Luminaire manufacturer Beka Schréder has opened its new head office, in Olifantsfontein, Gauteng, with the aim to streamline workflows, reduce production bottlenecks and enable quicker turnaround times for customers.

With improved logistics, optimised layout and state-of-the-art manufacturing systems, the company is now able to deliver orders with greater speed and precision, it says.

“This focus on efficiency not only empowers our team to work more productively but also ensures that our customers benefit from shorter lead times, superior product quality and more responsive service overall,” Beka Schréder South and sub-Saharan Africa regional director Daniel Kasper tells Engineering News.

While the new facility is more compact than the previous premises, Kasper says advanced equipment and an optimised layout enable the company to achieve higher output with fewer wasted resources and less physical space.

By minimising unnecessary movement and consolidating processes, Kasper says the company has successfully created a leaner operation that eliminates redundancies and fosters collaboration.

“As a result, the reduced footprint translates not only into lower overhead costs, but also into a more agile, adaptive manufacturing environment – one that can easily scale with demand and empower our teams to focus on delivering quality and innovation to our customers,” he explains.

While Beka Schréder continues to manufacture a portfolio of advanced lighting solutions at its new facility, Kasper says the company is also preparing to introduce new products to the market.

“Our business units are now working side by side, fostering stronger cooperation and deeper engagement across teams. This close alignment encourages a higher level of teamwork and synergy.”

On the operational front, Kasper notes that the company has streamlined the material flow – from supply through to product dispatch and handling – eliminating bottlenecks and improving efficiency.

The company has also enhanced the assembly process in its pole factory, which will shorten assembly times and further elevate product quality.

“The upgrades touch every part of our operations and work environment,” says Kasper.

On the technical side, Beka Schréder has invested in a new testing and measurement facility, which Kasper says enhances the company’s ability to deliver reliable, high-quality products.

Additionally, the new showroom and customer engagement area provides an interactive space to showcase the company’s solutions.

Complementing this is a larger, fully equipped conference facility, enabling Beka Schréder to host workshops, training sessions and industry events more frequently and effectively.

“The primary objective is not simply to cut overhead costs, but to create a facility that fosters collaboration, strengthens engagement and provides enhanced customer support and training opportunities,” Kasper comments.

At the same time, he says, the new setup improves product quality and reduces lead times while maintaining a lean overhead cost structure, ensuring the company remains competitive in the market.

“This approach positions us to support future growth across Africa, while continuing to uphold our local manufacturing footprint, prioritising local content and safeguarding job creation.”

SUSTAINABILITY

With regards to sustainability, Kasper points out that the new facility has reduced the company’s overall energy consumption by 50% compared with its previous premises.

He attributes this to a combination of smart lighting systems, motion sensors and a modern heating, ventilation and air conditioning system built to the latest efficiency standards.

These measures ensure energy is used only where and when it is needed.

Supporting these savings is Beka Schréder’s solar energy system, which provides a clean, renewable source of power for the company’s daily operations at about 900 kWh.

By generating its own electricity, Kasper says the company is able to further reduce its carbon footprint, limit dependence on traditional energy sources and lower its operating costs.

He adds that sustainability is not limited to solar, but that it is embedded in the full modernisation of the facility.

“From optimised layouts that streamline workflows to advanced systems that reduce waste and improve efficiency, every aspect has been designed with environmental responsibility in mind.

“This integrated approach not only reflects our long-term commitment to sustainability but also sets a benchmark for best practice within our industry,” he says.