Aluminium foundry alloys, powders and deoxidants manufacturer and supplier Zimalco has recently appointed a new Managing Director. Ed Vermaak takes over from Willie Willemse who had been in the MD position since 2010 and recently retired.
“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 Vermaak.
Ed Vermaak
“My background includes having spent several years in various roles with Macsteel Holdings and other fabrication, manufacturing and engineering operations, once I had qualified as a CA with accounting firm KPMG. Even though my career has spanned more than 20 years in mining and metals-related industries, I still consider myself an engineering convert.”
“Zimalco is a division of the Zimco Group (Pty) Ltd, one of South Africa’s leading producers of industrial and base minerals and incorporates some of South Africa’s leading recycling companies including Fry’s Metals and Zinchem.”
“The bulk of the Zimalco business comprises of the supply of international standard products to markets both locally and around the globe. Zimalco also produces many specially designed products to meet customers’ specific process needs.”
“In 1989 Zimalco became the first secondary aluminium smelter in South Africa to be listed under the SABS 0197 Quality Manufacturing Standard. Today Zimalco is listed under the current ISO 9001 Quality Management System, OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety, ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems and the ISO 50001 Energy Management System. These ensure that the Zimalco products and services not only fully meet their intended quality and service but also that they are manufactured with consideration for the safety of all employees and users of their products, while Zimalco’s immediate environment, and that influenced by their operations, is well managed to reduce the effects of the company’s carbon footprint.”
“The Zimalco plant, which is situated in Benoni, Gauteng, has a capacity in excess of 30 000 tons per year and employs more than 160 people. Raw materials are obtained from many of the South African aluminium converters, scrap metal recyclers and when required from the primary aluminium smelters.”
“The Zimalco products are marketed under the world renowned and registered brand names SUPRAL for foundry ingots and SUPRAMEX for specialty powders.”
“The secondary aluminium industry continues to engage Government on the issues of scrap exports, the price preference policy, deemed VAT, 8 digit tariff headings and Treasury’s call to re-look at the implications and viability of an export duty on scrap metal.”
“These issues have been on the table with Government for the past 20 years during which time many aluminium smelters and foundries have down sized, entered business rescue or closed causing thousands of job losses.”
“The continued exportation of scrap metal has created a shortage of affordable raw materials which in turn has made many beneficiators uncompetitive in the local and international markets and has severely restricted further investment in the sector.”
“Besides the foundry industry, other major users of secondary aluminium are the steel producers, the mining sector, water treatment and electrical reticulation industry, all of which have been affected by major closures, restructures and business rescues.”
“The sector is currently sitting on the “tipping point” and without Government intervention and assistance will not be in a position to play a meaningful role in the National Development Plan and sustainable meaningful job creation.”
For further details contact Zimalco on TEL: 011 914 4300 or visit www.zimalco.co.za
