Industry organisation South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC) hosted its Exporter of the Year Awards on November 21, acknowledging the significant contributions of industry players.

The event, attended by key figures including the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition director-general Thandi Pele, highlighted the achievements of 18 companies that collectively exported over R8.4-billion to 67 countries last year.

SACEEC CEO Eric Bruggeman expressed appreciation for the support of partners such as event hosts Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery and official media partner Engineering News & Mining Weekly. He emphasised the need for South African businesses to prioritise exports for survival in a challenging economic climate, while noting a decline in SACEEC membership amid the industry's overall struggles.

Bruggeman outlined plans to boost international visibility to trade show Electra Mining, proposing the invitation of 160 countries to the next event, which takes place in September 2024. The aim is to capitalise on the show's significant visitor numbers, with 72% of those being buyers and procurement professionals.

Addressing the challenges faced by the manufacturing sector, Bruggeman stressed the importance of exporting and revealed that SACEEC exports about R178-billion worth of machinery and equipment to 176 countries.

In closing, he expressed gratitude to the attendees, partners and sponsors of the Exporter of the Year Awards, underscoring the pivotal role of exporting in sustaining the South African economy and businesses. The awards ceremony served as a platform to recognise and celebrate the industry's top performers.

Companies in the respective turnover categories were evaluated based on criteria such as marketing strategy, export turnover, local content, participation in national and regional export promotion activities and export council member events. All entries were treated with the strictest confidence and judged by an expert panel. Judges visited the premises of the finalists by arrangement where necessary.

The SACEEC Exporter of the Year Award for turnover between R25-million and R50-million a Year went to: KAMA Industries. The runner-up was AZ-Armaturen South Africa. The Export Council’s Exporter of the Year Award for turnover between R25-million and R50-million a Year Africa went to: Afri-Tech Mining Supplies.

The SACEEC Exporter of the Year Award for turnover between R50-million and 100-million a Year went to: MechProTech. The runner-up was Avlock International. The Export Council’s Exporter of the Year award for turnover between R50-million and 100-million a Year Africa went to: Fabchem Mining.

The SACEEC Exporter of the Year Award for turnover between R100-million and R150-million a Year went to: RNE Pumps.

The SACEEC Exporter of the Year Award for turnover between R150-million and 200-million a Year went to: Vesconite Bearings. The runner-up in this category was AZMET Technology and Projects. The Export Council’s Exporter of the Year Award for turnover between R150-million and 200-million a Year Africa went to: ABC Africa.

The SACEEC Exporter of the Year Award for turnover between R200-million and R250-million a Year went to: African Mixing Technologies. The runner-up was Brelko Conveyor Products. The Exporter of the Year Award for turnover between R200-million and R250-million a Year Africa went to: AVK Valves Southern Africa. The runner-up was Dynamic Fluid Control.

The SACEEC Exporter of the Year Award for turnover between R250–million and R300-million a Year went to: ProProcess Engineering.

The SACEEC Exporter of the Year Award for turnover between R1–billion and R2-billion a Year went to: Consulmet. The Exporter of the Year Award for turnover between R2–billion and R5-billion a Year went to: Multotec. And the Exporter of the Year Award for turnover over R5-billion a Year went to: Bell Equipment Company South Africa.

The award for the Allied Services Exporter of the Year with turnover up to R25-million a year went to: AZMET Technology and Projects. The award for the Allied Services Exporter of the Year with turnover between R50–million and R100-million a Year went to: ProProcess Engineering. The award for the Allied Services Exporter of the Year with turnover between R100–million and R150-million a Year went to: WEBA Technical Services. The award for the Allied Services Exporter of the Year with turnover over R200-million a year went to: DACHSER Intelligent Logistics.

The award for the Allied Services Exporter of the Year Africa with turnover over R100-million a Year went to: Consulmet Limited.

The SACEEC Member of the Year Award went to AZ-Armaturen South Africa.

The overall winner of the SACEEC Exporter of the Year Awards for 2023 went to Bell Equipment Company SA.