With many e-commerce gurus proclaiming that the fax is dead, having been nailed by e-mail, Stainless Steel’s survey revealed that 12,2%, of seven out of 57 companies, do not have e-mail or a Web site. A total of 14 companies, or 24,56%, stated categorically that they had no Web site, though they at least had e-mail. A total of 21 responses, or 36,84%, ranged from no reply at the switchboard, to ‘I don’t know’ or ‘Pardon?’, to confusion between e-mail and a Web site address, and, in one instance, a firm ‘no’ when the company did, indeed, have a Web site.
Stainless Steel had a closer look at some of the Web sites available. NDE Stainless Steel has one of the simplest and clearest sites, providing a benchmark for other companies contemplating gaining a toehold in the virtual market of the Internet.
Information and background
The site provides some brief information and background on the company, stating that it is “one of the largest, non-aligned and privately-owned providers of stainless products in South Africa. Contact details, as well as key products and application areas, are also provided.
The site of Metal and Tool Trade South Africa is a bit more elaborate, including a Welcome, Home, Services, Products, Stocks, Mass Conversion, and Order Enquiries section. The company’s core business “concentrates on the import and supply of high-quality semi-finished products in aluminium, copper, brass and other copper alloys, as well as stainless, to a large spectrum of industries.”
The VRN Group Web site, comprising Fagersta, Jacksons Metals and VRN Steel, is an attractive site providing information on the group’s branch network and products, as well as interactive calculations and value-added services. These sections are accessed by clicking on related pictures, which are quick to download the information required.
Range of steels
VRN Steel stocks and supplies a range of steels from low- to high-strength structural steel, and hard-wearing and abrasion-resisting steels in various hardnesses, as well as a comprehensive range of stainless and aluminium, distributed by Jacksons Metals and Fagersta.
General Profiling, which claims to be the “longest-established mini-profiling company in South Africa”, includes a handy Query Form on its Web site, enabling potential Net-savvy customers to contact the company. Another section entitled Pictures provides an illustrated overview of the company that is quick to download.
The Bryco Metals site states that, unlike most service centres that evolved from mild steel processing, it “takes pride in understanding the quality requirements of the industries it serves.” The company specialises in processing galvanized and mild steel, but the bulk of its throughput is stainless and aluminium. An interesting section entitled Tips provides advice on the care, maintenance and cleaning of stainless, including do’s and don’ts.
The most impressive Web site has to be that of Stalcor, part of the Dorbyl group. Established in 1973, Stalcor is described as “a dynamic, world-class stockiest, distributor and processor of stainless and aluminium”. The company pledges its support of global best practices and the internationally recognized quality standards.
Facilitate e-commerce
The site is clearly aimed to facilitate e-commerce, with a potential customer being able to submit a handy Response Form to convey a message, instruction or request. In addition, a Newsletter provides full details of the company’s sponsorship of the Sassda Stainless Awards, as well as press releases and some company photographs.
Sassda executive director Dave Slater comments: “While the impact that the Internet will have on the stainless steel industry in the long term is uncertain, it has the potential to “act as a substantial trading house” for those able to take advantage of it. He reveals that Sassda is about to embark on an ambitious project to develop a Web portal linking all the stainless developmental associations in the world. “This will co-ordinate global efforts and allow us to draw on international expertise.”