“This opportunity comes at a time when water is recognised as a limited, high-value resource,” states Jacques Squire, Water and Wastewater Segment Leader at Schneider Electric South Africa. “The United Nations projects that if current water usage trends continue, by 2030 the world will have only 60% of the water it needs. This pending scarcity compounds pressures already mounting in the industry.”

Industry pressures

“Water is increasingly being recognised as a high-value commodity, but the factors listed below present a major threat to organisations that treat and deliver water.”

• Aging infrastructures contribute to water losses and inefficiencies
• Cash-strapped municipalities demand greater fiscal accountability to reduce the cost of supplying, treating and conserving water
• Skilled personnel age out of the workforce faster than the replacement pool is growing
• Climate extremes challenge water treatment, supply, wastewater, and storm water management capabilities
• Regulations on energy, water quality, standard of service, and emissions are increasingly stringent
• Threat of cyberattack looms

Improving asset management is first step

“While the industry attacks such challenges on many fronts, including water conservation and demand management, improving asset performance is one of the most effective strategies a water and wastewater plant or network can take to reduce costs and protect quality.

“It can help counter the effects of aging infrastructure, reduce total cost of ownership, empower maintenance teams to do more with less and ultimately optimise the performance of each asset. Asset management has become a top concern among a growing number of water operations, with 42.7% of water industry respondents citing ‘maintaining or expanding asset life^[1]’ as their most significant sustainability issue.

“As recognition of the value of asset management grows, the practice is steadily maturing, advancing from reactive run-to-failure approaches to predictive and prescriptive strategies, in which increasingly intelligent assets all but manage themselves.

“ARC Advisory Group^[2] reports that moving up the scale from preventive and condition-based approaches to predictive and prescriptive strategies has enabled users to cut the cost of maintenance labour and MRO (Maintenance, repair and operations) materials by 50%.

“ARC analysts also estimate that on average, industrial operations lose about 5% of their operating budgets to downtime, which can be reduced to zero through more sophisticated asset management techniques. Eliminating downtime can ripple benefits well beyond maintenance productivity, impacting service delivery, product quality cost and many other factors.

“New capabilities to collect, analyse and share process data digitally bring the benefits of asset performance improvement well within the reach of even the smallest operations. Results offer 50% reduction in maintenance costs; 30% reduction in energy costs; and 5% improved productivity.”

Implementation through IIoT

“Achieving asset performance management in a cost-effective way involves augmenting traditional client/server information architectures with technologies such as industrial internet of things (IIoT) gateways, edge analytics, and cloud computing, which are more open and amenable to digital control.

“Collecting operational data from connected assets, such as pumps, and sharing it with real-time decision support applications – in the cloud or on premises – is how digitisation improves asset performance. It involves bringing information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) together securely in ways that were not feasible previously.

“The EcoStruxure architecture for water & wastewater provides a platform that can guide the management, integration, evolution and protection of digital infrastructure as clients move to the benefits of asset performance improvement. It models the flow of information from smart field devices at the base layer, through gateways and controllers at the middle and edge layers, into IT applications and analytical services for ultimate presentation to decision makers.

“Partitioning digital infrastructure in this way provides an orderly framework for introducing digital technologies to improve asset performance. It will help achieve the following three objectives.

1. Secure baseline reliability of assets
2. Enhance baseline reliability through advanced IT and digital applications
3. Optimise asset performance strategically, enhancing digital tools and techniques through further integration with multiple assets and all relevant plant operating data

Returns in three months

EcoStruxure clients are able to:

• Optimise asset availability and utilisation
• Manage aging infrastructure
• Reduce Capex
• Control Opex
• Manage energy costs
• Reinforce physical and cyber security
• Empower your workforce
• Comply with environmental and safety regulations

“Most of our clients who implement asset performance improvement programs begin seeing a return on investment in as little as three months,” concludes Squire.

For more information, go to  www.se.com/ww/en/download/document/998-20541252/

About Schneider Electric

At Schneider, we believe access to energy and digital is a basic human right. We empower all to make the most of their energy and resources, ensuring Life Is On everywhere, for everyone, at every moment.

We provide energy and automation digital solutions for efficiency and sustainability. We combine world-leading energy technologies, real-time automation, software and services into integrated solutions for Homes, Buildings, Data Centers, Infrastructure and Industries.

We are committed to unleash the infinite possibilities of an open, global, innovative community that is passionate about our Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values.

