Member News – African Sinks

African Sinks, a growing force in South Africa’s stainless steel sector, has joined Sassda to strengthen its position in the market and align with an industry wide mission to promote standards, local value chains, and informed stainless steel selection.

Founded on an opportunity to revive unused tooling previously operated by Pabar; African Sinks was created with a clear mission: to manufacture stainless steel kitchen sinks that outperform lowcost imports and meet the practical demands of local housing markets. From the outset, the company has focused on quality, durability, and competitive pricing, all within a proudly South African context.

By joining Sassda, African Sinks formalises its commitment to these principles and adds its voice to a broader industry effort. The company sees Sassda not only as a technical and networking resource, but also as a critical advocate for better buyer education in the retail and construction markets.

Executive Director Piet Potgieter comments, “Sassda can play a big role in educating and advising the retail industry in the best solutions in stainless steel. Too many purchasing decisions are made purely on price, without understanding the long term consequences of poor material choice.”

Material matters

He explains that African Sinks’ manufacturing base serves the entry level to midrange residential market in South Africa and neighbouring countries. Demand has been steady, driven by customers who are tired of thin, easily damaged products imported from Asia. The company’s use of stainless steel with a Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number of 18 ensures a long lasting, corrosion resistant finish that holds up under daily wear.

“The bulk ofAll our sinks are manufactured with 0.7 mm thickness corrosion resistant stainless steel, which comes with a 25 year warranty on the material. This premium gauge is backed by ISO compliance, proactive skills development in manufacturing, and a short, nimble supply chain model that delivers value for money and supports job creation,” explains Potgieter.

The company has also invested in refining its deep drawing capabilities for 430 DDQ stainless, enabling the consistent production of deep sink bowls without defects. This feature, which enhances both appearance and function, has become a key differentiator in a crowded market.

As a result Potgieter says buyers, specifically in housing developments and public sector projects, are responding positively to the product’s strength and depth, often comparing it favourably to imported units that quickly show wear or damage. He adds, “Although technical knowledge of stainless steel grades is generally low among end users; visible performance and durability are driving preference for African Sinks’ products.”

Championing SA manufacturing

Internally, the business remains committed to local manufacturing not only as a commercial strategy, but as a national imperative. Potgieter believes the continued loss of manufacturing capacity to offshore producers poses a major risk to the country’s economic resilience.

The biggest risk for our economy is the loss of manufacturing capacity to offshore production. Manufacturing provides the best opportunity to create meaningful jobs and beneficiate the raw materials we have in abundance. Yet we seem to be more supportive of raw material exports than developing our own beneficiation,” says Potgieter.

For African Sinks, this philosophy translates into more than just product assembly. It means investing in local skills, leveraging existing tooling assets, and building a product that can go toe to toe with imports on price while beating them on quality.

Quality growth

While the company acknowledges that cost will always be a factor in procurement decisions, it is pushing back against the mindset that price alone should drive purchasing. Installers, for example, may only be responsible for their work until handover, but property owners often bear the cost of substandard materials just a few years later when corrosion or damage appears.

The idea is that by offering a product that is built to last, feels solid, resists damage and maintains its appearance, it can carve out a sustainable niche in a price sensitive market. Early traction suggests that the strategy is working.

Sassda membership is expected to support that growth by opening new channels for technical engagement, industry alignment, and policy advocacy. The company is particularly eager to collaborate on initiatives that promote stainless steel standards and responsible sourcing in both public and private sector procurement.

As it scales up, African Sinks continues to build from its core strengths: a deep understanding of its market, a commitment to quality stainless steel built to ISO standards, and an unambiguous belief in the value of South African manufacturing. In a sector often flooded with cheap, thin alternatives, it’s a proposition that cuts through.

To find out more go to: https://www.africansinks.co.za