Intermetal: One of the Leading Suppliers of Quality Steel in Mozambique

Interview with Eduardo António Duarte, Founder and Director of Intermetal

Can you give us an overview of the sector and present Intermetal?

Intermetal imports and distributes all types of metals and transforms cold steels, cover plates, profiles, tubes and metal bars. The process of cold steel transformation is a burning process, we use the hot rolled coils to create products like false plaster ceiling that can be used on windows and coverage of houses and warehouses.

You are the factory and the wholesaler, what are the type of clients you work with?

We work with many type of clients. In Mozambique, Intermetal mainly works with auto-builders and metalworking industry companies, creating plates/covers used for finishing works on houses, boats, etc.

I am trying to expand the cold steel sector of the company to other regions. There are many products that can be processed locally, instead of importing them, for example plate cutting and machining, creating several profile types for windows, buildings, etc.

Are you the wholesaler for all the clients or some buy your products on distribution stores?

We sometimes use a distribution network, depending on the type of clients. But mostly we work as wholesalers, especially when working with big companies connected to this industry. Some companies request us materials on behalf of their own clients, so they are the liaison (network distributors) and others buy directly from us. However, 70% of our clients are direct clients and around 30% are metalworking companies or construction industry companies who buy for clients of theirs.

Auto-builders never buy directly from you?

Well, the construction superintendent might come to Intermetal and tell us what materials the client needs, so in a way they are buying directly from us.

In Europe we normally buy directly to major wholesalers and not factories. Can you tell us about the African way?

Worldwide that tends to happen, but in Africa it is not quite like that: the fewer intermediaries, the less expensive. Most of the times, the factory sells directly to the public, becoming the wholesaler.

Why should an individual or company buy materials from Intermetal?

We offer quality products that are chemically certified.

These metals are coming from well-known companies in South Africa, right?

50% of our products and raw materials come from big companies in South Africa, other products come from China, Turkey, India and Malaysia.

Are you interested in attracting investors to the company?

We are opened to the idea, it depends on the advantages these investments might bring. For example, we might be interested in selling market shares, in order to get a higher revenue for our shareholders.

What do you expect to happen to the company in the next 2/3 years?

I am trying to expand the cold steel sector of the company to other regions. There are many products that can be processed locally, instead of importing them, for example plate cutting and machining, creating several profile types for windows, buildings, etc. I hope we can do this next year. The goal is to increase productivity locally, thus spending less money.