Steinmüller Africa has again demonstrated its industry-leading fabrication expertise and its specialised welding capabilities: the company has completed over 51 000 pressure-containing butt welds – all to X-ray quality standards – under its boiler service contract with Eskom.
Steinmüller Africa’s welding team celebrates excellence –recognised for their outstanding skill and dedication.
With a current total of over 60 000 butt welds across all contracts, Steinmüller Africa remains a leader in the scale and quality of its output. The statistics recorded represent its consistent delivery this year under demanding conditions and tight deadlines.
Key to this performance is the strategic deployment of welders and the rotational use of experienced artisans across critical boiler zones, ensuring efficiency and quality control.
Steinmüller Africa employs up to 350 welders at peak outage periods to meet production targets across several power stations, including Kendal, Kriel, Hendrina, and Kusile.
Traditionally, welders are expected to produce between eight and ten butt welds per shift. However, Steinmüller Africa’s welders have been completing 20 or more per day – a testament to the company’s high-performance culture.
“This milestone reflects a level of operational excellence and skilled craftsmanship unmatched in the industry,” said Orifuna Netshifamadi, Senior Welding Engineer at Steinmüller Africa. “Our teams are delivering the quantity and at the same time they are maintaining strict quality standards under immense pressure – literally and figuratively.”
Quality assured
Steinmüller Africa's training and quality assurance processes are central to this success. Each year, the company’s training centre in Bethal produces a new generation of artisans who are rigorously trained using custom-built boiler simulators. The simulators replicate real working conditions for different boiler types, enabling welders to perfect their technique in a controlled, high-fidelity environment.
“The simulator training programme facilitates a continuous revival of the welder’s craft,” noted Netshifamadi. “Welding is an art and – as for any artist – practice is essential. Our systems ensure the welders are ready when critical projects arise.”
In addition to ongoing training, Steinmüller Africa implements intensive quality assurance protocols. Each single repair is investigated, with every weld undergoing strict examination – including X-ray inspection – to ensure compliance with pressure containment requirements.
Capability inspires confidence
This level of performance has consolidated Steinmüller Africa’s reputation as the leading boiler maintenance contractor in the region. The company continues to be awarded strategic contracts by Eskom based on its proven reliability and results-driven culture.
Looking ahead, Steinmüller Africa aims to maintain its high-volume production while reducing the average Weld Repair Rate (WRR) to below 2% at each site. A strong focus remains on mentoring and gradually integrating newly qualified welders into the production workflow, ensuring sustainable talent development and industry longevity.
Netshifamadi says, “There is no manufacturing team with grit like Steinmüller Africa’s when it comes to high-intensity, high-quality production. In power generation, time is of the essence – so are results. Our team delivers both, consistently.”
For more information visit: https://steinmullerafrica.com
