Manufacturing
Toyota to increase production in China by 20%
INTERNATIONAL – Japan’s Toyota Motor will build additional capacity at its auto plant in China’s Guangzhou, a company source said, in addition to beefing up production at a factory in Tianjin city by 120 000 vehicles a year.
A person close to the company said Toyota will build capacity at the production hub in the south China city of Guangzhou to also produce an additional 120 000 vehicles a year, an increase of 24 percent over current capacity.
Altogether, between the eastern port city of Tianjin and Guangzhou, Toyota will boost its overall manufacturing capacity by 240 000 vehicles a year, or by about 20 percent.
Reuters reported earlier this week that Toyota plans to build additional capacity in Tianjin to produce 10 000 all-electric battery cars and 110 000 plug-in hybrid electric cars a year.
China has said it would remove foreign ownership caps for companies making fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in 2018, for makers of commercial vehicles in 2020, and the wider car market by 2022.
Beijing also has been pushing automakers to produce and sell more electric vehicles through purchase subsidies and production quotas for such green cars.
Toyota’s planned additional capacity in Guangzhou is also for electrified vehicles, said the company source, who declined to be named because he is not authorized to speak on the matter.
The source did not say how much the additional capacity would cost. The Tianjin expansion is likely to cost $257 million (R3.8 billion), according to a government website.
The planned capacity expansions in Guangzhou and Tianjin are part of a medium-term strategy of the Japanese automaker that aims to increase sales in China to two million vehicles per year, a jump of over 50 percent, by the early 2020s, according to four company insiders with knowledge of the matter.
The plans signal Toyota’s willingness to start adding significant manufacturing capacity in China with the possibility of one or two new assembly plants in the world’s biggest auto market, the sources said.
Car imports could also increase, they said.
In addition to boosting manufacturing capacity, Toyota also plans to significantly expand its sales networks and focus more on electric car technologies as part of the strategy, the sources said, declining to be identified as they are not authorised to speak to the media.
– REUTERS
Manufacturing
Beta Glass Plc, the Glass Container Industry Leader, Grows Production to Optimally Serve West and Central African markets
Beta Glass Manufacturing Plant (Image: Supplied).
For the past 50 years, Beta Glass Plc has been evolving into a key player and leader in the glass container manufacturing industry across West and Central Africa.
Since its incorporation as Delta Glass Company LLC in 1974, Beta Glass has grown significantly, consistently demonstrating its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and quality. Key milestones in the past five decades include the beginning of production in 1979; being publicly listed in 1986; and merging with Guinea Glass Company to form Beta Glass PLC in 2000. The company continued expanding and optimising operations into the 21st century – adding a second furnace to its Guinea plant in 2002; increasing the output from 200 to 300 tonnes per day thanks to a furnace expansion project in 2021; and, most recently, rapidly upgrading its GF1 Furnace at the Agbara plant.
Pacesetters in Glass Container Manufacturing
Beta Glass currently operates three best-in-class manufacturing plants in Nigeria, boasting a daily capacity of 720 tonnes per day and annual production of 650+ million bottles and jars, as well as the capacity to produce 3.2 billion crowns and 5.5 million crates. The company employs more than 1,500 people across facilities and is led by an experienced and dynamic Management Team and a recently reshuffled Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors is currently chaired by Chairman Dr. Vitus Chidiebere Ezinwa, an experienced leader with over 27 years of experience in diverse global corporations across 15 African countries. During his first official visit to the Beta Glass Agbara Plant in June 2024, the new Chairman initiated the heat up process of the newly repaired GF1 Furnace. As Dr. Ezinwa himself noted: ”In my capacity as Chairman of the Board, I had the honour to activate the most recent operational update of Beta Glass. This significant milestone celebrates our Company’s unwavering commitment to expanding production capacity and capabilities while maintaining the highest product quality.”
Dr. Vitus Chidiebere Ezinwa, Chairman of the Beta Glass BoD, reheating the newly repaired furnace at the Agbara manufacturing plant (Image: Supplied)
The upgrade and cold repair of the GF1 Furnace of the Agbara plant was led by Jagdish Agarwal, COO of Beta Glass. The project was concluded within a record 32 days (20 May-22 June 2024) glass-to-glass phasing to repair and rebuild the 60 square meter furnace with the help of 95 skilled engineers from Europe, Asia, as well as the local Beta Glass Nigeria team.
According to Mr. Agarwal, the repair is set to increase production by 30 tons, while also extending the lifecycle of the furnace by 8-10 years at just 30% of the cost of a major rebuild. This achievement highlights the ability of Beta Glass to grow sustainably and effectively, whilst at the same time, continue implementing cost-improvement initiatives to better serve customers across West and Central Africa.
50 Years and Counting
Looking ahead, Beta Glass remains steadfast in its mission to be the leading manufacturer and supplier of glass packaging solutions, driving exceptional consumer experiences across West and Central Africa.
In line with this, the company has expanded its efforts to champion a greener Nigeria with initiatives focused on recycling, sustainability, and educating the public about environmental responsibility. This includes a collaboration with the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) and Recycling Scheme for Women and Youth Empowerment (RESWAYE) to establish glass aggregator centres in strategic Lagos locations.
