Local manufacturing boosts Federal-Mogul Motorparts’ competitiveness in Africa

9 July 2018
When end users fit gaskets onto their vehicles’ engines, they don’t expect them to fail prematurely; each gasket must be of superior quality. These are not service-type components expected to be replaced regularly, and buying low-quality products is a short-term savings with long-term cost implications for the end customer.
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application/msword iconLocal manufacture boosts Federal-Mogul Motorparts competitiveness in Africa _approved73 KBDownload
PreviewThe Port Elizabeth facility produces Payen gaskets and seals for the aftermarket.1.02 MBDownload
PreviewEstablished in 1954, the Port Elizabeth facility has expanded over the years.55.66 KBDownload
PreviewAntony Funston has been plant manager at the Port Elizabeth facility since 2014.135.97 KBDownload

Antony Funston has been plant manager at Federal-Mogul’s Port Elizabeth gasket facility since 2014 (as well as being responsible for two manufacturing operations in Argentina), and has full responsibility for the financial performance of the business, with the main focus on continuous growth and improved performance. This is achieved through production efficiency, and ensuring that the service departments support production. New business growth is a key aspect, and is split into two focus areas. While aftermarket growth is through new product introductions, and being first-to-market with Federal-Mogul Motorparts’ high quality Payen® brand, this can never be to the detriment of quality.

 

“Our original equipment (OE) business growth on our thermal shielding products is focused on ensuring that our customers receive quality products at a target price. Diversification in this area is important so that our customers receive a full range of products to meet their needs. Understanding our unique competitive space has yielded significant business wins, and continues to drive our strategic growth,” Funston explained.

 

Established in 1954, the Port Elizabeth gasket plant has 247 employees, working between two and three shifts over five days a week. The plant is supplemented by bearing and valve production in Pinetown and friction products in Prospecton. “By producing a more complete range of products out of South Africa for South African customers, and also exporting to global markets, we maintain our offering of a range of excellent high-quality brands for our customers,” Funston continued.

 

The Port Elizabeth gasket facility has seen significant expansion over the years, not only in its infrastructure and equipment, but also to the entire product range. This has evolved from its early days as a cork gasket manufacturing company to its current broad range of modern gasket technology and heat shielding products. A variety of both mechanical and hydraulic presses are used in the manufacturing process. Robotics are utilised where possible to improve productivity and ensure continued competitiveness. Other key equipment includes sonic knife cutters, auto kitting lines, and a two-axis laser cutter.

 

The facility complies with AITF16949 quality standards, which involved transitioning from the previous TS16949 standards. “This ensures we implement the most recent quality standards demanded by our OE customers. We apply the same standards to the aftermarket products we manufacture, as all our products are made in the same facility to the same quality standards and principles,” Funston said.

 

Significant investment in new machinery, including robotics, ensures continuous improvement in accuracy, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. “However, through all the change we have stayed true to our manufacturing heritage of high quality gaskets under the Payen Brand.”

 

For the aftermarket, the facility produces Payen gaskets and seals, while for OE and Tier 1 customers it produces heatshields, brackets, catalytic cones, exhaust flanges, muffler blanks, and gaskets.

 

“Our customer base is diverse, with customers based globally, including African markets for our aftermarket business. These are all supplied through our distribution centre (DC) in Johannesburg,” Funston notes.

 

Commenting on the importance of localised manufacture and sourcing of raw materials, Funston explains that South Africa is a key entry point into the African market. “Our local manufacturing supports our DC in supplying product to the aftermarket. In terms of our OE business, our South African footprint allows us to supply the local market competitively from within South Africa.

 

“This entails significant benefits for our customers regarding the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP) benefits offered by the government. South Africa is still a competitive manufacturing country if you know where your capabilities lie and what your competitive advantage is,” Funston asserts.

 

In terms of the latest developments at the Port Elizabeth gasket facility, Funston highlights that any expansion of existing manufacturing capability depends on product-range growth. “Understanding our unique competitive space, and capitalising on this, remains our strategic objective, and we have seen great benefits in this process. The expansion of our heat-shielding capabilities into different products has been very successful, and we are experiencing significant growth in this area,” he concludes.

 

About Federal-Mogul

Federal-Mogul LLC is a leading global supplier of products and services to the world’s manufacturers and servicers of vehicles and equipment in the automotive, light, medium and heavy-duty commercial, marine, rail, aerospace, power generation and industrial markets. The company’s products and services enable improved fuel economy, reduced emissions and enhanced vehicle safety.

 

Federal-Mogul operates two independent business divisions, each with a chief executive officer reporting to Federal-Mogul's Board of Directors.

 

Federal-Mogul Motorparts sells and distributes a broad portfolio of products through more than 20 of the world’s most recognized brands in the global vehicle aftermarket, while also serving original equipment vehicle manufacturers with products including braking, wipers and a range of chassis components. The company’s aftermarket brands include ANCO® wipers; Beck/Arnley® premium OE quality parts and fluids; BERU®* ignition systems; Champion® lighting, spark plugs, wipers and filters; Interfil® filters; AE®, Fel-Pro®, FP Diesel®, Goetze®, Glyco®, National®, Nüral®, Payen®, Sealed Power® and Speed-Pro® engine products; MOOG® chassis components; and Abex®,Ferodo®, Jurid® and Wagner® brake products and lighting.

 

Federal-Mogul Powertrain designs and manufactures original equipment powertrain components and systems protection products for automotive, heavy-duty, industrial and transport applications.

Federal-Mogul was founded in Detroit in 1899 and maintains its worldwide headquarters in Southfield, Michigan. The company employs nearly 55,000 in 24 countries. For more information, please visit www.FMmotorparts.com.

 

 

*BERU is a registered trademark of BorgWarner

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