The commissioning of the 12 Ton Electric arc furnace was the culmination of months of logistical planning, construction and installation which had it origins when an existing steel plant was purchased in Germany.

January 2007 will see the A.O.D converter come into life, with the Vacuum degassing  plant operational by mid 2007.

Until the vacuum degasser is up and running all medium carbon, alloy steels will be subjected to a hydrogen diffusion cycle directly from the ingot stripping bay into the furnace, to minimize the risk of hydrogen cracking in the ingots.

This new string in Frankwen's bow, will enable us to offer our clients "cast to order" steel, to most specifications, not normally readily available in South Africa, as well as the age old "tried and tested" grades traditionally used.

The versatility of the plant also makes it feasible for clients to buy proprietary branded material in affordable size casts, not in massive tonnages as is the present practice in South Africa.

The Meltshop is supported by Franktech, an independently operated laboratory with SANAS approved methods, which will ensure that all material despatched will meet our valued clients most stringent specifications.