Loco manufacturer sets sights on Africa

Locomotive manufacturing company, RRL Grindrod Locomotives, has expanded its facilities in Pretoria West at a cost of R40 million. Robert Spoon, the chief executive of RRL Grindrod Locomotives, announced recently that the present addition of 12 000 sqm of f loor area would increase output by 100 units annually. The facility came on line originally in 2006, with production capacity rising to 25 yearly by 2012. Currently about 65% of the components are made in South Africa. According to Spoon, this percentage is set to rise to around 80% within 12 months. The company is building the first mainline locomotives for Columbia and also exploring opportunities in the Middle East, though its main market is Africa, mostly outside of South Africa, said Spoon. RRL Grindrod Locomotive is 51% owned by the Grindrod group. Although primarily concerned with shipping, this venture into the African rail industry has proved “very successful”, Spoon said. “The plant is manufacturing dieselelectric locos for main-line use at considerably lower prices than those asked for imported products,” he said. CAPTION The diesel locomotives manufactured by RRL Grindrod.