Fluctuating steel prices affect local manufacturers

A significant number of South African manufacturers have been forced to import steel over the past two years instead of buying it locally because local steel prices are high, says steel racking,... 

Steel group implements energy saving initiative

Energy costs comprise a material portion of steel production costs and, in addition to using energy to melt and shape steel, auxiliary plants – such as those used for gas cleaning – also contribute... 

Steel companies encouraged to invest in business development

South Africa’s steel production and conversion capacity is at an all- time low and, as a result, the industry has been forced to downsize by selling off less efficient assets to cover operational... 

Industry body notes increased interest in light steel frame building

The increasing popularity of the light steel frame building (LSFB) contractor course offered by industry body the Southern African Light Steel Frame Building Association (SASFA) is indicative of... 

Steel-welding specialist equips young people

The steel-welding industry stands to benefit from welding company Hydra Arc Group’s Mshiniwami Artisan Academy, which has been equipping young people with welding skills through theoretical,... 

Steel producer highlights unique processing method

Keeping abreast of technological developments is integral to surviving the tough economic environment and the competitive steel industry, says Cape Town-based steel production company GKN Sinter... 

Local steel demand suffers 5% yearly contraction

Steel demand in South Africa has suffered a steep decline over the past eight years, having contracted by an average of 5% a year since 2007, says growth consulting firm Frost & Sullivan Africa.... 

South African steel industry faces global oversupply

The South African steel industry is under severe stress, an ongoing issue exemplified by steel and vanadium slag producer Evraz Highveld Steel & Vanadium filing for business rescue in April and... 

Overall equipment effectiveness reduces production downtime

In the current competitive business environment, manufacturers need to ensure that their equipment remains effective and runs optimally at all times, says labelling, coding and print equipment... 

Power event partners with local organisations

In the interest of being accepted by local communities, events such as Power-Gen Africa (PGA) should partner with local organisations such as coal and energy nonprofit trust the Fossil Fuel... 

Power-Gen Africa highlights renewables storage

Renewable alternative energy solutions promoter the Southern African Alternative Energy Association (SAAEA) will chair a debate on renewable-energy storage at this year’s Power-Gen Africa (PGA)... 

Event addresses Africa’s power, distribution sector issues

Power generation and distribution industry conference and exhibition, POWER-GEN Africa and DistribuTECH Africa’s expert advisory board has identified the integration of renewable energy into the... 

BEE engineering specialist to increase power-sector presence

Black-owned engineering specialist Tswelopele Engineering is taking part in Power-Gen Africa (PGA) “to enter new markets and to reach potential solution seekers in all of Africa,” says company CEO... 

Global energy solutions industry strengthening across Africa

Africa will play an increasingly important role in the broader global energy industry over the next several decades, hence global consulting, engineering, procurement, construction company Black &... 

Energy group launches energy-saving fluids and lubricants

Responding to the energy sector’s need to reduce energy consumption, African energy multinational Engen will be exhibiting new energy-saving hydraulic fluids and synthetic lubricants, which will... 

Manufacturer showcases aftermarket capability

Boiler and cooling fan, airheater and gas cleaning equipment manufacturer and supplier Howden Africa will be participating in this year’s PowerGen Africa (PGA) event to emphasise its aftermarket... 

Cleanroom ensures good manufacturing practice

The successful installation of a R13-million ISO 3 cleanroom and BSL3 laboratory at national mineral research organisation Mintek was proof that the Department of Science and Technology’s (DST’s)... 

Embracing Industry 4.0 will boost local manufacturing

For South Africa to grow its manufacturing base, which currently  contributes between 12.5% and 14% of the overall gross domestic product, the manufacturing industry needs to be more competitive,... 

Company to identify key growth drivers at Manufacturing Indaba

Drying catalysts and resins manufacturer and exporter Metallica Chemicals aims to use this year’s Manufacturing Indaba to identify and understand the key drivers of growth in the manufacturing... 

Export council guides manufacturing exporters

In support of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI’s) drive to diversify and increase the base of South African exporters, the South African Electrotechnical Export Council (SAEEC) – a... 

