The ASTPM is a non-profit trade association representing the major welded carbon steel tube and pipe manufacturers in South Africa. Collectively, the members produce a complete range of tube and pipe for all conveyance and structural applications to the highest international standards. About 380,000 tons of welded carbon steel pipe was produced last year, of which 100,000 tons were exported.

The objectives of the Association are:

• Promotion of the use of welded carbon steel tube and pipe.
• Representation of common interests to government, quasi government and other organisations.
• Promotion of import replacement, where and when economic and feasible.
• Promotion of the export of welded carbon steel tube and pipe.
• Co-operation without collusion between the members.

South Africa's steel tube and pipe industry- product range

There are currently ten ASTPM manufacturers of welded carbon steel pipe and tube in South Africa. Between them they manufacture the following products:

• Seven manufacture ERW pipes and tubes ranging from 13,5mm NB to 200mm NB.
• One manufacturer produces ERW pipes from 200mm NB to 500mm NB.
• Two manufacturers of spirally welded DSAW pipes from 600mm NB to 3000mm NB.
• There is one manufacturer of seamless carbon and low alloy steel pipes up to 150mm NB.
• Structural hollow sections in a full range of standard sizes from 63,5mm OD to 508 OD with square and rectangular derivatives.

Contact details: ASTPM

The Association

Sassda, (Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association), is one of the most active stainless steel industry associations in the world and has since 1964, been involved in increasing the awareness and use of stainless steel in Southern Africa.

It offers its members a wide variety of services, the most notable of which are technical information and advice, education, training and skills upgrading, a range of publications and market, industry and business development support.

The Association is governed by a Constitution with an elected Main Committee having control of its affairs. Drawn from this Main Committee, and reporting to it, is an Executive Committee, each member of which is responsible for a particular portfolio such as finance, education, publications or market development.

Sassda's head office is in Rivonia where, under the management of the Executive Director, a permanent staff handles day to day affairs. It is also assisted by consultants operating out of various regions.

Membership of the Association, which is subject to ratification by the Main Committee, is open to both national and international companies and individuals, in good standing involved in the production, distribution, fabrication, conversion and use of stainless steel.

Sassda, which is a non profit-making body, derives its income from a variety of sources. These include membership subscriptions, a levy on the sale of domestic stainless steel and income from publications, education and technical activities.

Where appropriate, Sassda members are grouped into one of several industry sectors, the members of which meet on a regular basis to discuss areas of common interest. Each sector appoints a chairman who represents that sector on the Main Committee.

Individual sectors, which are allocated budget funds according to their needs, are responsible for directing Sassda's activities in areas such as market research, sector promotion, workshops, seminars and government liaison in respect of trade practices, duties and incentives.

Sectors are also encouraged to produce brochures on their capacity and activities as a way of making the market aware of their capabilities.

There are 10 sectors currently active but additional sectors can be formed whenever the need arises.

• Architectural, Building & Construction

• Capsec - Cape Stainless Equipment Cluster
• Catcon Interest Group
• Consumerware
• SASSFA - (Southern African Stainless Steel Fabricators Association)
• SATCA - (South African Tank Container Association)
• Surface Finishing Sector
• Tube and Pipe Manufacturers
• Welding

Sassda offers a number of services, which fall under four main headings:

SEIFSA is an employer federation that represents and promotes the interests of our members in the metal and engineering industry. We do this by negotiating collective agreements with trade unions and providing a range of other services to members in the areas of social policy, skills development and economic and commercial services on both a collective and individual company basis.

To be the recognised voice of the metal and engineering industry, the recognised negotiator of industry agreements and the first choice provider of services.

• Recognised voice:

  • Views are heard and taken seriously at national level by government, other employer federations and trade unions;
  • Views are seen as being representative of the industry's employers as a whole.

• Recognised negotiator of industry agreements:

  • Negotiations with trade unions at national level result in effective, fair and responsible conditions of employment and benefit fund arrangements. Skills development policies and programmes are beneficial to members in developing their employees' skills.

• First choice provider:

  • Services are widely recognised by membership as providing:
  • advice and guidance which is relevant to company needs, practical and user friendly;
  • The best levels of knowledge and expertise available; and
  • The best value for money.

• Low carbon wire
• Formed wire products
• High carbon wire
• Fasteners
• Automotive wire products

• Act as a voice for the wire industry to all stakeholders.
• Identify industry threats (imports).
• Identify export opportunities.
• Support industry in export promotion / market research.
• Support industry in pre-active dumping management as well as in resolving dumping claims should they arise.
• Act as a forum for industry communication and networking.
• Supporting government drives (SMME's, BEE, creating job opportunities, growing foreign exchange earnings) within existing industry interest.
• Creating and maintaining a support base of skills and infra structure to succeed in the export process.
• To obtain, maintain and share with it's members market intelligence relevant to the wire industry.