mrmnewsletterno32004.. - Mabati Rolling Mills

MABATINEWS
An In-house Newsletter Issue No. 3, Vol 1 2004
Social Concern
AIDS at the Workplace
News from South Africa

FROM THE EDITOR
Editorial
Our newsletter is out again to give you more news and
views from MRM. We continue to tap into the well of
knowledge through seminars, workshops and shake-ups
to raise the bar in all aspects of our operations, hence enabling
us to retain market leadership though quality products and
service delivery. With the current upheaval in prices and the
seemingly uncertain economic future, it is necessary that we
continually go back to the drawing board. Read more information
on this inside.
Corporate Social Responsibility continues to rank high at
MRM. Among the programmes are HIV/Aids sensitization
workshops, which continue to run in Mariakani and will soon be
introduced in Nairobi. Alleviation of poverty housing programmes
are being tackled more aggressively through the partnership with
Habitat for Humanity, while access to computer literacy is now a
reality for the students in Mariakani and Kitui.
We highlight the harrowing experiences of some of our own
staff members with carjackers as we look at increased insecurity
in Kenya.
Surprisingly, despite the invitation, we did not receive any
correspondence from our dealers. However, the offer is still open.
We welcome your opinion.
Finally, we give you the first glimpse into a series of articles
featuring our SAFAL group of companies which is a part of the
Comcraft group of companies. Starting with South Africa, this
series will allow you to conceptualise the global nature of the
SAFAL group, of which you are a part.
Good reading.
George Mathew
Contents
2 z Word from the Editor
z Creating Synergy with Professionals
3 z Word from the CEO
z Mr. Kaushik Apppointed to Standard Chartered
Board
4 z Marketing team takes on a new face
z Export Sales
5 Gemba Awards: Teams Awarded
6 Social Concern
z Building in Kisii
z Dumu ZAS comes to the rescue in Gatundu
z MRM-EIB Technical Institute officially
opened
z Computers for Rural Kitui
8 z Why a Workplace Programme on HIV/Aids
is necessary today
10 Insecurity: Carjackings on the Rise
11 z Training
12 z News from South Africa
CREATING SYNERGY WITH PROFESSIONALS
At the MRM stand: Hon. Raila Odinga confers with MRM Chairman, Dr.
Manu Chandaria as the MRM CEO, Mr. Kaushik Shah, Mr. Ashok Sood
(middle), Senior Marketing Manager and Mr James Okelo, the Technical
Marketing Officer
MRM Ltd once more actively participated in the 2004 Annual
Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) Convention held
at Safari Park Hotel, from 31st March to 2nd April, 2004.
The event brought together over 200 key building industry
professionals including Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Engineers &
Planners.
MRM had a display stand at the event showcasing its premium
products. The Chief Guest at the forum, Hon. Eng. Raila Odinga, the
Minister for Roads, Public Works & Housing and most
professionals took time to visit the MRM stand and commented
positively on the products displayed.
Steven Kiruhi, a Technical Marketing Officer with MRM, made a
well received technical presentation to the gathering highlighting the
competitive edge of MRMs range of products.
MRM News | 2

...the price
increase has
been accepted
by the export
market but the
real challenge
lies on the
domestic front...
FROM THE CEO
Mr. Kaushik Shah
The steel industry has recently been
in turmoil, with international prices
soaring in the last six months.
Unfortunately, all signs indicate that the
high prices will continue beyond 2004.
While increased Chinese demand has
continuously pushed up prices, resulting
in a rise of over 50% in raw material
input costs, a noticeable reduction in
demand now is still unlikely to bring
prices down.
This is mainly because most major
economies in the world are doing
extremely well. Japan, USA, Russia,
Europe, India, Korea and several other
steel consuming countries are going
through a period of high domestic
demand.
Therefore, availability of raw material
for Kenyan companies is extremely tight.
The price increase has been
accepted by the export market but the
real challenge lies on the domestic front
where a price increase of only 12-15%
has been effected amidst strong
resistance. This minimal passing of
costs is seriously affecting the bottom
line of domestic sales.
