The utilisation of production capacity by large manufacturers rose 1.0 percentage point year-on-year in February, according to data released by Statistics SA on Tuesday, 10 May 2011. 11 May 2011
The Producer Price Index (PPI) in March rose to 7.3% in line with market expectation. 3 May 2011
Genetically modified seed producer Monsanto has opened what is believed to be Africa's largest technologically advanced maize seed processing plant, in Lichtenburg in the North West. 28 Apr 2011
Having identified the need to boost local manufacturing, Kimberly-Clark South Africa (K-CSA) has invested R120 million in a new diaper machine at its Epping Mill in Cape Town. This will grow its production capability by 400 million units per year and provide 65 jobs. 15 Apr 2011
Global brewing group SABMiller announced on Monday, 11 April 2011, that its subsidiary company, Southern Sudan Beverages (SSBL), was to invest an additional US$15 million in its operations in Southern Sudan to increase production capacity and build on the strong performance of its local brand portfolio. 12 Apr 2011
Local vehicle manufacturers and importers could soon run short of vehicles to sell and parts for manufacture as the impact of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami disaster continues to be felt across global supply chains. 8 Apr 2011
The Producer Price Index (PPI) in February increased more than expected in February, rising to 6.7%. 31 Mar 2011
One is not surprised by the marginal downward correction in wholesale trade sales growth in January to 6.5% year on year (y/y) from an upwardly revised 7.1% y/y in December 2010. 18 Mar 2011
The answer to a lack of momentum in local manufacturing might lie in co-operation between big and small businesses. 14 Mar 2011
SAIL (Steel Authority of India Ltd), India's largest steel producer, has signed a MOU with Afripalm Horizons, a subsidiary of Afripalm Resources to set up a 3-5 million tons per annum steel manufacturing plant in South Africa. It is estimated that the plant will require an investment of close to R21 billion and will create 3-4000 new jobs in South Africa. 24 Feb 2011
Corobrik has appointed two black women, Bertha Zwane and Nomvuyo Mkhefa as directors, both of whom have worked at the company for a number of years. The Corobrik Share Trust controls 26% of the company's share capital and has raised the control of the company in previously disadvantaged race groups to 51%. The structuring of the shareholding provides for two employee-nominated trustees to be voted onto the board, which is how they have qualified for this two-year role. 20 Feb 2011
The theme for the R50 000 2011 Metal competition, sponsored by Carrol Boyes, is 'Serviette Holder - mess around'. Entries open on 1 March and close on 30 June 2011. 8 Feb 2011
Manufacturing may finally get some relief this year, to go by the positive purchasing managers index (PMI) numbers for last month. 2 Feb 2011
Wholesale trade sales at constant (2000) prices for November grew an impressive 8.1% year-on-year (y/y) from a revised 0.7% (0.4%) in October, Statistics South Africa data showed on Thursday, 20 January 2011. 21 Jan 2011
Wholesale trade sales at constant (2000) prices for October grew 0.4% year-on-year (y/y) from a revised +5.1% (+5.5%) in September, Statistics South Africa data showed today, Wednesday 8 December 2010. 8 Dec 2010
The Bureau for Economic Research's (BER) fourth quarter (Q4) manufacturing survey reveals that confidence in the sector increased by 11 index points to 41 in the fourth quarter of the year. 6 Dec 2010
East Balt, which runs 22 bakeries worldwide and has a JV with Astral Foods, a leading South African integrated poultry producer, opened its new East Balt SA bakery in the Western Cape. The official opening of the bakery was officiated by Premier Helen Zille on Wednesday 1 December 2010. 3 Dec 2010
The rate of growth in manufacturing production in September slowed to 1.4% year-on-year (y/y) after increasing by an unrevised 5.3% in August, Statistics SA said on Thursday 11 November. 15 Nov 2010
A new R20 billion tax incentive to encourage investment in new manufacturing assets and employee training was formally launched by Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies. 9 Nov 2010
The manufacturing sector is one of the sectors that could lead employment recovery in percentage terms next year, SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) CEO Neren Rau said Tuesday. 6 Oct 2010
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