Manufacturer streamlines business with management buyout, new factory

Local glass reinforced polyester (GRP) pipe and fitting manufacturer Fiberpipe says a successful management buyout (MBO) from Saudi Arabian pipe manufacturer Amiantit Company will streamline the... 

Steel tube, pipe industry recovered well, but imports a threat

The steel tube and pipes industry has recovered well from the 2008 economic recession and, overall, 2011 has been a good year for the industry, despite there being some overcapacity with imports... 

Demand for steel tube continues to grow

The global tube sector has, since 2010, recovered significantly from the economic downturn and, owing to the growing demand for gas as an energy source, the steel tube industry is experiencing... 

Unki platinum mine handed over to operations, exceeding ramp-up expectations

The Unki platinum mine and concentrator plant, in Zimbabwe, have been handed over to operations, reports primary producer of platinum-group metals Anglo American Platinum (Amplats). 

Rustenburg base metals refinery completed on time and on budget

The four-year expansion project at platinum producer Anglo American Platinum’s (Amplats’) base-metals refinery (BMR), in Rustenburg, is 99.8% complete. 

Work advances on Twickenham decline shafts and infrastructure

Work on the Twickenham platinum mine project is progressing well and is expected to gain momentum after being delayed by three years, reports engineering project house TWP Projects, a subsidiary of... 

Khuseleka ore-replacement project nearly 75% complete, refrigeration plant fully operational

Primary producer of platinum-group metals Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) reports that the ore-replacement project at its Khuseleka mine in the North West is 75% complete. 

Contract mining division has overcome challenges, expects to increase revenue

Eqstra’s contract mining and plant rental division, of which MCC is the major business unit, reports that business is going well, with a steady stream of projects. 

Eqstra’s distributorships division makes a comeback

JSE-listed capital equipment and leasing firm Eqstra’s Construction and Mining Equipment Distributorships (CMED) division is recovering well. 

Passenger and commercial vehicles division excels with value-added services

JSE-listed capital equipment and leasing firm Eqstra's passenger and commercial vehicles division reports that the number of vehicles under its management has increased by 35% during the 2011... 

Division reaps benefits after implementing steadfast business approach in recession

The pursuit of new opportunities during the 2008/9 recession, paired with constant product offering expansions, sophisticated distribution agreements and a business approach focused on employee... 

Firm serious about training, skills development

JSE-listed capital equipment and leasing firm Eqstra Holdings has invested heavily in training and skills development to overcome skills shortages and unemployment in the industry, and to further... 

Leasing firm invests in technical schools to alleviate skills shortage

JSE-listed capital equipment and leasing firm Eqstra Holdings plans to spend R36-million in the next five years on a long-term project called Eqstralution, which will train, develop and educate... 

Manufacturer introduces new truck ranges

Truck manufacturer and distributor Powerstar has introduced its new improved VX and V3 truck ranges at the Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS), held at the Nasrec Expo Centre, in October. 

Ethanol a good green option for SA buses – supplier

Truck and bus supplier Scania South Africa believes that ethanol-powered buses can be a viable option for greener transport in South Africa. 

Green focus for truck and bus manufacturer

Local vehicle manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus South Africa reports it is able to serve the increasing demands for fuel-efficient heavy and extra-heavy trucks that have optimal power-to-weight ratios. 

Healthy commercial vehicles market drives services, support development

Owing to a significant increase in the sale of commercial vehicles, Hyundai Automotive South Africa (Hasa) reports that it is shifting its focus to improving the fundamentals of its specialised... 

King III drives ‘greener’ breweries

Water and wastewater management company Talbot & Talbot reports that integrated reporting, as described in the King Code and Report on Governance in South Africa, or King III, is becoming the... 

SA wine export decline puts industry under pressure

The decline in South African wine exports might cause the industry to contract, which will, in turn, result in jobs losses and less income to reinvest in wineries, vineyards and marketing, says... 

