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FROM humble beginnings in a modest 300-square-metre factory in 1997, EDS Switchboards has evolved into one of South Africa’s most respected manufacturers of electrical distribution and control systems, under the leadership of CEO Johan Human.
With a stronghold in key sectors such as mining, data centres, food & beverage, and infrastructure, the Cape Town-based company is not only celebrating nearly three decades in business but is also laying the groundwork for the future of intelligent energy systems in South Africa and across the continent.
EDS Switchboards embraces digital transformation
Human and executive manager Chris Bothma reflected on EDS’s journey, detailing how the company is embracing digital transformation, modular design, and international partnerships to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.
A foundation of innovation
EDS’s story is one of continuous reinvention. Initially outsourcing its sheet metal needs, the company soon invested in its own sheet metal workshop and, by 2005, had relocated to its current facility in Paarden Eiland. That strategic shift enabled EDS to develop and refine its modular switchboard system, paving the way for large-scale projects like Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town International Airport, and the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
“The modular approach was a game-changer,” said Human. “It allowed us to scale, standardise and improve production time – while still offering tailored solutions to our clients.”
EDS Switchboards partners with Siemens for global quality
In 2015, EDS elevated its offering through a partnership with Siemens, becoming a certified local manufacturer of the German engineering giant’s Sivacon S8 system. This SANS 61439-compliant system has become a benchmark for quality and performance, particularly in industrial applications such as mining, where safety, durability, and intelligent control are paramount.
“Certification and compliance are central to our business,” explained Bothma. “By manufacturing the Sivacon system locally, we reduce costs, lead times, and import dependencies – all while meeting global standards.”
The Siemens partnership has opened doors for EDS, especially in the mining sector. EDS recently designed, supplied and delivered 12 MCCs (150 Tiers or 130 meters of panels) and 6 containerised substations within 8 months – one of the company’s largest and most complex projects to date.
Smarter systems, faster delivery
To stay ahead in a price-sensitive, quality-driven market, EDS is betting on digitilisation. The company’s EPLAN is an advanced design and engineering software that integrates with SolidWorks to streamline the design and documentation of modular switchboards.
“We’ve rebuilt our entire modular structure library in EPLAN,” said Bothma. “Now we can turn around detailed, compliant designs in under a day – what used to take up to five. It’s all about being faster, more accurate, and more collaborative.”
This digitisation extends to the customer experience as well. Clients will soon be able to review and approve panel designs in a virtual reality (VR) environment, reducing misunderstandings, accelerating approval cycles, and eliminating design waste.
EDS Switchboards expands into new growth markets
While EDS continues to service South Africa’s mining, agricultural, renewable energy, food, beverage, and packaging sectors, it’s the data centre boom in Cape Town and growing infrastructure needs in the water sector that are driving its local growth.
“We’ve been heavily involved in the Riverlands development project and several other data centre builds,” said Human. “But water infrastructure is the next big frontier. Years of neglect mean there’s massive demand for electrical distribution and control systems in that space.”
Internationally, EDS has delivered projects in Ghana, Ethiopia, Zambia, and beyond – servicing both mining and data centre clients. “Africa is where we see real potential,” he added. “To grow, we need to work beyond our borders.”
The containerised advantage
Among EDS’s more innovative offerings are its containerised substations – refurbished shipping containers converted into turnkey substations complete with modular switchboards, lighting, fire detection, and ventilation systems. This flexible, cost-effective solution is gaining traction across industrial and remote applications.
“It’s a product line we’re really excited about,” said Bothma. “It aligns with our modular philosophy and allows for rapid deployment in harsh environments – perfect for mining and infrastructure projects.”
A business built to adapt
Despite the challenges of operating in a volatile economic environment, EDS maintains a nimble structure that allows it to scale up or down quickly. “We’re small enough to be agile, but experienced enough to deliver at scale,” said Human. “That’s our superpower.”
Internally, the company is restructuring its sales and design teams and investing in upskilling staff to meet the growing demand for smart, compliant systems. “Our systems are the same whether you’re operating in a mine, a data centre or a water treatment plant – it’s the control logic that changes,” said Bothma.
But retaining talent remains a concern. “There’s a shortage of skilled artisans in our sector,” he added. “We train interns ourselves, but often lose them to competitors or overseas opportunities. South Africa needs to reinvest in vocational training and trade skills.”
Looking ahead
As EDS approaches its 30-year milestone, the focus remains clear: to deepen technical capacity, embrace digital tools, expand across Africa, and continue building high-impact partnerships with suppliers such as Siemens, ABB, Schneider, and Hager.
“We’re not just building boards,” said Human. “We’re building future-ready systems – faster, smarter, and closer to the client. That’s how we’ll stay ahead for the next 30 years.”
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