SANY Group Enhances China-Africa Cooperation Through South Africa Parts Hub
Recently, a delegation from the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum visited SANY Group’s central parts warehouse located in South Africa, witnessing firsthand how this Chinese engineering machinery manufacturer is utilizing this logistics hub to strengthen cooperation between China and Africa.
The parts warehouse, which spans an impressive area of 11,487 square meters, is currently stocked with inventory valued at about 300 million South African Rand (approximately 17.65 million USD). This facility is noted as SANY’s largest overseas warehousing base, playing an integral role in their operations within the African continent.
Equipped with six functional zones, the warehouse facilitates efficient circulation of parts from both light-duty and heavy-duty components. It supports cross-border distribution throughout southern Africa, including swift deliveries to countries such as Zimbabwe and Botswana. One of the key advancements in this warehouse is the adoption of QR code technology, which has fully digitized the management process of inbound and outbound parts. This transformation has remarkably increased operational efficiency by over 100% compared to traditional methods.
To further enhance the responsiveness of their services, SANY has established partnerships with local logistic operators, including EPX, which provides overnight delivery services. This enhancement in logistics has significantly reduced delivery times and improved client response.
SANY's localization strategy plays a crucial role in these successful operations. The company prioritizes the establishment of a multi-tier talent base in South Africa, focusing on demand-driven local capacity building rather than conventional training methods. A major mission of this initiative is to cultivate practical talents in warehouse management, equipment maintenance, and logistics coordination for SANY's service outlets across Africa. This approach addresses the acute need for professionals who possess both technical skills and an understanding of local markets.
In addition, SANY aims to cultivate specialists skilled in advanced engineering equipment and new energy technologies to aid African enterprises. This effort is designed to usher in technological improvements in African industrial supply chains. Furthermore, the company is committed to providing vocational skills and employment opportunities for African youth, helping to mitigate the issues of high unemployment rates and skills shortages across the continent.
Since entering the African market in 2002, SANY has centered its journey on localization principles. These initiatives embody the company's vision to ensure that the advantages arising from the collaboration between China and Africa genuinely benefit the larger population in Africa, contributing to economic growth and skills development in the region. As SANY prepares to launch its industrial park in South Africa in 2025, the potential for further enhancing local production capacity and fostering China-Africa cooperation continues to unfold.