Johannesburg - Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (SRSA) is investing R2-billion to upgrade and expand its Dunlop tyre-manufacturing plant in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal. It launched the commencement of the second phase of the investment recently.
The investment is a catalyst for both socio-economic and technological advancement in South Africa. The direct job creation impact and employment spinoffs as a result of the completion of Phase One, are already being realised. “Employment levels are already increasing due to Phase One. The first of nearly 120 new employees needed over the next few years, have already been recruited. Phase Two will attract a further 300 new employees. This will increase the employment of the plant to more than 1 200 employees on completion of the second investment phase,” says company CEO Riaz Haffejee.
“Our investment consolidates our commitment to the South African and KwaZulu-Natal provincial economy, as well as the Ladysmith community. As one of the largest employers in Ladysmith it will deepen our impact on stimulating job creation through increased production and industrial development competitiveness.”
New technology for new demand
The initial phase of R1.1 billion, which commenced in 2014, focused on the upgrading and modernisation of the plant's capacity, introducing new technology and equipment aimed at increasing manufacturing output of high quality passenger and Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) tyres. Its parent company, Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) in Japan, allocated the investment for the development of Phase One. This coincided with the introduction of new SUV tyre models that were not yet manufactured at the Ladysmith plant.
“This is our response to the market trend and demand for these models in both South Africa and other African markets,” Haffejee said.
Phase Two, at an estimated value of R910 million, focuses on the introduction and manufacture of truck and bus tyres for commercial use. This Dunlop-branded product line is currently being imported into South Africa from SRI's plants in Japan and China, due to the unavailability of suitable manufacturing capacity locally. This new investment will establish a suitable local manufacturing base and terminate the current import arrangement.
An investment of this magnitude, amidst the current economic environment, has been made possible through strong collaboration and partnership between the company and government at various levels.
The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) approved SRSA's application for a support grant of an estimated R300 million under the Automotive Investment Scheme programme toward this initial phase rollout. In addition, the implementation of the dti’s Tariff-free Trade Agreement (T-FTA), will enhance foreign trade and is set to strengthen export activity into key African areas.
The Emnambithi Ladysmith Municipality, who donated the underutilised tract of land adjacent to the existing plant to SRSA at no cost, is further underscoring this innovative partnership approach. The development will take place on this piece of land. SRSA will explore on-site resource efficiency improvements in renewable energy generation and water management interventions.
Partnerships with the government
“Our investment underscores the confidence of our company's foreign owners in South Africa as an investment destination. It reaffirms what is possible when government and industry work together in pursuit of mutually beneficial economic and industrial objectives. We will continue to support government with innovative solutions and constructive engagement to overcome regulatory challenges and impediments crucial to our industry and the pursuit of employment generating, high growth and competitive industrial and manufacturing initiatives,” Haffejee concluded.
Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (Pty) Ltd is a leading manufacturer of passenger and commercial tyres and is the manufacturer of the Dunlop brand in South Africa. It currently employs 1 180 people, of which 900 are employed at the Ladysmith plant.
It is owned by Japanese listed company Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd (SRI), situated in Kobe, Japan, and is ranked the world's sixth-largest producer of automotive tyres and industrial rubber products and has tyre manufacturing plants in Japan, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Brazil, Turkey, USA and South Africa.
* Adapted from a press release
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