Indaba will create intra-Africa trade opportunities

With the 2018 Manufacturing Indaba’s focus being on the development of intra-Africa trade, event organiser Siyenza Management MD Liz Hart says the event will bring key stakeholders together to... 

Companies moving towards emerging technologies

There is strong indication that manufacturing companies will in the short term start using emerging technologies. This is according to ‘The Mobile Corporation in South Africa 2018’ report, based... 

S Africa must maintain cost-competitive sector

It is vital for South Africa to maintain a manufacturing sector that is internationally cost competitive and can produce quality end-products, says Germiston-based material transfer solutions... 

Effective control of substance abuse in industry crucial

There is a need for effective control of substance abuse in the manufacturing industry as it is a major issue, says drug and alcohol testing equipment supplier Alco-Safe MD Rhys Evans. Alco-Safe... 

Balance between mechanisation, job creation must be maintained

Specialist equipment supplier Multotec believes that a balance between the mechanisation of manufacturing operations and job creation must be maintained, says COO Jannie de Jonge. He tells... 

Industry pursuing better management of energy use

There has been a growing trend among South African manufacturing plants to pursue energy reduction and manage its use better, says energy training services provider the Energy Training Foundation... 

AI can optimise manufacturing processes; awareness needed

Artificial intelligence (AI), data and automation tools can aid manufacturers in enhancing and optimising their processes, says Cape Town-based machine learning startup DataProphet cofounder and MD... 

Technology uptake to solve industry challenges

Although there has been some progress in establishing continuous connectivity in the form of WiFi networks on railway systems in South Africa, political issues have limited the uptake of... 

Event to inspire industry to think differently – organisers

Global events company Terrapinn will host the twenty-first annual Africa Rail exhibition and conference at the Sandton Convention Centre, in Gauteng, on June 12 and 13, which it believes will... 

Rail operator to occupy its rail services hub this month

Locomotive and rail operator Traxtion Sheltam plans to move into its rail services hub in Rosslyn, Pretoria, later this month, says CEO James Holley. The company started this project last year... 

Safety issues must be addressed – law firm

Safety is a massive problem in the rail industry in South Africa and it must be dealt with, says global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright director and head of rail David Kapelus. Ageing... 

Politics suppressing rail infrastructure build in Africa

Election cycles and governance have an inherently negative impact on rail infrastructure planning and the construction thereof in Africa, says multidisciplinary engineering consultancy WSP Africa... 

Expo will facilitate interaction among sectors of Zambian economy

The Caminex trade expo, which will be held from June 5 to 7 at the Kitwe showgrounds, in Zambia, provides a platform to facilitate interaction among various sectors of the economy, says event... 

Vibrating screens in copper production process vitally important

Copper plays an important role in technological advancements, and vibrating- and original-equipment manufacturer and supplier Kwatani is well positioned to take advantage of growing copper demand.... 

Copper coil device to clean contaminated water, field trials under way

Nonprofit organisation promoting copper use in Africa the Copper Development Association Africa (CDAA) is the sponsor of field tests being conducted for a copper coil device that can clean... 

Advantageous networking opportunity provided

Spectrometer and analyser supplier Spectrometer Technologies has found that attending the Caminex trade expo, which will be held from June 5 to 7 at the Kitwe showgrounds, in Zambia, is “an... 

Company continuously enhances core technologies

Mine management solutions provider Modular Mining Systems (MMS) is continuously working on making value-added enhancements to its core technologies, says MMS MD Lourens du Plessis. He says customer... 

AfriSam anchor sponsor for Fulton Awards

Leading concrete materials supplier AfriSam is the anchor sponsor for the 2019 biennial Fulton Awards, hosted by nonprofit organisation the Concrete Society of Southern Africa (CSSA). According to... 

Gas conditioning systems remain in high demand

As global pressure to reduce emissions mounts, owing to more stringent legislation, there remains a high demand for spray nozzle and spraying system manufacturer Lechler’s VarioCool Gas... 

