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Manufacturing is a mainstay of the South African economy and the sector holds vast potential to drive inclusive, sustainable growth. At the Beier Group, we see a thriving local manufacturing sector, underpinned by vibrant innovation and a commitment to quality, as a national imperative for economic development and job creation.

With a rich South African history stretching back 90 years, Beier has stood by its enduring values to become a dynamic, empowered manufacturer in the technical textiles and personal protective equipment industries. As we steer our business into the future, these values of quality, innovation and technical excellence remain at the heart of our manufacturing vision.

The future is local

Government’s long-term objectives for South African manufacturing rest on the expansion of local production.

The past few decades have seen Beier diversify from its origins in wool into a leading supplier of products and services ranging from high-spec filtration and robust safety footwear to personal protective equipment, world-class medical devices and export-quality coated fabrics. Our four manufacturing operations now employ nearly 2,000 people in Durban, Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg.

Over the last eight years alone, Beier group companies, with assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry, have collectively invested more than R230 million into local expansions and infrastructure growth. We see these investments as the key to broadening our product offering and production capacity.

Our strategy also demands that we reroute our supply chains closer to home. By nurturing domestic suppliers, we’ve unlocked substantial business value and improved competitiveness. Our Beier Envirotec member company, a leading producer of technical textiles, specialised media and filtration products, has been able to shift its wool supply source from New Zealand to a fully black woman-owned SMME in the Eastern Cape. Building on that success, it is now in the process of localising its scrim supply.

Beier also understands that successfully transforming our supply chains means working to develop the capabilities of local SMMEs by supporting them in areas such as skills development and capital investment.

A culture of quality

Championing quality is critical both for the growth of local manufacturing and for positioning South Africa as a key player in the increasingly competitive global market.

With its rich heritage of German technical excellence, the Beier Group has always depended on quality to power our growth and performance, while strengthening consumer confidence in our product offering. We believe that by building on that quality, and developing the essential workforce skills and expertise that underpin it, we’re helping to advance the reputation and competitiveness of South African manufacturing  worldwide.

Beier Drawtex Healthcare, a global advanced wound-care company with over 80 years of manufacturing intelligence, operates in an industry where the demands of quality and technological excellence are especially rigorous. Its locally manufactured first-of-its-kind hydroconductive wound dressing, Drawtex®, has attained the highest standards of regulatory compliance in order to meet the demands of markets in Europe, the USA and elsewhere.

More and more, quality is emerging as the key differentiator in the manufacturing space. At the Beier Group, we’ve ensured that it informs all of our decision-making and permeates our entire organisation and supply chain.

The innovation edge

The ability to invent and adapt is critical to the future economic success of South Africa’s manufacturing sector – and now is a pivotal time for technology-driven innovation to unlock new opportunities for growth.

A forward-thinking, innovative approach is especially important in the fast-evolving textile coating and laminating industry, where concerns around sustainability and environmental responsibility have created demand for superior new products. Neucoat, which leads the field in innovative coated-fabric product developments, has faced those challenges head-on.

Recognising the importance of research and development in the innovation process, Neucoat has introduced a dedicated laboratory-scale plant exclusively for product testing and development. The Lab Line allows for the rapid optimisation of new products, including PVC and PU coated fabrics.

At Beier, we believe that investing in quality and innovation today is investing in our future – and the future of South African manufacturing.