Adding impetus to South Africa’s manufacturing sector, Hesto Harnesses unveiled its new Combi meter production facility in KwaDukuza, Kwa-Zulu Natal yesterday.
The broader automotive sector is critical to the economy of the country and has been contributing 6-7% to the country's Gross Domestic Product, Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Rob Davies said at the launch.
The new facility would take the production of local content to another level, he said. “The project on which Hesto has embarked re-affirms South Africa’s position as a sustainable base for production.”
Hesto Harnesses will be producing the Combi metre for Toyota Hilux, to be introduced in 2016. Currently this cluster (speedometer and instruments) is imported from Japan.
Davies said projected investments by original equipment manufacturers were expected to reach a record R7.5bn for 2015. Major investors this year included Volkswagen, Toyota and Mercedes-Benz South Africa.
Hesto supplies automotive electrical distribution systems, commonly known as wiring harnesses and combination meters, to OEMs in South Africa. The company’s main customers are Toyota and GMSA at present.
