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Metals & Engineering News

Awards for excellence encourage industry innovation

By: Mamaili Mamaila 19th July 2019 With the metals and engineering sector having shed thousands of jobs, companies in the sector have to be more innovative to survive, says Steel and Engineering Industries of Southern Africa (Seifsa) marketing manager Mark Lotter. →

Hulamin earnings to fall on lower rolled products, automotive demand

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 12th July 2019 A sharp decline in demand in the US common alloy market following overstocking, as well as a reduction in demand for heat-treated plate, has had a severe impact on the financial performance of Hulamin’s rolled products division in the first half of the current financial year. The JSE-listed... →

Solidarity calls for intervention in AMSA looming retrenchments

By: African News Agency 11th July 2019 Trade union Solidarity on Thursday said that it regrets the retrenchment crisis at ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA), warning that if key players in the steel industry do not intervene urgently, these retrenchments may be the first of many to follow. Multinational steel manufacturing company AMSA... →

AMSA shares fall on job cuts warning

By: Marleny Arnoldi 10th July 2019 Primary steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa’s (AMSA’s) share price on the JSE fell by 10.4% on Wednesday morning after it said it could possibly cut more than 2 000 jobs. In a trading update for the six months ended June 30, it said a difficult domestic economic environment was negatively... →

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 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

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 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

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... →

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

Rio Tinto's Icelandic aluminium plant attracts Glencore, Trimet – sources

By: Reuters 4th July 2019 At least three companies including Glencore and Trimet Aluminium have expressed an interest in buying Rio Tinto's aluminium assets in Iceland, Sweden and the Netherlands for up to $350-million, banking sources said. Rio Tinto restarted the sale process for the assets in late 2018, with the help... →

Iron-ore drives Australian resource export earnings to a record A$275bn

By: Esmarie Iannucci 1st July 2019 Higher iron-ore prices have helped to drive Australia’s resource export earnings to a record A$275-billion in the 2018/19 financial year, with export earnings expected to hit A$285-billion in 2019/20, data from the latest Resources and Energy Quarterly shows. Chief economist Mark Cully on Monday... →

Factory of the Year recognises world-class excellence in South African manufacturing

By: Schalk Burger 28th June 2019 Multinational management consulting firm AT Kearney’s Factory of the Year competition recognises world-class excellence and performance in manufacturing and provides participants with a confidential evaluation of their competitive position as part of the assessment of all finalists, says AT... →

3D-printed Factory of the Year trophies

Asian imports putting industry under pressure

By: Mamaili Mamaila 28th June 2019 A notable increase in welded small-bore tubes and seamless pipes from Asia is exacerbating the pressure which South Africa’s steel tube and pipe industry has been under during the past three years, says Association of Steel Tube and Pipe Manufacturers (ASTPM) executive director Keitumetse Moumakoe. →

MANUFACTURING IN SIGHT Intensive roll-out of infrastructure spend by government would be the ideal catalyst to create demand locally and increase manufacturing capacity

Metal fabrication support programme in next 100 days – Patel

By: Martin Creamer 27th June 2019 Within the next 100 days, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition intends launching a support programme for new plant and equipment in metal fabrication. “We’ll meet investors and stakeholders on the long-term development of foundries and steel mini-mills, including measures to enable... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Dylan Slater
Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel

European steel warns of import tsunami if restrictions ease

By: Bloomberg 27th June 2019 Europe’s steel industry faces a “tsunami of problems” if a relaxation of import restrictions goes ahead as planned next week, according to steelmakers including top producer ArcelorMittal. From July 1, steelmakers from outside the European Union will see tariff-free quotas increase by 5%, raising... →

African nations join majority in opposing US blockage at WTO

By: Reuters 26th June 2019 African countries have joined the list of nations wanting an end to a US veto on judicial appointments at the World Trade Organization (WTO), a statement showed on Wednesday, meaning a large majority of WTO member States now openly oppose the US position. The US is blocking new appointments... →

Steel production up 5.4% y/y in May

By: Creamer Media Reporter 24th June 2019 Global crude steel production increased by 5.4% year-on-year to 162.7-million tonnes in May, the World Steel Association (worldsteel) reported on Monday. Its data shows that China's crude steel output had increased by 10% year-on-year to 89.1-million tonnes in May, while India's output had... →

Insimbi to acquire metals trading firm Treppo

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 21st June 2019 JSE-listed Insimbi Industrial Holdings will see ISB acquire Treppo, which is involved in the sourcing, trading and buying of recycled metals – mainly ferrous metals or steel – in the greater Gauteng area. Through this transaction, Insimbi will expand its ferrous business and its client base,... →

New drive technology meets industry demands

21st June 2019 The current trend of rolling high-strength materials requires higher torque capabilities at the drive train in metallurgical plants and stainless steel technical services and products provider SMS group’s drive technology meets this demand. “SMS group drive technology features rolling mill drive... →

Company to supply fasteners for Woodbridge upgrade

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 21st June 2019 Stainless steel fasteners importer and distributor Fastenright is supplying stainless steel fasteners for the upgrading of the wooden bridge on Woodbridge Island in Milnerton, Cape Town. The fasteners that have been supplied on this project include extra-long hexagon bolts, nylock nuts and wood... →

WOODRIDGE ISLAND Fastenright supplied extra-long hexagon bolts, nylock nuts and wood screws for the wooden bridge

