Exports drive Multotec’s local manufacturing expansion

To support the growth of its export business, South African mineral processing specialist Multotec has invested in the expansion of its facilities and now has about 80 000 m² of manufacturing and storage space in Spartan and Pretoria, in Gauteng, and Secunda, in Mpumalanga.

“This has been an ongoing investment over the years, and we continue to invest in property as more space is required,” says Multotec processing equipment MD Bheka Majola.

Exports currently contribute 63% of Multotec’s total annual turnover, with more than 60% contributed by exports into Africa, he highlights.

To maintain optimal productivity for its clients amid South Africa’s power supply crisis, Multotec  also invested in solar power in 2020 to produce some renewable energy for its facilities, as well as generators in 2022, to reduce the company’s electricity consumption and reliance on the grid. This not only helps to alleviate the impact of loadshedding on Multotec’s manufacturing but also ensures that the company is part of the solution to the country’s power challenges.

“With an increasing international footprint, we are now present on six continents and do business with customers in over 100 countries. We were also the first to embrace verification by the South African Bureau of Standards to prove that our equipment has more than 60% local content,” says Majola.

“The capital dedicated to the improvement of our South African properties is an investment in our economy and provides much-needed local jobs. We now employ nearly 2 000 people to service our customers globally and make high-quality products. We invest heavily in internal and external training to develop our people so that they gain the valuable skills and expertise that make Multotec globally competitive.”

Multotec has more than 50 years of experience and expertise in the supply of mineral processing equipment that is backed by field service and maintenance specialists, supporting commodities such as gold, platinum-group metals, lithium and copper.

The company’s recent win at the 2023 South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC) Exporter of the Year Awards is not only an indication of Multotec’s growth over the years but is also the culmination of a 15-year strategy to grow its global presence and income from its export business, advances Majola.

Multotec won the SACEEC Exporter of the Year category for companies with a turnover of R2-R5-billion a year. 

Customer-driven Development

Majola emphasises that Multotec’s product development is customer-driven to ensure that its products and technologies provide true value for the company’s customers.

Further, its regional branch strategy ensures that Multotec has a local presence close to customers to service and understand their needs.

“Because no two processing plants are the same, Multotec is a customer- and a needs-driven company that has an in-depth understanding of our customers’ applications. We engineer solutions that address the specific and unique requirements of each of our customers.

“Our range of technologies and expertise extends over the entire flow sheet, meaning that we are not dependent on selling one type of technology. Therefore, we have the flexibility to ensure that the right application is backed by the right technology in our product range, so our customers trust us to develop solutions that are specifically suited to their needs, wherever they may be in the world,” explains Majola.

Multotec adheres to international standards such as ISO 14001, 45001 and 9001. The company makes products that meet all the major international fabrication standards as specified by its customers and its samplers adhere to the strict and relevant commodity ISO standard for each application, he adds.