For more information, go to www.se.com/za.

[1] 2018 Strategic Directions Water Report, Black & Veatch; survey of 517 water industry operations, engineering and executives

[2] ARC Advisory Group – Reducing Unplanned Downtime and Helping Future-proof Automation System Assets

In a recent speech at the annual NAAMSA Conference in Kyalami, Kirby said the seven largest vehicle manufacturers are considering  R40 billion in direct investments, with an additional R20 billion earmarked for component making.

The industry wants to increase the use of locally-produced components in vehicles.

“We expect local procurement to grow by R12.6 billion in the next five years together with a 14% increase in direct employment, which equates to creating another 16 000 jobs, mainly in the component manufacturing sector as local content grows from 39% to at least 42%.”

The component sector needed to urgently develop smaller  suppliers, Kirby added, and the industry wants to help establish 500 smaller suppliers with 130 of them black owned. The industry also welcomes an initiative by the local steel industry to investigate the production of automotive-grade steel in SA.

He stressed the importance of being globally competitive in terms of cost, quality, and reliability of supply as several other countries were eyeing South Africa’s automotive export markets.

“Growing production volumes, increasing localisation significantly and using the latest technologies in all aspects of the business are vital to transform the South African automotive industry and to this end the aim was increase output from the 610 000 vehicles made in 2018 to 800 000 in 2023,”  Kirby said.

July’s trade data showed a 22% monthly increase in exports of vehicles and transport equipment, to the value of R3 billion.

Some 407 000 people are employed in the vehicle industry.

Source:

The high commission’s Naomi Nyawali said reports have been received of some Zambian truck drivers being threatened with violence ahead of a planned nationwide work stoppage by their disgruntled South African counterparts.

“According to the information made available to the Zambian mission, some Zambian truck drivers have faced physical attacks and threats from their South African counterparts who are fighting for better conditions of services from their employers,” said Nyawali.

Notices doing the rounds on Twitter and WhatsApp from unidentified individuals purporting to be representing South Africa truck drivers have been calling for a nationwide wide work stoppage among South African drivers from September 2. The notices seen by African News Agency also warn that “no foreign truck drivers will be allowed to drive across South Africa”.

“It is with this background that [Zambia’s High Commission] would like to advise all Zambian truck drivers who are scheduled to travel to South Africa on the mentioned date not to do so until  security is guaranteed,” said Nyawali.

“The mission would also want to advise Zambian Truck drivers who will enter or would be working in South Africa on the 2nd of September 2019 to park their trucks in safe and secure designated places in order avoid loss of life and property. The mission has in the past engaged [Pretoria’s] department of international relations on the safety of Zambian truck drivers, and [was] assured of tight security measures that the South African government was putting in place.”

African News Agency/ANA

Aspen, with a presence in 56 countries spanning six continents, said on Thusday the split would improve its focus on products and customers.

In its half-year results statement, it said a second phase of the review would concentrate on developing strategies specific to each division, although it did not say what the two divisions would be.

Source: Rueters

The Business Summit will be held on 29-30 April 2018 at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg and seeks to maximise the potential of the economic and commercial partnership between South Africa and India leveraging both the ‘Invest SA’ and Invest India’
initiatives.

South Africa’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies described South Africa’s relationship with India as strategic. He said that even though South Africa’s total investment to India increased to R10.3 billion in 2017 from R1.4 billion in 2003, a lot needed to be done to increase investments and create jobs in both countries. He mentioned adding value to products as important, and could change the current picture of trade between the two countries, which is based more on exporting raw materials than manufactured products.

“Between January 2003 and September 2017, South Africa recorded a total of 29 FDI projects to India. These projects represent a total capital investment of R10.3 billion which is an average investment of R358.83 million. During the period a total of 5871 jobs were created,” said Minister Davies.

The event will open with a Dinner and a Tribute to Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi choreographed by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mr. Gavin Rajah on 29 April 2018.

“India and South Africa share a strategic partnership that is over 200 years old. There are over 130 Indian companies in South Africa with an investment of about US $ 8 billion., employing approximately 18,000 South Africans,” explains Mr Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Commerce and Industry of India ahead of the summit. This Summit seeks to chart the way forward for the India –South Africa relationship.

The Confederation of Indian Industry and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry will lead business delegations from India to the event. Companies from both countries will have exhibition booths at the Sandton Convention Centre and business to
business meetings for interested companies will be facilitated on-site.

