- Close to R30 million invested in Gqeberha.
- Upgrades to commercial vehicle assembly plant.
- Extended chassis line adds more stations.
- New tools to reduce worker strain.
- Energy-efficient tools and motors installed.
Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSAf) has invested close to R30 million in its commercial vehicle assembly plant in Gqeberha. The upgrades are aimed at manufacturing capability and efficiency, quality and digital traceability, employee safety and more sustainable production, which the company says will help it respond to the needs of truck customers in South Africa and across the continent.
Isuzu Gqeberha plant capability upgrades
The work covers the chassis and engine sub-assembly areas and the cab marriage. The chassis line has been extended so the facility can accommodate additional stations for added content, while updated tooling and revised production layouts allow the plant to support a broader range of commercial vehicle applications.
“This investment is about more than preparing our plant for a new generation of trucks,” said Johan Vermeulen, Executive Vice President: Manufacturing and Product Engineering at Isuzu Motors South Africa. He added that it reflects the company’s long-term vision for manufacturing in South Africa.
Quality control and digital traceability
Improved processes, tooling and digital traceability give the plant greater visibility across production and strengthen quality control. Isuzu says this helps it build vehicles more efficiently while maintaining its build standards.
Employee safety and ergonomics at the plant
Safety and ergonomics were considered in equipment selection, workstation design, lighting and workflow. New equipment includes a fuel-tank gripper, lift-assist devices, a cab-marriage hoist and electronic torque tools, along with changes to the engine-dress process, all intended to reduce physical strain on employees.
Energy-efficient tools and motors, improved equipment and revised workflows have also been introduced to support more efficient use of resources, part of IMSAf’s focus on reducing the environmental impact of its manufacturing operations.
Preparing Isuzu for future truck technologies
The upgrades were implemented by employees and cross-functional engineering teams across the business, with the aim of meeting both current operational requirements and future manufacturing needs as commercial vehicle technologies evolve.
The company says continued investment in Gqeberha supports its long-term growth and contributes to a competitive, resilient and more sustainable automotive manufacturing sector in South Africa. The release does not give a timeline for the new generation of trucks referred to by Vermeulen.
Supplied by MotorPress (Nandi Matomela, Department Executive Corporate Affairs, Isuzu Motors South Africa)
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