Steel Construction Vol 40 No 3 - Mining, Industrial, Import/ Export

SAISC comment Engineers, mills, merchants and fabricators: we need to find a way forward, together By Paolo Trinchero, Chief Executive Officer, SAISC Every day we read articles about the steel industry. Most not flattering at all. In a time of crisis everyone wants to blame someone else for their woes. Government, China, Policy and yes I agree, all these things have a role to play in the mess we are in. But we need to move on and find a way forward. Each and every one of us is going to have to find the strength to keep going and unlock opportunities. The entire supply chain from consulting engineers to steel mills, merchants and fabricators find that there is not sufficient growth to generate work. Our work load has dropped through the floor! This is borne out by manufacturing and construction index numbers and the recent release of employment figures. This is clearly not a desirable situation in which our industry finds itself. We need policy change which leads to economic growth which in turn leads to construction projects and employment growth. In an article by Rian de Lange recently, “Who holds the kryptonite of South Africa’s steel industry? Or is the industry of steel suffering from its own metal fatigue – selfinflicted or otherwise?” I would argue that it is the entire supply chain that has a role to play in its future. We better start working together. If we work tirelessly on innovation and exports we may find that our competitiveness gives us a steady stream of work. This is key and recognized by many of the participants around the table. It’s time to find a new box or reinvent the old one. If we have to rely on exports to see us through we better make sure we have the right skills in the industry. This is why it’s so important to ensure that we continue to train even when the budget is under pressure. Spencer Erling is retiring at the end of May. I am sure that many of you would like to wish him well and we will be holding a If we expect the economy to continue to remain sluggish, if we accept that volatility is the order of the day, if we expect China to continue to produce and only cut capacity very, very slowly... we better find another approach to staying in business and fast. “ special cocktail function in June. Spencer has played a key role in the industry and the SAISC. I would like to thank him for his support and guidance during these challenging times. Spencer is most definitely a MAN of STEEL who we can all look up to. work tirelessly on innovation and exports we may find that our competitiveness gives us a steady stream of work. This is key and recognized by many of the participants around the table. It’s time to find a new box or reinvent the old one. If we ” 2 Steel Construction Vol. 40 No. 3 2016

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