On 23 May 2019, AR Jones Engineering was awarded a certificate of recognition from the Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone Licencing Company (SOC) Ltd (SBIDZ-LC). This is a significant milestone for our business as the certificate recognises AR Jones Engineering as a credible and reliable specialised engineering service provider for those companies within the SBIDZ.
The SBIDZ is the first Special Economic Zone located in a port in South Africa; it is also the only sector-specific special economic zone catering specifically for the oil and gas, maritime fabrication and repair industries.
The SBIDZ has attracted more than R3 billion in investment to date from a total of eleven signed international and local investors, with more in the pipeline. They are investing in a variety of fabrication workshops for steel and other metals; equipment and marine repair facilities, oil lubricant and fuel plants, as well as specialised engineering services. The investments signal a significant step in establishing new industrial value chains in and around the port of Saldanha.
AR Jones Engineering was originally selected by the Western Cape Government’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism to be part of the gas supplier development programme so that we can become a preferred supplier within the value chain. Since then we were also delighted to secure the right of first refusal for land in the SBIDZ. This is significant as being located within the SBIDZ is key to providing services to the companies within the Zone. We will start building our new workshop in 2020.
Our business model has also been fine-tuned to ensure that we are ready to offer the products and services that the sector requires as the SBIDZ evolves. Once our workshop is open we will also be first in line for information regarding developments in the oil and gas industry, which will help ensure we remain at the forefront of industry’s requirements.
When we received the award, Patrick Lakabane, Executive – Development Programmes at SBIDZ-LC, acknowledged that AR Jones Engineering is well placed to provide services in the Zone, as we have a track record of delivering high-quality services, and because we employ local artisans to undertake specialised work. Our team also has the correct welding procedures for the industry; and we have preferred supplier agreements in place in order to supply premium pumps and valves that the sector requires.
Receiving this award has been a significant milestone for AR Jones Engineering and we are excited about what the future holds.
