GMSA To Build R200m Sub-Saharan HQ

02 Nov 2011

General Motors South Africa has announced that it will be investing over R200-million in the construction of a new office block at its Greenfields site at Struandale, Port Elizabeth.

This will also include the construction of a new engineering centre and training centre, boosting the company's investment in its three new vehicle assembly programmes to R1.2-billion.

The new building will serve as the headquarters for the company's sub-Saharan African operations. It will be designed in line with the latest ergonomical and environment standards, and will offer a modern, comfortable workplace for employees.

"This is a major step forward for our company as we consolidate and integrate our operations to Struandale," General Motors sub-Saharan Africa MD Edgar Lourencon said in a statement last month.

"This investment is a clear indication of our intent to improve the overall competitiveness of our business and at the same time to also ensure that we can constantly improve service levels to our customers."

Commitment to Eastern Cape, SA

Lourencon emphasized that General Motors' commitment to the Eastern Cape region and to South Africa remained steadfast. "This is a positive development and sends a strong signal about our commitment to doing business in South Africa," he said.

"We are making a significant investment in the streamlining of our organization and establishing the right structures so that we can position ourselves for future growth."

He added that following the completion of the consolidation of the company's operations to Struandale, the company would not retain the Kempston Road property.

Construction of the new office block will commence in 2012 and be completed by the end of 2013.