Page 4 - EngineerIT AugustSeptember Issue 2026

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

e open this issue with That connects neatly with our
Beckhoff’s AF1000, a pieces on women in robotics and
Wvariable-frequency drive engineering, as well as the difference
developed for simpler applications relatively modest financial support
where cost, compact design and can make to a young person hoping
straightforward integration matter. to enter the profession.
Built for conveyors, pumps, fans and
more, it is a useful reminder that Connectivity, smart manufacturing
innovation does not always have to and the realities of industrial
mean adding complexity. investment also come under
the spotlight. Clever technology
Our Electra Mining Africa 2026 only delivers when the people,
Show Preview takes over the centre infrastructure and investment around
pages ahead of one of Southern it can keep pace.
Africa’s biggest industrial events
this September. The show returns There is plenty in this issue, and even
to Nasrec with more than 1,000 more tucked into the middle.
exhibitors, an expanded 44,000m²
footprint and a programme spanning Elsewhere, people and skills feature Glad to have you
mining, automation, manufacturing, strongly. We look at South Africa’s with us.
power, sustainability and industrial continuing engineering and technology
technology. New feature areas, more brain drain, the challenge of keeping Justin Render
live demonstrations and dedicated valuable expertise at home and the Editor, EngineerIT
theme days should make this year’s importance of developing a stronger
edition particularly worth watching. pipeline into the sector.

Quark’s Corner As factories become

smarter, MSV is working
with EngineerIT’s Hack of all Trades with manufacturers on
automation, predictive
brought to you by… maintenance, smart
instrumentation and data-
driven technologies that
can help improve efficiency,
reliability and safety.

Veni has become an increasingly
Every now and then, I come across a visible voice in this space too.
company that makes me stop and think, She recently joined the Manufacturing
“BEEP! These guys are onto something.” Indaba Automation Day panel to
discuss AI, automation and the future
MSV Instrumentation and Supplies is one of them. of smart manufacturing in Africa,
building on a career that also
Founded in 2017 and led by Managing Director saw her receive the
Veni Reddy, MSV supplies process instrumentation Women of the Year –
and industrial automation solutions across sectors Tech award in 2023.
including mining, manufacturing, food and beverage,
water, chemicals and energy. For MSV, the thinking is refreshingly practical: understand
what is happening inside a process, measure it properly
Its portfolio covers level, pressure, flow, temperature, and give people the information they need to make
vibration and analytical measurement, but what better decisions.
caught my attention is how the company is helping
customers move beyond measurement alone. www.msvinstrumentation.co.za

4 | EngineerIT August/September 2026