BCX Showcases Disruptive Tech to Eastern Cape Manufacturers

Thursday, 19 July 2018 – BCX hosted its 4th annual manufacturing event in Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth) on 18 July. This event focused on the future of technology in the manufacturing sector, and how disruptive innovation can transform and grow the industry.

Manufacturing is part of the backbone to the South African economy, contributing 13% of GDP, and is a key job creator. Despite its importance, manufacturing growth slowed by 6.4% in Q1 of this year and some 8 000 jobs were lost over the past year, due in large part to the slowing economy.

Disruptive technologies such as 3D printing, robotics, cognitive automation, artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) have the potential to spur dramatic growth in this sector by creating efficiencies and increasing production.

BCX’s manufacturing event was attended by more than 340 people representing many different sectors including manufacturing, assembly, automotive, pharmaceutical, education, retail and small to medium enterprise (SME).

Manufacturing represents a vital part of the South African economy, particularly in Nelson Mandela Bay. The discussions at this event have inspired many of the industry’s key stakeholders to look for the next generation technology that can move this industry to the next level. Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan executive mayor Athol Trollip highlighted key initiative that are in the process of being implemented to drive and stimulate growth within the Metropolitan.

Brett St Clair, CEO of Siatik, a Google Cloud Partner, was the keynote speaker at the event and addressed the many shifts in technology over the past few years and prepared the audience for digital disruption.

The event featured Prof Andre Calitz, Professor in the Department of Computing Sciences at the Nelson Mandela University as MC. Additional speakers included Rapelang Rabana, Chief Digital Officer of BCX; Andrew Kohler, formerly of BCX and now Director of Codeflux; Jaco Maas, General Manager of Information & Communication Technology at BKB; Edward Agostinho, Systems Engineering Manager of Cisco; Steve Apps, Chief Technology Officer of Huawei Technologies; and Pieter Engelbrecht, Aruba Territory Director of Southern Africa HPE.

About BCX

BCX is changing the way business is done in South Africa. It delivers customer-driven solutions built through disruptive innovation. As a member of the Telkom Group, BCX currently provides technology and infrastructure solutions for most of JSE-listed companies, helping to move the economy forward. To find out more about BCX, visit www.bcx.co.za.