Industrial Insight
Zululand’s industrial sector is one of the most important drivers of the local economy. After Gauteng province, KwaZulu-Natal’s manufacturing sector is the second largest in South Africa. Nearly a third of South Africa’s manufactured exports are produced in KwaZulu-Natal. This sector also provides a massive 20% of the province’s employment. Here are some of the industries that make Zululand tick.
A leading light in local heavy equipment manufacture
With 65 years of experience designing, manufacturing and distributing heavy equipment, Bell Equipment has weathered the cyclical nature of the industry to build an internationally reputable brand, and a South African success story. Adhering to ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System standards, the Bell factory in Richards Bay manufactures Articulated Dump Trucks (ADTs) for Southern Hemisphere markets and knock-down kits for Northern Hemisphere markets. The Articulated Dump Truck (ADT) is the group’s core product and Bell is acknowledged globally as an ADT specialist offering customers the largest and most advanced range. The factory also builds Tractor Loader Backhoes (TLBs), a range of Tri-Wheeler products, Rigid Haulers and Trailers, enabling Bell to supply equipment solutions to the construction, mining, quarrying, agriculture, forestry and waste handling industries in over 80 countries. According to Bell Group CEO, Leon Goosen, about 75% of what Bell sells in South Africa is manufactured in the country. ‘Apart from designing many of our own products with our local engineering team, we are also focused on increasing the local content of our products with a Bell ADT having a local content of over 70%.’ To complement its manufacturing operation and support its machine population, Bell has invested substantially in a Global Logistics Centre in Johannesburg, as well as an extensive distribution and support network that includes 22 Bell owned branches in South Africa. Bell, a sizeable contributor to the local economy, also believes in ‘growing its own timber’ through its MERSETA-registered apprenticeship programme, as well as providing operator and technical training for Bell employees and customers.
The pump and valve experts
Local pump manufacturer, KSB Pumps and Valves has played an important role in the development of a desalination plant to supply Foskor. Calling on its global expertise, the company was recently able to direct the Richards Bay branch to assist in the installation of one of its inDuplex stainless steel pumps for the desalination plant for South 32. “According to branch manager, Gideon Visser, the big pump’s capacity is 800 000 litre per hour that can be controlled through a VSD (variable speed drive).The sea water abstraction is from the corner of pier 6 &7 within Richards Bay harbour,” says Gideon. He explains that the company is involved in many similar projects locally as well as globally and in the Richards Bay area it is also involved in many other bulk water supply projects, designs which and installations are regularly done to the client specifications. KSB Pumps and Valves says the Richards Bay branch services water and sanitation infrastructure for the region, as well as maritime, agricultural, industrial, mining industries, among others, and supplies the complete range of pumps for all these applications. Well known examples of the company’s pumps includes MEGA CPK and Complete stainless steel pumps for chemical and fuel pumping , LCC, LSA, WKLN, AMAREX and ETANORM pumps for mining, Multitec pump range for boilers and other industrial applications and much more. KSB Pumps and Valves in Richards Bay and KSB Durban is the only accredited KSB repair
agents in KZN. All KSB pump repairs carry a sixmonth repair warranty.
Please contact KSB on 035 751 1694 or visit our premises at 5 Brass Link, unit 2 & 3, Alton North, Richards Bay.
Foskor leads the way in terms of beneficiation, which is the route the country is encouraging all industries to take.
The concept of beneficiation is a simple and logical one, rather than export the country’s vast mineral resources and raw materials.
These get processed here and the end product is exported thus the value and the benefit is added in South Africa.
This also creates many more local jobs giving opportunities for manufacturing and downstreaming activities, which includes skills
development.
As a proudly South African producer of phosphates and phosphoric acid, Foskor has followed this beneficiation
concept since our inception.
Foskor unlocks value through the profitable, responsible and sustainable beneficiation of phosphate rock into either
phosphoric acid or phosphate-based granular fertilisers, which are sold both globally and locally
From phosphate-bearing ores, the operations in the Mining Division process phosphate rock concentrate,
which is crucial for stimulating and raising crop yields.
The Acid Division Plant manufactures sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid and phosphate-based granular
fertilisers (MAP and DAP) by using phosphate rock as a raw material.
We are proudly contributing, directly and indirectly, to job creation
in the mining, manufacturing, chemical, agricultural and exporting sectors.
