Industrysa july

Issue46

Issue 46

A Marketing Triumph Bursting with the citrus flavours of Orange and Lemon, Flying Fish has proudly answered the question, “Who says beer can’t be flavoured?” Hilary Jamieson, SAB’s Market Development Manager, speaks to IndustrySA about the success of the Flying Fish brand, Facebook selfies and the Durban July Horse Race…

Transnet CelebratIng ImpressIve

annual results

Assa Abloy HoldIng tHe Key to

busIness exCellenCe

Alpha Civil leadIng tHe Way In tHe Western Cape

Standard Lesotho Bank ConneCtIng lesotHo to dIgItal FInanCes

If you detect any of these

warning signs in a child,

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name of your province to 34486.

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Contact us tollfree at 086 111 3500

or visit our website at www.choc.org.za

Many children in our country are never diagnosed because their symptoms are not

recognised, or they are diagnosed too late for effective treatment. To help solve this problem,

the South African Children's Cancer Study Group has prepared this list of Warning Signs, for

distribution to primary health care centres. CHOC has supported the printing and

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EDITOR’S PAGE

edItor Joe Forshawsub-edItor Harriet pattisonWRITERSColin Chinerytim Handsroland douglasChristian JordanHelen lakeRESEARCH DIRECTORChris bolderstonePROJECT MANAGERS ajuanne payneemily WoodhallHal HutchisonADVERTISING SALESsales dIreCtor andy Williamssales manager daniel marshallsales exeCutIve Holly grahamsales exeCutIve mark leonardSTUDIOstudIo dIreCtor martyn oakleydesIgner Harvey tarltonACCOUNTSmike molloy, Jane reederECP LTDmanagIng dIreCtor david HodgsonoperatIons dIreCtor Chris bolderstoneFInanCe dIreCtor scott Warman2a ardney rise, norwich, norfolk, nr3 3QH, united Kingdom

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Welcome to issue forty six...

The two big talking points of the month have undoubtedly been the FIFA World Cup and the State of the Nation Address from President Zuma – his first since the change of administration.

Interestingly, there seems to have been a lot of unsavoury activity surrounding the World Cup in Brazil and this instantly leads me to believe that South Africa’s tournament four years ago was clearly better organised, better promoted and better planned. Personally, I think that the opening ceremony in Brazil (which reportedly cost around $10million) was nothing compared to the opening ceremony in 2010! Let me know if you agree on our Facebook page.

As for the SONA, Zuma announced that expanding the economy will take centre stage in the new administration. He was very keen to state that businesses and government must do more to create ‘decent jobs’. He also said that youth employment and empowerment must be prioritised. Interestingly, another key point was that energy will receive a large emphasis, allowing for the industry to contribute to rural development. But do you think these plans will yield results? Let us know online @industry_sa.

Lastly, all at IndustrySA were saddened earlier this month when we received the bad news that self-proclaimed ‘Engineering Director’, Malcolm Bailey had been taken ill. Malcolm has been a major part of our recent expansion and his expertise has helped us to grow dramatically. We are all wishing him a speedy recovery and hoping that he will be back to his mischievous self soon.

edItor’s page

Jul 14 page 3

Joe [email protected]

Jul 14

Contents

46

3 EDITOR’S PAGE government to address youth employment 6 NEWS all that’s happening in south africa

14 ENTREPRENEUR the neighbourhood computer doctor 16 INNOVATIONsimple but effective

18 INSPIRATION SA maximise your conference display

22 PRIME CIRCLE Conquering europe

Contents

Co

mpa

ny

re

po

rt

s

Jul 14 page 5

26 SAB FLyING FISH a product and marketing triumph

32 STANDARD BANk Winning awards yet again

40 STANDARD LESOTHO BANk leading in lesotho

46 TRANSNET 25% profit increase

54 ASSA ABLOy SA Holding the key to success

60 ALPHA CIVIL record contracts underway

64 JAB DRIED FRUIT a healthy alternative

68 AOS CONSULTING ENGINEERS building african expansion plans

72 SEALAkE INDUSTRIES business success from family values

76 REFRALINE safety is the hot topic

80 GB BEARINGS sa industry leaders

84 JUWI RENEWABLE ENERGIES embracing sa’s sun

88 UNIFREIGHT racing to the top

92 WILLIAMS HUNT on the road to increased market share

40

In order to make full use of its oceans’ potential, the South African government is in the process of developing a blue economy strategy, according to the Department of Environmental Affairs.

“South Africa has large ocean spaces and we are beginning to appreciate the value of this vital national asset and how it can contribute to our livelihoods and economy,” said Environmental Affairs Deputy Director General Dr Monde Mayekiso, last month.

He said technology was unlocking the resources that lie within the ocean and the sustainable use of these resources will have a meaningful contribution towards the ability to create jobs in years to come.

“Much of our ocean remains unexplored and therefore there is a need to urgently gather information and describe what resources are available and how they can be used sustainably,” he said.

Mayekiso was speaking at a meeting with various stakeholders in Port Elizabeth, following the gazetting of the White Paper on the National Environmental Management of the Ocean (NEMO) for implementation.

The White Paper on NEMO, which was approved by Cabinet in December 2013, aims to govern activities and role players with a stake in the ocean, in order to ensure optimal and sustainable use of the marine environment.

The National Development Plan identified ocean economy as one of the key drivers to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030.

Dr Mayekiso noted that the policy is in accordance with the South African constitution and is relevant to international laws, domestic legislation which includes the National Environment Act and associated supporting legislations.

“A number of key areas such as Aquaculture, Marine Transport, Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration would be crucial in growing the economy providing much needed jobs and improving prosperity while ensuring environmental sustainability and integrity,” Dr Mayekiso said.

World Oceans DayPrior to the engagement with the stakeholders, the department joined the rest of the world in celebrating the annual World Oceans Day (WOD) at the Bayworld Aquarium in Port Elizabeth.

This year’s WOD was celebrated under the theme: “Together we have the power to protect our ocean”, which recognises the impact of climate change on oceans and people.

As part of the celebrations, the department also held information sessions with youth from the New Brighton area and its surrounds. The department officials interacted with pupils from various schools with an aim to create interest in learners to pursue a career in the environment sector.

As the three-day celebrations drew to an end, the department said it was looking forward to working with other departments and government agencies to effectively explore the use, protection and management of the precious oceans.

page 6 Jul 14

neWs all that’s happening in south africa

SA developing blue economy strategy

neWs all that’s happening in south africa neWs

Jul 14 page 7

Voice-call traffic is to double and mobile internet usage is expected to increase 20 times between 2013 and 2019 in Sub-Saharan Africa - double the anticipated global expansion, according to Swedish company Ericsson in its latest mobility report for the region.

The rapid growth of 3G and 4G technology across the region follows the recent launch of under-$50 smartphones, Ericsson says in its June 2014 Sub-Saharan Africa Mobility report, released last month.

The popularity of social media, content-rich apps and video content accessed from these cheaper smartphones has also contributed to the growth. Consumers in Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria are increasingly using video TV and media services from their smartphones, the report says.

Sub-Saharan Africa’s mobile penetration of 70% is fast approaching the global rate of 92%, Ericsson says.

The report predicts 3G technology will become the dominant technology across the region by 2017, outstripping 2G to become the region’s dominant form of mobile connection.

The report predicts that 75% of mobile subscriptions will be internet inclusive (3G or 4G) by 2019.

The company expects mobile subscriptions to increase from 551 million at the end of 2013 to more than 635 million subscriptions by the end of the year. Subscriptions will reach 930 million by the end of 2019, the company predicts.

Data revolutionEricsson revealed the scale of the region’s ongoing data revolution with traffic growth doubling in the past year: phone users accessed 76,000 TB (terabyte) of data a month, double the 2013 figure of 37,500 TB a month. The figure is expected to double again in 2015, with mobile phone users projected to access 147,000 TB a month.

Fredrik Jejdling, Regional head of Ericsson Sub-Saharan Africa, said: “Sub-Saharan Africa is currently undergoing a mobile digital revolution with consumers, networks and even media companies waking up to the possibilities of 3G and 4G technology.

“We have seen the trend emerging over a few years but in the past 12 months, the digital traffic has increased over 100%, forcing us to revise our existing predictions.

“The rise of cheap smartphones will allow vast portions of the population - from middle classes in cities to small businesses in rural areas - access to mobile broadband.

“M-commerce can offer endless opportunities for entrepreneurs and we’ve found that farmers are fans of mobile wallets, as well as teenagers wanting to watch music videos on their smartphone,” Jejdling says.

Ericsson undertakes traffic measurements in more than 100 live networks across the world and makes predictions in collaboration with Ericsson ConsumerLab, combining its own data with population and macroeconomic trends.

Mobile data revolution in Sub-Saharan Africa

Jul 14


Gauteng’s new MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi, says the province is to invest R2 billion on a project to create classrooms of the future.

With the project, each pupil would have a tablet and internet connectivity from their desks, and would interact with their teachers in real time.

MEC Lesufi made the announcement during a visit to Laudium Secondary School, west of Pretoria, on Monday.

According to MEC Lesufi, teachers will no longer have to carry books to mark -- this will be done on the computer.

With the project, school books will be replaced by e-books, and pupils will never have to carry, or share textbooks again.

School safetyHinting on school safety, MEC Lesufi said he is determined to fight gangsterism in schools as well

as lawlessness.He gave an undertaking that within 100 days in

office, the top 10 drug lords in the province would be profiled and caught.

“We want to identify the top 10 gangsters operating in our schools, and we give ourselves 100 days to deal with them,” he said.

He also sent a stern warning to pupils, who put themselves in compromising positions while in uniform, and then posted pictures onto social networks.

He said a permanent learner tribunal has been established to deal with this. The MEC said they will sit daily and go into social networks to look for learners who want to embarrass the school uniform.

Since his appointment as MEC, Lesufi has been visiting schools to get first-hand experience of the situation in schools.

R2bn for Gauteng’s classroom future project


Jul 14 page 9

The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the City of Tshwane last month signed a R1.6 billion long-term loan facility to support the City’s capital expenditure programme.

This facility aims to accelerate the eradication of backlogs in water and sanitation, roads, electricity and housing related infrastructure, as well as to support the City’s growth and development initiatives.

Supporting municipalities to deliver socio-economic infrastructure remains an important focus area for the DBSA to address the country’s triple challenges of high unemployment, poverty and inequality.

The Bank participates in public bond issuance programmes and other funding, including project finance, to accelerate the delivery of social and economic infrastructure, such as the Bus Rapid Transport system in Metropolitan municipalities.

City Manager Jason Ngobeni said the facility will be utilised to aggressively fast track the City’s Infrastructure Capital Programme designed to match the long term assets to be created.

“This is the inaugural 20-year loan tenure for the City, which remarkably coincides with the celebration of the country’s 20 years of democracy.

“This level of capital investment in the City was, in part, necessitated by the need to improve the enlarged infrastructure of the City, which now includes the erstwhile municipalities of Metsweding, Nokeng Tsa

Taemane and Kungwini.“In this financial fear, 37% of the capital programme

is funded through long-term borrowing and the rest being from capital grants and internal resources,” he said.

DBSA Group Executive for South Africa Financing Division at the DBSA, Tshokolo Nchocho, said the facility forms part of the DBSA’s continuous and accelerated support to municipalities in eradicating infrastructure backlogs.

Like many other metropolitan municipalities in the country, the City has its substantial infrastructure backlogs, which create challenges in facilitating and increasing access of basic services to its constituencies, particularly those in the previously disadvantaged areas.

“We are pleased to be part of this capital expansion programme, which signifies the Bank’s commitment to contribute towards the development of social and economic infrastructure in the City of Tshwane, which is much needed to improve the quality of life of its 2.9 million residents.

“In ensuring that metropolitan municipalities remain the heartbeat of the country’s economic growth, the DBSA has therefore embarked on a process to package a comprehensive support programme aimed at addressing each metro’s unique requirements while at the same time ensuring that the Bank delivers on its development mandate,” he said.

Tshwane, DBSA sign R1.6bn loan

Jul 14


More than R7 billion will be spent on conditional grants for provinces to support about 435,000 subsistence and 54,500 smallholder farmers.

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Senzeni Zokwana made the announcement at the Agricultural Youth Summit at Nasrec in Johannesburg last month, before he jetted off to the AU Year of Agriculture summit in Equatorial Guinea.

“The sector’s significance is largely because of its potential to create jobs, and is a key focus of the National Development Plan, a plan by the government to create one million new jobs by 2030,” the minister said.

He said farming remains vitally important to the economy with 638,000 people formally employed – although it’s estimated that around 8.5 million people are directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture for their employment and income (about 5% of South Africans are employed in agriculture).

Strengthening youth in agricultureMinister Zokwana vowed to use his five year-term to establish and strengthen the Agricultural Sector Education Training Authority (AgriSETA) to attract more young people into the sector.

“My goal, in the next five years, is to work on establishing and strengthening SETAs for, specifically, agriculture, with the aim of attracting young people like you, into the sector,” he said, adding that the future of agriculture indeed looks bright.

It is estimated that more than 50% of young South Africans between 15 and 24 are unemployed. South Africa has the third highest unemployment rate in the world for people between the ages of 15 to 24.

“While in many emerging markets there are jobs and the potential for more jobs to be created, many young people do not have the skills to meet that demand.

“South Africa should invest more in agriculture to create those jobs and education and training so that youth can take advantage of them,” he said.

Importance of agro-processingMinister Zokwana said world-class infrastructure, counter-seasonality to Europe, vast biodiversity and marine resources, and competitive input costs make South Africa a major player on the world’s markets.

“Agro processing contributed R280 million to the GDP in 2011, which is 20% of the total amount generated by the manufacturing sector. It is the third largest contributor to GDP within the sector, after chemicals and metals,” he said.

Agricultural youth SummitThe Agricultural Youth Summit is an annual event that seeks to empower and encourage young people to get active in the agriculture sector.

The Summit takes place as African leaders and Heads of State met in Equatorial Guinea, in commemoration of the AU Year of Agriculture Summit, which was held from 20 - 27 June in the capital city of Malabo.

This year’s commemoration called for an agricultural revolution in Africa to help lift more than 85 million Africans out of poverty, create jobs for youth and women, and recommit to the 2003 Maputo Declaration.

This year, the AU will have its commemoration under the theme, “Transforming Africa’s Agriculture for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods, through Harnessing Opportunities for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development”.

R7bn to support farmers


Jul 14 page 11

State-of-the-art trains, which are set to restore confidence in public transport, will hit the South African railway tracks towards the end of 2015.

“The manufacturing of the first 20 trains has started in the Alstom Lapa (Brazilian) plant. We are likely to see the first body shell in October. The first of these trains will arrive in South Africa in the fourth quarter of 2015,” Transport Minister Dipuo Peters announced on Wednesday.

Minister Peters was unveiling the final design of the new modern trains of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), in Johannesburg.

She further announced that work to manufacture the new blue, grey and silver trains started effectively from 26 April this year.

A few years ago, Prasa had been embarked on one of the biggest international Rolling Stock Fleet Renewal Programmes in the continent, if not the world.

As a result, Prasa signed a R51 billion contract with Gibela Rail Transport Consortium which includes the construction of a local train manufacturing plant in Nigel.

Gibela is led by Alstom, a French world leader in transport infrastructure and equipment, power generation and electrical grids, which has a presence in 100 countries.

Minister Peters said: “We are looking forward to the arrival of the new trains. As government, we are excited that today marks yet another significant milestone in the long journey we have been on so far, a journey of transforming and modernising our passenger rail system.

“After Prasa and Gibela reached financial close in April, we can look forward to the creation of much-needed jobs, Prasa’s contribution to government’s socio-economic policies to uplift the poor and the delivery of the 600 trains over the next 10 years.

“The first phase of the procurement process for the acquisition of the New Rolling Stock Fleet has now been concluded and it is time to start the hard work”.

As part of the deal, Gibela will provide technical support to Prasa and supply the spare parts over an 18-year period.

Minister Peters said the reach of the financial close means the industrialisation of the South African economy is in full swing.

The minister said more than 500 South African technicians, engineers and other professionals will be trained in the skills and competencies required to build and deliver the modern trains.

Gibela will spend R1 billion to manufacture the plant in Dunnottar, 10km north of the town of Nigel, to produce the 580 trains which will be manufactured in South Africa.

The 600,000m2 manufacturing facility is also designed to house an engineering centre and training facility.

Prasa Group CEO, Lucky Montana said: “These are the beautiful trains for all South Africans, they will remain affordable. These are modern trains in a true sense of the word, the trains that are safe, reliable and comfortable that even exceeds some of the standards you can find in certain trains in the world. It is a modern train which will restore confidence on public transport in the country.”

Through the contract, Montana said they have set to deliver 3600 coaches over a 10 year period, from 2015 to 2025, with a cost implication of R51 billion. This will include the maintenance, spares supply and technical support on vehicles over 18 year period 2015 to 2033.

This, he said, will also result in 33,000 direct and indirect jobs. He said 30% of ownership will be set aside for BBBEE Equity Partners.

The contract preferential procurement includes:

•R32.8 billion to be spent on subcontracting to black empowered entities;

•R5.3 billion to be spent on subcontracting to Qualifying Small Enterprises and Exempted Micro Enterprises (SMMEs);

•R1.6 billion to be spent on subcontracting to entities owned by black women;

•R746 million on the development of enterprises in the rail sector; and

•R273 million on Socio-Economic Development contributions

High-tech trains to hit SA track

Jul 14


South Africa and Germany have signed five agreements, amounting to about R5.89 billion, aimed at boosting development cooperation between the two countries.

The agreements were signed by Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene and German Ambassador Horst Freitag on Friday.

Freitag said Germany continued to support South Africa as it tries to address some of its challenges. “South Africa is one of our most important global development partners,” said the Ambassador.

“Our development cooperation is an integral part of our broader cooperation in the political, economic, social and cultural spheres, bearing testimony to a successful partnership between countries of the Northern and Southern hemisphere in a changing world,” Freitag said.

Minister Nene welcomed the support from Germany, saying he was looking forward to the successful implementation of the cooperation which is aligned to the priorities articulated in the National

Development Plan.“On behalf of the citizens of South Africa, the

recipients of your support, we would like to express our gratitude for the long standing partnership with the German government and hope to strengthen the collaboration going forward.” Minister Nene said.

