Special Steels, a prominent national supplier of certified steel products to South Africa’s engineering, mining, and manufacturing sectors, is relocating from Wadeville, Johannesburg, to a larger facility in Roodekop. This move addresses the growing demand for its alloy and carbon steel products by providing expanded warehouse space for stock sourced directly from international mills and distributed nationwide. Special Steels’ managing director, Byron Ferguson, highlighted that the new 22,800-square-meter facility offers more than triple the current space, enhancing storage, precision-cutting, profiling, and specialized finishing services while maintaining uninterrupted service.
Key to the transition is crane manufacturer Condra, tasked with supplying three new cranes and refurbishing fourteen others currently in use. These cranes, essential for the operations at Special Steels, will be delivered, installed, and commissioned in alignment with the phased relocation. The refurbishment involves expanding crane spans by 1.5 meters and increasing hoist lifting heights to 8.5 meters to fit Roodekop’s wider bays. Additional modifications include inspection and realignment to ensure operational reliability.
In September, Condra delivered three newly manufactured cranes, including two 10-ton units with 29.4-meter spans and a 25-ton crane spanning 18.3 meters, with subsequent refurbishments scheduled for delivery through January 2025. As part of the move, Condra will also relocate three jib cranes, further supporting uninterrupted operations. The choice to refurbish cranes allows immediate cost savings, extends the lifespan of familiar machinery, and integrates enhancements like digital load readouts, variable frequency drives, and remote control. Refurbished Condra cranes come with a two-year guarantee, ensuring reliability and continuity for Special Steels’ expanded operations.
