South African Business 2019 edition

OVERVIEW energy prices.

OVERVIEW energy prices. Silicon Smelters, which has plants in Mpumalanga and Limpopo, has asked for a two-year negotiated price agreement (NPA) on electricity, which would allow it to resume production. The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has the power to grant such exemptions where the industry is regarded as strategic. The structural mill of Evraz Highveld Steel in Witbank was officially relaunched in June 2017 after ArcelorMittal South Africa signed a contract to supply blooms and slabs for the mill to make into heavy structural steel. Evraz Highveld went into business rescue in 2015. The contract is for two years with an option to renew for another year. Alternately, ArcelorMittal may buy the mill after the two years. Elsewhere in Mpumalanga, the presence of Ferrometals means that Mpumalanga is still an important place for metals and machinery manufacturing, but the turbulence in the steel sector has reminded everyone of the need to diversify. Samancor Chrome (which runs Ferrometals) is the second-largest ferrochrome producer in the world with three plants. Middelburg-based Columbus Stainless is a major supplier of stainless-steel products to the domestic and international market. The Manganese Metal Company in Nelspruit is the largest producer of pure electrolytic manganese metal in the world. Iron production at Saldanha in the Western Cape includes hot-rolled coil produced by ArcelorMittal and cold-rolled and galvanised steel by DSP, a joint venture between South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and a Belgian company, Duferco. VARIETY AND QUALITY Tirisano Holdings manufactures between 200 and 1 700 pairs of shoes per day at its facility in Phuthaditjhaba in the Free State. The factory produces formal shoes and school shoes, sneakers and pumps. The pumps are adorned with artistic designs, including African print designs. Some testimonials attest to the professionalism of Tirisano. “Since our involvement with Tirisano Shoe Company, they have been professional, dependable and competitively priced with good aftersales support. Tirisano supplies shoes to many of our beneficiary schools.” – Rivers Foundation “We have had various engagements with Tirisano (Pty) Ltd with regard to conducting assessments and due care with a view of considering development support to them in the future. To this end we had a site inspection at their facilities in Qwaqwa. The school shoes were manufactured on time, with the requisite quality. Tirisano’s conduct was always professional.” – National Development Agency ONLINE RESOURCES Aluminium Federation of South Africa: www.afsa.org.za Centre for Advanced Manufacturing: www.cfam.co.za Manufacturing Circle: www. manufacturingcircle.co.za Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa: www.seifsa.co.za South African Textile Federation: www.texfed.co.za SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS 2019 110

Service that delivers the Difference Air Products South Africa (Pty) Limited manufactures, supplies and distributes a diverse portfolio of atmospheric gases, specialty gases, equipment and services to the Southern African region. Air Products touches the lives of consumers in positive ways every day, and serves customers across a wide range of industries from food and beverage, mining and petrochemicals, primary metal and steel manufacturers, welding and cutting applications to laboratory applications. Founded in 1969, Air Products South Africa has built a reputation for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety, quality and the environment. In addition the company aims to continue its growth and market position in the Southern African region. www.airproducts.co.za