For many years, the South African tool, die and mould making (TDM) Industry, represented by the Tool Making Association of South Africa (TASA), struggled to defend its market share with increased competition from low cost imports. However, after signing an agreement with the founding members of the Manufacturing Accelerator Programme (MAP) late last year, the TDM industry has another tool to improve their competitiveness.

MAP was developed and launched in October 2012 with the purpose of revitalising the South African manufacturing industry and creating a substantial number of new job opportunities in the country.

In the MAP programme, suitable tools for companies are proposed and recommended from an extensive knowledge base of trusted partners with specific industry focus, track records of innovation and delivery over at least two decades, and who are recognised leaders in their specific manufacturing industries.

MAP works through sector or cluster organisations to implement the programme at groups of companies across their member base. MAP consists of three founding members, namely ISAH, Rifle-Shot Performance Holdings and SANEC.

ISAH is an international software company, whilst Rifle-Shot Performance Holdings is a specialist solutions provider and distributor. SANEC is the Southern African Netherlands Chamber of Commerce and is the key intermediary agency for companies, organisations and entrepreneurs doing business or seeking to do business in and between the Netherlands, South Africa, the Benelux and the southern African region (SADC).

“Using the specialist systems technology, MAP has enabled our participating members to access and benefit from one of the world’s best class specialist manufacturing software,” said Gauteng Tooling Initiative CEO and TASA representative, Henk Snyman.

“Any organisation in the manufacturing industry needs a programme such as MAP, to be world competitive,” said Snyman.

Additionally TASA Gauteng offers its members a unique toolkit of solutions comprising a number of Visual Management Systems (VMS) tailored to shop floor management. These are based on lean manufacturing principles that focus on the continuous improvement of performance and productivity to create and sustain a significant advantage for the manufacturing entity.

Ian Huntly, CEO of Rifle-Shot Performance Holdings said the Tooling Association of SA, in conjunction with the South African Capital Equipment Council (SACEEC), also signed an agreement with MAP resulting in a number of large toolmakers in Gauteng benefitting from MAP implementations.

“In fact,” said Huntly, “two large toolmakers in Gauteng were already benefitting from MAP implementations after the agreement was signed late last year.”

Productivity SA, a Schedule 3A Public Entity governance board comprising representatives from labour, government and business and whose mandate is primarily to enhance the productive capacity of South Africa, also signed a memorandum of agreement with MAP at the end of January this year.

Those organisations who have implemented the programme have increased their competitiveness and export readiness, added more value to the value chain and improved skills and skills development as well as created a substantial number of new jobs.

“By exposing toolmakers to valuable support systems such as MAP, we are actively assisting in the upliftment and expansion of tool making companies which are crucial for manufacturing as an underpinning industry”, said Snyman.

Peter van Harten, EVP, Isah International, has been praised for his vision of realising the potential of the SA’s manufacturing sector at a time when so many industry players had given up on the industry. Given the success of MAP in other countries, van Harten says he has the utmost confidence that South African business owners will rise to the challenge and turn-around this vital sector.