In Kenya, the political front gives
cause for concern. There is still need to
resolve issues like the Constitutional
Review, Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) and other related issues in order
to pave the way for greater focus to be
placed on economic and other urgent
matters, which include insecurity and
corruption.
If these issues are not resolved
quickly, Kenya will loose any remaining
opportunities from the goodwill of the
international community. Resolving these
issues could allow the government to
operate in a more cohesive manner and
focus on priorities like housing,
infrastructure and building the economy
as a whole.
Mr. Kaushik Shah
CEO, Mabati Rolling Mills Ltd.
MRM CEO
APPOINTED TO STANDARD CHARTERED BOARD
Mr Kaushik Shah was in May 2004 honoured with an
appointment to the Standard Chartered Bank Board of
Directors. Mr Kaushik, who is the Chief Executive and a
Director of Mabati Rolling Mills Ltd, is a Fellow of the Institute of
Chartered Accountants and a CPA (K) holder.
He joined the Comcraft Group in 1976 and has held
different positions in Finance, Marketing and Management.
Mr Kaushik is a director of several companies in the
Comcraft Group in Kenya, Uganda and India. He is currently an
Executive Committee Member of the Kenya Association of
Manufacturers (KAM) and Chairman of KAM’s Metal and Allied
Sector and Trade Promotion Committee.He is also a founding
member of the Nairobi Central Business District Association
(NCBDA).
We congratulate Mr Kaushik Shah on this prestigious
appointment.
MRM News | 3

MABATINEWS
MARKETING TEAM TAKES ON A NEW FACE
The marketing department has
recently gone through a major face
lift starting with the top position
changing hands from Mr. M K Pathak to
Mr. B. Suresh who is now the General
Manager (Marketing). With a combination
of engineering, finance and marketing
qualifications, solid marketing experience
in both domestic and export markets, Mr.
Suresh brings in a strong practical and
commercial orientation to the business.
He aims at improving profitability while
ensuring growth of MRM brands in both
the local and export scenario. He also
aims at developing a strong “business
sense and ownership” in his team.
“Everyone must act like a Business
Manager in his/her own context” is what
he emphasizes to his team members.
Other changes are in the role of
product managers with Mr. Kamal
Sharma now handling Galsheet Dumu
Resincot, Corporate Communications ,
Cold Rolled and other Allied products.
Mr. Ashok Sood will on the other
hand handle Simba Mabati and DUMU
brands.
Susan Makau who has been handling
brand management for Simba, Dumu and
the corporate brand (MRM) has left the
company to pursue her career growth in
Marketing Communications. Judy Muriuki
now takes up the role of brand
Mr. Suresh with his team
management for all the products.
Also new on the team is Gabriel
Kipkorir who takes over from Mr. G.S.
Raj as in charge of the Kisumu Service
Centre.
We wish the new marketing team
success in achieving their goals.
EXPORT SALES
REACH RECORD HIGH
Export sales hit a new
record high in May 2004
surpassing last year’s
record in a highly competitive
market environment. This
performance is attributed to
focus on chosen markets,
sharpened logistical operations
and efficient bookings.
We congratulate the team
for their exceptional performance.
The Exports team with Rajat Khanna (inset)
MRM News | 4

GEMBA WINNING TEAMS AWARDED
As you know, Gemba Kaizen workshops have been going
on at MRM since mid last year. Aimed at reducing or
eliminating waste of any form (Muda) from our
contextual work place (Gemba), this programme will be
completed at the end of 2004. By this time, high efficiency
levels and great savings are expected in each element of
MRM’s operations.
Now that we are in the middle of the programme,
recognition has been given in areas where significant changes
towards achieving this objective have already been observed.
MABATINEWS
Mariakani Winning Team: Wild Doves
Project: Pull manufacturing
Nairobi Wining team: Kupunguza
Project: Non prime Generation and
Management.
Leader: Sanjay Roychoudary
Members: G M Njiri, Shokat Sodawalla, Joel Kiplangat, Ephraim Musanya,
Elijah Tsuma, Rachel Muthoni
This team has effected a Japanese concept known as Kan
ban, which is able to achieve a smooth synergy between
sales and the final production.
