(Virtual Showroom): Following the inaugural MEMSA Innovation Awards in April this year, Mining Equipment Manufacturers of South Africa (MEMSA) is delighted to present its inaugural Manufacturing Excellence Awards in the same year. Both sets of awards are aimed at showcasing and further motivating the exceptional qualities of a home grown, internationally competitive industry South Africa can be proud of.

While most of our members form part of the steel value chain, their products and services are specifically aimed at meeting the needs of the mining industry, with its own unique and complex requirements. MEMSA is thankful to SEIFSA for allowing us to share the stage with the SEIFSA Awards for Excellence in Randburg this year, we regard this event as an excellent context for the launch of our awards and a prime example of the power of collaboration. It is the first time the two industry bodies have joined forces on an event and its success further highlights the need for the industry to work more closely together.

The SA mining equipment industry is well respected for its technological and innovation advancement; however, the pandemic and lockdowns presented a test to our ingenuity and resilience. It is in the midst of these challenges that we witnessed some excellence in innovation and structuring of work and manufacturing processes, and we are proud to report that not one MEMSA member company which was actively manufacturing for the mining industry, permanently closed its doors during or since the pandemic.

Supported by the South African Mining Extraction Research, Development & Innovation (SAMERDI) programme, the Manufacturing Excellence Awards 2022, which recognises excellence in the manufacturing of equipment for the mining sector, thanks the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Minerals Council of South Africa (MCSA), who together drive and fund the SAMERDI programme.

The awards, explained MEMSA CEO Lehlohonolo Molloyi, are part of SAMERDI’s project on sustainability, which aims to showcase the capability of local mining equipment OEMs while increasing MEMSA’s visibility as an organisation for manufacturing in the mining sector.

‘The awards focus on the South African mining equipment industry and anyone within South Africa was eligible to participate in the awards, provided they “ticked all the boxes''. Entrants had to be at least 26% South African owned, and actively manufacture products within South Africa for the mining industry. Relevant products include equipment, components, machinery, or systems, used in the mining process (ore extraction), both surface or underground, and minerals,’ says Molloyi. The MEMSA Member Manufacturer of the Year award was the only category limited to members of the cluster. 

Entries were judged by key industry partners; Dr. Sherin Ramparsad, Programme Manager for the SATCAP programme for people-centred technology at the Mandela Mining Precinct; Andrew Mbatha, Marketing Manager at Productivity South Africa; Riaan Coetzee, Future Production Systems research group leader at the CSIR, and Tapiwa Samanga, Group CEO PTSA (Production Technologies Association of South Africa).

The Inaugural MEMSA Manufacturing Excellence Awards were given in four categories, namely Customised Customer Service; Localised Supply Chain; Manufacturing Solutions; and MEMSA Member Manufacturer of the Year 2022.  

A focus on delivering value to the mining industry sets these awards apart.

Customised Customer Service, this tightly contested award went to the company which clearly demonstrated commitment to customer service. They provided evidence of excellent systems ensuring on-time, quality, customised service, ensuring project value and measurable after-sale support. The winner is ProProcess Engineering, a company supplying modular process plants to the mining, metallurgical, oil and gas industries. 

The award for Localised Supply Chain recognised companies that contribute to developing the local supply chain through buying and manufacturing locally, collaborating with other South African suppliers and manufacturers, and reaching out a hand to mine communities. The two winners who emerged with equal scores have both commenced the journey to local content verification. They are Buraaq Mining Services, which maintain and refurbish equipment for the coal mining industry, and Rham Equipment, an established South African OEM manufacturing hard and soft rock mining machinery.

Manufacturing Solutions, developing manufacturing solutions for the mining sector, was awarded to the company that adopted new or unique project technology and processes within their manufacturing plant, to provide appropriate solutions for the end user. The winner, NTGR Engineering Projects, has implemented GIS-based and advanced precision manufacturing technology to optimise planning, design, manufacturing and project monitoring, improving efficiency and saving costs for customers.

MEMSA Member Manufacturer of the Year 

This category recognises the member company that has provided evidence of excellence across a range of criteria including continuous improvement, health and safety, environmental sustainability, efficiency, good management systems, and creating a diverse, inclusive, and transformed workplace. The MEMSA Member Manufacturer of the Year is Bell Equipment.                                                                         

SEIFSA Awards of Excellence category award winners were:

• Business Woman of the Year: Michelle Austin, Keegor SA 
• Workplace Health & Safety: Keegor SA 
• Best Customer Service Award: Macsteel
• Most Transformed Company of the Year: Pamodzi Engineering
• Environment Stewardship Award: MSC Technical
• Corporate Social Responsibility: Electrolux South Africa
• Young Entrepreneur of the year Award: Caleisle Ngwenya, CeeWay Engineering
• Industry Apprenticeship Award: ArcelorMittal
• Business Resilience of The Year Award (Covid): Vesconite Bearings
• Lifetime Contribution to the Industry: Kobus de Beer 

De Beer is the current Chairman of International Steel Fabricators of South Africa and the Structural Steel Export Cluster and a Commissioner on the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa. SEIFSA CEO Lucio Trentini mentioned his "incredible career and invaluable contribution to the metals and engineering industry" when announcing the award.

De Beer expressed surprise that he had been recognised, adding: "Thank you to SEIFSA and MEMSA. I am very impressed with all the enthusiasm I have seen tonight, and I see huge potential for the future."

Mining Equipment Manufacturers of South Africa (MEMSA), an industry cluster established in 2016 with the support of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), works to build a competitive advantage for South African mining equipment manufacturers by providing access to key markets and championing existing and future local technology and innovation. As the principal local South African mining equipment manufacturing cluster we are recognised by the Department of Minerals Resources and Energy (DMRE), the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Minerals Council of South Africa (MCSA).                                                         

MEMSA is located in the heart of the CSIR managed Mandela Mining Precinct, and the three bodies subsequently benefit from a close working relationship.