“RBCAA is the story of determined and impressive people. The RBCAA was, and is, the only example of cooperative governance of air quality, possibly of environmental quality, in South Africa and one of few in the world”- Quentin Hurt (Skyside)
The success of the RBCAA lies in the commitment and dedication of its members and the level of service delivery by Golder Associates. This, together with the unique relationship between industry, authorities and the public, has ensured that the RBCAA boasts one of the most successful, accurate and best maintained ambient monitoring systems in Southern Africa.
The RBCAA has been acknowledged for its leading role in the gathering and analysis of air quality data.
The RBCAA takes seriously its local role as guardian of the earth’s atmosphere: not anti-industry, but pro responsible development. The Association is proud of the contribution it has made in raising awareness of air quality issues, and improved air quality planning, none of which would have been possible without the support and commitment from Industry.
• Bidvest Tank Terminals
• Collateral Trading
• Enviro-Minds
• Felixton Cane Growers Association
• Foskor
• Grindrod Terminals
• Mondi S A Division
• Mpact Paper
• Richards Bay Coal Terminal
• Richards Bay Minerals
• South32
• Tongaat Hulett Sugar
• Transnet National Ports Authority
• Transnet Port Terminals
• Zululand Fire Protection Association
• Candice Webb (Honorary Member)
• Franz Schmidt (Honorary Member)
• Sandy Camminga (Founder Member
Send you complaint via;
WhatsApp \ SMS: Sandy Camminga 083 515 2384
E-Mail: complaints@rbcaa.co.za or camminga@iafrica.com
Include the following information;
• Name & Contact Number
• Location
• Date
• Time
• Details of complaint
• Physical symptoms, if any.
The RBCAA monitors and predicts air quality within the uMhlathuze Municipal area and makes recommendations on air quality issues. The Association is an advisory body with no
regulatory powers.
Decisions about air quality remain the
responsibility of Government.
The RBCAA operates an ambient air quality monitoring network with stations located at 9 sites within uMhlathuze. The monitoring network has been expanded over the years to include monitoring stations in Felixton, eSikhaleni and most recently, eNseleni.
No challenge too big
Meoflex Services offers a large variety of products and service with guaranteed professional workmanship. Established in 2012, the company’s expertise comes from more than 30 years of experience and doing mechanical repairs for a large variety of companies. The company offers quality tools, pumps and hardware from leading brands at affordable prices. Its online store offers essential tools and hardware for domestic, mining and industrial applications. No challenge is too big for Meoflex. The company prides itself in specialising in all sorts of mechanical repairs on all makes and types of pumps – from swimming pool pumps, booster and vacuum pumps, to the largest pump available on the market. Meoflex supplies and repairs hydraulic Jacks, hydraulic hand pumps, pneumatic hand tools, chain hoists, lever hoists, tirfors and winches, to name a few. The company also specialises in the application of anti-corrosive materials and wearing compounds.
It is a distributor of Technical Finishes (SABS/ ISO approved) and is also the official appointed agent for Brubin pumps.
Other services offered:
• Repairs, polishing and lapping of different mechanical seals, as well as new mechanical seals.
• Welding and manufacturing
• Distribution of all Fuchs lubricants, from small quantities to industrial quantities.
