Research on the Performance of the Manufacturing Sector

Executive Summary

This study shows the performance of the manufacturing sector in South Africa and its impact and importance for SMMEs, particularly for job creation. The focus of the research is to provide an overview of the manufacturing sector to ensure a better understanding of the current performance of the total sector in the economy, the performance of the subsectors within manufacturing sector and the potential for SMME development within the sector, as well as the policy framework that governs the manufacturing sector.

International manufacturing statistics show the dominant position of the US, China, and to a lesser extent Japan, as the manufacturers of the World. It also shows how China increased their manufacturing output from a mere 3% in 1990 to 18.9% in 2010. Although there are practises of labour mistreatment and exploitation, lessons can be learned from this. South Africa’s international manufacturing output, at a percentage of total world manufacturing output, decreased from 0.61% in 1990 to 0.5% in 2010. This indicates the need to strengthen SA’s manufacturing position, given the potential for employment creation, economic growth and export earnings.

The manufacturing sector in SA is growing slower in comparison to other sectors and has shrunk from 19% of GDP in 1993 to 17% of GDP in 2010. Petroleum products, chemicals, rubber and plastic as well is metals, metal products, machinery and equipment and food, beverages and tobacco are the largest sectors in the economy. Other non-metal mineral products showed the slowest growth over the period 1993 to 2010; and petroleum products, chemicals, rubber and plastic, the highest growth. Sub-sectors that receive the highest investment are motor vehicles, as well as parts and special machinery. The current sectors that dominate exports include Non-ferrous metals, Iron and steel products, and motor vehicles. Non-ferrous metals and Iron and steel products have great potential to provide additional value add to the raw, unworked products, while the motor industry imports 70% more than what they export, showing the immense potential in this industry.

The New Growth Path aims at creating 5 million new jobs by 2020. However, this seems very unlikely given the current structure of the economy, including supply side constrains (power, rail networks and levels of education amounts others). Key focus areas identified in the IPAP2 includes metal fabrication, capital and transport equipment, oil and gas, ‘green’ and energy-saving industries, agro-processing (linked to food security and food pricing imperatives), boatbuilding, automotive (products and components, and medium and heavy commercial vehicles), plastics, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, clothing, textiles, footwear and leather, bio fuels, forestry, paper, pulp and furniture, cultural industries and tourism, business process servicing, nuclear, advanced materials and aerospace.

The Subsection analysis section in this report aims to provide a clearer picture on each subsector making up the manufacturing sector as a whole, by providing a top view of the subsector and identifying and discussing the various industries within it. The subsector analysis additionally aims to identify role players within each subsector, as well as the strength and weaknesses of the subsector, while also highlighting the current and future opportunities that are available within it for SMME businesses. The analysis section helps to identify the challenges and barriers that hinder the growth of small businesses within each manufacturing subsector, and the job creation ability of each subsector.

The telephonic profiling phase of the project is reported on in section 7 of the report. The findings of the study are derived from interviews conducted with actual small businesses operating within the manufacturing sector. Highlighted are the demographics of the sample, their skills levels that are currently available within the parameters of small businesses in the manufacturing sector. Also highlighted are the challenges and barriers that small businesses are currently facing and their perception on the manufacturing sector as a whole. During the study, the respondents also provided their recommendations on what is required to support small businesses in the sector and delves into the current feelings and beliefs of small businesses within the manufacturing sector

Policy needs to address both our domestic and international competitiveness. In most areas, SA cannot compete with countries like China, but instead needs to find niche markets of specialisation, as well as areas where SA has a competitive advantage. It is also important to seek to improve SA’s productivity, not only in domestic rand terms, but also in dollar terms when we competed in international exports markets. Other important aspects include education, new product innovation; planning, the identification of areas for import substitution or supporting sectors that already show strong export capability. There is also a need of financial support for SMMEs, especially in economic recession periods (where potential bankruptcy is not as a result of bad management), as well as a need to increase the profitability of the manufacturing sector in order to attract new investment, and new talent and innovation to the sector.

There is also a greater need for policy alignment, not only for industrial policy, but also for example targeted education for key sectors, transport strategies and employment regulations that must also be aligned to create employment and to grow the manufacturing sector.

SMMEs have the potential of creating further employment opportunities in comparison to large companies and must be supported to create sustainable employment in SA. If support and funding for SMMEs can improve as well as the review of policies and budgets related to the SMME sector in manufacturing, then more sustainable jobs will be created that will impact on job creation, skills development and the improvement of economic conditions in the sector.

Some of the key findings that emerged from the research include:

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  The manufacturing sector is declining due to higher labour and production costs. Certain goods are cheaper to import and retail, rather than produce locally.
  
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  Banks are reluctant to borrow money to SMMEs as they are seen as a perceived risk, and the nature of their business is sometimes difficult to compute. There needs to be partnerships that will benefit rather than demoralize SMMEs.
  
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  There is a huge opportunity for Foreign Direct Investment across the country, and China is taking advantage of that.
  
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  There exists a need for a central management / support agency that will have the capability to assist firstly provincial government with translating their policy documents into actions. Secondly, there needs to be more awareness created amongst SMMEs and Co-operatives on the availability of business support services. Lastly to bridge the disconnect between government support agencies who duplicate services, work in competition rather than as a synergy even though they are striving for the same developmental goals (IPAP2 and the New Growth Path).
  
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  Government needs to invest more in research and development to ensure that opportunities are well researched before a strategy is informed to implement it.