Milestones & Track Record
1988
John da Silva Senior has the vision to start a small, entrepreneurial, family-owned business in Heriotdale, Johannesburg, occupying just one portion of what later became known as Cosira Shop 1. The business starts off with only three staff members, as a second tier supplier to larger fabricators. Through John da Silva Senior's inspired leadership and his recognition of the need for personalised, flexible, reliable service, the business quickly becomes known as a reputable supplier to the steel industry in South Africa. Built on the strong cornerstones of quality, timely delivery and correct pricing, the Cosira Group starts to grow.
1999
This was a significant growth point for the group as it became a first tier supplier for the Anglo Platinum Waterval 400 KTPM concentrator. This led to the award of other key projects including Maandagshoek concentrator and the Pietersburg smelter; all of which bear testimony to Cosira's ability to not only operate successfully at a new level, but indeed to set the industry benchmark for project execution.
2000
Cosira enters the new millennium as an industry-leading first tier supplier to the South African steel industry, and doubles its turnover year-on-year from 2000 to 2006.
2001
Cosira decides to change its vision from that of only being a steel fabricator to a construction company, otherwise known as 'the construction solutions group'. This precipitates the establishment of Cosira Developments, the retail and industrial property construction and development project arm which later became a separate group within the Silva Group Holdings group of companies called Moreland Investments.
2002
Cosira sees the need to develop a fully integrated approach to structural steel detailing and fabrication. Despite the prevailing economic slump in the industry at the time, Cosira strikes out and invests substantially in a draughting facility with CAD/CAM technology, making it possible to own the process at all stages of the manufacturing cycle.
Cosira handles all aspects of project management, planning, detailing, fabrication, corrosion protection and finishing, site erection, commissioning and construction management, thereby offering turnkey solutions at optimum efficiency.
Cosira also invests in its first CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) equipment.
Furthermore, in 2002, Cosira acknowledges that, for the company to continue on its successful growth path, it must offer the industry the full range of services, from detailing and fabrication, right through to commissioning of projects. Cosira employs key leaders and skills in site construction and thereby establishes a site construction SMPP arm to the business.
2003
Cosira sees the need to operate as a fully South African company, and to this end initiates negotiations with the TIH Group.
2004
In January 2004, following the conclusion of a black empowerment deal with the TIH Group, the company became the first major black empowered structural steel fabrication, mechanical, platework and piping construction company in South Africa. Now officially, the 'Cosira Group', it is initially accredited by the South African Mining Preferential Procurement Forum (SAMPPF).
The Group has one structural steel shop in operation. Over the next two years, a further three steel shops are opened and become operational, further testimony to the Cosira's successful growth trajectory over this time period.
2005
In 2005, the Cosira Group initiates further diversification into related industries with the establishment of Cosira IMS (Industrial and Mining Solutions), which provides solutions and equipment for the industrial and mining sector.
In the same year, Cosira Towers is established as a transmission line and cellular tower business, targeting the tremendous opportunities taking place on the African continent in the cellular and electricity transmission and distribution markets.
2006
The Group wins the Export Category Steel Award for the Dangote Cement Conveyer Project exported to Nigeria.
2007
In response to the significant personnel and skills shortages in South Africa, the Cosira Group concludes a strategic supply partnership with Paradigm HR Solutions in order to secure reliable source of quality, skilled resources.
The Group wins the Export Category Steel Award for the Snap Lake Diamond Recovery project exported to Canada.
2008
Cosira proudly makes a groundbreaking investment and starts construction of state-of-the-art facilities, such as the new Vulcania premises – 'Cosira Vulcan'.
Cosira is one of the winners of the overall Steel Award for 2008, for their structural steelwork on Soweto's groundbreaking Maponya Mall.
Communications tower supplier, Cosira Towers, grows to the stage where it becomes an independent subsidiary of the Cosira Group, known as Cosira Towers.
A new subsidiary is founded - Cosira Electrical and Instrumentation Projects – to broaden the comprehensive turnkey offering of the Cosira Group.
2009
The Cosira Group celebrates its 21st anniversary, with the launch in October 2009 of Cosira Vulcan, the Group's flagship fabrication investment, a world-class, state-of-the-art facility, which is one of the most technologically-advanced, efficient structural steel fabrication facilities today.
The Group also wins the largest single contract to date, and the first in the all-important South African power generation sector – the Turbine Hall Contract for the Medupi Power Station project by Eskom, managed by Alstom.
Cosira is also awarded ISO9001:2008 accreditation and Level 6 Empowerdex BBBEE certification.
2009