It’s a challenge that will feature in discussions at the inaugural Cape Industrial Technology Exhibition (CITE), taking place from 2 to 4 March 2027 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). With manufacturers under pressure to improve productivity without committing to major capital expenditure, the question is increasingly how to get more from existing equipment.
Charlene Hefer, portfolio director at Montgomery Group Africa, believes that conversation needs to start with the problems manufacturers are trying to solve.
“Not every productivity problem calls for a new machine or an entirely new production line. Sometimes it’s identifying where time, energy or materials are being wasted and finding a practical way to address it. That’s where conversations between manufacturers and technology suppliers become valuable.”
Industrial automation often brings to mind robots, connected factories and substantial capital expenditure. Those technologies have their place, but manufacturers don’t always need to start there.
A packaging line experiencing inconsistent product positioning might benefit from better sensing technology. Machine vision could identify defects before products move further through production, while improved controls may reduce unnecessary stoppages. Monitoring equipment can also help maintenance teams identify developing problems before they interrupt output.
The important question isn’t how sophisticated the technology is, but whether it addresses a problem affecting production, quality, safety or cost.
This approach is relevant to the Western Cape’s food and beverage, packaging, agro-processing and general manufacturing sectors, where businesses must balance productivity improvements against investment costs.
OMRON Electronics, which will exhibit at CITE, sees potential in helping manufacturers modernise existing production lines rather than concentrating solely on new installations. Victor Marques, managing director, and Cezanne Gonsior, regional marketing manager, industrial automation, sub-Saharan Africa, at OMRON Electronics, identify practical applications including improving throughput, addressing quality problems with vision inspection and upgrading machine safety without slowing production.
One of automation’s less visible benefits is the information it can provide about what’s happening on the factory floor. When operators record production data manually or managers receive performance figures too late to act, recurring problems can remain difficult to identify. Connecting selected machines to monitoring systems can reveal patterns in stoppages, production rates and equipment performance.
But collecting more data isn’t an achievement in itself. It needs to help people make better decisions. Operators need to understand how changes affect their work, maintenance teams need the skills to support new systems, and managers must agree on what the investment should achieve.
Machine safety deserves equal attention. Improving production speed offers little benefit if the changes introduce unacceptable risks. These practical considerations are why direct conversations with equipment suppliers, engineers and system integrators matter before purchasing decisions are made.
CITE will provide opportunities to examine industrial automation technologies, see live demonstrations and discuss applications with suppliers. The exhibition is sponsored by Pinnacle and Red Rocket, with the City of Cape Town supporting the event as the Host City.
The exhibition will be co-located with Securex, bringing industrial technology together with security, occupational safety and health, fire protection, and facilities management. This gives visitors an opportunity to explore related technologies and operational requirements in one place, while engaging directly with specialists across these disciplines.
The event will also offer learning opportunities and CPD-accredited sessions in the on-floor seminar theatre. Each afternoon, SAIRAC (the South African Institute of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning) will host a regional CPD-accredited conference. Additional daily sessions led by key industry bodies—including LEEASA, SAIMechE, SABBEX, SAIAE and CILTSA — will explore the latest trends, challenges and innovations shaping industrial sectors.
“For manufacturers planning upgrades in 2027, the starting point should be understanding where production is losing time, money or quality, and which improvements will make a measurable difference,” says Hefer.
Planning equipment upgrades, exploring automation or looking for ways to improve productivity? Make CITE 2027 part of your plans and take the opportunity to see technologies in action, question industry specialists and compare solutions relevant to your business. Save the dates, 2 to 4 March 2027, and visit www.cptindustrial.co.za for the latest exhibitor information, visitor attractions and registration updates.
