Formation of Wonderware User Group Committee
September 2013
News
Invensys has announced the formation of the Wonderware South African User Group Committee (UGC) for 2013. Elected at the Invensys X-Change 2013 User Conference, the UGC appointed its office bearers and declared its objectives at its first meeting on 5 July.
The Wonderware UGC in southern Africa represents the largest faction of industrial automation and MES end-users and system integrators in the region who are involved in the mining and manufacturing industries. The committee members all hold positions of responsibility at leading South African companies and have a collective depth and breadth of experience spanning many decades and virtually every aspect and discipline of production and associated business processes. The committee members are:
* Erol Cacouratos – Johnson Matthey
* Gawie Reyneke - Lonmin Platinum
* Jaco van Heerden – African Rainbow Minerals
* James Mbewe – Rand Water
* Jonathan Meyer – Exxaro Resources
* Kevin Lawrence – Nestlé South Africa
* Lucia Beukman – South African Breweries
* Wiseman Magagula – Coca-Cola Swaziland
The committee appointed Jonathan Meyer, senior solution architect at Exxaro Resources as chairman and Kevin Lawrence, senior technical advisor at Nestlé South Africa as secretary. Meyer indicates that the main roles of the UGC include:
* Providing a platform for conversations between industry users of Invensys Wonderware software and Invensys Southern Africa.
* Allowing industry to voice its business and user requirements in terms of application knowledge and product functionality.
* Acting as an information channel to relay these requirements to the Invensys Wonderware product development teams so as to improve the overall industry experience with the technologies in which they have invested.
* Provide a win-win situation between Invensys and industry users.
“Invensys ranks South Africa near the top of the list for the professional and innovative deployment of its solutions and that is why input from this region is paid particular attention,” says Deon Barnard, MD of Wonderware in southern Africa.
Other responsibilities of the UGC include collaborating on the contents and format of events such as the annual X-Change User Conference as well as the topics for the winter and summer breakfast road shows which cover up to 13 national venues annually.
For more information contact Jaco Markwat, Invensys Operations Management, +27 (0)11 607 8100, [email protected], www.iom.invensys.co.za
Further reading:
Rooibos heads to space in groundbreaking South African STEM initiative
News
Rooibos seeds will be sent to the International Space Station as part of a first-of-its-kind South African initiative combining space-based plant science with hands-on STEM education for learners in the Cederberg region and Cape Town.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: Turning the tide
Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control)
News
Our last few Sustainable Manufacturing guides have tracked the changes in the energy industry in South Africa. This year, I found that the story has moved on still further.
South Africa’s manufacturing
...
Read more...
Engineering a more inclusive future
News
Women engineers at Zutari are helping shape resilient communities across Africa and the Middle East, while inspiring the next generation to enter the profession in areas ranging from water security to large-scale urban developments.
Read more...
Schneider Electric inspires future women engineers
Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric welcomed female engineering students from its education partner Sedibeng TVET College, Sebokeng to its Midrand headquarters for its Mandela Day Mentorship Café initiative, transforming a day of service into a day of inspiration, learning and opportunity.
Read more...
Supporting an inclusive circular economy transition in South Africa
News
The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation has released its Circular Economy Science, Technology and Innovation strategy. The document sets out how research, development and innovation can support South Africa’s shift away from a linear economic model.
Read more...
Why sustainability and resilience matter more than ever to navigate the ESG backlash
News
ESG, once heralded as a pragmatic framework for embedding long-term resilience into business, is facing growing resistance. The backlash we are seeing may appear reactionary, but it should not distract us from the facts. In this climate, I often find myself returning to the core purpose behind sustainability - creating long-term value in a world of escalating uncertainty.
Read more...
Electra Mining Africa showcases the technologies shaping tomorrow’s industry
News
Taking place from 7 to 11 September 2026 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec, Electra Mining Africa will showcase thousands of products, technologies and services from more than 1000 local and international exhibitors.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: Building a better future
Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control)
News
This issue of
SA Instrumentation & Control includes our Sustainable Manufacturing Industry Guide, which has some great examples of companies actively contributing to a net-zero carbon future. It’s also
...
Read more...
Latest automation innovations on show at Electra Mining Africa 2026
News
Electra Mining Africa 2026 will showcase new developments in mining automation, AI-integrated safety systems, digital power solutions and CNC simulation technology, alongside a new outdoor Orange Zone exhibition area at the Johannesburg Expo Centre.
Read more...
Tech4Tomorrow Winter School inspires future innovators in Hammarsdale
News
Counter Space Learning hosted its Tech4Tomorrow Winter School, bringing robotics, programming and artificial intelligence to learners who might not otherwise have access to these technologies.
Read more...
printer friendly version