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New automotive investor to be unveiled in Port Elizabeth

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On Thursday 11 October 2012 the East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ) will be announcing a new multi-million automotive investment during the Automotive week conference that is taking place in Port Elizabeth.

The new investment will be the second automotive announced by the ELIDZ in the last six months and is part of the ELIDZ plans to optimise new investment opportunities linked to Mercedes Benz South Africa’s W205 (new generation C-class production) contract.

The investment by an established German automotive company will introduce new technology and new skills for the country’s automotive sector, and will further create close to 100 direct jobs in its first phase.

According to ELIDZ CEO, Simphiwe Kondlo, the announcement of this new investor will also coincide with a launch of a new auto sector value offering by the ELIDZ. This value offering includes the introduction of a new shared technology service for the zone’s automotive sector.

“This new shared technology service, a first of its kind in South Africa, will definitely improve the efficiencies and increased global competitiveness of the regional automotive sector,” said Kondlo.

The technology comes after months of consultation with various global automotive players including potential and existing auto sector investors. According to Kondlo, this new shared technology offering would not only lead to new automotive investors for the ELIDZ, but would also introduce new automotive technology into the country and increase local content for some of the country’s OEMs.

“Our role as the ELIDZ goes beyond than just attracting new investment into the zone, it is also about helping to upgrade existing sector capabilities, and this new centralised technology service will do just that,” said Kondlo.

As part of its planned expansion of the automotive sector the ELIDZ is currently extending its 16ha Automotive Supplier Park (ASP), which is one of the original anchor facilities in the zone. The ASP was custom-designed to meet the specific production needs of its OEM supplier tenants, and has distinguished itself as a highly efficient, world-class facility.

The project further underlines the ELIDZ commitment into strengthening foreign investment and creating jobs in the country.

These two projects will be launched at the ELIDZ Pavillion at South African automotive week on Thursday 11 October 2012 at 13h00.

The associated exhibition area at the Boardwalk boasts 300 exhibitors and to ‘avoid’ the R50.00 entrance fee you can pre-register on the SAAW Web site.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.