Hotel developments to lead the way for growth in African tourism

A number of the world’s largest hotel chains are betting on Africa being their next big investment opportunity. Africa’s tourism sector is already on a momentous upwards slope and this is the obvious trend that has caught the attention of some of the world’s most renowned hotel names, such as, The Hilton, Fairmont and the Jumeirah group. Starwood, Marriot and the Four Seasons have also publically stated they intend on investing heavily across North, South and Central Africa in the five-years between now and 2021 that experts predict will be one of the largest periods of hotel growth in the continent’s history.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Africa is currently rising at an astronomical rate; last year, the global growth rate of FDI was 1%, whereas in Africa they experienced a 7% growth. Paul Frimpong, Investor Analyst at international business facilitation experts Naseba, said: “The enormous potential of the African continent cannot be emphasized enough. Africa is the fastest growing region for FDIs in the world. Aggregate household consumption will reach $1.4 trillion with collective GDP hitting $2.6 trillion in 2020 alone. These facts show that with the understanding of the growth momentum, combined with the right strategies, presents handsome rewards for current and prospective investors in the region.”

Not only does the hotel boom in Africa provide more opportunity for the tourism industry but it also presents an abundance of opportunity for the continents architects, interior designers, real estate developers, buyers and engineers working on not only hospitality, but retail, commercial and residential developments.

Distribution Poles: From Wood to Hot Dip Galvanized Steel

With the increasing demand of eco-friendly ans sustainable products from both the public and private sector, the main sector to improve is the energy sector itself.
Distribution pole are the main vectors of electricity and have become over the century a common view of our roads and fields.

Steel poles are becoming increasingly popular among utility companies for building distribution lines or for replacing the traditional wood poles. Many reasons push these companies to use steel ans invest in the new distribution poles. In this article we will try to summarize the benefit of hot dip galvanized steel mainly reported from linemen who have worked with both wood and steel

distribution-pole-blue-sky-asset — distribution pole – source: wikipedia.org

Wood pole VS Steel pole

Lighter:

For similar strengh, a steel pole is 30 to 60% lighter than a wood pole. This makes them easier to lift, load, install and handle in general.

Cheaper: Thanks to continuous improvement of quality and manufacturing process of steel poles the cost of steel poles come down to a point where they became competitive with wood.

Flexible:

Unlike wood poles which can only have a certain maximum size determined by the size of the tree taken from, the size of wood poles can be determined freely according to the need. Steel poles can be made to handle virtually any load and in any length and can also be made as single piece poles or in sections if that would help handling them in the field.

More Sustainable:

Galvanized steel poles were a response deforestation issues steel is one of the most recyclable materials around so there is never any environmental concern over disposing steel. an old pole will be recycled to make a multitude of other products. Also , the protective system that is required to cover steel poles is made of zinc which is also an environmentally friendly material and virtually 100 percent recyclable. In addition. The coating systems have been improved so much over the years that it has reduced the maintenance needed and improved their life expectancy of the poles.

Safer:

The steel structures do not require a full-length copper grounding wire. They are already self conducting for grounding purposes. As a result, no installation of a ground wire is required.

pole 4 — lineman on distribution pole source: wikipedia.org

source: steel.org, smdisteel.org

Shanghai Metal Corporation manufactures hot dip galvanized steel products because it believes in its potential and encourages its use for a more sustainable industry and a clean environment.
For more information, you can visit the company’s website or contact us for any inquiry.

Scan the QR code below and stay informed about our latest updates:

Houria // SMC Editor

“Made in China”, the rise of a new label

“Made in China” is probably what you find the most since decades on all the products you are buying during your shopping sessions. Your outfit is probably manufactured by some Chinese people thought.

But let’s come back on the reputation of the “Made in China” seen by the Western countries. When you hear the mention “Made in China”, you probably suppose products of bad quality, bad conditions of the workers and reminds you some scandals which happened at some times.

We can’t say that these facts don’t exist, but we can moderate what you’re thinking.

