ABB invests in medium voltage switchgear manufacturing in South Africa
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 Preview | Egon Worthmann, MV Primary AIS Switchgear Manager, ABB Electrification, Distribution Solutions | 1.7 MB | Download |
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ABB’s (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) Longmeadow campus in Modderfontein, Johannesburg spans 43 520 m2 and contains offices, manufacturing, and logistics centres. As part of ABB’s strategic plans to strengthen local manufacturing, the company has invested over R10 million to complete additional technology transfer that brings the manufacture of UniGear ZS1 medium voltage switchgear to South Africa.
Previously, the product was fully imported from the Czech Republic, or other countries when needed. Due to the investment, 60% to 70% of the technology will be locally manufactured and assembled. As a result, the company’s customers will benefit from a higher design flexibility, faster accessibility, and decreased costs due to reduced import costs and delivery time.
“The size of the South African switchgear market is projected to register growth. The increasing number of investments in sustainable power generation, coupled with the growing population, is expected to drive the growth of the market. This illustrates both the importance of the domestic sector to multinationals and the strategic location of South Africa to a rapidly growing African consumer market,” says Yunus Hoosen, Head of InvestSA, an agency of the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition.
The Distribution Solutions factory within the campus now employs around 120 people, ten of whom have been newly employed due to this investment. ABB plans to increase these numbers by employing more permanent engineers, contractors, and graduates – for example, through its graduate programme, in which over 70 graduates are currently participating. In this way, ABB South Africa is playing its part by creating jobs in a country with one of the highest unemployment rates in the world.
In addition to the transfer of UniGear ZS1 production, the company has started the process of increasing the localisation of its Compact Secondary Substations (CSS), due to be completed in October 2023.
Egon Worthmann, Medium Voltage (MV) Primary AIS Switchgear Manager forABB Electrification’s Distribution Solutions division, says that: “Utilities are increasingly looking to implement smart solutions to solve complex energy challenges. ABB is well placed to continue to deliver world-class solutions to customers now through local manufacturing right here in South Africa. The creation of job opportunities for local engineers and contractors demonstrates our commitment to the long-term development of the country.”
Built in 2009, ABB South Africa’s headquarters demonstrates the company’s early adoption of more sustainable manufacturing approaches, with the site boasting a 760 kWp array of rooftop solar panels that generate enough solar energy to cover around 30% of the site’s annual energy consumption of 2 400 MwH.
Hoosen states that “The ABB investment further signifies that South Africa remains an attractive investment destination across all sectors, including the Advanced Manufacturing sector.”
He further added, “InvestSA remains ready and committed to assist foreign and domestic investors in realising their investment in South Africa, moreso with localisation a key part of economic reconstruction and recovery.”
The Distribution Solutions factory serves customers in South Africa and other sub-Saharan countries.
ENDS
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company’s solutions connect engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are manufactured, moved, powered and operated. Building on more than 130 years of excellence, ABB’s ~105,000 employees are committed to driving innovations that accelerate industrial transformation. www.abb.com
Electrifying the world in a safe, smart and sustainable way, ABB Electrification is a global technology leader in electrical distribution and management from source to socket. As the world’s demand for electricity grows, our 50,000+ employees across 100 countries collaborate with customers and partners to transform how people connect, live and work. We develop innovative products, solutions and digital technologies that enable energy efficiency and a low carbon society across all sectors. By applying global scale with local expertise, we shape and support global trends, deliver excellence for customers and power a sustainable future for society. go.abb/electrification
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