The construction of SANY Southern Africa’s new headquarters and production campus marks a defining chapter for the brand’s regional presence - driving localisation, skills development, and sustainable industrial growth. Juanita Pienaar spoke with Hennie Louw, Operations and Marketing Manager at SANY Southern Africa, about the company’s landmark investment in its new headquarters and production campus - an ambitious development that reinforces SANY’s long-term commitment to the continent.
Building Africa’s industrial future
“South Africa stands as the industrial heart of the African continent,” says Louw. “Establishing our new Southern Africa headquarters and production campus here is a strategic commitment to long-term regional growth.”
With a total investment now exceeding R500-million, this development goes far beyond bricks and mortar. It’s a statement of intent: a belief that Africa is not merely a market to serve, but a partner in shaping the future of smart, sustainable mining and construction.
A strategic investment that grows with demand
Originally budgeted at R300-million, the scale of the project expanded significantly as plans evolved. “The total investment has now surpassed R500-million, reflecting both the project’s expansion and our deepening commitment to the region,” Louw explains.
As market demands grew, so did the vision. “The increase accounts for essential infrastructure additions such as a major component repair centre and advanced training facilities that were not part of the initial plan but became critical,” he says. These enhancements strengthen SANY’s ability to deliver faster response times, improved operational efficiency, and future-ready capacity.
In many ways, the rising investment mirrors the company’s confidence in South Africa’s potential to become a continental hub for industrial excellence.
First-of-its-kind local assembly
SANY’s decision to launch local assembly operations - a first among overseas yellow metal OEMs - is a defining milestone for the brand and the broader sector. “Our customers can expect shorter lead times, competitive pricing, and localised service excellence,” Louw affirms.
But the significance extends far beyond customer benefits. “For South Africa, it represents more than industrial expansion, it’s a transfer of technology, skills, and opportunity,” he continues. “Local assembly empowers communities, creates skilled jobs, and strengthens the national manufacturing base.”
This commitment is grounded in what SANY calls its #HereToStay philosophy -investing where it operates to drive shared growth and build enduring relationships across the value chain.
A world-class manufacturing standard
When production commences, the new facility is expected to produce more than 3 000 excavators and other machines annually. Maintaining global quality at this scale is non-negotiable.
“At SANY, Quality Changes the World. This principle applies to every factory - whether in China, South Africa, or anywhere else,” Louw says. The Southern Africa plant will mirror the same global manufacturing standards, processes, and quality controls that define the SANY experience worldwide. “Every machine that leaves our assembly line will carry the same reliability, strength, and precision that define SANY globally.”
This approach ensures that the company’s customers across the continent can trust that locally assembled doesn’t mean locally compromised - it means world-class machines, made closer to home.
Empowering through skills development
Skills transfer lies at the heart of SANY’s long-term regional strategy. “Skills development is central to our vision,” Louw emphasises. “The new campus includes dedicated training areas where technicians and engineers gain hands-on experience in component repair, diagnostics, and assembly.”
Beyond technical training, the company is also developing operator programmes to improve machine efficiency and site safety. “While we continue to formalise accreditation and compliance frameworks, our goal is to build a sustainable skills pipeline that empowers local talent for generations to come,” he adds.
The training focus ensures that SANY’s investment uplifts people as much as it builds infrastructure - creating opportunities that extend far beyond the company’s own workforce.
Aftersales excellence at the core
For Louw, the facility’s location in South Africa is also key to elevating service responsiveness. “With South Africa serving as the logistics hub for Southern Africa, the new headquarters places us at the centre of regional supply routes,” he says.
This centralisation allows faster access to equipment, genuine parts, and technical support - backed by regional training to ensure service teams are fully equipped. “We’re giving our teams the knowledge and resources to deliver world-class aftersales service - keeping our customers’ operations moving efficiently and reliably.”
Such an approach positions SANY as not just a supplier of machinery, but as a partner in productivity.
A workplace built on wellbeing
Unlike many industrial facilities, SANY’s new campus prioritises the wellbeing of its employees through thoughtful design. “At SANY, we believe that a healthy body and mind are the foundation of productivity and innovation,” Louw explains.
Features such as a gym, canteen, and rest gardens aren’t luxuries - they’re integral to SANY’s philosophy. “These spaces encourage our people to recharge, reflect, and reconnect, because when our teams thrive, our business thrives,” he says.
This ethos defines the company’s #LifeAtSANY culture - one “built on respect, growth, and belonging.” As Louw notes, “We don’t just build machines; we build environments where people feel valued and empowered.”
Collaborative strength
The project brings together SANY, Sinoma Engineering, and Prime Development, each contributing specialised expertise. “Sinoma Engineering brings world-class construction and project engineering capability, while Prime Development supports with local execution, compliance, and infrastructure development,” Louw says.
It’s a partnership that blends international best practice with local execution, ensuring the facility meets both global standards and regional realities.
Adapting for the future
The project’s completion date has been extended to December 2025, a change Louw attributes to strategic expansion rather than delay. “As the project evolved, we introduced additional scope to align with market demand - such as expanded assembly areas, advanced component repair facilities, and improved energy systems,” he explains.
While these changes required more time, they significantly enhance the facility’s long-term value. “We’ve strengthened project management structures and supplier coordination to ensure smooth delivery and no further major delays.”
Evolving beyond excavators
While excavator assembly forms the foundation, the facility’s capabilities will expand in phases. “Beyond excavator assembly, future lines will focus on electric mining trucks (EV trucks) and a major component repair centre,” says Louw.
These three key production streams - excavators, EV trucks, and component repair - will anchor SANY’s regional role in sustainable and intelligent mining solutions. “This evolution supports our <<i>>Designing Change<<i>> campaign by leading the shift toward energy-efficient and digitally integrated equipment,” he adds.
Driving regional growth and opportunity
Localisation is not just a manufacturing strategy, it’s a competitive advantage. “By localising production, service, and logistics, we’re not just improving cost and delivery efficiency - we’re embedding SANY deeper into the local value chain,” says Louw.
Proximity enables responsiveness and fosters closer collaboration with customers. “It’s a strategic advantage that positions SANY as a trusted long-term partner and a driver of regional industrial growth.”
The economic impact is equally significant. “The facility will directly create over 100 new jobs during its initial operational phase, with significant growth potential as production expands,” he notes. Beyond direct employment, the project stimulates opportunities for local suppliers, contractors, and training partners, helping to build a robust ecosystem around mining and construction.
“This investment demonstrates SANY’s long-term belief in Africa’s industrial future - an investment in people, progress, and shared prosperity,” Louw concludes.
A lasting legacy of local strength
SANY Southern Africa’s new headquarters and production campus stands as a symbol of confidence and collaboration. With its mix of world-class production, skills transfer, and community investment, it represents a future where industrial growth and human development advance hand in hand.
For SANY, this is not just about assembling machines - it’s about assembling a future built in Africa, for Africa.