The Company's objectives are
to provide high-quality leather seat covers
and interior trims for the Automotive
Industry and to
generate much-needed employment.
Philton Autotrim has more
than 40 employees all of whom are of South
African descent. At least 70% of these
employees are female. The company has an
extensive employees training programme, is
ISO 9001: 2000 compliant and has made
substantial progress in improving its South
African Broad-Based-Black Equity Empowerment
9BBBEE).
THE PROCESS
Leather Cutting
Philton Autotrim purchased a
state-of-the-art leather cutting machine in
2006. This machine has reduced the leather
cutting time for a car interior from nearly
four hours to 15 minutes. The cut quality
and accuracy is also markedly improved. The
machine has been so successful that cutting
time is also sold to other industries.
Sewing
The sewing plant runs two
shifts and uses more than 15 sewing
machines, sourced from Durkopp Adler in
Germany. Many of the machines are less than
two years old, and have the latest
electronic controls. A Durkopp Adler seat
side-airbag machine was purchased in 2006.
This machine ensures correct airbag seam
sewing and complete traceability in the
event of a car accident.
Fitting
Philton Autotrim fits its
leather interiors either in its own
workshops of in the premises of its 14
fitting partners throughout South Africa.
Six new fitting centres are planned to be
opened in 2008. There are three fitment
partners in the UK but more are planned for
2008.
The original cloth covers are
removed and the new leather covers fitted
according to the requirements of the
customer. Door panels are also covered in
leather according to customer
specifications.
There is also a large Durkopp
Adler agency in South Africa, capable of
obtaining or modifying machines, to suit
specific purposes.
