With South Africa’s agricultural industry breaking export and production records in 2025, preventing unplanned downtime has never been more important - particularly in critical drive and automation systems.
According to Dwane Jacobs, SEW-EURODRIVE’s Cape Town Branch Manager, the company’s drive technology is playing an increasingly integral role in the sector by helping to improve productivity, reliability and efficiency. Its industrial gear units, high efficiency motors, variable frequency drives and automation software form part of a growing range of solutions being adopted in agriculture-related operations, Jacobs says.
Pilot Crushtec and Metso bring next-generation crushing to Africa
Juanita Pienaar spoke with Pilot Crushtec International sales and marketing director Francois Marais and Janne Lahtela, Product Manager, Lokotrack Quarry, at the South African launch of the Lokotrack LT400J. The event, hosted by Pilot Crushtec, marked the first introduction of Metso’s new-generation diesel-electric jaw crusher to the African market. This innovation blends performance, efficiency, and sustainability in a single, robust package.
Weir upgrades eastern cape heavy bay foundry to meet global demand
In the Eastern Cape port city of Gqeberha, Weir’s Heavy Bay Foundry (HBF) is undergoing unprecedented expansion, establishing itself as a central manufacturing hub within the group’s global supply network.
The foundry produces large high performance cast components used in Weir’s extensive range of pumps, screens, and crushers. Following major infrastructure and process upgrades, the facility has doubled its production capacity to meet rising demand from the global mining sector.
Driving resilience, delivering solutions
Juanita Pienaar spoke with Stuart Potter, MD of Volvo Trucks South Africa, about the realities shaping the local heavy truck market, the shift towards sustainability, and how partnerships are becoming central to fleet success.
South Africa’s heavy truck industry is navigating a complex and often unforgiving operating environment. According to Stuart Potter, fleet owners are contending with a convergence of pressures that go beyond the usual cost considerations.
“For fleet owners, the current environment is one where fuel volatility, infrastructure constraints, and security risks add constant pressure,” he explains.
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