News 2017

December 2017

ABP Induction Systems GmbH

ABP is one of the world’s leading creators of induction furnaces and heating systems for the metalworking and foundry industry. With design, production, assembly and other services offered for foundries and forging plants using induction, ABP manufactures a range of equipment for melting, pouring, holding and heating of steel, iron and non ferrous metals.

Foundry Solutions thrives on non-ferrous bushes and liners

Now adding spin casting to its portfolio. Foundry Solutions might not be your modern casting facility with all the bells and whistles often associated with a foundry that is perhaps servicing the OEM automotive market and is required to have the latest production equipment and is deploying the cutting-edge technologies.

Insimbi’s first half results ‘satisfactory’ and encouraging

JSE-listed Insimbi Refractory and Alloys’ earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation increased by 273% year-on-year to R179.8 million for the six months ended 31 August 2017. Earnings a share were up by 142% year-on-year to 11.97 cents and headline earnings a share increased by 150% year-on-year to 11.95 cents.

Endeco Omega 8-station carousel moulding line installed at wear resistant product manufacturing foundry

Just over 11years ago a large international company manufacturing wear resistant engineered products commissioned an in-house foundry at its Isando manufacturing facility in Gauteng. Traditionally the company procured their castings from either local foundries or imported them from sister companies elsewhere in the world.

GOM and RGC Engineering to hold a one day conference on optical measuring techniques for industrial casting processing

GOM, a global industrial company that develops, produces and distributes software, machines and systems for industrial and automated 3D coordinate measuring technology and 3D testing and local partner RGC Engineering will hold a one day conference on 15 March 2018.

Ecosafe Plus – a fire-resistant hydraulic fluid introduced for use in high-pressure systems

“Actually, Ecosafe Plus is a revolutionary product, because it combines the advantages of a HDFU, which are biodegradable, high temperature resistance and good lubricity, with the advantages of a water-glycol based HFC, having no fire point. Due to these parameters and characteristics, Ecosafe Plus is the ideal hydraulic fluid for non-ferrous metal foundries,” says Alexander Saam, Managing Director of Silca South Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Unlikely that SEIFSA-NUMSA agreement can be extended to non-parties – SAEFA

A war of words is currently waging between employer bodies in the engineering and metal industries, with the mud-slinging centering on the wage negotiations, which were concluded separately from all negotiating parties by the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA) and the trade unions in August this year.

SAIF 2017 Annual Golf Day

The South African Institute of Foundrymens’ Annual Golf Day took place on Thursday 9th November 2017. The event was held at the Reading Country Club. The competition on the day was four ball alliance with two scores to count. The winners of the SAIF Golf Day on an acceptable score of 94 were Hanno Viljoen, Afzal Chothia, Edward Jansen and Darryl MacIntosh.

H W Schmidt Industrials motors ahead with new contracts

When H W Schmidt Industrials invested in a new Bühler Die Casting Cell in 2005 – with the main star being an Evolution 84 D840 ton high pressure die casting machine – it was a commitment to the local manufacturing ambitions of the company. H W Schmidt Industrials was established in 1952 by the late Heinz-Werner Schmidt, and has in excess of forty years’ experience in high-pressure aluminium die casting manufacturing.

Ford to invest R3 billion for production expansion in South Africa

Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa recently announced it was investing R3 billion to expand production capacity at its South African manufacturing operations in order to meet growing local and international demand for the trendsetting Ford Ranger. It has also been confirmed that the thrilling, first-ever Ford Ranger Raptor will be produced in SA.

US client acknowledges Pressure Die Castings

Specialist die caster Pressure Die Castings (PDC) was recently visited by company executives from Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Company at the PDC production plant earlier this year and the executives complimented the management and staff of PDC on the transformation of the production processes at PDC since the two companies first began dealing with each other over 30 years ago.

