Developing, engineering cables, Aberdare focuses on SA growth

South African power cable manufacturer Aberdare Cables, part of the JSE-listed Altron Group, has increased its production capacity by 25% over the past ten years, Engineering News reports. 66 six years old Aberdare, a member of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers, has three manufacturing sites in Gauteng, Port Elizabeth and Pietermaritzburg. 25 May 2012 13:45

SA reminded of manufacturing sector's poor state of health

Writing in Engineering News, the publication's editor Terence Creamer says that South Africans were given another reminder recently about the poor state of health of its manufacturing sector. "Despite warnings that the output improvements of January and February might not be sustainable," hew says, "it nevertheless came as something of a shock to learn that manufacturing output fell by 4.3% month-on-month in March, and by 2.7% year-on-year." 25 May 2012 13:36

Dti engages business on MCEP

JOHANNESBURG: The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) on Tuesday, 22 May 2012, engaged stakeholders on the newly launched Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme (MCEP). The MCEP, launched last week by Minister Rob Davies, is a new incentive and a key component of the Industrial Policy Action Plan3. 25 May 2012 07:18

Sheraton Hotels looks to SA company for solar power

A member of the Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa (Sessa), Pacific Solar Technologies has provided the collectors for an ambitious solar water heating project in China. According to the company's Sarel Joubert, some 330m² of non-pressurised solar collectors were installed for the Sheraton Hotel in Jinan, the capital of Shandong province in Eastern China, to bring the total area to 660m². 25 May 2012 07:10

Second-window renewables developers begin to emerge

Developers, manufacturers and equipment suppliers confirmed as preferred bidders during the second tender window held under South Africa's R100bl Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP) have started to emerge, Engineering News reports. 24 May 2012 17:08

Vesta ceases production of sanitary ware

The Ampaglas Plastics Group has announced that it will cease production of the Vesta sanitary ware product range from its factory in East London due to the current economic climate. Vesta has long been a manufacturer of acrylic-capped ABS sanitary ware, including contractor and luxury bathtubs, corner baths, shower trays and basins. 24 May 2012 16:41

In the manufacturing sector? The dti may be able to help you

[Michael Bratt] If your manufacturing business is in need of a boost, come June 4 the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) may be able to assist you. That is the day when applications open for its newly launched Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme (MCEP). 23 May 2012 11:29