The demise of the SA Tool, Die, and Mould making (TDM) sector over the past 30 years has resulted in the loss off more than 80% of TDM manufacturing capacity. This is according to Dr Rob Davies, Minister of Trade and Industry, speaking at the launch of the Tooling Centre of Excellence at the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa).

Davies added that the SA economy utilises on average more than R15 billion per annum of TDM equipment and maintenance services, of which only 20% is provided by the local industry.

“This has not only had an adverse effect on the balance of payments, but resulted in significant loss of technical and engineering skills and maintenance support. Given the centrality of the TDM sector, the broader manufacturing sector’s competitiveness has also been negatively impacted.”

“The decline of the TDM sector led to the establishment of a partnership between the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) and the Toolmaking Association of South Africa which gave rise to a multi-stakeholder intervention known as the National Tooling Initiative (NTI) programme. The NTI, as a rehabilitation strategy, aims to address production and technology challenges, skills deficit and transformation in the sector.”

Davies also said the shortage of toolmakers in South Africa posed a serious challenge towards achieving the goals set out in the Industrial Policy Action Plan.

“Current toolmakers in SA are aging (average age of 55 years) and the number of properly trained toolmakers produced per year remains very low in comparison, resulting in a continuing shortage of toolmakers in a variety of manufacturing sectors.”

“The dti understood the importance of the TDM sector in the economy and has to-date supported the NTI with over R260million of which R9 million has been invested to equip the Tooling Centre of Excellence at Necsa and that supplementary funds would be earmarked for future funding in an effort to developing a state-of-the-art facility. This investment is necessary and will assist SA in reversing the skills deficit, close the age gap and contribute to regaining the manufacturing competitiveness.”