Juanita Pienaar spoke with Raymond Obermeyer, Managing Director of SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa, about the company’s latest investment in infrastructure, its global growth strategy, and its commitment to future-proofing both its business and the local industry.
When SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa cut the ribbon on its new Service and Repair Centre in Johannesburg, it wasn’t simply celebrating a building, it was marking the next phase of a vision decades in the making.
“This is more than just a facility,” said Raymond Obermeyer, Managing Director of SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa. “It’s a symbol of growth, innovation, and our unwavering commitment to excellence. The multi-million rand investment demonstrates our promise to deliver world-class service and product quality, while strengthening the sustainability and self-sufficiency of our operations.”
The new 17 000 m² centre forms part of SEW-EURODRIVE’s long-term plan to localise manufacturing and expand its presence across Africa. Within just 12 months, the company has transformed what was once an empty site into a hub of learning, service, and innovation.”
Building a self-sufficient future
SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa has grown into one of the largest subsidiaries in the global SEW-EURODRIVE Group, now active in 57 countries. Obermeyer, who started his journey with SEW-EURODRIVE 37 years ago as a sales representative, has seen the business evolve from humble beginnings to an industry leader.
“I started selling SEW geared motors from my garage,” he recalls. “Back then, nobody wanted to venture into that product range. I decided to take it on and make it work - and from there, we just kept growing.”
That entrepreneurial spirit still drives SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa today. The new Service and Repair Centre is designed to consolidate the company’s capabilities under one roof, allowing SEW-EURODRIVE to control every stage of production - from fabrication to final assembly - without relying on external suppliers.
“With this facility, we’re able to take control of all aspects of our production process,” Obermeyer explains. “We will fabricate our own base plates, manufacture our own guards, assemble our own gearboxes, and fill them with our own oil. We’re aiming to become completely self-sustainable - what we call ‘true SEW-EURODRIVE DNA.’”
The centre includes CNC machines, lathes, grinders, sandblasting and stress-relieving equipment, all installed to ensure that SEW-EURODRIVE can handle complex repair and manufacturing tasks in-house. It also features 22 overhead cranes, with capacity to repair up to 30 industrial gearboxes at a time.
“We want to be the gearbox supplier and repairer of choice,” says Obermeyer. “This facility positions us to dominate the repair and service market in our industry - not just for SEW-EURODRIVE products, but for other OEMs as well. We’re not afraid to repair competitors’ gearboxes. In fact, we welcome it.”
Expanding into new markets
Alongside its repair capabilities, SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa is also preparing to assemble and service planetary gearboxes locally for the first time - a move that opens the door to new industries such as mining and sugar production.
“This allows us to go into new markets,” Obermeyer says. “We will assemble in South Africa up to 500 000 Newton-metre gearboxes off the shelf, with full stock and repair capabilities. It brings a whole new dimension to our product offering.”
The development reflects SEW-EURODRIVE’s broader commitment to innovation and diversification. While many businesses have reduced operations in the face of economic pressure, SEW-EURODRIVE continues to invest in new technologies and facilities. “Where others are downsizing, we are expanding,” Obermeyer notes. “We find opportunities in challenges. That’s why we’ve even purchased the property next door - another 20 000 m² - for future growth.”
The human element: skills and sustainability
Despite the state-of-the-art technology inside the new centre, Obermeyer insists that people remain SEW-EURODRIVE’s greatest asset. “I have a team I’d go to war with any day,” he says proudly. “They’re dedicated, driven, and they share a common purpose.”
However, like many leaders in South Africa’s industrial sector, he acknowledges the critical skills shortage facing the country. “The biggest challenge isn’t building a facility - it’s finding the human resources,” he explains. “The training institutions that used to produce skilled artisans and technicians no longer exist in the same way. There’s a massive gap, and most of the skilled people are either older or have left the country.”
To help bridge this gap, the top floor of the new building houses the SEW-EURODRIVE Drive Academy, a dedicated training facility focused on upskilling both staff and customers. The academy will play a central role in developing future industry leaders, offering training in areas such as digitalisation, automation, and artificial intelligence.
“Without training, the skills issue will only get worse,” says Obermeyer. “We want to ensure that our people and our customers are equipped for the future. The Drive Academy will be key to that.”
Powering growth through the “7-in-7” global strategy
The opening of the Service and Repair Centre comes at a pivotal time for SEW-EURODRIVE globally. The company’s “7-in-7 strategy” aims to achieve €7-billion in global turnover within seven years, coinciding with its 100th anniversary in 2031.
“This is a very interesting and unifying global strategy,” explains Obermeyer. “Every SEW-EURODRIVE worldwide - all 97 subsidiaries and 17 production facilities - is working towards the same goal. It brings us together, aligns our planning, and ensures that we all contribute to a shared vision.”
SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa, he adds, is expected to make a significant contribution. “We’re one of the larger operations globally, based on turnover. That’s something we’ve achieved through focus, teamwork, and continuous investment over the past seven years.”
During that period, SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa completed its flagship manufacturing plant in 2022, a facility that became the foundation for the current phase of expansion. “While others were at home during COVID, we were building,” Obermeyer recalls. “Now, we’re continuing that momentum with the Service and Repair Centre - part of our goal to future-proof the company.”
Location and logistics: why Johannesburg
When asked why the new centre was established in Johannesburg’s West Rand, Obermeyer’s answer is practical. “Our decision was based on infrastructure and people,” he explains. “Most of our staff live in this area. It’s a region with both blue-collar and white-collar communities, good access to highways, and stable power supply - all critical factors for a facility like ours.”
Electricity, in particular, was a decisive issue. “Motor testing and repair facilities require significant power,” he notes. “This area had the infrastructure in place from the World Cup era, and that made it a logical choice. It’s also an area that’s growing - if you look around, you’ll see new developments everywhere.”
A legacy of innovation and resilience
Reflecting on his 37 years with SEW-EURODRIVE, Obermeyer attributes the company’s success to a culture of innovation, customer focus, and resilience. “We’ve always listened to our customers,” he says. “They asked us for these facilities, and we delivered. We don’t just sell products, we offer solutions.”
That customer-centric approach has allowed SEW-EURODRIVE to stand apart from competitors. “Other OEMs in this industry don’t have facilities like this,” Obermeyer notes. “They don’t have the infrastructure or backup. That’s why SEW-EURODRIVE will continue to grow - because we’re providing what the market truly needs.”
As SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa approaches its 40th anniversary next year, the company shows no signs of slowing down. “We’re committed to building a future that’s sustainable, secure, and full of opportunity,” says Obermeyer. “For our customers, our employees, and the industry.”
And with its latest expansion, SEW-EURODRIVE has once again proven that its name is more than just a brand - it’s a promise of motion, progress, and purpose.
