ALUMINIUM FEDERATION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (AFSA)

The Aluminium Federation of Southern Africa is the voice of, and the gateway to, the South African Aluminium industry.

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A technically competent and well-established world class industry capable of consistently producing over 1,30 million tonnes of quality Aluminium products each year, South Africa’s Aluminium industry comprises more than 500 significant companies. These are well served by a sophisticated infrastructure and communications network – all geared to expedite efficient trading and delivery anywhere in the world.

AFSA’s members are companies operating in any sector of the aluminium industry that covers the full range of activities from primary aluminium production, through secondary smelting [effectively scrap recycle], semi-conversion [effectively the rolling sector], casting, fabrication, extrusion and surface finishing.

The South African aluminium industry focuses on:

• Growing and developing a co-operative and outward orientated industry;
• Being well promoted both in terms of the material (aluminium) and the industry; and
• Adding down stream value.

The Purpose of AFSA is to promote both the use of aluminium and the Southern African aluminium industry, regionally and internationally, and in doing so to represent and defend the interests’ of its members.

The Key Roles of the Federation, and the sector Associations acting under the aegis of AFSA, are to:

• Facilitate, assist and support growth initiatives (in an enabling climate for all stakeholders) both regionally and internationally.
• Promote the awareness of aluminium, its application and the aluminium industry with input from the industry role players.
• Assist and participate in knowledge transfers: generic technology, product development and information and statistics, via working linkages / synergies (often working with champions).
• Facilitate and advise in areas of education and training at appropriate levels.
• Make mandated representations for the Industry on relevant matters and especially key national issues.

AFSA has a marketing strategy that promotes Aluminium to be the material of choice and co-ordinates the promotional activities of the various sector Associations, plus the development of commercial and educational material. AFSA has a technical library that supports the industry and has a database of the aluminium industry of South Africa.

AFSA’s members are grouped into one or more Industry sector Associations namely the Aluminium Casters, Extruders, Fabricators, Sheet Product and Surface Finishers Associations.

AFSA’s Associations concern themselves with the development of their industry sectors by:

	Holding regular meetings between industry members to deal with matters of common technical or industry interest (within Competition Act limits) and sector promotion,
	Working with organisations such as the CSIR [Light Metals Development Centre], SABS, Mintek, Universities & Technikons and relevant specialist SA Institutes that can support the Associations’ efforts such as the Institutes of Foundrymen, Corrosion, Welding, Water, Architecture,
	Initiating and supporting research into related technology,
	Seeking to improve and standardise industry operational standards with emphasis on quality standards such as ISO 9000:2000 and those specific to their industry - continuous improvement of the industry being a primary focus,
	Building on successful new developments in the local aluminium industry,
	Developing education courses with various tertiary education establishments and other recognised training institutions,
	Supporting local down stream value addition - based on locally sourced primary and recycled materials,
	Ensuring government interaction regarding trade practices, duties and incentives, and
	Providing a focus on local and overseas market opportunities.

Gaining a place in overseas export markets is a major issue. In this regard AFSA works closely with the South African Department of Trade and Industry, which provides considerable support to AFSA’s efforts and those of its members. Where relevant, strategic alliances have been forged with a variety of technology-based institutions, international aluminium organisations and overseas companies.

 

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