Minister lauds local manufacturer
Trade and Industry Minister, Rob Davies visits Richards Bay
EVERY country that has ever moved from being underdeveloped to first world has managed this leap through manufacturing.
These were the words of Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies on a visit to heavy equipment manufacturer Bell Equipment’s head office in Richards Bay on Friday.
Davies said the home-grown company is proof of how South Africans can produce innovative, high-tech and globally competitive products necessary to push the country forward towards a thriving future.
‘According to the ‘nay-sayers’, we have no capacity for manufacturing, but indeed we do and Bell Equipment is a great example of this.
‘We celebrate the company as it hands over its 50 000th vehicle in this highly competitive market.
‘To see how Bell has evolved in 30 years tells a story of how it really is possible for the manufacturing sector to make progress.’
Davies said government’s Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme (MCEP) will continue to assist established manufacturers to remain competitive.
Last year the MCEP approved 435 entities with the investment value of R13.1-billion to support over 100 000 jobs throughout the country.
‘Manufacturing is an important element in industrialising the country,’ said Davies.
‘It is a sector which supports a wide range of products and services.’
However, he said manufacturers can do more in ensuring beneficiation to promote domestic production capacity and boost local employment.
‘Beneficiation is an important element of improving the industrial sector, which needs to be more capable.
‘We’re looking for deeper localisation. For instance, it is my hope that Bell could one day purchase locally-produced engines and tyres for its vehicles.
‘Companies need to adopt Chinese manufacturers’ strong symbolic relationships with smaller suppliers – this creates more opportunities in the supply chain and develops peoples’ passion for engineering and other products related to the manufacturers.
‘Supply and skills development is vital for the growth of this country,’ Davies said.