Larger wine grape harvest despite climate challenges

South Africa’s wine grape crop for this year increased slightly, albeit at lower levels than expected, owing to significant fluctuations in weather conditions, among other factors. 

Spray technology specialist targets brewery and winery industry

Gauteng-based spray technology specialist Monitor Engineering reports that its newest range of fluid-driven spraying products will enable it to target the winery and brewery industry. 

Wine tank manufacturer reports healthy order book

Local wine tank manufacturer Velo South Africa reports that the number of orders for stainless steel tanks increased during the past financial year. 

Gauteng roads need a futureproof plan – MEC

Road infrastructure in Gauteng remains a challenge and the province needs a plan to tackle issues related to the future outlook and layout of road infrastructure and expansions, as well as road... 

SA airline reduces fuel consumption

JSE-listed South African airline Comair reports that efforts to reduce its fleet’s fuel consumption are proving successful. 

Solutions provider developing future green mobility solution

Developer of advanced mobility systems GridCars reports that it is focusing its attention on electric commuters (small electric cars and bicycles), which will, in future, form part of a commuter... 

Luminaire manufacturer introduces new LED streetlight

Manufacturer and distributor of technical lighting products Beka has introduced a new energy efficient light-emitting diode (LED) streetlight, which is specifically designed for use on South... 

Gautrain operations, construction faring well

Feedback on the newly opened Gautrain route between Hatfield station, in Pretoria and Rosebank station, in Johannesburg, positive. 

NWU coal research group flourishes

The North-West University (NWU) reports that the number of postgraduate students participating in its coal research group has increased significantly since 2009, with more than 35 postgraduate... 

CTL process to provide fuel for SA generations to come

The abundance of coal and the nearly perfected coal-to-liquids (CTL) technology, which is used by South African petrochemicals giant Sasol, will ensure that South Africa produces fuels for... 

Third-party channel agreement to increase local low-voltage product presence

Electrical, automation and mechanical products and equipment supplier Elquip Solutions reports it has been appointed as power and automation technology group ABB’s third-party channel, in August.  

Energy efficiency remains industry priority

Electrical equipment supplier Zest Group, which is also the local branch and distributor for motor manufacturer WEG, reports that it has noticed a definite industry trend towards more energy... 

Power transmission products manufacturer acquires German CNC machining centre

Manufacturer and supplier of power transmission products to the industrial and mining sectors Transmission Components has imported Southern Africa’s only German-manufactured Alzmetall GS 800/3... 

Industry facing many challenges

JSE-listed materials supplier Afrimat reports the concrete materials, construction aggregates and dolomite industries are healthy, although the demand for these materials is only evident in some... 

Industry body says industry is healthy amid challenges

The Aggregate and Sand Producers Association of Southern Africa (Aspasa) reports that, even though the South African aggregate industry is generally healthy and well-managed, there has been an... 

Limestone supplier diversifies products and services

Local supplier of limestone and subsidiary of agricultural limestone manufacturer PBD Boeredienste, PBD-Lime, reports it is diversifying and improving its product and service offerings to supply... 

Construction company’s quarrying projects progressing well

Industrial, commercial and residential development and construction company Renico Construction reports its most recent Free State quarrying project is progressing on time. The project is worth... 

NMPP structural steel work contract to be completed mid-December

Kinross-based structural steel construction and specialised welding company Kinross Industrial Supplies Manufacturing Engineering (Kisme) reports that construction work on a structural steel... 

Welding institute invests in strategic technology expansion plan

The Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW) reports that it has established a two- to three-year strategic plan to improve on and expand the institute’s welding technology and training courses. 

Companies need accreditation to be globally competitive – institute

It would be beneficial to South African welding fabrication companies that want to be globally competitive to have ISO 3834 accreditation says the Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW). 

Cleaning association forms international alliance

National Contract Cleaners’ Association (NCCA) has formed an alliance with the Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association (ISSA) to draw up various policies for the local cleaning industry.