Hisense South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to local production and manufacturing at the 14th Buy Local Summit & Expo, which took place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg this week.
The two-day event, hosted by Proudly South African, brought together policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors to discuss the future of South Africa’s manufacturing sector and the importance of supporting locally produced goods.
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) confirmed that the summit had attracted over 1 600 delegates, 200 exhibitors, government ministers, entrepreneurs, investors, and funders this week. One of the key sessions at the event was a business matchmaking platform connecting small and medium-sized enterprises with established companies across industries. The summit was addressed by Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ms Alexandra Abrahams, who highlighted the urgent need to strengthen local industry amid global economic pressures.
As one of the country’s largest consumer electronics manufacturers, celebrating it’s 30th anniversary in South Africa this year, Hisense SA’s participation in the summit underscored the company’s long-standing investment in local manufacturing and industrial development. Since entering the South African market in 1996, Hisense has steadily expanded its footprint through local production, job creation, and technology investment.
Central to this strategy is the company’s R350 million manufacturing facility in Atlantis, Western Cape, which produces televisions and home appliances for both local and export markets. Located within the Atlantis Special Economic Zone, the facility has become a critical hub for technology manufacturing on the African continent.
The factory has the capacity to produce up to one million televisions and 500 000 refrigerators annually, supplying the domestic market while exporting products to countries across the African region and beyond. By manufacturing locally, Hisense continues to reduce reliance on imports while strengthening South Africa’s position as a regional production base for advanced consumer electronics.
“Local production is not simply a business strategy for Hisense; it is a long-term commitment to South Africa’s economic development,” says Luna Nortje, Deputy General Manager at Hisense South Africa. “Through our Atlantis manufacturing facility, we are able to combine global technology with local skills and talent, creating high-quality products while supporting job creation, supplier development, skill transfers, and industrial growth.”
Beyond manufacturing, Hisense SA’s local strategy includes investment in skills development and youth employment initiatives, including learnership programmes designed to equip young South Africans with practical experience in advanced manufacturing environments. The company has been recognised by the Proudly South African brand as a strategic partner, with its locally manufactured products distributed across thousands of retail outlets nationwide and exported to markets across Africa.
“At a time when global supply chains are under pressure and local industries face increasing competition, events like the Buy Local Summit & Expo play an important role in strengthening collaboration between government, business, and local manufacturers,” Nortje adds. “Hisense SA remains committed to investing in local production and ensuring that South Africans not only have access to world-class technology, but also the opportunity to help manufacture it.”