Development cooperation between South Africa and Germany dates back to 1992.

To date, the financial and technical contribution from the Germany to South Africa is just over R14.4 billion, which includes the allocation from the last round of government to government negotiations held in 2012.

This amount has gone towards empowering people, transfer of skills and the building of institutional capabilities.

Over the last 20 years, bilateral cooperation has matured into a partnership, where Germany supports South African priorities. The partnership is focused on the areas of energy and climate change, HIV/AIDS prevention and good governance.

SA, Germany sign multi-billion rand development deal


Jul 14 page 13

The next five years is about moving South Africa towards an energy secure future, with the Department of Energy already integrating their plans towards this goal.

According to Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson, her department has already started the process of ensuring a maximum level of alignment between their Strategic and Annual Performance Plan (APP) and the National Development Plan (NDP). This, the minister said, culminated in a new five-year strategic plan.

“This new strategic plan, together with the updated APP, will be greatly aligned with the Medium Term Strategic Framework, and is expected to set out in detail how we will respond to the injunctions of the NDP, as outlined by the President in his State of the Nation Address… [We will] also set clear targets and the systems and processes to monitor the implementation of these during the same period,” Minister Joemat-Pettersson said last month.

She was speaking during the Portfolio Committee on Energy meeting in Cape Town.

The minister said she was determined to bring consistency and certainty with regard to the policy and legislative environment.

The plans, Minister Joemat-Pettersson said, include finalising the Integrated Energy Master Plan, together with its component parts, namely the Integrated Resource Plan and the Gas Utilisation Master Plan.

Natural gas from the SADC region and South Africa’s shale gas resources will also feature centrally in this plan. Minister Joemat-Pettersson said she intends to work closely with the Department of Mineral Resources to resolve the issues that will facilitate investment in the gas sector.

“Regional integration within SADC is central to our energy security, particularly as it diversifies our energy mix and complements our fossil based energy sector.”

Minister Joemat-Pettersson said she intends to accelerate all the outstanding matters surrounding

the commencement of the nuclear build programme.

The minister also plans to address the problems that Eskom faces. In this light, she said she is looking at the short to medium term, including Eskom’s funding model.

The minister said they will in the next five years accelerate the roll-out of electricity to reach universal access targets. They will do this through the approved National Household Electrification Strategy, utilising grid and non-grid means.

“We will work with the Department of Cooperative Governance, National Treasury and South African Local Government Association (Salga) to address the maintenance and refurbishment backlogs in the electrification distribution industry,” the minister said.

She committed to work in close co-operation with other spheres of government to ensure President Jacob Zuma’s call to give extra support to municipalities in need.

She also vowed to ensure the repositioning and strengthening of state owned entities (SOEs), especially with regards to the Central Energy Fund (CEF) and its subsidiaries, as well as the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) and the recently established Nuclear Radio Active Waste Disposal Institute.

“I am not willing to yield or compromise on this, as our SOEs are central to attaining our goals as a developmental state,” said Minister Joemat-Pettersson.

Moving SA towards an energy secure future

Jul 14

entrepreneur

Simplifying technology

Fixated from a young age with taking apart computers only to put them back together again, Colin Thornton attended the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg studying Computer Science to satisfy his love of repairing technology. However, a course which turned out to be chockfull of theory was not for Thornton who loved the practical side of computers so he decided to leave before completing the course.

Intent on not giving up, Thornton set up his own business in 1998 when he was just 19, initially helping friends and family with their demands of technical problems and issues with computers. It wasn’t long before word of mouth spread and more and more customers were requiring solutions, repairs and servicing at a very competitive rate of just $7 an hour.

For many start-up businesses this is often the point at which they start to flag or stop altogether but Thornton persevered by taking on more staff to ensure a greater number of clients received help, therefore building a greater and much wider customer base. Incorporating home visits also contributed to the budding success of this company, helping to set it apart from an increasingly competitive industry and before long, Dial a Nerd was successfully established.

BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL EMPIREFrom 2011, Dial a Nerd began focusing much more

on providing business support, acting as an outsource IT department and delivering savings with improved business continuity. Throughout its 15 years, Thornton has admirably ensured Dial a Nerd remains heavily customer focused with up to 80% of all new orders still coming in from word of mouth. Thornton has realised that all important strategy of building up a base of repeat and loyal customers and remembering that the smaller businesses that the company helps are just as important as the bigger firms.

By the end of 2012, Dial a Nerd had taken on a further five technicians and moved to bigger premises in Parkhurst, Johannesburg and just one year later, the company opened a new branch in Cape Town. Thornton focused on finding like-minded people to join him, not only helping to satisfy more customers but ensuring at each level that service remained consistent. Recognising early on that a number of these employees were vital to the company, Thornton offered them shares in Dial a Nerd and today, all six shareholders are still active in its management.

Now with 150 staff in ten locations across South Africa, the company’s footprint is continuing to expand, having helped over 40,000 customers from small businesses to large corporate firms. With computer problems often resulting in long and intolerable hours trying to find a solution, Dial a Nerd offer innumerable services to help provide a quick

Editorial: Harriet Pattison

What began as a small business in his parent’s garage at the age

of 19, borrowing just R5000, Colin Thornton has built an impressive

empire now worth over $10 million in revenue. Dial a Nerd offers

solutions and repair services for computers, ensuring customer

service remains paramount. With over 100 employees, Thornton has

come a long way from being the ‘neighbourhood computer doctor’…

entrepreneur

Jul 14 page 15

ColIn tHornton

and efficient service. Ranging from simple home IT support to security issues, help with programs such as Microsoft Office 365 to more complex issues including network design and consultancy, Dial a Nerd is able to fix all manner of seemingly problematic issues.

A TRUE TESTAMENTA testament to its success, Dial a Nerd has won many impressive accolades, including first prize in the IT and telecommunications category of the South African Service Awards. Thornton was a judge on the Accenture Enablis Business Launchpad competition, was named among the ‘Top 200 Young South Africans you should take to lunch in 2011’ and recently featured in the Forbes list of Ten Young African Millionaires To Watch In 2013. Thornton was also featured in the Brand South Africa television advert in 2013, giving advice on how to start up a successful business. “South Africa was a difficult place to start an IT company. Starting a company in South Africa is an uphill battle, you need a lot of self-confidence and you’ve got to keep pushing. My secret to success is picking the right people and then trusting them” he reveals.

In addition to helping with complex computer solutions, Dial a Nerd also has a news section on its website providing added insight into ‘The importance of a strong password’ and ‘How to speed up your

old computer’. From a small business idea providing technical help to friends and family, Thornton has found a secure niche market in which to build and grow his company. From humble beginnings as the ‘neighbourhood computer doctor’, Thornton has retained the company’s strong values and heavy customer service focus almost 20 years on to create and sustain a very secure future for Dial a Nerd..

Editorial: Harriet Pattison

With millions of people forced to live in overcrowded and dangerous shacks throughout South Africa, fires are an all too frequent occurrence, resulting in tragic loss of life and homelessness. A new heat detecting device, developed by a final year student, is hoping to change all that…

page 16 Jul 14

InnovatIon

Detecting heat, saving lives

Between 2000 and 2010, over 230,000 people were made homeless by shack fires in South Africa alone. As urban populations continue to rise, more and more people are forced to move into these informal and overcrowded dwellings surrounding Cape Town and more rural areas.

POTENTIAL FOR CHANGEConditions in these shacks are often fraught with dangers, built in very close proximity to each other with occupiers relying on fossil fuels for open fires and paraffin lamps to cook and keep warm. According to Abahlali baseMjondolo, a South African shack-dwellers’ movement, there are an estimated ten shack fires a day in South Africa with someone dying in a shack fire every other day. Despite rising numbers of dwellers, there is no protection or security present which only exacerbates these threats and with an abundance of flammable materials, little warning is given before fires spread and help eventually arrives. With little infrastructure, supplies and limited roads, disasters such as these can have a detrimental impact on the livelihood of those living in the shacks.

LIFE SAVING DEVICESmoke detectors are futile in shack dwellings as they are naturally smoky due to frequent open fires and overcrowded conditions so a new and innovative idea was desperately needed. Spurred on by the news of another devastating fire

which spread through South Africa’s Khayelitsha shack on New Year’s Day in 2013 leaving 4,000 people homeless; Francois Petousis, a University of Cape Town student, decided to turn his thesis project idea into a reality. With help and support from Samuel Ginsberg, a lecturer at the university who came up with the idea for the device, the pair created Khusela.

On detecting sudden high temperatures in the air, Khusela sounds an alarm helping to warn shack dwellers of fires before they become unmanageable and start to spread. A report, prepared by the City of Cape Town for a Fire Safety Symposium earlier this year found that many fires occur at night between 9pm and 3am when most people are sleeping so the alarm frequency has been specifically designed to wake people.

InnovatIon

In the first instance, the alarm provides an opportunity to manage and control the fire and in the second, the innovative addition of transmission technology triggers other Khusela devices within a 100m radius warning the whole community of potential danger. This simple early warning system, integrated into the communities, will have a positive social impact and help to drastically reduce and prevent the unnecessary loss of lives and damage to homes these fires can cause.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDWith a little help from electrical engineer Paul Mesarcik, economist David Gluckman, industrial designer Max Basler and Emily Vining who has experience in community engagement expert, Petousis and Ginsberg fought off competition from hundreds of other entrants and 18 finalists, to be named one of the top five initiatives worldwide and win the prestigious People’s Choice Award for their low-cost fire detection device. Held at the annual Global Social Venture Competition at the University of Berkeley in California, the business ceremony provides budding entrepreneurs with mentoring, exposure, and prize money to transform their business theories into a saleable product.

Speaking to the Graduate School of Business, Petousis explains the competition atmosphere alone was inspiring: “All these people are devoting their lives to discovering how we can create a world where you get paid to do good, where business can function to support that which really matters and

makes a difference to humans. The room was far from what traditionally is the mood of a competition. The ethos was of support and collaboration, because at the core everyone was there to serve a bigger purpose than their own.”

SUCCESSFUL INNOVATIONWith one billion shack-dwellers across the globe today, fears that this is estimated to soar to 1.4 billion by 2020 means the Khusela detector could not have come soon enough. Compact, durable and easy to suspend, the device has been suitably designed for shack dwelling conditions with a long battery life of four years and most importantly, can be mass produced at a cost of just under R10 per device. The Khusela prototype is currently being tested in both laboratories and in shacks and will be integrated in Cape Town shacks from October this year, with a view to tackle more rural locations thereafter.

Gluckman, also speaking to the Graduate School of Business, encourages aspiring innovators to be inspired and create something revolutionary: “Get out and engage with the community that you wish to serve. Get off the computer, stop writing the business plan, put down the pen and paper and get into your market and find out. In social impact work, it is critical to know with as close to 100% certainty that there is truly a need. That’s true for any business, but specifically in the social impact space where resources are scarce and challenges are huge.”.

KHusela

Jul 14 page 17

Jul 14

InspIratIon sa

Conferences should be more than PowerPoint…

Conferences and exhibitions are fast becoming the preferred method for businesses to get a message across. Gone are the days of circulating a black and white newsletter; today businesses have to keep in touch with their stakeholders through innovative and memorable means.

The conference scene is a great vehicle for putting management in touch with the rest of the workforce or with customers, but it doesn’t end there. New products can be launched at a conference, awards can be delivered, customers or employees can get up close and personal with colleagues and companies can deliver memorable experiences which can drive motivation and, ultimately, future business.

With well over 1000 world-class conference and exhibition venues available across South Africa, ranging from intimate bush hideaways to hi-tech convention centres, the country is well equipped for conferences and exhibitions of all kinds with major international events organisers choosing South Africa as the perfect host for important live events every year.

Fortunately, modern technology allows for conferences to be much more than a lonely soul

standing in front of an unimpressed audience with a dreary PowerPoint presentation. One company which provides some of the most innovative and exciting technical visual solutions is Brohns, founded in 2010 by Brad Francis. He tells us that the conference/exhibition industry can have an extremely positive impact on business activity.

“I feel that the conference/exhibition industry provides companies with the best hands on, personal showcasing that you cannot achieve in any other format. In my job, I have the privilege of listening to a multitude of large corporate presentations and come away with a wealth of knowledge and motivation.

“People make up companies and it’s in these events that the people can see where the company has come from in the last year and often, see where it is headed! Many of the conferences I do, more often than not, acknowledge certain members of the company for long service, special mention, even bring along a motivational speaker. The purpose of these conferences don’t always have the above as their main goal, however, I have seen the great positive impact it creates,” he says.

Editorial: Christian Jordan

In a time where conferences and exhibitions mean big money for

businesses, it is important to maximise your event so that your

stakeholders are impressed. Brad Francis from Brohns Visual and

Graphic Design Productions tells us that “the conference/exhibition

industry provides companies with the best hands on, personal

showcasing that you cannot achieve in any other format” and

advises on how to really set your display apart.

InspIratIon sa

Jul 14 page 19

broHns

TECHNOLOGy AT ITS BESTSo how can your conference be made more visually appealing? What sort of technology is Brad using to boost overall event experiences?

“I use and have always used software called Dataton Watchout. It’s a Swedish product that I started using as early as version 2 back in 2005. It has always been a Multi-Screen/Multi-Format product that uses high-end computers to manipulate media in and out of the system. It has allowed me to do projection onto widescreen surfaces, spheres, buildings, sets, vehicles etc. This allows me to use a timeline and cues based structure, to playback media in multiple formats, as well as manipulate my displays, and plug in cameras and high-end multi-media switches.

“The most intricate display I have worked with recently was a 16 screen, 360 degree conference that had eight individual screens around the border of the venue, each with its own stage and lectern, and then an inner stage with eight circle screens that had either a live camera feed or a presentation displayed for those in the room that had their backs turned to the speaker. There was an opening video that utilised all the outer

screens and had people’s heads turning,” he says. “The other more intricate display I worked on was

at a Discovery Leadership Summit that involved an 80 metre wide custom made set with wide screens built into that. The custom set was made to stretch the length of the venue and as you walked in, a massive digital screen with odd shapes and depths was displayed to the audience.”

Obviously, the most important thing for a conference is to make it memorable. The presentation has to have an impact on the audience and this can require a detailed brief, a carefully thought-out plan and, sometimes, a large budget.

“I have the privilege of working with some great companies that spend money on exciting opening videos, conference themes, presentations that match the format of the screen, and closing videos,” says Brad. “Sometimes the words used in the brief involve ‘NO BULLET POINTS’ and the presenters are forced to use images and key points as opposed to the old-fashioned graphs and bullet points. This creates high expectations before an event as well as a powerful medium. Presenters are also then forced to stick to the

Jul 14

InspIratIon sa

theme and the experience is memorable. All in all, the audience is exposed to an alternative way of presenting that makes it exciting and entertaining.”

BRAD AND BROHNSIf you are going to trust your conference project to someone else, it makes sense to go to the specialists and Brohns is exactly that. The technology and expertise behind truly great displays is not something that a marketing department can master in an afternoon; the skills required are specific and particular. Brad has been honing his talents for many years and Brohns is now known as a provider of solutions that challenge the norms.

“Brohns is a production business that I started in 2010, with one Sony HD video camera and some multiscreen event experience. I had previously been working for a company that did multiscreen solutions, and decided to take a break and do sales in a different industry completely, but with the knowledge of sales and the skills I had in Audio Visual, I decided to start my own thing. The reason for this is that I really enjoyed the challenges and rewards of the live event

industry, and felt I could now offer something unique to the Audio Visual industry.

“My business aims to provide event companies with a technical visual solution that would make the event look as slick as possible without any glitches. Main activities involve widescreen and multiscreen experiences that clients require for a launch of a new product, or just for some excitement in their yearly conferences,” explains Brad.

“I would say I’m a specialised solution provider in a market that allows me to be involved when the visual factors of a show are not the norm. There are a few other companies out there in SA doing a similar thing to me, and some with more or less experience than what I have but it’s the technical companies, that own all the gear, that sometimes prefer to entrust their show in my skills and equipment. I have also been stretched in some heavy situations and have been able to find solutions that result in little or no issues. This, together with my portfolio, as well as, word of mouth, seems to get my name out there and put me on the next big event.”

So with more and more conferences being held in

InspIratIon sa

Jul 14 page 21

broHns

South Africa and the demand that each must be more impressive than the last, how does Brohns plan to expand its offering?

“I have recently expanded by investing in four top of the range, multi output and multi format media servers that allow me to take on bigger shows with a versatile system that I not only trust, but have built myself with the highest specs at the time.

“With this I can take on the challenges of putting together a ‘never been done before’ visual experience that clients are now envisaging. I feel that because I am in a niche market, I cannot lose time in training someone up or taking on staff so the only way I can really expand is through taking on bigger clients that are willing to push the barrier and allow me to come on board to make it all happen.”

THE FUTUREThe conference and exhibition industry is on the rise and as people realise that these events can be so much more than just a chance to gather people together, the demands on conference professionals will change. Brad says that he hopes to create the ultimate all singing and dancing visual display which will accompany a fantastic presentation that will capture the imagination of the audience.

“Most of the shows I work on have everything I would expect on a show, but if money wasn’t a barrier, I would move away from freestanding old school screens and go with a custom built set, sound that would involve a surround sound experience, lights that could sync to the video timeline and be in time with the content, and a presentation that would interact with the presenters on stage - so no more standing there with a clicker to advance the slide - they must go to the screen and interact with it via touch or gesture.

“I have seen some great performances and speakers that are brought in to break the dullness of the conference, but all shock factors are lost when we resume with the standard conference format after that. To me, the message and the overall experience are worth more, so more time and energy needs to be put into that,” he says.

It is also important not to focus too much on elements of an event which will not stick out in the audiences mind in the future. As Brad explains, lighting and decoration can receive minimal attention and as long as the visual and sound content are spot on, then you will avoid losing people’s interest mid-presentation.

“My theory behind an event is that there is always a

budget, and some elements get a back seat because of the main factor the client is wanting. We are living in a very audio and visual demanding age, and your one or two screen 4x3 conferences create a dull impression for the audience.

“I would say that the standard needs to be at least three screens or even a widescreen these days. Lights and decoration can be set to a minimum, visual and sound content are the lasting experiences people talk about. Exhibition stands that don’t involve an Audio Visual element normally lose an audience, as people judge a book by its cover, and a boring stand that doesn’t shout your product professionally, normally leads to disinterest overall,” he says.

