INDUSTRY is at a crossroads where the old way of doing things is no longer working as optimally as before. Unless businesses embrace this disruption, they face irrelevance, even extinction.
That was the warning from Brian Andrew MD of RS Components South Africa speaking to KZN Industrial & Business News at the recent KwaZulu-Natal Industrial Technology Exhibition (KITE).
Turning to the positive aspects of technology, Andrew said, “Automation, IOT and connected devices impact all industries. They have the potential to grow business and create jobs. Already, we in South Africa can see its plethora of benefits
“Furthermore, for South Africa to compete successfully in a fourth industrial revolution economy, stakeholders across all sectors must work together to drive progress in this country-Which is why we embrace opportunities to exhibit at events such as KITE as it allows us to show companies, emerging businesses and individuals the impact of technology and IOT in all aspects of our lives,” he said.
RS Components SA, a market leader in the electrical and engineering component space, was one of the big ticket exhibitors at this year’s KITE event, with its prominent stand attracting significant interest.
“We at RS Components, pride ourselves and our brand to share our knowledge and support initiatives that promote, nurture and guide technological-driven programmes from STEM education projects at grass roots level to showcasing what can be done in this connected age at events such as KITE.
“At RS, we promote technological thinking and this is further enhanced through our DesignSpark website for anyone of any age to share ideas, innovations, learn how to code or conceptualise designs with other users. DesignSpark has grown in leaps and bounds with more than 750 000 members-all who understand the importance of the connected age where IOT is revolutionising the way we see our lives moving forward,” Andrew said.
The exhibition, which took place between July 24 and 26, 2019 at the Durban Exhibition Centre, also played host to a number of co-located events that provided attendees with the opportunity to brush up on current trends and technology within the sector.
The three main educational events at KITE included the free-to-attend SAIMechE Seminar Theatre, the free-to-attend MESA (Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association) special interest group, and the Lifting Equipment Association of South Africa (LEEASA) conference.
