THE KwaZulu-Natal Industrial Technology Exhibition (KITE) 2025 confirmed its place as KwaZulu-Natal’s must-attend industrial event, drawing thousands of industry professionals to the Durban Exhibition Centre from 22 to 24 July 2025. The show once again delivered on its promise — providing a focused, energetic platform where exhibitors connected directly with customers and visitors discovered the tools and insights needed to take their operations to the next level.
“Bringing together suppliers, solution providers, engineers and decision-makers, KITE 2025 served as a dynamic platform for showcasing technologies that power progress. From AI-enabled software to smart energy systems, automation tools and manufacturing upgrades, the exhibition was packed with live demonstrations and product launches tailored to help businesses improve performance, efficiency and safety,” says Charlene Hefer, portfolio director at Specialised Exhibitions, a division of Montgomery Group.
For exhibitors, KITE 2025 delivered access to a highly targeted audience, ready to engage, ask questions, and make decisions. Exhibitors reported strong lead generation, valuable conversations and meaningful brand exposure, all within a concentrated three-day format. For many, the show also offered a chance to reconnect with existing clients, build partnerships, and gather valuable market feedback.
“KITE is great for networking, it is exciting, and growth for our company. It is our second time at KITE, and we believe we have grown bigger and have now established a footprint in the province,” says Kamahelo Mohapi from Supplywise.
From a visitor’s perspective, KITE 2025 was all about relevance, value, and connection. Whether attending to source a specific product, scout new suppliers, or stay informed on industry shifts, attendees left the show equipped with new ideas, fresh contacts and a better understanding of the technologies shaping their future.
“The show is brilliant. One comes here to look for something specific, but finds more than expected,” says Brian Mzila from Mzila TL Projects. “The show has shown a lot of growth. There were a lot more machines and agents at the show. The layout of the show is great,” adds Pierre van Rensburg from Sonta Tools.
Knowledge that matters
“A key drawcard at this year’s event was the free-to-attend SAIMechE Seminar Theatre, which offered valuable insight into the forces transforming industry today. A range of interesting topics gave visitors the chance to deepen their understanding of digital transformation, regulatory requirements, and future-focused technologies,” says Hefer.
Highlights included: ‘The application of industrial-scale monitoring, data analytics and AI to commercial data centres’; ‘Leading in Industry 4.0 with IoT and AI’; ‘Forging the future – technology-driven transformation for design and engineering’; ‘Exploring how different sectors, such as manufacturing, are leveraging AI to boost productivity’; ‘Smart connected motor starting solutions for industry’; ‘Transforming traditional manufacturing into dynamic, data-driven ecosystems’; the half-day ECSA registration workshop; ‘Building a collaborative C-Suite with smart HR tech’; ‘Digital technology in the safety industry – a help or a hindrance?’; and ‘Driving sustainable innovations’.
Beyond the sessions and the stands, visitor highlights included the highly-anticipated LEEASA Lifting Conference, and the exciting LEEASA Forklift Driver Competition, both of which brought technical lifting skill and industry expertise to the fore.
Innovation was celebrated during the New Products & Innovations Awards, co-hosted by the South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC), with standout entries demonstrating the incredible potential of local and international technologies.
“It’s clear that KITE continues to grow in both influence and impact — proving once again that KwaZulu-Natal’s industrial sector is not just keeping pace, but confidently forging ahead,” says Hefer.
