A global heavyweight in light aircraft avionics
6 April 2005
News
What does it take to go from a bright South African idea to producing the world’s largest range of digital aircraft instrumentation in just three and a half years? Passion, knowledge and the sort of courage that beats the big boys at their own game.
In light aircraft circles, MGL Avionics' Stratomaster brand of instruments is said to be the best-known and most highly respected worldwide. According to MGL Avionics the reason is simple: the product range offers over 20 electronic aircraft instruments at exceptional price/performance capability.
The company, started in Johannesburg by microlight enthusiasts Rainier Lamers and Ria van der Wel, specialises in the design and manufacture of computerised, electronic instrumentation for light aircraft. The combination of Lamers' background and experience in electronic engineering and van der Wel's expertise in accounting, plus the conviction that they could produce top quality instrumentation at competitive prices was a key driver towards success.
As Lamers says, 'The rest is almost history, even though most chapters are still to be written.'
MGL Avionics exports all of its products and has representation in over 17 countries. A strategic move to Somerset West, Western Cape has enabled it to extend its research and development capacity. The company is working on a further 30 products, increasingly aiming at larger aircraft.
MGL Avionics recently signed an offset agreement with BAE Systems, which is seeing first fruit in assistance with tooling and certification of instruments. It has also entered into a technology partnership with Aveotech International.
Local expertise and resources are utilised wherever possible, supporting electronics component distribution, circuit board manufacturing, tooling and production of mechanical items. Of course, all assembly work is done locally, both in house as well as though outsourcing arrangements.
'Given the short time in business and the complex nature of the products, we believe this is an incredible achievement by any standards' comments Lamers. 'We also believe that we have hardly even started in the context of what we can and will do'.
MGL Avionics is also a member of the dti Savant ICTE project, a global network working at putting South African ICTE on the international map.
For more information contact [email protected], www.mglavionics.co.za
Further reading:
Rooibos heads to space
News
A South African scientific initiative linking agriculture and space research has officially launched today with the Rooibos in Space programme at Parklands College’s Innovation Centre in Cape Town.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: Local can be international
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice News
Welcome to the July 2026 issue of
Dataweek. As you can see from this introduction,
Dataweek’s regular editor, Peter Howells, is on extended leave and I am filling the void in his editor’s column – hopefully without being too boring.
Read more...
Landis+Gyr EMEA introduces new company name: EYKON
News
EYKON is the new company name of Landis+Gyr EMEA, formerly part of the Landis+Gyr Group. The company supports electricity, gas, water and thermal utilities in managing increasingly complex networks, improving operational efficiency and enabling more sustainable use of resources.
Read more...
Yamaha Robotics will show visitors to EFX
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services News
Yamaha Robotics will show visitors to EFX 2026, the Expo for Electronics Manufacturing, in Stuttgart from 6-8 October 2026, how advanced surface-mount automation helps companies grow their business and increase productivity.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: The art of measuring the truth
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice News
All electronic measurements are a lie. The trick is making the lie as small as possible.
Read more...
TSE has relocated
News
The Technology Station in Electronics (TSE) has entered a new chapter with its relocation from the CSIR campus to TUT-owned building at Ditsela Place in Hatfield.
Read more...
Innovative MyLegrand app
RS South Africa
News
Legrand SA is set to launch the MyLegrand mobile application, a digital platform designed to strengthen engagement across its professional network.
Read more...
Kulani Energy acquires critical assets from Optipower
News
Kulani Energy preserves engineering, procurement, and construction capability and positions a wholly women-owned firm at the forefront of South Africa’s grid expansion.
Read more...
From Cape Town to Johannesburg
News
Würth Elektronik South Africa has taken a significant step forward with its recent relocation from Cape Town to Johannesburg, marking a new phase of growth and ambition for the company.
Read more...
Lesley Havenga: Building partnerships for Africa’s electronics future
Editor's Choice News
As Würth Electronik expands its footprint across South Africa and the broader sub-Saharan region, Havenga’s blend of manufacturing expertise, supply chain knowledge, and people-centred leadership appears well suited to the task.
Read more...
printer friendly version