Mr Brian Smaller, Chairman of Sassda
Extracts from Sassda Chairman’s Address
The number of members is now 165 which shows a sound increase on the previous year in spite of some 12 members leaving the Association (primarily because of take-over bids within the industry or of movement away to more specialised activity). Although the number of members is expected to grow further during the current year, it is believed that a fairly stable position has been reached and your Association is fully representative of the industry it serves including its membership, as it does companies both large and small in most sectors of activity. I must point out here that five years ago SASSDA membership was 90 which indicates an almost 100% increase in membership over that period.
The growth of stainless steel in the Republic has been quite formidable. The total consumption for sheet, plate and other products including hollowware has been:-
From left to right: N. Grenfell, Hall Longmore and Co; R Ranger, R. Jackson and Co; D.K. Maxwell, Southern Cross; D.P. Rowlands, Sassda; R. Bester, A.L. Charlton and Co; B. Harmer, Industrial Design Consultants; D. Walker, Southern Cross Steel.
1977 23 855 tons
1978 22 773 tons, a slight drop however
1979 36 262 tons, a plus 50% rise on 1977
You are all, I think, aware of the recent projections for the consumption of stainless steel products in South Africa. The 11 000 tons of plate to be consumed locally in 1980 is expected to grow to more than 29 000 tons by 1992 (including 3CR12 sales) and the plus 20 000 tons of sheet and coil expected to be consumed in 1980 is projected to grow to 42 000 tons by the same date.
Left to Right: C. H. Butcher, Southern Cross Steel; L. Serrano, visitor from Brazil; G Burrill, Sassda; C.G.A. Jenna. R. Jackson and Co; K.H.J. Arkert, Axel Johnson and Co Africa
Many of you here today could show more impressive growth projections for stainless steel in other forms especially high performance and special alloys. What we are looking at is a period of geometric progression growth which could well transform the industry as we know it today and which will inevitably demand increased requirement of your Association
Sassda Management Committee 1980/1981. Back row: D.P. Rowlands, J. Kirkman, M.L Melvill, P.M.D. Howroyd, C.S. Fiander, G. Burrill, H.A.N. Whitty. Front row: E.J.C. Smith, A.H. Goodwin, C.P. Brown, B. Smaller, C.D. Veale. Absent G.O. Webb, J. de Lange, H. Rosholt.
Your Committee’s concerns is no longer with budgeting to make ends meet during periods of high inflation; it is rather concerned with re-formulating the Association’s finances so as to be able to cope with the demands now put upon it for educational programmes for example and for the build-up of the light gauge market to match the coming on stream of the new Southern Cross mill. This must inevitably mean a rise in fees and an increase of 15% is announced. This in no way reflects the cost of increased activities and responsibilities taken on by your Association over the last two years.
Those present at the Annual General Meeting last year will recall figures prepared for it by a Merchant Bank which showed that the real value of the Rand had reduced by more than 50% since 1973 during which time no increase in fees was made. Latest figures show that further erosion of the Rand in the past year was at a lever of more than 13%. Thus this new increase goes part of the way to make up this real erosion and will at least be some contribution to inflation rates which are authoritatively estimated to be of the order of 15% over the next months.
Distributor Dialogue after the A.G.M.: A. Skea, Fagersta Steels; P. Feinberg, R. Jackson and Co; C Rosholt, Souther Cross Steel.
I must urge on members the crucial need for increased educational, marketing and other services which SASSDA is to perform, in order to maintain its role as leader of the industry, particularly in the light of Southern Cross developments and projected consumption patterns. I believe that this increased burden on members is fair both in regard to the proportion of required revenue of the task which lies ahead.
Finally it has always been a pleasure and a privilege on behalf of your Management Committee and the members of SASSDA to congratulate particularly Dave Rowlands and Gill Burril for their magnificent efforts in your interest.
I would also like to welcome the relative newcomers, namely Mike Kent and Peggy Whilshire, who are really making their presence felt. I would also like to thank the members of my Management Committee and those working Sub-Committee of whom even more will be asked next year. May I say too that I thank them for tolerating me at Management Committee meetings. I also wish to thank our Consultants for their practical approach and advice during the year.
Left to Right: P. Blumenthal, Domani Stainless Steel; D. du Toit, Classic Manufacturing; E. Stansfield, Western Metals and Alloys; W. Carter, Domani Stainless Steel.
Last but not means least, I wish to thank the Corporate members for your increasing support and involvement in the Association. The stainless steel industry has grown by leaps and bounds and beyond all recognition in recent years thanks to you. I am sure that it will continue to grow to meet new challenges now facing it, but only with your continued support.