NOVEMBER 2020
HOT OFF THE PRESS! THE NEW STAINLESS STEEL MAGAZINE IS HERE
The second edition of Sassda’s new look digital Stainless Steel magazine is hot off the press and offers readers up to the minute information and insights in an easy to access digital format.
This issue focuses on the question of whether despite the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; it may well well create a strong uptake of locally manufactured goods and services and result in a new dawn for the South African stainless steel sector. We also feature roundups of the latest local and global market intelligence and key sector-focused articles on Mozambique’s Oil & Gas project and the potential rebirth of South Africa’s holloware sector.
In addition, there are key business strategy articles on the concept of Kaizen (Continuous Improvement) and maximising the cost-effectiveness of stainless steel; both of which are which, are sure to add significant value to your company operations going forward.
OCTOBER 2020
SA SUPPLY CHAIN GAINS MAKE IT HOLLOWARE’S TIME TO SHINE
COVID-related market shifts have disrupted supply chains, imports and exports and manufacturing models. With the potential to transform localisation of the sector, we consider how disruption can lead to growth in the local Holloware Industry.
ONLINE LEARNING WILL ENSURE SUCCESSFUL GROWTH OF LOCAL INDUSTRY
Sassda has announced the lauch of its digital curriculum with the first fully online Fundamentals of Stainless training course set to start this month. The course is aimed at bridging the industry skills gap through a paperless and powerful online platform to fast track students towards an accredited and transformed future.
SASSDA BOOSTS BENEFITS TO MEMBERS WITH ADDED-VALUE MEMBERSHIP TIER
In its aim of being an agile association that remains in touch and in tune with market needs Sassda is tackling the industry disruption brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic by adding value to its new and existing members.
EXCLUSIVE TO SASSDA MEMBERS!
Click here and login in to our members only section. This will allow you to download the Stainless Steel Information Series that’s packed with stainless information and insight including key advice on corrosion, welding and the fabrication of this simply brilliant material.
AUGUST 2020
Welcome to the first virtual version of Sassda’s Stainless Steel magazine which is designed to offer readers easy to access, up to the minute information and insights.
Our shift to a digital version of the magazine was aimed at increasing the accessibility of the publication and taking our content to the next level. In line with a renewed focus on quality content, this ‘maiden issue’ delves into the following topics:
- The latest on Sassda’s 33.3% member discount for 2020
- A useful GPS roundup of the latest market intelligence aimed at giving you some light at the end of a very dark economic tunnel.
- In-depth features on critical sectors that hold great potential for the use of stainless steel, namely water and oil and gas.
- The role of stainless steel in a post COVID-19 economy
- An update on our shift to online learning channels that still offer the world-class information and expertise we pride ourselves on
APRIL 2020
THE STEEL MASTER PLAN
At this difficult and unprecedented stage in the history of the world, our country and industry; Sassda is working with the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (dtic) as major partner to alleviate pressure in, and create positive outcomes for, the stainless steel sector. We are therefore committed to keep you up to date with the latest news regarding new developments.
STAINLESS HOTSPOTS FOR GROWTH
At this difficult and unprecedented stage in the history of the world, our country and industry; Sassda is working with the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (dtic) as major partner to alleviate pressure in, and create positive outcomes for, the stainless steel sector. We are therefore committed to keep you up to date with the latest news regarding new developments.
RELIEF PACKAGES TO HELP YOU FIGHT THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF COVID-19
At this difficult and unprecedented stage in the history of the world, our country and industry; Sassda is working with the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (dtic) as major partner to alleviate pressure in, and create positive outcomes for, the stainless steel sector. We are therefore committed to keep you up to date with the latest news regarding new developments.
MARCH 2020
TIMES ARE TOUGH BUT SO ARE WE..
Following President Ramaphosa’s announcement of a total lockdown to be implemented on Thursday, 26 March we would like to reassure our members that despite these uncertain times, Sassda will continue to operate as normal – albeit from home based-locations to ensure we comply with the regulations stipulated by government.
LOCAL VALUE CHAIN
Despite the challenges we face, this is also South Africa’s time to shine as we focus on beefing up local supply chains or as we like to describe them, value chains and championing the country’s output and expertise, especially in the stainless steel sector.
NATIONAL AND REGIONAL SUPPORT
The dti is also continuing to drive the Steel Master Plan forward, and Sassda attended a very positive meeting hosted and chaired by the Minister of Trade & Industry Ebrahim Patel last Friday regarding this plan.
