MEDIA RELEASE
27 November 2013
Scaw Metals Group to construct plant in Ghana with a Consortium
South African steel products manufacturer, Scaw Metals Group, will construct a new grinding media
plant in Tema, Ghana. This new plant seeks to significantly increase the company’s grinding media
capacity on the African continent. This move, valued at more than US$40m, is done in partnership
with the Guma Group, a South African player, as well as the Jospong Group of Companies, which is
based in Ghana.
The plant, with an annual capacity of 50,000 metric tons, should become operational within 18 months
and will offer significant job opportunities in the local community. The Scaw Metals Group is the
largest producer of cast high chrome grinding media in the southern hemisphere and is the leading
producer and supplier of high chrome and forged grinding balls primarily to the African platinum,
copper and gold mining industries.
“We are delighted that we will be opening a plant in Ghana and this is outbound investment for a
South African entity. The Ghanaian government has made a great push for the local manufacturing
industry to stimulate economic growth and provide job creation,” says Markus Hannemann, Chief
Executive of the Scaw Metals Group.
The Scaw Metals Group already has a presence in Ghana. The company’s Ghanaian operation was
registered in 2011 as a regional sales office to service the West African region. With offices in Tema,
Scaw Ghana functions as a local point of contact for all of the products manufactured in South Africa
by the Scaw Metals Group that may be in demand in the region.
“From our experience in Ghana thus far, we are certain that we will be able to fully utilise the vast
potential in the region. The skills development we will be providing for the employees of the plant will
make sure that our plant will have world-class standards and have a significant knock-on effect in the
local community,” says Hannemann.
The consortium, which holds 30 percent of the entity, will be given first preference to supply products
and services during construction and thereafter. “We are looking forward to the partnership with the
Scaw Metals Group and supplying the region will grow the business further. We will also look for
other steel beneficiation opportunities in Ghana”, says, Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Chairman, Jospong
Group of companies.
The Guma Group is a Pan-African, black owned multi-disciplinary investment company with
operations globally and across the African continent, employing over 12,000 staff members and
focusing in energy power generation, ICT, infrastructure development, tourism, property real estate
and shopping centre development.
“Our investment showcases the value that partnerships between the private and public sector can
bring to infrastructure development in Africa.
This plant serves as a catalyst for the further
enhancement of business to business relationships, which is much needed for job creation and trade
in the region”, says Robert Gumede, Chairman of the Guma Group.
The consortium will bring additional investment to Ghana by increasing the steel product range,
through a company which will produce other steel related products including Rolled Products (long
steel products, reinforcing bars, low and high-carbon wired rods, reinforcing coil, etc.)
The Scaw Metals Group is the leading producer of forged grinding media in Africa. Demand for forged
grinding media comes predominantly from the gold and copper industries. The forged plant operates
three production lines and sources input bar stock directly from Scaw Rolled Products.
ENDS
Scaw Metals Group
Scaw is a leading South African based integrated steel maker producing highly specialised and critical
consumable components for the mining, rail, power, offshore oil and gas, construction, commercial
and other industrial sectors. The business operates through four product focused business units with
facilities in South Africa. Grinding Media produces high chrome and forged grinding media. Wire Rod
Products produces steel wire rope, chain, wire and strand and other related products for mining,
industrial, construction and offshore oil drilling applications. Cast Products designs and produces a
variety of cast steel products for the mining, metal processing, power generation and railway
industries. Rolled Products is a manufacturer of low and high carbon long steel products.
Website: www.scaw.co.za
Guma Group
The Guma Group is a 100% black owned, entrepreneurial diversified group with interests in Energy
Power Generation, ICT, Infrastructure Development, Tourism, Property Real Estate and Shopping
Centre Development, Water and Sanitation and Mining. The Guma Group today employs over 12000
staff members spread all over the world. The group is headed by its philanthropic entrepreneur,
Chaiman, Robert Matana Gumede.
Guma Group owns the largest integrated tourism company in Africa, called Tourvest, which has
offices globally and is involved in retail, African craft, jewellery, restaurants, hotels, duty free shops
and American Express Foreign Exchange. Tourvest boasts clients such as South African Airways,
Virgin Airlines, British Airways, Singapore Airlines and Kenya Airways.
Tel: +27 12 657 3160
Fax: +27 866 181 314
Email: info@guma.co.za
Jospong Group of Companies
The Jospong Group of Companies was established in 1995 by entrepreneur Dr Joseph Agyepong.
The Jospong Group has grown into an African powerhouse with 32 subsidiaries locally and 8
companies in other parts of Africa and the Middle East. These companies were established in
response to increasing need and demand for quality products and services in the different sectors of
Ghana's vibrant economy.
The Jospong Group currently operates in eleven industries namely; Building & Construction, Printing
& Publishing, ICT, Waste Management, Mining and Quarrying, Oil & Gas, Automobile, Plant &
Equipment, Skill Development, Financial Services, Public Health & Safety and Logistics & Supply
Chain.
Website: www.josponggroup.com
Jospong Group of Companies, P. O. Box C T 8267, Cantonment, Accra
Tel: +233 (0) 302783901 / 054 432 6770
Fax: +233 (0) 302734588
Email:info@jospongroup.com
Issued by:
Dudu Ndlovu, Head of Public Affairs & Communications
Office +27 (11) 621 1524; Mobile +27 (0) 81 035 0579;
d.ndlovu@scaw.co.za
&
Roy Downing, Account Manager: Ogilvy PR
Office: +27 (11) 709 6881; Mobile +27 (0) 73 746 6842;
Roy.Downing@ogilvypr.co.za