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Materials & Equipment News

Contractors urge dialogue on the back of 88 liquidations

By: Irma Venter 24th November 2023 Contract changes within the construction industry and conditions that are slashing margins are becoming a growing threat to contractors, “contributing to the downward spiral of the construction sector”. This is according to Master Builders Association North (MBA North) members who say urgent... →

PPC reports higher interim revenue, earnings

By: Schalk Burger 20th November 2023 JSE-listed cement and construction materials company PPC has reported a 20.9% year-on-year increase in revenue to R6-billion for the six months ended September 30. Its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) also increased by 46.8% to R1.06-billion. →

PPC outgoing CEO Roland van Wijnen

Barloworld expects slowdown in mining equipment sales as commodity cycle cools

By: Irma Venter 20th November 2023 Barloworld expects a 10% to 15% decline in the 2024 Southern African mining equipment industry on the back of slowing commodity demand and weak commodity prices. “Having said that, we are encouraged by activity in the construction space,” says Equipment Southern Africa CE Andronicca Masemola. →

PPC to sell its stake in Rwanda business

By: Schalk Burger 17th November 2023 JSE-listed construction materials supplier PPC has concluded an agreement to sell its 51% shareholding of Rwandan integrated cement manufacturer Cimerwa for $42.5-million to Kenya-based National Cement, which is part of East Africa clinker and cement manufacturer Devki Group. The divestment forms... →

The Cimerwa cement plant in Rwanda

Concrete manufacturer reopens manufacturing plant

By: Sabrina Jardim 17th November 2023 Precast concrete manufacturer Colossal Concrete Products reopened its De Aar manufacturing plant, in the Northern Cape, in September following the conclusion of a one-year contract with State-owned Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) to supply precast concrete railway sleepers for the parastatal’s... →

an image depicting concrete sleepers in a stockpile

CONCRETE SLEEPERSThe reopening will allow the company to reach its inherent capacity with the production of over one-million railway sleepers a year

PPC's shares rise on expected rise in earnings

By: Creamer Media Reporter 9th November 2023 Cement manufacturer PPC's share price on the JSE rose by nearly 9% on November 9, after the company reported an expected swing to earnings a share for the six months ended September 30. The company expects to report earnings a share of 21c to 25c, compared with a loss a share of 30c reported for... →

Commission recommends tribunal approve Afrimat's proposed buyout of Lafarge but with conditions

By: Creamer Media Reporter 6th November 2023 The Competition Commission has recommended that the Competition Tribunal approve the proposed transaction whereby Afrimat intends to acquire Lafarge, with conditions. The commission found that the merger results in horizontal overlaps as regards general aggregates and ready-mix concrete and that... →

Contractors urge dialogue as 88 companies faced liquidation last year

By: Irma Venter 6th November 2023 Contract changes within the construction industry and conditions that are slashing margins are becoming a growing threat to contractors, “contributing to the downward spiral of the construction sector”. This is according to Master Builders Association North (MBA North) members who say urgent... →

Sephaku warns of lower interim earnings

By: Creamer Media Reporter 3rd November 2023 Construction materials company Sephaku Holdings (SepHold) expects to report a 24% to 32% year-on-year decrease in its basic earnings per share (BEPS) for the six months ended September 30. The company, whose subsidiaries are Métier Mixed Concrete and Dangote Cement SepCem, says BEPS are likely to... →

Automation maximises efficiencies at warehouses

3rd November 2023 Renowned for its drive technology, automation specialist SEW-EURODRIVE partners with clients in the design and implementation of automation projects at their plants, factories and warehouses – using its powerful Maxolution offering. SEW-EURODRIVE mechatronics works manager Werner Engelbrecht says... →

EFFECTIVE TO THE MAX The Maxolution offering by SEW EURODRIVE maximises their plants, factories and warehouses efficiencies

Afrimat continues to weather economic shocks through diversification

By: Darren Parker 26th October 2023 Mid-tier mining and materials company Afrimat’s strategy to diversify between commodities and revenue streams, coupled with stringent capital allocation, has enabled the group to continue to weather economic and commodity shocks in the six months to August 31, group CEO Andries van Heerden said... →

Afrimat group CEO Andries van Heerden

Tygerberg Hospital to be redeveloped in multibillion-rand PPP project

By: Irma Venter 13th October 2023 Requests for proposals (RFPs) to redevelop the Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town are expected to go out next year, says Western Cape government Department of Health and Wellness communication deputy director Mark van der Heever. “This megaproject aims to improve health infrastructure for the people... →

Image of the Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town

Study under way into producing green direct reduced iron at mothballed Saldanha Works

By: Terence Creamer 11th October 2023 Steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) is moving ahead with a study into the production of green hydrogen directly reduced iron (gHDRI) at its mothballed Saldanha Steel Works, in the Western Cape. Market and product development head Jerry Dungu told participants at an industry... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Mothballed Saldanha Steel Works, in the Western Cape

