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Steel

Service, product offering expansion creates market opportunities

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah 2nd July 2021 Cutting and precision tool manufacturer and distributor First Cut has recently expanded its cutting and grinding range of product and service offerings to include welding solutions. This expansion was prompted as the welding process is the next natural step that follows the cutting process in the... →

ZSD developed for water treatment plants

2nd July 2021 Metallurgical industry plant supplier SMS group is committed to taking care of the environment and has developed an environmentally beneficial product called Zero Solid Discharge (ZSD). ZSD is a water treatment plant for metal industries. →

DIRECT COMPARISON The microbial product is composed of a mix of non-genetically modified natural bacteria and their micronutrients and reduces suspended and surface oil

Global crude steel output decreases by 0.9% in 2020

26th February 2021 Global crude steel production reached 1 864-million tonnes (Mt) for the year 2020, which is down by 0.9% compared with 2019, steel industry association the World Steel Association stated in a press release last month. →

Photo by worldsteel.org
DECREASED STEEL OUTPUT Global crude steel production reached 1 864-million tonnes for the year 2020

Association hopeful despite challenging environment

By: Mamaili Mamaila 26th February 2021 The stainless steel sector, similar to the rest of the local economy, was under pressure before the onset of Covid-19, says the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda). →

REPRIORITISATION The Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association’s members had to reconsider aspects, such as staff deployment, the use of facilities and cost structures

Manufacturing recovery’s slow pace a concern, Seifsa

26th February 2021 The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) is concerned about the slow pace of recovery in the manufacturing sector, as depicted by the manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) number of 50.9 last month – lower than the 2020 fourth quarter average. →

MULTIPLIER EFFECT The manufacturing sector remains key to the growth and development of South Africa owing to its multiplier effect on other sectors of the economy

Safe and reliable steel production even more crucial

26th February 2021 High temperatures, molten metals and heavy loads are some of the challenges faced during steel production, says industrial instrumentation and automation multinational Endress+Hauser. →

ZOOMING INTO SAFETY Over the years, the importance of safety has grown substantially, whereby laws and regulations governing the smelter and metals sector have become stricter

Companies committed to transformation honoured

26th February 2021 Entries are open for the seventh annual Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) Awards for Excellence and the federation is calling on all companies within the metals and engineering (M&E) industry to send in their submissions for the Most Transformed Company of... →

TRANSFORMATION GOALS The Most Transformed Company of the Year Award honours and celebrates companies that have been able to transform their workplaces meaningfully

Company adopts ‘three Rs’ approach to reduce environmental impact

By: Mamaili Mamaila 26th February 2021 Wear-resistant chromium carbide-clad liner plates manufacturer Rio-Carb has aligned itself with the ISO14001 environmental management system to benchmark its manufacturing processes by following the reduce, reuse and recycle approach. →

JABULILE MLAMBO Rio-Carb’s approach offered an environment-positive option to the mining, steel and cement industries

C.I.S Engineering

26th February 2021 C.I.S Engineering is a leading fabricator of specialist steel structures. As such it manu-factures an impressive range of products ranging from power line support structures through to mining process plant structures and large and complex building structures. Established in 1998 as Central... →

New approach adopted in uncertain steel market

By: Darren Parker 3rd July 2020 Steel merchant Macsteel has been re-evaluating its business strategy, owing to a steady decline in steel consumption over the past five years, with 2019 being a “new low” and the start of 2020 faring just as poorly – a situation that has been exacerbated by the lockdown because of Covid-19.... →

BUILDING THE RIGHT WAY Macsteel aims to build its market share through strong, well-established and sustainable relationships with customers

New digital technologies improve manufacturing capabilities

3rd July 2020 Metallurgical plant supplier SMS group has developed digital technology called the X-Pact MES 4.0, along with the Safety Locator Suite system, which both aid in the digital transformation of organisations and help to gain faster insights and more informed management decision-making, with the... →

Automation reduces costs, increases productivity

By: Darren Parker 3rd July 2020 With companies that invest in technology and automation showing signs of being more adaptable and strategically well positioned to take advantage of an inevitable upswing in the economy, local manufacturer and supplier of cutting and welding equipment consumables as well as distributor of steel... →

ANDREW POOLE Companies which take the risk and invest are more agile, more productive and better positioned to diversify and access new markets

Plant productivity could be increased by virtual support

3rd July 2020 Metallurgical plant supplier SMS group aims to increase the technical resources of its clients’ plants by using local service teams from SMS Group with virtual support from global experts around the world using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies. The aim is to improve... →