So what lessons can we take from our discussion with Brad? Firstly, Audio Visual content is of vital importance to a successful conference presentation. Secondly, keeping the audience’s attention is vital and this can be done through impressive sounds and sights. Thirdly, conferences have a great impact on all stakeholders and lastly, conference projects are changing in the future we will see much more interactive presentations, the likes of which will require professional assistance..

For more information about Brohns visit: www.brohns.co.za/Brohns/

“I would say that the standard needs to be at least three screens or even a widescreen these days”

Jul 14

prIme CIrCle

Conquering Europe

Q: Now that Let the Night In is finalised and you have had some time to reflect on the overall sound, do you feel that the album has turned out as you hoped?

We are very happy with the album; the true test for us is when we take the songs out on the road. They are a lot of fun to play and so far people are responding well.

Q: It has been said that the albums contains influences from other genres including hip-hop, electronica etc. Was this intended?

In a way, yes. We wanted the album to sound how the band felt, with a new energy and a definite move forward so we tried new things, pushing Neil, our keyboard player, more to the foreground with a completely different guitar and tone set up, just a different approach.

Q: Do you think that the music industry in general has seen a change in the way people categorise genres? Chris Martin said that he was comfortable merging Coldplay’s traditional sound with ‘electronic dance music’; do you feel the same about your sound?

I think that categorising music is a trick and I wouldn’t do it; a band like Nine Inch Nails, who we love, has been pushing those boundaries for years and I think we will continue to do that in our small way as well. We try to serve the song.

Q: What is the thinking behind the album art?

We battled to find the right cover art and I think we had about 6 or 7 different covers that no one agreed on. The

Editorial: Joe Forshaw

Prime Circle’s sixth studio album, Let the Night In, was released on 13th June. As the band tour Europe and prepare for a bumper SA arena tour, IndustrySA asks how the gents are feeling about the new album…

Jul 14 page 23

prIme CIrCle

current cover is a picture taken by a friend of Marco’s. It is of a woman who was walking around at a music festival with these giant wings, he took a snap shot and it came out amazing, we love it and it also has the sunset element (Let the Night In).

Q: How was it working with Denholm Harding? How does his style differ to other producers that you’ve worked with?

Denholm is a true talent, he is an amazing player and his understanding of music in all its styles is incredible. He helped us push more boundaries within ourselves and within our music, hence the reason that this is such a performance driven album. When the band digs in you can hear it straight away.

Q: Does vintage equipment, such as the ‘old school Neve analogue mixing console’, really make a big difference to the sound of the final product?

We tried other desks but the drum sound we were getting

on the Neve console was unrivalled, that’s why we are proud to say there is no sampled drums on this album. What you hear is what Dale played; plus the room felt right. We had Bruce Lee posters everywhere as inspiration… that might have affected the sound too [laughs].

Q: Which countries are you most looking forward to visiting on the European tour? Perhaps Germany which has always been good to you? Or maybe one of your first time nations such as Spain?

Germany has been great to us; it’s always a blast playing there. We are looking forward to all the shows, we just love being on the road, getting to play every day, seeing places for the first time or revisiting and seeing familiar faces.

Q: Back in October 2012, you told us that the USA would eventually become a target market for you. Will we see you making waves in the US anytime soon?

Maybe, there is no immediate plan yet but we are hoping to tour the states next year.

Jul 14

prIme CIrCle

Q: It has been said that your SA tour will have a strong visual component. Do you enjoy being involved with the design of elements like this?

I love putting a show together with the band, putting visuals to certain songs and making it more interesting for whoever might be watching, bringing new life to old songs. If it is more fun for the band then that translates to the crowd.

Q: What is the main difference between performing in front of SA fans and European fans?

The shows don’t differ too much, we maybe play more of our catalogue in SA as people know us from the beginning; Europe is a whole new thing, us starting again, earning people’s support - one fan at a time. It’s a rush to see people singing along when they have only just heard of you. We love it!

Q: With your popularity always increasing, how do you find managing your online presence? Is it like managing a business where you have to say what is best for profits or are you ‘natural’ on social media?

I am not very good with the online stuff, I post what I can, luckily there are five of us to help keep up with posting and sharing.

Q: How have the relationships between band members changed over the past 13/14 years? Does it still feel like the proverbial “family”?

More so these days, we all understand each other a bit better and have come to terms with things in the band and each other that sometimes drive us crazy. It’s like a touring family each one with their own weird characters.

Q: Finally, you are often regarded as South Africa’s most successful rock act – when people say things like this does it really hit home as to how successful Prime Circle has been or are you used to hearing compliments so often that they don’t mean much anymore?

We don’t give it much thought; we honestly have a clean slate in our minds before each show. It’s about what’s in front of you. We are grateful for all the support over the years and try not take that for granted. Thanks for keeping us in these great jobs for all these years, we love you guys!

www.primecircleband.com

@prime_Circle

Jul 14 page 25

prIme CIrCle

jul 14

company profile

Who says fish can’t fly?

Founded over a century ago, The South African Breweries (Pty) Ltd (SAB) has grown to become SABMiller, the second largest brewery by volume in the world, with over 200 brands distributing to more than 70 countries across six continents. One of the up and coming brands of local subsidiary SAB, the leading distributor of beers and soft drinks, is Flying Fish.Created in August 2012, this revolutionary brand combines the basic flavours of malted barley and hops and adds real fruit juice. The result? A refreshing fruit flavoured beer. Available in the citrus flavours of Pressed Lemon and Crushed

Orange, IndustrySA speaks to SAB’s Market Development Manager, Hilary Jamieson, to ask just what makes the Flying Fish brand so revolutionary to South Africa.

THE FLAVOURED BEER“Beer has such a wonderful competency. It’s what we started out doing and it’s what we do really well, so a flavoured beer was a natural choice. So we went into research with a total of 1500 consumers, testing products and positioning, as well as flavours. The citrus ones came out really strongly,” Jamieson explains.

Flavoured beers and ciders have become

Editorial: Harriet Pattison Production: Emily Woodhall

With refreshing zesty flavours of Pressed Lemon and Crushed Orange being enjoyed and experienced across South Africa, selfies posted on Facebook and a beach on a rooftop in Johannesburg, it seems safe to say that Flying Fish’s question, ‘Who says fish can’t fly?’ has already been answered…

jul 14 PAGE 27

South AfricAn BrewerieS – flying fiSh

increasingly popular in European countries in recent years but the idea, certainly where beer is concerned, had not really caught on in South Africa. Due to the often potent flavour and of beer, it is not a drink of choice for everyone so Flying Fish decided to tackle this as Jamieson explains: “Flying Fish is aimed at younger adult consumers aged 18-24. Amongst these consumers are beer rejecters so we asked how we could make beer more appealing. They suggested adding some lemonade, so the lemon variant appealed.”

A BEACH IN JOHANNESBURG?The launch event was held in October 2013 and

was designed to reflect the brand’s ethos, which Jamieson explains is all about adding a fun twist to the ordinary and creating relevant and memorable experiences that younger adult consumers can enjoy with their friends, which can often involve long summer months spent at the beach or beside the pool.

Jamieson explains how the company started to think outside of the generic consumer marketing box: “Our point of sale asks the questions, ‘Who says fish can’t fly?’ and ‘Who says beer can’t be flavoured?’ The launch event was held on a rooftop in Johannesburg and the set up was a beach, after all, who says you can’t have a beach

Jul 14

Company proFIle

in Johannesburg? Whatever we do for the brand we try to add some flavour. We want consumers to say ‘that could only be Flying Fish’. The added flavour extends to our point-of-sale elements. We try to stay away from simple paper and board and use posters that are lenticular, just something a little different from the ordinary” explains Jamieson.

Joining SAB almost 25 years ago, Jamieson began as the sales forecaster in KwaZulu Natal with a primary role of predicting the sales for the region. Having worked on a few brands within the SAB portfolio, Jamieson understands the importance of buy-in from the full SAB sales force: “I am glad to see many of them drinking the brand and selling it with gusto” she says.

“UNBELIEVABLE RESULTS”When a brand like Flying Fish is aimed at the younger adult consumer, the world of social media is a vital tool in which to grow its market and add flavour to more lives. Jamieson explains its Facebook page over the last couple of months has had “unbelievable results,” largely due to the experiences the brand has hosted and the ‘flavour battle’ with sees people posting a selfie with their favourite flavour. “Once people try Flying Fish,

it’s not a question of whether you like it, it’s a question of whether you prefer Lemon or Orange. Our brewing team did a phenomenal job,” says Jamieson.

A ZESTy AND REFRESHING FUTURE Despite only a short time in market, it is clear the Flying Fish brand is doing very well; so what’s next? Jamieson explains the company’s next biggest task is tackling consumers that reject beer. “Our biggest challenge is getting it into the hands of beer rejecters and convincing them that this is a product which doesn’t smell like a beer or taste like a beer. An increasing number of consumers are adopting Flying Fish as part of their regular repertoire.”

“It is important that the brand appeals to both guys and girls and so far, Flying Fish is doing exactly that” Jamieson adds.

Sampling also remains a high priority, as Jamieson explains: “We want to get our product into consumers so sampling is the major focus and this will continue. We invest a significant portion of our marketing budget in this area, whether it be

Jul 14 page 29

soutH aFrICan breWerIes – FlyIng FIsH

With a fl eet of 100 vehicles, for a quarter of a century Multiloads has been redefi ning the concept of service excellence. At Multiloads every person from the board of Directors to the workshop assistants are dedicated and proud to deliver every load safe and on time.

So if you are looking to get a reliable and service orientated service provider to transport your goods throughout Southern Africa.

Contact us at

012 541 2397 or visit www.multiloads.co.za

“We Deliver”

“We have an incredibly positive and ambitious target for this year and to do that we must continue with new-news and ongoing activities to make sure the brand remains relevant and appealing to the consumer”

Jul 14

Company proFIle

in outlet or at an experience.” Jamieson explains that Flying Fish want to create

experiences or leverage existing experiences for the target consumer. In July the brand will be activating at the Durban July, a horse race held every year on the first Saturday of the month. Jamieson explains the event is the perfect fit for the brand with young adults flocking from Johannesburg and other places: “To be honest, it isn’t really about the horse race! It’s an opportunity to mingle amongst a few celebrities and spend time chilling with friends, and of course, enjoy a Flying Fish. Their phones will be close by so they can be posting on social media letting everyone know where they are, what they are doing and who they are hanging out with.”

“In order for Flying Fish to continue on this run of exponential success we just need to get the basics right. Primarily we have to be available and visible in outlets so consumers can find us wherever they shop or consume. We service a huge number of outlets and it is especially important that the brand is available in outlets frequented by the target consumer. After running out of stock last December due to such high demands, we just

couldn’t make enough so the company’s focus is making sure that does not happen again” Jamieson explains.

For a brand that is still less than a year old, the future looks set to be a bright one for Flying Fish and one filled with opportunities. “We have an incredibly positive and ambitious target for this year and to do that we must continue with new-news and ongoing activities to make sure the brand remains relevant and appealing to the consumer” says Jamieson. So, who says fish can’t fly?.

Jul 14 page 31

soutH aFrICan breWerIes – FlyIng FIsH

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Some of our available offerings include:

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“Once people try Flying Fish, it’s not a question of whether you like it, it’s a question of whether you prefer Lemon or Orange.”

jul 14

company profile

Bringing modern banking to the masses

When Standard Bank was established back in 1862, no one could have known what a success the business would turn out to be. Now one of Africa’s largest financial service groups, Standard Bank has a long and illustrious history and its success is showing no signs of slowing following an extremely successful showing at The Banker Magazines annual Deals of the Year Awards 2014.

The awards; run by The Banker, an English language publication owned by The Financial Times; recognise excellence for deals struck across Africa and take into account various categories for deal submissions.

Standard Bank was recognised by the magazine for its contribution to the Aspen Pharmacare $2.6 billion

funding package which saw the bank underwrite, arrange and syndicate debt for subsidiaries of the Aspen Pharmacare Group.

Other deals recognised by The Banker included Stanbic IBTC, a member of Standard Bank Group, acting as the joint issuer and bookrunner for the Islamic Finance Deal for the Osun State government of Nigeria. This transaction was the first time a Sukuk bond had been issued in West Africa and saw increased demand from institutional investors, rising from $61.87 million to $72 million.

Also in Nigeria, Stanbic IBTC was involved in the restructuring of term finance for Polo Park Mall in Enugu State, overseeing the addition of equity into the

Editorial: Christian JordanProduction: Emily Woodhall

In the past six months, Standard Bank has been picking up awards from some of the most well-respected financial bodies in the world. IndustrySA finds out more about how this banking industry powerhouse continues its fantastic story of African growth with no signs of slowing anytime soon.

jul 14 PAGE 33

Standard Bank

deal and resulting in the award for ‘Best Restructure of Term Facilities’.

Another deal in which Standard Bank impressed involved the Eyethu Orange Farm Mall, the first mall of its kind in the Orange Farm area and something of a breakthrough in the development of non-metropolitan areas. Standard Bank provided all of the debt structuring and debt finance to the project and according to David Munro, Standard Bank Group’s Chief Executive-Corporate and Investment Banking Division, these awards show the company’s capabilities across many different local markets.

“Winning these accolades across numerous categories is testament to Standard Bank’s African capabilities and

on the ground local expertise in the markets in which we operate,” he said.

“Our distinctive African footprint has allowed us to gain strategic insights into the various African markets within which we operate, ensuring that we are uniquely placed to provide our clients with world class service.”

Awards from The Banker are a big deal and the magazine is widely regarded as the world’s premier banking and finance resource, aimed at senior bankers and world leaders.

PAN-AFRICAN BANKINGStandard Bank’s continental footprint but local focus is something which has allowed the company to continually

Jul 14

Company proFIle

grow in Africa. Demand for financial services from international commodity traders and quickly expanding national, regional and local businesses in Africa has seen a steep rise since the withdrawal of international lenders following the global recession.

Many African regions and industry sectors have witnessed significant growth, even since the global economic slowdown, and in true entrepreneurial style Standard Bank has viewed the withdrawal of global lenders as an opportunity rather than a threat.

“The financing gap left by the European banks continues to manifest itself but we believe this provides an opportunity for Pan African banks such as Standard Bank to step into the breach,” said Gwen Mwaba, Standard Bank Group’s Executive Vice President - Structured Trade Finance, who was speaking at the 6th annual East Africa Trade and Commodity Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya in May.

“Standard Bank aims to be the bank of choice in Africa and given the number of new clients we’re onboarding, particularly in the oil and gas sector, we expect the demand for locally-grown banking services to help propel us into that position.”

Africa’s total exports grew to US$498 billion in 2013, highlighting the scale of the continents trade finance opportunities and African businesses engaged in global trade and regional expansion have been forced to turn to domestic financial institutions for their commerce needs.

But not all of this growth has been in global trade; exports (including everything form tea and coffee to oil and metals) from East African countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi reached approximately US$12.5 billion in 2013 and Mwaba says a significant driver of this growth has been the rise in intra-African trade, which is currently growing at 9.1%

per annum. “A lot of our East African clients are expanding beyond

their home bases into their neighbouring countries and this is helping to boost regional trade in all the major economies of the region, but particularly in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” she said.

And Standard Bank is perfectly suited to step in an assist with regional growth. The company says: “The advantage that many African banks enjoy over their international competitors is not only local knowledge but also their increasingly stronger balance sheets, the necessary capital and liquidity, sufficient risk appetite and competitive funding costs. This has created a huge opportunity for Pan African banking institutions to be more creative in providing trade finance solutions to their clients.”

ACCESSIBILITyHaving a strong local footprint with in-depth local understanding is not the only way that Standard Bank has been making banking easily accessible.

In April, the company was recognised by Celent, an international research and consulting firm, for providing the value of banking to ‘grassroots South Africans’.

Celent, specialists in international research and consulting, named Standard Bank its 2013 Model Bank: Digital and Omnichannel, for the bank’s AccessBanking concept and range of services.

AccessBanking solutions have lowered traditional barriers to entry in the banking industry and allowed many new customers, almost ten million in fact, to access Standard Bank’s innovative services. This has been of huge benefit to underprivileged South African’s who can now access mainstream banking solutions where they could not before, allowing them to build a solid financial platform.

In Celent’s report on AccessBanking, the company said that it had been impressed with Standard Banks willing to approach a market that had been previously classed as unprofitable and difficult to serve. The report also commended Standard Bank for ‘going directly to the people and changing the value proposition of financial services in South Africa’.

Head of Inclusive Banking at Standard Bank South Africa, Kabelo Makeke said that recognition from the likes of Celent will institutions in emerging economies the confidence to adopt all-inclusive approaches.

“While it’s always gratifying to receive awards like this, we are especially pleased when they take the industry forward and drive innovation that ultimately

“Standard Bank aims to be

the bank of choice in Africa

and given the number of new

clients we’re onboarding,

particularly in the oil and gas

sector, we expect the demand

for locally-grown banking

services to help propel us into

that position”

Jul 14 page 35

standard banK

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Jul 14

Company proFIle

benefits our customers. Since 2010, when we first rolled out AccessBanking, 6.8 million people have opened AccessAccounts. By transforming our back-end processes and making intelligent use of mobile technology, we have been able to reduce the costs of administering these accounts and cut our bank charges allowing us to pass the saving on to our AccessBanking customers,” he said.

“We expect the business to grow exponentially, not only as new customers come on board but as existing AccessBanking customers grow their financial needs.

“The fact that Celent has made this objectively clear means that more banks should choose inclusivity as the road to sustainability and, in the process, begin to roll back the boundaries of poverty worldwide by taking banking to the people.”

The AccessBanking model is remarkably simple and initially, Standard Bank South Africa reviewed communities where access to banking was difficult or expensive and employed local people to use mobile technology to open accounts for customers and issue bank cards.

To back up this drive, the bank created 4000 AccessPoints in local stored where customers can use their cell phones to manage all the regular transactions at minimal cost, benefitting themselves and the owner of

the store. “Our investment into creating this effective banking

eco-system has been very beneficial to our AccessBanking customers. They are benefiting every day from our easy to use and convenient AccessBanking services. Inevitably, this will also pay off for our economy as a whole,” said Makeke.

BEST BANkAway from The Banker magazines recognition and Celent’s positive reports, Standard Bank has been winning awards at continental level, further reinforcing its position as one of the tops names in African finance.

In April, Standard bank Group was named Best Bank in Africa by Global Finance magazine. Global Finance is a leading monthly global industry publication aimed at corporate leaders, bankers, investors and executives responsible for making investment and strategic business decisions.

The magazine also named Standard Bank the best Bank in Angola, South Africa and Uganda in its Best Emerging Markets Bank Awards 2014.

To cap things off, Standard Bank Group was also named Global Best Investment Bank in Frontier Markets and the Best Investment Bank in Africa in the magazine’s

SAFE & SOUND

Smart Thinking. Safe Solutions.

As the cash management partner to the banking industry, we have witnessed the challenges, achievements and evolution of the banking environment and are proud to celebrate Standard Bank’s successes over the years. As they anticipate their future growth, not only in Africa, but also in the rest of the world, they can do so with peace of mind, knowing that their cash management is taken care of by the company rated as one of the best cash in transit companies in the world.

For a tailor-made, end-to-end cash management solution for your business, call 011 283 2000 or visit www.sbv.co.za.

SBV-half page print V1 151x112 final.indd 1 2014/07/03 8:30 AM

2014 World’s Best Investment Bank Awards.These awards recognise individual banks from various

countries, regions and sectors across the globe that have met the criteria set out by Global Finance editors and a team of experts.

Standard Bank Group Chief Executive, Ben Kruger said that the awards bear testament to the world class service that the company offers.

“Winning these accolades across numerous categories is testament to our on-going commitment to becoming Africa’s leading financial services organisation.”

“Our distinctive African footprint has allowed us to gain strategic insights into the various African markets within which we operate, ensuring that we are uniquely placed to provide our clients with world class service,” he said.

Standard Bank Group’s strategy is to remain committed to Africa, with a particular focus on natural resources and infrastructure. The company will continue to focus on delivering superior sustainable shareholder value by serving the needs of its customers through first-class, on-the-ground operations in chosen countries.

INFRASTRUCTUREReiterating its focus on infrastructure in Africa, Standard Bank was last month appointed as financial adviser and lead debt arranger for Sundance Resources in a USD$3.5-billion project to build port and rail infrastructures for the Mbalam-Nabeba Iron Ore Project in Central Africa.

The project will see leading contractor Mota-Engil Africa build a port and rail link in Cameroon and Congo-Brazzaville. The contractor has significant experience in sub-Saharan Africa and is currently working on a bulk commodity railway in Malawi operated by Brazilian mining group, Vale.

The project is expected to achieve financial close by the middle of 2015 with construction expected to take a further three and a half years.

Reports suggest that potential funding sources are already being discussed and partners, export credit agencies, development funds and commercial banks have already expressed interest in providing debt funding for the project.

Rob Bessinger, Head of International Client Coverage, at Standard Bank Group, said of the project: “Standard Bank Group believes the Mbalam-Nabeba Iron Ore Project is a tier one asset that will generate significant revenue once in production. However infrastructure is key to unlocking its potential.

“We have worked with Mota-Engil Africa on projects in the past, and we firmly believe they have the experience, credibility and capacity to put together a consortium that will succeed in building this project within the timeframe and budget outlined in their tender. Moreover, we are confident in our ability to raise funds for the construction phase of the project.”

Standard Bank Group has already held talks with a host of potential funding partners and has received several expressions of interest from export credit agencies and development finance institutions. Insurance companies have also expressed interest in providing protection for the commercial banking tranche.

These institutions have offered considerable support to the Mbalam-Nabeba Project including international providers of project equity and debt capital. Sundance commenced work with Standard Bank Group and Mota-Engil Africa to convert the indicative term sheets to credit-approved term sheets by the end of 2014.

On the energy side, Standard Bank Group has been a major part of the country’s development, fuding more than 940MW of renewable energy in line with Eskom’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme set out by the government. The energy produced by these projects was enough to power more

Jul 14 page 37

standard banK

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Jul 14

Company proFIle

than 65,000 homes in 2013. “The drive towards renewable energy is developing an

entirely new energy market in South Africa, which requires both specialist skills as well as innovative funding models,” said Rentia van Tonder, Head of Renewables for Standard Bank Group. “Given that these projects are greenfield investments for a newly-created consortium with own equity, we opted for a project finance model with a fairly long repayment term as the facility is effectively unsecured backed by a 20 year PPA supported by the SA government.”

The three most prominent energy projects that Standard Bank has been involved with are the 27MW MetroWind Van Stadens Wind Farm in the Eastern Cape and the Herbert and Kalkbult renewable energy projects in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province.

Herbert is a 22MW photovoltaic project that became operational on April 7th 2014 and Kalkbult is a 72.5MW photovoltaic power project has been connected to the grid since September 2013.

It is this sort of commitment to supporting Africa and South Africa that has earned Standard Bank its reputation as a leader on the continent. The company says: “We have reaffirmed our Africa-focused strategy and we have made significant progress in the execution of our strategy,” and as long as this strategy continues to be followed then it looks certain that Standard Bank will grow and prosper throughout Africa and beyond..

Standard Bank: the facts

Established: 1862

Headquarters: Johannesburg,

Employees: 53,000+

Products: Commercial banking

Investment banking

Investment management

Active areas:

operational in 32 countries around the

world, including 19 in africa: angola,

botswana, Ivory Coast, drC, Kenya,

lesotho, ghana, mauritius, mozambique,

malawi, nigeria, south africa, namibia,

swaziland, tanzania, south sudan, Zim-

babwe, uganda, Zambia.

Jul 14 page 39

standard banK

jul 14

company profile

Setting high standards

With total assets of R1,694 billion (USD 162 billion), Standard Bank Group is one of South Africa’s largest financial services groups operating globally in over 20 countries in Africa. Standard Lesotho Bank, as it was renamed in 2006, came about from a consolidation in 1999 of what used to be Standard Bank in Lesotho and the former government owned, Lesotho Bank.

A NATIONAL FOOTPRINTWith headquarters in Maseru, Standard Lesotho Bank has an impressive footprint operating in all ten districts of Lesotho. Offering numerous services

for customers, from personal and business banking to corporate and investment banking, IndustrySA speaks to Chief Executive, Mpho Vumbukani to ask about the success of this important company.

“We are the leading bank with 60% market share in Lesotho and this is on the back of our broad service offering and the distribution network. What is wider than the other banks throughout the ten districts of Lesotho is not only the branch network but the distribution network in terms of electronic channels, ATMs and other channels; so that distribution network itself has given us the opportunity to have the leadership role in the market.


Standard Lesotho Bank is not only providing innovative solutions for large and small businesses, contributing to the local community and developing its staff, but it is also staying ahead of the game in an industry engulfed in technological advancements with a vision to be the leading financial services provider in Lesotho…

jul 14 PAGE 9

Standard LeSotho Bank

“We have good support of the clients whom we serve throughout this network, both in the personal and business banking space and the corporate and investment banking space” Vumbukani explains.

Joining Standard Lesotho Bank in January 2011, Vumbukani worked briefly with the previous Managing Director and was fortunate to work with other franchises in the group before undertaking his current role.

“Since then I have been running the business, being able to provide the leadership for our results and grow the business to where it is and defend the market share, even growing it in some instances” he explains.

TECHNOLOGICAL EVOLUTIONIn a world where technology is continually changing, updating and evolving, many companies are having to follow suit, not only to keep up with increasing industry competition but to ensure they are keeping up with consumer demands and expectations too.

“We are looking into the future and the future is around how we connect to clients digitally. Mobile banking and how we digitally connect with the client becomes very key, so it is part of our strategy as we move forward to make sure we broaden our distribution network, not only from the physical infrastructure but also digitally, making sure we have virtual presence in the mobile space and in other

Jul 14

Company proFIle

areas” says Vumbukani.Of course, with change and technological evolution

comes challenges and increasing security issues. Despite the ease and convenience of mobile banking, it is the highly confidential information and potential risks which perhaps may worry many customers, making it even more vital for companies to ensure they remain vigilant and wary.

“As we provide more convenience to clients through electronic channels, which comes with the risk element and as we try to do good there are some people who are trying to impact us negatively in terms of fraud and cybercrime.

We have invested heavily in security to ensure that as we drive this journey of transformation to electronic channels and as we become more relevant in the digital world, our systems must be robust. We have fraud awareness campaigns both internally for staff and externally for clients where we advise our customers on tips of what to do whether with internet banking, ATMs or mobile banking; so there is a lot of investment both on the people side with our staff and our clients, and also on the IT side to make sure security is robust enough to maintain the integrity of our banking system” explains Vumbukani.

As more and more companies try and combat the huge technological market, competition is inevitably going to rise which Vumbukani acknowledges: “I must highlight that there is stiff competition, which is not only coming from the banking sector but from the mobile network operators as well, particularly in the payments space. ”

A HELPING HANDInnovative solutions and opportunities aside, Standard Lesotho Bank has also spent time ensuring services are efficient and rewarding for customers. Entrepreneurship is big business in Southern Africa, so good business banking is an essential requirement for many. “We offer the full menu of services you would expect to find in business banking. For instance, we assist clients in the commercial property space, we assist medium to large enterprises, and we assist our clients in trade finance with letters of credit and also in other areas with overdrafts for working capital or business term loans.

“We have actually been very innovative and introduced a product called SME quick loans, which we introduced to provide working capital to the small and medium enterprises on the back of having

analysed their cash flow and in terms of its relevance to the market, it was very effective. However, there were a couple of challenges so we improved the product to what we now call SME Trader Loans.

“We were actually noting that for the working capital and type of loans we were providing, they were ideally suited for traders - traders who would buy stock and sell and then be able to repay their short term loans over six months to a year, so that’s the recent innovation we introduced for the SME market. With medium to large enterprises that’s where most clients would be coming for business loans and overdrafts and we have been able to provide those products.”

“ENGINEERING A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT”

S5 CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS

{CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS}

Services Provided:

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1st Floor, Room 3, Mapoteng Complex, Main South 1 Lithabaneng Maseru. P.O. Box 15600,

Maseru 100

Contact: Mr. L. LetsoelaTel: +266 28315610 Fax: +27 86518809

Email: [email protected]

www.sierraletsoela.co.ls

“We are looking into the future, the future is around how we connect to clients digitally”

SECURING THE COUNTRY’S FUTURE BY TURNING WATER INTO WHITE GOLD

In the vast continent of Africa where water is a scarce commodity, The Lesotho Highlands Water Project has turned Lesotho’s abundant water supply into the country’s most valued natural resource; one that has aided in the development of infrastructure, community development programmes and hydroelectric power. Standard Lesotho Bank wishes to congratulate the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority on the launch of Phase II of the LHWP with the start of preparations for the construction of Polihali Dam at Tlokoeng in Mokhotlong.

For more information contact Standard Lesotho Bank Corporate and Investment Banking on +266 2221 3636/7 Or www.standardbank.com/cib

Moving Forward is a trademark of The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited.

Corporate and Investment Banking

Jul 14 page 11

standard lesotHo banK

SECURING THE COUNTRY’S FUTURE BY TURNING WATER INTO WHITE GOLD

In the vast continent of Africa where water is a scarce commodity, The Lesotho Highlands Water Project has turned Lesotho’s abundant water supply into the country’s most valued natural resource; one that has aided in the development of infrastructure, community development programmes and hydroelectric power. Standard Lesotho Bank wishes to congratulate the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority on the launch of Phase II of the LHWP with the start of preparations for the construction of Polihali Dam at Tlokoeng in Mokhotlong.

For more information contact Standard Lesotho Bank Corporate and Investment Banking on +266 2221 3636/7 Or www.standardbank.com/cib

Moving Forward is a trademark of The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited.

Corporate and Investment Banking

Jul 14

Company proFIle

COMMUNITy FOCUSEDAs with so many businesses, employees are the essential aspect and especially for such a ‘community focused’ company which demands excellent customer service. Standard Lesotho Bank is no exception

as Vumbukani explains: “We have been fortunate to have quality people who have been driving our business to grow. In our business, people are the key differentiators because we are in the service industry, so all that we do involves connecting to clients.”

To ensure the company’s level of service is prioritised and maintained, Vumbukani explains that management development programs have been put in place: “We have introduced an enduring performance management system, talent management programs and invested a lot into leadership and development to ensure we advance the capabilities of our people. Coupled with the competitiveness we are providing as a bank, this has enabled us to not only retain but to attract the best talent in the market” says Vumbukani.

“Of course, being in a competitive market, some people have left to competition and some have left to the mobile operators. The numbers in percentage terms are not that dramatic, but there has been that movement. On the other hand, we have been able to get some of the best talent from the market ourselves which has strengthened the team; so we are very much focused on attraction, retention and development of our people as we have noticed that people are the key differentiators in this business.”

Not content with just providing an efficient and enjoyable banking experience, Standard Lesotho Bank is also heavily involved with the community, regularly

“In our business, people are the key differentiators because we are in the service industry…”

Jul 14 page 13

standard lesotHo banK

investing in local projects and charities. Last year the bank invested M2 million directly to the Basotho through various sponsorships and events including funding the long-term refurbishment of the Scott Hospital in Morija and providing a year’s supply of groceries to the SOS children’s village in Maseru. However, funding didn’t stop there with support for the stock farmers through Lesotho Wool and Mohair Growers Association, rewarding academic excellence with prize money and awards to 16 of the best students at various institutions of higher education, including the National University of Lesotho.

A CUSTOMER CENTRIC FUTURELooking forward to a bright future, Vumbukani explains the vision of this innovative company rests with its customer centric model, its people and of course, with technology advancements. Standard Lesotho Bank recently launched in the Personal Banking space a new Customer Value Proposition which includes the bundled pricing offer to clients, effectively repositioning its competitiveness in the market. In addition, the bank introduced a Customer Loyalty and Lifestyle programme called Blue Sky, which is a unique offering in the market and deeply

changes the landscape of customer service. In the Corporate and Investment Banking space, the bank has launched a Client Engagement Model with a view to embed its client centricity.

“Our vision has been to be the leading financial services provider in Lesotho and our people have been at the centre of our strategy, providing services relevant to our customers. We have noted that as a business we have to transform to be relevant for the future – part of our success has been to leverage the existing infrastructure but also invest wisely on technologies and systems that will enable us to be relevant for the future.

“This is why we have been reflecting on digitally connecting to clients in the future. Over the years we have been able to provide relevant products to the market, and this has effectively ensured that we grow our revenues, to a point that our return on equity to the shareholders is above 40% which is unheard of in banking these days” he says.

“As there is more urbanisation and there’s more access to technology, clients require more from us as a bank and we have to be able to provide this and build a bank that will be relevant for the future” Vumbukani concludes..

WE OFFER:Guard Services | Alarm Systems | Alarm Monitoring | Rapid Response | Access Control | CCTV Systems

MISSION STATEMENTWe are committed to the highest level of professional excellence in the provision of cost effective security solutions and services for our clients.

We believe in the importance of the development of our staff to their full potential through training, and shall continue to combine the latest technology with the highest calibre of staff and professional management to maintain and strengthen our position as the unchallenged market leaders in Lesotho.

SECURITY UNLIMITED (PTY) LTDPERFECT PEACE OF MIND

Head Offi ce: Site 51A, Lioli Road, Industrial Area - Tel No: (+266) 2231 7909 - Fax No: (+266) 2231 0383

Since 1982 we have provided security guard services to Diplomatic Missions and Donor Organisations, Financial Institutions and “Blue Chip” companies in Maseru. We currently employ over 800 staff. The Founding family is still managing the 100% Basotho owned Company

PMR AWARD: Security Unlimited were awarded the “DIAMOND ARROW” AWARD for the past 5 years. Recognising our position as the unchallenged market leader in Lesotho (L to R) Arrie van Wyk(Director), Rika Makamane(Systems Manager), Puleng McCarthy(Owner), Mary Roux(Admin Manager) and Bryan McCarthy (Owner, MD)

In 1991, to meet the growing demand we expanded into the fi eld of electronic security, offering alarms/panic systems and rapid response services. In 1999 we added Access Control and CCTV Systems. We have over 750 satisfi ed Subscribers to our 24 hour Remote Monitoring and Rapid Response service.

jul 14

company profile

Full steam ahead

Whether you are sitting at a café in Johannesburg sipping imported Arabica coffee or sitting at a cafe in Paris sipping a cup of Rooibos, you must know that state-owned freight transport company Transnet, has played a crucial role in transporting those goods in and out of South Africa. Every day thousands of tonnes of goods in South Africa are passed through its pipelines, to and from its ports, across road and rail, making it the largest freight logistics chain in the country. Transnet is made up of its five divisions: Transnet Freight Rail, Transnet Engineering, Transnet National Ports Authority, Transnet Pipelines and Transnet Port Terminals.

The main aim of the company is to help develop the South African economy, whilst reducing business costs and maintaining an efficient and profitable operation.

POSITIVE RESULTSWith this aim in mind, it looks like Transnet continues to be successful following the release of its annual results on 30 June.

Revenue is up 12.8%, profit is up 24.9%, capital investment increased by 15.6%, EBITDA is up by 12.3% and container volumes on rail were up by 25.2% amongst other impressive statistics.

Transnet CEO, Brain Molefe tells IndustrySA

Editorial: Helen LakeProduction: Chris Bolderstone

State-owned company, Transnet, are changing the face of freight transport in South Africa with their multi-million Rand railway upgrades whilst, at the same time fuelling local business and regional economies. CEO, Brian Molefe talks to IndustrySA, discussing the success of the company’s annual results, announced last month.

jul 14 PAGE 3

TransneT

that the company is happy with the results and the impressive performance was expected.

“Everyone is happy with the results. They look good; 12% growth in revenue and around 24% growth in net profit after tax so everyone is elated with these figures,” he says.

“This growth was expected because if you look at our half year results, these indicated that profit would be at this level. I am indeed very happy.”

Challenges with the company’s Freight Rail business (specifically with coal) arising from labour, maintenance and power issues, saw volumes at heavy haul lines for coal and iron ore decline marginally from 84.3 million tonnes in 2013 to 83.1

million tonnes in 2014. However, Molefe explains that the decline

was mitigated by the partial introduction of the Shogololo train, a 200 wagon train which, when fully operational, will provide significant productivity gains.

