I have decided not to talk about the SAIMC this month – just for a change – so here comes something new from me……
Is it not great to see the upgrading of our highways going on in Johannesburg? Finally we have some infrastructure upgrade. My brother-in-law recently moved to Chicago and when asked what the worst thing there was, his comment was the roads. Most of them are tolled (something that might start happening to us), and due to the fact that they use salt in winter to melt the ice, the pot holes are massive and plentiful. I do a lot a travelling and I must say that our roads are not that bad, even in my neighbourhood, a pot hole is normally repaired within two weeks. The road between JHB and Secunda is also getting a face lift. The Eskom crisis that loomed before winter never actually materialised and we experienced good availability, well done Eskom. I am still convinced that South Africa is the best place to live! Opportunities exist for everyone committed enough to make something work. Where else will you find friendly people like us and weather as great as ours?
Our automation industry looks alive and well, with the Gautrain, Eskom expansions, PetroSA refinery, Sasol and Africa opportunities, there is a lot of activity. In fact our outlook looks better than the European market. With all these projects and the lack of resources we face, I am still upbeat that we, as South Africans, will deliver on these. Our South African spirit performs best under pressure and we always seem to make a plan when needed.
The slow down in our activities (at least that is what we think) will start towards the end of November, in preparation for the December holidays. I am certainly looking forward to my break!
Till next time…make a conscious decision to find something positive about your situation!
SAIMC: From the office of the CEO SAIMC
SAIMC
The INSPIRE Conference 2026 brought industry and academia together to explore advances in automation, AI, mechatronics and engineering. It also marked a new direction for the SAIMC as it works to build future-ready engineering talent and strengthen South Africa’s automation industry.
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SAIMC
SAIMC Durban members went behind the scenes at the ATNS facility at King Shaka International Airport. The visit offered a fascinating look at the sophisticated technology and highly trained people keeping South Africa’s skies safe.
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SAIMC
At the SAIMC Durban branch September 2026 technology meeting, Werner Das of SICK explored how deep learning is moving industrial machine vision beyond rule-based systems into practical, everyday quality control on the factory floor.
Read more...SAIMC: From the office of the COO SAIMC
SAIMC
The recognition of mechatronics and computer engineering has created both an opportunity and a responsibility. Recognition means little without participation, professional registration without professional conduct, and technical knowledge without the mentorship, implementation and measurable value that industry needs.
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg branch SAIMC
SAIMC
Hendrik Spies of SICK Automation Southern Africa presented at the SAIMC Johannesburg Technology Evening on 12 August 2026, covering the digital journey from condition monitoring to predictive maintenance.
Read more...SAIMC: Durban branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Durban branch hosted S’yabonga Langa, systems performance engineer at eThekwini Electricity, who presented on applying substation automation to improve operational efficiency and service quality in modern power distribution networks.
Read more...SAIMC INSPIRE 2026 brings together industry, robotics and research
SAIMC
The inaugural SAIMC INSPIRE Conference will bring together the industrial automation, robotics and academic communities for two days of presentations, panel discussions and networking, and will explore developments in smart manufacturing, mining, robotics
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