Special Steels, recognized as a prominent national supplier of certified steel round bars, hollow bars, and plates, is preparing for a significant relocation from its Wadeville site in Johannesburg to a more expansive facility in Roodekop. This move is a strategic response to the growing demand for the company's alloy and carbon steels across South Africa’s engineering, mining, and manufacturing sectors. By shifting to larger premises, Special Steels aims to enhance its service offerings and operational efficiency.
The new warehouse in Roodekop boasts a floor area of 22,800 square meters, providing more than three times the space of the current 7,000 square meters in Wadeville. According to Byron Ferguson, Managing Director of Special Steels, the increased space will not only allow for larger stockholdings but also accommodate specialized equipment essential for cutting, boring, and finishing steel to meet exact customer specifications. "The expanded facility will enable us to improve our precision-cutting and profiling capabilities, as well as our deep-hole drilling and other services," Ferguson stated.
To ensure a smooth transition, Special Steels is executing the move in phases, maintaining uninterrupted steel deliveries to customers throughout the process. A key partner in this transition is Condra, a well-known crane manufacturer. Condra is set to manufacture three new cranes and refurbish fourteen existing ones from the Wadeville warehouse. The careful coordination of crane delivery, installation, and commissioning is vital to maintaining workflow during the relocation.
Special Steels placed the order for the new cranes in July and initiated refurbishments in August. This refurbishment order represents the largest service contract yet received by Condra. The upgrade involves comprehensive inspections and repairs of the fourteen overhead cranes currently in use. Notably, the spans of these cranes will be extended by 1.5 meters to fit the wider bays of the new Roodekop facility, and their lifting heights will increase from 6 to 8.5 meters. This meticulous refurbishment will include checking all mechanical and electrical components, replacing brakes and bearings, and ensuring accurate alignment for optimal performance.
The new cranes being produced for Special Steels include two identical 10-ton units designed to service the same bay, spanning 29.4 meters. Additionally, a 25-ton capacity crane will replace an existing unit from a competitor. These cranes feature advanced capabilities, including variable drives and remote control operations, enhancing the overall efficiency of steel handling within the new facility.
The timeline for the crane refurbishment is structured carefully. The first three refurbished cranes are scheduled for delivery in October, followed by three more in November, four in December, and the final four in January 2025. Each refurbished crane will undergo a detailed process, including removal from the Wadeville warehouse, transportation to Condra’s factory for extensive refurbishment, and eventual reinstallation at the Roodekop location.
With the move to Roodekop, Special Steels aims to solidify its position as a leader in the South African steel market. By investing in new infrastructure and technology, the company is poised to enhance its operational capabilities, improve customer service, and ultimately meet the increasing demands of its clients across various sectors.
