Steel Construction Vol 40 no 6 - International Steel Structures | Page 4

SAISC comment

LOOKING BACK on 2016:
The CEO’s Report
By Paolo Trinchero, Chief Executive Officer, SAISC

This was another challenging year. Like our
industry we have not been immune to the
difficulties our members are facing. The
SAISC, I believe, has continued to provide a
good service to its members. Unfortunately,
the business rescue of one of our larger
mills did not succeed and it is now in the
process of selling off assets. This has had
a significant impact on the funding of
the SAISC. The mill’s product line is now
imported from the four corners of the
globe.
Excess capacity in our fabrication firms has
continued and may still be with us for some
time. It is now more important than ever
to ensure our upstream and downstream
businesses are doing what needs to be
done to survive. The SAISC and its subassociations will be there to encourage and
help wherever possible.
Although a number of courses under the
Steel Academy banner were offered we
unfortunately did not get the numbers we
budgeted for. Education and training remain
key objectives of the institute with the
results often seen in the future. I would like
to thank all those involved in preparing,
delivering, and most importantly, attending
the courses.
On the lobbying front the SAISC has
made considerable progress on ensuring
that there is space for downstream
manufacturers to apply for tariff protection
on finished goods. The localization and

“

designation of Fabricated Structural Steel
and many other products manufactured
by our sub-associations is still pending. We
have assisted many other associations to
ensure that the entire industry is working
to achieve the same objective. I would like
to thank the dti, EDD,Treasury, SARS, IDC
and Eskom for their ongoing assistance.
The long awaited construction sector codes
have now been published for comment.
(23 months of negotiations, a mediation and
a further 3 months with the dti)
It is important that the industry provides
comment before the 28th of December
2016. Please provide comments in writing
for the attention of Mr Jacob Maphutha
and Ms Mologadi Leshiba on the following
email address: constructionsectorcode@
thedti.gov.za
LINKS to the Gazette and Code :
http://www.gov.za/speeches/constructionsector-code-3-nov-2016-0000
http://www.thedti.gov.za/gazzettes/40375.
pdf
Survival of the industry is the top priority
and number one strategic objective of all
our associations.
I would like to thank the SAISC staff
and service providers for their support
during the year. I am confident that the
institute has the skills and resources to
keep recreating itself and to respond to the
needs of the industry.

important than ever to ensure our upstream and
downstream businesses are doing what needs to be done to survive.
The SAISC and its sub-associations will be there to encourage
and help wherever possible.
It is now more

”

2

Steel Construction Vol. 40 No. 6 2016