Mariakani Winning Team (Tied)
Leader: George Mathew (inset)
Members: Abdul Rasul, Gerald Gakima, Peter Mbithi,
Samson Nzioki, Paul Wanjohi
This team has introduced new systems in the
production process, which have reduced output of
non-prime coloured sheets.
Project (a): Loading of export
containers.
Introduced an efficient system of
loading containers
Project (b): Auto shear line.
This team introduced the shearing
line
Team Leader: S. M. Kansara
Members: Vishram Ladhani, Jeremiah Kapala, Ebrahim Odhiambo,
Majuma Amir, Isaiah Muriithi
MRM News | 5

MABATINEWS
SOCIAL CONCERN
BUILDING IN KISII
Agroup of MRM staff recently
travelled all the way to the rural
village of Nyamemiso in Kisii,
accompanied by the popular radio
personality Nyambane to help a poor
family build a house.
Organised jointly with Habitat for
Humanity, this is part of a programme
that aims at alleviating poverty through
the provision of housing. Through
community-based groups, the NGO
identifies needy families living in substandard
housing and advances loans to
them. This becomes repayable over a
10-year period through a monthly
repayment of approximately Ksh500
(equivalent to a bag of cement). The
money repaid in this way goes into a
revolving fund that is then used to build
other homes.
MRM has facilitated the growth of
the fund by supplying DUMU ZAS (2nd
quality) at
special
subsidised
prices. By
helping the
homeowners
build their
homes, MRM
also saves
them the cost
of labour while
allowing staff an
opportunity to
understand their plight and actively
participate in helping them.
Since we started the collaboration in
June 2003, sheets valued at Ksh1.2m
have been supplied through this
scheme.
DUMU ZAS has been received very
well particularly in the Kisii region,
which now has the highest number of
From Left: Dogo Khan from Shabana Hardware, Nyambane of KISS 100FM, Paul
and Francis form MRM put up the roof of a home owner.
beneficiaries from this project. Since
December 2003, 70 houses have been
built and another 85 are expected to
have been completed by June 2004.
The project expects to build 3,000
houses for poor families all over rural
Kenya in the next two years.
Long live the MRM/Habitat for
Humanity partnership!
DUMU ZAS COMES TO THE RESCUE IN GATUNDU
It was a warm Saturday afternoon,
and Mr Ngugi and his cronies were
drinking uji in his compound. They
could hear the sound of a helicopter
high up in the sky… Nothing unusual,
they thought, and so they continued
laughing and chatting away about the
politics of the day.
Then there was a loud crash. The
men took to their heels in bewilderment,
their uji forgotten. Once they were a safe
distance away, they gingerly retraced
their steps, to find out the problem. They
were shocked to discover a huge hole in
Mr Ngugi’s roof. As they approached the
wreck, they realised in shock that the
door of the helicopter that they had
heard passing overhead just moments
before, had fallen on the house. The
door was marked ‘Kenya Police’.
To everyone’s surprise, the
helicopter took off, leaving Mr Ngugi
with practically no roof on his humble
Mr. Ngugi and his wife receive sheets from the Mabati Team(Susan and Judy) and its thumbs up for
Nyambane (behind)
dwelling. Having nowhere to turn, Mr
Ngugi brought the matter to the attention
of Kiss FM who reported it on air,
soliciting a response from the Police. As
nothing was forthcoming, MRM and
Kiss FM took it upon themselves to
replace Mr Ngugi’s roofing sheets.
This is how Susan and Judy teamed
up with Nyambane to travel to Gatundu
one Sunday morning in May to give the
unfortunate man the roofing sheets he
required to repair his roof.
Mr Ngugi is eternally grateful to
MRM for the generous gesture and to
Kiss FM for reporting it.