“The train runs and we are going to increase the number of Shongololo trains in the near future, as soon as we get more locomotives. These are trains that are able to operate on AC and DC without having to shunt and get another locomotive. That is the beauty of the train; we don’t have to stop in Ermelo and shunt. In the past, we’ve had locomotives that are AC and locomotives that are

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Company proFIle

Brian Molefe

Jul 14 page 5

transnet

DC because the current in the old Transvaal and in the old Natal is different so we had to shunt in Ermelo but now we don’t have to, we can bypass Ermelo,” he says.

Encouragingly, growth was also seen in Transnet’s port container business which saw an increase of 6.3% and Molefe explains that this is down to development of the country’s important industries and work by Transnet to attract more shipping liners to the country’s ports.

“The growth came from transhipments through the port of Ngqura. We have been working really hard to convince the shipping lines to ship through South Africa - especially containers that are being shipped from South America to the Middle East and Far East.

“We also saw growth in the import of vehicles and vehicle components for manufacture in South Africa as well as goods being exported out of South Africa in containers. This is something that we expect to grow going forward,” he says.

Interestingly, the results announced that Transnet’s petroleum volumes were up by 4.4%, another impressive statistic and Molefe says that the country’s demand for fuel is changing,

especially in the urban hubs. “The demand dynamics for fuel, especially

in Gauteng, has changed somewhat in the last 10-15 years. We now have the Gautrain which transports thousands of people between Pretoria and Johannesburg where they used to travel by car, typically one person per car. This has somewhat reduced the demand for fuel in Gauteng, especially considering the fact that fuel prices have been increasing. Technology has also played a part. You now have more fuel efficient cars and an increasing number of hybrids so demand is very different. That is why we see fuel consumption coming down - good news as emissions are also coming down,” he says.

As for spending, something which Transnet continues to do, Molefe says that it will continue as part of the company’s Market Demand Strategy (MDS) and finances are in place for spending to continue smoothly.

“Spending will continue. We have said that the programme started three years ago, spending R312 billion over seven years, is very much on target, so far spending around R80 billion, and we are very much in line to continue spending in line with the

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Jul 14

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programme. “The amount of borrowing required for this

programme sees us borrowing only one third of what we need. The other two thirds is coming from our own revenue generation. We are going to keep gearing below 50% and we are going to keep interest cover at a minimum of three times cover. These are the parameters that determine whether we continue with the programme. At the moment we are comfortably at 45.9% gearing and 3.7 times cover so there is scope for more borrowing if needed,” he says.

Being a state-owned organisation, Transnet has a commitment to the people of South Africa and the company is one of the most active in the country when it comes to upskilling and CSI. The results showed that Transnet has spent 3% of its labour cost in the last year on training. Molefe says that this is going someway to addressing the country’s

proverbial skills gap that is so often cited as a hindrance to economic growth.

“We are training artisans, engineers, train drivers, pilots for boats and helicopters, electrical engineers, crane operators and so on” he says, “and these are critical skills not just for Transnet but for the whole economy. The important thing about the training is that we train beyond what we need for Transnet. We are releasing people back into the economy with skills to look for a job. We have a skills mismatch, there are jobs available but not enough people with skills to fill those jobs.”

ROAD TO RAILIn 2012, Transnet introduced its MDS. This strategy is seeing job creation on a massive scale with the potential to have created 588,000 new job opportunities by 2019. The real intent of the MDS, however, is to expand South Africa’s

Jul 14 page 7

transnet

goods transport infrastructure, allowing for an increase in freight volumes and to begin the much needed shift from road transport to rail. With rail transport in South Africa being 75% cheaper than road transport – and greener too – this shift will have a significant impact on reducing the cost of doing business. In March this year, as part of this road to rail shift, Transnet announced that it had awarded a R50 billion contract to four global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for the building of 1064 new locomotives. Molefe said: “This marks a significant milestone in the company’s history together with substantial socio-economic benefits for South Africa. The drive to modernise our fleet is intended to improve reliability and availability of locomotives. This will improve customer satisfaction, ultimately leading to our crucial goal of road-to-rail migration of cargo in line with government’s objectives.”

Most of the new locomotives will be set up in Transnet Freight Rail’s general freight business which currently accounts for approximately 50% of Transnet’s revenue and capital expenditure. These locomotives will allow Freight Rail’s volumes to increase from 207 million tonnes to a

mammoth 350 million tonnes, taking vast pressure from road transport.

The build has been divided among four OEMs: CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive, Bombardier Transportation South Africa, General Electric South Africa Technologies and CNR Rolling Stock South Africa (Pty) Ltd. “Ability to stick to an extremely tight delivery schedule was one of the key considerations in assessment of the bids. It is our view that no single supplier would have the capacity or resources to deliver within the timelines we had envisaged,” Molefe explained. According to the agreements with the OEMs, the programme will produce approximately 480 locomotives a year at about 48 per month, with the last locomotive being completed within three and a half years.

TRANSFORMING INDUSTRy AND ECONOMyAll but 70 of the locomotives will be built at Transnet Engineering’s plants in Koedoespoort, Pretoria and Durban. The idea behind this decision is to ensure that Transnet Engineering develops into an OEM over time as part of the regional integration objectives. On top of that, a third of

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Company proFIle

the 16% of the total build programme belonging to Transnet Engineering will be outsourced to local engineering and manufacturing firms which is hoped to increase the ability for these firms to manufacture and export locomotives and related products. Local development like this is expected to provide an economic contribution of over R90 billion. “This transaction is intended to transform the South African rail industry by growing existing small businesses and creating new ones. We are going to create and preserve approximately 30,000 jobs,” Molefe said. This R50 billion contract is the single largest infrastructure investment initiative made by a corporate in South Africa’s history.

Further still, March this year saw engineering technology company, Ansys, announce that it had been awarded the R188 million contract by Transnet to install an integrated dashboard display system into all their new and existing locomotives. The Integrated System Display (ISD) will allow drivers to switch between different on-board systems easily with one dashboard display unit. The ISD’s are being manufactured and assembled in South Africa, further contributing to local business success and to the country’s economy.

CROSS-BORDER RAIL CORRIDORSWith its connection to SADC railway lines being largely significant, the overall development of the rail network in South Africa has the potential to play a critical role in the economic growth of the Southern African region as a whole. In their Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan, SADC have made it clear that development of symbiotic cross-border corridors are the focus of the transport system in the SADC region. Currently undergoing feasibility analysis is the R16 billion Greenfield railway line running from Lothair, South Africa and Sidvokodvo, Swaziland. In 2012, Transnet and Swaziland Railways

“The drive to modernise our fleet

is intended to improve reliability

and availability of locomotives.

This will improve customer

satisfaction, ultimately leading

to our crucial goal of road-to-rail

migration of cargo in line with

government’s objectives”

Jul 14 page 9

transnet

confirmed their plans for the project and their intention to have the installation of 146km of single, non-electrified railway line underway by 2016. The new rail link is intended to carry an annual capacity of up to 15 million tonnes.

In 2013, SADC released the Regional Transport Corridors Status and Progress Report which outlined a number of cross-border corridor infrastructure plans. An example of these is the completion of feasibility analysis on the Trans-Kalahari Railway that is intended to run between Botswana and Namibia. Botswana has recently been developing their own railway systems, having acquired 562 rail wagons from Transnet Engineering in 2013. In addition to Botswana’s rail development, Zambia has shown its commitment to developing rail partnerships with its neighbours by rehabilitating 1062 km of railway from Chililabombwe to Livingstone. By developing these corridors and linking the SADC states, the possibility would be there to improve regional supply-chain capabilities, opening

up trade among regions and creating a system of cooperation that is sustainable. This emphasis is on all types of transport infrastructure – rail, road, ports and pipelines, but it is the rail development that is of great importance for Transnet to continue with its shift to moving cargo off the roads and onto the railways.

But it’s not only their railways that are seeing success – May this year saw the first fuel deliveries to the ports of Richards Bay, Saldanha, Durban and East London by Gulf Stream Energy, one of nine companies collectively awarded the R15.5 billion contract by Transnet at the end of 2013. Significant quantities of fuel are set to be delivered to all ports by Gulf Stream Energy for the next five years. With the MDS in place, the company’s future is a bright one, according to Molefe: “We are poised to become one of the world’s largest freight logistics groups. The Market Demand Strategy will see Transnet’s revenue grow from R46 billion in 2011/12 to R128 billion in 2018/19.”.

jul 14

company profile

Making the world safe-smart

Wherever you go, expect ASSA ABLOY to be waiting at the door. ASSA ABLOY is the world’s largest supplier of intelligent lock and security solutions, responsible for one in every ten lock and security installations - and six of the 2014 FIFA World Cup stadiums in Brazil.

Recently named by Forbes as one of the world’s 100 most innovative companies, the Swedish-headquartered global giant opened in South Africa 17 years ago, bringing products and solutions for a wide range of end-user markets and competitive advantage to OEM and system integrator partners.

This is the security brand with the key to

phenomenal growth, growing from a regional company start-up in 1994 into an international Group with over 43,000 employees operating in more than 70 countries.

On the African continent the group’s reach extends beyond South Africa into Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Mauritius, Kenya, Nigeria and Egypt, with Angola and Mozambique among its export markets.

MASSIVE GROWTH“Over the past 20 years, ASSA ABLOY has grown globally almost 15 times larger than when it started and we are still growing in terms of

Editorial: Colin ChineryProduction: Hal Hutchison

ASSA ABLOy, the world’s foremost name in security systems, is one of the leaders in the South African lock, access control and security systems market, with names like yale and Union in its 100 brand-plus portfolio. Established in South Africa 17 years ago, its continental reach now extends up to Egypt and as Stephen Rossiter, Senior Vice President Africa explains, there’s still a vast market waiting to be unlocked.

jul 14 PAGE 3

AssA Abloy

brands, divisions, people and profitability,” says Roodepoort –based Stephen Rossiter, Senior Vice President Africa.

ASSA ABLOY security systems are found in homes and offices across industry and business; public transport, schools and universities, retail, hotels and hospitality, public facilities, offices, and health care. In South Africa construction and wholesale are the biggest market sectors.

An area of particular concern, especially to business people, will be the security of an office or corporate premises. Office security solutions including security doors as well as physical and logical access control need to be flexible; they

need to handle a flow of people with varying access permissions throughout the day, as well as allow for safe exit in case of emergency. ASSA ABLOY has this base covered providing smart access systems where an electronic smart card can be used to access the main building through a physical entrance, access upper floors through the elevator, provide access to private office rooms, allow access to printing and copying machines and, of course, allow access through emergency exits.

Botswana’s tallest building - the 21 storeys iTowers - and the Soweto Theatre in Johannesburg are among ASSA ABLOY’s major

Jul 14

Company proFIle

projects in Africa, and its systems and products can be found in Palmridge Magistrates Court in Katlehong, the South African Police Service in Durban Central, and the Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape.

Virgin Active gyms, Toyota dealerships, Spar outlets and the Sandton offices of global process automation group Endress Hauser are among other clients.

Public facitlity locks is an important sector for ASSA ABLOY and the company says that it has the solution to meet the needs of any public facility.

Locker rooms, VIP areas, perimeter and ground security and public areas can all be covered by ASSA ABLOYS’s unique product and service range.

With a core business in high security products like mortice locks and padlocks, door closers, access control, card readers and high security doors, ASSA ABLOY Group’s major brands include BESAM, Yale, UNION, VingCard and HID.

And it’s not just business solutions for popular locations where ASSA ABLOY can assist. The company has a product range suited to smaller, residential properties. For example, the UNION Night Latch KB502 Cylinder is suitable for single action doors, hinged left to right, 32mm to 50mm thick.

And as the global leader in door opening solutions, ASSA ABLOY is leading the technological shift from mechanical to electromechanical locks, the fastest -growing

Dispak has come a long way since inception in 2007 .

We have thrived by making it easy for our customers to fi rst join and then return to us for more, year after year. We create rigid plastic thermoformed packaging for our customers’ products. But that’s not the whole story.

We get to know our customers personally and create packaging products which have a positive effect on their sales, branding and reputation. The founders of the business are till today hands on in all levels of the business, which means personalised customer service from beginning to end. “We prefer to deal with our customers on a one to one basis, in this way we are sure that our company has done the best we can”.

Since inception, new technology and globalisation have changed the shape of the plastic thermoformed packaging business forever. Dispak has been at the forefront of those changes. Some things, however, are always the same: our commitment to quality, customer service and competitive pricing. With the advantage of our in-house plastic extrusion plant we are able to ensure high levels of quality from the acquisition of raw materials to fi nished thermoformed product.

We create products with an environmental conscience, products of minimal size and weight, but which deliver superb quality.

We are proud to work with customers that market their products all over the world, accommodating a huge range of specifi cations, tastes and styles including:

• Gift Set Inserts • Sim Card Packaging • Component Handling

• Clam Shell Packaging • Blister Packaging • Shelf Ready Packaging (SRP)

• Fragility Packaging • Medical Packaging • Food & Drink Packaging

With many changes over the years, our objective still remains the same: To give our clients the best deliverable packaging to maximise their sales.

Shainal Patel | Director011 769 1347 | [email protected]

27 Chenik Street, Chamdor, Krugersdorp

www.dispak.co.za

“Over the past 20 years,

Assa Abloy has grown

globally almost 15 times

larger than when it

started and we are still

growing in terms of

brands, divisions, people

and profitability”

security segment and the one in which innovation is most apparent.

Here ASSA ABLOY holds leading positions in areas such as access control, hotel security, entrance automation, and identification technology.

In hospitals for example, the ABLOY CLIQ system is replacing the traditional bulky bunch of keys passed between nurses needing to access drug cupboards or fridges, as each member of staff is allocated their own ‘unique key’ at the

start of a shift and an electronic computer trail details the assignee, the cupboards opened as well as the frequency and duration.

Today, only five percent of all doors are fitted with electromechanical locks or access control systems, but this is changing fast with as much as 20 percent of doors estimated to feature advanced solutions of this type in the future.

100-PLUS GLOBAL BRANDSWith more than 100 global brands and many different products under its umbrella, “we are definitely the global leader in door opening solutions,” says Mr Rossiter, responsible for day to day management, leadership, strategy and development of ASSA ABLOY’s Africa region

Yale - with 98% recognition and still the leading name in home security - is an ASSA ABLOY brand. Another - VingCard - provides electronic locks, in-room safes, and advanced energy management systems for hotels.

UNION, which grew out of a family business set up in 1840 in Willenhall in the English West

Midlands, heart of the British lock-making industry for over four centuries, today provides an extensive range of architectural products for commercial and contract applications and widely recognised in over 80 countries.

Another Group brand, California-based HID Global, is the sector leader for the delivery of secure identity solutions for millions of customers around the world.

Recognised for robust quality, and innovative designs, HID is committed to enhancing customer value by delivering the most trusted, advanced and dependable secure identity solutions in the market.

Here in South Africa, the majority of ASSA ABLOY’s own brand products are produced locally. “ASSA ABLOY is a strong believer in hiring internally, and very willing to help our employees reach their full potential.

“Many of our staff have been with the company for an average of 30 years and have been promoted within the organisation.”

Having recently passed a BEE plan inspection, ASSA ABLOY South Africa is well on its way to empowering staff and achieving a management structure more representative of the

“Africa’s Leading Zinc Die Cast and Electroplating Specialists”

ZinKast Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd.PostNet Suite # 43, Pvt Bag X1Florida Hills, 17169 Nickel Street, TechnikonRoodepoort, 1724, South Africa

Contact Details

Tel. (+27) 861 55 56 57Fax. (+27) 11 766 [email protected] personally contact Brian Sedgwick at [email protected]

Based in Johannesburg’s industrial hub, we have a team of over 60 employees focused on meeting our customers’ requirements and are proud to have been partnering with ASSA ABLOY delivering service excellence since 2009.

Jul 14 page 5

assa abloy

“Innovation, market

presence, product

leadership and product

reliability that meet our

customers’ needs and

demands are the keys

to our success in

South Africa”

Jul 14

Company proFIle

demographics in which it operates.The company says that it is committed to the

principles promoted by the Employment Equity Act as well as to implementing the principles of empowerment and transformation throughout the organisation.

ASSA ABLOY also supports local charities, sponsoring products for education, shelter, HIV/Aids villages, previously disadvantaged homes, and many projects where locking devices are need to provide safe, secure and a supportive environment for those of the community in need.

With security an increasing feature of modern life, does Mr Rossiter see traditional locking devices becoming obsolete and being overtaken by electronic access control systems?

REMAINING LEADER“The Electromechanical security segment is fast growing and ASSA ABLOY has a leading position in areas such as access control and identification technology. And while we expect this market segment to continue to grow, a position will always remain for traditional locking systems.

“Innovation, market presence, product

leadership and product reliability that meet our customers’ needs and demands are the keys to our success in South Africa.

“And our target for the next two to three years is quite simple: to continue to grow as the global leader in door opening solutions, leading in innovation.”.

Jul 14 page 7

assa abloy

Located in Pietermaritzburg, KZN, Springquip boasts some of the most modern machinery in the spring manufacturing industry, supplying a rapid turnaround on orders destined for customers nationwide.

Springquip Manufacturing is a proudly South African family owned business

established over 32 years ago with a wealth of knowledge and expertise specialising

in the production of various types of tension, torsion,

compression springs and Wireforms.

Tel: +27 33 342 8650/1 Fax: +27 33 342 5064Email: [email protected]: PO Box 11715, Dorpspruit 3206Factory: 4 Ormond Street, Pietermaritzburg 3201Website: www.springquip.co.za

Proudly supplying

Assa Abloy

with springs for

20 years

“Many of our staff have been with the company for an average of 30 years and have been promoted within the organisation”

jul 14

company profile

Flood disaster gets alpha response

In July 2012 floods, snow and winds brought death and havoc across southern swathes of the Western and Eastern Cape. Thousands were rescued by the emergency services amid damage put at multi millions of Rands.

At Van Wyksdorp near Ladysmith in the southern Cape, 70 adults and children were evacuated from their flooded homes and nearby agricultural land washed away; sixty km away, Herbertsdale too was calculating the cost.

Damage on this scale is followed by massive reconstruction, and here in this part of the Karoo, civil engineers and contractors Alpha Civil has been at the forefront.

Operational areas fluctuate in the construction business, often in response to changes in government spending plans. In one period the boom might be housing; in the next, pipe line construction.