October 2017

Smart chemistry that solves global challenges

SI Group, a leading global developer and manufacturer of chemical intermediates, specialty resins and solutions announced the implementation of a global brand transformation in September 2015. The project that impacted customers in more than 90 countries and facilities on five continents and took 18 months to implement also included the launch of a new logo.

Atlantis Foundries embraces the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Atlantis foundries have embarked on a process that will pave the way to becoming a Smart Foundry by embracing the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This project aims to combine various technologies available to gather and analyse process data, with the aim of improving product quality and cost efficiency.

SA Metal Group – maximising the value of scrap metal

SA Metal Group might be one of the oldest and largest scrap metal collectors and recyclers in South Africa but when you visit the company’s head office in Epping Industria, Western Cape, you are introduced to an aspect of the company that is not commonly known – beneficiating the scrap metal it collects and processes.

IDC starts to sell off struggling Scaw units

After a reported a loss of over R1 billion for 2016, the restructuring of its steel subsidiary Scaw Metals into three standalone entities is now at an advanced stage with plans to secure strategic equity partners (SEPs) for each of the units, said CEO Geoffrey Qhena while presenting the IDC’s results in Polokwane, Limpopo.

Metso investing in Isithebe foundry to increase manufacturing capacity for crusher wear parts

Metso is increasing its manufacturing capacity for large crusher wear parts castings used in minerals processing by investing in a second melting furnace at its Isithebe foundry in South Africa. The EUR 3.5 million investment will ensure the availability of Metso’s heavy crusher wear parts globally.

Constitutional Court dismisses challenge to state’s scrap metal export rules

The Constitutional Court has dismissed an application by a local exporter of scrap metal for leave to appeal the judgment of the High Court of South Africa and the Supreme Court of Appeal upholding the State’s scrap metal export provisions, known as the price preference system, and ITAC’s decision to refuse to issue export permits to the SA Metal Group.

Lauds achieving results with patented secondary reclamation plant

“As was the case with the atmospheric emissions licenses (AEL) the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) in South Africa is going out of its way to investigate waste management processes of local foundries and waste foundry sands is one of their primary targets.”

New aspects in industrial 3D metrology, inspection and testing conference

This will be the first conference that GOM, based in Braunschweig, Germany, will hold of this type of event in South Africa. However, the company holds its internationally recognised GOM 3D Metrology Conference every second year. Over 600 delegates attend this conference that has been held 13 times and they include representatives from OEMs such as Audi, BMW, Opel, Porsche, VW, Boeing, Liebherr-Aerospace and Rolls-Royce.

Mineral Zone appointed agents for LKAB Minerals

LKAB Minerals, an internationally active company in the industrial minerals market, has appointed Mineral Zone, a specialist supply partner servicing the Metallurgical and Mining sectors in South Africa and internationally with a range of metals and minerals, ore and services, as its agent in South Africa for its refractory and foundry mineral products.

Spectrum Technical hosts successful aluminium technology seminar

“Spectrum Technical focuses on providing solutions for the processing of molten metal, in particular the casting of aluminium and zinc. We have been doing this since 1994, supplying a range of services and products,” said Kumaran Poonan, a Director at Spectrum Technical and head of the metals processing division.

Omega and Simpson enter into a global agreement

Omega Foundry Machinery, a leading manufacturer of no-bake equipment based in Peterborough, UK and Simpson Technologies Corporation from Aurora, Ilinois, USA, a leader in foundry and chemical industries process technology, have recently signed an agreement to cooperate in the field of sand reclamation.

August 2017

Nine elements that challenge handheld XRF analysers but are easy for OES

Handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysers are useful for many elemental measuring tasks across numerous industries and applications. Advanced models produce fast, accurate results on the spot, for sample identification, grade sorting, and metals analysis involving elements from magnesium to uranium.

