The local automotive industry was given a boost with the opening of Design South Africa\u2019s new Port Elizabeth premises on 24 August 2012, bringing together their much-lauded engineering and automation departments right in the middle of one of South Africa\u2019s automotive hotspots.<\/p>\n
Originally founded in Kwazulu-Natal as a six-man operation in 1998, Design South Africa initially sought to offer new options for process planning and mechanical design to the South African automotive industry, but has since grown into one of South Africa\u2019s most reputable independent engineering and automation firms, employing 300 people across the country, with some 70 of those in Port Elizabeth.<\/p>\n
The opening attracted well-known senior executives from the automotive industries of Germany, South Korea and India to Port Elizabeth \u2013 as well as local suppliers, customers and dignitaries \u2013 and reflects a massive investment in both Port Elizabeth and the Eastern Cape from the company.<\/p>\n
Managing Director and Design co-founder John Mulgrew said, \u201cOur new premises in Port Elizabeth will enable us to streamline our services to Volkswagen, General Motors South Africa, Tenneco and Mercedes-Benz, who are all within close reach, and help ensure the growth of the Eastern Cape\u2019s developing automotive industry.\u201d The new 1900m2 building will bring Design\u2019s Eastern Cape engineering, automation and assembly departments under one roof for the first time since operations begun in Port Elizabeth in 1999.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe felt it was important to consolidate all of our departments in order to not only maximise efficiency, but also allow us scope to grow even more within the Eastern Cape in due time,\u201d<\/p>\n
Design\u2019s commitment to providing cost-effective engineering and robotics solutions at the highest of international standards have garnered them repeat custom from large international and national firms, as well as a number of prestigious industry awards, such as being named as Volkswagen South Africa\u2019s Facilities Supplier of the year in both 2008 and 2009, Tenneco 2009 2010 Supplier of the year, Toyota 2011 indirect Supplier of the year as well as GMSA<\/a>\u2019s Indirect Supplier of the Year in 2006.<\/p>\n \u201cIn fact, not a year has gone by at Design without recognition from our customers, not to mention massive growth in terms of both turnover and employment, \u201cWe like to think of our staff \u2013 from the workers on the shop floor to our administrative department \u2013 as a large, albeit very hard-working, family.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat attitude ensures that we deliver the highest possible quality product to our customers and continue our growth, development and investment in the Eastern Cape for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n Submitted by:<\/strong> Mandy Watson on behalf of DESign<\/a>.<\/p>\n Max Sorg \u2013 Project Manager Controls, Mercedes Benz EBZ Germany; John Mulgrew \u2013 Managing Director, DESign South Africa; Thomas Bausch \u2013 CEO, EBZ Germany<\/p>\n Click here to see more PE Movers and Shakers<\/a>.<\/p>\n Click here to submit your or your company achievements<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Max](\"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-content\/plugins\/rss-poster\/cache\/9c5ca_John_Mulgrew.jpg\")
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