MRM News | 6

SOCIAL CONCERN
MRM-EIB TECHNICAL INSTITUTE OFFICIALLY OPENED
For some time now, MRM has been working towards
establishing a credible and reputable training institute for
the students and residents of Mariakani and sorrounding
areas. This project is one, among others, that MRM is
undertaking under a financial tie-up with the European
Investment Bank (EIB). Under this agreement, a third of the
interest paid to EIB goes to community projects in Mariakani.
EIB was one of the financiers of the new Continuous
Galvanizing Line (CGL), making an investment of Euro 9.0
million out of a total capital cost of US$30 million.
On 7th April 2004, a director of the Comcraft group, Mr D. P.
Shah inaugurated the first academic programme of the institute.
Senior management staff of MRM also attended the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Shah reiterated the
commitment of the directors and management to the welfare of
staff, their families and the communities in which we operate. He
also urged students to make the best use of the opportunity.
The Centre has started computer classes. Computer literacy
is a basic requirement to get into any decent employment yet it
is not offered in the rural schools. Classes will be tailored to the
needs of students, allowing them to attend during school
holidays.
The future plan is to introduce vocational training courses
such as carpentry, welding, plumbing, electrical wiring and so
on, thereby creating the much needed culture of selfemployment.
Mr. DP Shah officially opens the computer classroom. Looking on are Mr D P
Deo, General Manager Production and Mr S Surya, Production Manager,
Mariakani Plant.
The MRM-EIB Technical Institutes principal, Mr Simon Vareed Mulangan
(standing) takes his first group of students in a computer class.
MABATINEWS
COMPUTERS FOR RURAL KITUI
MRM’s systems administrator, Mr Sam Kamau, shakes hands with Mr Japhat Masya (EBS, OGW)
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Itoleka Girls Secondary School, Kitui Central on presenting
computers to the school. Looking on is Mr Peter Kilonzi, a member of the school board and an
engineer with the production department of MRM. The presentation took place in MRM offices.
Itokela Girls Secondary is located
in the heart of a rural settlement
named Itokela in semi arid Kitui
District. The population is high but
agricultural activity is the only
subsistence, hence the poverty
index is very high and stimulation of
education is critical to the
development of the community. With
these computers, the school will
become a centre for computer
literacy, spreading beyond the
students to the wider community.
With a boarding facility for 140
girls, the school was founded by the
AIC church in 1986.
MRM News | 7

Why a Workplace Programme on HIV/Aids is necessary today
MABATINEWS
Mr. P. Deo, General Manager Production introduces the spouses of Mariakani Staff to HIV/AIDS sensitization workshop
Kenya, like most developing
countries, has been devastated by
the HIV/Aids problem in the
workplace mainly due to lack of early
recognition of the problem and
mobilisation of the available resources to
tackle it. For a long time, policy-makers
wasted time denying the presence and
importance of the problem. Players in the
industrial and commercial sectors and
other employers also ignored it until it
started impacting upon their valuable
human resources.
What is the impact?
The major economic impact of Aids is
attributed to the fact that the pandemic
mostly affects the productive sector of
society. Apart from the immediate
members of the family who lose a
breadwinner, employers incur great
losses in terms of human resources as
experienced and trained members of staff
are either disabled by HIV/Aids-related
aliments or die of the disease.
Survey results indicate that by mid
2002, all major companies or
organisations that had 250 employees or
more in Kenya’s major industries and
business establishments had lost at least
45 employees to Aids, people in whom
they had invested heavily and depended
on. Projections show that by the year
2010, if the trend continues, the same
organisations will be losing about 40% of
what would have been their gross profit
due to HIV/Aids-related hospital bills and
human resource losses through
HIV/Aids-related disability (reduction in
productivity) and death of staff members.
What can be done?
One of the main strategies recommended
and adopted by the international Aids
programming fraternity for prevention is
to conduct workplace intervention
programmes for companies and
organisations. Programmes target both
the employer and the employee, including
behaviour change communication – in
other words information, education and
communication (IEC) – on the problem.
Interpersonal communication is one of
the most effective ways of educating
people, influencing them to adopt or
maintain appropriate behaviour and also
influence others in a trickle-down effect.
