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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


Can Automation Help South Africa Rebuild Its Industrial Competitiveness?
5th November 2026

At the fifth France–South Africa Business Forum which recently took place in Johannesburg, business leaders, investors and public officials gathered to consider how the two countries could deepen... 


Sagren Moodley, chairperson of the Power Operations & Leadership Association of Southern Africa (Polasa)
Can South Africa Build Its Transmission Grid in Time?
5th November 2026

WATCH FROM 16 NOVEMBER!

Sagren Moodley, chairperson of the Power Operations & Leadership Association of Southern Africa (Polasa),... 


Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa president and Group CEO of Actom Mervyn Naidoo
Can South Africa’s Manufacturers Deliver?
5th November 2026

WATCH FROM 16 NOVEMBER!

Mervyn Naidoo, president of the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa and Group CEO of... 


Keith Webb of Rand Merchant Bank discusses opportunities for local manufacturers in South Africa’s transmission expansion, local manufacturing capacity, investmKeith Webb of Rand Merchant Bankent financing and procurement frameworks to support greater industry participation.
Turning Grid Expansion into Local Industrial Growth
5th November 2026

WATCH FROM 16 NOVEMBER!

Keith Webb of Rand Merchant Bank discusses opportunities for local manufacturers in South Africa’s transmission... 


Siemens image
Accelerating Africa's industrial AI future
5th November 2026

While much of the global conversation around AI focuses on algorithms and computing power, the future of industrial AI in Africa will depend on far more than digital technologies alone. Realising... 


Nigeria’s manufacturing decarbonisation journey - you can’t decarbonise what you can’t measure
Nigeria’s manufacturing decarbonisation journey - you can’t decarbonise what you can’t measure
3rd November 2026

By: Belema Koleoso - Software Leader, West Africa at Schneider Electric  Industries today continue to be under pressure to reduce their carbon footprint and align with global climate commitments.... 


FUCHS expands presence in Africa through strategic investments
2nd November 2026

The FUCHS Group, which operates globally in the lubricants industry, today announced an expansion of its African footprint through a series of strategic investments that reinforce the company's... 


The first steps to smarter beverage plant modernisation
The first steps to smarter beverage plant modernisation
2nd November 2026

By: Yoges Latchmanan - CPG Segment Lead for SSA at Schneider Electric Rising energy costs and increasing pressure to improve efficiency, whilst growing sustainability commitments, have become the... 


Access Bank South Africa Lloyd Caughey, Head: Trade Finance
AfCFTA’s promise will depend on execution, not ambition
30th October 2026

For many South African corporates, the African growth story is visible in customer demand, supply chains, infrastructure plans, mining corridors, manufacturing expansion, and the steady movement of... 


SUSTAINABILITY TARGETS
Energy efficiency is being redefined as South African manufacturers face increasing pressure to meet sustainability targets that include reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions
Energy efficiency requires balance between cost, risk
30th October 2026

Energy efficiency should be considered beyond fuel costs, with operational value, sustainability targets and the risk of outages also forming part of decision-making, industrial steam operations... 


Magazine cover image
Rail industry hails reforms but further recovery hinges on well-executed strategy
30th October 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

The Department of Transport’s efforts to open the freight rail network to private operators is gaining momentum, but restoring capacity, securing investments and translating policy changes into... 


The advent of green automation – can it make industries more efficient and sustainable?
The advent of green automation – can it make industries more efficient and sustainable?
28th October 2026

By: Kobus Vermeulen - Direct Sales Executive, Process Automation at Schneider Electric Sustainability and daily operations have become intrinsically linked.  Gone are the day where sustainability... 


SEW-EURODRIVE marks 40 years of driving industrial progress in South Africa
SEW-EURODRIVE marks 40 years of driving industrial progress in South Africa
23rd October 2026

Four decades of engineering expertise, sustained local investment and close customer partnerships have positioned SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa as a significant drive technology and lifecycle... 


Seifsa president Elias Monage
Seifsa sets sights on unprecedented five-year wage settlement in 2027
23rd October 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA) president Elias Monage reports that it is aiming to speedily conclude yet another multiyear wage agreement with... 


Beyond Funding: How the IDC Can Help South Africa’s MSMEs Grow, Compete and Create Jobs
19th October 2026

South Africa’s MSMEs are central to building an inclusive and productive economy. From township enterprises and rural businesses to emerging manufacturers, agricultural producers and service... 


Vertiv Appoints Michael Resha to Lead Global Manufacturing and Operational Excellence
Vertiv Appoints Michael Resha to Lead Global Manufacturing and Operational Excellence
19th October 2026

Vertiv Holdings Co. (NYSE: VRT), a global leader in critical digital infrastructure, today announced that Michael Resha has joined the company as Executive Vice President of Manufacturing,... 


 Concrete Floors Reimagined: Durable, Cost-Effective Finishes for Modern Industrial Spaces
Concrete Floors Reimagined: Durable, Cost-Effective Finishes for Modern Industrial Spaces
16th October 2026

In today's fast-paced industrial and commercial environments, flooring is expected to do more than simply withstand traffic. Businesses need floor systems that are durable, easy to maintain,... 


An image of a demonstration at Henkel's Training Day
Training Day boosts customer awareness, product value
16th October 2026 By: Nadine Ramdass

Recognising a growing need among customers for direct access to technical expertise, application best practice and the latest industry innovations, specialised chemicals, adhesives and sealants... 


How finishing and rework consume manufacturing capacity
How finishing and rework consume manufacturing capacity
15th October 2026

A precision component leaves the CNC machine on time. Its dimensions are correct, the machining programme has run successfully and the next batch is ready. Yet the part cannot be dispatched. It... 


Inside the Hisense Atlantis manufacturing plant, marking 30 years in SA
Inside the Hisense Atlantis manufacturing plant, marking 30 years in SA
14th October 2026

Hisense South Africa is marking 30 years in the country this October, a milestone that traces the company's growth from its first overseas subsidiary into one of its most significant global... 


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