A sassda facilitated visit by one of its members, Kenyan-based stainless steel fabricator Desbro Engineering to a number of South African counterparts has resulted in a training partnership between the South African Institute of Welding (SAIW) as part of a joint initiative to boost the skills base within the Kenyan stainless steel sector.
The visit also resulted in Desbro securing a more satisfying primary supplier contract with a local stainless steel producer that will see the companyâs production cycle benefit from shorter lead times and reduced duties. Desbro has also been able to liaise with local fabricators resulting in the formulation of technology agreements.
Desbro Engineering CEO Ashu Sennik visited South Africa with a view to partnering with local manufacturers as part of a bigger strategy on his part to grow the current skills base of his Kenyan operation, understand and extend his manufacturing capabilities and purchase new equipment. âI am currently in an expansion phase and looking to upgrade my manufacturing plant to world class production levels. South Africa is a step ahead of Kenyan infrastructure and in terms of skills. I therefore wanted to get some guidance and a better perspective from some of the best people in the business in terms of their operations, similarities and challenges,â? he explains.