Khutso Maphatsoe

https://staging1.creamermedia.com/

Khutso Maphatsoe

Khutso Maphatsoe is a Creamer Media Reporter for Engineering News and Mining Weekly.

Tel: +2711 622 3744

Pandemic prompts automation support, working remotely

22nd May 2020 Covid-19 has prompted the automation industry to continuously provide remote services and support, says nonprofit organisation Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association (MESA) Africa vice chairperson Gerhard Greeff. The option of working remotely has always been acknowledged; however, this... →

PLC series well received locally

22nd May 2020 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 one of the best price-to-performance ratios on the market currently. “It’s still a new PLC and... →

READILY AVAILABLE All AS200 PLC series products and extensions are stocked and available nationally from EM

IP infringement to increase in 3D printing

15th May 2020 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) printing, says law firm Spoor & Fisher senior associate Marco Vatta. “3D printing technologies affect all... →

Next-generation machine tool introduced

8th May 2020 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 feed machines and automate the handling of workpieces in production. →

TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED All cells in the ABB FlexLoader range are standardised and built using the latest technology to meet the increasing requirements for flexible and cost-effective production

Subscription model launched for African clients

1st May 2020 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 smaller African companies face is getting enough capital investment into their operations. As a result,... →

BUILDING BLOCKS The Micromine 2020 builds on the company’s existing 3D mine design and planning solution, which is used in more than 90 countries

Policies can assist OEMs with Africa’s automotive market

10th April 2020 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 in Africa, says Deloitte Africa automotive industry leader Martyn Davies. Polices include the... →

WINNING FORMULA With South Africa’s automotive market being well established, foreign OEMs have chosen to increase their manufacturing capacity in the country

Wastepaper R&D receives R2m from local industry body

27th March 2020 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 innovative uses for recovered paper as well as the provision of recycling equipment for micropreneurs... →

Correct pumping solutions assist in efficiency, cost savings

27th March 2020 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 Macdougall says paper and pulp manufacturers need to look to a trusted and reputable brand that not... →

Real-time drone detection ensures safety at mines

20th March 2020 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 assist in managing pre-blast inspections and safety checks, says Rocketmine marketing and quality... →

SAFE AND EFFICIENT Drones reduce value chain costs, improve safety and enhance the turnaround times of data capturing

Drones a corporate espionage threat

20th March 2020 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 are used for corporate espionage, says information and communications technology systems integrator... →

CALLIE VAN VUUREN Smartphone applications can also be used to detect and locate nearby routers that may have been flown in by a drone

Drones used for maintenance, inspection

20th March 2020 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 can be used to conduct a visual inspection in a specific area. It will send live feedback, which is... →

NO TIME WASTED A visual inspection using a drone takes an hour and only requires the operator and their assistant

Company upgrades its ERP for companies in food and bev industry

13th March 2020 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 companies in South Africa and is also implementing the solution at two other food companies. “The SYSPRO ERP... →

Spray drying cost effective, reduces allergens

13th March 2020 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 manufacturer Sunspray MD Rene Cross. Spray drying is a technology that is used to convert any liquid... →

WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY New technology in spray drying will create opportunities in food and non-food segments such as pet food

Pneumatic components assist in disposing waste

13th March 2020 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 beverage industry. These components include the company’s JORC Condensate drain, notes Berntel SA... →

SOLUTION DRIVEN Berntel SA focuses on a wide range of pneumatic, industrial and automation components

Data, AI to increase FMCG profits and save costs

13th March 2020 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 artificial intelligence (AI) with the data generated in their supply chain. Owing to the amount of... →

ANDREW DAWSON Using technology will enable distributors to acquire feedback on all their products through the amount of data that is collected

Products reduce plastic waste, improve packaging

28th February 2020 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 Solutions’ Lock n Pop adhesive, Anti-Slip sheets and 55-layer Nanotechnology stretch film can halve stretch... →

Printing industry not dying but changing

28th February 2020 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 changing and becoming more creative and interactive. The perception that printing is dying stems from... →

EXPLORING NEW AVENUES The printing industry is changing, becoming more creative and interactive

Beware of biodegradable and compostable plastics – Plastics SA

28th February 2020 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 plastic materials produced from renewable biomass sources that are not grown or intended for human... →

LITTERING IS TRASHY Alternatives to conventional plastic packaging do not change consumer behaviour with regard to littering

Unified systems enable optimal analysis

21st February 2020 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 conclusion – a time-consuming process that could last for weeks. This has resulted in mining companies’... →

Leaders must adapt to seize opportunities

21st February 2020 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 Project Management South Africa (PMSA) director Robert Best, adding that project leaders need to focus... →

ROBERT BEST Project managers need to focus on a success-building mindset in the mining sector

Short-termism hinders project management

21st February 2020 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 Management project management specialist Professor Herman Steyn. He adds that project portfolio management... →

