SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA is the largest power transformer in Southern Africa. The company enjoys the advantages of its’ local South African history spanning more than 75 years within the African continent and backed by the global strength and expertise of the SGB-SMIT Group, spanning more than 114 years. The company has the capability to design, manufacture, test, install and commission a wide range of power and distribution transformers within the two manufacturing plants located in Cape Town (distribution) and Pretoria (Power). The company has a fully equipped laboratory in Pretoria, which can test various materials (including transformer oil) and complements the service department, in addition to supporting external companies and clients.
The contract with a Ugandan Utility for the design, manufacture, testing, installation and commissioning of 20MVA 132/11kV and 20MVA 33/11kV transformers for a project in Njeru, Jinja, Uganda, formerly known as Owen Falls Dam. This hydroelectric power station is situated across the White Nile near to its source at Lake Victoria. Nalubaale is the Luganda name for Lake Victoria. These transformers will replace the existing transformers which will be decommissioned.
The recent FAT result clearly demonstrates the plant and people capability, successfully testing transformers whilst the Pretoria test bay undergoes repairs, due to the fire accident in March this year. This success is the result of great teamwork – both in the factory in Pretoria and within the wider SGB-SMIT Group. This demonstrates the strong capability, skillset and motivation within the local South African team, which also shows the South African manufacturing capacity and capability, especially within the African continent. The Group technical support represents a tremendous competitive advantage and is a crucial aspect for the South African team to continue on the path of continuous improvement.
The support given from The Department of Trade Industry and Competition (the dtic) has been of immense help to the company both from a financial and technical perspective.
SGB-SMIT POWER MATLA is owned by SGB-SMIT (GmbH) and Power Matla. SGB-SMIT, is the largest independent and pure-play transformer manufacturer in the world, with headquarters in Regensburg, Germany. They are represented in 80 countries worldwide with plants in Germany, the Netherlands, USA, Romania, Malaysia, India, China and the Czech Republic. With transformer expertise since 1913 they produce transformers ranging from 50 kVA up to 1,200 MVA. Power Matla (Pty) Ltd is a locally owned black empowered company with investments in various portfolios within the renewable energy, ICT, healthcare, mining and power utilities markets providing good shareholder value and solid returns.