Johannesburg - South
African manufacturing businesses can look forward to greater government support
when its new Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) is adopted next month,
according to DTI Director General Lionel October.
Speaking at the Metal Casting
Conference on Wednesday morning, October said that DTI’s IPAP has a
strong focus on the metals and agro-processing sectors. “We are now seeing the effects of our neglect of
the manufacturing sector, of which foundries form the core. After years of
relative decline, the re-emergence of importance of the manufacturing industry
is gaining momentum worldwide,” he said.
South African Institute of Foundrymen (SAIF) CEO John
Davies welcomed the news. “We are especially encouraged by the DTI’s focus on
driving higher demand for castings and its localisation drive,” he said.
Delegates at the Metal Casting Conference heard that 25
foundries have closed in South Africa since 2010, shedding 1600 jobs. There are
currently 170 active foundries which employ over 9500 people. Ashley
Bhugwandin, Manager: National Foundry Technology Network, says, “We compared
the SA foundry industry with BRICS countries and found that labour is the
highest cost in SA; whereas in India and China, it lies in materials. This
underscores the importance of human capital development if we are to grow our
industry.”
Read also: SA manufacturing shows signs of life
The shortage of young people in the industry and the need
to improve skills are challenges which are not unique to South Africa.
Yesterday, the BRICS Foundry Forum, in conjunction with the World Foundry
Organisation, hosted a collaboration workshop with international and local
industry players to find practical and immediate actions to drive the growth of
the global industry.
The South African Metal Casting Conference and exhibition
takes place from 14 – 17 March and includes the World Foundry Organisation
Technical Forum as well as the 7th BRICS Foundry Forum. The event is
co-hosted by the South African Institute of Foundrymen, UJ’s Metal Casting
Technology Station, the National Foundry Technology Network (NFTN) and the
World Foundry Forum.
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