling complexity, shortens installation time and lowers overall project costs.

SEW-EURODRIVE identifies local capability, skills development and after-sales support as its key differentiators in the Western Cape market. The company operates a 24-hour support structure through its Montague Gardens branch, in Cape Town, supported by local stockholding and technical expertise.

“Our ability to respond quickly to breakdowns reduces downtime for both OEMs and end-users,” Jacobs explains.

Moreover, with support from head office in Johannesburg, and the addition of the new DriveAcademy training centre, the company has expanded its training capabilities, providing technical training for staff and customers to support the effective deployment and maintenance of drive and automation systems.

“This long-term, partnership-based approach will remain central to our strategy in the region,” Jacobs concludes.