Eastern Cape Business 2023-24
The 2023/24 edition of Eastern Cape Business is the 16th edition of this successful publication that, since its launch in 2006, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) is supporting this issue of the journal, both in providing up-to-date information for editorial use and in sharing information about its activities. It will also distribute the journal through its regular channels. The Eastern Cape’s multi-faceted approach to the challenges and opportunities of sustainability are explored in a special feature. From caring for agricultural land through partnerships between farmers, wool brokers and fashion houses, to solar panels and improved lighting and water systems, companies are finding ways to incorporate sensible and profitable solutions into their business models. The Nelson Mandela Bay Development Agency celebrates a significant milestone this year, it being 20 years since it began operations.
The 2023/24 edition of Eastern Cape Business is the 16th edition of this successful publication that, since its launch in 2006, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) is supporting this issue
of the journal, both in providing up-to-date information for editorial use and in sharing information about its activities. It will also distribute the journal through its regular channels.
The Eastern Cape’s multi-faceted approach to the challenges and opportunities of sustainability are explored in a special feature. From caring for agricultural land through partnerships between farmers, wool brokers and fashion houses, to solar panels and improved lighting and water systems, companies are finding ways to incorporate sensible and profitable solutions into their business models. The Nelson Mandela Bay Development Agency celebrates a significant milestone this year, it being 20 years since it began operations.
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Manufacturing: automotive<br />
Panelbeaters and mechanics are to get better access to markets.<br />
OVERVIEW<br />
SECTOR INSIGHT<br />
Ford is pushing for a rail<br />
link to Tshwane.<br />
An Aftermarket Programme has been introduced to assist<br />
independent mechanics and panelbeaters to get better<br />
access to the budgets spent annually by the insurance<br />
industry, estimated to be in the region of R40-billion, and<br />
the national government automotive fleet (R100-million).<br />
The scheme, to be run by the Automotive Industry Development<br />
Centre – EC (AIDC-EC), will be offered to 300 operators in the province for<br />
a three-year period in which training and funding will be highlighted.<br />
The Provincial Government of the <strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Cape</strong> has announced<br />
that it intends partnering with the private sector to establish a<br />
Component Supplier Development Fund to expand access to finance<br />
for smaller enterprises.<br />
Another task of the AIDC-EC is to prepare the province for the<br />
introduction of electric vehicles. This entails promoting renewable energy<br />
projects within the sector, rolling out skills programmes to assist with the<br />
transition to new technologies and installing electric-vehicle-charging<br />
stations on major routes.<br />
Ford Motor Company has initiated discussions about the feasibility<br />
of developing a sophisticated rail corridor between Gauteng and the<br />
<strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Cape</strong>. The company wants to send parts to Pretoria and export<br />
cars through the Port of Gqeberha.<br />
Ford makes engines for the Ford Ranger pickup and Everest SUV at its<br />
Struandale plant and it has committed to invest R600-million for modernising<br />
ONLINE RESOURCES<br />
Automotive <strong>Business</strong> Council: www.naamsa.net<br />
Automotive Industry Development Centre: www.aidc.co.za<br />
Coega Development Corporation: www.coega.co.za<br />
<strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Cape</strong> Development Corporation: www.ecdc.co.za<br />
National Association of Automotive Component and Allied<br />
Manufacturers: naacam.org.za<br />
and growing its local operations, which<br />
employ about 850 people, pictured. This<br />
is a part of a bigger investment which<br />
includes the vehicle assembly operations<br />
in Gauteng.<br />
The 520 963m² Kariega facility of<br />
Volkswagen South Africa is one of four<br />
plants worldwide that makes right-handdrive<br />
Polos but the only one in the world<br />
that makes the Polo GTI.<br />
Both the Coega Special Economic<br />
Zone and the East London Industrial<br />
Development Zone (ELIDZ) have<br />
areas dedicated to automotive and<br />
automotive components manufacture.<br />
Mercedes-Benz South Africa’s new<br />
C-Class project (W206) has sparked<br />
several other related investments, which<br />
collectively will create 2 078 new jobs<br />
over two years.<br />
The production of the C-Class<br />
vehicle is a technological marvel and<br />
the plant regularly wins international<br />
awards for quality. The installation of<br />
a new sequencing centre, installed by<br />
Automotive Logistics Solutions (an AHI<br />
company), has made the assembly line<br />
even more efficient.<br />
Home-grown manufacturer of<br />
powertrain and catalytic converter<br />
assembly systems, Jendamark, exports<br />
to 18 countries. Continental Tyre South<br />
Africa is producing a 19-inch tyre for the<br />
first time at its New Brighton facility in<br />
Port Elizabeth. Isuzu SA has completed<br />
its consolidation project, with truck<br />
and bakkie manufacturing now taking<br />
place at its new headquarters in<br />
Struandale, Port Elizabeth. ■<br />
37 EASTERN CAPE BUSINESS <strong>2023</strong>/<strong>24</strong>
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