Illumination society convenes lighting industry technical committee

 
The Johannesburg branch of the Illumination Engineering Society of South Africa (IESSA) convened a special committee meeting on 5 August 2014 to address the growing influx of sub-standard and unsafe LEDs and components into the country and their effects on established and professional market players. These products, mainly from the Orient, lead to confusion and disappointment in LED technology among end-users, effectively limiting market growth.

 

From left are Valdi Pereira, Deon van Vuuren, Connie Jonker, Donna Coghill and Henk Rotman.

The objectives of the meeting, which was chaired by Henk Rotman from Philips Lighting SA and attended by some 50 IESSA members, was to define the challenges and common goals and to formulate a plan of action.Also on the agenda was the importance of making industry and end-users aware of the dangers and disadvantages of these products, as well as the role of standards and their implementation.

The committee agreed on a dual education campaign aimed at end-users and industry players respectively, as the former are removed from assemblers and distributors in terms of the distribution chain. The choice of LED solutions is usually made by architects, engineers or contractors.

The fledgling South African LED market is particularly vulnerable to non-compliant imports and it was pointed out that the lighting industry is in need of stricter regulation.
The relationship between the SABS and NRCS is a matter of concern for local assemblers and a solution must be found to bring both test houses on board to implement standards and so create a level playing field and promote of quality products.
In terms of standards policing, it was pointed out that, while SABS standards are voluntary and cannot be written into law, NRCS standards do have this potential. Even so, many local assemblers fail to conduct proper testing. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for this month.

Contact Sue Swash, IESSA, Tel 011 476-4171, sue@iessa.org.za

 

What the IDC can do for your company

 

On 31 July 2014, Khayelihle Sibiya of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) addressed members of the Johannesburg Branch on the services rendered by the IDC to industry and to the lighting industry in particular.

 

Khayelihle Sibiya of the ICT Business Unit.

 

Established in 1940, the IDC is a national industrial development finance institution which aims to promote economic growth and industrial development in South Africa and the rest of the continent. It is owned by the South African government under the supervision of the economic development ministry.

 

The IDC is tasked with creating sustainable jobs via industrial development and economic growth. It has approved over R20 billion in grants over the past twelve months and, in doing so, has contributed to the creation of more than 40 000 local jobs, in line with its job creation mandate.

 

The IDC's current committed portfolio for the information and communication technology (ICT) sector amounts to over R4,7-billion. It views LED manufacturing as an ICT strategic objective, meaning that companies which populate components onto printed circuit boards, either in-house or outsourced, are eligible to partner with the IDC.

 

IDC funding schemes

 

Gro-E scheme

 

The IDC is investing R10-billion in economic growth and job creation over the next five years through its Gro-E scheme.

 

This scheme offers financial support to start-up businesses including funding for buildings, equipment and working capital. It also funds companies wishing to expand. The proviso here is that they must show an ability to create jobs. Businesses should also operate in sectors supported by the IDC.

 

The Gro-E scheme scheme funds businesses at prime less 3% for loans and the real after-tax internal rate of return (RATIRR) of 5% for equity financing. A minimum of R1-million with a maximum of R1-billion per project is allowed. The funding is available over five years or until the scheme is exhausted.

 

The reduced loan pricing is available for five years, after which normal IDC pricing applies and finance required in excess of the scheme's limit can be accessed through normal IDC funding.

 

Incentives for existing manufacturers

 

The Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme (MCEP) offers a new suite of incentives for existing manufacturers designed to not only promote competitiveness in the manufacturing arena, but also to ensure job retention in this sector.

 

The MCEP consists of industrial financing loan facilities managed by the IDC and production incentive grants administered by the Department of Trade and Industry.

 

The programme id for working capital facilities only and offers a maximum approval of R50-million per applicant at an interest rate fixed at 4% for four years, followed by normal IDC pricing. At least one year's trading experience is needed.

 

Case study 1

 

A private, 100% white-owned LED manufacturer in Western Cape Province with over 40 employees and a BEE level rating of 3 could wualify for IDC facility approval of approximately R10,5-million.

 

Case study 2

 

A private, 100% women-owned LED manufacturer in Gauteng with more than 30 employees and a BEE level rating of 4 could receive IDC facility approval for an equipment loan and working capital facility to the total of approximately R5,5-million.

 

How to apply

 

Contact Khayelihle Sibiya at the ICT Business Unit on 011 269-3438 or 076 871-5594, or at khayelihles@idc.co.za. Alternatively, submit a business plan to the IDC call centre at callcentre@idc.co.za or visit www.idc.co.za for more information or to submit an online application.

 

Contact Sue Swash, IESSA, Tel 011 476-4171, sue@iessa.org.za

Invitation to the 28th session of the CIE, Manchaster, United Kingdom

 

DIALUX Interior and CAD import of drawings

 

This course, to be presented in Johannesburg on 26 August 2014, is designed to further the knowledge of and assist those who would like to obtain a better understanding of the DIALUX design program. This course has been prepared for students, maintenance staff and managers, designers of all lighting installations, and for people who require a competency in the computer aided design of lighting installations.

 

The course will be of value to all people who design lighting systems, in particular: 

• Municipal engineers, technicians and managers.
• Building and industrial engineers, technicians and managers.
• Electrical contractors and certified electricians.
• Lighting equipment suppliers.
• Electrical engineers.

Lighting School

 

The course, to be presented at NMISA from 29 September to 3 October 2014 will be of value to all people who design and inspect lighting systems, in particular: 

• Municipal engineers, technicians and managers.
• Building and industrial engineers, technicians and managers.
• Electrical contractors and certified electricians.
• Lighting equipment suppliers and buyers.
• Electrical engineers - professionals and students requiring competency to design and measure the illumination levels of an installation.

Contact Sue Swash, IESSA, Tel 011 476-4171, sue@iessa.org.za

RELUX Interior and CAD Import of drawings

This course, to be presented in Johannesburg on 21 October 2014, is designed to further the knowledge of and to assist those who would like to obtain a better understanding of the RELUX design programme. This course has been prepared for students; maintenance staff and managers; designers of all lighting installations and for people who require competency in the computer aided design of lighting installations.

The course will be of value to all people who design lighting systems, in particular:

• Municipal engineers, technicians and managers.
• Building and industrial engineers, technicians and managers
• Electrical contractors and certified electricians
• Lighting equipment suppliers.

Electrical engineers - professionals and students requiring competency to design lighting installations.

All course notices and enrolment forms may be downloaded from www.iessa.org.za. Alternatively, contact Sue Swash at sue@iessa.org.za.