Siemens and Wyrcom partnership a first for South Africa

November 2002 News

Siemens Southern Africa and Wyrcom Signals have concluded a unique partnership that sees the establishment of the first black-empowered train control systems manufacturing company in South Africa. The deal includes a mutual exclusivity arrangement with Wyrcom Signals involving joint marketing exercises both locally and overseas, opening up Siemens' global markets to Wyrcom Signals.

"This is the first such arrangement in South Africa. It is a unique partnership in that the exclusivity agreement works both ways. It is not just a one-way street in favour of the bigger company," said Gorman Zimba, managing director of Siemens Transportation Systems.

The partnership emerged out of Siemens' closure of its Isando factory and the company's desire to outsource the manufacture of its train control systems. Wyrcom was a Closed Corporation with a five-year association with Siemens South Africa in the business of railway interlocking design and the assembling of power supplies and signalling products.

"Traditionally, Siemens manufactured its signalling equipment in house," said Zimba. "But it did not make sense strategically to have a whole factory internally when we could outsource and create more jobs. With Siemens' commitment to black empowerment, Wyrcom was encouraged to be transformed into a Pty Ltd and to secure black economic empowerment."

In November 2001, Omega Scientific Research became Wyrcom Signals' empowerment partner, securing 75% in shareholder value and with full involvement in operations and financial management. The remaining 25% is held by key technical staff - and the founding members of Wyrcom.

"The partnership introduces tremendous flexibility for Wyrcom Signals because they can still manufacture non-competing solutions thereby adding value to the company," said Zimba. "But more importantly, it has opened the way for other such entrepreneurial partnerships which can only have a positive effect on the South African economy."

For more information contact Jose Machado, Siemens Southern Africa, 011 652 2000, www.siemens.co.za

Further reading:

Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.

Read more...

---

Hytec opens fifteenth Mandela Day library
Bosch Rexroth Africa News
Over 200 learners at Monene Primary School in rural Limpopo have received their own containerised library. This is the fifteenth library since 2011, provided by Hytec South Africa and the Nelson Mandela School Library Project to schools across the country.

Read more...

---

CSIR survey on the state of cybersecurity in South Africa
News
The CSIR Information and Cybersecurity Centre has released four comprehensive national cybersecurity surveys. These delve into critical areas such as cybersecurity preparedness and resilience in the public sector, cybersecurity skills gaps, cybersecurity incidents, and the digital identity landscape in South Africa.

Read more...

---

Referro Systems partners with Festo in Northern Cape
News
Referro Systems has been recognised as an Authorised Official Partner Candidate for Festo in the Northern Cape, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to delivering best-in-class automation solutions to customers.

Read more...

---

Heavy-duty tablet achieves global certification
Vepac Electronics News
In a significant advancement for the company’s rugged tablets, the Teguar TRT-5380-10 heavy-duty tablet from Vepac has successfully acquired 11 international certifications, setting a new standard in quality, safety, and security across global markets.

Read more...

---

Bühler Johannesburg transforms Little Star Daycare Centre
News
Little Star Daycare in Vanderbijlpark has undergone a remarkable transformation, thanks to the generous support of Bühler Johannesburg.

Read more...

---

Schneider Electric and Harmony accelerate skills development
Schneider Electric South Africa News
Schneider Electric has formed a strategic partnership with Harmony Gold Mining to upgrade the instrumentation workshop into a state-of-the-art facility.

Read more...

---

RS South Africa showcases mining products and solutions
RS South Africa News
RS South Africa recently exhibited at MTE Steelport in Limpopo, and MTE Sibanye-Stillwater in Gauteng.

Read more...

---

RS PRO expands automation range
RS South Africa News
As automation continues to revolutionise production facilities, RS PRO, the trusted own brand of RS, is expanding its product range to meet the growing demand for smarter, more efficient processes.

Read more...

---

From the editor's desk: Killer science
Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control) News
I couldn’t resist watching The World Industrial Reporter’s video on Ten Scientists Killed By Their Own Experiments. Some of them would have deserved the Darwin Award for taking themselves out of the ...

Read more...

---