Trident Steel is a proudly South African fully compliant BBBEE steel service centre mainly servicing the automotive industry. Trident has an ESG framework that is aligned to support its safety, health, quality and environmental objectives.
THE ENVIRONMENT
Our decarbonisation efforts are focused on:
- Energy efficiency upgrades across processing facilities
- Optimising logistics and transport routes to reduce fuel consumption
- Exploring low-carbon technologies and partnerships with suppliers offering green steel
- Engaging with industry alliances, government bodies, and customers to support collaborative climate solutions
By embedding climate action into our business strategy, Trident Steel is committed to contributing to a low-carbon, sustainable future for the automotive industry and beyond.
Trident Steel is committed to environmental stewardship through responsible and sustainable practices:
- We ensure responsible chemical management by adhering to strict handling, storage, and disposal protocols to minimise environmental and health risks.
- Our approach to sustainable resource management focuses on reducing consumption, promoting recycling, and improving efficiency across operations.
- We uphold principles of animal welfare, ensuring that our activities do not harm wildlife or the ecosystem in which we operate.
- We actively support the preservation of biodiversity and responsible land use. Maintaining soil quality is also a priority, with measures in place to prevent contamination affected by our activities.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
“Safety and Care” are our highest core values. Our safety slogan, ‘Live Safety, Work Safely’, reflects our deep commitment to the health and well-being of our people, the communities we serve, and the environment we operate in.
Safety, Health, and Environmental (SHE) Inductions are conducted annually, and all contractors and visitors to our plants are required to complete these inductions before entering our sites.
All SHE incidents are thoroughly investigated, and findings are presented to managers across the company. These presentations facilitate input and ensure the implementation of effective corrective actions at all sites.
The Executive team and Senior managers have monthly targets to complete VFL’s (Visible Felt Leadership inspections at the various operations and departments).
All incidents are reported immediately throughout the company on flash reports, and these are discussed in weekly Green Cross sessions with employees.
As part of our commitment to occupational health and safety, hygiene surveys in compliance with South Africa’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) are conducted every two years. These legally mandated assessments are carried out by Approved Inspection Authorities (AIAs) to ensure a safe and healthy working environment.
HUMAN RESOURCES AND HUMAN RIGHTS
We see Our People as the Foundation of Our Success. Our workforce reflects the diversity and resilience of South Africa, and we recognise our employees as our most important asset. Their skills, dedication, and innovation are central to our ability to deliver high-quality steel processing solutions to mostly the automotive industry.
We are proud to foster a workplace culture where every employee feels welcomed, valued, and inspired – regardless of their background, including ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, or physical ability. We believe that diversity strengthens our organisation and drives innovation in the steel processing sector.
Our workforce is notably young and dynamic, with an average age of 38 years, reflecting our commitment to attracting and developing emerging talent in the automotive supply chain.
At Trident Steel, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve and the future of the automotive industry. Women currently represent 26% of our total workforce, contributing meaningfully across operations, administrative functions, and structured learning programmes. 2.8% of Trident Steel employees are people living with a disability.
At Trident Steel, we are deeply committed to upholding human rights across our operations and supply chain. Our approach is guided by the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), and we actively support national efforts to promote responsible business conduct in South Africa.
We recognise the importance of addressing systemic challenges such as forced labour, inequality, and access to remedy, particularly in industries vulnerable to exploitation. In line with our commitment, we have embedded human rights considerations into our business strategy and operational practices.
We take a zero-tolerance stance on modern slavery, human trafficking, and child labour. These practices are incompatible with our values and the ethical standards we uphold. As part of our risk management and due diligence processes, we:
- Assess potential human rights risks in our operations and supply chain
- Engage with suppliers to ensure compliance with labour laws and ethical sourcing standards
- Monitor and review policies to prevent exploitation and promote fair labour practices
- Train employees and managers on human rights awareness and ethical conduct
We strive for continuous improvement and regularly review our practices to ensure alignment with both international standards and South African legislation, including:
- Labour Relations Act
- Basic Conditions of Employment Act
- Employment Equity Act
- Children’s Act, which prohibits child labour and exploitation
By embedding human rights into our business strategy, we aim to contribute to a just, inclusive, and sustainable future for all stakeholders – ensuring dignity, fairness, and opportunity in every aspect of our operations.
The company upholds ethical recruiting practices that ensure fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all candidates. We respect and promote freedom of association, allowing employees to join and participate in trade unions without fear of discrimination or retaliation.
ENTERPRISE AND SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT
Trident Steel is committed to advancing inclusive economic participation through our Supplier Development Programme, which aims to strengthen small and emerging businesses within our value chain.
We partner and provide financial support in the form of development loans to various black-owned small enterprises and suppliers. These partnerships reflect our commitment to enterprise and supplier development (ESD), aligned with South Africa’s B-BBEE framework. By investing in local suppliers, we contribute to job creation, skills development, and long-term economic resilience.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Our long-term sustainability is deeply rooted in the strength of the communities in which we operate. As a South African automotive steel processing company, we recognise that our licence to operate is built on trust, shared value, and meaningful economic participation. We are committed to investing in local communities, supporting inclusive growth, and contributing to the national economy.
Trident Steel partnered with several non-profit organisations across South Africa to make a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable children and communities. Through donations and employee volunteerism, we supported various organisations in all three operational regions.
GOVERNANCE AND COMPLIANCE
Strong leadership is an important aspect of Trident Steel’s culture. Our commitment to sustainability is led from the top, with clear accountabilities for oversight and implementation of our sustainability commitments.
Our Board sets policies on all sustainability matters, while day-to-day accountability rests with senior executives. Sustainability considerations are included in strategy discussions and formulation, investment decisions and risk management.
At Trident Steel, Honesty and Integrity are foundational values that guide our actions and decisions. We foster a culture of doing the right thing right – consistently and transparently – it is not just encouraged but expected.
We are committed to conducting business ethically and transparently. We have zero tolerance for bribery and corruption, and we actively promote integrity across our operations and supply chain. Our governance practices ensure that we:
- Comply with all applicable tax and financial regulations
- Prevent the misuse of resources that should benefit communities and public institutions
We contribute to South Africa’s fiscal health through both direct and indirect tax payments.
Our Risk Management Policy is aligned with the King IV Corporate Governance Code and the Institute of Risk Management South Africa (IRMSA) standards. Oversight is provided by our Risk Committee and senior management team to ensure accountability. Risk identification is mapped across the value chain: procurement, operations, finance, logistics and delivery to customers.
We actively engage with government departments, regulatory bodies, and industry stakeholders to advocate for policies that promote industrial growth, environmental responsibility, and competitiveness – particularly within the automotive value chain.