- LH Marthinusen, an ACTOM company, launches new industrial fan production facility in Ekurhuleni to provide support for Eskom’s infrastructure development
- Investment propels domestic manufacturing and job creation, aligning with South Africa’s National Development Plan, supporting Eskom’s infrastructure
LH Marthinusen, a Division of the ACTOM Group, launched its new industrial fan manufacturing and services factory in Ekurhuleni on the 29th of May. The event established a major milestone for South African energy infrastructure growth and was attended by representatives from government agencies, Eskom, and industry partners. The facility, which is a major investment by ACTOM, will expand over the following three years to fulfil Eskom contracts.
LH Marthinusen features over a century of technical excellence and local industry leadership. This legacy of pioneering electro-mechanical repair and manufacturing expertise, established since its founding in 1913, underpins the company’s current expansion, building on a legacy deeply rooted in the country’s industrial progress.
The newly established factory not only manufactures industrial fans and their components but also offers maintenance services for essential fan systems that support Eskom’s air pre-heater infrastructure. These fans are crucial for Eskom’s power generation facilities, as they play a key role in managing airflow and regulating temperature levels.
David Sullivan, Divisional CEO of LH Marthinusen, highlights the strategic significance of this facility: “The launch of this facility underscores our dedication to fulfilling Eskom’s infrastructure needs with local products and innovative solutions. Our fans play a pivotal role in the successful operation of Eskom’s essential air pre-heater systems. This facility not only boosts our manufacturing capabilities but also fosters employment growth and industrial development in the region.”
While the project aims to create 50 new positions throughout the first three years, the company envisages an additional 120 job openings to meet Eskom’s and the general industries’ infrastructure demands. The production of each industrial fan requires 49 tons of steel, along with two tons of stainless steel. The substantial demand for local steel used in quadrifuge (four-stage) fan stations drives growth in domestic manufacturing and supply chain development.
CEO of The ACTOM Group, Mervyn Naidoo, notes: “Our investment and expansion aligns perfectly with the goals of South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP). This supports industrial development while strengthening local manufacturing operations and establishing employment opportunities. This facility supports both energy security for the nation and the NDP’s mission to drive economic transformation, skills development, and modernise infrastructure. It further helps us construct an enduring economy which serves South Africa’s long-term development purposes.”
The facility tour at the launch event allowed attendees to view both the production lines and the R&D facility that performs critical fan component reverse engineering of blades and impellers.
