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Manufacturing

Manufacturing is the sector encompassing the production of goods through the transformation of raw materials, components or substances into finished products using labour, machinery, tools and chemical or biological processing. The sector spans a vast range of activities, from food and beverage production to the fabrication of machinery, electronics, vehicles, textiles, chemicals and construction materials. Manufacturing plays a central role in economic development, contributing to gross domestic product, employment, export earnings and technological advancement. It is typically divided into light manufacturing, which produces consumer goods and smaller items, and heavy manufacturing, which involves capital-intensive production of industrial equipment, metals and large-scale infrastructure components. The sector's competitiveness depends on factors including labour costs, skills availability, energy prices, logistics infrastructure, access to raw materials and the regulatory environment. In many African economies, manufacturing remains underdeveloped relative to services and primary industries, though industrialisation strategies increasingly prioritise value addition and local content. Global trends such as automation, digitalisation and the energy transition are reshaping manufacturing, with growing emphasis on renewable energy integration, circular economy principles and skills development to support advanced production technologies. Manufacturing's significance extends beyond direct output, as it drives demand for upstream suppliers, fosters innovation and anchors supply chains that support broader economic resilience.

Manufacturing News


Turning Geopolitical Risk into Manufacturing Resilience
Turning Geopolitical Risk into Manufacturing Resilience
15th June 2026

South Africa’s manufacturing sector is operating in an increasingly fragmented and unpredictable global environment. Escalating geopolitical tensions, shifting trade alliances, sanctions regimes... 


Image of a range of Walch Group products
Local press manufacturer boasts comprehensive suite of products and services
12th June 2026

South African engineering and industrial solutions company, Walch Group offers a range of engineering solutions and products across diverse industries including mining, manufacturing, construction,... 


Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa
Ramokgopa to seek Cabinet approval soon to extend tariff discounts to more industries
11th June 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has indicated that he intends approaching Cabinet in the coming weeks to seek approval to extend concessional electricity tariffs similar to... 


Carbon neutrality advanced with major emissions reduction at Henkel factory
Carbon neutrality advanced with major emissions reduction at Henkel factory
11th June 2026

Adhesive technology products manufacturer Henkel South Africa has made significant progress in advancing sustainable manufacturing by achieving a substantial reduction in carbon emissions at its... 


Extending your ERP where it matters most with Syspro Marketplace
Extending your ERP where it matters most with Syspro Marketplace
10th June 2026

It usually starts with one specific request. Engineering wants computer-aided design (CAD) files synced to bills of materials, so revisions do not fall out of step. Or finance needs sales tax... 


Skills Transfer and Continuous Training: Key to the Future Competitiveness of South Africa’s Plastics Industry
Skills Transfer and Continuous Training: Key to the Future Competitiveness of South Africa’s Plastics Industry
9th June 2026

As South Africa’s plastics manufacturing sector navigates rapid technological change, sustainability demands and increasing global competition, industry leaders are warning that skills development... 


Women in steel to put more women in the driving seat
Women in steel to put more women in the driving seat
3rd June 2026

The development of a stronger pipeline of female leaders in South Africa's metals, engineering and manufacturing sectors is the focus of the Women of Steel – Women's Leadership Mentoring Programme,... 


Image of Canninah Dladla
Revealing Africa’s great potential
2nd June 2026

By Canninah Dladla, Cluster President for SSA at Schneider Electric The well-known Richard Mullin quote: The only man I envy is the man who has not yet been to Africa, for he has so much to look... 


Image of packages going down a chute to show that  equipment coated with igus dry coatings
Dry-coating turns metal components into low-friction, self-lubricating surfaces
29th May 2026

A new dry coating has been developed specifically for use in high-throughput packaging and manufacturing plants, aimed at reducing friction and wear. Friction in these applications leads to wearing... 


Photo of Martin Creamer
Opportunities, threats that new global era brings must be dealt with smartly
29th May 2026 By: Martin Creamer

The new foreign affairs era that is already upon us comes with threats but also opportunities. South Africans are duty bound to seize the opportunities and to stave off the threats. An immediate... 


Delba image
New Alrode facility advances electrical rotating machine repairs
29th May 2026

Electrical rotating machine refurbisher Delba Electrical continues to set the bench-mark in the electrical rotating machine repair industry with the acquisition of its new facility in Alrode. This... 


Multotec learnerships support industrial workforce development and capacity building
Multotec learnerships support industrial workforce development and capacity building
28th May 2026

(Virtual Showroom) As South Africa seeks to accelerate economic growth through localisation, manufacturing expansion and infrastructure development, the availability of skilled technical talent is... 


Automation in African Manufacturing: Unlocking the Continent’s Industrial Potential
Automation in African Manufacturing: Unlocking the Continent’s Industrial Potential
26th May 2026

As Africa accelerates its industrialisation agenda under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), automation is emerging as one of the most powerful tools to unlock productivity,... 


A graphic showing extractive, ports, manufacturing and energy sectors
Collaboration embeds resilience 
22nd May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Having continuous technical support and collaboration from its German parent company enables SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa to not only manage local and international crises but also keep strengthening... 


Partnership boosts AI skills in Africa
22nd May 2026 By: Natasha Odendaal

Origin Research and Innovation Labs and Intel Corporation have partnered to accelerate AI skills development and innovation across Africa, amid growing demand for locally based AI training... 


An image of Competition Commissioner Doris Tshepe handing over the report to Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau in Pretoria
Economy still highly concentrated, but positive trends abound, report shows
12th May 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

South Africa’s economy remains highly concentrated, with about one-third to one-half of 228 economic subsectors still ranked as highly or moderately concentrated; however, there are positive trends... 


Image of a SkyJacks GEDA 300 Z Boiler Hoist
New hoist for confined operations
8th May 2026

Maintenance work in industrial environments such as silos, blast furnaces, co-generation plants, and boilers often face access challenges related to space constraints, sometimes limited to a 45 cm... 


Magazine cover image
Strategic procurement and clean energy seen as key to manufacturing revival
8th May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Decarbonisation and switching to renewable energy can be key drivers of competitiveness as local manufacturers seek to and remain competitive in a changing global landscape and increase capacity... 


THE FUTURE IS BESS
Solar-plus-storage is emerging as the default choice for mines, manufacturers and multi-site corporates seeking reliable and affordable power
BESS solutions  become financially viable
8th May 2026 By: Keabetswe Shilakwe

The clear and accelerating pivot from solar-only to hybrid energy solutions across sub-Saharan Africa is owed to cost-effective battery energy storage systems (BESS) making hybrid solutions... 


New Automation Innovations on Show at Electra Mining Africa 2026
New Automation Innovations on Show at Electra Mining Africa 2026
7th May 2026

New emerging innovations are transforming the South African mining, manufacturing, industrial and automation sectors and driving the deployment of advanced technological solutions across... 


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