The first-ever Local Southern African Manufacturing Expo exceeded all exhibitor and visitor expectations. Organised in conjunction with the South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC), the Expo was a vibrant, interactive platform for engagement that will create growth within the local manufacturing sector.

Taking place at the Johannesburg Expo Centre from 21 – 23 May, the game-changing expo welcomed over 3,700 visitors eager to experience excellence in product quality and variety. The Expo showcased South Africa’s manufacturing capabilities across a wide variety of industry sectors and demonstrated South Africa’s strong export potential.

“Providing an interactive, educational and practical platform, the Local Southern African Manufacturing Expo is the definitive platform for the best that South African industry has to offer,” said Charlene Hefer, portfolio director at Specialised Exhibitions a division of Montgomery Group. “The show positions leading local industries to thousands of potential national and international investors, demonstrating that the power of local manufacturing is the key to unlocking vast economic empowerment, growth, development and investment.”

In conjunction with the Expo, the SACEEC Exporter of the Year Awards recognised top exporters for their excellent export sales.

Education was a key highlight of the Expo with sixteen industry specialists sharing their knowledge on industry trends and legislation at the SAIMechE free-to-attend seminars. At the Artisan Training Institute (ATI) Skills Development Zone, individuals displayed their technical skills in an interactive workshop setting. ATI is making a substantial difference in the technical training environment and the quality training they offer is essential to technical skills development. The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) hosted a two day conference and strategy workshop which unpacked the new mining supply chain requirements, and the Association of Representatives for the Electronics Industry (AREI) hosted a showcase of high quality electronics components and products.

Endorsed by the Office of the Premier Gauteng Province and supported by the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry, the second edition of the Local Southern African Manufacturing Expo will be taking place from 25 to 27 May 2021 at the Expo Centre in Johannesburg.