SANY Southern Africa (SANY SA) has made significant capital investments in South Africa, strengthening not only the company’s offering but also economic ties between South Africa and China. These developments have been driven by a need for customer satisfaction and long-term localisation.

15 November 2023 saw the official groundbreaking ceremony of SANY SA’s headquarters development, a R300-million mega-construction project. The project, which has been in development for three years, will result in a campus that will house SANY SA employees as well as facilities to carry out three primary functions – manufacturing, logistics and training. Considered to be SANY’s central southern Africa hub, the cutting-edge premises will consist of a 12 500 m2 floor area that includes a 9 500 m2 assembly plant and a

2 300 m2 administration building. It will also feature a 525 m2 staff canteen and a fully equipped gymnasium.

The assembly plant makes SANY the first overseas yellow metal original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to invest in local production.

“This project is a win-win for SANY and South Africa,” says General Manager Samual Zhang. “SANY will be able to provide shorter turnaround times to its clients, and improved value for money, resulting in more cost-competitive pricing due to local content.” Additionally, the South African economy will benefit from the numerous employment opportunities that will be available for the construction phase and upon project completion. “We will hire and train people from surrounding areas,” Zhang adds. “Part of our expansion drive involves making a positive impact on local communities.”

The administrative building will contain the reception area, a staff change room, an activity room and an office area, complemented by rest gardens which meet the needs of approximately 200 personnel. The outdoor hardened ground is 15 000 m2 and will accommodate a workshop that houses an excavator assembly line, a materials area and a production office. “The new headquarters will enable SANY SA to provide stronger support and training to local customers, thereby adding value to their businesses,” Zhang points out. Once the headquarters are complete, the SANY SY75C excavators through to the SY750H excavators will be assembled at the production centre. Annual production is estimated to exceed 3 000 excavators and other machines.

Zhang emphasises that besides the gym, canteen, and rest gardens, the primary value for employees is a high-quality work environment. “I believe we will work harder and better in our new professional surroundings,” he says. “With this facility, everyone will have a much bigger and more beautiful stage for their performance, their talents and their potential. This project epitomises SANY’s vision, which is ‘to foster first-class enterprises, cultivate first-class talent, and make a first-class contribution to society’.”

Project development and execution are the result of a three-way collaboration between SANY, Sinoma Engineering, the consultant team and primary contractor, and development experts Prime Development. “The consulting team has demonstrated rich experience in design and optimisation, as well as achieving council planning approval,” Zhang says. “We appreciate both teams’ professional capabilities.”

“This is the first SANY SA project, and it is also a common goal and career milestone for each one of us,” Zhang said. ‘This marks not only the beginning of a construction endeavour but also a new chapter in deepening the economic ties and mutual development between China and South Africa,” he adds. “We are not only building a new home for SANY in South Africa, but we are also creating value for the local community, contributing to economic growth and, through this project, we hope to strengthen the ties between South Africa and China even further.”

SANY SA will service the whole continent from its new facilities as well as provide support for marketing the business across the region.

“Standing here today,” said Zhang at the official groundbreaking ceremony, “I’m extremely happy and a little emotional. “We have been anticipating this day for three years or more and this place, this land, has special meaning for SANY.”

In addition to investment in its headquarters, SANY SA has also increased its stockholding with the opening of its expanded warehouse in Olifantsfontein, Midrand. The 20 000 m2 facility (with 12 000 m2 under roof) has enabled the company to increase its spare parts inventory from R170 million to R270 million. Another investment made by the company is its new 20 000 m2 pre-delivery inspection centre in Benoni, Johannesburg. This inspection centre enables SANY to expedite machine handovers to clients as well as identify potential issues before the product reaches the client.

SANY SA, which has opened branches in Middelburg, Rustenburg and Richards Bay as part of its expansion strategy, will service Africa from its new facilities and provide marketing support across the continent. The company has experienced a 40% year-on-year growth over the past three years – just one of the reasons it has invested in these facilities and expanded its geographical footprint.

The completion of the headquarters is projected for 18 September 2024.