New booster for industry

By: Darren Parker 3rd July 2020 Nitrogen generation equipment manufacturer and supplier NitraLife has introduced a booster for its NitraCut nitrogen generator product, which ‘bolts’ onto the company’s NitraCut nitrogen generator, to increase its nitrogen delivery pressure and therefore also increase the thickness of steel it... →

BOOSTING CAPABILITY
The NitraCut booster will enable higher pressures and therefore enable the cutting of thicker steel

NitraLife MD Tom Sowry discusses the new NitraCut booster. Camerawork: Nicholas Boyd. Editing: Nicholas Boyd. Recorded: 11.06.2020

Future order book to relieve pressure for fabricator

By: Darren Parker 3rd July 2020 Although the strategic decision to continue to pay employees full salaries during the Level 5 lockdown in April put pressure on its cashflow, steel fabricator and erector Betterect believes a healthy order book of projects for the next 18 months should ensure that the pressure will be relieved.... →

NICOLETTE SKJOLDHAMMER
The ‘Team Africa’ mindset has been embraced by several industry stakeholders since its inception

Betterect MD Nicolette Skjoldhammer discusses the company’s strategic decisions, facility upgrades and the concept of ‘Team Africa’. Camerawork: Nicholas Boyd. Editing: Nicholas Boyd. Recorded: 12.06.2020

SAISC calls for the revival of the steel sector

28th February 2020 The steel industry has significantly contracted over the last four years and shed thousands of jobs, as many of South Africa’s long-standing and successful construction companies closed down or went into business rescue, South African Institute for Steel Construction (SAISC) CEO Paolo Trinchero... →

Sector in dire need of transformation

By: Mamaili Mamaila 28th February 2020 The manufacturing industry, and particularly the metals and engineering sector, is in much need of transformation, says national employer federation the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa). →

MICHELLE NORRIS Women working in the metals and engineering sector are predominantly found in administrative job functions

Market feels project pinch

By: Mamaili Mamaila 28th February 2020 The lack of significant public infrastructure spend to boost steel consumption and construction activity are some of the challenges that the local steel tube market has to deal with, says steel industry association the Association of Steel Pipe Manufacturers (ASTPM). →

KEITUMETSE MOUMAKOE The influx of cheap small-bore steel tube imports has not aided the industry

C.I.S Engineering

28th February 2020 Leading mast, tower and general steelwork fabricator, C.I.S Engineering specialises in the manufacture and installation of superior steel products supporting an impressive range of communication and electrical infrastructure projects. Established in 1998 as Central Information Services, the... →

Stainless steel growth unlikely in 2020

By: Mamaili Mamaila 28th February 2020 The level of activity in the local stainless steel sector’s value chain has dwindled in the past decade, mainly owing to international competition, low steel prices and the slow growth of the local economy. →

FULL OF VIGOR Stainless steel is one of the youngest industrial materials globally, managing to positively change people’s lives

Digitalisation beneficial for steel producers

By: Mamaili Mamaila 28th February 2020 Digitalisation will become an increasingly important strategy for steel producers to achieve a competitive advantage in the market, says metallurgical industry plant and integrated systems provider SMS group MD Pieter Bezuidenhout. →

Local steel industry still holds much potential

By: Mamaili Mamaila 28th February 2020 The current capacity and capabilities of the local steel industry are still largely understated, says export trade promotion agency the International Steel Fabricators (ISF). →

International Steel Fabricators CEO Neels van Niekerk discusses the South African steel sector. Camerawork: Creamer Media’s Nicholas Boyd. Editing: Creamer Media’s Nicholas Boyd. Recorded: 30.01.2020

Volatile steel prices to continue in 2020

By: Mamaili Mamaila 28th February 2020 The volatile prices of domestic steel producers and domestic steel merchants are likely to continue in 2020, says national employer federation Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) chief economist Dr Michael Ade. →

MICHAEL ADE 2020 is still going to be a difficult year for the metals and engineering sector, with ongoing pressure on margins

Turning challenges in the steel sector into opportunities

28th February 2020 Despite the local steel sector currently experiencing tough challenges, some businesses within the steel supply chain have seized the opportunities presented by these challenges to grow their success. One such business is nitrogen generation equipment manufacturer and supplier NitraLife which... →

EU steel sector braces amid onslaught

5th July 2019 Surging import volumes, stalling economic growth, high and volatile raw material costs and sharply growing carbon costs are coming together to form a perfect storm that could knock the European steel industry back into a period of severe crisis. →

