SA's arms industry is
highly developed, but more investment is needed to keep SA in the technology race if it is to remain competitive. Not only can the sector be a far bigger foreign-exchange earner, but it can also be a far bigger generator of skills and jobs.
Some of us might sometimes think of the agricultural sector as one in which technology is used in farm machinery, some farm operations, and not much else. Wrong! The sector, in fact, is evermore technology "savvy" and now agriculture is
sparking the creative talents of developers.
SA has entered the war on piracy, and now there has been a
large order for an SA-designed VPS Anti-piracy device. South African company Vessel Protection Systems (VPS) has won a large order to supply commercial charterers with more than 90 anti-pirate devices invented and perfected by VPS in Cape Town.
South African Airways has plans for new investments, so the government
guarantee for SAA is "not a bail-out", or so the cash-strapped airline's annual general meeting heard last week.
Rod Baker, content director
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Volkswagen Group South Africa was awarded the highest accolade at the WasteCon 2012 Gala Event, which took place in East London recently. 
The Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA) has announced that it now includes pipe dealers as a new category of affiliated membership. According to the chairman, Jan Venter, SAPPMA is open to pipe manufacturers and suppliers into the plastic pipe industry who comply with the conditions of membership. 
South African component manufacturers are calling for a review of the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP) before it has been fully introduced. 
Gasworld.com reports that Air Products South Africa, a leading manufacturer and supplier of industrial gases, emerged as a winner in the 2012 Regional Awards - garnering 16 awards altogether. Last year, too, the company won a number of NOSA (National Occupational Safety Association) regional and international awards. 
Mercedes-Benz group of companies in South Africa (MBSA) were proud participants during the sod turning ceremony of the Boysen Group at the East London Industrial Zone (ELIDZ) Automotive Park recently. The German-based exhaust technology experts are the second new international company to set up shop locally to supply MBSA's next generation W205 C-Class production from 2014. 
About 3,800 clothing workers started a pay strike in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, according to the South African Clothing and Textile Workers' Union. 
