SAIF NEWSLETTER APRIL 2012

We are proud to announce that we have launched a new look and feel website for SAIF! In line with our vision of being the voice of the South African Foundry industry, we have redesigned the website, uploaded vital information and aim to share knowledge in creating growth and job opportunities through information sharing and training programmes. The new website will enable members to access information with regard to events, training courses and technical information important for foundry technology.

This is also the first e-newsletter packed with feedback, important information and upcoming events. The newsletters aim to provide you with a summary of information, for more comprehensive information visit the new website!

To visit the new website click here

We would like to hear from you! To provide feedback or comment on the new website please click here

• SAIF AGM – Reading Country Club – 8 May 2012
• SAIF Annual Awards Dinner – Emperors Palace – 25 May 2012
  

SAIF and IZASA (International Zinc Association of South Africa) recently hosted Frank Goodwin, a pre-eminent specialist in the field of Zinc Die Castings. Successful workshops were held in Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal, with over 150 people attending. Delegates were presented with papers covering the metallurgy of zinc alloys, die design, coating applications and recent developments in casting design and special applications of zinc die castings.

To download presentations of the workshop click here.

A group of invited foundry leaders participated in the Business Today training course to test the efficacy of developing a course for the foundry industry shop floor workers. The training, presented in the form of a board game, was both exciting with various teams competing for dominance, as well as instructional and challenging. The consensus view was that it could add value to the business understanding of the supervisors and team leaders in the industry. The next step is to pilot the course at a foundry with the proposed target market.

On 29 February 2012, a joint meeting of the SAIF and VAMCOSA the Valve Manufacturers of South Africa met to listen to Ross Hunter of VAMCOSA sharing his views on the process of the cluster formation and the progress made to have valves designated as part of the dti’s programme of localisation of manufacture.

This was followed on 13 March with an address by Tebogo Makube, the Chief Director: Industrial Procurement, at the dti, on the subject of the designation of products. Several designations were confirmed at the end of 2011, and it is expected that this development will boost industry volumes.

WCIF Diploma feedback

The popular skills development programme (WCIF Diploma modules) presented to existing foundry employees continues to attract support. The following courses have been presented this quarter… Read more

• Sand Moulding (WCIF Diploma course) Commencing April 2012 at Autocast in Brits. Presenter: Didier Nyembwe
• Die Casting and Die Design, April 2012 at Pfisterer (Pty) Ltd by Carl Reinhardt.
• Heat Treatment Course, middle July 2012 presented by Graham Knight at VUT.
• Practical Sand Testing course for both bentonite bonded (green) and chemically bonded sands commencing from the middle of May 2012 at the UJ.

The learnership pilot project for the training of Melters , Moulders and Patternmakers is progressing satisfactorily. The learners at Atlantis Foundries (Pty) Ltd have entered the NQF level 3, whilst those at Arcelor Mittal SA and Scaw Metals Group are fast approaching this milestone.
The new curricula for the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations apprentice training programmes for Moulders, Engineering patternmakers and Melters are close to completion and should be submitted for approval shortly. The application for the Melter to be listed as a Trade has also been tabled and a positive outcome is expected.

Approval has been given to proceed with the second phase of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) project. This phase includes the development and training of the resources required for the roll-out of the programme. Prima Industrial Holdings, along with others have agreed to pilot the project and Intertrain, a specialist service provider has been contracted to manage the project and provide the assessor training.

SAIF accompanied a delegation of industry leaders, the dti and NFTN employees to present the impact of the electricity price increases on the industry competitiveness. David Mertens, of Autocast and Brenton Van Vuuren of Borbet made an excellent impression on the NERSA executives, who were sympathetic to our plight. The following week the announcement of a reduction in the electricity price increase from ESKOM for 2012 from 25% to 16% was made.
Whilst this remains a major challenge it does represent a temporary respite for the foundry industry. Further meetings with the SA Local Government Association (SALGA), which represents the municipalities, will be held in early April 2012. We will provide feedback in this regard.

The SAIF is working with other stakeholders to develop a sustainable business plan for the Western Cape Foundry Training Centre, which is partly equipped for providing the basics of practical skills training for foundry occupations. … Read more

The SAIF joins with others in congratulating the Department of Science and Technology for the initiative of the Human Capital Development or RIFT Programme, … Read more

In order for potential suppliers to participate in the manufacturing supply chain of the major infrastructure expenditure programme announced by the Government, it is essential to be listed as a supplier on the data base. To this end a process of data collection and analysis is necessary for inclusion in the data base. The SAIF has been contracted, as have many other industry sector associations, to conduct the profiling and analysis in their respective sectors.

• The World Non-destructive Testing Conference – Durban – 16 – 20 April 2012
• SAIF technical meeting on Environmental Compliance in Foundries – Reading Country Club – 17 April 2012.
• World Foundry Congress – Monterrey, Mexico – 25 – 27 April 2012
• SAIF AGM – Reading Country Club – 8 May 2012
• BRICS Foundry Forum – Beijing – 9 – 11 May 2012
• SAIF Annual Awards Dinner – Emperors Palace – 25 May 2012