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Mpumalanga Stainless Initiative Columbus Stainless supports MSI to beneficiate stainless steel.

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pumalanga Stainless Initiative (MSI) was established in 2001 and registered as a non-profit company on 24 December 1999. MSI is located in Middelburg, the home of stainless steel and just a few kilometres from Columbus Stainless (Pty) Ltd, Africa’s only producer of stainless steel flat products. MSI has entrenched itself as the only technology-based business incubator in the stainless steel sector that specialises in nurturing sustainable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through stainless steel. Columbus Steel has a vision of growing the economy through stainless steel beneficiation. This can be achieved through their mission of nurturing sustainable SMEs and using their values of product innovation, service excellence and integrity. MSI is predominately targeting unemployed, struggling or dormant stainless steel goods manufacturers who have work experience or are running their businesses in the informal sector. Assistance is also offered to graduates or entrepreneurs, who have experience in manufacturing or engineering of stainless steel finished products. One of the key objectives is also to assist people who have an interest in starting a business and have the potential to create employment opportunities for the community.

What MSI offers MSI’s service offering centres on incubation services such as mentoring, monitoring, evaluation and coaching. We use shared infrastructure, technology and knowledge exchange platforms to uplift SMEs in terms of: • Legislative and governance compliance (SARS, CIPC). • Linking the SME to funding and market networks like Columbus, MEGA and other organisations. • Financial management such as obtaining annual financial statements and day-to-day invoicing. • HR management such as assistance with recruitment of workers. • Facility and technology access control. Gaining access to shared machines to manufacture clients’ products. • Operations and production management. On-time delivery of quality products. MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2018/19

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Quality management and adherence to customer needs and ISO9001. Design management, ensuring compliance in terms of patents, trademarks and intellectual property (IP). Branding and helping to create public awareness and exposure for the product. Networking in terms of events, workshops and expos.

The support generated through the partnership with Columbus Stainless (Pty) Ltd has allowed small businesses to be showcased in terms of procurement opportunities and support services.

Active support During the 2017/18 financial year, Columbus supported MSI SMEs to the value of R600 000 in procurement of manufactured finished goods as well as direct purchases of advanced machines with the latest technology. This was done through Columbus Stainless’ Enterprise and Supplier Development programmes. Columbus Stainless further subsidised MSI in terms of operating costs, personal protective equipment, meeting expenses and the training of