The Rexroth HUBB: A new era for Bosch Rexroth in Africa
1 August 2018
News & events
A little over two years ago, the first soil was turned on an open plot of land in Witfontein, Kempton Park, Johannesburg. Today, this 16 000 m² site hosts the central hub of Africa’s largest hydraulic, pneumatics and automation company, the Bosch Rexroth South Africa Group of Companies, formerly the Hytec Group.
By mid-June this year, six companies – Hytec, Tectra Automation, Hytec Services Africa, HYSA, Hügglunds and Bosch Rexroth South Africa – had completed their relocation to the Rexroth HUBB. Now under a single roof with centralised production, training facilities, engineering, sales and support offices, the Rexroth HUBB – an acronym for ‘Hytec Unified By Bosch’ – is a truly fitting name for this state-of-the-art facility, where approximately 300 of the group’s 800 employees now work.
Cutting the ribbon marking the official inauguration of the Rexroth HUBB, from l: Stephen Dondolo CEO, African Pioneer Group and director, Hytec & Bosch Rexroth South Africa; Dr Markus Forschner, executive president and chief financial officer, Bosch Rexroth AG; Lionel October (director general, Department of Trade and Industry; Martin Schäfer, German ambassador to South Africa; Tillmann Olsen, CEO, Bosch Rexroth South Africa; Dr Markus Thill, president, Bosch Africa).
While the Rexroth HUBB signifies the beginning of a new chapter in the group’s proud history, fundamentally, the business model that has made the Hytec Group so successful in southern Africa will continue to guide our future growth across the continent.
For our customers, consolidating the group companies’ lean assembly, production and logistical capabilities and philosophies within a single location means we can reduce the number of intralogistical transactions, streamlining our handling efficiency to supply our technologies to market with even greater speed.
Sharing the premises with Bosch Rexroth’s South African product development and support division further consolidates the Hytec Group/Bosch Rexroth partnership that has existed for over 50 years, and increases proximity between Bosch Rexroth’s R&D and manufacturing centres in Germany and our 40 branches across Africa. As African markets continue their migration towards the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 technologies, the Rexroth HUBB will play a key role in meeting the ensuing requirements for intelligent, connected solutions.
Significant expansion of our training facilities across the hydraulics and pneumatics fields, as well as the rapidly developing discipline of mechatronics, will ensure the group expands our footprint as a knowledge centre for some of the continent’s leading technical minds in fluid power and automation technologies.
Across the world, the Bosch Rexroth brand is synonymous with quality and innovative engineering. The Rexroth HUBB is no different. From a completely ergonomic production layout down to a variety of energy saving building features – such as ultra-efficient smart heat exchange-based HVAC and intelligent lighting systems – a focus on workplace efficiency, employee comfort and safety, makes this a world class facility and a truly great place to work. Greater integration amongst both the individual group companies and between office and production spaces has created a more interactive and collaborative environment that enables us to service our customers even better.
In addition to allowing the Group to consolidate its own internal business activities, this R200 million investment also demonstrates the confidence and optimism we share for industrial growth and business in South Africa, as well as in the other African markets. With state-of-the-art facilities tailored to providing solutions for Africa’s industrial markets, we are ready to meet the continent’s requirements for smart, efficient hydraulic, pneumatics and automation technologies.
Tillmann Olsen
Chief Executive Officer, Bosch Rexroth South Africa Group of Companies
For more information contact Willem Gijzelaar, Bosch Rexroth South Africa, +27 11 979 4630, [email protected][email protected], www.hytecgroup.co.za
Further reading:
Next-generation motor management solution
Schneider Electric South Africa
News & events Other technologies
Schneider Electric has launched its TeSys Tera motor management solution in the West African market, combining advanced motor protection, digital connectivity and real-time diagnostics for manufacturing, mining and water applications.
Read more...
Integrated Air Solutions places energy efficiency at centre stage
News & events
Integrated Air Solutions will showcase Tier 1 compressor brands, advanced technologies and compressed air solutions at Electra Mining Africa 2026, with energy efficiency and total cost of ownership at the core of its exhibition theme.
Read more...
SI programme strengthens partner ecosystem
Schneider Electric South Africa
News & events
Schneider Electric will soon officially launch its new System Integrator (SI) Programme, which will mark a major change in how the company partners with industrial automation specialists across Southern, East and West Africa.
Read more...
OMRON Robotics demos next-generation autonomous mobile robots
Editor's Choice News & events Robotics & Mechatronics
Advancing smarter material flow with the all-new LD-150 and LD-300 AMRs, OMRON Robotics demonstrated the next generation of its flagship LD series autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) at Automate 2026 in June.
Read more...
Pump spares and parts for Africa
News & events
KSB Pumps and Valves explains how its decentralised stockholding and local manufacturing keep spares and parts available across its installed base in Africa.
Read more...
The hidden heroes who shape Africa’s industrial future
Bosch Rexroth Africa
Editor's Choice News & events
Behind every industrial success story, there’s a human one. Their names may never appear on a project signboard or in a headline. Yet their expertise and determination keep industries moving every day.
Read more...
Bühler Southern Africa leads industry dialogue on apprenticeships
Editor's Choice News & events
Bühler Southern Africa brought together representatives from industry, government and international organisations on
30 June 2026 to explore how quality apprenticeships can help bridge the gap between high youth unemployment and industry demand for skilled technical workers.
Read more...
Drive technology for the agricultural sector
SEW-EURODRIVE
News & events
SEW-EURODRIVE’s advanced drive, automation and condition monitoring technologies are helping agricultural businesses.
Read more...
New digital tool reconditioning portal puts customers fully in control
News & events
Sandvik Coromant has upgraded its tool reconditioning service for solid round tools. The upgraded service replaces a previously manual, multi-stage workflow with a streamlined, fully online experience that dramatically reduces quotation and turnaround times.
Read more...
New automation innovations on show at Electra Mining Africa 2026
News & events
South African engineers are leaders in innovation and technology development. Many of these innovations and newly automated systems will be on display at the largest trade show of its kind in southern Africa, Electra Mining Africa 2026, taking place in Johannesburg later this year.
Read more...