The Toyota Wessels Institute for Manufacturing Studies (TWIMS) is a pioneering, not-for-profit specialist business school based in Kloof, Durban. Established in 2018 through the support of the Toyota South Africa Educational Trust and inspired by the shared vision of the late Dr Johan van Zyl and the Wessels family, TWIMS was created to strengthen Africa’s manufacturing leadership, competitiveness and industrial capability. As a centre of excellence for industrial education, applied research and executive development, the institute is focused on equipping current and future leaders to drive sustainable, inclusive industrial growth across the continent.

In partnership with the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), TWIMS delivers the GIBS MBA with a manufacturing focus, offered in a blended mode of online and in person from the GIBS campus, as well as the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (manufacturing focus), which serves as a pathway into the MBA. These qualifications combine the academic depth and global standing of GIBS with sector-specific learning designed for the realities of modern manufacturing. The curriculum includes specialised areas such as future manufacturing, green manufacturing, lean operations management, lean supply chain management, African trade and industrialisation, sustainable finance, and leading gender transformation in manufacturing. A significant feature of the curriculum is immersive learning experiences at manufacturing facilities both nationally and globally.

Beyond its degree programmes, TWIMS offers executive education, short courses, specialist seminars and masterclasses that respond to the evolving needs of industry. Its work is grounded in practical relevance and is complemented by a strong commitment to applied research, policy engagement and thought leadership aimed at advancing manufacturing performance and industrial strategy in Africa. TWIMS also collaborates with industry platforms and stakeholders to strengthen manufacturing capability, innovation and competitiveness. Through this integrated approach, TWIMS supports both organisational capability building and broader sector development.

TWIMS is equally committed to widening access to high-quality education. Through its Manufacturing Ambassador Scholarship, the institute supports deserving candidates with strong leadership potential and a demonstrated commitment to industrialisation who may otherwise face financial barriers to study. Purpose-built facilities at TWIMS, including the Johan van Zyl Auditorium and a technology sandbox for practical experimentation, further strengthen the learning environment. Today, TWIMS continues to build a distinctive legacy by combining academic rigour, industry relevance and developmental purpose to shape responsible, capable leaders for Africa's manufacturing future.