It is common knowledge that the past few years have been tough for the steel industry. The contraction in expenditure on substantial local infrastructure and mining projects in particular has challenged the industry. Hot dip galvanizers within the Southern African region as well as our associate and affiliated partners have not been immune to this contraction.
We have however seen a shift in the landscape. Further opportunities are developing in parallel with traditional applications of hot dip galvanizing. New markets are arising in areas such as in the rejuvenation of existing infrastructure. Also the increase in the use of steel not only as the primary medium of construction but also as material for achieving decorative and aesthetic features is gaining traction. The advent of solar parks and other renewable energy developments is being seen as the ‘new’ industrial revolution. Many medium and small enterprises, renowned for adaptability and resilience, in South Africa have chosen to embrace these new opportunities. By embracing these new applications and markets, opportunities for learning and development exists.
The awards submissions clearly demonstrated the level of innovation, engineering excellence and project management which we are capable of achieving. An exciting aspect in many
of the awards submissions were the comments about team work and integration of design team efforts; fabrication skills, hot dip galvanizing and duplexing process controls, which were shared from project inception. This resulted in the delivery of excellent “finished products” as showcased by the projects on display in this edition.
A heartfelt thanks to the team at the Association who collected, collated and presented these projects to the judges. A big thank you also to the judges who gave freely of their time and who had the unenviable task of dissecting excellence to determine category and overall winners.
Very importantly, thanks to the entrants. The submissions of projects for the awards provides the Association with an opportunity to showcase excellence in our industry. This translates into opportunities for the marketing of hot dip galvanizing to designers, architects, engineers and fabricators and to sensitize these decision makers of the wide variety of applications for hot dip galvanizing and duplex coatings.
I am confident that our members and their business partners will continue to participate enthusiastically in this initiative to showcase and grow our industry. Congratulations to all our
participants and well done to the winners. Hot Dip Galvanizing Today places on record and celebrates all the projects, their challenges, solutions and the teamwork that delivered excellent results.
Robin Clarke
The winners of the 2016 Hot Dip Galvanizing Awards are as follows (listed according to categories):