ACTOM, South Africa’s largest manufacturer, repairer, and distributor of electromechanical equipment, has reaffirmed its position as the country’s leading provider of integrated electrical infrastructure solutions.
With capabilities spanning the full power value chain – from generation to transmission and distribution – the company is increasingly being selected by utilities, municipalities, and private developers seeking locally manufactured, reliable and fully engineered systems.
The efficacy of ACTOM’s integrated model has recently been demonstrated through multiple orders secured across its ACTOM Power Transformers (APT), ACTOM Distribution Transformers (ADT), ACTOM MV Switchgear (MVS) and ACTOM High Voltage Equipment (HVE) divisions, for the supply of equipment to the Naos-1 project, a 435 MWp hybrid solar and battery facility under construction in the Free State.
Mawethu Ngubo, Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Business Development Specialist at ACTOM, says the company’s offering is built on the simple but powerful foundation of local content, local accountability, and complete system responsibility.
Understanding local realities
“We don’t just supply boxes. We engineer full systems that are designed, manufactured, tested, and supported in South Africa. Because we understand the realities of the local grid, we can ensure compatibility across the entire chain, from high‑voltage equipment to power transformers, medium‑voltage switchgear, and distribution transformers,” he says.
Ngubo adds that ACTOM’s integrated approach directly addresses one of the biggest risks in power‑infrastructure projects, namely interface management.
“When you buy components from multiple suppliers, your weakest interface becomes your single point of failure. With ACTOM, customers deal with one partner, one engineering philosophy, and one set of warranties. That reduces technical risk, improves reliability, and shortens delivery timelines.”
Phillip Dukashe, Group Operations Executive at ACTOM, says the company’s century‑long engineering heritage and fully local manufacturing capability have become increasingly important as South Africa’s energy landscape evolves.
Delivering flexibility, speed, and certainty
“Customers want flexibility, speed, and certainty. They also want digitally-enabled solutions that allow remote monitoring, predictive maintenance and seamless integration with multiple technologies. Because we manufacture locally and support assets throughout their life cycle, we can respond quickly and provide long‑term reliability,” he says.
Ngubo points out that the orders for the Naos-1 project highlight the value of a single‑supplier approach. “One project, one customer, four ACTOM divisions – this reflects the trust placed in our ability to deliver the full electrical heart of a project. It also means coordinated engineering, aligned manufacturing schedules, streamlined commissioning, and faster delivery. The customer benefits from efficiency, accountability, and proven system performance.”
Dukashe agrees, noting that the integrated offering simplifies project management and strengthens long‑term support. “We align our manufacturing and engineering so that projects are not delayed. Commissioning becomes easier, and if anything goes wrong, ACTOM steps in immediately. There’s no finger‑pointing. It’s one ACTOM, one system, one accountable partner.”
Expecting demand to grow
Driven by these developments, both executives expect demand for integrated electrical infrastructure to grow as South Africa accelerates grid expansion, modernises municipal networks, and deploys new renewable‑energy and battery‑storage projects. “Integrated design is essential for the energy transition. If we get the engineering right up front, we give the country decades of reliability, not quick fixes,” Ngubo says.
Dukashe adds that localisation will play a central role. “South Africa needs jobs, skills, and industrial capability. Local manufacturing is becoming a priority for government and customers alike. ACTOM is ready to meet that demand with proven technology, local expertise and full life‑cycle support.”
With its comprehensive offering and deep local capability, ACTOM is positioned to remain a critical partner in strengthening South Africa’s power infrastructure for years to come.
