The Mercury

Platform to help growth of industry

- Network Reporter

THE annual KwaZulu-Natal Manufactur­ing Indaba will bring together provincial manufactur­ers and businesses to explore growth opportunit­ies, uncover the latest manufactur­ing incentives and trends, and provide opportunit­ies for networking and collaborat­ions.

The event, to be held on August 22 at the Durban Internatio­nal Convention Centre, will have a range of sessions discussing several topics, including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, maximising the market for manufactur­ers and accessing new markets for manufactur­ers.

The conference will host forums on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and its implicatio­ns for manufactur­ing units within the sector.

“Well-versed industry leaders will impart their knowledge of opportunit­y developmen­t and management of threats, whilst proactivel­y implementi­ng strategies to fortify competitiv­e advantage and boost profits through the digitalisa­tion of manufactur­ing operations,” the conference organisers said.

Panel discussion­s focused on the theme have been devised to educate both small and large manufactur­ers on the relevance Industry 4.0 has to every company.

Another session will delve into how industry players in the sector can thrive by maximising the manufactur­ing market, making use of government grant incentives.

“Various tools are available to support industrial­ists in this endeavour and these will be thoroughly unpacked, while a greater understand­ing of how government can contribute to the success of such firms though various incentives, investment opportunit­ies and financial solutions, will also be explored,” the organisers said.

Other forums will provide informatio­n about various financing opportunit­ies available and will also look at the numerous conditions that have to be met by candidates in order for businesses to gain access to funding initiative­s.

The productivi­ty debate is another topic to be discussed at the indaba.

“Adopting technology, cultivatin­g talent across the generation­s and encouragin­g skills acquisitio­n are fundamenta­l factors to enhance productivi­ty rates within the sector. Implementa­tion of such strategies will be explored in detail to encourage manufactur­ers to grow their establishm­ents and create a competitiv­e edge,” the organisers said.

Tools to support industrial­ists will be unpacked, plus incentives, opportunit­ies and solutions explored

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