Page 16 - KZN Top Business Portfolio 2018

KwaZulu-Natal is a national leader in the production hub for original equipment manufacturers (OEM)
of chemicals and plastics. Most of KwaZulu-Natal’s supplying Toyota with products that make some of
chemicals output is produced within the eThekwini their vehicles.
municipality. KwaZulu-Natal produces one third of
South Africa’s plastic needs using 150 000 tons of Maritime Industry
polymer. The chemical industry is also well developed The Blue economy is underpinned by Operation
with several large plants and two oil refineries – Phakisa Oceans Economy, which aims to unlock the
Engen and Sapref. economic potential of South Africa’s ocean economy
and fast track the achievement of the National
KwaZulu-Natal is a significant producer of vehicles and
components (e.g. Toyota, Volvo, Desmond Equipment, Development Plan 2030 goals.
MAN). New investments in a variety of manufacturing The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Integrated Maritime
plants are expected to diversify an already impressive Strategy was conceived as a compass to direct the
array of production capabilities. province with respect to the priorities to broaden the
Recently, Mahindra South Africa opened its new developmental scope of the ocean economy. The boat
vehicle assembly facility where it will assemble the building and repair industry presents opportunities for
Pik Up in both single - and double-cab body styles. economic growth and job creation, given its labour
Located in the Dube TradePort, the new facility intensity, strong backward linkages to industries such
was constructed in partnership with AIH Logistics. as steel manufacturing, as well as skills development.
Mahindra SA says the move represents an initial Durban boasts the largest and busiest ship repair
investment of R10-million in facilities and equipment. facility on the South African coast and one of the
Full production is to start in July 2018. The new most efficient in the southern hemisphere. Operation
assembly facility will have an annual production Phakisa has resulted in high quality maintenance
capacity of 2 500 bakkies on a single-shift operation. and repairs to the ship repair facilities at the Port of
Mahindra is one of the six best-selling bakkie brands Durban, with millions of Rands having been invested
in South Africa. in these facilities.
The Provincial Government is to support the auto- The Port of Richards Bay has been identified through
motive sector by establishing an automotive supplier Operation Phakisa as being strategically positioned to
park in Durban. The development is designed to build undertake ship/rig repairs given its proximity to oil and
about 200 mini factories, encompassing a variety of gas finds in Africa.
options from smaller light industrial units, to large
warehouse unit, commercial offices and transport and Southern African Shipyards has been building nine
logistics facilities. tugboats for Transnet to the value of R1.5 billion. The
contract created approximately 200 additional jobs
The park will primarily serve the Toyota car manu- and more than 60 apprentice artisans in training as well
facturing plant in Prospecton, being a centralised as three marine engineers.

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