Enterprise development fund seeks high-growth manufacturers for R20m investment

Local banking firm First National Bank’s Vumela Enterprise Development Fund will be participating in this year’s Manufacturing Indaba to identify manufacturing companies with significant growth and... 

Low prices, cheap labour crippling textiles industry

The reduced prices and quality of some clothing manufactured in South Africa is one of the biggest challenges facing the local textiles industry, as it affects companies that strive to produce... 

More high-level delegates expected at Manufacturing Indaba

The second yearly Manufacturing Indaba is expected to attract 350 high-level government and private-sector manufacturing delegates, compared with last year’s 240 delegates, says event organiser... 

Local manufacturing needs to instil resource efficiency

South Africa’s manufacturing processes still need to be developed – especially in terms of resource efficiency – as the industry is still growing, says resource efficiency and cleaner production... 

Stained glass in modern architecture on the rise

The South African stained glass market is characterised by the realisation that stained glass can feature not only in traditional designs but also in more modern and appealing designs, says stained... 

New long glass fibres used to manufacture axial impellers

Denmark-based axial impellers developer Multi-Wing International A/S has been using chemical company BASF’s new long glass fibre-reinforced polyamide Ultramid Structure B3WG10 LFX material in the... 

Glass manufacturer reduces waste using recovery, reclamation process

Float and patterned-glass manufacturer PFG currently generates about 30% less waste for every 1 000 t that it melts, compared with the waste it generated seven years ago, owing to the... 

Interest in digitally printed glass increasing

Decorative splashbacks specialist and wall-cladding solutions supplier Cohesion Interiors says there has been increased interest in digitally printed glass over the past year, with the company’s... 

Sedimentation solution saves water, improves processed glass quality

Glass-manufacturing facilities tend to use a lot of water during processing, as fine glass dust mixes with water to form a sediment that needs to be cleaned out regularly. This is one of the... 

Efficient mixers benefit refineries

Mining and refining companies are benefiting from mixers provided by designer and manufacturer of heavy-duty agitators and mixers Mixtec, as the mixers use less power to achieve efficient results,... 

Dust control enhances mine machinery performance

Proper dust control can significantly enhance the profitability and sustainability of a mining operation, says dust control management company Dust-A-Side corporate marketing manager Lolly Chibi.... 

African mining operations seeking modern, cost efficient mill linings

An increasing number of African mines are re-examining their mill lining requirements and opting for new and modern liners that offer cost benefits in terms of the initial procurement price and... 

Robust fluid coupling serves coal mines well

Drive systems specialist Voith’s one-thousandth TPKL fluid coupling – installed in February at a 6.4 MW underground belt conveyor drive at a coal mine in China – is meeting all the client’s... 

Pallet-free bulk bag provides optimum protection

Handling high-value minerals requires the optimum protection of the transported goods, as product contamination and damage are expensive, and could ultimately tarnish a company’s reputation, says... 

African countries should cooperate to improve regional logistics

There is significant potential to increase the scale and technology of Africa’s materials handling, or pit-to-port infrastructure, which is generally poor, compared with that of other mineral-rich... 

African mines move towards loading automation

The popularity of automation among African mining operations is increasing as the industry recognises the importance of modernising their operations to increase efficiency, says mining equipment... 

Reverse running on inclined conveyors prevented

The often considerable length of inclined conveyors at mines often result in mining companies’ having to prevent reverse running, owing to loss of drive, says industrial chain, gearboxes and... 

Contract mining, outsourcing industry increasingly competitive

The contract mining and outsourcing industry is becoming increasingly ruthless, as big construction companies compete with smaller companies for contracts, says mining, construction and general... 

Web-based mining VMS to be launched

Mining sourcing company Mining Web Index (MWI) will officially launch a Web-based vendor management system (VMS) next month to enable mining companies, service providers and vendors to conduct... 

Miners turn to contractors during tough times

Amid commodity-price pressure and high extraction costs, mining companies are looking to mining contractors for solutions to reduce costs, says surface mining company MCC Contract Mining CEO Justin...