• Coatings – corrosion control, floor coatings and kitchen top coatings
If you are looking for products at affordable prices, Meoflex Services is the place to find it. We offer both online and in-store deals, so be sure to look out for the next one! Visit Meoflex at 130 Alumina Allee, Unit 3, Leopard Park, Alton, or log onto www.meoflexservices.com
Industry must urgently embrace the
FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
The fourth industrial revolution is upon us and it’s time for South Africa to embrace advanced manufacturing. This is according to 4IRSA, an alliance between the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS), Telkom and the universities of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg and Fort Hare. The aim of 4IRSA is to, essentially, get South Africans ready for the dawn of the fourth industrial revolution. According to 4IRSA it will impact every part of the economy and society, and hence all constituencies need to be part of the dialogue and of formulating South Africa’s response. The 4IRSA partnership process will seek active participation from government, industry, small business, labour, academia, civil society, NGOs, international organisations and the media. Manufacturing has been identified by 4IRSA as one of the key sectors that South Africa should be focusing on in embracing the fourth industrial revolution. However, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has warned that the manufacturing sector is placing itself under threat by delaying the introduction of new technologies. CSIR Executive Director of material science and manufacturing, Martin Sanne, was quoted as saying that ‘technology is advancing at a pace never experienced before in human history, and the pace will only increase’. ‘Manufacturing firms that do not adapt quickly to this wave of change will not survive. On the other hand, firms that prepare for and embrace the new opportunities can become global players and grow exponentially.’ South African industries should, however, not duplicate models adapted internationally, but find unique solutions that will work best for the country and African continent. European countries have already identified technologies such as photonics, industrial biotechnology, nanotechnology, advanced materials, micro-nano electronics and advanced manufacturing systems. Technologies such as virtual reality, 3D printing, product life cycle management, artificial intelligence and smart sensors will change the way the manufacturing industry operates. ‘By enabling ‘smart factories’, the fourth industrial revolution creates a world in which virtual and physical systems of manufacturing globally cooperate with each other in a flexible way,’ said Sanne. ‘New products are currently being manufactured and new industries are being created, which will create new jobs and factories that do not even exist today. ‘This shift in thinking and manufacturing defines new rules of competition and ways of manufacturing. Failing to embrace or scale this shift will lead to current industries becoming obsolete by 2025,’ Sanne warned.
Women in Business
Expo set for June
Preparations are under way for the first Women in Business Expo in Richards Bay, featuring expert industry leaders as well as an exhibition area for local SMMEs and entrepreneurs. The one-day business symposium hosted by the Businesswomen’s Association Zululand (BWA Zululand) chapter, in association with the University of Zululand (Unizulu) Richards Bay campus, takes place on Saturday, 8 June. To be held at the Unizulu Richards Bay campus, a business panel of local experts will focus on the importance of investing in businesses and developing and marketing enterprises amid fluctuating economic times. A second panel will elaborate on prioritising wellness among businesswomen, while also providing a platform for emerging entrepreneurs to address the gathering. ‘This is part of BWA Zululand’s mandate to develop women in business as well as groom future leaders,’ said Chairperson Ronelle Ramsamy. ‘An exciting facet of the expo is that students from Unizulu Richards Bay’s hospitality and communication science departments will be actively involved in the day’s proceedings. The involvement of students in an event of this magnitude provides an excellent platform for experiential and on-the-job training, which is an important learning curve for students,’ said Ramsamy. Exhibition BWA Zululand encourages SMMEs and emerging entrepreneurs to take advantage of the opportunity to showcase their unique products and services at the expo’s exhibition area. ‘Entrepreneurs know the importance of networking. You will never be successful hiding in the corner and keeping to yourself. You need to constantly be out there networking with other entrepreneurs and industry contacts,’ said Ramsamy. ‘This is where new opportunities, partnerships and success originate from. You have to constantly have your feelers out for new opportunities. ‘Your competition will catch up and pass you the minute you become idle. This is a platform that can benefit entrepreneurs in both the formal and informal sector. Get your brand out there.’ For more information, email zululand@bwasa.co.za
Offering a wide variety of Services
From vehicle diagnostics to lawn maintenance, trust Phuthuma Enterprises to handle it! Situated at Unit 3A, Leopard Park, 130 Alumina Allee, Alton, Phuthuma offers the following services:
• Pumps sales and repairs on all pumps
• Welding
• Manufacturing/engineering
• Painting and corrosion control
• Lawn and garden maintenance
• Vehicle services
• Vehicle repairs
• Diagnostic tests
The company also does welding and manufacturing of steel products such as burglar bars and gates. At a very affordable price, they will take care of your lawn, tree felling, high pressure cleaning, pest control or plot clean-up. In fact, they can take care of any house maintenance related jobs, from roof to floor.
Kitchen top repairs and coatings – lamination and painting – are among Phuthuma’s wide range of services. Phuthuma has three consultants who visit sites for quotations.
Give them a call at 035 7511073 or phone Douw on 060 997 1335.
Built for Business
Powerstar Trucks launched its FT range of medium commercial vehicles in SA last year with the aim of giving business owners and fleet operators an opportunity to buy a new truck at a surprisingly good price. But the FT range is about more than just a cheap sticker price, as Rodney Selesnick, Senior Head of Sales and Marketing for the company, explains. ‘We’re not looking to offer businesses a cheap truck, we are here to offer a high-quality product that’s suited to local conditions at a very attractive price.’
Joint venture
The FT made its debut at the Automechanica Exhibition in Johannesburg in September, 2017. It’s actually a Foton truck but comes to our market as part of a joint venture between the two holding companies, whereby Everstar Industries (ESI) takes on board the Foton medium truck range and rebrands these vehicles under the Powerstar brand.
Wide range
The FT range is offered in three variants – the FT3, FT5 and FT8, with Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) ratings of 7.5t, 8.7t and 13t respectively. The FT range also uses Cummins engines and ZF transmissions as standard. ‘We are now able to offer customers a complete range of vehicles from 7.5t to 40t GVM, across the distribution, construction and long-haul segments,’ says Selesnick. He explains that the FT range is in the same high-quality technology bracket as other Powerstars and that it’s built to provide comfort and safety.
Adaptable workhorse
The FT range is equipped with a threeseater day-cab which makes it ideal for intercity distribution. The smallest variant in the range is the FT3 with a GVM of 7 500kg. With a tare weight of 2 560kg, a body and payload capacity of 4 940kg is achieved. Powered by a Euro 3, 3.8-litre Cummins ISF motor rated for 115kW, the common-rail engine has a healthy 500Nm of torque over a wide 1 200 to 1 900rpm rev range. This allows for easier load hauling and low fuel consumption, the manufacturer says. The second variant in the FT range is the FT5 that uses the same engine and transmission as the FT3, but differs from the smaller truck by having higher capacity front and rear axles to make for a GVM of 8 700kg. This gives the FT5 a body and payload capacity of 5 860kg. Powerstar’s latest introduction, the FT8, is powered by a 3.8-litre Cummins Euro 3, common-rail diesel which is driven through a six-speed ZF Ecolite 6S600 manual transmission. With its 13 095kg GVM a body and payload capacity of 9 215kg is achieved.
Well appointed
Across the entire FT range stopping power has been addressed by the fitment of Wabco ABS air-operated disc brakes in the front, and drums in the rear. In addition, an auxillary exhaust brake is also standard on all three variants. ‘Driver comfort is also a priority with the fitment of air conditioning, electric mirrors and electric windows, as well as a radio. Powerstar has also partnered with select body builders to provide a turnkey solution and to ensure the bodies supplied are right for the vehicle,’ says Selesnick.
Back-up and service
Everstar Industries places its full backing behind the new FT Series, with a twoyear/ unlimited mileage warranty on the entire truck. Service intervals are set at 15 000km and the trucks can be serviced at the dealership or at the owner’s site by the dealer’s field service team. ‘As part of the ESI dealer network, customers are supported by more than 30 service centres around the country, while dedicated Powerstar sales executives ensure correct vehicle specification and comprehensive after sales support. If you would like to know what the FT range can do for your business, visit the local agent Powerstar Empangeni, inside the Magazulu Business Park, or log onto the brand’s website, www.everstarindustries.com.
The right tool for the right application
Sizanani Industrial Supplies is a distributor and agent for various well known product ranges. Sizanani offers reliable products and professional back-up service to the mining, paper, aluminium, industrial, manufacturing, forestry and timber, farming and shipping industries. The company also caters for the DIY enthusiast. Anita van Tonder has more than 20 years’ experience in industrial products and services. Sandile Khumalo, a young dynamic entrepreneur, became a partner in 2018. Sizanani Industrial Supplies specialises in finding solutions and supplying the right tools for a customer’s application. ‘We are proud to be able to satisfy customers’ requirements and specification with guaranteed aftersales service,’ says Anita. Sizanani Industrial Supplies offers a broad range of tools and workshop consumables such as:
• Stainless steel, galvanised, polyester and PT strappings and buckles.
• Solutions for the packaging industry.
• Orapi lubricants, which are environmentally friendly and biodegradable products that offer lubrication for every segment of the industrial market.
• RIDGID for all your pipe tooling equipment, threading, drain cleaning units and service
• SPANJAARD lubricants
• Lifting equipment – slings, hoists, chain blocks, lever hoists, trolley jacks – Sizanani services and calibrates the equipment
• Air tools and various types of pumps
• CAMLOK couplings in stainless steel, brass and polyprop from ½” up to 6”
• Repairs, service, calibration and certification of repairable equipment
• Specialised protective clothing
Sizanani Industrial Supplies has been appointed as a sub-distributor for Enerpac Hydraulic Equipment. Enerpac has a fully equipped mobile workshop available for training and breakdown services. Contact the friendly, professional staff at Sizanani for assistance and solution to your problems. The company is situated at 8 Dollar Drive, Richards Bay, but supplies and services nationwide.
