The Manufacture and Wholesale of Basic Iron and Steel

The largest steel end user industries in South Africa are the building and construction and manufacturing sectors. Of concern to the four primary steel producers, ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA), Cape Gate, Columbus Stainless and Scaw Metals is the low growth rate currently being experienced in these important steel-consuming sectors. Although production capacity increased in 2017, by 3.3% for steel and 6% for iron, local apparent steel consumption dropped from 5.4Mt in 2013 to 4.8Mt in 2017. According to the Southern African Stainless Steel Development Association (SASSDA), local stainless steel consumption decreased by 5.6% in 2017.

Challenging Conditions

Factors that continue to have a significant impact on the performance of local manufacturers and wholesalers of basic iron and steel include the global oversupply of steel as well as high production costs due to inefficiencies and the country’s ageing plants caused in part by a lack of investment. The increases in electricity and gas prices, high rail and port charges and the fact that adequate amounts of affordable scrap metal are not available all contribute to the difficult conditions.

Report Coverage

The Manufacture and Wholesale of Basic Iron and Steel discusses current developments, provides import and export data and discusses the factors that influence the success of the industry. Profiles for 43 companies are provided, including dominant player AMSA, the largest steel manufacturer on the continent, which increased its share of the local flat steel market to 75.5%, and the long steel market to 56.5% during 2017. Also profiled is BSi Steel Ltd, a manufacturer and wholesaler, which in March 2017 sold its 45% interest in Qinisa Steel Solutions to the Jamand Trust, and Barnes Southern Palace (Pty) Ltd which acquired a 74% share in Scaw from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) in February 2018.