SAIF Newsletter – 25 February 2013
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2013 Overview for the industry: The general economic conditions are expected to continue to remain “difficult” with slow recoveries in Europe and North America, but improved activity from Asia, particularly from China is expected. The local economy will be characterised by continuing debate on energy prices, labour productivity and raw material costs on the supply side, whilst the infrastructural development plans should begin to provide new impetus to the local manufacturing sector and the foundry sector in particular. |
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Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) appointed Conningarth, a group of macro economists, to conduct a study on the impact of various interventions in the supply and pricing of scrap metal to the foundry industry. For the report, please click here. |
The Department of Economic Development has issued Notices nos. 33 and 34 outlining proposals to ensure that recycled metal scrap is offered to the local metal casting industry at a preferential price to be determined by the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa. Foundries are invited to comment directly or send comments to the SAIF for inclusion in a consolidated response before the 6th March 2013. To comment please send an email to
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Designation of Valves
The Minister has issued a press release advising that certain Valves have been designated along with some other manufactured products. This is excellent news for the foundry industry as the cast components in valves will provide a welcome boost to the localisation programme. The Valve and Actuator Manufacturing Cluster of South Africa (VAMCOSA) with whom the SAIF and NFTN have been co-operating, deserve credit for their dedicated effort to realise this goal. |
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Foundry Trades Curricula Approved
Following several years of committed hard work by the whole team, the SAIF is pleased to announce that the Proposed Curricula for the Trades of Melter, Moulder, and Engineering Patternmaker, have been approved by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations. Training for all of these trades is scheduled to commence in 2014 at the new Gauteng Foundry Training Centre (GFTC) being established at the Ekurhuleni East College (FET) in Kwa Thema, Springs. Foundries may also train for their own needs using in-house training programmes. Equipping the GFTC has commenced and orders have been placed with several selected suppliers, with the balance of the plant and equipment to be be ordered soon. More information is obtainable from the SAIF offices on both the curricula and the GFTC. |
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Learnership pilot project The learner ship pilot project is progressing well with the group at Atlantis Foundries registered for their third and final year, and those learners at Arcelor Mittal completing their second year in this quarter. |
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Localisation and Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme (MCEP) The combined impact of increased orders being released on manufacturers and the ability to access both grant and loan funding assistance for both capital expansion and working capital will provide foundries servicing the seventeen CIPS projects with additional and very welcome load. For more information on the MCEP click here |
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Metal Casting Conference Registration for the Metal Casting Conference to be held at Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge in March 2013, has picked up considerably, with only a few places available for day conference delegates (excluding accommodation). Delegates wishing to register are urged to do so by 1 March when registration will officially close.
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UPCOMING EVENTS 2013
ANNUAL GOLF DAY
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