JANUARY 2020
THE STATE OF THE STAINLESS NATION #2020 VISION
Predicting anything positive for the stainless steel industry in terms of market growth in 2020 would be risky and remains in the ‘Daily Lotto’ realm when looking at current economic forecasts. Against this backdrop, Sassda Acting Executive Director Michel Basson takes a look at past and present performance and where there are slivers of potential for growth and development in the local stainless steel sector…
WHY EDUCATION & TRAINING MAKES PERFECT BUSINESS SENSE
Sassda has several stainless steel focused courses that are targeted at various levels of a company’s employee complement. Here Sassda Training Manager Mankabe More unpacks the realities of modern day training and how Sassda is meeting these needs in an expert and innovative manner by embracing the concept of continuous training and the use of digital technologies that have made the association’s world-class courses far more accessible and cost effective…
MOZAMBIQUE IS ‘COOKING WITH GAS’ WHEN IT COMES TO THE ACCELRATED PACE OF ITS $128-BILLION GAS PROJECTS
OCTOBER 2019
MOZAMBIQUE’S $128-BILLION GAS PROJECT COULD BE A LIFELINE FOR SA STAINLESS
The largest project ever undertaken in Africa, the US$128-Billion Mozambique LNG Gas Project which shifted into higher gear earlier this month, holds excellent potential for local stainless steel supply and may be the lifeline that South Africa’s beleaguered stainless steel sector has been searching
for ..
WHAT AFRICA’S FREE TRADE AGREEMENT MEANS FOR YOU
Sassda recently attended the dti’s Economic Policy Dialogue on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which aims at providing a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of people and investments. Its goal is to boost Intra-Africa trade from an existing level of about 13% to 25% or more over the next decade, thus contributing to economic growth and attracting investments from both within Africa and the world. Here’s what we learnt …
LET’S TALK ABOUT TARIFFS…
When it comes to the minefield of trade tariffs, Sassda is not a policy creator or implementer but rather acts as an invaluable facilitator based on its strong relationships with the relevant government bodies, to ensure all our members’ interests are equitably represented in an independent and objective manner. Tariffs expert and Sassda Market Intelligence Specialist Lesley Squires explains how this complex relationship works …
SASSDA LAUNCHES NEW LOOK ADVANCED COURSE
In keeping with our mission to take our education and training courses to the next level, in line with our new look 2020 membership structure, Sassda has launched a revamped 3-day Stainless Steel Advanced course…
JULY 2019
SASSDA CHAMPIONS STAINLESS STEEL IN PARLIAMENT
Over the last 20 years, Sassda and the dti have developed an excellent and vital relationship to the extent that the dit’s Metal Desk now has two permanent seats on our Main Comiittee. Sassda’s Western Cape Regional Manager Michel Basson was recently invited to attend a Budget Vote Speech by Trade and Industry and Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel as a guest of the dti. Here’s what he learnt…
SASSDA SEEKS A SOLUTION TO THE BAKKIE BRIGADE DILEMMA
Current economic conditions combined with a solid dose of South African entrepreneurship, has seen an escalation in the activities of what is commonly referred to in industry, the ‘Bakkie Brigade’. Sassda Western Cape Regional Manager Michel Basson investigates…
The Global and Local Stainless Steel Primary Product Market
Sassda is fighting for the survival of the Southern African stainless steel sector as the industry grapples with one of the toughest times in its history. A key part of our work is providing exclusive, in-depth insight and analysis to ensure our members are equipped with the key information they need to go into the market and win!
Read More
MARCH 2019
SA’S Oil & Gas Discovery – Huge Potential or Major Hype?
As South Africans woke up to petrol costing them a whopping 76c/l more yesterday, Sassda Western Cape Regional Manager Michel Basson investigates the significance of the discovery of a ‘multi-million barrel’ oil field off the Western Cape Coast and whether it has any real potential to alleviate our reliance on imported fuel or the potential to boost the local stainless steel sector?
Sassda Provides Vital Springboard to Zambian Stainless Entrepreneur
The ability of Sassda to boost entrepreneurial development in the African stainless steel market is clearly illustrated by the success of Zambian Inventor Arnold Nyendwa who as a result of his win at the 2018 Sassda Columbus Stainless Awards, is now poised to open his first production facility thanks to a R1.4-million grant from the Zambian Ministry of Youth and Sport.
Read More
JANUARY 2019
Africa opens up for SA’s stainless steel sector
2019 seems to be the year of an ‘opening up’ of Africa, whether it be opening trade borders or opening key infrastructure projects, all of these key developments have positive implications for the South African stainless steel sector.