South Africa’s economic growth has lagged behind the rest of Africa and other developing countries for many years and, according to bolt, nut and fastener manufacturer Impala Bolt & Nut, the country needs to receive a boost in the form of government and foreign direct investment. 

“As a country and industry, we desperately need to create employment opportunities and provide education and training for youth and recent graduates, which go hand-in-hand,” stresses Impala Bolt & Nut MD Derek Cohen. 

He notes that, as such, government must create an environment that is conducive to foreign and local private investment, which, in turn, will drive economic activity and allow companies to grow and reinvest in their businesses. 

Moreover, increased investment in infrastructure development will have knock-on effects for many auxiliary industries, in addition to reinvigorating the stagnant construction sector.  Increased investment in manufacturing, meanwhile, will also have a tangible positive impact on associated industries, as orders for materials, components and inputs rise on the back on investment activity. 

If such investments were realised, it would bode well for Impala Bolt & Nut, as well as the broader fastener industry, as “there is almost nothing that can be built without fasteners”. 

He points out that Impala Bolt & Nut’s products are used in every sector of the economy, while directly contributing to the entire supply chain of any build environment. 

This includes such sectors as rail, ports, roads, mining and renewable energy. The latter, especially, is expected to grow significantly, owing to the global energy transition. 

Automotive Offering 

Following the mining sector, the automotive sector is the biggest employer in South Africa. Therefore, Impala Bolt & Nut has invested significant resources into the development and implementation of a quality management system for its current and potential automotive industry clients. 

Cohen points out that this quality management system is regularly audited and certified to ensure that it aligns with the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) 16949 certification. He highlights that currently Impala Bolt & Nut is the only fastener manufacturer in South Africa to achieve this requirement for the automotive industry.

Such alignment significantly opens up opportunities for companies to supply into the automotive sector, both to direct original-equipment manufacturers and to other component suppliers. 

Cohen notes that Impala Bolt & Nut’s fasteners and products are designed and manufactured using highly specialised tooling, cold forge, hot forge and thread rolling facilities. He notes that this is what allows Impala Bolt & Nut to produce the widest possible range of fastener-related products. 

Impala Bolt & Nut’s standard and specialised high-quality fasteners can be used in a variety of industrial applications.

Its versatility and high standard of quality ensure that it is well-positioned to capitalise on any supply opportunities that may arise in the automotive industry, as well as in the broader South African economy.