COMPANY PROFILE
2014
R&G
Sheetmetal
Expansion on the horizon
company profile
Expansion on the horizon
Editorial: Lauren Grey Production: Chris Bolderstone
One of South Africa’s biggest metal fabricators, R&G Sheetmetal has invested R25M in upgrading and replacing its machines over the past four years, Managing Director, Geoff Lass tells IndustrySA why investing in modern technology is so important to his business.
In March 2013 it was reported that a staggering one million tons of steel had been imported into South Africa over the course of just one year, indicating that the country’s steel industry was performing far below potential, since the imported steel was not cheaper than that available locally. Since then, the industry has faced other significant challenges which have threatened to exasperate the situation, such as mining and transport strikes and the fire which crippled ArcelorMittal South Africa’s Vanderbijlpark facility on 9th February 2013. However, despite all of these challenges, industry leader R&G Sheetmetal has out-performed many of its local competitors and increased productivity by 150% over the past year. Founded in 1987, the company is one of the largest sheet metal concerns in South Africa, specialising in sheet metal fabrication, powder coating, tooling, ridgidizing and tube bending. It manufactures for a wide range of industries including Electrical, Locomotive, Banking and Signage and has recently branched out in the field of CNC machining and turning.
PAGE 2 MAR 14
ONE-STOP SHOP R&G Sheetmetal Managing Director, Geoff Lass says that the company was established 27 years ago in order to satisfy the demand for sheet metal required by his previous company. “At the time I was working for a company which operated in a different industry. We were buying sheet metal products but the suppliers were not necessarily able to meet our requirements, so it seemed sensible to set up our own company, and it grew from there.” R&G Sheetmetal has since become one of the most diversified companies in its industry after Lass sold 47.5% of the company to his employees six years ago. It also boasts a large portfolio of services, rendering it a one-stop shop, capable of completing the most complex jobs in-house. “We are very proud to say we are a one-stop shop; we have a large number of related skills and can offer a diverse range of services to our customers.” One of the company’s biggest projects to date is with the Medupi and Kusile power stations, in which it is providing all of the ducting. Previous ventures include the first domestic terminal constructed at Johannesburg airport.
R&G Sheetmetal
TECHNOLOGY As a leader in the sheet metal fabrication industry, it is important for R&G Sheetmetal to keep up-to-date with advances in technology, which is why the company recently made a R25M investment on its machines. “We have spent R25M over the last four years to ensure that we are using the best possible machinery with the most advanced technology. This investment has had a huge impact on the business as it has allowed us to increase our productivity,” explains Lass. The company now boasts some of the most advanced fabrication machinery in Southern Africa, including laser cutters, 25 ton presses, and robotic welding arms. This technology allows the company to get through large volumes of work, whilst maintaining the highest standards of production. Modern technology also makes a difference to the client, as it means that both the cost and time of production is minimized, allowing for more affordable prices and quicker service delivery. R&G Sheetmetal also boasts its own range of CNC machines. This allows its engineering department to
machine at close tolerances whilst maintaining high levels of production. Doing this enables R&G to specialise in bulk production of even more specialised products with minimum samples or prototypes. Furthermore, the CNC machines enable R&G to do 3D machining, as well as to design and produce tools for its in-house needs, and for the needs of its clients. “We have replaced all of our old machines with modern machines, and since doing this we have increased our productivity up to 150% in some areas,” explains Lass. “We have also very recently commissioned a new laser, which cuts up to ten times faster than our previous machine.” To accompany the laser and further increase productivity and lower outgoing costs, R&G has installed a nitrogen generating plant, allowing the company to produce its own nitrogen. “We have just recently put in a nitrogen generating plant for our laser so that we can make our own nitrogen and that’s saving us between R40-50,000 a month.”
MAR 14 PAGE 3
company profile
LBA G AS Striving to enable productivity Alba Gas & Welding Supplies offers: • GAS o A full range of industrial gases kept in stock. • WELDING MACHINES o Full range of Panasonic, Matweld, Sip and Thermamax machines in stock • WELDING & CUTTING o A full range of gas cutting equipment and accessories are always in stock. • CONSUMABLES o Complete range of welding consumables from the best names in the industry. Email: saleseast@albagas.co.za | malcolm@albagas.co.za Tel: (011)524-0950 / (011)524-0403 Fax: (011)452-1787 7c Tsaka Rd, Sebenza, Edenvale
www.albagas.co.za MAN Vs MACHINE As technology has become increasingly more advanced over the past decade, machines have come to replace man in
“…by keeping up with advances in technology we are able to keep our share of the market, or even increase it” many instances, particularly industry; machines work faster, they never tire and in many cases they never have to stop. However, Lass says that although the steel industry relies on machines to carry out most of the intricate jobs and heavy duty work, they will never replace human hands. “We rely heavily on the use of machines, but machines
PAGE 4 MAR 14
that work faster mean that there is a lot more finishing and transportation involved, so we have actually employed more people since installing the new machines. “We have four robot welders, whereas three years ago we only had one. That means, however, we need more grinders, assemblers and so on. So the technology has actually led to more job creation.” For R&G Sheetmetal, keeping up-to-date with modern technology not only increases its productivity, but it ensures that the company retains its leadership position in the market. “There are a few companies in the market, but it is a huge industry and by keeping up with advances in technology we are able to keep our share of the market, or even increase it.”
EXPANSION PLANS R&G Sheetmetal’s next major development is to expand its premises in order to facilitate the company’s growth, “Since this time last year our turnover has increased by 30-40%, and I foresee it growing again over the next two years. Therefore we need to ensure we can keep up to date with growing demand,” says Lass.
.
Hatch Goba
Amada’s 3-axis linear motor drive system provides unmatched speed and precision – enabled by true closed-loop feedback of the head position directly to the AMNC control.
C UT P ROCESSING T IME IN HALF WITH AMADA ’ S
The 8-station changer automically changes, cleans and calibrates the nozzle based on material processing requirements.
F IBER L ASER .
Amada’s FOL3015AJ 2000w and 4000w fiber laser series is specifically designed for various lot/volume production cutting. Additional benefits of the state-of-the-art system include: • Faster cutting of thin material ( up to 6 times that of a comparable CO2 laser, dependent on the material) • Superior speed and edge quality in material thicknesses of up to 22mm compared to other solidstate systems • P. R.E. (Process Range Expansion) by providing the ability to cut copper, brass, titanium and other materials that were previously difficult to process Amada offer a full range of laser cutting systems from 1kW to 6kW that feature the latest advances in both CO2 and fiber laser technology. Further proof that Amada is uniquely positioned to help you choose the best technology, system, software and automated solution for any sheet metal application.
Port of Ngqura Tel: (011) 453 5459 • Fax: (011) 453 5442 • E-mail: RickFerreira@amadaJHB.co.za • Barry@amadajhb.co.za Stand 225, Albert Amon Road• Millennium Business Park • Meadowdale Ext. 7 MAR 14 PAGE 5
011 452 8055 www.rgsheetmetal.co.za
(0)1603 618 000 info@industrysa.com East Coast Promotions Ltd, Ferndale Business Centre, 1 Exeter Street. Norwich, Norfolk NR2 4QB