MAF Roda Agrobotic and South Africa's Maintech have formalised a joint venture, establishing Maftech, a new manufacturing entity based in Paarl, Western Cape. The venture will focus on producing and assembling peripheral equipment for fruit and vegetable packhouses in Southern Africa.
South Africa produces more than 4.7 million tons of fruit annually and is considered a key export-focused horticultural market. With the national fruit and vegetable sector valued at R145 billion in 2025 and projected to reach R190 billion in 2030, demand for locally manufactured packing equipment is increasing. The new facility aims to increase MAF Roda's local capacity while expanding Maintech's existing engineering footprint.
Maftech will be majority-owned by MAF Roda Agrobotic with 60 per cent shareholding, while Maintech's owners will hold the remaining 40 per cent. Maintech has operated for almost 16 years and supplies engineering solutions across South Africa.
© Roda Ibérica S.L.Olivier Jaubert, Operations Manager MAF RODA RSA, Fabrice Blanc, Director of MAF RODA RSA, co-owner and Director of MAFTECH, Riaan Coetzee, co-owner and Director of MAFTECH, and Chris Norval, co-owner and Technical Manager of MAFTECH
According to the partners, local manufacturing will allow shorter production and assembly timelines due to reduced reliance on imported bulk components. Local spare part production and service support are expected to improve response times. The Paarl facility, which is larger than the previous site, will support this expanded activity.
Maftech will manufacture and assemble complete line components, working alongside MAF Roda's European engineering teams, who will continue supplying robotics and core grading systems. The intention is to localise production of peripheral machinery and final assembly, while exposing South African technicians to international technical standards.
The new entity will provide packhouses with a single point of contact for equipment supply, installation, and after-sales support. The partners state that localised production will align product pricing with domestic cost structures and reduce exposure to international logistics constraints.
The investment is positioned to support the growth of MAF Roda RSA, the regional branch of MAF Roda Agrobotic. The market has shown interest in increased automation, with South Africa's current automation levels lower than in other major fruit-producing countries. The acquisition of a larger production facility in Paarl is intended to meet this expected demand.
The joint venture also provides Maintech with a consistent workflow and access to broader international markets. Maftech anticipates that its expanded facilities will be fully operational within 12 months, aiming to support fruit and vegetable packing industries across Southern Africa.
© Roda Ibérica S.L.For more information:
MAF Roda South Africa
Tel: +27 21 851 8503
www.maf-roda.com
