Date: 27/03/2003
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government
Title: Shilowa: Opening of Element Six production facility
ADDRESS BY GAUTENG PREMIER, MBHAZIMA SHILOWA, AT THE OPENING OF THE NEW ELEMENT SIX PRODUCTION FACILITY, Springs, 27 March 2003
Nicky Oppenheimer - Chairman of De Beers
Jonathan Oppenheimer - Chairman of Element Six
Christian Hultner - Managing Director of Element Six
MEC Jabu Moleketi
Mayo of Ekurhuleni
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am very honoured to be part of this important historic occasion of the opening of the new expanded Element Six production facility.
The Gauteng Provincial Government is very pleased that Element Six has chosen Gauteng ahead of other centres in the world as the location for its largest industrial diamond production factory.
The increased investment as represented by the expansion of the factory we are opening today is a further expression of confidence by Element Six in the South African economy and Gauteng in particular.
The creation of one of the world largest industrial diamond production facilities in our province further reaffirms that Gauteng is indeed fast becoming a globally competitive smart centre.
At the opening of our provincial legislature last month we indicated that our economy has consistently been performing very well, reaffirming the appropriateness of the strategy we have employed to stimulate higher growth rates, enhance sustainable job creation and attack the roots of poverty.
Our success in achieving and maintaining high economic performance is largely due to the strong partnership we have built with the private sector in the province. We continue to work together with the private sector to identify what we can do together to ensure that our economy continues to grow at higher rates and create sustainable jobs.
Gauteng is pleased to be home to the world's most productive and sophisticated industrial diamond manufacturing facility that is ahead of our international competitors.
Ranked as the most productive and efficient operation in its field, Element Six helps us to further position South Africa as a globally competitive country that occupies its rightful place in the mainstream of the world economy.
In January we visited Japan where we had discussions with Japanese automotive companies about new investment opportunities that we are creating in Gauteng. All the companies that we met, including Toyota, Mazda and Nissan, were impressed by our efforts to create an environment conducive to more investment in the automotive industry. They committed themselves to sourcing more component parts and supplies from South African companies.
This is further testimony that Gauteng is becoming a preferred location by world acclaimed companies to produce quality products that meet the highest world standards.
I am sure that these automotive manufacturers, and many other companies that use the industrial products that are manufactured by Element Six from this plant will welcome the fact that there is now increased capacity to meet their needs.
I assume that, in line with current trends in the world, Element 6's decision to increase capacity at this plant is aimed not only at increasing its volumes to supply the local market but also the foreign market.
In this regard the location of this plant in Springs, which is within close proximity to the Johannesburg International Airport, is strategic. The plant will benefit from the work that we are doing around the airport to ensure that our products are able to move quickly and efficiently out of our province as well as attract even more export orientated companies to our province.
As we know, the area containing the Johannesburg International Airport was designated as an Industrial Development Zone by the Minister of Trade and Industry in November 2002.
I am pleased that Element Six is also involved in an initiative with other large companies in the area to empower local Small and Medium Enterprises, particularly in the service industries such as cleaning, catering and courier services.
The investments that Element Six continues to make in South Africa and especially in the Gauteng province provide a shining example worthy of emulation by other local and global companies.
Element Six is a leading example of a company that has heeded the government's call for South African companies to invest in their own country to demonstrate the confidence required to attract foreign direct investment.
What we are celebrating today is the launch of an African icon. The challenge is for you all to ensure that Element Six stays ahead of the pack and maintains its leadership position in the global market.
Thank you.
For more information contact: Thabo Masebe on 082 410 8087
Issued by Office of the Premier, Gauteng
27 March 2003
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government
Title: Shilowa: Opening of Element Six production facility
ADDRESS BY GAUTENG PREMIER, MBHAZIMA SHILOWA, AT THE OPENING OF THE NEW ELEMENT SIX PRODUCTION FACILITY, Springs, 27 March 2003
Nicky Oppenheimer - Chairman of De Beers
Jonathan Oppenheimer - Chairman of Element Six
Christian Hultner - Managing Director of Element Six
MEC Jabu Moleketi
Mayo of Ekurhuleni
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am very honoured to be part of this important historic occasion of the opening of the new expanded Element Six production facility.
The Gauteng Provincial Government is very pleased that Element Six has chosen Gauteng ahead of other centres in the world as the location for its largest industrial diamond production factory.
The increased investment as represented by the expansion of the factory we are opening today is a further expression of confidence by Element Six in the South African economy and Gauteng in particular.
The creation of one of the world largest industrial diamond production facilities in our province further reaffirms that Gauteng is indeed fast becoming a globally competitive smart centre.
At the opening of our provincial legislature last month we indicated that our economy has consistently been performing very well, reaffirming the appropriateness of the strategy we have employed to stimulate higher growth rates, enhance sustainable job creation and attack the roots of poverty.
Our success in achieving and maintaining high economic performance is largely due to the strong partnership we have built with the private sector in the province. We continue to work together with the private sector to identify what we can do together to ensure that our economy continues to grow at higher rates and create sustainable jobs.
Gauteng is pleased to be home to the world's most productive and sophisticated industrial diamond manufacturing facility that is ahead of our international competitors.
Ranked as the most productive and efficient operation in its field, Element Six helps us to further position South Africa as a globally competitive country that occupies its rightful place in the mainstream of the world economy.
In January we visited Japan where we had discussions with Japanese automotive companies about new investment opportunities that we are creating in Gauteng. All the companies that we met, including Toyota, Mazda and Nissan, were impressed by our efforts to create an environment conducive to more investment in the automotive industry. They committed themselves to sourcing more component parts and supplies from South African companies.
This is further testimony that Gauteng is becoming a preferred location by world acclaimed companies to produce quality products that meet the highest world standards.
I am sure that these automotive manufacturers, and many other companies that use the industrial products that are manufactured by Element Six from this plant will welcome the fact that there is now increased capacity to meet their needs.
I assume that, in line with current trends in the world, Element 6's decision to increase capacity at this plant is aimed not only at increasing its volumes to supply the local market but also the foreign market.
In this regard the location of this plant in Springs, which is within close proximity to the Johannesburg International Airport, is strategic. The plant will benefit from the work that we are doing around the airport to ensure that our products are able to move quickly and efficiently out of our province as well as attract even more export orientated companies to our province.
As we know, the area containing the Johannesburg International Airport was designated as an Industrial Development Zone by the Minister of Trade and Industry in November 2002.
I am pleased that Element Six is also involved in an initiative with other large companies in the area to empower local Small and Medium Enterprises, particularly in the service industries such as cleaning, catering and courier services.
The investments that Element Six continues to make in South Africa and especially in the Gauteng province provide a shining example worthy of emulation by other local and global companies.
Element Six is a leading example of a company that has heeded the government's call for South African companies to invest in their own country to demonstrate the confidence required to attract foreign direct investment.
What we are celebrating today is the launch of an African icon. The challenge is for you all to ensure that Element Six stays ahead of the pack and maintains its leadership position in the global market.
Thank you.
For more information contact: Thabo Masebe on 082 410 8087
Issued by Office of the Premier, Gauteng
27 March 2003
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