Company expands and increases production

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 21st June 2019 Manufacturer Impala Bolt & Nut recently initiated an expansion programme to increase its warehouse and production facilities by nearly 3 000 m2. The investment includes new plant and equipment, testing facilities and the implementation of a QR code product identification system to ensure... →

Local steel exporters suffering amid lower US steel demand

By: Marleny Arnoldi 20th June 2019 Trade union Solidarity says South African exporters of steel and aluminium products are under severe pressure after the US recently granted Canada and Mexico exemption from steel and aluminium tariffs. The US in May lifted the 25% tariff on steel and the 10% tariff on aluminium for Canada and... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Dylan Slater
Solidarity deputy general secretary Marius Croucamp

Engineers concerned over lack of projects, skills

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 20th June 2019 The decline in engineering projects and a shortage of engineering skills are issues of concern to engineers, the 2019 PPS Graduate Professional Index (GPI) results have revealed. An overwhelming 78% of engineers believe there has been a decline in South African engineering project opportunities,... →

Approach, not technology, key to success in advanced manufacturing

By: Schalk Burger 14th June 2019 The only way for small and large companies to become and remain globally competitive in advanced manufacturing supply chains is to embrace the latest technologies and processes that are available, says machined components manufacturer Daliff Precision Engineering chairperson Rowland Chute.... →

LOCAL YET GLOBAL Real-time analysis of operating data will provide information for where future improvements are required

Steel Awards attracts record number of sponsors, entries

By: Marleny Arnoldi 13th June 2019 The South African Institute of Steel Construction (Saisc) says a record number of sponsors, as well as entries, have been received for this year’s Steel Awards, which will be hosted on October 10. Fourteen steel companies have pledged their support for this year’s event, a 40% increase... →

Saisc CEO Paolo Trinchero

ArcelorMittal boss says EU must respond further to Trump's steel tariffs

By: Reuters 12th June 2019 Europe urgently needs to take further measures to offset the impact of import tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, the chief executive of steelmaker ArcelorMittal told a German newspaper in an interview published on Wednesday. The European Commission is currently reviewing its... →

ELBCon installing leach vats at Glencore’s Rhovan vanadium mine

By: Simone Liedtke 12th June 2019 Construction services provider ELB Construction (ELBCon) has been awarded a contract by Turnmill Proquip Equipment to install four leach vats, as well as associated structural steel, at Glencore’s Rhovan vanadium mine, in the North West. The mine’s aged leach vats are becoming obsolete and will... →

Sensible steam system management a priority

7th June 2019 Establishing repair priorities based on safety, steam/energy loss and possible impact on production and quality is a sensible approach to a steam system management programme, says test and measurement tool supplier Comtest. Water boils at 100 °C making steam, which is routinely transmitted at... →

Plasma ignition for burners now available to South African market

7th June 2019 Industrial equipment supplier O.E.N. Enterprises has introduced the new Hegwein Microwave Plasma Ignition System manufactured by combustion technology firm Durag Group as part of its portfolio of igniters available to the South African burner market. O.E.N highlights that firing up large... →

LIGHT OF MY LIFE The new plasma ignition system is safer and more cost effective

Hydronic boiler named product of the year finalist

7th June 2019 Boiler room solution provider Cleaver-Brooks’ ClearFire-CE (CFC-E) fully condensing hydronic boiler has been named a finalist for the US Consulting-Specifying Engineer 2019 Product of the Year. The awards programme spotlights innovative new products that continue to raise the bar for the... →

PICK ME The condensing hydronic boiler has been listed as a product of the year finalist in the boilers and chillers category

Regular boiler maintenance key in stable power

7th June 2019 Multinational conglomerate GE is aware of the pressures faced by power producers, especially utilities, to improve efficiency and productivity within their steam plants. For South Africa, regular maintenance to major upgrades and retrofits of utility power plants and in particular the boilers, is... →

OHHH SO STEAMY GE offers a comprehensive range of steam power solutions to the continent

Guinea iron-ore prospectors set sights on ArcelorMittal rail

By: Reuters 6th June 2019 The race to mine Guinea's iron-ore has started although the focus is not on its giant Simandou deposits but on smaller finds whose output could be transported via Liberia if ArcelorMittal shares its railway, banking and industry sources said. Guinea's aspirations to develop Simandou, the world's... →

Bidders scramble to break up British Steel ahead of June 12 deadline – sources

By: Reuters 5th June 2019 Steelmakers and private equity are working on proposals for only parts of the collapsed British Steel pending a June 12 deadline for binding bids, sources close to the process said. None of the potential buyers, which include GFG Alliance and former owner Greybull, would be willing to take on the... →

ANC says ten sectors to be prioritised under ‘re-imagined industrial strategy’

By: Terence Creamer 4th June 2019 The African National Congress (ANC) has unveiled what it describes as a “re-imagined industrial strategy” as part of a broader five-year programme of action agreed at the party’s three-day lekgotla, which concluded in Gauteng on Tuesday. In a statement released following the gathering, the ANC... →

EU needs to act on steel imports in wake of US tariffs – industry

By: Reuters 4th June 2019 Steel is being diverted to Europe as a result of US 25% tariffs and the European Union needs to act, European steel industry chiefs say a letter sent to EU leaders and EU institutions. There has been a sudden downturn in the European steel industry's prospects, underpinned by long-term trends, 45... →

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