Both Ministers Shri Suresh Prabhu and Dr Rob Davies will deliver the keynote address. The Summit will also see the participation of the Premier of Gauteng Province, Mr David Makhura as well as Ministers, Chief Executive Officers and industry specialists from both South Africa and India.

2018 marks a significant year in South Africa – India relations, being the 25th year of establishment of diplomatic relations; 125 years of the Pietermaritzburg train ‘incident’ and the centenary of President Nelson Mandela. ]]> https://www.samanufacturing.co.za/the-dti-and-the-high-commission-of-india-in-pretoria-to-host-india-south-africa-business-summit/feed/ 0 https://www.samanufacturing.co.za/sa-senegal-rev-up-business-connections/ https://www.samanufacturing.co.za/sa-senegal-rev-up-business-connections/#respond Wed, 08 Nov 2017 10:37:32 +0000 https://www.samanufacturing.co.za/?p=1909 President Jacob Zuma says the South Africa-Senegal Business Forum must actively seize the opportunities created by the bilateral relations between the two countries, to increase trade opportunities.

The President was addressing the forum on Tuesday, which met in Cape Town to discuss efforts to increase trade and investment between the two countries. The forum took place amid a State visit by Senegalese President Macky Sall, which set to reaffirm commitment between the two States to increase economic cooperation.

“It is encouraging to see that relations between our two countries are getting stronger. However, we need to work together to improve economic cooperation for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples,” said President Zuma when welcoming President Sall.

Total trade between South Africa and Senegal had reached R1.8 billion by the end of December 2017. Trade between the two countries takes place mainly in machinery, vehicles, plastics and chemical products.

“While we welcome the growth, it is important to add that this trade pattern does not reflect the excellent political relations that our two countries enjoy. It is my sincere hope that this forum has set in motion the work that needs to be done to make our bilateral trade more equitable,” said President Zuma.

The forum was held under the theme ‘Increasing Trade and Investment between South Africa and Senegal’, which correctly captured its strategic intent.

The Business Forum was preceded by the Joint Commission for Bilateral Co-operation (JCBC), which took place on Friday, 20 October 2017.

The JCBC serves as a framework to enhance cooperation and efforts are focussed on increasing trade and investment with emphasis on the economic, commercial, scientific and technological fields.

President Zuma encouraged officials to speedily conclude the terms of reference, which will pave the way for the launch of the Joint Trade and Investment Committee (JTIC). This committee will preside over and also implement programmes that are aimed at the facilitation of technical, industrial and investment cooperation.

“If both the private sector and government, through State-owned enterprises, begin trading more intentionally with each other, then we would be making progress towards realising Africa’s ambition of growing and developing through regional integration. Our efforts to boost intra-Africa trade must be more deliberate,” said President Zuma.

Addressing trade imbalance

The Department of Trade and Industry has formed a unit called Trade Invest Africa, which is mandated to facilitate the import of African value-added manufactured products into South Africa. This is a deliberate step to boost intra-African trade and invest.

It is anticipated that through Trade Invest Africa, the number of South African companies that invest in Senegal will increase because of the access to capital as well as access to markets and contracts.

Companies trading and investing in South Africa and Senegal

The Standard Bank Group, Black Rhino and Kumba Resources were given the thumbs up as South African companies making a significant contribution, with R3 billion of capital expenditure invested.

Over 1 000 employment opportunities have been created through these companies across wide-ranging sectors such as financial services, transportation and mining. The development finance institutions of South Africa have also contributed funding and capital to Senegal.

An example of these investments is the construction of the new Blaise Diagne International Airport, which has been co-funded by the Industrial Development Cooperation with six other funders at an estimated amount of R564 million.

South Africa also wants to take advantage of a range of other opportunities for investment in sectors such as agriculture and agro-processing, infrastructure, which includes rail, ports, roads, airports, pipelines, mining, energy and tourism.

South African State-owned enterprises and other development finance institutions such as the Industrial Development Corporation, Development Bank of Southern Africa and Export Credit Insurance Corporation also want a piece of the pie and have expressed a keen interest in participating in both industry and infrastructure projects for the benefit of the two countries.

“We must put action behind our words, so that our efforts can turn our trade, investment and economic dreams into a reality in our lifetime,” said President Zuma. – SAnews.gov.za