Chinese workers are not today working for $1 per day, in wretched conditions. In fact, in 2013, the average cost of labor in China is only the average of half the cost in the US and increase each year on an average of 20%, and could reach 60% in 2015 according to the Boston Consulting Group.

China is today too expensive for most of the western companies of the textile industry which desire to reduce their cost of production. Western countries rather relocate their production in India, Philippines and Bangladesh which are looking like Chine 15 years before.

The problem of most of the Chinese companies is not limited technologies, or unskilled workers, the biggest problem which explain sometimes the fact that the quality is not good enough is really strict bill of specifications. Western companies want large quantities in very short delays at really low prices. The thing is that today, to respect the short delays of the Western companies, some Chinese companies rather deliver products with a lower quality by respecting the delays and low prices.

Marco Polo on the silk road, Catalan Atlas, XIV century. BNF

China have been during thousands of years for Western countries the manufacturer of products really appreciated as silk, spices, jewelry, cashmere, carried on the silk road in direction to Europe, which were synonyms of a high quality and a know-how inimitable.

Today Chinese companies want to go back to this time when hallmarks of Chinese products were synonym of high quality. The Chinese government is investing in some companies as Xiaomij and Lenovo which are breaking the rules by creative innovating products making forget for the buyers the “Made in China” label.

With a massive workforce and a government engaging his companies to innovation, Chinese companies should see their reputation raised in the next few years. As an encouraging observation, today we found 6 companies based in China on Forbes’ Most Innovative Companies List.

Today, Shanghai Metal Corporation also wants to set things right for their “Made in China” label, providing excellent services, products of a great quality at attractive prices and secured packaging to their customers to insure the security of their orders. SMC has many certifications proving the quality of their products and is ready to receive potential customers to their factories to show them the respect of the certification restrictions.

So don’t hesitate to visit our website or to contact us for any information needed about our products.

Scan the QR code below and stay informed about our latest updates:

Damien / SMC Editor

The attraction for copper nowadays

Du cuivre — Photopqr – Le Parisien – Daboval Adeline

It’s a good and an unfortunate assessment at the same time that we are able to do each year.

In fact, the attraction for copper have increased the business of this type of metal for manufacturers but unluckily for our customers, the steal of copper is a real problem in Europe, until the point that it became a scourge for European countries.

Italy is one of the most important victims of these thefts in Europe. According to the newspaper Le Figaro, between 2010 and 2011 the number of thefts has known an increase of 300%, from 408 to 1226 cases. These thefts represent almost 631 tons of copper which have been stealed during this period. And the numbers are not decreasing. In Belgium the observation is even worst, from 290 cases of thefts in 2009, the Infrabel Group reported 1 362 cases in 2012. The value of the copper robbed was approximately of 8 millions of Euros which is significant for the Infrabel Group according to the Fedra newspaper.

In the United Kingdom, France and other European countries, the observations are the same. In the UK, the police have made of this problem their second preoccupation after terrorism, which is quite representative of the scope of the thefts.

The railways are not the only targets of the organized gangs. Electrical communications, communication networks, construction sites or private houses, are also concerned about this problem. The fact of stealing is not the only problem for these companies, there is many consequences for the companies’ victims of the piracies.

These thefts are creating delays for the companies, and for the railways companies, the cost is huge. In the United Kingdom, the thefts and delays of the trains have created 770 million pounds or 900 million Euros in 2011 of loss. In Belgium these thefts have resulted of 66 440 minutes of delay for the SNBC Group.

The cause of the increase in the attraction for copper is that the copper is becoming rare and as a consequence the price is sharply rising. In 2011, the price of a tone of copper represented 8 000 Euros, five times more than ten years before. Sold in the black market the copper means a lot of money for the organized gangs.

The copper is not the only metal attracting these groups, zinc, steel and nickel are also famous metals experiencing a resurgence of thefts.

Shanghai Metal Corporation, as a manufacturer, exporter and supplier of different types of metals as copper, steel, aluminum, etc, provides you, considering the actual issues encountered by many companies, products with competitive prices and a high quality incomparable to the harmful effect surrounding the label “Made in China”.

