SAIW Member profile: GENMAC
Above: A 42 m boom manufactured and supplied for use on a ship-loader. Right: A complex valve manifold system for a furnace that was manufactured, assembled and pressure-tested in GENMAC’s Richards Bay facility to the client’s specifications.
“It also helps the welders to understand the whole welding process. I can tell the welder what needs to be done, and during the process, we put monitoring systems in place to ensure every aspect of a welding task is carried out thoroughly. At the end of the process, NDT and further quality checks kick in before we send anything to the machine shop or painting plant,” he notes. “ISO 3834 ensures that welding is done as a more in-depth, holistic process, which ensures much better results. On the qual- ity side, problems can be detected much earlier, preventing costly rework. And regarding customers, we can call them in to witness each quality hold point, to demonstrate what we have done, prove we are on track, and provide an opportunity to take part in negotiations on how to take a project forward,” Keegan Govender tells African Fusion. Regarding SAIW’s role in auditing and managing GENMAC’s ISO 3834 accredita- tion, he is very satisfied. “From their side, the SAIW has been excellent, and we don’t have any issues. Shelton and his team are a phone call away. But if they are unavail- able, they always call back and are always helpful. Welding choices and training Since no two welding projects are ever the same, GENMAC prefers manual weld- ing using the semi-automatic GMAW and flux-cored processes. “Manual processes are easier and quicker to implement and control, because robots and mechanised systems all need to be programmed, which takes longer for the type of work we do. We are shifting more and more towards using flux-cored welding wires, though, which, compared to solid wire GMAW, now accounts for 50% of our consumable use,” he adds.
Regarding brands, he says that while premium welding brands such as ESAB are preferred, some clients have their own brand preferences, which GENMAC is happy to accommodate. To retain and develop welding and boiler-making skills, GENMAC runs an ap- prenticeship training programme, using its own skilled welders to upskill and mentor young talent. “As well as being employees, we train our people here, and when they are ready, we send them for their welding or boilermaker trade tests. “It takes about 2 years to train a learner, and they must first complete various theory modules. Once they get shop floor sign-off for their practical abilities, then we can start the process of getting them qualified as Red Seal artisans,” he explains, adding that being a qualified assessor helps him to negotiate the paperwork required by ap- prentices to satisfy trade test requirements. The future outlook There are several titanium companies in the Richards Bay Area that all have expan- sion and local beneficiation plans in place. “Operations are also expanding, so we are very optimistic about future work. “We are a quality-driven company, and we are fully committed to Richards Bay and its youth development. One of our subsid- iaries invites youngsters from our local rural areas to training programs in swimming and sailing, ranging from small boats to large mono- and multihull sailing boats. “At GENMAC, we make the structures of- ten featured on the DStv show presented by The Engineer, and we make these products with commitment to safety, quality, the environment, customer satisfaction, em- ployers and the Richards Bay community,” concludes Keegan Govender. https://www.genmac.co.za/
manufacturing for several years, and as a result, we have now made it easier for our customers. Customers can now order our small, medium, or large barges, and we will then spec them to meet their specific requirements,” he tells AF. GENMAC’s Richards Bay facilities From its Richards Bay facilities, GENMAC has the manufacturing capacity to pro- cess 200-250 t of steelwork per month. “Our facilities sit on 5,000 m 2 of land, with 2x1,000 m 2 under-roof workshops. For heavy fabrication, our first workshop is served by two 10-ton cranes and a 5-ton crane, where our welders and boilermak- ers manufacture and assemble various structures and components. “Our second workshop, with one 5-ton and a 2-ton crane, is a fully fledged machine shop, where we machine various types of components”, he says. Since February 2025, GENMAC has been an ISO 3834-2-certified company under SAIW’s Welding Manufacturer Certification Scheme. “We have also held ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 accreditation for many years before that,” he says. “We like ISO 3834 because it is welding- related. The step-by-step processes you need to follow to ensure weld quality are made clear from the beginning. For much of our business, this certification is not nec- essary, but our clients are now interested in it. We showcase its value to them, with respect to better confidence in the quality produced and better traceability of the processes, procedures and materials used. It helps clients to understand welding as a complex process that has to be tackled in the right way from start to finish,” he says. The value of ISO 3834-2 accreditation
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March-April 2026
AFRICAN FUSION
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