From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.

Sashnee Moodley:

Following its acquisition of SGB-SMIT Power Matla as part of a business rescue process, electromechanical equipment manufacturer ACTOM has started transformer production and testing activity at a revitalised facility in Tshwane. Marleny Arnoldi visited the unveiling of the site in December.

Marleny Arnoldi:

ACTOM’s newest 40 000 m² production site previously served as a factory for SGB-SMIT Power Matla, which entered into business rescue in September 2023.

ACTOM has been investing in new equipment and capabilities to produce large Class 3 transformers of up to 500 MVA at the site. The company also offers testing of these large transformers, marking the only testing site for transformers of this size in Africa.

About 250 skilled employees were reappointed by ACTOM following the acquisition, with these people having been on lay-off for more than 12 months.

Through this new facility, as well as another 10 000 m² facility acquired in Cape Town, ACTOM aims to aid Africa’s industrialisation and electrification. Combined, the two sites triple ACTOM’s previous distribution and power transformer manufacturing capability.

ACTOM CEO Mervyn Naidoo tells us more about the new facilities and the country’s growing need for electricity infrastructure.

ACTOM CEO Mervyn Naidoo…

Marleny Arnoldi:

ACTOM is Africa’s largest original-equipment manufacturer of transformers and a range of products for power generation, transmission, distribution and power conversion.

The company supports products across their full lifecycle from manufacturing, aftermarket support, repairs and services, including engineering, procurement and construction integration of complete systems such as substations.

From a broader perspective, Africa has a growing economically active population while 600-million people remain without access to reliable electricity. Naidoo elaborates on ACTOM’s support to Africa’s much-needed electrification.

ACTOM CEO Mervyn Naidoo…

Sashnee Moodley:

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy. Don’t forget to listen to the audio version of our Engineering News daily email newsletter.