In a significant development for South African businesses expanding overseas, Jendamark Automation has forged a partnership with Tech Mahindra, a prominent US$6-billion consultancy and systems integrator based in India. This landmark agreement was announced at the India-South Africa Business Conclave held in New Delhi on 2 December.
Jendamark, which has its global headquarters in Gqeberha, operates in various international markets, including Germany and the USA. The recent memorandum of understanding designates Tech Mahindra as a global partner for Jendamark's Odin Manufacturing technologies, a suite of digital solutions aimed at enhancing productivity and operational efficiencies across businesses of various sizes.
The partnership will explore opportunities for collaboration in the development, implementation, and support of enterprise-level solutions tailored for identified clients worldwide. Yanesh Naidoo, Jendamark’s Director of Innovations in South Africa, remarked that the collaboration with a reputable global entity like Tech Mahindra represents a considerable chance for Jendamark and its Odin suite to access a broader market that requires human-centric productivity solutions in manufacturing settings globally.
Himanshu Jadhav, CEO of Jendamark India, expressed confidence that this partnership would elevate Jendamark’s digital technologies. He highlighted the company’s pride in creating its Odin software solutions within the developing economies of India and South Africa. Jadhav further noted, “We are very happy to partner with Tech Mahindra who, with its vast network, will take it to the developed economies and the rest of the world.”
Sachin Kulkarni, the global head of automotive consulting and solutions at Tech Mahindra, characterised the agreement as strategic. He stated that, "At Tech Mahindra, we are focused very heavily on the factory of the future as a capability across the manufacturing sector." Kulkarni also emphasised the intention to scale operations quickly using Jendamark’s Odin Manufacturing suite.
The conclave not only highlighted this partnership but also celebrated 30 years of diplomatic relations between South Africa and India, alongside the formal launch of the India-South Africa Chamber of Commerce (ISACC) aimed at bolstering economic ties between these burgeoning markets. Professor Anil Sooklal, South Africa’s high commissioner in India, underscored the potential for international investment in Africa, identifying South Africa as a gateway for developments on the continent. He mentioned, “We will miss out on major opportunities if we don’t take advantage of them and the goodwill that exists in this country towards South Africa.”
Marking its decade-long presence in India, Jendamark has managed to establish a foothold amidst a landscape where few South African companies have made similar movements into the Indian market. Jadhav noted that trust between the South African management team and their Indian counterparts, alongside cultural understanding, has been instrumental to their success.
In addition to the partnership announcements, Jendamark’s Odin Education division was also highlighted at the conclave for its contributions to closing the digital divide for underprivileged schools in both nations. Ajit Gopalakrishnan, head of Odin Education, emphasised the importance of tech-enabled learning for fostering a knowledge-based economy and pointed out the shared challenges both countries face in education and talent.
Naidoo remarked on the positive effects the South African-developed education solution has had on underprivileged students in India, expressing hope for its broader application in South Africa as well. The developments at the conclave represent not only a step forward for Jendamark but also a wider movement towards strengthening business connections and leveraging technology for sustainable growth in emerging economies.
Source: Noah Wire Services