Coega tries to sway first and second-tier suppliers in automotive manufacturing to set up shop

The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) is trying to sway first and second-tier suppliers in automotive manufacturing to set up shop at its Nelson Mandela Bay Logistics Park (NMBLP), in Uitenhage, noting in a statement that component manufacturers that established themselves at the purpose-built facility would benefit from a recent announcement by nearby Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) that it would start production of a new car model. VWSA’s plant is located adjacent to the NMBLP.

“Coega is working closely with VWSA and other OEMs to attract first and second-tier suppliers to the logistics park in anticipation of the new car model,” commented CDC senior manager for international markets in the transport industries, Gustav Meyer.

NMBLP facilities manager Mpumzi Flepu added that planned expansions by current automotive focused tenants, including polymer business Rehau and engineering plastics producer Q-Plas, had driven interest by companies wishing to lease premises next year.

Ind-News-Coega

The park, which is spanned over 183 hectares, features purpose-built infrastructure and shared services, which include security, information communication technology and logistics, to minimise costs for new investors and existing tenants.

Current tenants include Benteler Automotive, Faurecia Interior Systems, Grupo Antolin, Inergy Automotive Systems, MSC, ITPASA and Hella SA.

An estimated 126,4 hectares is still available in Precinct B for development to accommodate new suppliers in the automotive and other manufacturing sectors.

“The vision of the NMBLP is to obtain economics of scale for the automotive manufacturing industry through centralisation of different functions and suppliers to reduce costs by shortening and improving the supply chain to VWSA, and other vehicle assemblers,” commented CDC head of marketing and communications Dr Ayanda Vilakazi.

Coega ready to commission EIA for aeronautical manufacturing in the IDZ
The CDC has also announced that an environmental impact assessment (EIA) study will be carried out to assess the feasibility of establishing a cargo airport and an aeronautical/ aerospace industrial cluster in the Coega Industrial Development Zone.

Possible aeronautical and aerospace industrial manufacturing activity that can take place in the Coega IDZ includes manufacturing of helicopters, aerospace engines, auxiliary equipment and parts, and propulsion units, while the industry can also possibly contribute to aerospace product prototypes, aircraft conversion and aircraft overhaul and rebuilding.

The planned cluster will be located in Zone 14 of the Coega IDZ, which currently stretches across 2 086 hectares of land.