Substantial need for skills development

There is a massive need for skills development in the construction industry, particularly in the concrete industry, says cement and concrete technical services provider The Concrete Institute (TCI)... 

Innovation, relevance, succession planning key to industry survival

The local concrete industry must continuously move forward to remain relevant in a competitive market amid a developing economy where alternative construction materials and practices are gaining... 

Decorative concrete market looking good

Decorative concrete solutions can raise the aesthetic value of both new projects and renovations, and construction chemicals company Chryso Southern Africa is participating in the market to supply... 

Stakeholders remain hopeful of growth in local cement industry

Various players in the cement and concrete industry say the sector is hoping and expecting that there will be improvements in the industry after being impacted on negatively for several years.... 

Cement plant maintenance crucial

Strategic and effective cement plant maintenance services can increase plant productivity and reduce costs, says furnace and industrial services company The Dickinson Group sales manager Brighton... 

Stagnant mining industry detrimental to consulting engineers

The local mining industry is “almost dormant” and it is having a knock-on effect on consulting engineers, leaving them with little in the way of projects, says industry body Consulting Engineers... 

Discounts on professional fees a looming issue

The issue of discounting the professional fees of consulting engineers, driven by public sector and private sector clients alike, is plaguing the sustainability of the consulting engineering... 

Digitisation, safety hot topics in mining consulting

There is “much discussion” in the global mining consulting industry around digitisation and safety in mines, says engineering and infrastructure advisory company Aurecon client director for... 

Uncertainty remains in mining industry, technology transformation arising

Recent changes in political leadership suggest that the South African mining industry may be moving towards a clearer operating framework but much uncertainty remains, says consulting engineering... 

New JV to lead to structured services solutions

The joint venture (JV) between Stefanutti Stocks Mechanical – part of construction group Stefanutti Stocks – and Australian industrial services operation the Dawsons Group of Companies is... 

Company offers customisable electrical distribution solution

Transformer supplier Trafo Power Solutions is offering dry-type mini substations as a complete and customisable electrical distribution solution for several applications. “Mini substations... 

Renewable energy crucial to Africa’s power

Many African leaders have realised the crucial role that renewable energy can and will play in “bringing power to their people”, says multidisciplinary engineering consultancy WSP Africa power... 

Investor interest in Africa’s power sectors remains significant

Despite the downturn in commodity prices that led to more subdued growth in several of Africa’s resource-intense economies, there is still significant investor interest in Africa’s power sectors,... 

Distributed generation can mitigate transmission constraints in Africa

Investment in the African transmission grid and distributed generation solutions could be viable in mitigating the challenge of providing access to electricity, says power generation... 

Africa pursuing diversified energy investments to deliver power

Africa has an abundance of energy resources that can be brought online rapidly and cost effectively, says engineering, procurement and construction services provider Black & Veatch sub-Saharan... 

Large uranium deficits expected

The outlook for future uranium demand remains positive amid prevailing low prices, as significant deficits and “substantially higher prices” are expected over the next decade when future supply... 

South Africa must be proactive in uranium beneficiation pursuit

South Africa needs to decide whether it wants to be a dominant player in the world in terms of uranium exports, says South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) scientist and chairperson Dr... 

Coating systems to benefit harbour infrastructure projects

Technical products and services provider JST Group will market its range of Guardian coating systems for various applications, including marine piling, to the Southern African harbour... 

Technology transforming maritime industry

State-owned company Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is creating a smart port system, in line with global automation and artificial intelligence (AI) trends, says TNPA infrastructure and... 

TNPA to launch dredging school this year

State-owned company Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) will launch its dredging school – the first of its kind in Africa – this year, says TNPA infrastructure and port planning GM Hamilton... 

Proper dredging, correct dredge depths critical

It is imperative that harbours are properly dredged and channels are kept open to facilitate smooth port operations, says global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright director and transport head Andrew...