Automotive industry
South Africa is the 18th largest manufacturer of vehicles in the world. The country produces 80% of Africa's vehicle output. All major motor manufacturers are represented in the country, namely BMW, Delta, Fiat, Ford, Nissan, Toyota and VW, with Mercedes Benz South Africa being located in East London.
The automotive industry is the third largest sector in South Africa, contributing 5.7% of the national GDP. 261 000 people are employed directly in this sector with many more employed indirectly. The industry accounts for approximately 29% of South Africa's manufacturing output.
Mercedes Benz South Africa (MBSA), located in East London, operates one of the largest Mercedes-Benz passenger car manufacturing plants outside of Germany. MBSA spent R1.4 billion upgrading and expanding its East London plant to enable the production of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, for which MBSA was awarded the worldwide contract.
Mercedes Benz SA is strategically situated near the East London port and boasts a R5.3 million bridge linking their manufacturing facility with the port's new vehicle terminal, streamlining the efficient delivery of vehicles to international markets.
Further Information
Textiles and clothing industry
The textiles, clothing and leather industry is the second largest sector in the Eastern Cape. The region is South Africa's second largest wool producer and the centre of the country's mohair industry.
Da Gama Textile Company, a division of KAP Textile Holdings SA, is based in East London and has been manufacturing a range of cotton and cotton/synthetic fibre fabrics since 1948 for both local and export markets. The company covers the full spectrum of textile manufacturing from blending and spinning of the fibres through weaving and printing to the construction of household textiles.
Their annual output capacity is approximately 12 million tons of yarn and more than 45 million square metres of fabric.
Pharmaceutical industry
East London is home to major pharmaceutical companies: Johnson & Johnson and Aspen Pharmaceuticals.
Johnson and Johnson has their head office for finance, operations, research and development in East London.
Aspen Pharmaceuticals is South Africa's largest generic pharmaceutical manufacturer. It's R8 million East London manufacturing site produces a wide range of products including penicillin, oral contraceptives, complementary medicine, cosmetics, powders and lotions.
Further Information
