Certification improves efficiency, reduces risks

The implementation of effective quality management systems (QMS), such as ISO 9001, will improve businesses’ service to clients and streamline internal processes to ensure best practice in the... 

Packaging firms team up to pursue perishable-foods solutions

Plastic packaging company Astrapak and flexible packaging company Afripack announced a joint venture (JV) to meet the growing demand for packaging solutions in the perishable-foods industry. 

Afrox launches R200m air separation unit

Gas products and services company Africa Oxygen (Afrox) on Wednesday launched its new R200-million, 200 t/d Pretoria West air separation unit (ASU) plant. The investment formed part of a three-year... 

Money-transfer industry growing across Africa

Money transfer company MoneyGram says Africa has the potential to become one of the world’s most important remittance hotspots, if current growth trends continue. 

Development agency moves ahead with housing sale initiative

Development financier the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) is processing almost 100 tenant purchase offers, having announced its plan to sell 238 stand-alone houses to the tenants in... 

Varsity launches human-settlements management degree

Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale launched South Africa’s first Chair for Education in Human Settlements Development and Management in March at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University... 

Study shows energy-efficiency benefits of material flow cost accounting

Energy efficiency in foundries can be improved through the implementation of material flow cost accounting (MFCA), Environmental & Sustainability Solutions executive director Seakle Godschalk said... 

Metal casting conference seeks to stimulate foundry industry competitiveness

The Metal Casting Conference provided a platform for industry members to share the latest technological developments and opportunities to drive a competitive advantage in the foundry industry. The... 

Builders seek to align themselves with NDP-linked opportunities

The Master Builders Association North (MBA North) indicated at its annual general meeting (AGM) last month, in Midrand, that it planned to establish strategic partnerships for innovation in the... 

Afrox moving ahead with R300m Coega air separation unit

Welding, cutting and gas services company Africa Oxygen (Afrox), a member of The Linde Group, is planning to install a 150 t/d air-separation unit (ASU), valued at R300-million in the Coega... 

Business council to support women-led cooperatives

The South African Women Business Council of Co-Operatives (SAWBCC) will empower historically disadvantaged women to overcome poverty by becoming smart, resourceful and capable business people who... 

First student intake for IT talent building programme

Worldwide information technology (IT) consulting and outsourcing company Wipro has completed the recruitment of the first batch of students for its internship programme in South Africa, which will... 

Panama canal expansion reaches halfway mark

In South African terms, the development of the 4 788 MW Medupi coal-fired power station represents ‘mega-engineering’ in every sense of the word.The price tag of what will be a six-unit facility... 

Panama Canal expansion reaches halfway mark as waterway bids to sustain position as key trade gateway

Mega engineering project the Panama Canal Expansion, in Panama, is being enlarged to double its capacity and accommodate cargo ships carrying up to 12 000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs),... 

Groundwater management necessary for water security

Population growth and the uncertain effects of climate change are likely to have significant financial, human and ecological impacts on the already scarce water supply in South Africa, says Talbot... 

Tax incentives to stimulate minerals beneficiation

The push for the local beneficiation of South Africa's mineral wealth, which is a key element in South Africa’s economic strategies, including the National Development Plan, has received a boost in... 

Engine supplier marks military-vehicle supply milestone

Diesel engine and gas energy systems supplier MTU South Africa celebrated its 1 500th engine delivery to special-purpose military vehicle and service supplier DCD Protected Mobility, a division of... 

Firm secures R30m ship-to-shore crane contracts

Crane supplier Konecranes Southern Africa has secured more than R30-million in contracts to supply cranes to Nigeria and Angola and, most recently, Mozambique. 

Tax incentives to stimulate mineral beneficiation

Development in the beneficiation of mineral wealth, which is a key element in South Africa’s economic strategies, such as the National Development Plan, has received a boost through the research... 

Contract awarded for potable water plant in northern Botswana

Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies South Africa subsidiary, Veolia Water Solutions (VWS) Envig Botswana, was awarded a contract to design, supply and commission a 6 000 m3 a day potable water... 

$15m African project development facility launched

African-led multilateral financial institution the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and the Dutch Development Bank (FMO) recently launched a project-development facility. 

