Sourcing fasteners locally rather than importing them enables customers to avoid potential pitfalls, including logistical delays, erratic steel prices and shipping costs, says fasteners manufacturer Impala Bolt & Nut MD Derek Cohen.

South Africa requires investment in the renewable-energy, mining and automotive sectors and the fasteners industry can, subsequently, benefit from infrastructure growth, as building projects require fasteners.

However, Cohen adds that potential investors in local industries require manageable risk, certainty and long-term consistency, which can be achieved with stable government policy and protection from cheap imports.

“The only way South Africa can succeed is if we educate and employ people locally which can be done only with government support and investment. At Impala Bolt & Nut, we are committed to using locally produced raw materials and contributing to the future success of the country.”

The company manufactures its fasteners locally through investing in new plant equipment and systems, and trains staff in-house across various disciplines to expand its manufacturing capabilities and capacity.

Manufacturing products locally enables the company to achieve quicker manufacturing turnaround times and lower stocks of finished goods, in addition to meeting customers’ local-content requirements.

Impala Bolt & Nut is the only fastener manufacturer in South Africa that is certified to International Automotive Task Force 16949 standards, which enables players in industries such as the automotive sector to source products locally – therefore supporting government incentives for local procurement.

Further, the company has released new product ranges this year for the automotive sector, including special bolts with nonstandard head shapes and sizes.

“Moving forward, we aim to continue investing in plant equipment, the training of staff and manufacturing products locally as import substitutes,” concludes Cohen.