MechChem Africa November 2018

⎪ Products and industry news ⎪

A little over two years ago, the first soil was turned on an open plot of land in Witfontein, KemptonPark, Johannesburg. Today, this 16000m 2 sitehosts the central hubof Africa’s largest hydraulic, pneumat- ics and automation company, the Bosch RexrothSouthAfricaGroupofCompanies, formerly the Hytec Group. By mid-June this year, six companies – Rexroth HUBB launches new era in Africa Hytec, TectraAutomation, Hytec Services Africa, HYSA, H gglunds and Bosch Rexroth South Africa – had completed their relocation to the Rexroth HUBB. Now under a single roof with centralised production, training facilities, engineer- ing, sales and support offices, the Rexroth HUBB – an acronym for ‘Hytec Unified By Bosch’ – is a truly fitting name for this state-of-the-art facility, where approxi- mately 300 of theGroup’s 800 employees now work.

the Rexroth HUBB will play a key role in meeting the ensuing requirements for intelligent, connected solutions. Significant expansion of training facili- ties across the hydraulics and pneumatics fields, as well as the rapidly developing discipline ofmechatronics, will ensure the Group expands its footprint as a knowl- edge centre for some of the continent’s leading technical minds influid power and automation technologies. “Across the world, the Bosch Rexroth brand is synonymous with quality and in- novative engineering. The RexrothHUBB is no different. From a completely ergo- nomic production layout down toa variety of energy-saving building features – such as ultra-efficient smart heat exchange- based HVAC and intelligent lighting systems – a focus onworkplace efficiency, employee comfort and safety, makes this a world-class facility and a truly great place to work. Greater integration amongst both the individual GroupCompanies, and betweenofficeandproduction spaces, has created a more interactive and collabora- tive environment that enable us to service our customers even better,” notes Olsen. “In addition to allowing the Group to consolidate its own internal business activities, this R200-million investment also demonstrates the confidence and optimism we share for industrial growth and business in South Africa, as well as in the other African markets. With state- of-the-art facilities tailored to providing solutions for Africa’s industrial markets, we are ready to meet the continent’s re- quirements for smart, efficient hydraulic, pneumatics andautomationtechnologies,” he concludes. www.hytecgroup.co.za

While the Rexroth HUBB signifies the beginning of a new chapter in the Group’s proud history, fundamentally, the business model that has made the Hytec Group so successful in southernAfricawill continue to guide its future growth across the continent. “For our customers, consolidating the GroupCompanies’ lean assembly, produc- tion and logistical capabilities andphiloso- phies within a single location means we can reduce the number of intralogistical transactions, streamlining our handling efficiency to supply our technologies to market with even greater speed,” says Tillmann Olsen, CEO of Bosch Rexroth South Africa. Sharing the premises with Bosch Rexroth’s SouthAfrican product develop- ment and support division further con- solidates theHytecGroup/BoschRexroth partnership that has existed for over 50 years, and increases proximity between Bosch Rexroth’s R&D and manufacturing centres in Germany and its 40 branches acrossAfrica. AsAfricanmarkets continue their migration towards the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 technologies,

At the launch of the Bosch Rexroth HUBB are, from left: Stephen Dondolo, CEO African Pioneer Group; Markus Forschner CFO of Bosch Rexroth AG; Lionel October, DG of the Department of Trade and Industry; Martin Schäfer, German Ambassador to SA; Tillmann Olsen, CEO of Bosch Rexroth SA; and Markus Thill, president, Bosch Africa.

BMG and Fenner enhanced supply agreement BMG has strengthened its 20 year relationship with Fenner, by en- hancing the Fenner power transmission portfolio with the addition of Fenner conveyor belting products. “Through a long-term agreement with Fenner Conveyor Belting, BMG is the exclusive distributor of Fenner

conveyor belting. Fenner products are manufactured at the Isando plant, according to stringent international quality standards. “Fenner’s field services teams have been integrated into the BMG Engineering Hub and we know that shared skills, equipment and experiencewill benefit our extended customer base,” adds Scott. BMG, with a technically competent team and a well established network of over 130 branches, is well positioned to develop sales opportunities and provide support for Fenner conveyor belting. Through this newagreement, BMGwill supply the recently launched Fenner rEscan system, which is a belt diagnostic device available as a purchaseor rental option. The rental option includesmonthly reports and technical back-up. This highly effective tool is designed for preventivemaintenance, ensuring reduced downtime on steel cord conveyors. BMG’s technical solutions service, which includes 24-hour sup- port, transforms quality products into innovative solutions and ensures operational efficiencies at every plant. www.bmgworld.net

conveyor belting products locally and in sub-Saharan Africa,” says Donovan Scott, business unit manager, bulk materials handling, BMG. “As part of this arrangement, BMG has also acquired Fenner’s Engineered Conveyor Solutions (ECS) service operations and related assets in South Africa. “This means BMG now supplies a wide rangeof Fenner conveyor belting, which includes steel cordand solidwoven

34 ¦ MechChem Africa • November 2018