TWO Western Cape welding fabricators, Lesedi Nuclear Services and GasCon, have been certified to ISO 3834 by the Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW), making them the first companies in this region to be independently certified to international welding fabrication standards.

Lesedi, a Black Empowerment Enterprise employing more than 500 people including 80 qualified engineers and technicians with extensive nuclear expertise, was founded to provide technical resources for the nuclear power industry. Over the years it has successfully completed numerous projects in both nuclear and conventional environments, primarily at Eskom’s Koeberg nuclear power plant.

As a subsidiary of Areva NP, a world leader in design and construction of nuclear power plants and the supply of fuel, maintenance and modernisation services, Lesedi has considerably enhanced its ability to offer the best value to clients, as well as accessibility to the latest, innovative solutions, the company says.

When Cape Town-based GasCon - started operations in October 2005 after acquiring the gas tank manufacturing business of the liquidated Consani Engineering, South Africa regained its place in the specialised world of intermodal gas tank container manufacturing.

GasCon’s product range includes high-pressure refrigerant containers for the export market, tanks for ammonia, hydrogen fluoride, chlorine and high purity gases for the electronics industry.

The company has the capability to build liquid petroleum gas road tankers, general pressure vessels and has recently expanded into the manufacturing of cryogenic storage vessels, cryogenic ISO tank containers and road tankers.

According to SAIW executive director Jim Guild, these two companies have invested a considerable amount of time and effort into establishing world-class systems and procedures to ensure the quality and integrity of their welding operations.

“The SAIW is accredited for certification of companies by the International Institute of Welding (IIW), and certification to ISO 3834 undoubtedly enhances supplier opportunities both nationally and internationally,” he says.