PLC series well received locally

Industrial switchgear automation and energy management distributor ElectroMechanica (EM) says its AS200 programmable logic controller (PLC) series has been well received in South Africa, as it has... 

IP infringement to increase in 3D printing

There is a likelihood that intellectual property (IP) infringement may increase, owing to the ease with which products can be reproduced by a layperson with the use of three-dimensional (3D)... 

Next-generation machine tool introduced

Automation company ABB has begun the introduction of its FlexLoader to the South African market. The FlexLoader, which next generation of machine tools, contains tending cells that are designed to... 

Subscription model launched for African clients

Mining software solutions provider MICROMINE has launched a new pay-as-you-go subscription model for African clients to keep pace with industry needs. The company notes that the struggle that... 

Policies can assist OEMs with Africa’s automotive market

Africa needs to have policies and incentives in place to help original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs), such as German automotive manufacturer Volkswagen (VW), gain access to the automotive market... 

Wastepaper R&D receives R2m from local industry body

Fibre Circle, the producer responsibility organisation (PRO) for the paper and paper packaging sectors, has earmarked R2-million for research and development (R&D) in the areas of alternate and... 

Correct pumping solutions assist in efficiency, cost savings

Owing to the complexities of having to negotiate the technical obstacles in selecting the right pumping solutions for specific applications, pump manufacturer Verder Pumps South Africa MD Darryl... 

Real-time drone detection ensures safety at mines

Owing to blast managers or team members working under dangerous conditions on mines, drone service provider Rocketmine will be releasing a new live object-detection system this year which will... 

Drones a corporate espionage threat

Although drones have been a positive business decision for various industries, such as agriculture, where drones are used for automated farming, drones can also pose a threat to companies when they... 

Drones used for maintenance, inspection

Industrial rope access company Skyriders’ use of drones for on-site inspection has enabled it to gain access into confined spaces that might be too dangerous for its clients’ technicians. A drone... 

Company upgrades its ERP for companies in food and bev industry

Software company SYSPRO is working on upgrades to its SYSPRO Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) version 8 including some additional functionalities suitable for two large consumer products... 

Spray drying cost effective, reduces allergens

Food manufacturer Sunspray Food Ingredients has expanded spray drying in its operation as a technology that can ensure cost savings and minimise allergens in food and non-food segments, says food... 

Pneumatic components assist in disposing waste

Industrial equipment supplier Berntel SA, part of the Hudaco Group, supplies pneumatic components that assist in mitigating the water and oil waste that is produced in airlines in the food and... 

Data, AI to increase FMCG profits and save costs

In order for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies to increase profits and remain cost efficient, value chain software company MACmobile believes that such companies need to consider merging... 

Products reduce plastic waste, improve packaging

Packaging supplier Baypac Solutions’ innovative solutions have resulted in its  customers being able to reduce their use of disposable plastic by 50% on average. Using one or all of Baypac... 

Printing industry not dying but changing

Despite the perception that printing is outdated or dying, customer communication management solutions provider InsideData North CEO Rafiq Sallie says it is more a case of the printing industry... 

Beware of biodegradable and compostable plastics – Plastics SA

The introduction of bioplastics to South Africa’s burgeoning and well-developed recycling industry should carefully be considered, says plastics industry association Plastics SA. Bioplastics are... 

Unified systems enable optimal analysis

Mines typically use various disconnected systems, which creates silos or pockets of disparate information, necessitating that an employee manually collate and analyse the information to reach a... 

Leaders must adapt to seize opportunities

Africa’s status as a continent of abundant resources crucial to global development has prompted foreign investors to increase their presence in Africa to capitalise on growth opportunities, says... 

Short-termism hinders project management

Developing strategies is much easier than implementing them, which is why many strategies are never successfully implemented, says University of Pretoria (UP) Graduate School of Technology... 

Defunct mines prompt government to address mine closure

Of the numerous mines in South Africa that have closed down, those which are now ownerless have become the responsibility of the State. This means that the State is responsible for the... 

Resettlement guidelines aim to instil formal processes, consistency

Companies and industry stakeholders have until January 31, 2020, to submit commentary on the Draft Mine Community Resettlement Guidelines (Draft Resettlement Guidelines), which were published for... 

Investment value of solar water heating increasing

With the cost of electricity increasing, solar water heating systems manufacturer Uber Solar MD James Green says such systems for geysers are a good long-term investment for commercial use. “The... 

S Africa has large deposits of fluorspar

The largest fluorspar deposits in South Africa are located in the Bushveld Complex, although there are also deposits in the Malmani subgroup of the Transvaal Super Group, notes law firm Eversheds... 

More opportunities brewing for women

Opportunities for women in the brewery industry are increasing, despite there being a relative shortage of qualified women in the industry, says first black female majority-owned brewing company... 

Competition growing in the winery and brewery industry

Over the past few years, the number of micro, craft and artisanal companies entering the winery and brewery industries has increased, making these industries more competitive and leading to more... 

Companies should understand laws around product offering

New companies in the brewery and winery industry need to understand the importance of the laws and regulations, such as copyright and trade marks, associated with the products and services that... 

Wine academy celebrates 40 years in the industry

The Cape Wine Academy (CWA) is celebrating 40 years in the industry this year and notes that this is as a result of various individuals who have contributed positively to the academy’s strong focus... 

Distributorship secured for international bearing housing brand

As part of its efforts to secure distributorships with international brands to boost its product portfolio, bearings supplier and distributor Bearings International (BI) expects the first stock... 

Launch in sight for new protective gloves range

Personal protective equipment (PPE) supplier G.Fox will launch the Evolution Gloves range by the end of this month, which G.Fox marketing manager Shaun Botha says is a combination of innovation,... 

Multiple factors hampering local exploration

Multiple elements are slowing down exploration activity in South Africa. “There have been pockets of activity . . . but, overall, the industry has slowed down to a point where retrenchments are... 

Multiple factors hampering local exploration

Multiple elements are slowing down exploration activity in South Africa. “There have been pockets of activity . . . but, overall, the industry has slowed down to a point where retrenchments are... 

Growth, emerging contractors positive on exploration

New contractors entering the industry with “lucrative contracts” present an opportunity for the exploration industry to grow, Goscor Earth Moving (GEM) sales executive Murray Leith tells Mining... 

Association provides technical guidelines for bituminous material

The Southern African Bitumen Association (Sabita) produces technical guidelines with regard to the use and application of bituminous material that are regularly updated with the most appropriate... 

Manufacturer looks forward to Capsa 2019

Manufacturer of hot and cold asphalt Actop Asphalt regards the Conference on Asphalt Pavements for Southern Africa (Capsa) – of which the company is a sponsor – as an opportunity to show its... 

Specialist involved in refurbishing of Foreshore Place

Working at heights specialist Skysite is involved in the refurbishment of the Foreshore Place, in Cape Town. The project started in November 2018 with completion expected in the second quarter of... 

Precautions imperative when working at height

The risks and incidents associated with working at height can be reduced if basic precautions are taken, says cleaning specialist Ultra High Level MD and Institute for Work at Height director Rob... 

Company receives approval for lifting equipment testing

Mechanical engineering company Brimis Engineering has received approval from the Department of Labour (DoL) to perform statutory load testing and certification on various lifting equipment. “As an... 

Imported products prompt increase in local testing services

The influx of imported products has prompted companies to test such products to ensure that they conform to minimum requirements, says ceramics testing laboratory Cermalab MD Pieter du Toit.... 

Electronic certificates offering expanded

Testing, verification and certification multinational company Bureau Veritas has introduced electronic inspection certificates to its transport and logistics division, following the introduction of...