This edition of Motion Control will be the inaugural publication of this magazine under the new owners - Technews. The title was purchased recently by Technews and following various discussions, we at SAFPA see an exciting potential for our members as an outlet to showcase their products to a wider target market. We wish the directors and staff every success with their new venture.
SAFPA will continue to be given a voice into industry through Motion Control. Most importantly, our paid up member companies will be afforded an opportunity in future to present their company and product information in this magazine. This offer will be on a rotational basis and will be at the discretion of the publishers. This is a positive benefit for our members.
As regards the South African economy at present, the exchange rate volatility is still a source of concern. The mining and manufacturing sectors continue to show declining results, leading to expenditure cutbacks. Lower pricing is now a reality and prices for imported components are 20% lower than a year ago. For many companies this is a challenging environment.
We recently held a 'Captains of Industry' meeting featuring the top companies of pneumatics, hydraulic and hose and fittings suppliers. Several topics were debated but the main subjects were the MERSETA unit standards initiative, the recently completed salary survey, the proposed fluid power survey and black economic empowerment.
On the unit standards front we have reached an impasse as MERSETA do not have enough trained facilitators to take the process further. We have the committee in place and await the MERSETA go-ahead. We find this frustrating, as we have spent a considerable amount of time and money to date on this initiative. The project is due to commence next month.
The salary survey was an interesting exercise. While certain input data proved problematic, for the financial outlay by each participating member company, it was felt it was a worthwhile venture. The companies present believe it should be repeated again in the future.
In my last letter to the industry I advised that a market survey would be put to the larger companies. Of those present at our meeting, the overwhelming response was that they would participate. The writer will approach other leading players in order to get their support and participation.
The current very hot topic of black empowerment was also covered. A feature of our industry is the amount of companies or members who are owner led. Alternatively, they are subsidiaries of major international fluid power companies. It is therefore problematic to overcome some of the issues around black economic empowerment. We at SAFPA are prepared to be involved to assist our members in future. We will take direction from those leaders within the engineering and manufacturing industries.
Finally, our AGM will be held shortly. I wish to thank a very competent committee for the support they afforded me over the last year. A committee performs only with respected committee members and new blood. I look forward to new faces being on board next year.
Manny Vieira, +27 (0) 11 898 6602, [email protected]
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