The move to produce a handsfree sanitizer applicator at the early stages of the lockdown has proven to an excellent one for engineering entrepreneur Vusi Mkhize. In April, this year the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) played a pivotal role in assisting Mkhize to develop and put into production a non-electronic hand sanitizer applicator. Mkhize’ s innovative product has received good reception with entities such as University of Limpopo, South African National Defense Force, banks, filling stations as well as doctors and shopkeepers procuring his product. To date approximately 1200 units have been sold. Mkhize says “This product has created much needed revenue during the Covid-19 lockdown when there were no prospects of making business from anywhere. We have created five new jobs and were able to absorb the workers to our business moving forward.”  AIDC CEO, Lance Schultz “we are proud to be mentoring company that is proactive and had to the foresight to provide solutions at the onset of the lockdown. “

Earlier this year Mkhize approached the Business Development Department of the AIDC with the product concept. He required support to industrialize the product to make it suitable for mass production. Mkhize said “the automotive sector knows how to produce in high volumes, that is why the AIDC was my first port of call for assistance in manufacturing technology.”

The hand sanitizer applicator is a substantial and robust device that will give years of service. The device uses no electronics or electricity. It is foot operated and can be reloaded by any person with no special tools required.

The applicator is ideal for all entrances where the public, staff or visitors enter a building. The device is mobile and it can also be fixed permanently. This product is a result of a collaboration between Naicker Tool Makers, the Mumbo Group and Teq Design Central. Naicker Tool Makers is an IATF 16949 accredited company and manufactures this product in Boksburg.  Naicker Tool Maker is has also been in the AIDC’s supplier development programme.   Several suppliers are involved to ensure the tooling functions smoothly and to achieve the required volume.