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Multi Alloys and Energy Engineered Products (EEP) are enjoying the benefits of their move to newer and larger premises while still remaining in the same Midrand-based Kyalami Business Park where the two companies have been successfully trading for some 20 years.

EEP, a leading stockist and distributor of stainless steel round bar, stud bar, pipe fittings and valves first moved into Kyalami Business Park in the mid-nineties and was joined two years later by Multi Alloys, when this business was founded to focus on the specialist metals in 1997. “As the sole employee, I then operated from an office that doubled up as a filing room,” laughs Ken. Successful growth and development meant that before long the companies needed more space and they decided to rent a second warehouse. Although an immediate and practical solution to the space problem, management of a warehouse off-site complicated day-to-day operations; within five years this warehouse too became too small. “Business is about people - our customers and our staff,” states Graham Whitty, Director of Business Development at EEP. “We remain steadfast in our belief that the ability to supply customers with only the best in expert advice, product quality and service excellence adds value and is of paramount importance; in order to maintain these standards, the move was on!” Occupation of the new 2500msq premises at # 2 Brands Hatch Close in September last year has doubled warehouse space for the two businesses. “Additional space presents growth opportunities and the move facilitates future expansion of our respective product ranges, improve our stock holding and management as well as our operational performance, and finally and most importantly, enhance our customer service and quality across the board,” affirm Ken and Graham. In addition to providing staff with a safer working environment, the larger premises also present the opportunity to have an improved warehouse layout which facilitates systematic and productive operations and compliance with internal operating procedures. “We have seen improved productivity in executing orders and all our plate stock now remains clean as it is stored indoors. It has also enabled us to improve resource allocation in the operational side of the business.” First ISO accredited in December 2009, both companies successfully achieved re-accreditation in October 2015. 2/…Multi Alloys/EEP_Larger premises 2/…Multi Alloys/EEP_Larger premises Multi Alloys has already seized the opportunity for product expansion, joining in Q4 2015 with the Lincoln Electric Company to stock and distribute a selected range of welding consumables. “This further boosts our ability to offer customers a more compressive range of core products from stock, specifically in the Duplex Grades,” explains Ken. In terms of their decision to remain in Kyalami Business Park, Ken and Graham felt it offers a number of advantages: “The business hub of offices and factories is conveniently located between Johannesburg and Pretoria as well as the East and West Rand and presents a pleasant and safe working environment for our staff. Although we are not located in a traditional industrial area, we find the logistics of this area good and we are able to service a wide region with day to day deliveries. Furthermore we wanted to ensure minimum disruption for our customers and staff who have become used to our Kyalami address.” Coming off the back of a busy and successful 2015 and looking to the future, Ken and Graham agree that in terms of growth opportunities in 2016, the nature of their products means they will be impacted by the downturn in the minerals processing and manufacturing industries, further exacerbated by the downturn in commodity prices. “Nonetheless we are optimistic that the manufacturing industries will improve as a result of improved competitiveness on the back of Rand weakness. We will also keep our focus on selected market segments that we have identified as having good potential for us. There is no doubt that 2016 will be another tough year; we will be focussing on internal processes to make sure that we improve productivity and at the same time improve the “value add” we can offer our customers,” conclude Ken and Graham. Issued on behalf of: MULTI ALLOYS cc SOUTH AFRICA No: 2 Brands Hatch Close, Kyalami Business Park, Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. www.multialloys.co.za Contact: Ken Perel: kenp@multialloys.co.za TEL: +27 (0)11 466 2480 / Alternative: +27 (0)87 985 2428 FAX: +27 (0)11 466 1692 Contact: Graham Whitty - Director of Business Development at EEP grahamw@energyproducts.co.za www.energyproducts.co.za Tel: +27 (0)11 466 1926/Alternative - 087-985-2426 BY: SONIA LAVERICK LAVERICK MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS cc TEL: 011 0400 818 / FAX: 086 671 6831 Email: lavmedia@iafrica.com/ www.laverickmedia.co.za