Multinational steel manufacturer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) supplies around 170 000 t to 180 000 t of flat steel pro-ducts to the country’s vehicle manufacturers. “This is as part of our strategy to continue our good relationship with the automotive industry,” says marketing manager for product and market development for flat steel Nic de Jager.

He says the products it supplies to the automotive industry include hot rolled steel, pickled and oiled steel, cold rolled steel and electro galvanised steel.

The company supplies these products to steel service centres across the country, such as construction, infrastructure and engineering company Aveng, steel manufacturers Macsteel and Steelrode, precision cut steel supplier Steelbank, and motorcar distributor Toyota Tsusho South Africa Processing, says De Jager.

“We are a major player in the Southern African steel market and we supply a significant amount of steel to the automotive market to be used in the different stages of a vehicle’s life cycle” he adds.

The company’s steel is used by vehicle manufacturers, such as Toyota, Ford, Nissan, Volkswagen and General Motors, says De Jager.

He adds that one of AMSA’s major achievements in the automotive industry has been the development of the higher strength chassis material for Toyota. “Other developments include higher strength cold rolled and electro galvanised material for use in structural automotive frames and automotive components.”

The company is proud of achieving the production of the higher strength chassis, says De Jager, adding that other car manufacturers around the country have also expressed interest in the material.

“Over the long term, the company will continue to propel the development of new higher strength materials and will also ensure that there is ongoing engagement between AMSA and vehicle manufacturers in the country in an effort to better understand their requirements,” he says.

AMSA continuously strives to improve its product range to meet the specific needs of its customers. It also takes pride in providing good customer service as part of its strategy to ensure that it continues to attract and retain future business in the automotive sector, says De Jager.

This is in line with our strategy to reclaim domestic market share and to actively pursue new opportunities.”

AMSA is a major steel producer in Africa, with a production capacity of 6.5-million tonnes of liquid steel per year.

AMSA is a member of the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction.