Preface

The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA) is committed to its role as the recognised voice of the Metals and Engineering (M&E) sector in South Africa and the Southern African region. Its vast knowledge and experience in the sector remains undisputed.

SEIFSA has, throughout its 78 years of existence, been an integral part of the M&E sector and has kept abreast of all developments, providing the necessary input and voice on a range of matters, including government policy, and engaging with the relevant stakeholders to ensure the industry is heading in the right directiom.

As an industry and employer federation, SEIFSA is also a critical player in the industry’s collective bargaining and is mandated by employer associations affiliated to it to negotiate conditions of employment and wage rate on their behalf at the Metals and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council. It also offers various products and services to support member companies in areas such as transformation, industrial and legal relations and occupational health and safety, among others.

Over the years, the Economic and Commercial (EC) Division of SEIFSA has become akey source of industry information and for the last xxx years has been publishing the SEIFSA Price and Index Pages (PIPS),while conducting training in Contract Price Adjustments (CPA). In continuation of its tradition, SEIFSA once again presents the State of the Metals and Engineering Sector: First Half-year review of 2021, compiled by Chief Economist Chifipa Mhango and Economist Palesa Molise.

The year 2020 was challenging for the M&E sector, with restrictions put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19, hampering manufacturing activity and adding to the strain the sector had been experiencing even before the virus struck in December 2019.

However, green shots in the first six months of 2021 have been observed. In particular, in June 2021, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) released and launched The Steel and Metal Fabrication Master Plan 1.0, which outlines policy interventions to address the challenges facing the industry. SEIFSA has welcomed its launch and will monitor its implementation.

SEIFSA, therefore, presents to you the “State of the Metals and Engineering Sector First Half-year review of 2021” and encourages all stakeholders to grab a copy of the publication which is an update of the annual report released in February. We at SEIFSA, once again wish you a pleasant last sixmonth of 2021, as we work on the revival of the M&E sector.

Lucio Trentini

Chief Executive Officer

Chifipa Mhango

The core business of the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA) is to represent and promote the interests of business in Southern Africa, in particular in the M&E industries, through lobbying, advocacy, capacity building, provision of related services and building of good relations with key stakeholders.