The 2018/19 edition of KwaZulu-Natal Business is the 10th issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2008, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the KwaZulu-Natal Province.
In addition to the regular articles providing insight into each of the key economic sectors of the province, there are special features on the investment prospects of Durban (eThekwini) and on the specific attractions for investors of other regions throughout the province.
We are pleased to include a survey of the province’s economy from Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal, the dedicated trade and inward investment promotion agency that promises to be “your knowledge partner in business”.
To complement the extensive local, national and international distribution of the print edition, the full content can also be viewed online at www.kwazulunatalbusiness.co.za. Updated information on KwaZulu-Natal is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at www.gan.co.za, in addition to our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces as well as our flagship South African Business title.
OVERVIEW volumes. The
OVERVIEW volumes. The Corolla car, the Hilux bakkie and the Fortuner SUV are manufactured at the plant. Components To promote the city of Durban as a destination for automotive investment, the first National Association of Automotive Components and Allied Manufactures (NAACAM) Show was held in Durban in 2017. Future events will rotate between other centres in South Africa. In line with the policy of developing Industrial Economic Hubs, the Durban Automotive Supplier Park is being built at Illovo, south of Durban and near to the Toyota plant. An amount of R11.5-billion will be invested in three phases, with the first allocation amounting to R4.3-billion. The Dube TradePort Corporation will manage the project, which covers 1 013ha. Other partners are the eThekwini Municipality, Toyota and the provincial government. The aim is to attract car assembly and component manufacturing companies. The province already has a substantial automotive-supply sector. Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) estimates that the province's component automotive manufacturers enjoy a combined turnover approaching R10-billion. Powerstar, a Chinese state-owned brand, assembles trucks in Pietermaritzburg on a site formerly used by Super Group. The companies that make Powerstar in Asia are the China North Vehicle Corporation (Norinco Motors) and BEIBEN, who produce about 60 000 heavy-duty commercial vehicles every year at their plant in Inner Mongolia. One car salesman who is ahead of the game in Newcastle is Xolani Khumalo of Supertech Newcastle. With a growing Chinese community in the area, the ability of the BMW salesman to interact in the language of his client base is a major advantage. Keeping MAN and Toyota supplied is the R300-million operation, Duys Engineering Group. This diverse group of companies includes in its business plan the supply of truck bodies and truck components ONLINE RESOURCES Automotive Industry Development Centre: www.aidc.co.za Automotive Industry Export Council: www.aiec.co.za Durban Automotive Cluster: www.dbnautocluster.org.za National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA): www.naamsa.co.za National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM): www.naacam.co.za and has production plants at New Germany (Pinetown) and Richards Bay, from where it services the mining industry. Toyota Boshoku manufactures seats and does the interior trim on contract for Toyota. International company GUD Filters has a big presence in the province. Headquartered in Prospecton, where more than 1 500 people work at one of its factories, the company has another plant in Pietermaritzburg and a distribution centre in Pinetown that concentrates on exports. Indian-owned Apollo Tyres SA makes Dunlop products at two large factories in the province: truck tyres are made in Durban at an 80 000m² plant where 840 workers are employed and a passenger car tyre plant in Ladysmith (77 000m², 1 160 employees). The Durban factory devotes 40% of production to supplying the truck and earthmoving market. Both plants make about 25 000 tons of tyres with half of the passenger tyres being exported. The Behr Group is another international company with a presence in the province. The airconditioning and cooling systems company has a factory and its headquarters in Durban. Ramsay Engineering supplies cross-car beams for BMW and Ford. Funding was received from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to buy new tool-making technology to make this possible. The company, which has its headquarters in Pietermaritzburg, makes 150 000 units per year for the two original equipment manufacturers. KWAZULU-NATAL BUSINESS 2018/19 66
PROFILE Toyota Prestigious enhancements to Land Cruiser Prado. With an off-road heritage spanning more than 65 years, Land Cruiser remains unique in its segment for its ability to combine outstanding quality, durability and reliability with unrivalled off-road performance and ever-greater levels of luxury, comfort and ownership prestige. Land Cruiser is the most widely available model in the global Toyota product range. Its unmatched off-road abilities have earned it a rock-solid reputation as one of the world’s toughest and most reliable 4x4s. In South Africa, the Land Cruiser range has a cult-like following with off-roading enthusiasts’ admiration deeply rooted in its legendary robustness. The new Land Cruiser Prado enhances this reputation with more modern and robust exterior styling, a more sophisticated, comfortable and higher-quality interior, and improvements to its user-friendliness, both on and off-road. The body-on-frame build also efficiently isolates the cabin from suspension impacts, making even the most challenging off-road conditions more comfortable to negotiate for everyone on board. The all-terrain support systems help even unskilled drivers make the most of Land Cruiser’s off-road performance. They also make the Prado one of the most technically advanced, safe, pleasurable and easy-to-use 4x4 vehicles in the world. The Prado’s powerful road presence and high levels of on-board technology mark it down as a premium 4×4 with a perfect blend of go-anywhere capability, comfort and refinement. Where you want to go, Land Cruiser Prado will take you there – and bring you back. Unquestionable off-road prowess Land Cruiser’s peerless off-road capability is rooted in its highly durable and deformation-resistant body-on-frame construction, which is now unique in the large SUV segment. The vehicle’s combination of strength and durability provides a high level of damage protection and it is designed for easy maintenance and repairs. Significantly reduced levels of body twisting help the driver optimally position and control the vehicle. Grand Grade The Prado range has traditionally consisted of two grades, the mid-level TX and high-grade VX. For the first time, a new third grade, called VX-L has been added to the model line-up. The VX-L model combines all the features of the VX while adding a power-operated tilt-and-slide moonroof and comprehensive active safety assistance package to the mix. 67 KWAZULU-NATAL BUSINESS 2018/19