Versatility of Steel Putty increases

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah 5th July 2019 Domestic and industrial use of adhesives supplier Pratley Steel Putty’s eponymous epoxy filler continue to increase, especially among motor spares companies, owing to its versatily. →

MARK BELL Pratley Steel Putty has extensive machining ability

Tough leadership needed to improve SA economy

5th July 2019 The 3.2% drop in South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the first quarter of 2019 demonstrates that the country needs more than the now-routine lip service paid by its political leadership to economic growth amid the euphoria which greeted Cyril Ramaphosa’s ascendancy to the presidency... →

Creating innovative digitalisation solutions

5th July 2019 The steel industry faces its own set of challenges and metallurgical plant supplier SMS group MD Pieter Bezuidenhout says digitalisation is vital in navigating these challenges. →

HIGH TECH LEAPS US steel producer Big River Steel is the first learning steel plant in the world

Institute implements changes for inclusivity, diversity

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah 5th July 2019 The Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC) is following a diverse and inclusive approach in the steel industry as it promotes the importance of women working in steel, as well as younger people joining the sector. →

NEW ON BOARD Newly elected chairperson, Nicolette Skjoldhammer with CEO Paolo Trinchero and board member Tebogo Raaleka

Sassda in transition, creates new membership structure

By: Cameron Mackay 5th July 2019 Owing to the varied benefits which companies obtain as members of the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda), the association has created a tiered membership structure. →

GROWTH FROM EXPORTS Growth in the mining, and food and beverage, sectors for stainless steel, led to consumption in South Africa increasing by 8.6% last year

Association to sponsor tubular category at steel awards

By: Mamaili Mamaila 5th July 2019 The Association of Steel Tube and Pipe Manufacturers (ASTPM) is the sponsor of the tubular category in the upcoming South African Steel Awards which will take place in October 2019. →

STEEL EXCELLENCE As the industry is currently under strain, the steel awards are a necessary and an enduring reminder for every participant to persist amid adversity

Steel industry remaining afloat

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 1st March 2019 The local steel industry is reasonably buoyant, especially compared with this time last year, says steel processor and supplier Allied Steelrode executive director Warne Rippon. He tells Engineering News that the company has experienced improved trading conditions, despite the industry in... →

STRETCHER LEVELLER Allied Steelrode’s technology investment roadmap has culminated in the installation of its second stretcher leveller at its Midvaal-based facility

BBD Steel targeting automotive and mining sectors

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 1st March 2019 Steel supplier BBD Steel aims to expand its footprint by targeting the mining and automotive sectors directly, says BBD Steel business development director Gwen Mahuma. The company, which is 100% women-owned and managed, is located in Rosslyn, Pretoria, and, although already well-established in... →

STEEL SECTOR Steel is an extremely competitive industry and the local industry is facing many challenges

Company remains profitable in tough conditions

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 1st March 2019 Steel distributor BSi Steel CEO William Battershill says the company is maintaining a strong balance sheet and making a profit, despite the difficult circumstances the steel industry faces. “The local steel industry is currently pretty depressed and the past six months have been particularly... →

PROTECTING INDUSTRY Although steel manufacturing is being protected, that has not been extended to finished goods

Metals, engineering sector set to grow amid challenges

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 1st March 2019 Despite continuous challenges in recent years, the local metals and engineering sector is expected to show moderate growth of 1.8% this year. The various subsectors will register varied levels of growth, with some expanding and others contracting during the year. This is according to the Steel... →

Photo by Creamer Media
STABILISING PRICES Metals prices generally are expected to stabilise this year and next year

NDT equipment analyses, measures carbon content in alloys

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 1st March 2019 Vereeniging-based nondestructive testing (NDT) equipment provider GammaTec NDT Supplies is currently introducing the SciAps Z-200 C+, which is the only handheld analyser on the market capable of analysing carbon content in alloys, to the African market. GammaTec is the official distributor for... →

SCIAPS Z-200 C The equipment analyses carbon content in carbon and stainless steels using the technique of a handheld laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

SMS group helping clients understand benefit of digitalisation

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 1st March 2019 The South African arm of Germany-based metallurgical plant and rolling-mill technology provider SMS has developed strategies for advancing digitalisation in the steel industry. It is assisting several clients in understanding the efficiencies and competitive advantage that embracing a... →

MANSHIL SINGH SMS group is working on several project opportunities spanning various market segments of the company

PFERD South Africa

1st March 2019 Established in 1968, PFERD South Africa has grown from modest beginnings into a major player in the abrasives industry in South Africa and the rest of Africa. With its head office and manufacturing facility in Kempton Park, Gauteng, PFERD South Africa has expanded to include four additional... →

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