SASSDA: Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association

The Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) has announced that Ian Elsdon-Dew of the Kwa-Zulu Natal regional office will conclude his service with Sassda as at 1 July 2010.

Sassda will continue to serve the Kwa-Zulu Natal region including its membership. In the meantime all queries should be referred to the Sassda head office in Johannesburg on 0861 727732 or comms@sassda.co.za.

TIM RAAFF RESIGNS FROM SASSDA
The Southern Africa Stainless Steel Association (Sassda) today announced that the MD Tim Raaff has resigned.
In a statement released by Sassda chairman Sampie van Rooyen he said “Tim Raaff has been a valuable addition to the board and has been an effective managing director of Sassda for the past two years. The board acknowledge all the good work that he has done on behalf of Sassda. He led the organisation in very difficult economic times and has been instrumental in the development of a strategy that will see Sassda take on the challenges that face the industry as a whole. We wish Tim well in the future.”

Bernard Maguire in his capacity as a non executive director has agreed to oversee operations at Sassda whilst a suitable replacement is being sought.

ASSOCIATION IMPLEMENTS NEW PROGRAMME TO PROMOTE JOB CREATION
The Southern Africa Stainless Steel Devel- opment Association’s (Sassda’s) role is to grow the conversion of stainless steel into finished and semifinished products to create employment, says Sassda chairperson Sampie van Rooyen.

This will be achieved through assisting in developing manufacturing enterprises of identified products, developing skills and collaborating with relevant stakeholders to achieve synergy and source funds, which are essential in increasing the volume of stainless steel consumption, he adds. [read more]

SA SOLAR WATER HEATER MARKET SET TO GROW RAPIDLY
The Department of Energy (DoE) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) believe that the solar water heater (SWH) market is set to grow rapidly in South Africa and aim to install one-million SWHs by 2014.

The tariff increase of 24,8% requested by State-owned power utility Eskom, as well as the reincarnation of nongrid technology industries, the repositioning of the South African SWH industry and the opportunities to grow the economy and create jobs and livelihood will all help the installation of SWHs in the country, DoE clean energy division acting chief director David Mahuma said at the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association’s Stainless Steel Solar Water Heating Interest Group Collaboration.

STAINLESS STEEL BODY ALIGNS PROGRAMMES WITH SOUTH AFRICA’S NEW INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY
The Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) is aligning is activities with government’s newly launched Industrial Policy Action Plan, or Ipap2.

Sassda communications specialist Yumna Emeran says that the association’s most immediate project is its jewellery and arts and crafts project, which is being pursued in conjunction with the Agribusiness Development Corporation and Cape Craft Design Institute, in Hermanus. She explains that the project aims to integrate stainless steel with uniquely African materials, such as abalone shells, and other precious and nonprecious gemstones.

SASSDA REDEFINES ITS ROLES AS AN INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
The board of directors of the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) has reviewed the way in which it operates as the representative body of the stainless steel industry. It has redefined its role as an industry association and has decided to put more emphasis on growing South African interests by focusing on industry development, which will result in job creation and skills retention.

SASSDA GEARS UP FOR 2009
Sassda has expanded its regional structure to ensure all members are visited on a face-to-face basis by a Sassda regional representative. The sectors, as they are now, will not be dispensed of, but will be segmented further to encourage national involvement

IMPALA PLATINUM WINS STAINLESS AWARDS 2008
Impala Platinum Refineries Ltd has been named the overall winner of the Stainless Steel Awards 2008.

SAVE COSTS WITH STAINLESS STEEL
Using stainless steel compared to other materials is economically feasible in the long term. And although it may be true that stainless steel is not only the lowest priced candidate, its durability and ease of maintenance compensate for the higher initial purchasing cost.

SASSDA'S NEW BOARD
The Southern African Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) announced the appointment of Sampie van Rooyen as chairman to the board of Directors of Sassda, and Jackie Pilani as vice-chairman.

SASSDA'S NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR
Sassda announced today the appointment of Mr Tim Raaff as Managing Director with effect 1 June 2008. Tim replaces Michael Campbell who is moving to Sasol at the end of May after nearly 2 years at the Association.

The Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda), organisers of the 2008 Stainless Steel Awards, have released a list of confirmed sponsors and judges for this year’s event, the highlight of the industry’s calendar.

STAINLESS STEEL GROWTH SLOWS BUT TREND REMAINS POSITIVE

The Southern African stainless steel industry grew by just over 1% in calendar 2007 to a total apparent consumption of 197 070 tons (2006: 194 916 tons) according to the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda).

