KANU Commercial Body Construction has officially opened its new manufacturing facility in Gqeberha, marking a major expansion in the company’s production capabilities and long-term growth strategy within South Africa’s specialised automotive sector. The facility is strategically located adjacent to Isuzu Motors South Africa’s Vehicle Conversion and Distribution Centre in the Aloes Industrial Complex, strengthening operational integration between the two entities and enhancing overall efficiency across the value chain.
The R25 million investment represents a significant milestone for KANU Commercial Body Construction, a wholly owned subsidiary of Isuzu Motors South Africa. More than a relocation, the development signals a deliberate strengthening of fabrication capacity to better serve growing demand for customised commercial vehicle solutions across South Africa and key African markets.
For many years, KANU has been instrumental in delivering specialised vehicle builds that support essential services across the continent. These include mobile clinics that extend healthcare access into remote and underserved communities, water tankers that support critical infrastructure needs, and mobile government service units designed to bring public services closer to citizens. The new facility is designed to scale this impact, enabling faster production, greater consistency, and broader regional reach.
The upgraded manufacturing site introduces advanced fabrication technologies aligned with global body-building standards. Two new paint booths significantly improve finishing capability and throughput, while a laser cleaning facility enhances surface preparation, improves efficiency, and reduces environmental impact. Additional gantry systems and upgraded tools and fixtures further streamline production processes, reducing delays and improving turnaround times without compromising quality.
Beyond production enhancements, the facility also places strong emphasis on workforce wellbeing and operational sustainability. Improved employee amenities, including a medical centre, upgraded ablution facilities, and a modern canteen, contribute to a more supportive and modern working environment for KANU’s 150 employees.
KANU CEO Ingo Epler-Brandenburg described the investment as an important milestone in strengthening the company’s competitiveness and long-term growth outlook. He highlighted that the new facility improves fabrication capabilities, enhances operational efficiency, and creates a stronger platform to support rising customer demand across both domestic and African markets.
The strategic location next to Isuzu Motors South Africa’s conversion and distribution centre further enhances logistics coordination and production flow. This proximity is expected to reduce lead times, improve operational alignment, and support more efficient delivery of complex, customised vehicle solutions across regional markets.
Isuzu Motors South Africa President and KANU Chairman Billy Tom emphasised that the investment reflects confidence in South Africa’s manufacturing sector and its long-term role in supporting African industrial growth. He noted that strengthening local manufacturing capability remains essential to improving localisation, building resilience, and unlocking broader expansion opportunities across the continent.
With enhanced production capacity and modernised infrastructure, the facility is designed to support increased output while maintaining the technical precision required for diverse regional specifications and complex cross-border logistics. This positions KANU to respond more effectively to emerging opportunities in sectors such as public health, utilities, and logistics across Africa.
The opening of the new Gqeberha facility marks a defining moment in KANU’s growth journey, reinforcing its role as a key player in South Africa’s automotive manufacturing ecosystem while strengthening its partnership with Isuzu Motors South Africa. It also underscores a broader commitment to job creation, skills development, and the delivery of high-quality, purpose-built vehicle solutions that support essential services across the continent.