ALPHA PEDIGREEAlpha, based in Worcester, Western Cape, and with a 30 year pedigree, has experienced high volume in each of these areas. But now its major activity is damage repairs.

“Fifty per cent of our turnover comes from storm

water damage repairs, and our biggest project is at Van Wyksdorp. In fact it’s the biggest contract we have ever been awarded,” says Alpha’s Contract Manager Gert Labuschagne.

A former subsidiary of the Prima Klipbrekers Group – now Afrimat – Alpha Civil has grown to become a medium sized construction business in the civil and building project segments of both public and private sectors.

Alpha draws on its extensive experience in road and bridge construction contract work, civil infrastructure services, reservoirs and retail centres. The food and wine industries are major clients.

The Van Wyksdorp project, explains Mr Labuschagne, is not a single site with convenient logistics, but 21 small sites with numerous low level bridges.

“You can imagine driving on gravel roads, and where a road needs to cross a river, there you need some kind of a causeway. Altogether we have 23 structures that were in need of repair; some remedial work, many others involving the demolition of what was left and rebuilding from scratch.”

Sixty km from Van Wyksdorp and close to Mossel Bay is Herbertsdale, and three months after starting work at Van Wyksdorp Alpha was awarded the

Editorial: Colin ChineryProduction: Chris Bolderstone

Western Cape civil engineers and contractors Alpha Civil has been at the forefront of post-flood reconstruction. Now their evolving strategy is embracing the potential for South Africa’s wind and solar opportunities. “We believe wind power is where the next drive is going to be,” says Contract Manager Gert Labuschagne.

jul 14 PAGE 61

AlphA Civil

contract for flood repair at this settlement in scenic country away from the tourist trail. A third contract in the area followed shortly.

“With farmers using these rural roads to move their produce to the nearest harbour or packing facility it is of the utmost importance to the local economy that they are kept in good condition.”

Taken together Mr Labuschagne estimates that the three contracts are worth R50m. “Leaving aside the very massive projects, we are definitely a leader in the region.

“In terms of size I would say we are up in the top 25 per cent, and from the feedback we get from consulting engineers we are in the upper ten per cent in terms of quality.

“And this is a selling point we like to emphasise - we get along very well with the consulting engineers.”

A continuous search for performance excellence has cultivated within Alpha a spirit of quality workmanship and pride, attributes that won a nomination for the Fulton award for excellence in concrete technology.

“We build good relationships with our clients, and wouldn’t want to commit the whole of the company to one particular contract. The Province is

a very good client, and one from whom we get good referrals.”

With a 100-strong payroll, Alpha’s strategy is to employ and train local labour. “The government likes to encourage local recruitment and develop local enterprises, to the extent of paying a 10 per cent premium.

“And we prefer local labour. Sometimes you find gems; people you wouldn’t imagine turn out to be very good artisans or carpenters.”

Stimulating a local economy is one inducement; logistics is another. “Employing locally means you don’t have to transport labour or provide living accommodation.

“Across the three contracts I’d say we are creating 100 peak time temporary employment opportunities. So all in all it’s a good idea, and I believe it’s working the way it was intended to.”

MOTIVATED STAFFAs part of the drive to conform to government’s BBBEE policy, Alpha Civil acquired a local ABE construction company, Tema Projects and sold 25.1% of the company’s shares to HDIs of both companies.

“Alpha’s status as a Level 3 (110% Recognition)

Jul 14

Company proFIle

contributor is further evidence of our commitment towards BBBEE. And it’s creating a genuine win-win situation.

“Our clients - public and private - can now do business with a fully BEE-compliant company providing excellent service at a competitive price and produced by a highly motivated workforce.”

While the government announced last week that it is analysing South Africa’s performance in effective management of the climate change impacts, engineering and design company WSP Group Africa says a lack of skills and resources nationwide is hampering environment-friendly and sustainable methods of construction

But for Alpha Civil, the challenges are more basic. “Whenever we have the opportunity, we go for the Green option. But it’s extremely difficult. Everything runs on diesel or petrol and there’s no way to excavate or grade other than by using heavy machines and equipment,” says Mr Labuschagne.

Even so, Alpha continuously searches for a Green route, recycling materials from demolition, re-using waste material in situ, and employing alternatives.

“Take cement as an example, a product with a huge carbon footprint. But here in the Western

Tel : +27 21 975 0784Fax : +27 21 975 0792

Email : [email protected]. Box 2180, Durbanville, 7551

www.moreasphalt.co.za

We are experts in the use of asphalt in road construction

and road pavement rehabilitation

We offer free advice on all applications of asphalt and can

design products to your specific requirements. Give us a

call, you won’t be disappointed.

Cape we have the Saldanha Steel plant, and there we get clinker which we blend with cement.

“This gives the same effect as pure cement but it reduces the carbon footprint by maybe 35 per cent.

“We take what we have, we sell the steel, we crush the clay material and use it as fill, instead of disposing it in a landfill site - which could be a problem in a remote area – and we use all the concrete material to make roads.

“It means some lateral thinking, and sometimes what begins as a nuisance is actually a blessing. And it also means we can be more competitive.

“So yes there are solutions. And we are winning contracts because we have thought about this issue more fully than anyone else, where the policy is to

soil all this material and haul it away.“Now, for a cheaper price we are giving the client

much more than he asked for initially.

PRIORITy FOR MOMENTUM“But as contractors we can only build with what has been given us on a plan. If for example we are told to build with concrete then we build with concrete. The government is trying to move engineers away from any solution that uses concrete and to go for a Green alternative such as natural vegetation.

“But this is something that needs to gain momentum. And it needs to start with the clients and with client bodies telling their consultants that they don’t want concrete.”

Meantime Green is signalling the resourceful Western Cape company into new operational possibilities including solar and wind turbine construction projects. “We have a constantly evolving strategy and we are researching these areas.

“We believe wind power is where the next drive is going to be. And when it comes to wind technology, South Africa is in its infant shoes.”.

Jul 14 page 63

alpHa CIvIl

South Cape Reinforcing Supply (SCRS) (Registration number: 2010/040743/23) specializes in the supply, cut, bend and delivery of reinforcing bar (rebar) and supply / delivery of reinforcing mesh for the building and civil industry.A fi xing service is also available for placement and installation prior to cementing the reinforcing in concrete.

The product range is complemented with binding wire, spacers (standard and concrete) and hard drawn wire.

Our business culture is one of outstanding service and provision of excellent products to exact specifi cation at competitive pricing.

Our well designed, fi t for purpose yard in Mossel Bay is capable of handling any size contract.

Supply, Cut, Bend & Deliver Rebar and Mesh

South CapeReinforcing Supply CC

Tel: 044 697 7188 Fax: 044 697 7580

Mobile: 079 519 1946 E-Mail: [email protected]

[email protected]

Voortrekker Street 8, MossdustriaMossel Bay, 6500

“And we prefer local labour.

Sometimes you find gems;

people you wouldn’t imagine

turn out to be very good

artisans or carpenters”

jul 14

company profile

All hail the healthy snack

With a sub-tropical climate, Southern Africa has optimum conditions allowing the country to cultivate a variety of many exotic fruits and nuts and with the health benefits of these foods becoming more widely known, the export market continues to grow. South Africa has become a globally known producer and exporter of citrus, deciduous and subtropical fruits.

JAB DRIED FRUITFounded in 1979 by Johan and Hannetjie Barnard, Jab Dried Fruit started out with just ten employees to become one of the largest manufacturers and

distributors of dried fruit in South Africa. Located in Lowveld, Nelspruit, the company pre-packs and supplies dried fruits, nuts and sweets to some of the biggest retail chain companies in the country and worldwide.

NUTRITIOUS SNACKSDried fruit is fruit from which the majority of its original water content has been removed either naturally, through sun drying or by the use of specialised dryers. Dried fruit dates back as far as 1700 BC in Mesopotamia and continues to be a diet staple because of its nutritive value, sweet taste and long shelf life.

Editorial: Harriet Pattison Production: Hal Hutchison

Supplying and distributing an array of dried fruit and nuts for over 35 years, Jab Dried Fruit’s footprint is expanding on a global scale. In a world where fast food is becoming an all too regular and easy occurrence, demand for these healthy snacks is on the rise. Packed full with healthy goodness and nutritional value, it’s easy to see why…

jul 14 PAGE 3

Jab DrieD Fruit

Although dried, these fruits retain most of the nutritional value of fresh fruits with many containing specific nutrients reflective of both their origin and processing methods. Jab Dried Fruit’s range of tropical dried fruits includes kiwis, bananas, papayas and pineapples which all provide essential nutrients and different health protective bioactive ingredients making them both an essential and valuable tool to help increase diet quality and aid in reducing the risk of chronic disease.

Jab Dried Fruit also supply an array of nuts including almonds, macadamias and brazils. Like dried fruit, nuts are an important source of nutrients due to their high oil content and are a valuable

energy source snack. Used in cooking or eaten raw, nuts can also be pressed for oil that is used in both cosmetics and cooking.

THE HEALTH BENEFITSLooking at the health benefits and nutritive values of dried fruit and nuts, it is clear to see why Jab Dried Fruits have continued on such a successful run for over three decades. Corne Barnard, son of Johan and Hannetjie, joined the company as Managing Director ten years ago and now the company employs 300 permanent staff and an additional 400 temporary staff during the busy mango season between December and April. Mangoes have been

Jul 14

Company proFIle

grown in South Africa for more than 100 years and today, up to 75 000 tons is produced every year.

The fruit is commercially cultivated throughout sub-tropical and tropical climates and originated in north eastern India. The health benefits of mangoes are widely known, including a high content of anti-oxidants and beta-carotene which can help to slow down the aging process, reduce risks of cancer and help with complications often relating to diabetes.

Jab Dried Fruits make a conscious effort to list the health benefits of the products it supplies – ‘Why are these products good for you?’ With ‘faster foods’ becoming a staple of many diets nowadays, companies like Jab Dried Fruits highlight healthy snacking, selling ‘gift’ boxes of a selection of healthy and nutritious snacks.

Whilst the health benefits of fruits and nuts are often stressed, each ingredient has its own individual health and nutritive benefits. Almonds are filled with mono-unsaturated fats helping with cholesterol, while brazil nuts are a fantastic source for boosting your immune system. Dried fruits are jam-packed with vitamins and healthy nutrients helping to combat viral infections and prevent long-term health problems. For instance, cranberries contain anti-oxidants which help in reducing the risk of heart disease whilst Guava has extremely high levels of Vitamin C.

READy, STEADy, COOkIn addition to highlighting the evident long-term health benefits of its products, Jab Dried Fruit also promotes recipes online where members and users can share recipes with others from the ingredients Jab Dried Fruit supplies. These include oatmeal and cranberry cookies, banana and macadamia nut bread

and pistachio muffins, not forgetting a selection of delicious ideas for savoury dishes too with an old-fashion Waldorf salad served with pecan nuts and a moreish selection of salads mixed with asparagus, carrot and cashew nuts.

Today, the South African trade market is expanding much faster than Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – the GDP indicates the health of a country’s economy - which means good news for companies like Jab Dried Fruit which rely heavily on export markets. Looking at the years of production since Jab Dried Fruit’s inception, from 1981 to 2011, fruit production in Southern Africa doubled from 2.7 million tons to an exponential 5.5 million tons. This highlights an average growth rate of 2% year-on-year between 1981 and 2011 and after the fruit sector deregulation in 1997, fruit production increased significantly, growing by an annual average rate of 3.16 % between 1997 and 2011.

For over three decades Jab Dried Fruits has not only significantly grown its employee base but its client base too, now distributing on a global scale. Due to the continued popularity of its products, it seems this success will continue for many years to come yet..

Jul 14 page 5

Jab drIed FruIt

“Almonds are filled with mono-

unsaturated fats helping with

cholesterol, while brazil nuts

are a fantastic source for

boosting your immune system.

Dried fruits are jam-packed

with vitamins and healthy

nutrients helping to combat

viral infections and prevent

long-term health problems”

jul 14

company profile

Absolutely Outstanding Services

Since the construction boom that came to South Africa after the announcement that the FIFA World Cup would be held in the country in 2010, the industry has seen turbulent times. Some companies have thrived and some have fallen to the wayside.

The government has promised much infrastructure spending but in some areas this is yet to filter through to the private sector. But where it has, construction and building have seen great success.

One example of this success comes from Midrand based AOS Consulting Engineers (AOS). Founded in 2006 and starting trading in 2008, AOS is now one of the country’s leading mechanical, electrical and

plumbing (MEP) consultants with ambitious plans to grow into Africa.

Managing Director, Olu Soluade tells IndustrySA more about the history of the company, a story which has seen AOS grow from home based business to one recognised for excellence around the country.

“The company was incorporated in South Africa in 2006. However, we started trading in 2008 on a full time basis. I started with the company then. I was the only staff member in 2008 and I ran the business from my house for some time,” he says.

“Over the years, one of the first things that happened was that we won the Young Company of the Year award (CESA Glenrand MIB 2009) in South

Editorial: Roland Douglas Production: Emily Woodhall

AOS Consulting Engineers is making a name for itself around the continent. With a growing list of successful projects that includes the Museum Africa and Johannesburg City Library, Managing Director, Olu Soluade says that African expansion is a target for the near future.

jul 14 PAGE 69

aos ConsultIng engIneers

Africa as a consulting engineering outfit. That was a breakthrough that started the movement of the company upward.

“The first project we landed from the government was called the Pan-African Parliament which is similar to the European Parliament in Belgium. When we were appointed as the mechanical engineers, we started with the design with the team and that was our introduction into the African market. Since then we have gone from strength to strength. We are no longer working from home, we have full time staff in our offices and we have won many awards and are looking forward to many more. God has certainly been good to us.”

GREEN BUILDINGThe company’s mission is to ‘ensure that customers and clients satisfaction is guaranteed through service delivery, professional excellence and personal attention’ and its list of services is vast but focusses mainly on mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, project and program management and sustainable green building consulting.

“At the moment we are a growing outfit. At any point in time we will bring in experts to assist so that we have the best possible resources to help our clients.

“Right now, we are most busy with mechanical engineering and sustainable green consulting. I have a mechanical engineering degree and hence I am more

Jul 14

Company proFIle

biased to this type of work,” explains Soluade. Green building is a concept which is becoming more

popular in South Africa and, just like other developed nations, the country now has a green building council which governs the practice. According to The Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA), it is ‘leading the transformation of the South African property industry to ensure that buildings are designed, built and operated in an environmentally sustainable way’.

AOS is a company very much behind this transformation and Soluade says one of his flagship projects was with MTN in Johannesburg.

“One of the projects that we have been involved with that really stands out for me is the MTN head office in Johannesburg. We helped to ready the building for certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Because it was the first building in South Africa to be certified by the USGBC through their existing building tool, it became a learning curve and everyone had to make sure that we fulfilled the requirements of USGBC.

“It became a wonderful challenge and a the end of the day, when we got the certification in November 2012, it opened up other avenues for other things to be done and for me, that becomes the critical aspect for sustainable green building going forward.

“At the time, there was no exiting building tool within the GBCSA. The only council that certified existing buildings was the Australian Green building Council and the USGBC. The decision was made by the management of MTN as the USGBC was well

known and that is why we opted for that,” he says. Apart from the obvious benefits that green building

brings, Soluade says that the practice can in fact integrate contractors and reduce the overall cost of a project.

“I think if you look at the consulting environment, we tend to work in our own silos. The engineer wants to work in his way, the plumber wants to do things his way, the electrician wants to do things his way and the architect just wants an aesthetically pleasing building.

“What the green building revolution is doing is encouraging people not to work in silo and encouraging an integrated approach to projects. There are a lot of advantages to an integrated approach; when you work in this way, the added value reduces the cost of a green building. If you go for a green approach but work in silo, the project will become more expensive as what it is now is a retro-fit and not part of the design,” he says.

BUILDING ON SA SUCCESSThe success of AOS in South Africa is providing a platform for the company to expand on the continent. This is something that Soluade, originally from Nigeria, is keen to pursue. Already, the company has built a potential pipeline of work in both East and West Africa.

“We have a lot of work in South Africa but we are actually expanding outside of SA. The aim is that we can open an office in East Africa - we are based in East Africa right now with some projects - so we are

looking at the possibility of establishing ourselves as the preferred MEP contractor in East Africa.

“We have an upcoming project in Nigeria which we hope will act as a springboard to achieve more in the region.

“In South Africa, we have consolidated but we are letting people know, ‘you will achieve outstanding service’ so that we can claim repeat business. So the plan is to expand our base in SA; move into East Africa and possibly look at West Africa.

“In East Africa we are looking at Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda,” he says.

Hotel projects have provided a base in East Africa and Soluade says that the company is providing a full range of services.

“We’ve been appointed as the MEP consultant and we are overseeing everything to do with electrics, plumbing, fire etc. One of the advantages we bring is that when we are appointed as an MEP consultant, we ensure that the sustainability element is bought on board. MEP has a lot of requirements in terms of sustainable building design.”

And green building is important, even on the continent where green building councils are not as prominent, and Soluade hopes that AOS can use its competencies to contribute to the development of sustainable building across Africa.

“I think we have more of a focus on green building in South Africa but Kenya and Nigeria are coming on board and Egypt is doing something similar so a lot of progress starts in SA and spreads through Africa.

“This year it has been stated that Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa with SA following. Nigeria already has a green building council and we are hoping that based on the knowledge and technical know-how we have in South Africa, we can assist with the development of the industry throughout Africa,” he says.

NO SUBSTITUTE FOR EXPERIENCE AOS is a company intent on providing quality wherever it works. The company is passionately committed to the implementation and maintenance of a quality management system that complies with ISO9001:2008 requirements and AOS endeavours to continually work on improving this system with the ultimate goal of improving customer satisfaction.

As with any company, quality comes from the top and Soluade has much experience delivering quality projects.

“I graduated from the University of Lagos in 1996 before relocating to South Africa. Before joining AOS, I was with another consulting company for eight years where I became the managing director as well,” he says.

“We have more or less surpassed what we set out to achieve in January and that is quite amazing. We are pushing forward to see what we can achieve in the rest of the year before setting our next targets.”

As for the future, AOS is well positioned for growth and Soluade says that the rest of 2014 will see the company finishing its hotel projects in Rwanda and focussing on consultancy on data centres in SA.

