KwaZulu-Natal Business 2016-17 edition
The 2016-17 edition of KwaZulu-Natal Business is the eighth issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2008, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide to the KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa. The province is unique in terms of its abundant natural and human resources, and is also one of the key drivers behind the South African economy. To complement the extensive local, national and international distribution of the print edition of the magazine (15 000 copies), the full content can also be viewed online at www.kwazulunatalbusiness.co.za. Updated information on KwaZulu-Natal is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at www.globalafricanetwork.com, in addition to our other business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces, complemented by our flagship publication, South African Business.
The 2016-17 edition of KwaZulu-Natal Business is the eighth issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2008, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide to the KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa.
The province is unique in terms of its abundant natural and human resources, and is also one of the key drivers behind the South African economy.
To complement the extensive local, national and international distribution of the print edition of the magazine (15 000 copies), the full content can also be viewed online at www.kwazulunatalbusiness.co.za.
Updated information on KwaZulu-Natal is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at www.globalafricanetwork.com, in addition to our other business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces, complemented by our flagship publication, South African Business.
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
OVERVIEW<br />
Automotive<br />
Bell Equipment and Toyota anchor a strong automotive sector.<br />
Toyota, which has a large factory in Durban south, sold 22.4% of<br />
the vehicles sold in South Africa in 2015, thus taking numberone<br />
spot. The company is also responsible for about onequarter<br />
of the vehicles exported by South Africa.<br />
In the month of January <strong>2016</strong>, Toyota sold 2 773 Hiluxes, having<br />
been the country's best-selling vehicle in 2015. In November 2015 a<br />
record was broken when 3 938 units were sold. The Corolla car, the<br />
Hilux bakkie and the Fortuner SUV are manufactured at the company’s<br />
large Prospecton plant south of Durban.<br />
<strong>KwaZulu</strong>-<strong>Natal</strong>'s other automotive giant is Bell Equipment. Between<br />
the Toyota plant at Prospecton and the Richards Bay facility of heavyequipment<br />
manufacturer Bell Equipment, upwards of 11 000 people<br />
are employed: both companies are market leaders. The sector accounts<br />
for <strong>17</strong>.7% of the province's export basket.<br />
Despite tough global conditions, Bell managed to turn a record<br />
profit in 2015, largely due to cost-cutting and the depreciation of the<br />
rand. Bell has a global footprint, with South African sales accounting<br />
for about 40% of group revenue (43% in 2014; 41% in 2015).<br />
The province also has a substantial and varied automotive-supply<br />
sector. Trade and Investment <strong>KwaZulu</strong>-<strong>Natal</strong> (TIKZN) estimates that<br />
SECTOR HIGHLIGHTS<br />
The weakening rand has<br />
helped exports.<br />
• Bell Equipment recorded<br />
a record after-tax profit<br />
in 2015.<br />
• The automotive sector<br />
contributes <strong>17</strong>% to<br />
provincial exports.<br />
the province's component automotive<br />
manufacturers enjoy a<br />
combined turnover approaching<br />
R10-billion.<br />
Powerstar trucks are assembled<br />
in Pietermaritzburg on a site<br />
formerly used by Super Group.<br />
China North Vehicle Corporation<br />
(Norinco Motors) and BEIBEN<br />
KWAZULU-NATAL BUSINESS <strong>2016</strong>/<strong>17</strong><br />
84
Change language