Manufacturing

Robert Baissac, CEO of TPC Limited, one of Tanzania’s largest enterprises in the sugar sector, talks to Jayne Alverca about the unique potential of the industry to support East Africa’s development goals.

Sugar is a staple output of Tanzania’s agricultural sector and has a key role in supporting the country’s economic development. Nestling in the alluvial valleys below Mount Kilimanjaro is the 16,000 hectare estate of TPC Limited, which produces almost one third of Tanzania’s total sugar output.

Jeff Daniels looks at what Peugeot in South Africa is doing to change perceptions and win a greater share of the market.

In South Africa, the perception of all things French is positive but pricey. Think of such iconic representations of France as food, wine, perfume and fashion and nobody disputes their quality. It’s just that they are often thought of as being in a price bracket that is more gift than everyday commodity.

The Arab Spring has been a time of both excitement and uncertainty for many companies operating in the Middle East. Despite this, Switzerland-based food and confectionary company Nestlé is investing some $160 million into its manufacturing, distribution and skills base in Egypt, and progressing a new initiative to promote nutrition education among children.

Automotive giant Toyota has announced an investment of more than £100 million into one of its UK manufacturing sites.

The investment will be made at Toyota’s Burnaston, Derbyshire factory, to manufacture new generation hatchbacks.

Manufacturing the C-segment family sized hatchback models will create up to 1,500 additional jobs in the next two years.

Commenting on the news, the UK’s prime minister David Cameron said: “This major announcement from Toyota is fantastic news and a massive vote of confidence for UK manufacturing.

TRW Automotive has announced it is to open a new facility in the state of Queretaro, Mexico, to produce a range of advanced brake systems.

The 150,000 square foot plant will manufacture hydraulic control units for a variety of electronic stability control systems, as well as brake actuation units including boosters and master cylinders.

Production at the new plant is expected to begin near the end of the first quarter in 2012, with an estimated total employment of 450 when full production is reached.

UK automotive output has recovered to pre-recession levels, according to a report released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The SMMT’s 12th Annual Sustainability Report showed that manufacturing turnover in 2010 was up 20 per cent year-on-year to £49 billion, while output was up 27.8 per cent—a return to pre-recession volumes.

The number of vehicles exported rose by 31 per cent, totalling £29 billion in value.

Kraft Foods Southern Africa is in the spotlight as the region becomes an increasingly important revenue stream for the world’s second largest food company.

Dr Adel Hamad, CEO of GARMCO, shares some of the strategic insights that have enabled the Bahrain-based aluminium rolling operation to become a leading global player.

In an age obsessed with dwindling natural resources, aluminium enjoys a wonderful natural advantage. Bauxite, from which aluminium is extracted, is the most abundant metal element in the earth’s crust. It also enjoys a unique versatility, finding its way into countless applications ranging from moon-bound exploratory shuttles to curling foil in the hair salon.

As BAT South Africa’s demand chain general manager Bernd Meyer prepares to hand over the reins to his successor, he talks to Gay Sutton about the transformation that has taken place over the past few years, both culturally and structurally, to improve customer and supply chain performance.

Boeing has secured its biggest ever commercial aircraft deal with a 230-plane, $21.7 billion order from Indonesia’s Lion Air.

The airline is ordering 201 737 MAXs and 29 Next-Generation 737-900 ERs (extended range), with the deal also inclusive of purchase rights for an additional 150 airplanes, valued at more than $14 billion if exercised at list prices.