South African Automobile Sector with Regard to Employment

STUDY TO EXPLORE THE RETENTION AND CREATION OF EMPLOYMENT IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN AUTOMOBILE SECTOR FINAL REPORT Submitted by MPL Consulting In conjunction with Bentley West Strategic Consulting 18 July 2005 i EXECUTIVE SUMMARY During 2004 the Fund for Research into Industrial Development, Growth and Equity (FRIDGE) commissioned a study which had as objective to research and quantify the South African automobile sector with regard to employment, to facilitate the formulation of recommendations that would assist in informing deliberations on the creation and retention of quality employment within the automobile industries. Please note: At the request of the FRIDGE Counterpart Group who managed the study, the study concluded with interpretation of the research findings, i.e considerations for future development of the industry. No explicit recommendations were therefore formulated. Research scope and methodology The scope of the study covered the automobile industry sectors and sub-sectors benefiting from the MIDP, i.e. component manufacturing that forms part of assembly of the final product and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s). The scope of research excluded suppliers of equipment and materials used in the production process, with the exception of tools suppliers, and also excluded suppliers of commodity type raw materials. The study was a census amongst all manufacturing entities identified, i.e. all companies identified were contacted and asked for information. The population size was 480 companies. Needless to say that not all companies contacted were willing to participate, and not all companies wanted or could answer all the questions posed. On the key question of the study, namely the number of employees in 2004, a very high response rate was obtained (376 of 480 companies) but on other questions such as employment for 1995, which was difficult for companies to answer, the response rate was much lower with only 89 companies able or willing to answer this question. However, overall the response rates were sufficient to enable meaningful analysis. The following diagram summarises the methodology utilised: FRIDGE: Study to explore the retention and creation of employment in the South African automobile industry ii Industry quantification The following table summarises the status of the South African automotive industry in 2004, as researched by this study. Due to the high number of companies surveyed, these results are reported with 95% confidence and a 5% precision level. In other words it can be reported with 95% confidence that there are between 105 509 and 116 616 employees in this industry. Total Component OEM’s manufacturers Number of companies 480 465 15 Number of employees 111,063 76,911 34,152 Turnover R 142 959,9 million R 48 990,0 million R 93 969, 9 million Employment trends This study found that the automotive industry as a whole has been successful in creating employment over the last decade, albeit marginal. Employment in the automotive industry increased from 102 164 people in 1995 to 111 063 in 2004. While there has been increased employment by component manufacturers over the last decade, OEM employment declined, especially between 1995 and 1998. Employment trends, 1998-2004 This study also found employment gains were not driven by a handful of companies. Although the next figure shows that many companies did shed jobs, which is of obvious concern, there were more companies that reported job gains (compared to companies that reported job losses) over the period 2001 to 2004. FRIDGE: Study to explore the retention and creation of employment in the South African automobile industry iii Relative and absolute change in employment (2001-2004) Although this study found a significant increase in the levels of non-permanent employment, this was heavily influenced by a small number of companies (4) which employed large numbers of people on a non-permanent basis. Even though the utilisation of non-permanent employment is inherent to the industry due to varied demand conditions, it was found that - with a few notable exceptions, very few companies have an explicit strategy to employ people on a non-permanent basis. Change in employment structure (2001-2004) FRIDGE: Study to explore the retention and creation of employment in the South African automobile industry iv Considerations for the future development of the industry, with emphasis on the drivers and inhibitors of employment retention and creation Supply-side considerations • Raw material prices, e.g. aluminium, polymers and stainless steel were consistently raised as a major negative factor. Current studies and negotiations to address this issue (whether perceived or real) should continue. • The cost of electricity and certain infrastructure (land, buildings) are seen to be a positive contributing factor to manufacturing competitiveness. • A number of companies also indicated that the minimum wage level at the bottom end could be too high, and is preventing employment creation at lowest occupational categories. This required further investigation. • Availability of skills was consistently raised as an impeding factor to employment creation. More specifically, there is a shortage of artisans and basic engineering skills in the industry. It was also indicated that skilled workers for the tool making industry are virtually non-existent. • The industry in general has embraced BEE but expressed concern over the ability of multinationals to comply with rules of ownership and shareholding. • The rail transport system in South Africa came under consistent criticism from all stakeholders during this study. Although the improvements in port operations are recognised, opinion is that there is still room for improvement. Sectoral and structural considerations Not all sectors have been equally successful (or unsuccessful) in creating employment, neither do they contribute equally to overall employment. Job losses in the tyres and wheels sector over the last three years and sustained job losses during the last decade in the steering, suspension and braking systems sectors are of specific concern. Although a number of indicative factors for decline of these sectors were identified, thorough investigation of these sectors should be conducted with a view of developing turnaround strategies. The export success of the fuel supply and exhausts systems sectors, as well as the interior (especially leather seats) sectors is well known and has consistently achieved employment growth. Surprisingly the tooling industry has achieved employment growth over the last three years, as has the electrical and electronic sector over the last six years. FRIDGE: Study to explore the retention and creation of employment in the South African automobile industry v Sectoral trends in employment, relative contribution to employment and employment intensity Across industry sectors the importance of growth and efficiency were consistently raised as the most important factors of employment creation. Labour cost was cited as an inhibitor to employment growth by manufacturers of engines, manufacturers of tyres and wheels and manufacturers of tooling components. Availability of skills also featured prominently for manufacturers of body equipment, manufacturers of interior components and manufacturers of tooling components. Import penetration due to strong currency is a contributing factor for manufacturers of starting systems, ignition systems, electrical and electronic equipment, manufacturers of tyres and wheels, manufacturers of interior components, and engineering Change in employment per company size The large employment reductions by extra large and large companies during mid 1990’s are reflective of the SA industry at large as internationalisation occurred. The reductions in employment by small companies in recent years are of concern and it appears that there could be barriers to moving from a small company to a medium company. This requires urgent attention. Medium and large companies, who are considerably more labour intensive than FRIDGE: Study to explore the retention and creation of employment in the South African automobile industry vi extra large companies (OEM’s) and marginally less than micro-and small companies are therefore primary drivers of employment Operational (manufacturing) considerations The continued development of a globally competitive OEM and supplier industry is considered essential for sustained employment growth. Although this study found that a large section of the component manufacturing industry has made tremendous strides towards becoming globally competitive, it must be considered that this quest is never-ending. A number of issues are of specific importance and should be considered by policy makers, the industry, organised labour and other stakeholders: • There should be a continued focus to develop the component manufacturing industry beyond the supply of SA based OEM’s and SA based aftermarket to form part of a globally competitive supplier industry. Many component manufacturers that have reported job losses struggled with some fundamental issues such as price competitiveness, capacity and labour costs. Competitive input cost is a significant contributing factor to manufacturing competitiveness. This study identified positive and negative contributors (see earlier). • Although export success has been achieved, it has been limited to relatively few products (catalytic converters, leather seats, etc). • The automotive industry is a high-technology industry

Load more