SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa, a specialist in drive and control technologies, moved into its new state-of-the-art 26 000-m² headquarters complex in Aeroton, Johannesburg, earlier this year. The new complex more than triples the floor and factory space that was available at its previous premises.
Built and equipped at a cost of R200-million and modelled on SEW-EURODRIVE’s showcase factory in Graben-Neudorf in Germany, the facility – which accommodates approximately 150 employees– makes extensive use of the latest technologies to effectively network people, processes, services and data.
The investment reflects SEW-EURODRIVE’s confidence in the future of both South Africa and the African continent. The company points out that Africa is regarded as the world’s next growth market. Home to 17 % of the global population in 2019, it is expected to account for 26 % by 2050, as well as an estimated US$16,2-trillion of combined consumer and business spending.
Commenting on the investment, Raymond Obermeyer, MD of SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa, says: “This is a bold step that demonstrates our commitment to being part of solving South Africa’s problems and developing the economies of countries across Africa.”
SEW-EURODRIVE currently services 23 countries throughout the African continent from South Africa. “With the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) protocol, which came into effect in early 2021, and a push to grow manufacturing on the continent, we are expecting African markets to account for around 50 % of our turnover within the next few years,” says Obermeyer.
The new facility will play a pivotal role in allowing SEW-EURODRIVE to service the burgeoning Africa market efficiently. It houses not only the group’s African head office but also an assembly plant for industrial gears and electric drives, expanded central warehousing and repair facilities. It also encompasses assembly and repair of all VSD’s, AGV’s and Servo motor technology. SEW-EURODRIVE also employs multiple mechanical, electrical and mechatronic engineers to further support technical customer queries.
In addition, it accommodates SEW-EURODRIVE’s unrivalled Drive Academy, which delivers product awareness and maintenance training to customers. Online and virtual AR training and support is also now available, in direct support of SEW-EURODRIVE’s social development plans.
The expanded warehousing gives SEW-EURODRIVE the ability to increase stock levels, a huge benefit given the problems currently affecting the global supply chain. It means the company’s customers in Africa will be able to able to get orders – for new equipment or spares – fulfilled with minimal delay.
“The new facility allows us to service our customers more efficiently, reducing the high cost of unplanned downtime and allowing them to adhere to their scheduled maintenance programmes,” Obermeyer states. “Ensuring our customers’ continued productivity has been the key driver behind the development of our new premises.”
Over a three to five-year period, SEW-EURODRIVE will incorporate further 4IR technologies, including automated assembly machines and guided vehicles, into the Aeroton factory at a cost of an additional R200-million.
“We are working hard to shape the factory of tomorrow with system solutions for Industry 4.0 and a focus on raising productivity and implementing smart maintenance while, at the same time, providing ergonomic support for the people working in these facilities,” notes Obermeyer.
SEW-EURODRIVE has used its own technology to automate operations at the Aeroton facility, with the main production conveyor being based on the company’s high-tech MOVI-C all-in-one modular drive solution which is now being introduced to the African market. MOVI-C had its official African launch at the recent Electra Mining Africa 2022 show in Johannesburg.
Quick facts
- Purpose-designed facility offering 26 000 m² of floor and office space
- Serves as the hub for SEW-EURODRIVE’s fast-expanding African operations
- Allows delivery times to customers to be cut dramatically
- Operates in accordance with SEW-EURODRIVE’s demanding global quality standards
- Incorporates the latest 4IR technologies
- Features a main production conveyor based on the MOVI-C modular drive solution
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