Changes for the better at Verref

VEREENIGING. – Six months ago some changes were made at Vereeniging Refractories (Verref). They are now demolishing one of its plants toward developing it for other purposes such as light industry, office space or warehouses.
Vereeniging Refractories has made a great contribution to the history of Vereeniging.
The company opened its doors way back when in 1878 as the Zuid-Afrikaansche en Oranje-Vrystaatche-Kolen en Mineralen-Mijn Vereeniging. Four years later, in 1882, the first production of building bricks started. Since then the company has grown from strength to strength, being the first company to produce South Africa’s first refractory bricks, while in 1911 Verref delivered fired clay-roof tiles for the Union Buildings
According to Verref CEO Mr Tim Courtney, the company used to produce 30 000 tons of bricks per annum but, unfortunately, there was a steady decline in this product about three years ago. Mr Courtney and management found themselves with a difficult task ahead,
They had to decide whether to close a plant or keep it open. At the end of the day the decision was made to stop production in the Firebrick Plant. However, production did not completely stop but rather moved to another plant on the premises.
“It was a difficult decision to make – whether to stop the production in the Firebrick Plant – but now we are using that part of our premises for new developments,” said eight-year CEO Courtney. He says that the market for refractory products in South Africa has been in decline for the past 10 years.
“There is great import competition as well as a decline in the customer base. The improvement in refractory technology also improved so the product lasts longer.”
It will take about two more months to have the site cleared so demolition can take place and then the new development will commence.
This development will occupy about one-third of the entire premises of Verref.
While changes are made at Verref, business is still going strong: “We are expanding our plant in Springs where refractory monolithics are produced, and we are still busy with our mining activities in Hammanskraal and Zeerust where we mine, respectively, for chrome and fire-clay, which are used for refractory purposes.”