OUR
COMPANY
HISTORY
1985
William Battershill started Discount Steel in May 1985 with a very modest R2,000 working capital. The one man business sold rejected tubing to farmers. Over the next 4 years, the product range was expanded to include light sections, which were purchased from the large steel merchants. The client base was shifted more towards light engineering works.
1989
In 1989 the company bought the rented premises which they occupied, facilitating an increase in stock holding. At this stage, certain products were sourced directly from the steel mills at much improved prices. In 1993 import of coil significantly increased volumes and profitability. A cut-to-length line & a slitting line were installed in Pietermaritzburg to offer better service and flexibility to our clients.
1995
In 1995 Garrison Steel was started in Gauteng to get a foot-hold in South Africa’s largest market. The business grew significantly and was in a position to purchase a suitable warehouse facility in Bosworth Street, Alrode in 2002.
1997
Our African footprint started in 1997 with a branch in Lusaka, Zambia, followed by a second branch in Kitwe. In 2000, we set up a franchise in Lubumbashi, DRC, followed by a second franchise in Kolwezi and later that year a third franchise was set up in Harare Zimbabwe.
2001
In 2001, the company changed its name from Discount Steel to BSi Steel.
2007
In October 2007, BSi listed on the ALTx stock exchange in Johannesburg. R100m was injected into the company, providing the cash for further expansion. A portion of this cash went into buying our 23 hectare site in Klipriver & construction of a 36,000sqm warehouse & office block. Our processing division Shearcut was formed, followed by the installation of a number of large processing lines over the next few years.
2009-2014
From 2009 to 2014 BSi embarked on an aggressive growth strategy. Branches were opened in Ghana, Mozambique along with 5 cash & carry operations in the Gauteng region. By the end of 2014 it was apparent the impact of the 2008 global financial crisis would continue to depress markets for the foreseeable future. It was decided to embark on a major restructure, aiming at optimal efficiency – the BSi Steel that emerged was an agile, lean organisation with a clear focus on building and investing in it’s core business and on customer services.
Today
The BSI of today is a unique blend of dynamic family-owned business and large-scale professionally run service-centre. Despite it’s size and geographical spread, BSI has retained it’s family feel , and has a team that shows incredible commitment to the company and it’s leaders. We recognise that our people and our stakeholders are our business – and we invest every day in building partnerships with our customers, suppliers, and staff. We are a proudly African Company, owned and managed by Africans who are passionate and committed to growing and building Southern African and it’s people. We are excited by the potential in our region, and the role we can play in it, today, and well into the future.
GROUP
STRUCTURE
GAUTENG CORPORATE OFFICE
- Corporate
- Controlling & Development
- Corporate Communication
- HR/Legal Compliance Product Management
- Executive HR & Talent Management
CORPORATE OFFICE KWA-ZULU NATAL
- Corporate Taxes
- Finances & Accounting
- Human Relations
- Internal Audit
- Investor Relations & Corporate Communication
- Logistics
- Product Sourcing
- Finances & Accounting
GAUTENG STEEL PROCESSING & DISTRIBUTION CENTRE
- Kliprivier Warehouse & Distribution Center
- Shearcut
- Steel Processing
OPERATIONAL STRUCTURE
- SA Operations
- BSI Exports Ltd
- African Branches
- BSI Lusaka
- BSI Kitwe
- Franchise
- BSI Harare
- Prosteel Lubumbashi
- Prosteel Kolvezi
Our Vision & Mission
VISION
We will forge a steel icon through enduring partnerships.
MISSION
We are a human-centred, client-focused enterprise, dedicated to delivering competitive steel solutions that meet our clients’ diverse needs. We invest in the lives of our people, the communities we live in and the sustainability of our environment.
TRANSFORMATION
A thriving South African market is vital for our sustained business growth. To enhance our standing, we’ve focused on skill development (through learnerships, internships, and training for the disabled) and fostered enterprise projects that align directly with our goals. BSi Steel is dedicated to transformation.
WE BELIEVE IN
Agility
Authenticity
Empowerment
Partnership
Sustainability
Our Culture
WE ARE A HIGH-ENERGY, HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPANY
BSi Steel is a high-energy, high-performance company. Everything we do is measured to determine the degree of success and alignment to overall company goals. Where results are not achieved as expected, we take swift action to correct performance and enable future delivery so that the end objective is reached.
To remain competitive, stay current with evolving technology and be recognised as an employer of choice, BSi Steel acknowledges the critical importance of strategically aligned skills development and training for all our staff. Our primary focus within this strategy is to facilitate the advancement of our employees, helping them achieve their personal growth goals and develop long-term careers within the company. The creative sourcing and retention of talent within the various operations will as always play a major part in the success of the business. It is our belief that our unique company culture needs to be nurtured and sustained at all times in order for us to be seen by all stakeholders as the Employer of Choice within our industry.
The BSi Steel team values our customers, creativity, hard work, a positive attitude and empowerment with accountability. However, this is balanced with a stimulating and fun environment which ensures that coming to work is both fulfilling and enjoyable.