MANN+HUMMEL inaugurates new facility in Johannesburg

Leading filtration specialists, MANN+HUMMEL, proudly unveiled its newest manufacturing plant in Kempton Park, just outside Johannesburg, marking a significant step in the company’s commitment to local production.

The new facility, covering 3,200 square meters, will play an integral role in supplying high-performance filters for commercial vehicles, passenger cars, and the off-highway and industrial aftermarket sectors. This exciting development follows a journey that began in 2016, when MANN+HUMMEL identified South Africa—the largest automotive market on the African continent as the ideal location for its manufacturing endeavours. The initial establishment of a sales office soon led to the creation of an aftermarket distribution centre that catered to Southern Africa, laying the groundwork for today’s state-of-the-art facility.

At the opening ceremony, Kurk Wilks, President & CEO of MANN+HUMMEL, highlighted the importance of this new plant in the company’s African growth strategy. “This plant in South Africa is a key milestone for MANN+HUMMEL Africa’s business growth strategy. This investment shows our clear commitment to supporting our customers in this market,” he stated. The facility is designed to align seamlessly with the company’s ‘in the region, for the region’ approach, enhancing customer experience with more competitive and responsive products.

Set to commence operations in March 2025, the new plant will create numerous job opportunities for skilled local workers, with plans for the number of employees to increase as production reaches full capacity across three shifts. The facility will not only boost employment but will also foster local economic growth.

Focused on sustainability, the new manufacturing plant will utilize solar power and implement the company’s 3R initiatives: reduce, re-use, and recycle, ensuring minimal environmental impact. Dr. Rostislav Khyr, COO and Group Vice President of Global Operations Transportation, expressed excitement over what this plant means for the local community, stating, “We aim to deliver innovative and reliable solutions tailored to local markets.”

MANN+HUMMEL, a renowned leader in the filtration industry with over 80 years of experience, offers a wide range of solutions not only in the automotive realm but also in sectors such as railway, maritime, e-mobility, healthcare, and more.

The company’s commitment to South Africa is a reflection of the continent’s potential for growth, as noted by Cedric Dackam, President & General Manager for the Automotive Aftermarket. “Africa is the world’s fastest-growing continent, and we see enormous potential in these markets,” he affirmed. Dackam hinted at future investments in other African countries as part of MANN+HUMMEL’s strategy to expand its footprint across the continent.

Cavin Hearne, Managing Director of MANN+HUMMEL Southern Africa, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the importance of serving South African clients efficiently. “We place a high-level of importance on our South African clients and our ability to serve them efficiently. This facility, and this team is committed to putting the customer first in all we do. From this facility we can provide quicker response times as well as better service to our clients in South and Southern Africa.”