Sparks Electrical News March 2021

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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Firm local base sets up Zest WEG for Africa growth E stablishing a strong local manufacturing base in South Africa has been integral to Zest WEG’s success over the past decade, building the economy and providing an important springboard into Africa.

over the years been able to engage South African authorities about local content requirements and industry development opportunities. “Our business – both in Brazil and South Africa – has put our weight behind economic empowerment and transformation, focusing heavily on local suppliers and local skills,” he says. Zest WEG’s investment in human capital exceeds the portion of payroll de- manded by B-BBEE in local training. Among other initiatives is a bursary pro- gramme, and it will shortly employ its third electrical engineer from this scheme. Vargas highlights the powerful launchpad that this groundwork has created for growing the company’s footprint in Africa, where it also applies its local develop- ment philosophy by partnering with in-country Value Added Resellers (VARs).

This process has aligned closely with the strate- gic approach of Brazil-based parent organisation WEG, which prioritises its member companies’ ca- pability, efficiency and innovation on a local level, according to Juliano Vargas, CEO of Zest WEG. “This has required considerable investment in our local production capacity and skills base,” says Vargas. “The outcome to date has been very suc- cessful, with Zest WEG developing its local struc- ture and supply chain while working to world-class standards and supported by WEG innovation.” As an example, he notes that Zest WEG today achieves almost 90% local content capability for its transformers and more than 70% local content capability for other products such as E-houses and panels. These products form part of the compa- ny’s wide range of solutions, including electric mo- tors; drives; switchgear; energy generation; electri- cal infrastructure and generator sets, with different levels of localisation. This locally developed supply chain delivers var- ious benefits to customers, says Vargas. These in- clude short lead times, as there is little reliance on Europe, China or the US for parts and components. “The impacts to our market are considerable, and we have more predictability and control of our supply chain,” he says. The company has em- braced South Africa’s commitment to transfor- mation, achieving Level 1 B-BBEE status and by investing heavily in training and enterprise devel- opment. It helped that WEG is a member of the BRICS Business Council (representing Brazil), so it has Hyde Park Corner rolls out solar panel project T he carbon footprint of Hyde Park Corner has decreased with the installation of a 384 kWp solar PV system on the two office block roofs and carports on the North Eastern park- ing deck. The system, rolled out by Solareff, consists of 900 430 W half cut Mono Percium panels which are currently the most commercially efficient panels available. The panels will generate approximately 674 400 kWh energy per annum translating into saving of approximately 701.4 tons in carbon emis- sions every year which equates to 5.38% of the to- tal annual energy requirements at Hyde Park being produced from renewable resources. The mall’s holding company is conscious of the business’s environmental impact. Hyprop CEO, Morné Wilken comments: “As part of Hyprop’s drive to continually minimise the impact on the environ- ment, one of our key focus areas is to reduce the consumption of natural resources where possible. The installation of solar, a renewable energy source, is only part of our drive towards positive change in creating safe environments and spaces where people can connect and be part of a community. At completion, six of our nine malls will be making use of solar power.” Hyde Park Corner’s Jacqui McGeehan expands: “This roll-out of solar panels will also mitigate the risk of continuous, rising electricity costs for the company.”

Enquiries: www.zestweg.com

The Zest WEG panel manufacturing facility in Robertsham.

Enquiries: www.solareff.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MARCH 2021