THE South African Automotive Masterplan (SAAMP) 2035, is expected to set the framework for the automotive sector’s future, with increasing emphasis on driving increases in local content levels. This requires a broadening and deepening of the supply base and creates significant growth prospects for existing and emerging suppliers.
Engagement with customers and awareness of industry trends and opportunities are key to realising the growth prospects. A central platform for this engagement is the NAACAM Show 2019, taking place 12-14 March 2019 at the ICC in Durban,
Participants from the vehicle assemblers, many Tier 1 manufacturers, and key suppliers and stakeholders from across the continent are expected to be in attendance. According to Trevor Hayter, Director of Engeli Enterprise Development, this presents an excellent opportunity for smaller firms, “with the cost of exhibiting at the NAACAM Show easily outweighed by the cost of flying around the country to meet clients and suppliers”.
These sentiments were echoed by Michael Blechinger, Managing Director at Voestalpine Automotive Components East London, who sees it as an excellent public relations platform for the company, a provider of complex assemblies for car body and crash protection vehicle parts.
For Port Elizabeth-based Linde+Wiemann, a supplier of structural components, exhibiting at the NAACAM Show 2019 provides an opportunity “to showcase our product expertise and technology and grow our exposure in the local market place with customers and network with key players in the industry”.
Linde+Wiemann plans to exhibit its new patented Accra Technology which it makes it possible to manufacture completely or partially hardened, profile-like components with any type of cross-section or contour, enabling optimisation of structural integrity for components that are placed under high stress in the event of a crash.
“We have innovated significantly since the successful inaugural 2017 initiative,” said Dave Coffey, NAACAM president and Managing Director of Port Elizabeth based Shatterprufe. “The team is driving hard to make the event more interactive and provide increased value to exhibitors. As an example, exhibitors can apply to use the media and demonstration centre to showcase their innovations through technical demonstrations which will be broadcast throughout the venue.”
Other Eastern Cape automotive manufacturers that have already confirmed attendance at the 2019 show are Adient Pasdec, CRH-Africa Automotive, Isringhausen SA, Selago Technologies, SMA Engineering South Africa, and SP Metal Forgings Uitenhage.
It’s scheduled to take place from 12-14 March 2019 in partnership with, and hosted by the Durban Automotive Cluster (DAC), with the support of the DTI, the Automotive Supply Chain Competitiveness Initiative (ASCCI), the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA), and National Union of Metalworkers in SA (NUMSA).
More information can be found at www.naacamshow.co.za.