Workplace intervention programme
on HIV/Aids has become one of the most
effective strategies in the struggle against
the spread of HIV among the most
economically active members of society
and the general population at large.
Employers have the obligation to
implement Aids workplace programmes
not only as a way of investing in their
employees and preventing loss of human
resources, or as a mere cost-cutting
measure in anticipation of future medical
costs, but also as a social responsibility
to society; a matter of being part of the
concerted effort to fight the common
enemy of the nation and society to which
the company owes its very existence.
MRM News | 8

The workplace as a
community place
The workplace does influence people’s
attitudes, behaviour and social practices.
The production floor, the newsroom, the
workshop, the office, etc, are not just
places where people move their limbs,
put ink on paper and exercise their brains
to earn their living; they are also the
areas where people get socialised into
certain micro-cultures. In workplaces,
employees gossip, exchange information
and succumb to peer pressure on
prevailing issues and trends.
Through working and socialising
together, people develop comradeship
and share a common identity. The
workplace then becomes an alternative
community for the employee. Whatever
is acquired at the workplace eventually
permeates the larger community through
social and other modes of interaction
between the employees and the external
environment. The workplace therefore
provides one of the best arenas for
conducting information, education and
communication (IEC) and other
complementary activities to combat the
spread of HIV at that particular place of
work and in the wider community.
Representative from ‘Amkeni’ Kenya, addresses staff during HIV/AIDS sensitization workshop in
Mariakani
Workers tend to regard their fellow
workers not only as colleagues in terms
of duties and responsibilities in
performing tasks to produce certain
results, but also as comrades vis-à-vis
the forces and issues that emanate either
from the external or internal environment
and impact upon them commonly. This
is why they are ready and willing to
gather and listen to their colleagues in
times of crisis.
Social research on the problem of
Aids has revealed that one of the most
effective ways of combating the spread
of HIV is by implementing sustainable
preventive programmes in places of
work. The design of such a programme
should incorporate IEC activities
(including counselling to those who are
in need), condom promotion and
distribution, and training of a
proportionate number of employees to
carry on with the same activities after
the implementing agency has conducted
the base of the intervention programme.
Gakii Kiogora, Community Aid
International.
MABATINEWS
MANAGEMENT JOKE
Aman in a hot air balloon realized
he was lost. He reduced altitude
and spotted a woman below. He
descended a bit more and shouted,
“Excuse me, can you help me? I promised
a friend I would meet him an hour
ago, But I dont know where I am.” The
woman below replied, “You ‘re in a hot
air balloon hovering approximately 30
feet above the ground. You’re between
40 and 41 degrees north latitude and
between 59 and 60 degrees west longitude.”
You must be in Information
Technology,’ said the balloonist,
“everything you told me is, technically
correct, but I’ve no idea what to make
of your information, and the fact is am
still lost. Frankly, you’ve not been of
much help at all. If anything you’ve
delayed my trip. The woman below
responded, “You must be in
Management.” “I am,” replied the balloonist,
“but how did you know?’
Well,” said the woman, “you don’t
know where you are or where you’re
going. You have risen to where you are,
You made a promise, which you have
no idea how to keep, and you expect
people beneath you to solve your problems.
The fact is you are in exactly the
same position you were in before we
met, but now, somehow, it’s my fault.”
MRM News | 9

MABATINEWS
INSECURITY CARJACKING ON THE RISE
According to recent police reports, 63 vehicles are
carjacked weekly in Nairobi. Those who have been
carjacked speak of terrifying experiences at the hands of
criminals, miraculous escapes or missing death by a whisker.
Today’s carjackers are so brazen that after roughing up their
hostages, hitting them with gun butts and robbing them of
valuables, they drop them off at the nearest police station and
advise them to make sure they record a statement as required by
law.
Police sources indicate that those involved in carjacking today
are part of well-organised syndicates. They are wealthy and not
your usual scruffy petty criminal.
Three MRM staff members tell their story.
Miriam Kisia, Secretary
1“I had gone to visit my sister who lives in Komorock on a
weekday after work. At 8.30pm she escorted me to the bus
stop where I got into a Nissan matatu. There were four
passengers: two men at the back, one at the front and a
woman in the middle.
