Aberdare Cables is southern Africa’s largest and leading supplier of intelligent energy inter connection products and services in Africa.

Established in 1946, the company offers cable designs, product development, installation support, commissioning and diagnostic testing through their engineering service division. In 2021, Aberdare celebrated its 75th Anniversary and since its humble beginnings, the organisation has grown significantly through mergers and acquisitions.

Aberdare Cables has three manufacturing sites in South Africa located respectively in Pietermaritzburg, Gqeberha, and Gauteng. These are assigned to manufacture a wide variety of cables with customer service centres in each province as well as in Maputo, Mozambique.

In 2016, Aberdare Cables was acquired by Hengtong, as a majority shareholder. The Hengtong group operates in 147 countries with 11 overseas manufacturing bases and owns seven brands, including Aberdare.

Research and Development
Aberdare is a technology leader driven by cutting edge research and development to provide worldclass innovative solutions.

Aberdare positions itself, and has indeed been recognised throughout the world, as a pioneer in technological advancement. This philosophy has been amply illustrated by its success in developing unique solutions to everyday problems faced by an incredibly wide range of industries. In co-operation with the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS - the national standards organisation), Aberdare serves on a number of International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) cable working groups, one of which deals with the development of test methods for cables in fire situations.

Aberdare works closely with the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and various major Universities and Technikons in the quest to continuously upgrade its product range and manufacturing capabilities. Aberdare is determined to retain its leadership in the cable industry through the development of cost-effective solutions to common problems faced by many of the world’s developing nations, and by working closely with customers to meet their every possible need. We are determined to remain abreast of international developments, and indeed set our own goals to maximise our company’s growth.

It is this philosophy that Aberdare is determined to follow, now and into the future.

Employees
The company has highly trained and motivated employees who make it an employer of choice. We actively promote and follow a number of educational initiatives, including apprenticeship training, learnership programmes as well as formal educational assistance, to all our employees.

In the year 2022, Aberdare awarded and created more than 200 job opportunities across the country. These positions vary across all the branches, manufacturing sites as well as head quarters. To further develop young professionals who require an opportunity and introduction to the corporate sphere, Aberdare continues to create learnership and trainee positions located in the factory as well as at headquarters.

The business continues to be passionate and driven in curbing the unemployment rate in South-Africa, through job creation. This is to further ensure that Aberdare contributes to the healthy economic growth of the country and increasing social cohesion.

Socio-Economic Development
Socio-Economic Development is an integral part of Aberdare Cables, as the company aims to contribute to the communities in which they operate. They strive to strengthen their commitment to sustainable development by building mutually beneficial relations with their stakeholders and the communities.

Aberdare Cables ensures that the identified initiatives and projects in previously disadvantaged communities are properly managed to ensure that the contributions made will continually sustain the community.

They are investing in the education of their communities through a variety of projects enabling them to create a brighter future for themselves. Aberdare Cables believes in providing the leaders of tomorrow with every advantage possible.

Access to high-quality education in rural areas can be one of the contributing factors to local economic development, while assisting the rural community to adapt to a fast-changing environment.

This is the reason Aberdare Cables proudly sponsored a rural high school in KZN, Buhlebethu High School with a mobile science lab that can further assist Science learners in the school with practicals. Aberdare Cables are passionate about community development and the development of future leaders.