Propak West Africa will represent a unique platform for idea sharing around West Africa’s manufacturing sector. (Image source: Propak West Africa)

The organisers of Propak West Africa, Afrocet Montgomery, have revealed the conference lineup for the 11^th edition of the show, running from 10-12 September 2024

As the largest exhibition for the packaging, plastics, printing and food processing industries in West Africa, Propak West Africa is expected to bring together more than 5,500 stakeholders.

Those who arrive at the Landmark Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, will be treated to the extensive conference agenda where industry leaders will divulge their expertise, including a few feature in the form of the Product Innovation Stage. This platform will provide an intimate setting for leading brands including Tetrapak West Africa, SACMI, Bobst, Krones West Africa and EPSON to talk through case studies around their latest equipment.

With only 50 seats available for each session, the organiser urges eager participants to sign up and be sure to arrive at the sessions early to claim their seats. The Product Innovation Stage will run across all three days of the exhibition so there are lots of opportunities for visitors to learn something new.

On 10 September, visitors will welcome the return of the Smart Packaging Conference, hosted by AIOPPN, WPO, APO. This year’s theme is ‘Unlocking Nigeria Food Security: Implementation of Smart Sustainable Packaging to Reduce Food Waste”’. The full day programme will cover this critical subject with sessions looking at innovative approaches to sustainable packaging, cold chain technologies to reduce post-harvest loss, e-commerce platforms for food distribution, and how to implement sustainable packaging in the food supply chain.

With more than 20 speakers providing presentations and joining panel discussions throughout the day it’s a must attend event for those in the industry. The keynote will be provided by H.E. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, Honourable Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment (CCT&I), Lagos State, who will be complemented by other leading minds from the likes of Flour Mills of Nigeria, LAWMA, Crown Flour Mill Ltd, Helen Keller International and Value Ingredients Ltd.

Sustainable manufacturing 

Elsewhere, on Wednesday 11 September, strategic partners KPMG will deliver an exclusive conference looking at ‘Plastics for a Sustainable Future: Exploring Cross-sectoral Responsibilities, Innovation and Sustainable Finance’. Leading thinkers at KPMG will be joined by Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy to the Governor of Lagos State; Victor Boyle-Komolafe, founder/CEO - GIVO Africa; and Chigozie Ejimogu, head of sustainability at Verod Capital; among others.

The conference at Propak complements the growth of the manufacturing sector, ensuring sustainability is at the forefront of its efforts. This trend can be seen with the increase in representation in products and services offered by the 250 brands across the four halls of Propak West Africa this year.

For more information visit: www.propakwestafrica.com

Electra Mining Africa 2024 has a proven track record of driving sales and fostering business relationships. (Image source: Specialised Exhibitions)

Electra Mining Africa will bring important industries, buyers and sellers together when it opens its doors from 2-6 September

This year’s event is set to be one of the biggest Electra Mining Africa exhibitions to date with more than 850 exhibitors extending across six exhibition halls and four large outside exhibit areas. Visitors will get to see the latest industry innovations with thousands of new products and technologies on show, and hundreds of live demonstrations showcasing machinery and equipment in action.

Taking place in Nasrec, Johannesburg, Electra Mining Africa is described as a ‘5-in-1 trade show’ by Specialised Exhibitions, organisers of Electra Mining Africa and a division of Montgomery Group. The five incorporated shows – Electra Mining Africa, Automation Expo, Elenex Africa, POWERex, and Transport Expo – will put the spotlight on mining, manufacturing, engineering and related industries; automation, instrumentation, mechatronics and control; the electronics, electrical and electro-mechanical sectors; as well as power generation, power transmission and distribution, power application and renewable energy. The trucking, transport and logistics industries will also be highlighted.

The Local Southern African Manufacturing Expo has also been incorporated within Electra Mining Africa for the first time with its focus on local manufacturing.

Thousands are now preparing to attend the event and take the first steps to building relationships and discovering new technology for the benefit of their businesses.

“Electra Mining Africa has built its reputation as a platform for trade; the place where buyers and sellers meet to do business,” said Gary Corin, managing director of Specialised Exhibitions. “It’s a massive trade event and supports the stimulation of trade in the industrial, manufacturing and mining sectors of the South African economy.”

A unique learning opportunity

In addition to the world-class products on display, the free-to-attend seminars hosted by SAIMechE will give visitors the opportunity to hear from industry experts on global and local innovations within the mining and industrial sectors.

