Industrial development zone Freeport Saldanha announces that an agreement has been signed with a new investor to establish a fully funded, technologically advanced metal processing and fabrication facility within the Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

The facility has an initial investment exceeding R30-million and aims to position the Western Cape as a key player in advanced engineering and fabrication.

Set to start operations in April, the facility will be equipped with one of South Africa’s largest computer numerically controlled (CNC) fibre laser beam cutting machines, along with advanced CNC fibre laser profiling and CNC brake press machines.

This high-impact project is a collaboration between engineering innovation and project execution company EOT Solutions, engineering consulting firm Nine Dot Solutions and management concern Saxeni Project.

“This new facility is a testament to our commitment to our mandate of industrial growth and job creation in the Western Cape. We are excited to bring this advanced technology to our SEZ, which will not only boost our local economy but also strengthen South Africa's position in the global engineering and fabrication landscape,” says Freeport Saldanha interim CEO Xola Sithole.

The facility is expected to create significant employment opportunities for professionals in the fabrication and engineering industries, contributing to regional industrial growth and supporting the local community.

The project aims to generate interest from a range of stakeholders, including industry stakeholders, government policymakers, investors and the local communities.

Key project details will be announced at an upcoming launch.

“As executive mayor of Saldanha Bay Municipality, I am exceedingly pleased about this announcement. The municipality has been a long-time partner in the journey of Freeport Saldanha. We trust this is the first of many projects to come. We look forward to a path of accelerated investment, job creation and economic growth within Saldanha Bay municipality,” says Saldanha Bay executive mayor Alderman Marius Koen.

“The establishment of this advanced metal processing and fabrication facility at Freeport Saldanha is a powerful demonstration of the Western Cape’s commitment to driving investment-led growth. It reflects the core principles of our Growth for Jobs Strategy – creating an enabling environment for private-sector innovation, boosting industrial capacity, and unlocking new employment opportunities.

“This investment not only strengthens our engineering and manufacturing sectors but also positions the Western Cape as a globally competitive destination for advanced fabrication and technology-driven development,” posits provincial Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Minister Dr Ivan Meyer.

“The new metal processing facility is the result of the trusted collaboration between Nine Dot Group and the Saxeni Group which is supported on the two strength pillars, engineering and execution. As for engineering, EOT Solutions is backed by exceptional engineering support,” says Nine Dot Group MD Pieter van Zyl.

 “Together, EOT Solutions and Saxeni Projects provide a unique combination of services, equipment, and execution expertise, ensuring that every project meets the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficiency. Whether offering advisory input, full management services, or critical infrastructure delivery, EOT Solutions and Saxeni Projects remain committed to excellence in every aspect of operations,” says Saxeni Group MD Flip Hennop.

“EOT Solutions showcases unrivalled engineering and execution capabilities Through strategic collaboration with Nine Dot Group and Saxeni Group. As the MD of EOT Solutions, I am proud to highlight our company’s growing reputation as a leader in engineering innovation and project execution excellence,” says EOT Solutions MD Gunther Guse.

“Backed by the strong technical and operational support of the Nine Dot Group and Saxeni Group, EOT Solutions continues to set new benchmarks in the fabrication, construction, and bulk material handling sectors. This collaboration represents more than just shared resources –  it’s a strategic partnership built on innovation, excellence and trust.

“With the Nine Dot and Saxeni teams alongside us, EOT Solutions is uniquely positioned to meet the growing demands of complex industrial projects while maintaining our commitment to quality and performance,” he adds.