Quality is innate in manufacturing value chains as it acts as a determinant for the level of desirability on the customer end. This is in terms of the level of satisfaction based on durability, performance, continuous improvement and the quality of product justifying the sale price. Total quality management is enriched with various methodologies and principles all focused on the level of performance, productivity, customer relations and service management. It is therefore very critical that for a country to improve on the purchasing manager index (PMI) and global competitiveness, the inherent aspects of quality should be enhanced and embraced as this can contribute to the level of domestic sales in the economy as well as the level of attraction in terms of products being sought in the export markets. South Africa currently has experienced a 12% decline in productivity in comparison to the 90’s, this has become even worse in the covid-19 economy, whereby there is a 7% contraction in the overall sectors of economy. Currently industry across quarters is bleeding as a result of cheap imports from China and poor competitiveness within the local industry. The steel sector in one such sector that used to flourish but has suffered a downward spiral with the closure of key industry players such as Accelor Mittal. Currently there is a development of a steel master plan under way to address the current deficiency in the level of productivity, competitiveness and local content. The paper in its critical analysis will emphasize on the importance of total quality management philosophy, specifically the 5S methodology, Total Quality Management, and joint improvement tools being inherent within the industrial development incentive value chains as a motive and drive for greater productivity and global competitiveness.