Wekaba launches R25m automotive manufacturing plant

Medium- to high-volume computerised numerical control (CNC) machined automation components manufacturer Wekaba officially launched its R25-million automotive manufacturing plant in Alberton, Gauteng, on October 30.

Wekaba has described the plant as a “groundbreaking” facility that will extend its capability to produce internationally designed components at “world-class” standards.

The event celebrated partnerships, notably with Toyota South Africa, which played a crucial role in the plant’s development. Wekaba manufactures components for automotive companies, such as Toyota and Ford South Africa.

The factory boasts over 100 machine centres, providing the capacity to consistently deliver high-volume machined and suspension components to Tier 1 and 2 automotive suppliers to support localisation efforts in the automotive industry.

As a Tier 1 and Tier 2 manufacturer, the company specialises in CNC-turned and milled machined components for industries such as automotive, mining, rail and construction.

With ISO 9001:2015 certification and ongoing efforts towards International Automotive Task Force (IATF) 16949 certification, Wekaba aims to continue delivering high-quality standards in its operations.

“We are on the right trajectory,” said Wekaba MD Gunter Haacke, noting that the factory passed its Stage 1 IATF audit and is now aiming to complete Stage 2.

He noted the importance of localisation and empowerment, pointing out that Wekaba is currently broad-based black economic empowerment Level 3 certified and 80% black-owned.

While the company services industries such as mining, rail and construction, Haacke pointed out that, in the automotive sector, the company has already created 21 new permanent jobs and, with expansion plans and new products in the works, the company aims to create about 40 more new permanent positions in the sector.

“We've . . . been around since 1981 and we intend to be around even longer,” he added.

Wekaba is a member of the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM).

In an October 30 media release, NAACAM commended Wekaba on its significant investment into a new manufacturing facility.

The release explained that the R25-million investment, made by an 80% black-owned company into a “world-class” manufacturing facility, speaks to the vision of establishing a globally competitive, sustainable and transformed industry, as envisioned in the South African Automotive Masterplan (SAAM 2035).

The objective of 60% local content is one of the key pillars of SAAM 2035. This new investment and partnership with Toyota will see Wekaba positively contributing to new local content, the release said.

Also speaking at the launch, NAACAM national executive committee member Goodrich Kowane discussed challenges and developments in the automotive sector, reiterating that, despite challenges, the factory’s growth and localisation efforts aligned with that of the SAAM 2035.

Kowane highlighted challenges and opportunities presented for South African original-equipment manufacturers, and localisation efforts, as the industry transitioned towards the adoption of new-energy vehicles and achieving net-zero targets.

NAACAM project manager Hlengiwe Mkhize also acknowledged the importance of this expansion in contributing to deeper industrialisation and to new local content, noting that it aligned with the SAAM 2035 pillar of bringing new players into the sector that were competitive and brought new capabilities.

“An investment like this really shows that the South African component manufacturing sector can provide the support that OEMs require, and that is what we emphasise when we say the supply chain is capable. Its trustworthy it can produce even when it comes to NEVs,” she said.