The advanced manufacturing industry in South Africa has received a boost in its confidence internationally, for manufacturing of high technology parts for the aerospace industry.
This was evident as one of the advanced manufacturing companies, Aerosud was awarded full production contracts on the A400M military transport aircraft programme by Airbus Military and has commissioned one of the aerospace industry’s most capable state of art composites materials’ presses.
The awarding of the contract means that Aerosud’s responsibility for the A400M’s cockpit and fuselage interior linings, the wing tips and the galleys will now be extended to the full lifecycle of the A400M programme and will provide sustained work, high tech jobs and export revenues for South Africa. Historically, successful military transport aircraft programmes run for over 50 years.
Aerosud has benefited from the support provided by the Department of Trade and Industry’s (the dti’s) Aerospace Industry Support Initiative (AISI), which provides support to the aerospace industry with regards to, international standards and certification, OEM specific certification, development of new technologies and commercialisation thereof as well as providing them with needed domestic and international exposure.
Speaking at the media briefing to announce the awarding of the Airbus A400M production contract, the Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Rob Davies said the awarding of this tender shows the capability that South Africa has in the manufacturing of high technology products and indicates the growing confidence that the international market is gaining in the capabilities of the aerospace industry. .
“The aerospace industry is a strategic one one characterised by significant levels of value-addition and technology intensity. Because the global industry is heavily concentrated with complex supply chains in which suppliers have to meet the highest global standards, it is safe to state that it’s nota small achievement for a South African company to have become part of this supply chain,” said Davies.
According to Davies, through the AISI and National Aerospace Centre (NAC) programmes the dti has provided industry investment support as well as skills development in the previous financial year of R27 million supporting 169 organizations.
Davies said Aerosud had demonstrated how a close working relationship between government and the private sector is possible and sometimes necessary for companies to achieve success in a highly competitive industry and global economy.
“The lessons from this success should and must be used to support other companies, including black owned companies as part of government’s overall efforts to transform the economy and support black economic empowerment,” he added.
The Vice President of International Co-operation Airbus Mr Simon Ward said for Aerosud, its local supply chain and the South African industry, all of this represents incomparable potential for sustainable industrial, commercial and socio economic benefits.
“I am happy to re-affirm Airbus’ commitment to South Africa and its aerospace industry. Today Airbus-related work is the main contributor to the sector by value, and probably by volume in terms of the sheer number of parts manufactured here for our programmes. We have contracted work with local industry worth about R4 billion. Last year alone, the value of Airbus-related manufacturing in South Africa was worth around R350 million,” said Ward.
Paul Potgieter who is the Group Managing Director for Aerosud Holdings said Aerosud would not have gotten this far if it was not of the continuous support received from the dti. Minister Davies shown some of the products manufactured at the Aerosud plant in Centurion.
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