In addition, this commitment is also reflected in the recently announced partnership between Beta Glass and Wecyclers –an accomplished waste management company in Nigeria – for the launch of trucks to collect cullet (recycled broken or waste glass) to recycle and reuse in the glass manufacturing process, thus conserving valuable and finite raw materials and further minimising the Company’s environmental footprint.
Commenting on these high environmental standards and the Company’s leading sustainability efforts, the CEO of Beta Glass, Mr. Darren Bennett-Voci, stated: “We are not just suppliers; we are partners in progress, dedicated to setting new standards in the glass container manufacturing industry.”
As demonstrated by all its endeavours and achievements, Beta Glass continues to champion sustainability, innovation, and quality. Relying on this trinity of values ensures that Beta Glass delivers superior glass solutions while striving to make a positive impact on both the environment and the Nigerian business ecosystem.
Beta Glass Plc, a member of the Frigoglass Group and the leading manufacturer of top-quality glass packaging solutions, crowns and crates in West and Central Africa, announces the launch of the French language version of its website. This strategic move aims to better serve the extensive Francophone African market, strengthening Beta Glass’ commitment to delivering superior glass packaging solutions across various sectors.
As Beta Glass continues to grow its presence in Africa as a leading glass packaging manufacturer, the addition of French to its official website marks a significant milestone. This development facilitates French-speaking customers and partners and ensures they can easily access detailed information about products and services, fostering more effective communication and stronger connections.
“We are delighted to launch the French version of the Beta Glass website, which reflects our dedication to meeting the needs of our clients across Africa,” said Darren Bennett-Voci, CEO of Beta Glass Plc. “This latest update aligns with our mission to provide exceptional service and support to our African markets. Beta Glass is deeply committed to inclusivity and customer satisfaction. Our strategic initiatives focus on expanding our footprint in Francophone Africa, providing localised support and tailored solutions,” he added.
The new French version of the website offers comprehensive information on Beta Glass’ wide range of glass containers, innovative solutions, and sustainability initiatives. It also provides insights into the company’s commitment to environmentally friendly practices and recycling initiatives, as well as the latest news, developments, and success stories.
As a member of the Frigoglass Group, Beta Glass harnesses advanced technology and innovative practices to deliver sustainable and quality packaging solutions. With a strong presence in West and Central Africa, Beta Glass is committed to driving progress and setting new standards in the glass container manufacturing industry for the markets of the African continent.
Manufacturing
Emmanuel Penneh set to lead the Ghanaian team that will re-assemble the first Nissan Navara made in Ghana
Emmanuel Penneh (Image: Lusawovana Pius- edelman)
Emmanuel Penneh arrived back in Accra this week, ready to start the next phase of a journey that’s taken three years so far and still has an intensive eight months to run. On Thursday 3 June 2021, the married 44-year-old father of three graduated with his team of 11 Ghanaians from an intense eight-week course at Nissan South Africa’s Rosslyn manufacturing plant outside Pretoria. That was just the first step for them. Now the hard work begins, getting Ghana’s brand-new Nissan assembly plant in Tema, outside Accra, ready to begin re-assembling the first ever Nissan Navaras to be built in Africa early in the New Year.
The graduation is a critical milestone in a process that began back in 2018 with the signing of the landmark Memorandum of Understanding between Nissan and the Government of Ghana, followed by the drafting and promulgation of Ghana’s automotive development policy the following year and then the appointment of Japan Motors Trading Company (JMTC), as Nissan’s preferred partner last year to ensure that the new facility will be 100% Ghana owned and run.
Penneh is up for the challenge. Speaking at the special graduation ceremony held at the Rosslyn, SKD plant, he said he and his team were proud and honoured, excited and delighted. “This is a historic evolution for Nissan Ghana, Nissan South Africa and Nissan worldwide. This is the plant where the Nissan Navara is being made for the first time in Africa, by Africans for Africa, now we are going home to re-assemble the first Navara made in Ghana for Ghana by Ghanaians!”
Penneh will be the plant manager. It’s a feather in the cap for the 10-year JMTC veteran. Before being approached to lead the team, Penneh was service co-ordinator for the group’s aftersales operations, overseeing five workshops across Ghana. He’s been in the automotive industry for 14 years, with four years at Man Truck Ghana before he joined JMTC.
“It’s exciting,” he says, “it gives a new dimension to my career. After concentrating on the after sales aspect, I’m now coming into the industry that actually builds the vehicles.”
The eight-week training that the team underwent in South Africa had been gruelling, he said, they had no idea what to expect. “It was challenging coming fresh into this industry and discovering so many processes and rules and mastering them, but it’s been exciting.”
He’s exceptionally proud of the team he led to South Africa and the way they’ve conducted themselves. “This (the creation of a Nissan assembly plant in Ghana) is going to be a game changer for ourselves, but also for our country, creating jobs, upskilling people and creating opportunities for local brand ownership.”
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