OCTOBER 2021
Association supports resilient industry through master plan
Despite the impact of Covid-19 and a weak economy, the local stainless steel sector has shown its resilience, as the South African Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) continues to support industry through initiatives such as the Steel Master Plan.
When the Steel Master Plan was first released last year, the stainless steel subsector received recognition for its work and the potential it offers the steel industry. Sassda’s role in the plan is aligned with its mandate, which is to promote the growth of the local conversion of stainless steel to the benefit of our members, industry and the country,” states Sassda acting executive director Michel Basson.
Source Engineering News
AUGUST 2021
Women’s Economic Assembly Launch
On Wednesday, 6 October 2021 Sassda Market Intelligence Specialist Lesley Squires championed the role of women in the future of the stainless steel industry during a speech at the launch of the Women’s Economic Assembly (Watch on YouTube) . During the event she stated; There is a need to create an environment that is diverse and inclusive, and that is not based on gender, but rather on capabilities, skills, potential, value systems and having the right attitude and work ethic…There are also many opportunities in the downstream industries. Women can get involved in the manufacturing of stainless steel products, become wholesalers and distributors of stainless steel. The benefit of this, is that women will bring diversity and a new way of thinking to a traditionally male dominated industry.”
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JULY 2021
Master plan set to boost local market
Speaking on the steel master plan, which is a blueprint for the industry to re-energise itself and expand production, the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) states that the broad structure demanded is in place and export councils are now working to boost the local stainless steel sector.
Source Engineering News
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JUNE 2021
Government and Stakeholders Sign Master Plan for the Steel and Metal Fabrication Sector
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel, along with industry stakeholders from the steel and metal fabrication sector signed a Master Plan for the sector on Friday 11 June 2021.
The Master Plan, which has been developed in consultation with all stakeholders from the industry – including primary steel producers, downstream steel players, met fabricators, and organised labour – provides a blueprint for the industry to re-energise itself and expand production.
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Stainless steel industry shows brighter future
The stainless steel market is still under pressure following years of economic decline in South Africa’s economy. This was exacerbated by Covid-19 and the measures that government imposed to reduce infections, says Africa-based stainless steel mill Columbus Stainless.
Source Engineering News
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FEBRUARY 2021
STATE OF THE STAINLESS STEEL NATION
Against the backdrop of the recent State of the Nation Address and the forthcoming budget speech later this month Sassda Acting Executive Director Michel Basson takes an in-depth look at the ‘state of the stainless steel nation’ and how it is expected to fare in 2021.
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JANUARY 2021
WASTING FRESH WATER : STOPPING SYSTEMIC FAILURES
Water loss through leaking water pipes is a problem for cities all over the world. Some of them are losing water at upwards 40% per year, and this is all water which has already been treated. A recent study by the OECD has shown that it is not only the under developed or even the developing cities that are so affected – even the capital cities of major economies are losing far more water than is sustainable or even viable. The International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF) has published a brochure which reports their research into the service pipe lines in the cities of Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei. All three cities have started to use stainless steel corrugated pipes for transporting potable water from the water mains to the interior of the building.
Source : ISSF
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.
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…
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…
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.
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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.