There was absolutely no reason to suspect anything and
we drove up to Kangundo Road junction when all of a sudden
the driver stopped and the men at the back removed their
guns and ordered us to lie down. It was then that I noticed
two men already lying down under the seats who must have
been the real driver and makanga. It was also apparent that
the driver’s co-passenger was part of the team.
Amidst kicks and blows, we gave them all our valuables
while they went on driving for about another hour. They then
stopped and dropped us off in the middle of nowhere after
another thorough beating.
Confused, injured, with no shoes and no money, we began
to walk, not knowing where we were going. A good samaritan
driving along the road heeded our beckoning to stop and took
us to the nearest police station, which turned out to be in
Ruai. The police were kind enough to take us to Kayole police
station where we recorded statements. They then organised
transport to take us all to our respective homes.
Since then, I have never taken a matatu going to
Komorock or Kayole: I always prefer to take a bus.”
Miriam doesn’t feel confident that anything has really been
done about security concerns and can only take precautions
that are within her control.
2
...It
The following carjacking incident happened in broad daylight, in the middle of traffic and in full view of
everyone present at the time.
seems like
every other
person has been
a victim...
“It was 5.15pm, time to go home, and as usual Burhan
Musajee from sales administration offered a lift to his
colleagues. There were four passengers in the car, including
one in the front passenger seat. They branched into Enterprise
Road where the traffic was heavy and slow. When they got to
the railway crossing near Tetra Pak a gang of four to five men
suddenly surrounded the car, brandishing guns at them.
Burhan was ordered out of the car at gunpoint and one of the
gangsters got in and tried to start it. Unfortunately for them,
the car just wouldn’t start. Apparently something was wrong
with the terminal connections.
By this time the traffic had piled up on both sides of the
road as shocked passers-by stared in disbelief, unable to do a
thing about the carjacking that was taking place right before
their eyes. In their frustration, the thugs forced Burhan’s copassenger
and one of those at the back out of the car,
roughed them up and took their valuables. They then walked
casually away.”
This is a clear indication of the bravado carjackers display
today.
Services including Car track and 911 combined with
caution, quick wit and composure should be adopted in
dealing with a carjacking situation. The rest we leave to God.
MRM News | 10

3“It was 12.45am and we had just left a
friend’s place in Westlands, heading
towards our home in Kileleshwa.
As we get onto Chiromo Road we
noticed a Toyota in front of us driving at
a rather slow speed. Due to oncoming
vehicles and bends in the road, we
were not able to overtake and we had
to follow the car, which seemed to be
going in our direction. Just as we
approached a roundabout from which
we would turn onto the road leading
home, we noticed another car behind
us. We continued to drive along,
sandwiched between the two cars,
assuming that the one behind us was
not overtaking for the same reason as
us.
A funny thing happened: the car in
front took the turning to my house and I
became suspicious. Just to be on the
safe side, we took an alternative turn on
the roundabout, drove on a few metres
and came back after a minute or two.
To our surprise we noticed that the two
cars were now parked outside our gate
with two men outside each car,
apparently carrying on a conversation.
Now I realised that something fishy
was definitely going on and I therefore
decided not to approach my gate.
Instead we entered the driveway of a
house a few metres away, on the
opposite side of the road. Just then,
one of the cars quickly reversed,
blocked our path, and two men came
out brandishing guns. My instincts told
me to move and I managed to make a
sharp turn back onto the road and
drove on ahead. Not knowing exactly
where I was going, I entered the first
turning on my left, hoping to get back
to the main road and escape.
Unfortunately the road came to a dead
end.
Just then one of the cars came up
behind us again. For some reason my
instincts told me that I just had to get
away, and I again managed to
manoeuvre my way round the dead
end, turn back but alas! I meet with a
huge deep ditch ahead. In order to go
over it, I reversed slightly, put the car in
first gear and with all the thrust and
power I could give the car, I jumped
over the ditch and got away.
