Electricity and Control September 2023

DRIVES, MOTORS + SWITCHGEAR : PRODUCTS + SERVICES

ABB invests in localisation of MV switchgear

ABB’s Longmeadow campus in Modderfontein, Johan nesburg, spans 43 520 m 2 with offices, manufacturing, and logistics centres. As part of the company’s strategic plan to strengthen local manufacturing, ABB has invest ed over R10 million to complete additional technology transfer that brings the manufacture of UniGear ZS1 me dium voltage switchgear to South Africa. Previously, the product was fully imported from the Czech Republic, or other countries when needed. As a result of the latest investment, 60% to 70% of the tech nology will now be locally manufactured and assembled. The company’s customers will benefit from greater de sign flexibility, faster availability, and decreased costs due to reduced import costs and delivery times. Commenting on this development, Yunus Hoosen, Head of InvestSA, an agency of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, said: “The South African switchgear market is expected to grow, driven by increasing investments in sustainable power generation as well as the growing population. This investment by ABB illustrates the importance of the domestic market to multinationals and the strategic location of South Africa to serve a rapidly growing African market.”

Hoosen added: “The ABB in vestment further signifies that South Africa remains an attractive invest ment destination across all sectors, including the advanced manufac turing sector.” The Distribution Solutions facto ry within the campus now employs around 120 people, ten of whom have been newly employed due to this investment. ABB plans to in crease these numbers, employing more permanent engineers, con tractors, and graduates – through its graduate programme, for exam

ple, in which over 70 graduates are currently participat ing. In this way, ABB South Africa is playing its part in creating jobs in the country. The company has also started the process of increasing the localisation of its Compact Secondary Substations (CSS), due to be completed by October 2023.

Wiring the switchgear is

typically the most time-consuming aspect of production. (Photo: Electricity + Control)

For more information visit: www.abb.com

SEPTEMBER 2023 Electricity + Control

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