While the steel quality from several smaller mills has improved in the past five years, some challenges need to be resolved, prompting such mills to invest in improvements to align with market requirements, says steel manufacturer and supplier Stewarts & Lloyds central purchasing group procurement and distribution manager Willem Fourie.

For example, steel producer ArcelorMittal has had some supply challenges, owing to equipment not performing optimally, as well as strikes. The company is investing significantly in capital refurbishments and in repairing the equipment to ensure future supply stability, he elaborates.

Stewarts & Lloyds has substantially developed its buying department and fully integrated systems, which has allowed for efficient and accurate forward demand planning based on various proven factors, explains Fourie.

Moreover, the price increases in the steel industry were mainly a result of many steel mills globally being slow to restart capacity, owing to uncertainty regarding demand.

Fourie says global steel supply has since stabilised and supply chains are full, consequently putting downward pressure on prices as mills are starting to compete.

“Price instability has created an awareness of alternatives to steel, which could, ultimately, cause the further demise of the steel industry and the reliance on it,” explains Fourie.

As a result of unstable pricing, project houses and end-users are unable to plan or complete projects successfully, with projects often being put on hold and funds used for other areas of development.

Steel Master Plan

The South African government and key role-players in the steel industry have put forth the steel master plan. The broad plan includes various aspects of the steel chain, from greener manufacturing to the ultimate localisation of manufacturing and use of steel, explains Fourie.

“The concept of a master plan has considerable merit, especially when it comes to saving a critical strategic industry, but important issues need to be resolved to make it a success,” he says.

He elaborates that the downstream industry and role-players have to be met with and involved in this development to ensure constant drive and a focused vision to rekindle the steel industry in South Africa. Particularly, as the steel industry is a major contributor to the local and African economy.

Without the total involvement of all role-players, government will not be able to gain traction and success as they lack resources and intimate industry knowledge, says Fourie.

Adding to the Range

A new addition to Stewarts and Lloyds’ range of fencing is the aesthetically pleasing ICU fencing range, which gives the end-user the security they require while allowing for the property to remain visible, explains Stewarts & Lloyds manufacturing head Bob Harvey.

The ICU fencing’s predrilled posts and flanges allow for quick and easy installation. Owing to the design of the channel posts and flanges, the company can customise the posts and flanges to any height the client requires, in addition to the industry standard sizes that are available off the shelf.

“The fencing provides installers and end-users with the ability to secure a site and gives them peace of mind that the property will be secured from the outset of a project,” says Harvey.

The ICU fencing is difficult to penetrate, particularly with the smaller apertures in the high-security mesh range, while the structural design with V bends provides additional strength and rigidity.

Further customisation is also available, with clients choosing the finish and colour. All material is pregalvanised and can be powder-coated, as well as plastic coated, using the range of colours Stewarts and Lloyds have available.

Standard or customised gates can also be added to client specifications.

Harvey adds that spikes, electric fencing and closed-circuit television cameras can be installed to provide extra security.

The ICU fencing has been very well received to date, with Stewarts & Lloyds having supplied the fencing to large construction sites, as well as the company’s newest branch, in Namibia, through its manufacturing division.

The fencing has also appealed to smaller contractors and do-it-yourself customers through the company’s branch network.