Just an informal presentation of what I currently do after some long visit to the wilderness as both a practicing metallurgist and an individual. After reading the passage any feedback will be appreciated in terms of advice, networking and requirement of further information, there is no need to be completely formal, this is a social site#. Now I did my Diploma at UJ during the Malone Era, 2005-6 then worked for Scaw Metals in Germiston as a technician in training (Dinwiddie) for Metallurgical control division, Lab, wheel plant, Hot rolling mill (Morgan Mill) but spent most of my training at the steel plant (No3) where I learned the mild steel chemistries, properties and applications. Then just before the year 2007 got to an end I joined Columbus stainless on a 6months probation period and underwent training on a rotational basis throughout the company and learned about the stainless steel in terms of applications, types, dimensions, surface finishes, properties and mostly export applications. Early this year as an inherent entrepreneur who had already started and hit the wall a few times and also a few wins I took that leap of faith jumping of a cliff and building a plane on the way down and teamed up with an already established fabrication company and still trying to steer it off the coastal line. Traditionally for a small metallurgical business its quite cumbersome to acquire direct business, with big businesses getting all the jobs and only subcontracting smaller ones mostly due to red tape. What we mostly fabricate directly to customers are stainless steel restaurant equipment where most of the expensive metalwork tools required are hired from an external supplier. The tools hire is actually our advantage as we do not have to buy them and also buying steel direct from manufacturers gives us leverage. The issue is that most equipment only sell the equipment after manufacturing with only a few orders before production as those restaurant equipment can easily be found cheaper as second hand on junk mail and other classifieds. In most cases the get to be sold at a higher discount as customers seem to be gaining better negotiating skills leaving us with little or no profit, lol, enough on my ranting. The thinking behind this post is that as I can not invade your inboxes one by one id like to inform you that since we have also been doing work for bigger companies that act as middlemen rendering our profit margins low, we are expanding from kitchen, restaurant and would like your inputs on steel applications you encounter on a daily basis that we can be of assistance to. Afterall we all have a role in changing the industry, the best is yet to come and its our turn to revolutionize the South African Steel industry. You are welcome to inbox, like or comment on the status. #there was a post a few months back I think by Andile asking about Uj Metallurgists owning companies and I can attest that I know a few also in this group but the daily hustle and crash tests seem to be the order of the day, hence the uncertainty!
Posted on: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 18:17:23 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015