For more information about our products, feel free to visit our website to discover a large range of products that could probably match with your needs. And do not hesitate to contact us for specifications.

Scan the QR code below and stay informed about our latest updates:

Damien / SMC Editor

From “Traditional Manufacturing” into “Smart Manufacturing”

It is expected that China will become the world’s largest manufacturer by 2025. Over the past decade, China’s manufacturing sector has made large contributions to the country’s and also the world’s economy.

China has become a big manufacturing country but has not yet been a powerful one. The main problems in Chinese manufacturing are:

Weak independent innovation ability
High dependence on foreign countries in core technologies
Low resource use efficiency

Premier Li Keqiang announced on March 25 China’s plan to focus on these three issues and to upgrade its manufacturing capacity for the next decades, leading China into a more competitive international manufacturer. This program, “Made in China 2025”, aims for a greener and more intelligent manufacturing with the use of the internet, improving innovation ability, integrate informatization, industrialization and bring the economy towards a higher sustainable growth.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Photo from ejinsight

Ten sectors have been identified as priorities:

New information technology
High-end numerically-controlled machine tools and robotics
Aerospace equipment
Ocean engineering equipment and ships with high technology
Advanced railway traffic equipment
Energy saving and new energy vehicles
Power equipment
New materials
Biological medicine and high-performance medical devices
Agricultural production machinery

Shanghai Metal Corporation serves the world’s businesses as an integrated global manufacturer, exporter, and supplier. We stand firm to our philosophy in bringing value across the globe and we always dedicate our effort to provide quality products and reliable services. Our commitment pushes us to continuously put efforts in innovation and improve our manufacturing capacity. Shanghai Metal Corporation, alongside with China, will continuously work hard in the future to become a better manufacturer and bring value across the world. We hope to change the world’s perception of Chinese goods from simply “made in China” to “innovated in China”.

Sources: English.gov.cn, ChinaDaily, BritishChamber.cn
Featured image: tiny.pr, smartmanufacturing

Ayu P.//SMC Editor

The Bandung Conference and The Promotion of International Cooperation

On the 22nd April 2015 there was the 60th anniversary of the 1955 Bandung Conference, gathering leaders from Africa and Asia. It was the first large scale Asian-African Conference, with the aim to promote Afro-Asian economic and cultural cooperation and to oppose colonialism or neocolonialism.

Twenty nine countries representing more than half the world’s populations sent delegates to the 1955 Bandung Conference. Photo from WhenInTime

“The basic idea of the Bandung Conference was that newly independent countries of Asia and Africa who were emerging from colonialism have common policies, common past and common needs, so they must work together to decide their future,” said Akram Zaki, Pakistan’s former foreign secretary, told Xinhua.

As stated by The Jakarta Post : “The success of convincing China, the then rising influence, to pledge respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of others, to settle borders peacefully and to abstain from aggression and threats were remarkable achievements of that time. It created confidence over the improved future of the new and emerging economies”

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the 60th anniversary of the 1955 Bandung Conference and showed China’s determination in helping to create a “win-win cooperation” and common development between Asia and Africa.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd L) his wife Peng Liyuan (L) walk with Indonesian President Joko Widodo (2nd R) and his wife Iriana (R). Photo from chinadaily

The challenges in Asia and Africa are now seen as something that can be solved through economic cooperation. This is why the desire to further economic cooperation is mentioned during the 2015 commemoration and why China with its vast economic potential and its “Belt and Road” initiative is needed to play a crucial role in furthering the cooperation between the two developing continents.

As one of the leading metal suppliers, Shanghai Metal Corporation is expanding our business globally. Having collaborated with numerous companies around the world, we have truly learned the importance of having deep exchanges and cooperation with foreign countries. International cooperation brings mutual benefits when you identify shared aims and objectives and come to an agreement, it brings your project to another level. Shanghai Metal Corporation hopes that in the future the cooperation between the developing countries will bring more prosperity and leave the future generation with a much better world.

