Electricity and Control June 2023

INDUSTRY 4.0 + IIOT

Transitioning to a digital future Claudio Ranaudo took up the position of Senior Vice President Digital Industries at Siemens, Sub-Sahara Africa, towards the end of 2021.With more than 15 years’ experience within Siemens internationally, Claudio has handled various roles and portfolios, including water, oil and gas, industrial automation, and the energy business. Prior to coming to South Africa, he was the Digital Industries Head of Siemens in Qatar and Oman as well as leading Business Development for the Middle East region. Leigh Darroll spoke to him at the recent Africa AutomationTechnology Fair.

Claudio Ranaudo, SVP Digital Industries at Siemens, Sub-Sahara Africa.

C onsidering his international expe rience, the first question was how South African industry compares in terms of automation and digitalisation. Ranaudo says South Africa presents a mixed picture. “In some sectors, like mining and minerals, the automotive industry and food and beverage industry, we see a very high standard of automation and IIoT applications. In others, across gen eral manufacturing for example, there are gaps in appli cation, skills and knowledge. This presents opportunities and we recognise great potential to grow and extend the use of digital technologies as well as, importantly, the skills base – through knowledge sharing and skills training pro grammes. “Extending our digital capability is not just for customers. We believe that skills, education and developing the right skill set, including engineering and soft skills, will be the key for success. This is a core focus for Siemens internationally. Developing an enabling digital ecosystem is front and centre in Siemens’ capacity development programmes.” For instance, Siemens South Africa has designed a program that will connect female mentors from around the world with the 600 young women in Africa participating in the

African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI). This partnership will upskill over 600 young African women in readiness for digital skills of the future. It is just one of several focused education and training programmes that Siemens supports in South Africa and the continent. Key industry sectors For Siemens Digital Industries in sub-Saharan Africa, key focus areas are in utilities and infrastructure, specifically in water and wastewater management, at national and municipal government levels, as well as the mining and minerals processing industries, and pharmaceuticals. Water and wastewater management are critical utilities services and, in these sectors, Siemens is developing valuable automation technologies and digital tools that support operational efficiencies and better infrastructure maintenance. With the need for skills training in South Africa and other African countries, particularly in infrastructure, Siemens is doing the development work which is supported by the German government and a range of suppliers. In mining and minerals processing, the company works with most of South Africa’s leading mining houses, at sites in the country as well as across the continent. In the pharmaceuticals sector, Ranaudo highlights that when Covid 19 struck, Siemens was instrumental in helping establish the first vaccine manufacturers in SA and on the continent. “We collaborated with key vaccine manufacturers to enable our technology for the manufacturing of the vaccines.” He adds that post the pandemic, these companies are now producing a wider range of vaccines that serve South Africa and other African countries such as Rwanda, Senegal, and Ghana. Challenges and opportunities Ranaudo notes that the challenges industry faces here are well recognised, as are the obstacles to foreign investment in South Africa. “All investors look for political stability, reliable, established infrastructure in terms of power and water, employable people, and an environment supportive of business.” He adds that South Africa still holds the advantage of its geographical location: “It is well positioned, between two oceans and offering access into Africa. Generally, it offers a hospitable environment; it is a very liveable place. It has a large workforce and a

The water supply works at Thune Dam, Botswana, one of the infrastructure projects Siemens was involved in recently.

4 Electricity + Control JUNE 2023