Naledi Foundry fired up and ready to grow

Just over two years ago Naledi Foundry, the foundry division of the Naledi Inhlanganiso Group, began implementing a plan that had increased capacity, improved quality and diversification as the pillars of its strategic blueprint. In order to achieve this the foundry embarked on a restructuring process that included investment in new equipment as part of an approximate R100 million investment programme in the foundry.

Fred Botha appointed CEO of Insimbi

With the imminent retirement of Pieter Schutte as the Chief Executive Officer of JSE listed Insimbi Refractory and Alloy Supplies Limited the Insimbi Board has announced that current Commercial and Financial Director Fred Botha has been appointed as the new CEO of the company, effective 1 June 2017.

Ceralcast sets up production facility in Gauteng

“When we established Ceramic and Alloy Specialists (Pty) Ltd in 1998 our core business was initially implementing projects in the aluminium primary and secondary sectors, upgrading launder systems and supplying consumables into metals industries,” explained Mike Retief, MD of Ceramic and Alloy Specialists.

SAIF’s 54th Annual Awards Dinner

The South African Institute of Foundrymen’s 54th Annual Awards Dinner was held at the Emperors Palace, Convention Centre, Kempton Park, Gauteng on Friday 2 June 2017. 270 foundrymen, guests, wives and award winners attended this year’s event. The dinner was well supported by sponsors in the form of prizes for the award winners, and ticket sponsors for the award winners and VIP guests invited by the Institute.

The Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden

Eight years in the making, the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden is a place of expansive vistas, scents and the sounds of nature, with tranquil groves, hidden paths and lush indigenous vegetation. The project began serendipitously in 2009 when Lewis hired an excavator on a whim and began shaping the contours of what would become the seven-hectare sculpture garden.

Agni Steel takes advantage of IDC fund

With the Downstream Steel Industry Competitiveness Fund, the IDC, in collaboration with government, hopes to increase competitiveness in the steel industry and incentivise production. Managed by the IDC, this fund will add to the various government interventions for the industry, which include tariff and local procurement measures as well as commitments for job retention, investment and upgrading.

Recycling body MetPac-SA sets its sights high

“Aluminium and steel packaging are the world’s most recycled packaging and are literally worth their weight in gold. Originally, beverage cans were made from steel, and have successfully been collected in South Africa for the past 25 years. In many regards, it can be said that we have lead the way for responsible recovery and recycling of packaging in our country,” says Delanie Bezuidenhout, CEO of MetPac-SA.

Süddeutsche Leasing look set to purchase Neue Halberg-Guss

German foundry Group Neue Halberg-Guss is on the verge of being acquired by new owners it has been reported in the German newspaper Saarbrücker Zeitung. The report says that the newspaper has been given inside information that financial services provider Süddeutsche Leasing is in discussions to purchase the foundry group but no official announcement has been made.

June 2017

ChemSystems – uniquely service-oriented

ChemSystems Foundry division continues to bring the entire package including great products, local expertise, world-class technologies and a sincere commitment to local industry. Director of ChemSystems, Lance Dell explains how the business leverages global relationships and a service-centric approach to deliver a responsive and technologically adept local partner for ChemSystems’ customers.

Atlantis Foundries focuses on securing new business, products and customers

In a recent report the management of Atlantis Foundries has emphasised that its focus going forward is to secure new business, products and customers, in addition to servicing the company’s existing clients. Traditionally the company has been recognised as a specialist in manufacturing medium and heavy-duty engine blocks for trucks and for industrial and marine applications.

Prima celebrates 80 years in the foundry industry

History shows from minutes taken in the first recorded meeting that took place on the 15th April 1937, that it was decided to register a company Prima Iron and Steel Foundry and Engineering Works (Pty) Ltd. The decision was taken by two partners to start a steel foundry to supply the growing mining industry in South Africa.

Endress+Hauser South Africa receives SANAS accreditation for local flow calibration centre

Calibration is a critical step in ensuring that a flow meter performs within expected specifications. Endress+Hauser says it is now well positioned to support its local customers flow calibration requirements, which includes third party meters. This service offering places Endress+Hauser ahead of its South African competitors, says the company.

