STEEL CONSTRUCTION
Amanuel Gebremeskel SAISC
As the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction( SAISC, www. saisc. co. za) marks its 70th anniversary, CEO Amanuel Gebremeskel reflects on its development as a technical institute built on an inclusive network of engineers, fabricators, architects, detailers, steel merchants, mills, contractors, developers, and educators.
Over our lifetime, the steel industry has evolved substantially. Supply dynamics, economic pressures, evolving standards, and increasing expectations around quality and accountability continue to reshape the industry.
Trade measures have also changed. Following investigations by the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa( ITAC), definitive anti-dumping duties were introduced in March 2026 on structural steel imports from China and Thailand, as well as flat-rolled steel imports from China, Japan, and Taiwan.
While we support measures aimed at protecting and strengthening local industry capability and ensuring fair participation in global trade, industry feedback has raised concerns about their effect on import orders, particularly where certain product lines, specialised sizes, and specifications are not readily available locally.
These supply constraints can have knock-on effects on project costs, delivery timelines, and the competitiveness of South African construction and export markets. SAISC has therefore advocated an approach that gives the market sufficient time to adjust while supporting the long-term strength and sustainability of local industry.
The objective is a steel industry that is competitive, credible, and trusted throughout the value chain, from mills and merchants to fabricators, engineers, and clients.
Quality as a business risk
Steel quality is no longer a conversation confined to specifications and testing. It has become a broader business risk, affecting project certainty, infrastructure resilience, procurement governance, and investor confidence.
Selecting the cheapest material at the point of procurement can ultimately become the most expensive decision over the lifecycle of a project. Poor-quality steel can increase maintenance costs, shorten infrastructure lifespan, and lead to delays, remedial work, disputes, and reputational damage. The consequences extend beyond the construction site to developers, financiers, insurers, and the wider economy.
44 spring 2026 | www. tobuild. co. za