Announcement from the General Manager

April 2026

There is a growing concern within the South African market regarding the supply of chain products.

We have recently observed a significant increase in non-conforming Grade 3 and Grade 5 chain being sold under the pretence of being fully compliant and certified with SANS 251specification.

Alarmingly, the number of incidents involving failures of these non-compliant chains is rising rapidly. Through ongoing investigations, we have confirmed that some of these failures are directly linked to substandard products.

McKinnon Chain is, and has been for many years, a certified mark holder of the applicable SANS certifications through the South African Bureau of Standards. As a mark bearer, we are obligated to maintain a rigorous and audited Quality Management System that ensures all products fully comply with the respective SANS requirements.

In contrast, manufacturers who are not certified mark holders have not necessarily been assessed with regards to a relevant quality system such as ISO 9001. Our findings indicate that such manufacturers often perform selective testing against SANS standards while omitting critical testing parameters. This practice results in products that are not fully compliant, despite claims to the contrary.

It is therefore essential that customers understand these fundamental differences when procuring Grade 3 and Grade 5 chain products—particularly in long link and extra-long link configurations, where performance and safety are critical.

As part of our continued commitment to supplying fully compliant, high-quality products to the South African market, McKinnon Chain has attached an official letter from the SABS confirming our certification status, as well as our long-standing adherence to the relevant standards.

We strongly encourage all customers to exercise due diligence when sourcing chain products and to prioritise certified, mark-bearing suppliers to ensure safety, reliability, and compliance.

Should you require any further information or technical assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours sincerely,

Johan Jonker

General Manager

McKinnon Chain

McKinnon confirmation letter-25 March 2026.pdf

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