With the trusted legacy of more than 150 years of Siemens engineering expertise, Innomotics is the backbone of reliable motion for industries and infrastructure worldwide.

Amid the increased involvement of foreign companies in the mining and industrial sectors worldwide, leading supplier of motors and drives Innomotics South Africa asserts that the region has always been a key market and its technology has been part of the regional landscape since the start of the mining industry.

The company’s product range spans electrical motors of all power ratings, as well as large variable-speed drives (VSDs) in the medium voltage range, which it delivers to companies in sectors such as mining, water and wastewater, oil and gas, chemicals and power generation.

Innomotics has built up substantial local solutions engineering competence for the mining industry and this local complement comprises a sizable part of its business.

From its offices in Johannesburg there it supports all sub-Saharan Africa operations, and boasts a substantial team of 90 employees, the majority of whom are focused on the delivery of engineered electrical, automation and digital projects to the mining industry. A digital centre of excellence for the mining industry has been established in Midrand, where a significant amount of research and development is based on bringing digital technologies to bear on the specific challenges of the industry.

“We support most of the major players, with applications ranging from conveyor systems, mine winders, crushing and milling solutions, and mobile equipment electrification to efficient process plant electrical control and instrumentation and mining operations management digital solutions,” notes Innomotics country CEO Tim Walwyn.

The company highlights that it works extensively in Zambia and identifies this country as another major market, in addition to South Africa, owing to its sizable copper endowment.

In outlining its active role as a significant partner in South Africa’s mining industry, the company says it drives efficiency and the improvement of production metrics in the sector by combining its digital applications and software with in-depth process knowledge and information, acquired from over a century of working with South African mining and industrial customers.

Innomotics focuses on working with reputable partners, enabling local supplier development. Further, the company undertakes work at operations that are committed to sustainable and responsible mining in terms of safeguarding human rights, encouraging local community development and implementing environmental protection measures.

“What we bring to the sector is high efficiency and performance by helping clients conduct the most productive mining operations with the lowest possible resource consumption, in terms of electricity and overall carbon footprint, which are becoming critical metrics for this sector. We pride ourselves in being a responsible multinational operator,” Walwyn explains.

He adds that being a part of a responsible mining sector is an important factor in developing the potential of the African continent in terms of its resource endowment.

Innomotics places a great emphasis on research and development in its continued efforts to bolster efficient production processes.

With digital applications ranging from simulation and manufacturing execution systems to Internet of Things-based condition monitoring of critical systems, the company also notes the importance of a continued investment in its technological capacity.

In addressing the importance of the company’s participation in the mining industry, Walwyn points to the synergy between Innomotics’ core mining product range and the industry, noting that the company supports all the major applications in mining transportation and processing, all of which require high-powered motors and VSDs.

As the company is looking towards expanding its operations on the rest of the continent, it is also working to establish local partnerships, as it is actively working with local enterprises that are established in the markets it wants to expand into, decidedly aiming to build up its capability to serve clients in various mining jurisdictions on the continent.

Outlining its future plans, Innomotics is developing an upgraded facility for its geared motors production to offer local clients competitive lead times for custom assemblies.

“This investment speaks to the local presence that we have here, and to our belief that this is a valuable market for the company as a global player, that South Africa remains an important spring board to conducting business on the continent,” Walwyn concludes.