Wacker Neuson celebrates 175 years as it pursues sub-Saharan Africa growth

By: Schalk Burger 9th October 2023 Construction, agriculture and forestry machinery and equipment manufacturer Wacker Neuson has turned around the performance of its business in South Africa and is expanding its presence in Southern Africa in pursuit of sub-Saharan Africa growth, Wacker Neuson Southern Africa MD Dennis Vietze has... →

Rainbow sets sights on full rehabilitation of Phalaborwa gypsum stacks through deal with trader Nexus

By: Creamer Media Reporter 4th October 2023 London-listed Rainbow Rare Earths has signed a letter of intent (LoI) to enter into an offtake agreement with international trading company Nexus Intertrade, under which Nexus will acquire gypsum from Rainbow's Phalaborwa project, in South Africa, and sell it to end-users. Rainbow expects... →

Gypsum stacks at Rainbow's Phalaborwa mine

WBHO makes strong return, warns of potential contractor shortage for IPP jobs

By: Irma Venter 29th September 2023 Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon (WBHO) is back, “and we are back on a very strong footing”, says CEO Wolfgang Neff. “We had an exceptional year in a difficult period.” →

Afrimat expects to report marginal increase in interim EPS, HEPS

By: Creamer Media Reporter 28th September 2023 Midtier mining and materials company Afrimat expects to report earnings per share (EPS) of between 252.4c and 265c and headline earnings per share (HEPS) of between 257.2c and 269.8c for the six months ended August 31. That represents a 0% to 5% increase on the EPS of 252.4c and a 2% to 7%... →

Afrimat's Demaneng iron-ore mine

PPC reports 5% y/y growth in South Africa and Botswana cement business

By: Darren Parker 20th September 2023 The revenue for cement manufacturer PPC’s South Africa and Botswana divisions for the five months ended August 31 increased by 5% year-on-year, the company reported in an operating update on September 20. This increase was driven by higher average selling prices, despite weaker cement sales... →

New report highlights how imported cement destabilises the economy

By: Darren Parker 13th September 2023 The negative impact on the South African economy caused by substituting local cement production with imported cement was highlighted in a report released by cement manufacturer PPC in conjunction with the Centre for African Management and Markets (CAMM) at the Gordon Institute of Business Science... →

CAMM founding director and GIBS economics lecturer Dr Adrian Saville, Business Unity South Africa CEO Cas Coovadia, Industry Insight CEO Elsie Snyman, PPC South Africa and Botswana MD Njombo Lekula, CAMM research associate Francois Fouche, and Cement and Concrete South Africa CEO Bryan Perrie

In this video, we witness highlights from a panel discussion hosted by CAMM founding director and GIBS economics lecturer Dr Adrian Saville, PPC South Africa and Botswana MD Njombo Lekula, CAMM research associate Francois Fouche, Cement and Concrete South Africa CEO Bryan Perrie, Business Unity South Africa CEO Cas Coovadia and Industry Insight CEO Elsie Snyman.

Economist gives bleak outlook for South Africa’s economic future

By: Darren Parker 13th September 2023 In a stark assessment of South Africa's economic performance Centre for African Management and Markets (CAMM) founding director and Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) economics lecturer Dr Adrian Saville has expressed his disquiet about the nation's economic trajectory, stating, "This is... →

Photo by Creamer Media
CAMM founding director and GIBS economics lecturer Dr Adrian Saville

WBHO makes strong return, warns of potential contractor shortage for IPP jobs

By: Irma Venter 13th September 2023 Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon (WBHO) is back, “and we are back on a very strong footing”, says CEO Wolfgang Neff. “We had an exceptional year in a difficult period.” →

Image of the River Club development in Cape Town

River Club construction in Cape Town

EU to launch first phase of world-first carbon dioxide border tax

By: Reuters 13th September 2023 The European Union (EU) starts the initial phase of its plan for the world's first carbon border tax next month, requiring importers to report the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of products sold into Europe, such as steel and cement, or risk financial penalties. The aim of the new regime is to... →

New report says localisation policy locking South Africa into ‘wrong path’

By: Terence Creamer 11th September 2023 A new Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) report argues that the South African government’s policy of localisation is locking the country “into the wrong path” of rising protection and rising inefficiency. Published following an expert roundtable, the report outlines what it calls the... →

Unresolved problems dog manufacturing

By: Bridget Lepere 8th September 2023 The machinery and capital equipment industry is “very quiet” and many businesses are reluctant to spend on marketing or new procurement, owing to challenges such as power failures, water cuts, crime, protests and logistics disruptions, says industry organisation South African Capital Equipment... →

Image of stocks displayed on graphical interface

MAKING MOVES The country needs a steady 4% to 5% GDP growth rate for a couple of years to grow the economy

Climate change, regionalisation to impact on global steelmaking

By: Cameron Mackay 7th September 2023 Global body World Steel Association director-general Dr Edwin Basson contends that signficant trends such as climate change and the need to decarbonise industrial activity, as well as regionalisation and shifts in steel production regionally, are set to significantly impact on global steel... →

