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waZulu-Natal Industrial Technology Exhibition Showcasing some of the up and coming trends in the IoT and Industry 4.0 space
waZulu-Natal Industrial Technology Exhibition Showcasing some of the up and coming trends in the IoT and Industry 4.0 space
The world, as we know it, is changing. Everything is evolving and at a rapid pace. We find ourselves at a crossroads where the old way of doing things is no longer working as optimally as before and in order to be ahead of the curve, industry needs to 'up the ante' while being more relevant than ever.
The KwaZulu-Natal Industrial Technology Exhibition (KITE), which took place recently at Durban's Exhibition Centre, explored the path industry will be taking in the not too distant future as well as enlightening those in attendance what needed to be done in order to survive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
According to Brian Andrew MD of RS Components South Africa, if businesses don't embrace this disruption, they will not survive. "Automation, IoT and connected devices impact all industries, it could grow business and create jobs, and already, we in SA can see its plethora of benefits. Furthermore, for South Africa to compete successfully in a 4th Industrial Revolution economy, stakeholders across all sectors must work together to drive progress in this country, which is why we embrace opportunities to exhibit at events such as the KwaZulu-Natal Industrial Technology Exhibition as it allows us to show companies, emerging businesses and individuals the impact of technology and IoT in all aspects of our lives," he said.
RS Components SA, a market leader in the electronic, electrical and industrial component space was one of the successful companies that exhibited at this year's KITE event. "At RS, we promote technological thinking and this is further enhanced through our DesignSpark website for anyone of any age to share ideas, innovations, learn how to code or conceptualise designs with other users.
KITE Portfolio Director Nick Sarnadas, pointed out that the three main educational events at KITE 2019 included the SAIMechE Seminar Theatre, the MESA (Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association) special interest group, and the Lifting Equipment Association of South Africa (LEEASA) conference. "The 5-year plan in terms of opportunities and challenges facing the SA manufacturing industry', and 'The top 5 industrial automation trends for 2019 and beyond'. The speaker line-up included a number of well-known industry specialists who brought their own personal business experiences to the table," he said.