DIY Trade News October 2013
14
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AfriSam
sounds warning
Concrete manufacturers should think again before buying cut-price
imported cement as it offers little, if any, advantage in the
marketplace and contributes nothing towards our local economy.
This was the
message from Grant
Neser of Afrisam, in an
address to the South
African Readymix
Association (Sarma), at
its annual conference
held in Broederstroom
recently. He added
that any small price
advantage that
imported cement
suppliers may offer
is usually negated by
underweight bags
and lack of technical
support and technical
expertise.
“In the case of high
value building and
construction projects
imported cement
manufactures offer
no backing in the
event that a problem
is experienced. This
leaves all the risk
on the contractor
or concrete supplier should things go wrong,
took place as a result of massive pre-World Cup
imported cement due to the proximity of harbours.
whereas our established manufacturers locally
infrastructure projects. Readymix demand followed
Readymix suppliers should look at who they are
have all the expertise and equipment to provide
similar trends peaking in 2009 when nine million
supporting. Debagging imported cement can be a
support should the need arise,” explains Neser.
cubes were sold locally. Apart from imports, local
challenge and it is a reality that supply of imported
independent cement blenders also proliferated in
products may not always be reliable. This may
Opportunistic market
the lower end of the market and filled a gap in the
provide little chance to build relationships with
“We even believe that there is a case for anti-
domestic and small building market. Today, these
suppliers in future and may lead to shortages in the
dumping charges to be brought against overseas
blender supply about 1 600 000 tons of blended
short term,” concludes Neser.
manufacturers who are flooding the market with their
cement per annum.
products at a price that is below the selling price in
their home countries,” he says.
He explained that the first large-scale imports of
cement began in 2007 when temporary shortages
“With the estimated 759 000 tons of imported
cement sold last year they put a lot of pressure
on cement manufacturers. Especially those at the
coast are most prone to being flooded by cheap
For more info...
Tel: 011-791-3327
Web: www.sarma.co.za