Zimalco appoints new MD

“I take over from a well respected individual in the industry who has many years of experience in the business and as a result I have big boots to fill. I joined the company in September 2016 to acquire some of this knowledge and experience from Willie so that there was a seamless handing over period,” said Ed Vermaak.

Infigo Foundry up and casting

Taking over a foundry that has not been melting or manufacturing castings for a lengthy period, relatively speaking, is not an easy task. Well, this is the story of Infigo Foundry. I am sure that many members of the foundry industry are curious to know what exactly happened with Concorde Foundry Vereeniging, so this article will start by giving some answers to those questions.

Kotze elected as new SAIF chairlady

At the conclusion of the 53rd Annual General Meeting of the South African Institute of Foundrymen, it was announced that Janley Kotze had been elected by her fellow board of non-executive directors as the new Chairlady of the SAIF. Janley takes up the position with immediate effect and will serve as Chairlady for the 2017/2018 period.

Government aims to adopt a strategy to leverage scrap metal

dti representative Mamba says government aims to adopt a strategy to leverage the scrap metal produced by and belonging to the state and state-owned companies to enhance the competitiveness of the local steel industry, according to local reports.

India’s foundry business in the doldrums

Blames China’s cheap imports – “The Chinese government has provided exemptions to cover nearly 40 per cent of export duties. Importing castings from China is cheaper than purchasing them from Indian foundries.” The Indian domestic foundry industry will witness a ‘dull’ 2017 in view of the impact of demonetisation and implementation of GST, but a revival was expected next year.

April 2017

Foseco launches SMARTT degassing process control for rotary degassing of aluminium alloys

Foseco has launched SMARTT-Degassing, an innovative process control for rotary degassing of aluminium alloys. This process controlled by SMARTT, is a software programme that is based on the recently developed Foseco Degassing Model that accurately simulates rotary degassing.

Who are we to believe?

October says new IPAP that is due to be released will support localisation. Davies says DTI is also committed to downstream steel products. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) director-general Lionel October has revealed during a recent speech that the new Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) focused on supporting the agro processing and metals industries, including foundries and the casting sector is due to be released in April 2017.

Management buyout enables majority stake in Rely Intracast and Walro Flex

Rely Intracast’s current Managing Director Mark Hughes and the current Managing Director of Walro Flex, Carlos Palinhos, have completed a MBO (management buyout) to become majority shareholders in the respective companies that will in future fall under a recently established industrial holding company Intakobusi Holdings (Pty) Ltd.

WFO Technical Forum 2017 & MCC 2017

The above conferences have just taken place at Emperors Palace, Gauteng, South Africa from 13 to 17 March 2017. It was the first time that South Africa hosted the World Foundry Organisation Technical Forum. There were many aspects that came together over the five days that also included the BRICS Foundry Forum. Whether you were a delegate, speaker or one of the exhibitors I am sure you have an opinion as to whether it was worthwhile attending and / or participating.

Lauds Foundry Equipment staff subjected to traumatic murder and robbery experience

An armed gang of around 15 men stormed the Lauds Foundry Equipment premises in Wadeville‚ Ekurhuleni on Wednesday morning 22nd February 2017. The gang then proceeded to shoot Movchits before holding staff hostage for an hour while they ransacked the business premises‚ taking stock‚ computers and the staff’s personal belongings.

Matt Cast Supplies certified for ISO 9001:2008 quality management system

Matt Cast Supplies cc was recently presented with its ISO9001:2008 quality management system certificate from Intertek, affirming that the company’s Germiston, Gauteng operation adheres to the internationally recognised standard for the quality system. Matt Cast Supplies realised several years back that it was important to have certification.