“At the moment, we are doing certification of various data centres with the Uptime Institute from the US in South Africa so that will take a lot of my time. With the developments that we have in Kigali, a lot of the contractors are now on-board so there will be a lot of interfacing with them to make sure we get that right.”

This is a company on the up and with green building becoming more and more popular across Africa, AOS is perfectly positioned to take on bigger and more complex projects and further enhance its already sterling reputation..

Jul 14 page 71

aos ConsultIng engIneers

Olu Soluade

jul 14

company profile

Family founded, family run…

International suppliers of edible oils, candles and soaps, Sealake Industries has come a long way since its inception over four decades ago in 1972. As a family run business, the success of the company rests with the continued passion and dedication of its family founders and valued employees, resulting in the company becoming one of the largest refiners of edible oils in South Africa today.

Originally located in Sea Cow Lake in Durban, the company made the move to Pietermaritzburg ten years later. Using state of the art technology in its manufacturing, packing and logistics divisions, Sealake Industries are able to deliver the best in

household commodities and services to its valued customers.

FOUR DECADES OF EXPANSIONDue to the popularity of its cooking oils, the company decided to open up a candle and soap division in the 1980’s. Today, Sealake Industries has an impressive portfolio of many well-known brands including Sunseed, Golden Lite, Sunbrite candles and Countess soap. These products are now available across many convenience shops in South Africa and international supermarkets and by cutting out the middleman, the company has expanded its footprint due to the efficiency of


First founded in 1972 by the Essack family, Sealake Industries has become one of the largest refiners of edible oils in South Africa. With a hugely successful export market spanning across Africa and manufacturing own label products for some of the biggest retailers in the country, this company attributes its success to its family-run business ethos.

jul 14 PAGE 73

Sealake InduStrIeS

its own logistics trucks. The strategic move to Pietermaritzburg in the 1980’s helped increase this footprint further with the proximity of both the import and export markets.

Sealake Industries is also a large manufacturer of own brand products to three of the leading supermarkets in South Africa; Spar, Pick n Pay and Shoprite. Perhaps what sets this company apart from its competition is its dedication and ethos to providing the best service for its customers. It oversees the whole process of each division from the introduction of the raw materials to the final packaging stages.

The subsidiary company of Sealake Industries,

Unity Food Products distributes Helios Pure Sunflower cooking oil which has been enjoyed in South Africa for over 60 years. The company commissioned a brand new, state of the art margarine plant for Sealake Industries due to the increasing demand for margarine and spreads.

Further expansions include a world-class crushing plant which will increase the company’s seed processing capacity producing 165,000 tons of sunflower seeds and 150 000 tons of soya beans every year, trebling its output. The plant will also add 66,000 tons of cooking oil capacity, bringing Sealake Industries’ yearly total to an exponential 146,000 tons.

Jul 14

Company proFIle

WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTSealake Industries continually ensures the efficiency of its manufacturing processes and upgrades its facilities to the highest standards. In 2007, Sealake replaced its existing water treatment facility at an investment valued at R2 million. The upgrade allows the company to purify the effluent water which is then re-cycled back into the soap plant before it is safely discharged. The used

water from the different plants is pumped into the treatment plant which is treated by passing the water through an equalizer tank, followed by the

“We enjoy a strong relationship with our employees and our surrounding community, which is why we always seek to employ our staff locally.”

Jul 14 page 75

sealaKe IndustrIes

D-A-F unit to ensure the oil and fat is removed. From here, it goes to the flash mixer to add the chemicals before it goes to the settling tank. Once the water is settled, it is passed through the filter press. The water that comes out of this press depends on the specifications of the municipality.

TEAM WORkEmployees at Sealake Industries are considered the company’s “greatest asset” and back in December 2012, CEO Baboo Essack explained why they are so important: “We enjoy a strong relationship with our employees and our surrounding community, which is why we always seek to employ our staff locally. We expect our staff to work hard and to work together as a team. We always try to keep our staff motivated and happy which is why we place a real focus on providing on the job training to improve their capabilities and skills, whilst also offering good incentive and reward packages.” With over 400 members of staff, the company has one of the lowest staff turnover rates in the industry.

Essack, who won the 2010 “Supplier of the year National Award” for Shoprite Checkers, explained in the same year that the continuing success of

the company rests with concentrating on the basic principles of business: “Our clients know that they can rely on us and we have cultivated a reputation for always doing what we say we will do. Our customer service and sales teams ensures that while reaching out to new customers, we continue to make sure that our existing customers are happy. The thing to remember is service, service, service. Our clients can also rely on us to provide value for money and competitive pricing on our products without compromising on quality. We have a sound business model which makes this possible.”

LOOkING FORWARDOver the next few years, the company hope to become one of the leaders in the industry and with further expansions on the horizon, it hopes to maintain the focus and passion which has made Sealake Industries so successful. With its vision “to make Sealake the largest edible oil manufacturers in the Republic of South Africa with the best quality products”, it seems as though a bright and exciting future lies ahead for this family-run business..

At the recent Mercedes-Benz South Africa Dealer of the Year Awards, the NMI-DSM group walked away with more awards than any other dealer group in the country!Not only did NMI-DSM receive fi ve of the seven Chairman’s Awards, they also won a further eight category awards including Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars Brand Centre for Mercedes-Benz Durban Brand Centre, Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars Market Centre for Garden City Motors Pietermaritzburg and Freightliner/FUSO Brand Centre for NMI-DSM Commercial Vehicles Pinetown.

While we are extremely proud of these achievements, we realise that without customers we could never have achieved these awards and would like to thank you for your loyal and ongoing support.

Of course, we also understand that being measured on past performance means nothing if you can’t maintain the standards you have set, so we hereby commit to remaining customer focused and maintaining our culture of excellence so that next year, we will be even bigger and even better.

Thank youSea Lake Industries.

Without our customers we are

nothing.

Address: PinetownTel: 031 0011 324Web: www.nmidsm.co.zawww.facebook.com/NMICommercialVehicles

jul 14

company profile

Safety is the hot topic

Any business that has been operating for more than 30 years is clearly doing something right. Around South Africa, and the world, there are many companies that have managed to survive over three decades but for a business to thrive, grow, develop and become a significant employer and industry leader, well that takes something special.

And Germiston based Refraline has just that. Over the years, since its establishment in 1981, the company has built up a special skill set and one which is fairly unique in the South African market.

The Refraline group is a specialist in the installation, repair and maintenance of refractory solutions in a range of industries, including iron and steel, ferroalloys, nonferrous metals, platinum-group metals, chemicals and petrochemicals, cement and lime, power generation, mining, clay brick, glass and ceramics.

Made up of Refraline, Refraline Natal, Refraline SA Industrial Linings, WR Refractory Services and Didier Corrosion Engineering, this is a group of companies that most certainly has a specialism.

Refractory materials are ones that retain strength at high temperatures, typically higher than 538°C.

Refractory materials are non-metallic materials having chemical and physical properties that make them applicable for structures or as components of systems.

Considering the nature of South Africa’s heavy industries; mining, manufacturing, metal processing, science etc, refractory materials are always needed and as these industries grow, these materials will become more and more important. Refractory materials are used in linings for furnaces, kilns, incinerators and reactors. This means that Refraline can call any business that deals with heat processes a potential customer.

Providing ceramics, foundry materials, insulation, refractory bricks, stainless steel fibres and monolithics amongst other products, the Refraline group of companies is the one of the industry leaders in sub-Saharan Africa and its workforce of over 400 people, led by Managing Director, Manfred Rösch offer industry leading advice and services.

But recently, the hot topic has been safety and that is something which the company takes extremely seriously.

SAFETY As you can imagine, dealing with products of this kind

Editorial: Roland DouglasProduction: Chris Bolderstone

For over 30 years, the Refraline group of companies has been offering services to many industries and is now recognised as one of leading refractory contracting companies in sub-Saharan Africa. Recent times have seen work on glass furnaces and a serious focus on maintaining the highest standards of safety.

jul 14 PAGE 77

RefRaline

throws up a raft of potential safety issues but Refraline is a company that is quality certified, offering client’s peace of mind.

BS OHSAS 18001:2007 and ISO 9001:2008 certifications have been achieved, confirming that Refraline is certified in the scope of demolition, installation, maintenance and supply of refractory and corrosion resistant materials.

Rösch believes that a good safety record is an important component of when clients choose a contractor for furnace building. “We are very proud of our safety record” he said, “...we have introduced internal safety management processes that have helped us to get to a high standard. This is an important consideration for potential customers and is very important to Refraline.”

And safety does not just present hurdles during initial construction activities. Refractory materials can change throughout time and some materials that were used for construction of a furnace ten years ago can adapt and become potentially harmful because of the environment in which they are active.

At a previous North American Waste to Energy Conference (NAWTEC), guest speaker, Gary Bases

detailed how refractory materials used in the steam and power generation industry can present potential health concerns.

“Some refractory materials being used in boiler settings contain chromium compounds as part of the refractory mixture. During operation some of the chromium compounds will be converted into a hexavalent Chromium. This means that the initial installation of the refractory material did not represent a health problem.

“However, when the refractory needed to be removed it presented a serious health problem. During operation of the unit some of the chromium compounds in the refractory may be converted to CR+6. Therefore, when the refractory material is removed it creates a dust that may contain the hexavalent chromium. As a result, inhaling the CR+6 increases the risk of lung cancer and may also cause other health hazards.”

And it is for reasons just like this that every care has to be taken when dealing with refractory materials and, of course, brick and insulation.

Fortunately, Refraline leaves no stone unturned when it comes to safety and training and development of employees is regarded and an integral element of the

Jul 14

Company proFIle

business, not only ensuring health and safety standards are instilled from the very beginning of a career but other skills are distributed, helping both the industry and the wider economy.

All of Refraline’s key personnel are members of the Institute of Refractories Engineers and the company is a founding member of the Refractories Association of South Africa (RASA), an organisation which actively encourages the development of skills in the industry – yet another step being taken to ensure health and safety ideals are part of the industry’s culture.

The Institute of Refractories Engineers South Africa initiated the formation of REFCA (Refractories Contractors Association) as an Association under Section 21 of the Company’s Act 1981 with incorporation on 6th of January 1997, to investigate the training needs of the REFCA member companies.

This was a major step for the industry which previously had no formal education path. Thanks to research and persistence from REFCA, development of a Refractories career path and ‘The work of Refractory Engineering Technicians’, which was submitted at the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and since then much progress has been made in formalising training in the industry.

As of 2003 a B Tech: Engineering: Refractories is now offered on the Arcadia Campus of the Technikon. The course can be completed in one year at Technikon Pretoria if all the bridging subjects are completed.

GLASS FURNACESOne of the key markets for Refraline in recent times has been work on furnaces in the glass industry.

In 2012, the company began rebuilding a glass furnace capable of producing 490 t/d of glass for glass manufacturer Consol, in Bellville, Cape Town. The operation was a joint venture between Refraline and Germany-based glass furnace supplier Sorg Feuerungsbau.

“Sometimes companies do extensive repairs to a furnace but that will only be a short-term solution that extends the furnace life for a short period but, at some point, the furnace has to be rebuilt,” said Rösch.

The project was given a short time period of just 84 days for completion and the JV was happy to work to the tight deadline.

“Sorg Feuerungsbau is a specialist in the manufacturing of glass furnaces. It builds about 12 furnaces a year and provides maintenance services for the industry.

“The German company provides specific knowledge and technologies about glass furnaces, while we provide the components, labour and supervision required for building the furnaces,” Rösch said.

Since 2008, Refraline and Sorg Feuerungsbau have built five glass furnaces in South Africa, three of which were for Consol and two for Nampak Glass.

And when it comes to multiple projects at the same time – again, Refraline is well equipped to cope. It can handle several refractory contracts simultaneously, employing sophisticated techniques and using specialised construction equipment. For effective lining removal in kilns and ladles, the company boasts remote-controlled Brokk MB 330 and MB 150 demolishing machines which reduce downtime, increase productivity and improve safety. Other world-class equipment includes hydraulically operated, telescopic, rough terrain forklifts, which deliver refractory materials to otherwise inaccessible locations, special mixing and pneumatic conveying machinery and pneumatically operated bricking rigs.

With completed operations in South Africa, Botswana, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and the Middle East and Australia, this is certainly a company that is building an international reputation.

As refractory materials become more important, it looks as though there will be a host of opportunities for this innovative company, opportunities that Refraline will be only too happy to accommodate in a safe, flexible, fast and reliable manner..

Jul 14 page 79

reFralIne

RELIABLE REFRACTORY SOLUTIONS®

PO Box 264334, Three Rivers, RSA 19359A Telford Steet, Duncanville, Vereeniging, RSA 1930

Tel: +27 (016) 422 9955 | Fax: +27 (016) 422 9991Email: [email protected] | www.deltaref.com

Agents for: WONjIN EUROPE BVProducers of a whole range of magnesia–based bricks and monolithicswww.wonjin.co.kr

MOTIMManufacturuers of Fused Cast fractorieswww.motim.hu

Delta Refractories (Pty) Ltd is a manufacturer and supplier of both monolithic and precast refractories. The company was founded in 2001 and has become a leader in reliable, cost effective refractory solutions for a variety of industries. Delta Refractories designs custom-made products to suit each individual client’s needs.

PRODUCT RANGE

Delta Cast® LCC, ULCC and NCC range 1300 to 2000 °CDelta Crete® Conventional castable range 900 to 2000 °CDelta Gun® Acid and basic gunning, hot/cold, 1200 to 2000 °CDelta Ram® Acid and basic ramming for ladles and furnacesDelta Plast® Acid and basic plaster materials 1300 to 1800 °CDelta Flow® Free flow acid range 1300 to 2000 °CDelta Floc® Slag coagulant rangeDelta Cover® Ladle and tundish insulating cover materialsDelta Thermo Cover® Range of refractory paints to protect carbon containing refractoriesDelta Chem® A cement free chemically bonded range 1300 to 2000 °CDelta Pump® Range of pumpable materials 1300 to 2000 °CDelta Set® Acid and basic mortar ranges 1300 to 2000 °CDelta Fill® Ladle well filler and furnace taphole fillersDelta Melt® Slag viscosity modifiers

jul 14

company profile

Keeping the wheels of expansion well oiled…

In every industry, bearings are the essential ‘cog in the system’ helping to ensure machines run smoothly and effectively. Without them, or if they falter, extreme pressures can leave the machinery with lasting detrimental effects so it is imperative for bearings to have longevity, quality and progressive designs.

Bearings have many mechanical uses but primarily, they aid in reducing friction between moving parts so the desired motion speed is achieved. Think of any mechanical operation, from motors, to inline skates to conveyor belts, bearings really do make the world go round smoothly.

There are many different variants of bearings with ball bearings the most widely known but these are used where the application load is smaller. For bigger operations, hydrodynamic bearings are more commonly used which work by floating the load on a self-renewing film of lubricant. This type of bearing relies on the speed of the journal, the part of the shaft resting on the liquid, to ensure the fluid is pressurised creating a wedge so the shaft is not in contact with the bearing material. For

hydrodynamic lubrication to take place, the shaft must be rotating at an optimum speed.

Started in 1962 in Durban, GB Bearings was originally Glacier Bearings before it was incorporated into the Federal Mogul Group in 1999. Five years later in July 2004, the company had a management buyout and became known as GB Bearings. Today it manages over 180 staff with three large facilities operating in Johannesburg, Cape Town and with its head office in Durban. With an export stream now fully operational in all five major continents, IndustrySA speaks to Sales and Marketing Manager, Alan Parkinson about the incredible growth of a company which is going global.

“It started in 1962 in Durban and in 1975 the company opened another facility in Johannesburg. In 1988, we subsequently opened a small factory in Cape Town which gave us a national coverage of South Africa, serving the Southern African market in particular. We have rebuilt the brand name, very effectively, especially in Southern Africa and from that we have grown our export markets.

“Since we became GB bearings, we have put a lot of work and effort into promoting one of our products for


Bearings, for hundreds of years, have been the vital

component in just about every mechanical operation. With

a new product line, facility expansions and exciting ventures

in the USA, Durban’s GB Bearings has over five decades of

unending growth in this increasingly challenging industry.

jul 14 PAGE 7

GB BearinGs

export to the point where just over 20% of our turnover was attributed to exports. Those exports are all over the world, from the UK, Europe, Australia, Brazil and China. China is one of our main export markets for our product at the moment.

“The principle market in Southern Africa is probably power generation, certainly with Eskom, our power producer, the mining industry and all the major manufacturers that supply these main industries such as Eskom, Howden, Sulzer, ABB and Actom” explains Parkinson, who joined GB Bearings over three decades ago in 1983 after enjoying a successful career as a Chief Engineer in the Merchant Navy and subsequently as Chief Commissioning Engineer for new ships at Dorbyl Marine, Durban.

GB Bearings deal primarily with hydrodynamic bearings, otherwise known as plain bearings. “The primary alloy is white metal which is mainly a tin based alloy with copper and antimony in it” Parkinson explains.

The HSR bearing assemblies, the company’s key product, has been going since the early 1980’s and is primarily used in large electric motors, large pumps

and large fans. “We have just formally introduced an extension to that range, the HSS horizontal bearing assembly. The primary function of these are for taking axial higher loads without the need of lubricating oil stations. For the standard assemblies, in certain applications, you need an external oil supply, but the idea of this new product is to, wherever possible, eliminate the use of these external lube oil stations” explains Parkinson.

Although there are many theories surrounding the first use of a bearing, from the Egyptians moving stone blocks on sledges with the runners lubricated with liquid thousands of years ago to Leonardo da Vinci sketching the use of ball bearings in his helicopter design back in the 1500’s, the basic principle of the hydrodynamic lubricant has been around for over 100 years. Of course, with the ever changing world of more advanced mechanisms and technology, has much changed in the development of the bearing?

“What has improved over that time is materials that can be used but the most improved development is the machining capability; how effectively we can machine bearings of this nature has certainly helped. We can

Jul 14

Company proFIle

manufacture and repair from as small as 25mm in diameter up to 6,000mm in diameter,” explains Parkinson.

“All we can do is improve our process and control of our products to improve the lasting quality but the basic principle of plain bearings remains the same. Moving forward in the future I can’t see too many major changes apart from product innovation in utilising the plain bearings, like we’ve done with HSS, it’s just an extension of an existing product which we hope will satisfy a certain part of the market and those are the challenges we face, identifying those needs in the marketplace and adapting our product to suit those needs.”

