Despite the global impact of the war in the Ukraine on shipping rates, the impact of commodity prices and the effects of general inflation on JSE-listed aluminium supplier Hulamin’s production costs for the six months ended June 30, the company revealed during its interim results presentation on August 29 that it had been able to manage these factors by optimising its product sales mix and negotiating pricing to mitigate cost increases and maintain margins.  Although the year started off with solid demand, firmer prices than in recent years and a weaker rand:dollar exchange rate than before, the company reported a 45% year-on-year increase in turnover to R7.96-billion, and a 144% increase in profit  to R223.17-million for the interim period.