The moment I got to the main road,
I found the second car ahead of us,
trying to block our way. As it attempted
to do so, I veered the car to the side of
the road and took off at full speed. The
chase continued on until we got back
to Waiyaki Way, where they eventually
slowed down and let us go.
We obviously could not go back
...63 vehicles are
carjacked weekly in
Nairobi...
Ashok Sood
Senior Marketing Manager
home and instead spent the night at a
friend’s place.”
This experience has made Sood
extra cautious on the road and he
simply will not trust anyone driving
either behind or in front of him,
especially at night. The other thing Sood
believed is that it was better to escape if
you can. Why? Because you never
know if you are about to encounter
hard-core murderers or moderate thugs.
In the former case, they will kill you
anyway, so you are better off grabbing
any chance as you have nothing to lose
in trying to save your life. In the latter
case, even if they catch you after
attempting to escape, they probably will
rough you up, (at worst) steal your
valuables but thereafter let you go.
MABATINEWS
TRAINING
Group discussions go on during the Time Management Seminar in Nairobi
In an effort to keep up with the dynamics of an ever-changing
competitive business environment, continual improvement in
the work place is necessary and is happening at MRM.
Consultants for Effective Training Ltd (CET) have in the last
two months conducted training for MRM staff, both at Mariakani
and Nairobi, on time management and communication skills. CET,
which has been involved in training for more than 10 years, offers
courses in business related topics including Leadership and
Management, Sales, Marketing and Human Resource
Management, among others.
MRM News | 11

NEWS FROM SOUTH AFRICA
MABATINEWS
Pam Pearce, who is in-charge of marketing at
Safintra has sent in this short write up on our
associate in Africa.
“With three operations in Johannesburg, Durban and
Cape Town, SAFINTRA remains one of the country’s leading
manufacturer and supplier of steel roofing and accessories,
in its niche markets.
SAFINTRA has since its inception in 1991 become
synonymous with quality, service and integrity in the industry.
Mr Ronnie Graham, Managing Director and shareholder,
Mr Greg Fuchsloch, a director, who runs operations in Cape
Town and Mr Charles Domingo who is General Manager of
Durban operations, spearhead the three operations.
All three operations are full manufacturing concerns able
to offer the end-user a complete roofing solution. This
incorporates all required steel roofing profiles as well as a
complete range of flashings, accessories and rainwater
goods.
SAFINTRA adds a new dimension to the world of roofing
and cladding. The company is constantly involved in product
development and staff training to ensure that products and
service are innovative and of value to our customers, hence
we have also recently introduced ThermoSaf – a
polyurethane insulated panel for modular construction. This
product provides excellent insulation qualities and is quick
and easy to install. Thermosaf can be used in a wide range
of applications, including chicken farms, schools and
recreational facilities, among others. Safintra expects to
increase exports of this product into sub-Saharan Africa.
We have also introduced a mobile mill for our Saflok
700 profile, a concealed fix profile, which can be rolled on
site (up to 100m lengths if required) thereby reducing the
risk of possible transit damage.
Safintra is proud to be an equal opportunity employer in a
diverse country such as South Africa, and is part of the
Comcraft /Bouchard Group. The group has majority
shareholding within the local group and Safintra management
and staff are proud to be associated with them.
Due to ongoing local steel shortages and the escalating
price of steel, the industry is under immense strain. This,
unfortunately, will allow alternative roofing products such as
tiles back into the market, but will increase potentials for
aluminium. The subsequent withdrawal of BlueScope Steel from
the South African market has also been detrimental to the
market.
However, our association with MRM is most beneficial as it
gives us direct access to the zinc aluminium coating plant of
Mabati Rolling Mills in Mombasa, Kenya and we are thus able
to offer a comparative product in the industry.
Together with our partners, we envisage continued growth
and success in our industry, locally and abroad.
I congratulate MRM on the launch of MabatiNews and
certainly look forward to being associated with this medium in
the future. To everyone I have had the pleasure of meeting in
the past – a quick Hello! God’s blessings to all.”
Pam Pearce, Safintra
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