Electricity and Control November 2025

Control systems + automation: Products + services

New ways of working in SA’s automotive manufacturing industry

needs to think more broadly: “China is leading the way globally. We must think di¤erently to compete e¤ectively. We cannot rely on tari¤s on imported vehicles; we need to change how we do business. “This approach is driving a lot of our thinking as a business, looking to collaboration, joint ventures and strategic partnerships as new ways to create a sustainable competitive edge.” Collaboration “At Malben, excellence is a priority for us and we are looking at how we can industrialise locally and competitively to transform into a multinational via collaboration with a range of sector role players: the OEMs, our peers, steel mills, steel service centres and others. For the automotive industry to navigate successfully through the pressures it is encountering now, we need to look at all the elements we can bring together.” He highlights that Malben is involved in various sector forums where it has the opportunity to influence positive industry change. “For us to protect and grow our market – and the entire automotive sector – we need to be proactive and innovative. It is the only way we can contribute to making the sector sustainable.” Schafer says that for a company like Malben Engineering, membership of the NAACAM provides a valuable platform through which it can connect with decision-makers, its current and prospective clients, and promote its business. “Through our NAACAM membership – and events like the expo, Malben can provide inputs into future strategic direction and policy-making. We can take part in industry surveys, and access key industry findings more quickly – informing internal decision-making such as when operational shi§s or strategic changes are needed. “Through industry organisations we can play our role as an active and proactive participant in the local automotive component manufacturing sector,” Schafer says.

“In South Africa’s automotive sector, one can look at the problems and challenges, or one can look for the opportunity. We prefer opportunity – but we know that we need to create it,” says Marius Schafer, Commercial Director at Tier 1 automotive component manufacturer Malben Engineering. Following the August National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) expo – where the company showcased its automotive component manufacturing capabilities and networked with a diverse group of industry peers, stakeholders and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) – Schafer noted that common focal areas and concerns were discussed at the event, including industrial transformation in the local automotive sector and the value of innovation and collaboration. Innovation “As a company that manufactures complex assemblies and has a stronghold in the e-coating space, Malben Engineering attracted considerable interest at the expo. We are a proudly South African manufacturer of high-quality safety-critical automotive components and play an important part in the larger industrial ecosystem,” Schafer said. The significance of the automotive manufacturing industry in South Africa’s economy saw the event attended by the country’s Deputy President Paul Mashatile and Minister of Trade Industry and Competition, Parks Tau and other government representatives. Speaking at expo, Tau acknowledged Malben Engineering for its sustainability achievements, noting it as the first local automotive component manufacturer to trial the use of green steel, for which the company won the 2024 SEIFSA environmental award.

Localisation Localisation – in the production of raw materials and in

manufacturing components from imported raw materials – was a major focus of the expo, with one of the most widely discussed topics being China’s impact on the local market. Schafer says that during a recent automotive industry conference in Algeria, the challenge of making a car – in Africa, for Africa – was raised: “To make this viable, it was agreed that stability at policy level is needed. This applies for all the industry stakeholders,” he said. It is important that agreed policies should continue, providing stability even when governments change. “For the automotive sector, business is built on a 20 year cycle. Companies will not invest in presses, tools and machinery if there is the risk of constant change. An automotive manufacturing business has to be there for the long haul,” Schafer says. To this point, Malben Engineering’s 50-year plus track record serves as an important foundation: “In this sector, solid, sustainable businesses are essential – managed by people who are experienced and understand the automotive industry,” he adds, highlighting further: “The impact of what we do goes beyond the automotive parts being made.” Schafer believes that the local automotive industry

Left: Marius Schafer - Commercial Director and right: Marco Smargiasso -Technical Director at Malben Engineering’s company stand at the 2025 NAACAM expo.

16 Electricity + Control NOVEMBER 2025