PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA PRESENTS SUSTAINABILITY AWARD TO ATLANTIS FOUNDRIES
President Cyril Ramaphosa has presented Atlantis Foundries with the prestigious Best Brownfield / Expansion Project award at the 2019 Investment Conference in Sandton. The award is in recognition of the company’s efforts towards its continued sustainability and contribution to local society.
“This is an award to Atlantis Foundries employees and in recognition of our continuing investment in the company and drive towards a sustainable future,” said Christoph Ewers, Director, Atlantis Foundries.
“We understand this also to be in recognition of all the other automotive component manufacturers in SA who are not all large companies, but together consistently create enormous value in SA and essentially contribute to South African exports and GDP,” added Mr Ewers.
Atlantis Foundries is a member of the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM). “NAACAM is the organisation that combines the many component companies that together are the backbone of the South African automotive industry, which is so important to bring and develop skills and technical know how,” he explained.
Atlantis Foundries is a team of about 800 employees that manufactures engine blocks for trucks and exports 100% of its products. “Over the past three years, we have heavily improved our artificial intelligence with great success. Our quality outperforms our international competitors and we proudly cast the words ‘Made in South Africa’ as a sign of quality in each of our engine blocks.”
“We hope to continue raising the profile and importance of the auto sector. It is a high-volume, low-margin industry with an enormous contribution to employment, skills development and know-how transfer, as well as a sustainable pillar of our society,” said Mr Ewers.
“In terms of exports, containing costs are a challenge for exporters to remain internationally competitive. We appreciate Government’s ongoing support of the auto sector which is crucial for success and global competitiveness.”
“In our view, South Africa is on the correct path, and there is more potential, especially with regards to the deepening of the existing South African auto supply chain and the export of components.”
Atlantis Foundries received a similar award in 1994 as Atlantis Diesel Engines (ADE). The company was then a subsidiary of ADE. “Our employees and management are proud to being recognised as an important contributor to society by the South African government over such a long period of time,” added Mr Ewers.
“With the initial award presented in 1994 by President Mandela, we believe this is an indication of the company’s sustainability and consistency over the past 25 years.”