Hisense South Africa (SA) deputy GM Luna Nortje says there is potential at the television (TV) and refrigerator assembler to increase the local sourcing of electronic components, compressors, wiring harnesses and LED modules – if a supporting supply chain comes to fruition.

Hisense SA’s plant is located in the Atlantis Industrial Zone, about 40 km north of Cape Town.

The local arm of the Chinese manufacturer has been operating in South Africa since 1996, and officially opened its assembly and manufacturing plant in Atlantis in 2013.

The factory has the capacity to produce up to 500 000 refrigerators and a million TVs a year.

Hisense SA employs between 1 000 and 1 200 people directly and indirectly in South Africa, with most of them based at the Atlantis plant.

More than 90% of the company’s workforce is South African, says Nortje.

“Local assembly supports job creation, skills development and economic empowerment in South Africa,” she notes.

“It also allows Hisense SA to respond quickly to domestic market demands and to reduce logistics costs.

“Having a factory that assembles and manufactures products locally also aligns with Hisense SA’s broader localisation strategy, which includes fostering supplier development, supporting enterprise growth and promoting employment across the tech and manufacturing value-chain.”

Nortje adds that local manufacturing also allows the company to benefit from reduced import duties on components compared with fully assembled goods.

“This approach not only ensures faster turnaround times and greater supply chain agility, but also deepens the brand’s connection to South African consumers and communities.”

For refrigerators key components such as compressors are imported, but the Atlantis factory is responsible for the metal stamping, plastic injection, foaming, wiring, assembly, quality testing and final packaging processes, says Nortje.

For TVs, core components like display panels and mainboards are sourced internationally, but all final assembly, integration, software configuration, testing, and packaging takes place at the South African plant.

Nortje says Hisense SA exports TVs and refrigerators to more than 13 African countries, including Tanzania, Angola, Mauritius, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Ghana and Kenya.

Refrigerators are also exported to Europe and the UK.

Last year, Hisense SA produced roughly 480 000 refrigerators – which is a 60% increase compared with five years ago –  as well as 500 000-plus TVs – up about 10% year-on-year.

To date, the plant has manufactured more than 4.5-million TVs and 2.9-million refrigerators.

Hisense holds an estimated 30% to 35% share in (units) in the local TV market.

The company does not disclose its share of the refrigerator market.

Looking ahead, Nortje says the company is “actively exploring” new product categories to be added to its local assembly portfolio.

“While these plans remain under non-disclosure at this stage, they form part of our long-term commitment to innovation, local investment and deepening our manufacturing footprint in South Africa.”

Earlier this year, Hisense SA was recognised by the Proudly South African initiative as a strategic partner in its national campaign to bolster local manufacturing.