Matias Cardarelli appointed PPC CEO

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 4th September 2023 JSE-listed PPC has appointed Matias Cardarelli as CEO, following an extensive search for a suitable successor for Roland van Wijnen, whose contract expired on August 31 and was extended to December 31 to facilitate an appropriate handover and transition. →

Matias Cardarelli

Steel industry vital for South Africa’s industrialisation, Majola says

By: Cameron Mackay 31st August 2023 Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Fikile Majola has stressed the impact of the local steel industry and its importance to South Africa’s industrialisation, and the challenges that the sector is facing from local and global pressures, emphasising the need to build an “inclusive... →

A steel slab in ArcelorMittal South Africa's Vanderbijlpark plant

Italtile mitigates challenges to achieve solid results

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 28th August 2023 South African manufacturer, franchiser and retailer of tiles, bathroomware and other complementary home-finishing products Italtile achieved solid retail results, built up manufacturing capacity and grew its cash reserves in the financial year ended June 30, despite contending with several... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Italtile’s retail brands are CTM, Italtile Retail, TopT and U-Light, represented through a network of 216 stores, including seven online webstores

Emissions requirement postponed for Kusile

25th August 2023 The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) announced in June that the National Air Quality Officer (NAQO) has granted State-owned power utility Eskom a postponement to meet Minimum Emission Standards (MES) at its Kusile power station. The postponement will be in effect from... →

A view of a Kusile stack through a maze of metal scaffolding

KEEPING KUSILE The emissions standards requirement which needs to be met by Kusile has been postponed untill March 2025 by The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

Microgrid roll-out gaining traction

By: Halima Frost 25th August 2023 After the successful commissioning of State-owned power utility Eskom’s third microgrid, at the Swartkop dam, in the Northern Cape, the company aims to launch its next two microgrids at Nomalengena Village, in the Eastern Cape, and Nounieput, also in the Northern Cape, by December 31, 2023. The... →

A solar and battery powered microgrid developed and built by Eskom at the Swartkop dam in the Northern Cape

SEEING THE LIGHT Eskom has rolled out its third solar microgrid as part of a greater plan to provide universal access to electricity using clean and reliable technologies to remote areas

Refurbishment under way at Kriel

By: Halima Frost 25th August 2023 Thermal solutions specialist Industrial Water Cooling (IWC) is working with State-owned power utility Eskom on the refurbishment of two natural draught cooling towers at its Kriel power station, in Mpumalanga. The refurbishment includes the installation of fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP)... →

the cooling towers and stacks with smoke pluming out the top

TOWERING ABOVE THE REST The cooling tower refurbishment at a power station in Mpumalanga is being undertaken by industry specialists Industrial Water Cooling

Global crude steel production up 6.6% y/y in July

By: Darren Parker 22nd August 2023 Global crude steel production for the 63 countries reporting to the World Steel Association increased by 6.6% year-on-year to 158.5-million tonnes in July. Africa witnessed a surge in production to 1.4-million tonnes, marking a 26.1% increase compared with July 2022. →

Principles help supplier maintain foothold

18th August 2023 Owing to its 100/0 principle, fastener specialist Bolt and Engineering Distributors (BED) Group’s Welkom branch, in the Free State, maintains a firm position as supplier of choice to the mining, agricultural, contracting, engineering and DIY sectors in the region. BED sells its range of lifting... →

A group of men and women in the Bolt and Engineering factory in Welkom staring up at the camera

DREAM TEAM The team at Bolt and Engineering's Welkom branch aim to make the company even more competitive in its area

Saisc’s initiatives keep it relevant

By: Sabrina Jardim 18th August 2023 Industry body the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC) launched its ‘brand for hire’ initiative in June as a means of improving the organisation’s financial sustainability while raising the profiles of member companies. While the organisation has traditionally relied largely... →

An image of SAISC CEO Amanuel Gebremeskel

AMANUEL GEBREMESKEL The initiative gives member companies and other industry professionals the opportunity to leverage the SAISC’s substantial industry brand equity and credibility, boosting their profiles across South Africa, the rest of Africa and more broadly

Local steel industry in prime ‘springboard’ position

By: Sabrina Jardim 18th August 2023 Despite contributing only a small percentage to global steel production, the South African steel sector supplies critical components to the global economy, says industry body Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC) CEO Amanuel Gebremeskel. He argues that the local steel sector... →

Cement & Concrete SA launches vacancy notice board

By: Schalk Burger 11th August 2023 Industry association Cement & Concrete SA (CCSA) has launched a vacancy notice board (VNB) on its website in response to the growing demand for skilled employees at all levels in the industry. The VNB lists details of available positions as a value-added service for members of CCSA and related... →

PPC launches South African employee share ownership trust

By: Schalk Burger 7th August 2023 JSE-listed cement and construction materials producer PPC has launched a PPC Employee Share Ownership Trust, which has acquired 10% of the share capital of PPC South Africa for the benefit of the employees of PPC’s subsidiaries operating in the country. The shares were bought for R380-million.... →

PPC CEO Roland van Wijnen

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