DECEMBER 2007

STAINLESS STEEL AWARDS KICK OFF

The countdown to the highlight of the stainless steel industry’s programme has begun. The Stainless Steel Awards are now open for entries from local as well as international individuals and companies involved in the production, conversion, distribution, use or recommendation of stainless steel.

NOVEMBER 2007

SASSDA TAKES A LEAD AGAINST HIV/AIDS

The Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) continues its support of the World Aids Campaign by launching its 2007/8 “Take the Lead” poster awareness campaign in preparation for World Aids Day on 1 December.

The 2007/8 theme of Leadership follows on from the 2006 theme of Accountability, and is supported by an ongoing slogan of “Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.”

OCTOBER 2007

SASSDA -SUPPORTING GREEN BUILDINGS

As part of Sassda’s drive towards promoting stainless steel as an environmentally friendly metal option, the Architecture Building and Construction (ABC) sector will be participating in the Green Building Conference & Exhibition. The event will run from 8 – 10 November at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria.

SASSDA TO ENJOY GOOD FOOD & WINE IN GAUTENG

Following on from the success of the Good Food & Wine Show in Cape Town in May, Sassda will once again be supporting the exhibition, this time at Gallagher Estate from 1 to 4 November

CATHERINE HOUSKA : A LOVE AFFAIR WITH STAINLESS STEEL

Recently in South Africa for workshops on stainless steel, Catherine Houska summarised her admiration for it as a construction material, saying its overwhelming reputation for simply being shiny and silver almost always belies its ability to provide strong environment designs made on a grand scale

TRIBUTE TO KLAUS WEBER

It was with sadness that the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) learnt earlier this month that Klaus Weber, our recently retired Western Cape representative for Sassda, had passed away in a tragic car accident in Namibia.

SASSDA AND OG & CM ASTP ASSIST IN CLOSING THE SKILLS GAP

The Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) and the Oil, Gas and Chemical Manufacturing Companies Artisan Skills Training Project (OG & CM ASTP) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to provide enhanced practical workplace training opportunities in stainless steel for artisans, in particular boilermakers, welders and fitters. This initiative aims to help alleviate the shortage of trained artisans in South Africa.

SEPTEMBER 2007

SATCA FORMS ALLIANCE WITH SASSDA

The Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) has announced a management alliance with the South Africa Tank Container Association (SATCA) with effect from end September 2007.

AUGUST 2007

INTERIM STATISTICS REFLECT STRENGTHS OF STAINLESS STEEL INDUSTRY

The Southern African stainless steel industry grew by 12% in the first six months of this year to a total apparent consumption of 111 025 tons according to the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda).

SASSDA ELECTS KIT WILLIAMSON TO ITS BOARD

The Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) has elected Kit Williamson, managing director of Macsteel VRN Stainless Division, to the board of Sassda.

“My nomination will enable me to continue adding value and impetus to Sassda’s drive in promoting the use and local fabrication of stainless steel in South Africa.” said Williamson

JULY 2007

STAINLESS STEEL TRADEMARK

To ensure stainless steel consumers are always able to identify a guaranteed and superior product, the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) has relaunched its trademark Cross & Balls as a symbol of quality stainless steel.

TOUR OF SOWETO

The Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) recently hosted for its members a tour of Soweto to view some of the exciting applications and to assess opportunities available in stainless steel.

MAY 2007

SASSDA PREDICTS CONTINUING GROWTH IN DEMAND IN THE LOCAL STAINLESS STEEL MARKET

The Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) reported yesterday at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) that apparent domestic consumption for stainless steel grew by 29% to 192 647 tons in 2006 on the back of increased demand from the transport (automotive), capital equipment and general engineering, architecture, building and construction industries.

RESOURCE CENTRE

To assist members and other interested parties source information about stainless steel, Sassda has opened a Resource Centre at its Johannesburg head office in Rivonia in Rivonia

The centre, brainchild of George Whittle and Gary Crawford, is equipped with a computer loaded with references on a wide range of topics, numerous stainless steel manuals and other relevant publications including journals and books, boards featuring members’ products and promotional material detailing members’ products and services.

NEW ADVANCED STAINLESS STEEL COURSE

Sassda has successfully launched its Advanced Stainless Steel Course aimed at those who have completed the Basic Stainless Steel Course

For any further information or to get full articles please contact [Sassda]