The brightest and best of the Metals and Engineering sector were honoured at the SEIFSA Awards for Excellence on Thursday, November 21 2024 at the Country Club Johannesburg in Auckland Park.
“Awards such as these are a testament to the fact that members remain at the centre of everything that we do, and we are delighted to recognise the industry’s extensive talent and all the hard work done by companies, both large and small,” SEIFSA CEO Lucio Trentini.
Trentini awarded Robert Stone the Lifetime Contribution to the Industry award “for an incredible career and life story and for your invaluable contribution to the Metals and Engineering industry”.
Stone retired from full-time service in 2019 as ZIMCO’s director for sales and marketing after 50 years of service but remains active in SEIFSA and other industry bodies.
This year a Commendation Award was introduced due to the “outstanding quality of entries”, said Nuraan Alli, SEIFSA Marketing Sales and Communications Executive.
“These Commendation Awards allow us to highlight and recognise the incredible work that companies in our sector are doing, even if they are not the primary award recipients.”
Invincible Valves was the winner of the Best Customer Service Award “for their exemplary dedication to transparent, reliable and customer-focused service”, said Alli.
The Company Artisan Award was presented to Macsteel for its School of Steel, which offers specialised training for apprentices and artisans, including opportunities for apprentices with disabilities.
New Age Engineering Solutions received a Commendation Award for “exceptional commitment and dedication to artisan development, equipping young artisans with hands-on training in preparing them for the world of work”.
The Corporate Social Responsibility Award was presented to MiTek, whose Educate to Innovate strategy has created impactful partnerships that support early childhood development and community upliftment.
Kwikot received a Commendation Award for its valuable contributions to education and equality.
The Most Innovative Award went to Macsteel’s for its revolutionary Harvey EcoTile® that is made from 97% waste material and fully recyclable.
Betterect Group won the Commendation Award for its bolted, rubber-lined tank design, which offers a sustainable alternative to traditional tank construction.
The Environmental Award was presented to Malben Engineering, which is a pioneer in sustainable manufacturing and the first local manufacturer to bring green steel to Africa.
HC Group won the Commendation Award for its ANSWR™ CO2 Heat Pump Chiller, which uses CO2 as a natural refrigerant to provide simultaneous heating and cooling, reducing energy consumption significantly.
Dr Jessica Hutchings from Rand Mutual Assurance presented the Workplace Health and Safety Award, which was adjudicated by RMA Prevention Programme. SGB Smith won for its “leadership commitment, employee engagement and proactive safety management”.
JB Switchgear received the Commendation Award for its health and safety interventions and initiatives.
“As an industry grappling with many competing demands, it is encouraging to see the importance still given to health and safety. May we continue to ensure that safety is as an important business imperative as any other,” said Hutchings.
Zizile Lushaba-Nyawo, SEIFSA Human Capital and Skills Development Executive awarded Jodache Govendasamy Bursar of the Year for 2024. Not only did he achieve an impressive 81% average in his second year of a BSc in Actuarial Sciences, he also won for the second consecutive year – “a testament to his consistency and determination”, said Lushaba-Nyawo.
SEIFSA Chief Operations Officer Tafadzwa Chibanguza presented the Business Woman of the Year Award to Pam du Plessis, the CEO of Invincible Valves, who “has fostered a people-centred culture, extending wellness, education, and mentorship initiatives not only to her team but also to the wider community”.
“Pam’s dedication to empowering her team and community, along with her visionary leadership, has truly set her apart,” said Chibanguza.
ArcelorMittal was named the winner of the BRICS Artificial Intelligence (AI) Award, which recognises innovative AI applications that enhance knowledge-sharing and operational efficiency.
ArcelorMittal won the award for its ground-breaking AXEL, an AI-powered knowledge wizard that allows employees to access essential data.
Dian Peach and Ortho-Design won the Young Entrepreneur Award. Peach, who has a Master’s in Biomechanical Engineering, founded Ortho-Design at 23. The company has pioneered the successful design and manufacture of an endoprosthesis for a dog, among other innovations.
“Driven by a passion for innovation in orthopaedics, Ortho-Design became the first company in South Africa to successfully register a soft-tissue fixation range with the FDA, a milestone that, I’m sure you will all agree, reflects Ortho-Design’s commitment to quality and global standards,” said Trentini as he announced the winner.
As the successful evening came to a close, Trentini told guests that SEIFSA had recently been recognised for its own excellence – it won the 2024 Sunday Times Best Place to Work For award.
SEIFSA Awards for Excellence winners:
- Outstanding Contribution to the Industry: Robert Stone
- BRICS Awards: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Adoption in the Metals Value Chain: ArcelorMittal
- Company Artisan of the Year Award: Macsteel
- Business Woman of the Year Award: Pam du Plessis
- Most Innovative Company Award: Macsteel
- Workplace Health and Safety Award: SGB Smith
- Best Customer Service Award: Invincible Valves
- Corporate Social Responsibility Award: MiTek
- Environment Stewardship Award: Malben Engineering
- Young Entrepreneur Award: Dian Peach and Ortho-Design
- Bursar of the Year: Jodache Govendasamy
- Best Overall Apprentice: Given Muligidi, Macsteel Service Centres, electrician
- Best Overall Apprentice: Progress Sithetho Mrudulom, Metso Service Centre, fitter
- Best Female Apprentice: Amukelani Vision Hlungwane, Astec Industries, turner
For further information please visit: www.seifsa.co.za
