The CEO of Actom Group, Mervyn Naidoo, said the Pretoria West facility had been restored into a modern manufacturing operation that had revived transformer manufacturing capability, preserved jobs and created a platform for future industrial growth.
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THE Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) has welcomed Actom’s continued expansion of its manufacturing operations at its Pretoria West facility, describing the investment as a strong demonstration of South Africa’s industrial capability and opportunities being created through localisation, infrastructure investment and industrialisation.
The revitalised Pretoria West facility has been transformed into an integrated manufacturing hub for large power transformers, high-voltage equipment and lithium-ion battery energy storage systems, strengthening South Africa’s capability to manufacture critical energy infrastructure locally while supporting industrial growth, job creation and export competitiveness.
The expansion aligns with the objectives of the dtic’s recently launched industrialisation strategy, which seeks to strengthen domestic manufacturing, deepen localisation, increase value addition and improve the competitiveness of South African industry.
It also supports the government’s broader objective of ensuring that infrastructure investment translates into expanded local manufacturing capacity, stronger domestic supply chains and sustainable economic growth.
Delivering the keynote address the event hosted by Actom this week to announce the expansion, the acting Deputy Director-General of Sectors at the dtic, Dr Tebogo Makube, said investments of this nature demonstrate the practical implementation of the dtic’s industrial policy objectives.
“The department’s industrialisation strategy is aimed at strengthening South Africa’s productive industrial base by encouraging investment, expanding manufacturing capability and increasing localisation.
“Actom’s continued expansion demonstrates how South African manufacturers are responding to these opportunities while contributing towards industrial competitiveness, job creation and long-term economic growth,” Makube said.
He further said that strengthening local manufacturing capability would ensure that South Africa’s infrastructure investment programme delivers greater domestic value addition, supplier development and export opportunities.
“As South Africa continues to modernise its infrastructure, it is essential that local manufacturers are well positioned to participate in these opportunities. Expanding domestic industrial capability will strengthen supply chains, support localisation and position South African manufacturers to compete successfully in regional and international markets,” Makube said.
He explained that investments such as Actom’s were critical to advancing South Africa’s industrialisation agenda by strengthening local manufacturing capability, supporting localisation, creating quality employment opportunities and positioning South African manufacturers to participate more effectively in regional value chains under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The CEO of Actom Group, Mervyn Naidoo, said the Pretoria West facility had been restored into a modern manufacturing operation that had revived transformer manufacturing capability, preserved jobs and created a platform for future industrial growth.
“Actom’s aggregate consolidated investment of approximately R40 million across its high-voltage equipment and static energy operations reflects the group's long-term commitment to local manufacturing and industrial expansion while creating approximately 80 new employment opportunities and strengthening South Africa's strategic energy manufacturing capability,” Naidoo said.
The Managing Director of Actom Static Energy, Louis Heyns said integrating battery, inverter, transformer and medium-voltage manufacturing onto a single industrial campus had created one of South Africa’s most comprehensive local energy storage manufacturing capabilities while positioning the business for further growth.