Magotteaux becomes Strategic Equity Partner of GMSA10/12/2019

The Belgian industrial group Magotteaux was founded in 1920 near Liège and has become a world leader in grinding solutions for the mining & extracting industry with 22 production facilities worldwide, employing more than 3000 people.

Magotteaux’ presence in South Africa dates back from the seventies through a licencing agreement with the South African Company Scaw Metals.

Following the sales of Scaw Metals' assets to the IDC (Industrial Development Corporation), the major South African public development finance institution in 2018, Magotteaux and IDC entered into a partnership agreement for the management of a newly created company: Grinding Media South Africa (GMSA). GMSA specializes in the manufacturing and design of grinding balls which are critical to the mining, cement and utilities industries.

The partnership has introduced Magotteaux as a Strategic Equity Partner in GMSA, with 15% equity and the option to increase its share to 51% within 4 years. As part of this partnership, Magotteaux will assume the operational management of GMSA upon conclusion of the agreement.

“Magotteaux has been collaborating closely with Scaw High Chromium grinding media for more than 30 years”, says Patrick Viseur, GM of Magotteaux South Africa, and CEO Of Grinding Media South Africa. “Strengthening this multiple-years of team work with Scaw Metals, and extending it to the forged grinding media activities, aligns with our strategic priorities. We seek leadership in all markets we serve, which explains the intensification of our presence in the forged grinding media business across geographies. In addition, we consider Africa as a strong growth region, with lots of untapped potential. We also see South Africa to be the optimal platform to start from, -as such we are very excited by the opportunities that the partnership with IDC and other local investors, offers us going forward”.

The picture above was taken on the occasion of the visit of the Ambassador of Belgium to Magotteaux South Africa on 23 August 2019.  From left to right:  Claudine Vandenabeele GM of the Belgian Chamber of Commerce for Southern Africa, Jean-Pierre Muller, Head of AWEX Johannesburg, Patrick Viseur GM of magotteaux SA and CEO of GMSA and Ambassador Didier Vanderhasselt.