Bühler Southern Africa presented its comprehensive industry solutions at Electra Mining Africa 2024.
A proud exhibitor since 2016, the interactive display allowed visitors to experience its full suite of solutions, said Marco Sutter, MD, Bühler Southern Africa. These ranged from grain milling to animal feed, chocolate, coffee, biscuits, malting, and brewing. It included advanced materials in the automotive industry, grinding and dispersion in the coatings market, and mining and manufacturing.
Mining and manufacturing
In terms of mining, the focus was on items that were maintenance-friendly without the requirement of hot work permits and preparing equipment to ensure compatibility with the Internet of Things (IoT), explained Francois Knoetze, Head of Manufacturing and Logistics at Bühler Johannesburg. “Our participation strategically reinforced our commitment to the African market by highlighting our integrated approach to industry challenges and innovations.
Showcasing a broad spectrum of solutions demonstrated our capability to address critical needs across key sectors in Africa. A key aspect of this strategy was focusing on the mining and manufacturing sectors, vital to the region’s economic growth,” commented Sutter. Engaging attendees through interactive touch points and presentations allowed Bühler to highlight its technological prowess and its tangible impact on daily life and industrial efficiency.
“We planned to engage visitors and stakeholders through an immersive experience that highlighted our solutions across the entire value chain,” added Knoetze. Bühler Johannesburg’s role as a regional hub for value-added solutions and after sales service was further testament to the company’s long-term investment in Southern Africa. By participating in Electra Mining, it strengthened relationships with industry stakeholders, fostered innovation, and supported sustainable economic development across the continent. The company’s approach to innovation in the African market was differentiated by its deep local presence and commitment to serving the market from within. The regional hub was strategically positioned to provide tailored, value-added solutions and aftersales service across Southern Africa. “Our approach was ‘in the market for the market’ so we understood and met the unique needs of our African customers,” said Sutter.
Commitment to local innovation
Knoetze added that Bühler Johannesburg supported local manufacturers by purchasing products locally for faster response times. Its B-BBEE initiatives afforded opportunities to local vendors as startups. In addition, Bühler adapted its technologies to meet the diverse needs of African markets by carefully assessing and analysing the specific requirements of each region and customising solutions to address these unique needs. Bühler Johannesburg’s 24/7 support system exemplified its dedication to customer service, so clients received timely assistance and only had minimal downtime. “This local availability, combined with our comprehensive range of industry solutions and cutting-edge technology, allowed us to address critical industry challenges effectively and foster sustainable growth in the region,” said Sutter.
By focusing on local innovation and support, Bühler’s solutions were not only technologically advanced but also culturally and economically relevant to the African market. “Our commitment to being a reliable and responsive partner set us apart and underscored our dedication to driving progress and development across the continent,” added Sutter. Bühler had set goals for the coming years to strengthen its position in markets globally as a technology leader, while balancing the needs of humanity, nature, and economy in all its decision-making processes. It would develop a pathway to achieve a 60% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in its own operations by 2030.
Advancing food security
It was committed to having solutions ready to multiply by 2025 that reduced energy, waste, and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers. Bühler proactively collaborated with suppliers to reduce climate impacts throughout the value chain. Looking at trends, Knoetze said the integration of digital technologies and automation was transforming industries and increasing efficiency, productivity, transparency, and traceability. In addition, there was a growing focus on local production to ensure supply chain resilience and reduce dependency on imports. “We were at the forefront of digital transformation, offering advanced automation and IoT solutions to boost operational efficiency and product quality. Our digital platforms enabled real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance,” said Sutter. Advancing food security through discussions with local governments and stakeholders was of increasing importance. Here Bühler supported establishing food parks in developing countries to centralise production to meet the growing demand for nutritious and safe food.
