Dask Distributors is proud to announce that it has partnered exclusively with Saint-Gobain Tapes Solutions to locally manufacture automotive bonding tapes for top OEM assembly plants in South Africa.
Dask Distributors is now able to manufacture and convert raw materials into bonding tapes thanks to it having imported new, state-of-the-art machinery from CMC in Italy. Dask Distributors will be a Tier 1 supplier of Saint-Gobain bonding tapes to the likes of Toyota, VW, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Nissan, Ford and Isuzu.
Bonding tapes are crucial components when it comes assembling modern vehicles. These tapes are engineered to cater towards the high stresses and bonding requirements of major automotive vehicle assembly lines.
The tapes are further used to assemble interiors, battery packs for electric vehicles, body exteriors, electrical insulation, as well as braking and chassis systems, to name just a few.
Trent Bomberg, MD of Dask Distributors, says: “Historically, the likes of OEMs have purchased bonding tapes from overseas-based companies, thereby introducing a greater degree of cost and complexity to their operations.”
“By manufacturing these tapes in SA, this will help OEMs to boost their local procurement targets. It will further help them achieve the goals set out in the SA Automotive Master Plan 2035 and earn greater incentives through the APDP. Dask’s in-house manufacturing capabilities as well as its Level 4 B-BBEE compliance make it a solid partner in this regard,” adds Bomberg.
Renai Moothilal, Executive Director of the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) congratulated its member company Dask Distributors. “Growing this partnership with a major multinational like Saint-Gobain to drive new localisation in the SA automotive sector is exactly the kind of outcome we want to see, and is a model for other emerging South African component companies who want to penetrate the global markets that come with being part of the automotive manufacturing value chain.”
A further important note regarding this development is that local OEMs will also be more shielded from the current challenges facing the global supply chain with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
By manufacturing Saint-Gobain bonding tape components locally, Dask is set to help OEMs maintain efficient, continuous and cost-effective production lines.
General Manager for Saint-Gobain Tommie Smit says:
“We are very pleased with our growing partnership with Dask Distributors and we are fully in support of the SA Automotive Masterplan 2035. Saint-Gobain has also participated with other Government initiatives such as the Youth Employment Scheme (YES program) to support the youth in gaining valuable work experience to improve chances for employment.
Saint-Gobain is a solution based organization, in addition we also offer products to the Automotive sector globally such as Bonded Abrasives wheels for gear grinding, E Rotor grinding, products used in the manufacturing of Catalytic Convertors and also Adhesives to name but a few.”
Growing partnership
This latest development from Dask Distributors comes after it struck a key partnership with Saint-Gobain in 2020 to manufacture and produce automotive abrasives locally.
Similar to the bonding tapes market, the vast majority of abrasives were previously manufactured offshore and imported as a completed product — resulting in higher costs.
But Dask Distributors invested in state-of-the-art machinery from Italian manufacturer Biko that has allowed it to produce abrasives with the highest level of accuracy.
By taking these endeavours, Dask Distributors has also created many new local jobs at a time when the South African economy needs it most.
The move to manufacture these products in South Africa further comes as Dask Distributors continues to evolve from being a distributor to that of a manufacturer as well.