GET THE JOB DONE project portfolio management is an effective way of implementing company strategy through projects

Defunct mines prompt government to address mine closure

31st January 2020 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 environmental- and other closure- related liabilities, says law firm Eversheds Sutherland Mining and... →

Photo by Bloomberg
The State is responsible for the environmental- and other closure- related liabilities for ownerless mines

Resettlement guidelines aim to instil formal processes, consistency

31st January 2020 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 public comment on December 4, 2019, by Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe. While... →

Photo by Bloomberg
REDRESS FOR COMMUNITIES The guidelines outline the processes that must be adhere to, if the mining right results in physical resettlement of landowners, holders of informal and communal land rights, and other affected parties

Investment value of solar water heating increasing

17th January 2020 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 payback on water heating conversions of geysers to solar is between 20 months to three years. With a... →

S Africa has large deposits of fluorspar

13th December 2019 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 Sutherland Mining and Infrastructure head Warren Beech. Mining company Sepfluor, through the Nokeng... →

More opportunities brewing for women

15th November 2019 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 Brewsters Craft founder Apiwe Nxusani-Mawela. To combat this challenge, Brewsters Craft offers various... →

Competition growing in the winery and brewery industry

15th November 2019 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 producers adopting multi-product lines in the manufacturing process. “This has placed pressure on... →

Companies should understand laws around product offering

15th November 2019 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 breweries may want to offer, says Spoor & Fisher partner Eben van Wyk. He advises that a trade mark... →

Wine academy celebrates 40 years in the industry

15th November 2019 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 on educating the industry. Making reference to the evolution of the industry over the years, CWA... →

Distributorship secured for international bearing housing brand

8th November 2019 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 from India-based bearing housing manufacturer Masta Group to arrive by the end of this year. BI signed... →

Launch in sight for new protective gloves range

25th October 2019 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, dedication, passion, pride and new technology. “Designed and tested for safety, comfort and endurance,... →

FULLY COVERED The Evolution Gloves are designed to fit closely to offer superior grip and protection without compromising the sense of touch and freedom of movement to carry out intricate tasks

Multiple factors hampering local exploration

22nd October 2019 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 rife and new investment is slow to materialise,” says South African exploration and geotechnical... →

AWAITING THEIR RETURN There are many exploration companies in South Africa – many drill rigs and people are waiting to get back to work

Multiple factors hampering local exploration

18th October 2019 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 rife and new investment is slow to materialise,” says South African exploration and geotechnical... →

AWAITING THEIR RETURN There are many exploration companies in South Africa – many drill rigs and people are waiting to get back to work

Growth, emerging contractors positive on exploration

18th October 2019 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 Weekly, referencing the 14.4% growth in the mining sector during the April to June 2019 period.... →

EXPANSION PLANS Goscor Earth Moving is working towards increasing SANY’s presence in the South African market

Association provides technical guidelines for bituminous material

4th October 2019 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 information available globally. “The association also engages with all players in the industry on road... →

BEST OF THE BEST CAPSA brings together the best technical know-how available on road construction and maintenance using bituminous material.

Manufacturer looks forward to Capsa 2019

4th October 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 capabilities as a high-quality asphalt producer. “Considering that Capsa only happens once every four... →

BUILDING RELATIONS Actop Asphalt hopes that meeting with delegates will enable it to gain more insight into the asphalt industry internationally

Specialist involved in refurbishing of Foreshore Place

27th September 2019 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 next year. →

Precautions imperative when working at height

27th September 2019 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 Urquhart. “Internationally, falls account for just more than 40% of work-related incidents. Many... →

Company receives approval for lifting equipment testing

13th September 2019 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 approved lifting machinery entity, we examine, test and provide certificates of compliance according... →

Imported products prompt increase in local testing services

13th September 2019 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. “Economic pressures have resulted in companies importing cheaper products, which present a challenge to... →

APPROVED Companies have become more aware of accreditation and many have insisted on the testing of products being done by an accredited testing laboratory

Electronic certificates offering expanded

13th September 2019 Testing, verification and certification multinational company Bureau Veritas has introduced electronic inspection certificates to its transport and logistics division, following the introduction of such certificates to the aerospace industry. In South Africa, Bureau Veritas uses the electronic... →

About

Engineering News is a product of Creamer Media.
www.creamermedia.co.za

Other Creamer Media Products include:
Mining Weekly
Research Channel Africa
Polity

Newsletters

Sign up for our FREE daily email newsletter

Receive daily sector news alerts

More

Subscriptions

We offer a variety of subscriptions to our Magazine, Website, PDF Reports and our photo library.

Subscriptions are available via the Creamer Media Store.

View store

Advertise

Advertising on Engineering News is an effective way to build and consolidate a company's profile among clients and prospective clients. Email advertising@creamermedia.co.za

View options

Subscribe