Yaskawa: smart welding automation
Andrew Crackett, Managing Director at Yaskawa Southern Africa, highlights a quiet shift taking place in the South African fabrication due to advances in integrated welding cells, particularly those combining robotics with modern power sources and laser technology, that are lowering the barrier to entry for SMEs and manufacturers who previously felt robotics were out of reach. From manual to smart welding automation
F or decades, welding across South Africa’s manufacturing sector has relied heavily on manual process skills, which are adaptable and deeply em- bedded in fabrication environments from manufacturing businesses to large indus- trial plants. But a quiet shift is underway. Welding automation, once largely confined to high-volume automotive production, is becoming increasingly accessible to a broader range of manufacturers. This shift is not simply about technology adoption. It reflects deeper structural pres- sures facing local industry: persistent skills shortages, rising input costs, global com- petition and growing expectations around quality and traceability. As a result, robotic and laser welding solutions are moving from a “nice-to-have” efficiency upgrade to a strategic tool for competitiveness. Many organisations are seeing this tran- sition firsthand as manufacturers explore scalable, flexible and financially viable automation pathways, even for mid-sized operations. Historically, robotic welding in South Africa has been strongly associated with automo- tive manufacturing, where high volumes and repeatability justified significant capital investment. Outside of this environment, adoption was slower, often constrained by cost, complexity and perceptions that robotics were only suitable for large produc- Automation moves beyond automotive
ing automation through a total-cost lens: reduced rework, improved throughput, lower scrap rates, better quality consis- tency and the ability to meet demanding customer specifications. In sectors where margins are tight and export opportunities depend on quality assurance, these factors are significant. Accessible robotic and laser welding also helps manufacturers stabilise produc- tion amid skills constraints. South Africa’s shortage of experienced welders remains a well-documented challenge, particularly for precision and repeatable work. Automation does not eliminate the need for welding expertise, but it changes where that expertise is applied, shifting skilled workers toward programming, oversight, quality control and process optimisation. “Automation should be seen as an enabler for skilled people, not a replacement,” ex- plains Crackett. “It allows manufacturers to use scarce skills more effectively while achieving levels of consistency that are difficult to maintain manually.” Enabling SMEs to Enter Automation One of the most significant implications of accessible welding automation is the expanding participation of small and medium-sized manufacturers. SMEs often operate in high-mix, lower-volume environ- ments – conditions traditionally viewed as unsuitable for robotics. However, flexible robotic welding cells, simplified program- ming tools and faster deployment models are changing that perception. For these businesses, automation is increasingly linked to growth rather than scale alone. The ability to deliver repeat- able quality, shorten lead times and secure more complex work can open doors to new customers, including large original equip- ment manufacturer (OEM) supply chains. This is particularly relevant in South Africa’s localisation push, where local fab- ricators are expected to meet global quality benchmarks while remaining cost-compet- itive. “Many mid-sized manufacturers are looking at automation as a way to unlock new opportunities rather than simply re- duce labour costs,” says Crackett. “It can change the type of work they can take on.”
tion runs. That dynamic is changing. Advances in integrated welding cells, particularly those combining robotics with modern power sources and laser technol- ogy, are lowering the barrier to entry. These systems allow manufacturers to program, monitor and control welding parameters directly through the robot platform, im- proving consistency while reducing setup variability. Critically, newer solutions are designed with flexibility in mind. Instead of rigid, single-application installations, manufac- turers can deploy modular cells that sup- port multiple product types, shorter runs, and evolving production needs – realities that define much of South Africa’s manu- facturing sector. “The conversation with customers has shifted noticeably in recent years,” says Andrew Crackett, Managing Director at Yaskawa Southern Africa. “We are seeing growing interest from manufacturers who previously felt robotics were out of reach. The question is no longer whether automa- tion is relevant – it is how to implement it in a way that supports real production challenges,” he explains. From cost centre to competitiveness driver A key factor behind this shift is affordabil- ity, not necessarily that robotic welding is inexpensive, but that its value equation has become clearer. Manufacturers are increasingly evaluat-
Consistent welding quality affects product reliability, compliance, reputation, and export readiness.
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March-April 2026
AFRICAN FUSION
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