Visit the website www.sizanan.co.za for more information.
Massive growth potential
for the City of
uMhlathuze
The City ranked first in the ‘Location Attractiveness Index’ included in the recently released Alexander Forbes Benefits Barometer. The index identifies municipal areas and cities in South Africa that are conducive to investment and where growth potential can be unlocked. The indicators of investment potential that were considered included, among other things, market size, or gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, population density, quality of labour, the percentage of the population with postmatric qualifications, the percentage of people who live below the poverty line and the overall crime index. The municipality’s economy grew at an average annual rate of 0.5% between 1996 and 2017. The port of Richards Bay is South Africa’s main and most modern bulk cargo handling port, and is responsible for 50% of all the cargo that comes through South African harbours. In 1996, the towns of Richards Bay and Empangeni ranked seventh on the Location Attractiveness Index.
A significant economic
hub
Richards Bay originally developed around a makeshift port which was set up by Sir Frederick Richards, Commodore of the Cape, during the 1879 AngloZulu War. In 1935 the Richards Bay Game Sanctuary was created to protect the ecology around the and by 1943 it expanded into the Richards Bay Park. In those days Richards Bay was no more than a popular holiday destination for fishermen and campers. In 1965, the South African Government approved the building of a deepsea harbour at Richards Bay. Construction work began in 1972 and four years later, on 1 April 1976, the new harbour was opened with a railway and an oil/gas pipeline linking the port to Johannesburg. The founding of Richards Bay and the development of the harbour, railway lines, electricity and water supply, township establishment and the construction of the first industrial plants (Alusaf and Triomf Fertilizer) brought an influx of construction teams, as well as permanent settlers consisting of skilled professionals such as industrial, civil, chemical and electrical engineers, technicians, medical professionals and industrialists, as well as teachers. To make space for the influx of people, the residential area of Richards Bay developed north of the harbour. Meerensee was proclaimed in 1970, followed by Arboretum in 1975 and Veldenvlei in 1980. Today, Richards Bay and Empangeni are the most significant economic centres in the municipality and in the District Municipality. The City of uMhlathuze is the third largest municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. Richards Bay is regarded as a primary node, while the KZN Provincial Growth and Development Strategy has identified Richards Bay as a secondary node (that is an urban centre with good existing economic development and the potential for growth and services to the regional economy). As a harbour and industrial town, Richards Bay, attracts people from surrounding towns, rural settlements and from beyond the district, and plays a significant role in the growth of the region.
KwaZulu-Natal has prime
Growth Potential
South Africa might be the smallest economy and country in the BRICS grouping, but it has prime growth potential owing to its unique position and linkages to Africa. Richards Bay and Durban harbours are two crucial role players in the economic growth of the province of KwaZulu-Natal, as well as the country. This was among the conclusions at last year’s BRICS round table discussion hosted by the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ). The discussions identified several key factors why KZN is important to BRICS:
• Richards Bay is considered the fastest growing secondary city in South Africa, with the RBIDZ having already signed investments worth billions of rands within key sectors of the economy.
• In KwaZulu-Natal alone, the creation of 2.1 million jobs by 2030 and growth of four per cent per annum are envisioned.
• The Richards Bay and Durban ports are important catalysts for regional and international economic integration. They handle an estimated 78% of South Africa’s cargo tonnage.
• KZN is uniquely situated, bordering three neighbouring African states – Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland – thereby easing trade with these nations.
• Richards Bay Coal Terminal, the largest export coal terminal in the world, handles about 72 million tonnes of coal every year.
• Transnet has committed an investment of R145.4-billion over the next five years nationally into existing ports, rail and pipeline operations. R18.9-billion of this will be allocated to KZN, of which R7.5-billion is earmarked for projects in Richards Bay.
• Forty-five Transnet projects have been earmarked within Richards Bay for the next five years.
• Plans to build the single largest boat building facility in southern Africa at the Durban harbour is in its final stages.
