Following the official launch of JSE-listed Metair Investments’ subsidiary, Hesto Harnesses’ new vehicle wiring harness manufacturing facility in KwaDukuza, KwaZulu-Natal, on September 13, the automotive component and energy storage specialist also hosted a Metair Technology Exhibition.

Metair CEO Riaz Haffejee expounded that the exhibition was aimed at showcasing the diverse portfolio of automotive components that Metair produces, as well as the capacity of the various businesses to deliver on high-tech and sophisticated products and services.

Original-equipment manufacturer (OEMs) were also invited to attend, to showcase fully what Metair is able to provide – a “commercial component” of the exhibition, Haffejee outlined.  

The exhibition was held on the same day as the Hesto facility launch, at Metair’s 75%-owned subsidiary, automotive component manufacturing company Smiths Manufacturing’s plant in New Germany, KwaZulu-Natal.

Smiths, under licence, supplies a diverse range of localised integrated vehicle systems and parts for major OEMs in South Africa.

Speaking to Engineering News at the exhibition, Smiths Plant 2 operations director Gerald Naidoo outlined that these commodities comprised air-conditioning systems and heat exchangers, together with solutions for washer and reserve tanks.

He enthused that the business was very good at tailoring local solutions to meet local volume demand, at a cost-effective price, to provide value for its customers.

The factory employs 692 people.

Naidoo mentioned that one of the biggest challenges in the industry was a lack of requisite skills. Therefore, to mitigate this, Smiths continuously developed its pipeline, providing training across different levels.

Another challenge that impacted Smiths was the floods in the province in April, as its customer, Toyota, had to shut down its operations for a period.

On a more positive front, Naidoo said the Automotive Industry Masterplan to 2035 had bolstered demand in the industry, giving impetus for participants to deeply explore the industry.  

He also lauded the support that the business receives from Metair, noting that the parent company is able to coordinate best practices across the spectrum of its different automotive component manufactures.

Also showcasing at the exhibition was Metair’s 100%-owned subsidiary, Unitrade, which manufactures automotive cable and automotive wire.

Echoing Hesto, this business is also set to relocate to a new premises to support increased and enhanced capacity.

Unitrade’s facility is located directly opposite the new Hesto facility, as Unitrade also provides wire for the harnesses Hesto produces.

Unitrade site director Yesigan Chinapen told Engineering News that the new Unitrade facility was slated to be completed within the next two to three months, and would be fully operational by January 2023.

He expanded that the new facility would boast a 6 000 m² production area; a capacity of 700 000 km yearly and 4 992 wire/colour variations; the ability to produce for four OEM wire specifications; and a 0.13 mm² to 90 mm² conductor range.

AFRICAN ANGLE

Also showcasing at the exhibition was the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM), of which Metair is an associate member – thereby providing the group’s subsidiaries with access to other African markets.

AAAM CEO Davey Coffey explained that AAAM focussed on the expansion and deepening of the automotive industry across Africa, through working with governments to shape policies and provide support that would attract investors, unlock the economic potential of the continent and align a global network of stakeholders committed to the development of the automotive industry in Africa.

He pointed out that there had been some traction in regions such as Ghana, with the country this month set to implement a ban on vehicles older than ten years.

Moreover, there were already Volkswagen, Toyota and Nissan vehicles being assembled in the country, with another four brands – Kia, Hyundai, Isuzu and Reno – set to enter the market by the end of the year, Coffey noted.

“It’s been a radical period for Africa lately,” Coffey said, noting that things were changing compared with previous years.   

However, he pointed out that there had been pushback from used car dealers in Africa in response to the ban on older vehicles; therefore, it was imperative that regulations were implemented to give the automotive manufacturing industry a chance to grow.

Coffey pointed out that several Metair subsidiaries had come with AAAM to visit other African countries, and fundamental to them doing business there was introducing standards. “You have to develop the whole system around vehicles and parts, to ensure there is an acceptable standard to attract an investor in, and then also offer incentives.”

He emphasised that building the automotive market also hinged on having the correct policies in place.

Coffey pointed out that the African Continental Free Trade Area was one of the drivers of this, providing a mandate to industrialise the continent.

He also noted that the continent enjoyed a competitive advantage in terms of its raw materials, which it must capitalise on in terms of manufacturing such components as batteries for battery electric vehicles.

Meanwhile, 100%-owned Metair subsidiary Lumotech, which makes headlights, tail lights, reflectors and plastic injection mouldings at its factory in Uitenhage, in the Eastern Cape, is catering to a present trend of more sophisticated electronics being required in automotive lighting.

Lumotech South Africa MD Wolfgang Ropertz said that, owing to the company’s “latest technology and manufacturing facilities,” it is well positioned to provide for this.

He also noted that there was improving demand in the automotive industry at the moment, with the new Ford and Toyota projects spurring this.

Other exhibitors included, but were not limited to, Alfred Teves Brake Systems, which makes premium quality brake pads and discs; and 100%-owned Supreme Spring Division, which manufacturers coil springs, leaf springs, stabiliser bars and torsion bars.