Solar company meets SA grid-connection requirements

Germany-based solar power company SMA Solar Technology’s Sunny Central CP XT-Inverters meet the requirements that were laid out in November by the Grid Connection Code for Renewable Power Plants... 

Joburg rolling out new-look commuter shelters

The city of Johannesburg unveiled its new-look commuter shelters on William Nicol drive in Randburg and Vincent Tshabalala drive in Alexandra, earlier this month. 

R2bn set aside for artisan training at FET colleges

The Minister of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Dr Blade Nzimande and his deputy Mr Mduduzi Manana officially declared 2013 as the year of the artisan at Tembisa, in the East... 

Czech water treatment company brings expertise to South Africa

As trade between South Africa and the Czech Republic increases, companies such as Envites are homing in on the South Africa mining and other markets with sophisticated water treatment systems as... 

Group in move to train 10 000 African electronics technicians by 2015

The Samsung Electronic Engineering Academy, in Boksburg, is an initiative to train youths in the technical field to reach Samsung’s goal of having developed 10 000 electronics engineers in Africa... 

Battery group helps power SA team’s 2013 Dakar success

Battery manufacturer First National Battery was selected to provide its Raylite Ultimate AGM batteries for the South Africa-based Toyota vehicles racing in the Dakar 2013 rally last month. 

Industry better prepared for infrastructure roll-out following 2011 bitumen shortages

After the October 2011 bitumen shortage in South Africa, suppliers are better prepared for government’s planned infrastructure plans until 2030, as a result of valuable lessons learnt in the... 

Solar PV system installed at fruit packhouse

Renewable energies company Emergent Energy will supply a 203 kWp photovoltaic (PV) solar system to Farmsecure Energy’s Novo packhouse, in Paarl. 

DHET provides R2bn in FET bursaries

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has set aside almost R2-billion in bursaries for further education and training (FET) college students for this year, Higher Education and... 

Yellow metal’s upward trajectory expected to continue throughout 2013

Despite high gold prices, production of the yellow metal in South Africa has failed to respond meaningfully to worldwide demand, rising only 0.2% in 2012, according to Thomson Reuters GFMS’s Gold... 

Fuel group completes greening service station pilot at three African sites

Petroleum products group Engen has completed a two-year greening pilot project, during which it made multiple energy and water saving alterations at selected service stations in neighbouring... 

Concerns aired over SA’s capacity to build, operate and maintain renewables facilities

South Africa’s capacity to deliver on the envisaged Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers programme (REIPPP) projects is lacking in light of the requirements for local Independent Power... 

Software giant signs 49M pledge

Data processing company Systems Applications and Products (SAP) Africa has signed the 49M pledge to make a concerted contribution to the reduction of electricity consumption on the continent. 

Yellow metal’s upward trajectory expected to continue throughout 2013

Despite high gold prices, production of the yellow metal in South Africa has failed to respond meaningfully to worldwide demand, rising only 0.2% in 2012, according to Thomson Reuters GFMS’s Gold... 

Firm punts piping alternative for compressed-air market

Industrial project management and installation company Ocean24 has pioneered the use of poly-ethylene multilayer (PLOMYclick) piping in replacing galvanised material for compressor and airline... 

Water storage vessel supplier extends range

Polokwane-based distributor of steel panel water-storage vessels, Rainbow Reservoirs, has extended the maximum capacity of its product range from 1.3-million-litre tanks to 25-million-litre tanks. 

3D printing may shape a new manufacturing revolution

Additive manufacturing, more commonly known as three-dimensional (3D) printing, is consumer and industry ready. It is gaining momentum as a viable tool for home use and the manufacturing of parts,... 

3D printing may shape a new manufacturing revolution

Additive manufacturing, more commonly known as three-dimensional (3D) printing, is consumer and industry ready. It is gaining momentum as a viable tool for home use and the manufacturing of parts,... 

Consulting group builds new green office at emerging Gauteng hub

Consulting services firm Golder Associates has announced the start of the construction of what is set to be the first commercial offices at Waterfall Estate, in Midrand.