Fuchs Lubricants South Africa, a subsidiary of Fuchs Petrolub SE in Germany, has announced an investment of just over R250 million in South Africa for the purchase of land and the development of the site for a warehouse, office complex and lubricants plant. The project duration is 17 months and is expected to be completed in October 2021.
Paul Deppe, MD of Fuchs Lubricants South Africa, says the project has been in planning for the last two years. “We are concerned about the Covid situation and the impact on our markets, but Fuchs has always focused on making long-term decisions and we are confident of the future strength of our business in Africa. Our capital investment decisions are therefore not based on current situations but on long-term strategies.”
Phase 1 of the project has been approved which is an investment of just over R250 million. It includes the purchase of land, development of the site, construction of a new and much larger warehouse and an office complex.
Paul adds, “A new warehouse system will provide much-needed storage space and modernisation of systems, and will enhance efficiencies. The project was approved in May, the land had already been purchased, and preliminary work has begun.”
The new project follows the company’s investment of R125 million in a grease plant expansion in Isando in 2018. DRA Global was selected to provide Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) services for the project. Industrial Logistic Systems has been appointed as warehouse consultant and ICM Architectural Studio as the architect.