Sources : The Jakarta Post, Spyghana, Xinhua
Featured image : Voanews

Ayu P.//SMC Editor

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank & Shanghai Metal Corporation – Common Goal & Vision

We are pleased to share the latest news about China’s contribution in assisting developing countries in their sustainable growth.

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank, proposed by the government of China, that has the mission to give assistance to financial needs to infrastructure projects in Asia region.

The signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding on Establishing Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Beijing
Photo from en.people.cn

The establishment of this bank is partly due to the huge infrastructure needs across the developing countries in Asia. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) estimates that Asia will need approximately 8$ trillion between 2010 and 2020 for energy, transportation, telecommunication and water/sanitation. Summing the investments from all existing institutions aren’t enough to reach that amount and the shortfall exceeds 700$ billion a year.

Photo from fastcompany

Other than its purpose as a funding institution, the AIIB is also a modern knowledge-based institution, focusing on the development of infrastructure and other productive sectors in Asia, such as energy & power, transportation & telecommunication, water supply & sanitation, etc.

Until the 2nd April 2015, almost all Asian countries and major countries outside Asia has joined the AIIB, except US, Japan, Canada and North Korea. Catherine Novelli, U.S. undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment, said that the administration generally supports the AIIB’s stated goals but has concerns over regulation and environmental issues. Other worries that the bank will help China to rival the US as the world’s economic power and in establishing its values in the world’s vision.

Photo from rt

According to Raj M. Desai, associate professor from Georgetown University, the participation of the US in the AIIB could encourage the Chinese to implement a transparent regime that adopts the world’s best practice in financing infrastructure. The President of World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, welcome AIIB and believes that the activities of a new organization can greatly help the massive need of investment in infrastructure.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) shakes hands with World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim during their meeting in Beijing, July 8, 2014.
Photo from reuters

As one of the world’s leading steel manufacturer, Shanghai Metal Corporation believes that sustainable growth improves the quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come. That’s why we put great efforts to meet the demand for steel in an eco-friendly way. We support AIIB’s mission and values in supporting Asia’s infrastructure project in a “lean, clean and green” way. We have faith that AIIB can help to support the growth of the developing countries and give them assistance in their infrastructure development.

Sources: theguardian, cnbc, washingtonpost, aiibank, wikipedia
Featured Image: nytimes

Ayu P.//SMC Editor

Addicted to Books? Know more about the process

If you prefer a good book to the internet or television, I am sure this article would be interesting for you. . Let’s put a little introduction to the Book first. So what is exactly a book? Instead of a combination of a hundred printed pages, book is an ideal thing that help you to live thousands of lives. Only imagine the whole process that stays beyond the reading. First, you go to the lovely, cozy place calls bookstore, where you step in an adventure by walking from one bookshelf to another, smell…touch…watch…think, you take first book, read from 1 to 5 pages… all in this lovely place make you feel that everything that you ever dream off really could become true…and after that, already feeling the happiest person ever, you go back home, sit in a tenderest sofa and drink the delicious cup of Brazilian coffee, open your book, trying not to damage the inside of the story by the problems of yours that occurred to you suddenly, in such inappropriate moment, and then you start…and life, as a card house boomed by a small pieces… and you deep down in a fantasy.

Hope you are still interested, because next I will show your the machine, that is printing BOOKS. The Printing Press Machine or Continuous Forms Printing Press Machines and SMC is a company that will provide you with this equipment.

We are offering our clients an assortment of Printing Press Machine(Continuous Forms Printing Press Machines ) in compliance with industry standards. These machines are well appreciated by our clients for high performance and smooth working. The machine has the functions of multi color ,full color and security printing, collating, slitting, sheet cutting, rewinding, perforating and folding on one machine. Its’ special functions are helping printers produce the popular paper products.

