Automotive sector visionaries and industry leaders will spearhead discussions shaping the future of South Africa’s automotive component manufacturing sector at the NAACAM Show 2023 conference and exhibition.

The theme for the Show "Component Factories of the Future: Driving SA's Manufacturing Excellence” will set the agenda to explore new ways of thinking and drive production strategies and innovation for the future of our sector, says Renai Moothilal, CEO of NAACAM.

The two-day conference is part of the biennial NAACAM Show gathering that brings together local and international automotive manufacturing experts, professionals, and enthusiasts to advance knowledge and foster collaboration within the local automotive components sector through insightful discussions and exhibits that showcase the depth of South Africa’s manufacturing capability in the key part of the country’s industrial economy.

“Embracing cutting-edge technologies and fostering a culture of continuous innovation and collaboration amongst the stakeholders will ensure we build our country’s automotive manufacturing sector to allow it to grow and thrive in the years to come,” says Moothilal.

Futurist and trend analyst Dion Chang will facilitate a day where influential stakeholders will analyse the state of the industry under the SA Automotive Masterplan 2035 and explore opportunities for the years ahead. Additionally, experts will unpack the dynamics presented by the shift towards mobile electrification, discuss changing component requirements, market outlooks, raw material needs, and technology impacts.

A further focus will be on financing and energy considerations to support sector compliance with carbon emission regulations while maintaining global competitiveness. Technological advancements, including factory automation and digitalisation, will be examined for their role in growth, competitiveness, workforce upskilling, and business creation. 

With the first day drawing to a close, delegates can expect to see a live demonstration of LOOP, an innovative ‘matchmaking’ platform developed by NAACAM in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), that will allow the procurement needs of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and tier one component suppliers to be matched with the capabilities of lower tier, emerging suppliers in an effort to drive localisation. 

Developed in partnership with the Gauteng government and automotive related agencies, the second day of the conference will hone in on accelerating the holistic development and growth objectives of the local automotive component industry. The discussions will focus on inclusivity and the development of Black industrialists. There will also be an examination of the expanding and rapidly industrialising wider African regional automotive industry, identifying strategies to stimulate investments, foster partnerships, and establish a vibrant and competitive manufacturing base on the continent. 

Closing out the NAACAM Show conference, the Auto Industry Transformation Fund (AITF) will host its annual Women in Autos discussion in association with the Women Economic Assembly (WECONA). The programme will provide a platform to promote and strengthen investment towards women and youth transformation in the automotive sector. 

The NAACAM Show week ends with the South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC) hosting a tyre safety activation at the Gerotek testing facility. This by invite only activation will feature a technical presentation, panel discussion on road safety and a live demonstration.