It is a true success story of our globally positioned Group: Since joining the SGB-SMIT Group in 2018, the South African member SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA has been translating the strong commitment of its employees into sustainable growth. This applies both to the overall performance of the site and the performance of the transformers produced there: In February 2020, a transformer with the key data 500 MVA/400/132/22 kV passed the customer acceptance test at the Pretoria plant. Roshni Lawrence, who holds the position of CEO of SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA, comments on the impressive work of our group member in South Africa:
"SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA is a well-established South African company that combines its regional advantages and individual strengths with the global knowledge and know-how of the SGB-SMIT Group. SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA has more than 70 years of experience in the successful design, manufacture, testing, installation and commissioning of a wide range of power and distribution transformers. A fully equipped laboratory for testing various materials (including transformer oil) complements the service department, which also supports external companies.
The Pretoria plant has a manufacturing capacity of 10 MVA to 800 MVA 420 kV and produces furnace transformers, rectifier transformers, traction transformers, shunt reactors and related equipment. The production facility also includes a fully accredited transformer testing facility where all transformers manufactured are tested according to international standards (IEC 60076). This in-house testing facility represents a significant strategic advantage and is currently the largest facility of its kind in Africa.
With the successful testing of three high-voltage transformers (all 400 kV) in the last six months, SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA has reached a significant milestone. Two 400 kV units were successfully repaired and tested and shipped to the site in the 4th quarter of 2019. A further success was achieved in February 2020, when a successful factory acceptance test of a 500 MVA/400/132/22 kV unit was carried out.
This transformer is destined for a renewable energy project in the Cape Province, which is the first project in South Africa to be built under local management under the Renewable Energy Programme. Due to the convincing cooperation and the quality of the finished transformer, the largest utility placed a further order in May 2020 for the supply of five new 500 MVA units - also for feeding renewable energy into the supply grid.
This latest success of SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA was also the result of great teamwork - both in the factory in Pretoria itself and within the SGB-SMIT Group: the international cooperation among the group members covered all steps from design and production until test phase.
What we have achieved together proves that there are strong skills and motivation among the local team members, which are strengthened and managed by the Group's technical specialists. The technical support of the entire Group represents a tremendous competitive advantage and is a crucial aspect for the South African team to continue on the path of continuous improvement. The aim is to develop knowledge and expertise within SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA in order to manufacture products for all customers "First Time Right". This will ensure the sustainability of the company and contribute to common values for all".
Playing to regional strengths, increasing global expertise, and forming a successful group from a combination of strong companies with their own identity: SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA provides a particularly impressive example of what makes the SGB-SMIT Group stand out. And our young group member shows: being "dedicated" usually starts on site - and inspires our globally networked work.