Shanghai Metal Corporation has a different kind of machines. For the more detailed information you could check our website or send us an inquiry, our English-speaking stuff will help you to find more about products. Don’t forget to follow us on social media and download an application by scanning QR code below.

Maria Z.//SMC Editor

Credits: shanghaimetal.com

No windows in planes??!!

Are you afraid of flying? Do you feel safer while sitting closer to the window? Well then I don’t have good news for you. It might happen that in 10 years there won’t be any windows and windowless planes will give passengers a panoramic view of the sky.

So it looks like in a bit more than in decade, windows of commercial aircraft would be replaced by full-length screens. Passengers would be able to switch the view on and off according to their preference.

Putting windows in a plane leads to strengthening the fuselage, that’s why cargo planes don’t have it. Planes would be lighter without windows so they would spend less fuel.

Center for Process Innovation, CPI, created the first-stage concept. CPI is an organisation that works with companies to develop new products. They responded to real constant quest of the aviation industry – how to reduce weight of the aircraft?

“Follow the logical thought through. Let’s take all the windows out – that’s what they do in cargo aircraft – what are the passengers going to do? If you think about it, it’s only really the people that are sitting next to windows that will suffer.” said Dr Jon Helliwell of the CPI.

The screens will also enable internet and media access. CPI also claims that if all of passengers’ windows were removed planes would be able to have stronger, lighter and thinner walls. Let’s see what happens…

Shanghai Metal Corporation sells stainless steel, steel, aluminium and other metals that are used even in the aviation industry. For more information visit our website or send us inquiry. English speaking staff will guide you further. Download an application by scanning QR code below or follow us on Social Media.

Silvia M.//SMC Editor

Read more articles written by this author here.

Sources : theguardian.com, independent.co.uk, boredpanda.com

Get Bent: Apple

All the buzz around Apple’s newest iPhone6 may not be that of a success. Not even its 10 million iPhone 6 and 6 Plus models sold in three days after the phones went on sale. Rather, it seems like the new ‘bendable’ iPhone6 is even a hotter hit, going viral on social media as hashtag #BendGate.

Not only a rumor but proved by a number of pictures published on the world web, the new iPhone6 and iPhone6 Plus easily bend when carried in owners’ pockets for long periods of time. Others claimed the flexibility of the new phone while having more active lifestyle and dancing.

The question whether this affects all the devices or if it is limited to a small number of phones is still unclear, and Apple has not yet pronounced. Last year there were similar cases involving iPhone 5, the Samsung Galaxy S4, the HTC EVO, and many others, but this is actually the first time the bending issue has become an “epidemic”.

Ironically, the reports claiming the issue came out the same day that smartphone warranty provider SquareTrade called the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus the “most durable smartphones ever”. Significantly larger and thinner than the traditional iPhone, the iPhone6 and iPhone6 Plus are encased by aluminum enclosure, which is a naturally flexible material.

CNNMoney received a test model and several staffers tried and failed to change its shape using brute force. What this will mean for the future of iPhones? Well, earlier this year the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently published Apple’s patent application which describes a new technology to be integrated with bendable displays. It talks about a new method on how to use tiny metal components in a way that prevents them from breaking when the display is bent. It might be it?

For now, what remains for iPhone6 owners is to remove their iPhones from their pockets before sitting, placing them in a less tight pocket, or choose for a more resistant case that could protect the device from bending and flexing. And if you still think of acquiring an iPhone6 or iPhone6 Plus, it is available in the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore, and the UK and it will go on sale in 20 more countries on September 26^th and others by the end of the year.

Shanghai Metal Corporation is a world leader in producing and supplying the best quality in aluminum that could prevent devices such as the iPhone6 and iPhone6 to easily bend. To find out more, please visit our Website or send your inquiry here. Our English speaking personnel will be more than pleased to help you. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel. Or you could try our new mobile app by scanning our QR code.

Story credit: Dominick F.//SMC Sales Specialist

Source and photo credit: foxnews.com, money.cnn.com, macrumors.com, newser.com, gadgetlove.com

Camilla G.//SMC Editor