Board changes at Insimbi

The board of directors of Insimbi Refractory & Alloy Supplies Limited have announced the appointment of Christiaan Coombs as an Executive Director and Robert Dickerson as a Non-Executive Director of the board with effect from 16 January 2017 as part of the restructure of the board following the AMR Group acquisition. The board has also announced the appointment of Brian Craig as an interim Chairperson with effect from 1 February 2017.

Sculpture Casting Services – working closely with some of South Africa’s leading artists

During its history Sculpture Casting Services has been manufacturing bronzes for well-known sculptors and artists from around the world, casting from the smallest to the largest sculptures. Their ability to embrace and deploy innovation and the latest technology in the company’s manufacturing environment has enabled them to stick out amongst the crowd.

Plan your trip to Machine Tools Africa 2017

Quality tools and machinery are the backbone of the South African manufacturing industry which is why Machine Tools Africa 2017 has been designed to showcase the very latest technology developments, machinery, products, services and solutions in this innovative sector.

February 2017

Cover-Omega-Pic.3

Sand reclamation for chemically bonded sand systems

Today’s foundry using one of the many chemically bonded sand systems is under increasing pressure to reduce costs, reduce it’s impact on the environment but at the same time improve and maintain it’s casting quality. One of the ways of meeting these requirements is to invest in sand reclamation.

Ind-News-Auto-Industrial-1

Auto Industrial Group transforms its high-volume mould, shotblasting and sand handling systems

When you are supplying a range of safety critical components to all of the automotive OEMs in South Africa your attitude towards your production operations and systems has to be progressive and inefficiency is not an option. That is why the Auto Industrial Group has spent over R50 million in the last two to three years on new equipment and systems.

Keegor Group opens induction heating equipment company

The Keegor Group has recently expanded its product portfolio to create a new group company specialising in induction heating equipment. The new company, Keegor Power Electronics (Pty) Ltd, has been established as a result of the Keegor Group purchasing the LH-Power Electronics (Pty) Ltd intellectual property, assets and stock.

Ind-News-Gordon

McNeilage takes up position of Senior Director, Manufacturing – Northeast Asia for SI Group

SI Group, a leading global manufacturer of chemical intermediates, specialty resins and solutions has announced that its South African Director of Operations, Gordon McNeilage, has been promoted to the position of Senior Director, Manufacturing – Northeast Asia for the Group.

World Foundry Organisation Technical Forum 2017

The WFO Technical forum is being held in conjunction with the South African Metal Casting Conference 2017 (MCC) where 60 technical presentations will be given. These presentations include speakers from Germany, Norway, UK, Romania, Poland, USA, China, India, Netherlands, Denmark, Spain and South Africa.

Int-News-scrap-metal

The true cost of scrap within the metalcasting industry

Imagine a high volume automated foundry running an overall 21% scrap rate with suspect castings making it to the customer’s production line. A new general manager takes the helm and mandates that scrap will be no higher than 4%. Within two weeks and without any tooling changes, production changes, or scrap analysis, the new scrap target was achieved.

Mentorship is just the first step at Pressure Die Castings

Company records 24% growth for 2016. Progressive and success-hungry Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal based Pressure Die Castings (PDC) has just completed a year that the company’s management says they will look back at with great satisfaction on many fronts.

President of Institute of Indian Foundrymen calls for import of key raw materials to be duty-free for foundry sector

“The Indian foundry industry is third largest globally with revenue at US $18 billion and exports of approximately US $2.7 billion. It employs directly and indirectly two million. Over the last few years the Indian foundry industry has gradually risen from the fifth to the second largest producer of castings globally.”

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Silca South Africa adds more products to its portfolio

Well-known German manufacturer of high performance, asbestos free calcium silicates in a density range of 200 to 1 100kg/m, Calsitherm Verwaltungs-GmbH, opened a subsidiary in South Africa 18 months ago. The new company was established as Silca South Africa (Pty) Ltd in line with the Calsitherm Group’s marketing and branding development of subsidiaries worldwide.

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