PROVIDING THE INTEGRITY IN REINFORCED CONCRETE
South African Reinforced Concrete Engineers ' Association circumstances . Members have identified that the price of steel onto the domestic market has been constraining the growth potential of the downstream engineering industry .
“ Also , the ongoing strength of the rand poses a challenge as it inhibits our export potential . Attention also needed to be given to the high cost ( to company ) of employment and that an exemption arrangement for small companies needs to be negotiated with the trade unions , so that opportunities are created to train the youth to be able to enter the industry .
“ Against this background , it is encouraging that SEIFSA recently established the Economics Forum which will be engaging with members to develop policy positions which could be put to the Government . The view held by industry is that given the right policy interventions , the downstream engineering industry could be strengthened and this , in turn , will lead to an improvement in job prospects . This is critical to the economic wellbeing of the country and because the engineering industry lies at the apex of the productive side of the South African economy ,” Mr Boyes says .
Commenting on some of the most valuable benefits of being federated to SEIFSA , Mr Boyes said being associated with SEIFSA takes care of his Association ’ s interests in national issues , which range from being involved and representing its members in NEDLAC , to BUSA and , more recently , right up to engaging with the ANC ’ s National Executive Committee at Luthuli House . Mr Boyes said that being associated with the economic positions that SEIFSA adopts in monitoring changes to economic trends also guides employers to be able to respond in a rapidly-changing World .
“ Also pertinent to CEFA is the credit control and administration in keeping our membership informed as to what is happening within SEIFSA . Through being federated to SEIFSA , CEFA has employer trustees who serve on MIBFA . I also serve as Chairperson on the MIBFA Investment Committee . CEFA also has two representatives ( Bernard Ashlin and Mervin Moodley ) who serve the industry nationally on the MEIBC ’ s Management Committee , Finance and Administration Committee and Standing Commiee . This , then , also gives CEFA two seats on the Cape Regional Council of the MEIBC .”
Asked if there were certain things that CEFA would never have achieved in the industry , had it not been a member of SEIFSA , Mr Boyes said : “ One only has to look at the recent Wage Negotiations . A threeyear Agreement to 2020 which would not have been achieved for the Metals & Engineering Industry as a whole without a strong Federation . This SEIFSA offers to its member Associations and to the industry as a whole .”
Mr Boyes also says that 24 June 2020 will mark CEFA ’ s Centenary anniversary .
PROVIDING THE INTEGRITY IN REINFORCED CONCRETE
History of SARCEA
In January 1934 , four reinforcing firms were admitted to the Witwatersrand Master Builders Association . In due course , however the steel reinforcement firms , who were specialist engineering contractors operating both in the building and civil engineering industries , felt that their interests would best be served by becoming affiliated to the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of South Africa ( SEIFSA ).
An Association was constituted on 15 October 1942 with a membership of eight firms . This association was registered with the Industrial Registrar in April 1944 , re-registered with the Industrial Registrar under the Labour Relations Act of 1956 and subsequently in terms of the Labour Relations Act 1995 ( Act 66 of 1995 ).
SARCEA Today
The reinforcing industry has advanced technologically , particularly in the handling , quick and efficient cutting , bending and placing in position of reinforcing bars . Members still face challenges similar to those faced by previous generations . Today however , the problems are of greater complexity and are solved at a greater pace .
It is through affiliation to , and active participation in SEIFSA , MBSA and SAFCEC , that the various SARCEA committees make their contribution to our industry , the construction industry in general and indeed to the whole country .
The Associations congratulates SEIFSA on its 75th Anniversary .
+ 27 11 455-6321 sarcea @ iafrica . com
SEIFSA SEIFSA AT 75 AT 75 - SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE MAGAZINE www . sarcea . co . za
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