Aberdare Cables
Electrical wires and optical fibers
Company Overview
Aberdare Cables, established in 1946, is a prominent South African cable manufacturer with a rich history spanning over 75 years. The company operates three manufacturing sites across South Africa in Pietermaritzburg, Gqeberha, and Gauteng, supported by Customer Service Centers in each province and Maputo, Mozambique. Since 2016, Aberdare Cables has been a majority-owned subsidiary of Hengtong, a global group with operations in 147 countries and 11 overseas manufacturing bases, significantly expanding its international reach and technological capabilities. With a workforce of 1500 individuals, Aberdare Cables holds a Level 1 BBBEE status, demonstrating a strong commitment to local empowerment with 55% Black ownership and 30% Black Women Owned, including a 25.1% shareholding by Golden Consortium Africa (Pty) Ltd.
Products and Services
Aberdare Cables offers an extensive portfolio of electrical cabling solutions, alongside comprehensive engineering services that include cable design, product development, installation support, commissioning, and diagnostic testing. Their product range covers Low Voltage (LV) cables (100V - 3.3kV), Medium Voltage (MV) cables (6.6kV - 33kV), and a newly introduced High Voltage (HV) cable offering (44 - 132kV). These cables feature various insulations such as XLPE and PVC, and adhere to SANS and international standards, with specialized products like the Flamosafe® fire performance cables.
The company also manufactures a variety of overhead conductors, including Aerial Bundle Conductors (ABC), All Aluminium Conductors (AAC), Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR), All Aluminium Alloy Conductors (AAAC), and Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) for transmission systems. Beyond traditional cabling, Aberdare Cables has expanded into Battery Energy Storage Solutions, offering modules, residential photovoltaic inverters (5kVA), liquid-cooled energy storage systems, and 20-foot utility energy storage systems, specifically catering to renewable energy projects.
Commitment to Quality and Innovation
A core tenet of Aberdare Cables is its dedication to quality, ensuring that all products and processes align with internationally recognized quality assurance standards. The company is actively involved in technological advancement, collaborating with the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) and serving on International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) cable working groups. Continuous research and development, in partnership with the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and various academic institutions, ensures the ongoing upgrade of its product range and manufacturing capabilities, aiming to provide cost-effective and innovative solutions.
Social Responsibility and Local Impact
Aberdare Cables demonstrates a strong commitment to socio-economic development within South Africa. In 2022, the company created over 200 job opportunities and more than 50 learnership and trainee positions, actively contributing to curbing unemployment and fostering economic growth. Through its extensive CSI programme, Aberdare invests in educational initiatives and community upliftment, aiming to build sustainable and mutually beneficial relationships with its stakeholders and the communities in which it operates.