The Lifting Equipment Engineering Association of SA (LEEASA) and the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) will be hosting conferences alongside the show. Charlene Hefer, portfolio director at Specialised Exhibitions, added, “We are also thrilled that Women in Mining South Africa (WiMSA) will be hosting a half-day women in mining workshop, and, participating for the first time, WiMBIZ, which represents five hundred female owned companies in the mining industry, will create a networking space where visitors and exhibitors can talk about business partnering opportunities. There will also be a hosted networking function to facilitate these conversations."

For further information, visit: www.electramining.co.za

Last year, the Going Digital Awards were held in Singapore. (Image source: Bentley Systems)

Bentley Systems, Incorporated, an infrastructure engineering software company, has announced the finalists of the 2024 Going Digital Awards, an annual event which honours the efforts of Bentley’s global users

The winners will be announced at Bentley’s 2024 Year in Infrastructure and Going Digital Awards Event in Vancouver, Canada, running from 8-9 October. It will highlight and showcase how innovative software is enabling the advancement of the world’s infrastructure for better quality of life.

This year, 36 finalists across 12 categories have been selected from a pool of more than 250 nominations. Representatives from the finalist organisations will present their projects to a panel of 34 independent judges, to determine the award winners.

“Infrastructure is essential. It connects us locally and globally, supporting our society and economic growth and development,” remarked Kristin Fallon, chief marketing officer, Bentley Systems. “This year’s Going Digital Awards finalists represent an impressive mix of international projects that are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on land, at sea, and underground.

“These programmes highlight engineering genius; they showcase the teams of infrastructure professionals that are unlocking the power of data with AI, digital twins, immersive visualisations, and more, to make modern life possible. We applaud and celebrate each finalist for their outstanding achievements to make better, more resilient critical infrastructure for an improved quality of life.”

Click here to discover the full list of finalists on the Bentley website

SkyJacks’ stand will showcase the latest innovations from its partner brands. (Image source: SkyJacks)

SkyJacks has become the latest company to announce its participation in Electra Mining Africa 2024 which will run from 2-6 September at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in South Africa

As a leading provider of hiring and selling powered access, material handling and lifting equipment for the construction, mining and industrial sectors, SkyJacks is aiming to leverage the platform provided by Electra Mining to deepen connections with current and potential clients, industry partners and key stakeholders. At the event, it will showcase its latest innovations across the OEM brands it represents including:

• Dingli Mobile Elevated Work Platforms: Dingli provides a comprehensive range of articulated and telescopic boom lifts, including the BA44RT with working heights ranging from 16 m to 44 m in diesel, electric, and hybrid options. They also supply electric slab scissor lifts and vertical lifts that are renowned for reliability and efficiency.

• Faresin Telehandlers: The Faresin range includes models with diverse configurations catering to agriculture, construction, and mining. Notable models like the 6.26 and 17.40 Classic telehandlers will be on display at the event.

• Jekko Mini Cranes: These mini cranes feature advanced technology, such as the SPX328CL (lithium battery powered) and SPX532CDH (diesel model), that are engineered for precision in confined spaces while providing high lifting capacity and excellent safety features. They are ideal for uneven ground or difficult to reach places.

• GEDA Construction Hoists: Known for their robust design, GEDA hoists enhance worker safety and operational efficiency. Models like the GEDA 1500 Z/ZP F and GEDA Solarlift offer unique qualities in safe vertical transportation.

• ALR Lever Hoists and Chain Blocks: Designed to withstand the toughest environments, the ALR range features exceptional durability and industry-leading safety standards, making them ideal for underground mining and engineering applications.

A versatile portfolio to meet evolving mining needs

“By showcasing our latest equipment, we will provide companies with the opportunity to identify solutions that match their unique requirements with our versatile product range, which is designed to meet the diverse needs of the mining, construction, and industrial maintenance sectors,” commented Alistair Bennett, MD at SkyJacks. “We are at the forefront of integrating advanced technologies into our offerings which meet the evolving needs of our markets and customers.

“The tenets of our business are built on innovation, reliability, and customer-centricity. Our equipment not only reflects our dedication to high performance but also addresses the urgent need for sustainable and efficient solutions in our industry that meet the exact requirements of our markets.

“The South African and SADC markets are ripe for the advanced technologies and sustainable solutions SkyJacks offers. With ongoing infrastructure development and an increasing demand for efficient material handling and working-at-height solutions, our showcased products promise to address critical operational needs while enhancing safety and productivity.”

To learn more about Electra Mining Africa 2024, click here to access African Review's event preview