Currently there are many positive projects taking place in the foundry industry in South Africa that are reported on in this issue or will be reported on in an issue later in the year. In our first article, which is known as the Cover Story, Endeco Omega Sinto celebrate a 10-year joint venture partnership. Both Omega and Sinto are well-known manufacturers of foundry equipment that is respected and operating in many foundries worldwide.

The synergies that have been created between the companies through the joint ventures and acquisitions has ensured that the design and supply of foundry equipment to the South African market will be on a par with international standards and best practices. In the case of the holding company Sintokogio Ltd, a lot more is offered. Besides the foundry industry, solutions for surface treatment, material handling, environmental, mechatronics, consumables and more are readily available for South African companies to access.

The technology transfer, experience and know-how play a crucial role in industry and business development and is invaluable. It gives access to new markets, reduces research costs, and accelerates the development of new products by companies. Better products, more competition, and economic progress in creating new industries and jobs are the results. It also assures proper technology use in many industries.

Better still, as is the case of Endeco Omega Sinto, they now participate in projects that are undertaken by the parent company worldwide. Indirectly they have become an exporter, which they had never been before.

In our main industry story we cover the new automation solutions that Atlantis Foundries continues to invest in. The environment and working conditions are also not taken lightly. Further investment in air quality equipment has also taken place even though Atlantis Foundries already exceeded the required specifications.

But it does not stop there. Other projects that are currently being implemented will be operational at a later stage this year and the plans and budgeting are already drawn up to continue with the Smart Foundry objective. It is no wonder that we at Castings SA, as the ambassadors of our industry, brag about Atlantis Foundries being the number one foundry in the world.

We also report about the power demand system that is making inroads into the industry locally and in the US.

But more importantly it is the other capital equipment investments and technology projects that are in the process of being installed or the ones that have been given the green light to go ahead that contribute to the positive climate. These include the installation of a new Norican DISA moulding platform that has an emphasis on speed, throughput, finished-product quality and large-scale casting production at a foundry with a large prejudice towards automotive castings and components. The installation involves other process equipment suppliers and is the first of such an investment in the industry for many years.

There are other investments in the latest technology furnaces and one company that we know of is supplying three rotary process drums to three different foundries. Again a piece of equipment that has not been supplied locally for many years.

In the International News section there is a report on Weir Minerals Europe Limited closing its Halifax Road, Todmorden, England foundry. Good news for us locally is that the specialist mining equipment producer is planning to relocate production to other foundries, including their foundry’s in Gqeberha and Johannesburg.