HDGASA V7E1.pdf

Member’s NewsRobor restructuring enhances offeringRobor, the largest manufacturer ofsteel tube and pipe in southernAfrica, has announced a restructuringof its operations in order to expandits service offering and deliver acomprehensive, simplified approachto projects.Spearheaded by a new R80 millionfacility and the purchase of state-ofthe-artlaser cutting and highdefinition plasma cutting equipment,the initiative sees all value addedservices grouped under one divisionwith one management structure forimproved efficiency.According to Andrew Winter,Managing Director, Robor SteelServices, the value added serviceoffering, used with much success inits Pipe Systems business unit for thesupply of conveyance systems, isbeing vertically integrated into theentire Elandsfontein operation. “Thismove enables Robor to offercustomers a more comprehensiveservice from one supplier, essentiallybacking our products from start tofinish. We are taking advantage of ourestablished systems and logistics toroll out these services, in effectbecoming part of our customers’supply chain,” says Winter.The Microstep HD Plasma Cutter is idea for providing tube for structural applications and featuresa three dimensional head.project while waiting for othercomponents from other suppliers.”Winter notes that further benefitsinclude better yield and fewer stocklosses. “While a customer can cut orbend our tube themselves, mistakesare often made and more items needto be ordered. This obviouslyincreases their costs and causesdelays. We take that risk away fromthe customer by delivering preciselywhat they order, in the state in whichthey need it and, most importantly,on time,” says Winter.projects on a just-in-time (JIT) basis.This reduces a customer’s stockholding and assists in making theproject more efficient.“We have established ourselves inthe market as a reliable companythat offers consistently good qualityproducts. The addition of theseservices means that we are meetingcustomer demands for acomprehensive supplier and will bedelivering them with the same highstandards,” Winter concludes.In addition to the conventionalservices, such as cutting, ring rolling,bending, hot dip galvanizing,painting and drilling, Robor is able totake a customer’s requirements ordrawings and convert them into asolution that is transported to siteready to assemble.“We are supplying components forprojects, ready to be installed onceon site. The benefit for our customersis cost-effectiveness and improvedefficiency. As the only supplier, wecan ensure better lead times,simplified logistics, lessadministration and better coordination.There are no delays on aRobor has established solidrelationships with sub-contractorsthat are able to offer complementaryequipment and skills should they berequired. “If we don’t have thosespecific resources we use our trustedsub-contractors while still managingthe process to ensure that it isseamless.”The value added service facility isalso available for fabricators anddistributors to use.The company’s resources, establishedsystems and logistics capabilitiesallow Robor to supply to a number ofThe Trumpf TruLaser Tube 7000 laser cuttingmachine is the first of its kind in South Africa.40 Hot Dip Galvanizing Today Volume 7 Issue 1 2010