These improvements certainly seem to be working as the export market GB Bearings operate in is continually growing. “We have just come back from the USA and have now broken into that market with a couple of orders which have come in recently. That’s a major breakthrough for us in the American market, we believe there’s good opportunities there to expand our product so we’re quite excited about that. We now supply to Australasia, the Far East, Europe, South America and now North America which I think is quite an achievement” says Parkinson.

Ensuring the company stays ahead of an increasingly competitive game, Parkinson explains that while the principles of white metal bearings are relatively well known, GB Bearings has more specific process controls, developed over many years, which are kept “closely guarded”, helping to ensure longevity and quality, which is so heavily demanded across both local and export markets, is maintained.

“With our specifically designed products, we don’t have too much competition. Our major competition emanates mainly from Europe and China in particular. In the local repair market, there’s lots of people who think they can do white metal bearings but it’s the level of quality and performance which we focus on rather than the fit for purpose concept, we look for a quality product which is going to perform on a long lasting basis” explains Parkinson.

After such a successful five decades, Parkinson explains the company is looking forward to an even brighter future: “We are looking to expand our export sales this current year, at least to 25% and even targeting 30% sales. Over the next few years, we will expand our penetration into the export market which will be focused on niche type markets, rather than high productivity units, coupled to that there will be some growth in our staff complement, the technical

Jul 14 page 9

gb bearIngs

Our ferrous and non-ferrous foundry offers design, patternmaking, fi nishing, heat treatment and machining facilities for large and small castings in irons, steel, aluminium alloys and bronzes

Range of materials cast:• Cast Iron: all the grades that fall under the BS 1452 1977 specifi cation

• 2) SG Iron: all the grades that tali under the SABS 936/937 1970 specifi cation

• Cast steel: carbon steels (BS3tOO A1, A2 and A3) as welf a low alloy steels {BS 3100 A5, A6, AW1, AW2, AW3, BT1, BT2 etc)

• Bronze: most grades that fall under the BS 1400 specifi cation

• Aluminium: LM4 and LM6

Castings up to five tons in SG and cast iron, four and half tons in steel, one and half tons in bronze and 500kg in aluminiumJOSEPH GRIEVESON (PTY) LTDFERROUS & NON-FERROUS CASTINGS Established msTel: +27 31507 3640 | Fax: +27 31 500 2637 Visit our website www.josgrieveson.co.za

Quality Castings

abilities of our staff will be broadened and also, we’re looking to expand the facilities. We have a replacement program to replace old machines with new or more modern machines and that’s an ongoing process.”

Parkinson, who became the Sales and Marketing Manager in 2001 and was instrumental in the company’s transition from Glacier Bearings to GB Bearings, explains the important relationship between the staff and the company’s exponential growth in ensuring customer satisfaction. “I think it’s a commitment to identifying the needs of our customers, coupled to that we have a very stable workforce. We also do a lot of training courses on basic white metal bearings on how to look after their performance. We have always felt there’s a need for making people aware on how to look after their bearings. Since we became GB Bearings in July 2004, our turnover has grown three fold so I’m happy about that; the challenge is trying to maintain that growth in the current economic climate, both locally and globally.”

Further expansion plans are in the pipeline too, including expanding the company’s existing facilities by 50%. “This is not only to accommodate existing growth in our business but also looking to the future. Over the coming years we will also adapt and adjust our production capacity to suit those requirements”

says Parkinson.With over 30 years’ experience at GB Bearings,

Parkinson is now looking to the future – training up the younger staff members and creating “a great foundation for that growth to continue.”

“The ironic part about it is if I knew then, when I was a chief engineer, to what I know now about bearings, I would’ve been a superstar!” laughs Parkinson, but despite this, he certainly hasn’t done too badly, no doubt leaving a legacy of enduring success and potential for GB Bearings..“Since we became GB Bearings in July 2004, our turnover has grown three fold so I’m happy about that; the challenge is trying to maintain that growth in the current economic climate, both locally and globally”

jul 14

company profile

Tapping SA’s sun potential

juwi Renewable Energies (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary of the German juwi Group, one of the world’s leading specialists in renewable energies, is a driving force behind developing renewable energy power generation in South Africa. It is the current preferred engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) partner for four large-scale photovoltaic power plants in the country, whose combined installed capacity of 35 megawatts is set to be bolstered even further with a variety of other projects to follow in the near future. Since opening its first office in Stellenbosch in 2010, juwi and its experienced team has been advancing the change

towards clean energy production in the country, driven by the firm belief that South Africa has the potential to become a key producer of sustainable and carbon free energy in the coming years.

The recent announcement on the part of Energy Minister Ben Martins centred around a renewed commitment to increasing the amount of energy South Africa will be procuring under the third window of its renewable energy programme. Since December 2011 the government has approved a total of 64 renewable energy projects, representing foreign and domestic investment of over R100-billion which, when all operational, will add around 3900 megawatts (MW) of wind, solar photovoltaic

Editorial: Tim HandsProduction: Emily Woodhall

A full-service partner in every aspect of project development, and with a particular focus on the development of the wind and solar energy sector in South Africa, juwi plans, finances, constructs, and operates renewable energy power plants, with a vision of 100 % clean energy, security of supply, and independence from energy imports.

jul 14 PAGE 3

juwi Renewable eneRgies (Pty) ltd

and solar power to the energy mix in South Africa. By 2020, the aim is that this renewable energy

will account for 12% of South Africa’s energy mix, which would place the country among the top 15 in the world with regard to the implementation of renewable energy projects. As a result, South Africa finds itself currently rated as the 12th most attractive investment destination for renewable energy, an achievement whose significance is noted by Martins. “This bodes very well for South Africa, as the programme has achieved international acclaim for fairness, transparency and certainty of programme.” Martins added that the energy sector was expected to play a major role in creating

jobs within the ‘green sector’, in turn developing valuable skills and transferring innovative technology into the South African economy.

Among the four projects that juwi won during South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (RE IPPP) is the seven megawatt Rust Mo 1 solar farm, connected just last year to the country’s national grid.

The North West Province’s utility-scale solar farm boasts a total module surface of 94,650 m2, and more than 29,000 photovoltaic modules, a system which produces each year more than 12.5 million kWh of electricity. Greg Austin, juwi Managing Director, underlined how pivotal a role

Jul 14

Company proFIle

this plant is to play in South Africa’s commitment to renewable energy development: “This truly is a great start for South Africa’s energy transition towards a more sustainable and carbon-free energy production, as well as in terms of local economic development.”

juwi also won last year the contract for the 86MW ‘Mulilo Sonnedix Prieska’ solar park in South Africa, a project co-developed by Mulilo Renewable Energy South Africa and Sonnedix. Commercial operation at the plant is expected to begin in mid-2015, to become juwi’s fifth project in South Africa following investment of more than ZAR1.2 billion. Franck Constant, President

of Sonnedix Solar, spoke with optimism of what will be, thus far, juwi’s largest single solar EPC project in the world: “We are happy to be working with juwi, one of the world most experienced EPC providers in the field of renewable energies to build our solar park. We feel confident that our project construction shall be in very good hands.”

A flagship project, the juwi and Red Cross Children’s Hospital Project will see the clean power generated by its 5kWp roof top, photovoltaic plant delivered to the hospital, off-setting some of its non-critical energy needs over the next 20 years and exemplifying its support for the Western Cape’s 110% Green campaign. Premier of the Western Cape Hellen Zille stated how these projects are leading to a future that is, “greener, more eco-friendly and more energy efficient. They will help us build a critical mass of active citizens who make the shift to ‘go green’ and in so doing find new opportunities amidst what will be a difficult transition.” As a new business within South Africa it both was and remains vital for juwi to

“The South African energy

programme has achieved

international acclaim for

fairness, transparency and

certainty of programme”

demonstrate its commitment to what it makes clear as a central aim behind its operations: positive progress of the renewable energy industry in the country. This is underlined by Teri Kruger, Director of Stakeholder Relations at juwi, “in acknowledgement of the good work of the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, we wish to provide an installation that would directly benefit the Hospital, and the vast communities that they serve.”

It is a mutually beneficial partnership, as alongside showcasing the hospital’s innovative stance and willingness to adopt new technologies, Martin Goerner, joint Managing Director of juwi South Africa, explains that this commitment will allow juwi to, “collect crucial information through a multi-national research collaboration on the performance of the plant.” Now is the ideal time for both juwi and South Africa to be driving forward their commitment to the development of renewable energy, at a time when solar power is cheaper than ever before, and Standard Bank, a leading investor in renewable energy projects in South Africa, is estimating that grid parity may be achieved by 2018.

juwi’s long-term cooperation and agreements with module manufacturers and component suppliers allows it to offer excellent price conditions, alongside those two vital aspects in generating solar power: flawless management and sophisticated technology..

Jul 14 page 5

JuWI reneWable energIes (pty) ltd

“This truly is a great start for South Africa’s energy transition towards a more sustainable and carbon-free energy production as well as local economic development”

Building and upgrading transmission lines, Substations and Fibre Optic Networks are major undertakings and OptiPower has the knowledge and experience needed, Nationally and Beyond, to handle any project without limits due to the site conditions and voltage level.

Working with OptiPower means that you don’t have to coordinate with multiple consultants and suppliers.

Optipowers core business consists of the construction of MV and HV Power lines (Distribution and Transmission), the construction of MV and HV Substations (Distribution and Transmission) the construction of overhead and underground Fibre Optic networks (OPGW, ADSS, and Blown Fibre etc.) And with recent addition to the OptiPower brand, we now also specialize in the construction of renewable energy infrastructure.

We also specialize in Assessment, Refurbishment and maintenance of MV and HV Power lines (Distribution and Transmission), Assessments and Refurbishment of MV and HV Substations (Distribution and Transmission) as well as the demolishing of existing HV Substations, Power lines and MV Reticulation Networks.

Telephone: +27 (0)21 845 6745 Postal Address: Fax: +27 (0)21 845 5264 PO Box 2579E-Mail: [email protected] Somerset West, 7129 Address: 239 Broadlands Road Strand, Cape Town, 7140

Andre SwartWillie van der MerweAshley Soobramoney

CEOOperations Director

Bid Proposal Director

[email protected]@optipower.co.za

[email protected]

jul 14

company profile

Keeping it in the family

For more than three decades, founder and CEO, Kobus van Tonder has been leading Uni Freight in the right direction. Previously working as a successful farmer, van Tonder decided to venture into transport and so, in 1984, he started up his own transporting career as the proud owner of just one truck.

THE FAMILY BUSINESSNow, over 30 years on, the business continues to be heavily revolved around family with van Tonder’s wife and children all having an active role working within the expanding company. “Family is the heart of the business as most of the family are currently employed and the hope would be that the legacy continues” van Tonder explains.

A national transport company, Uni Freight has a steadily increasing footprint across Southern Africa and into neighbouring African countries, including Zambia and Namibia. Van Tonder explains the company mainly deal with “agricultural, mining and FMCG (fast moving consumable goods).”

EXPANDING NATIONALLYStarting out with just one truck, the company now manages an impressive fleet which has gradually increased since Uni Freight’s inception. Van Tonder explains: “I started the Company as an owner driver and today I manage a fleet of 100 plus vehicles as the CEO.”

With such impressive expansion, van Tonder explains that the company has just replaced all its vehicles and invested in new machinery. “That is the reason why we


30 years ago, logistics company Uni Freight started out with just one truck. Today, it has a fleet of 100 and an expanding and loyal customer base. With experience, endurance and devotion, Uni Freight will keep your load moving…

jul 14 PAGE 89

Uni Freight

replaced the European vehicles over three years as they are currently the highest spec vehicles in this country. We will then move onto the Euro 5 Vehicles when our fuel companies are able to provide suitable fuel.”

Logistics and transportation is undoubtedly a huge and profitable business in South Africa and is vital for the economic growth and social development of the country. Millions of tonnes of exports travel out of Southern Africa every year and as of April 2014, figures showed exports in South Africa had reached R7 7421, 67 million. Uni Freight has many large projects under its belt with many more planned, as van Tonder explains: “Over the past few years there have been many key projects, mainly in providing food into Africa.”

With innumerable logistic companies operating across Southern Africa and the export market

continually expanding, competition, for many businesses can often hinder expansion and progression. However it seems Uni Freight remains unfazed by this prospect: “There is significant competition but we strive to provide the best service and with hard work, team work, focusing on one goal and attention to detail, we are able to provide an excellent service for our customers” van Tonder says.

THE DONALDSON CHAMPIONSHIPTaking a break from logistics, the van Tonder family are keen participants in the infamous Donaldson Cross Country Championship. Held in Southern Africa, the event is considered to be among the toughest races in the world by many experts in the field.

Cross-country motor racing is an adrenaline

Jul 14

Company proFIle

pumping sport which sees an array of specially modified vehicles, ranging from cars to trucks and motorbikes, all competing for the top spot driving through harsh off-road environments. The rigorous course and keen competitors – many of who travel more than hundreds of miles just to take part in the Donaldson championship - bears testament to its global reputation.

The Uni Freight family participate in the championship with two specially built Ford Racing Rangers. Kobus van Tonder and son-in-law Freddie Kriel, also Uni Freight’s Service Manager, race as one team whilst van Tonder’s son and daughter, Jacques van Tonder and Lizelle van Tonder, race as

another. Jacques and Lizelle van Tonder also take the title as being amongst the youngest competitors in the sport.

Speaking of the reputation of the Donaldson rally, van Tonder says: “This is not the opinion of the competitors only, but a testament that is the winners of the Botswana rally are invited to take part in the Dakar. The international drivers and teams have rated this event the toughest. My son and children are keen competitors and love the sport. The Ford Rangers are currently very competitive too.”

THE WINNING STREAkCompeting in the off-road race on 6th March

2014, Kobus and Freddie came in at an impressive fourth place. A press release from Donaldson’s Championship states: “Of fourth placed Kobus van Tonder and Freddie Kriel in an ex-factory Ranger, were the standout performances.”

Competing just a few weeks later on 29th March, Kobus and son-in-law Freddie succeeded in another successful performance: “There is enough quantity and quality in rest of the Class T field to give the factory teams a little cause for concern. Kobus van Tonder and Freddie Kriel (Uni Freight Ford Ranger) were the RFS surprise package with a memorable fourth place, and will be looking for more of the same on the short trip down the N3 from home base Harrismith.”

Most recently, competing on 4th April, the Uni Freight duo impressed once more: “Kobus van Tonder and son-in-law Freddie Kriel, who were the RFS 450 surprise package in the Uni Freight Ford Ranger, completed the top 10. Only 14 seconds separated Botha/Vermeulen and the Uni Freight pair.”

Looking to the future, van Tonder explains: “We are targeting some countries in Africa and global expansion is always possible.” For such a family

orientated business, it is clear this has attributed to the success and continued growth of Uni Freight, helping to build up a loyal and national customer database and expanding further afield into neighbouring African countries. It seems then that for now and certainly for the foreseeable future, Uni Freight really will keep your load moving… .

Jul 14 page 91

unI FreIgHt

“Family is the heart of the business as most of the family are currently employed and the hope would be that the legacy continues”

Editorial: Roland Douglas Production: Chris Bolderstone

as one of the oldest automotive brands in the country, Williams Hunt has undertaken a long and challenging journey to the top. even though the company has seen much success there is still a drive to further increase market share. ben robertson, new vehicle sales manager at Williams Hunt Fourways explains more…

page 92 Jul 14

Company proFIle

Speeding towards increased market share

The transport industry in South Africa is vital for the continued growth of the economy. The government has highlighted the industry as a key contributor to South Africa’s competitiveness in global markets.

Transport incorporates many market segments from corporate logistics, people movement, market migration and international market penetration to name just a few sectors but probably the most recognisable and familiar of all of these is the private vehicle market; where the general public buy new and used cars and other vehicles.

Without this sector what would business be? Employees need transport to get to work, customers need their cars to get to the shops, delivery companies need their vehicles – it is imperative that the automotive sector thrives.

One of the industry leaders in this sector is Williams Hunt, a company that has been proudly serving the

South African public since 1903 as part of the General Motors South Africa (GMSA) family. Williams Hunt provides full sales and after sales backing for all GMSA vehicles, including honouring all warranties, service and maintenance plans, parts supply and all other areas of after sales support for Chevrolet, Opel and Isuzu vehicles. The company also provides full after sales support for Hummer, Saab and Cadillac brands.

New Vehicle Sales Manager at Williams Hunt Fourways, Ben Robertson tells IndustrySA that the business has its sights set firmly on increasing its market share throughout 2014.

“What we would like to do is use our existing structure to grow our market share by 2-3% so we can meet our target share, set by the manufacturer, of 12%. We need another 2% of all cars sold in South Africa to be from our brands. This target market share is split, under the GM

banner, between the three brands that we sell; 8% for Chevrolet, 3% for Isuzu and 1% for Opel,” he says.

This target will be achieved by leveraging Williams Hunt’s national footprint which comprises 19 GMSA franchise outlets and around 800 people.

As for expanding this national footprint, the company has come a long way since its establishment and is looking for continued growth. However, the manufacturer does not want the market to become overly congested so there are limits to the amount of dealerships that can be opened as Robertson explains.

“The amount of dealerships is determined by the manufacturer. We started out with six in Jo’burg, one in Cape Town and one in Durban and over the years we have acquired other dealerships along the way.

“We’ve just taken over the Reeds Group which had seven branches in the Cape Town area but there’s a

limited amount of available points from one manufacturer and you can’t really go beyond that. Unless there’s a single point dealer who’s battling financially and it suits us to grow our footprint by taking them over, it’s not something that will benefit.

“It’s not like a food chain; we don’t want to be on every corner. The manufacturer only allows a certain amount of dealers because each needs to be able to be profitable and have its own customer base so we don’t want to swamp the market.”

When it comes to cross-border expansion, a strategy that is now almost the norm for many South African companies, Robertson says that the business is not currently looking to focus too much on Africa.

“It is not currently within our plans to have a multi-national footprint,” he says. “There are GM dealers across Africa but it’s not really on the cards for Williams Hunt.”

WIllIams Hunt

Jul 14 page 93

“We need another 2% of all cars sold in South Afri-ca to be from our brands”

page 94 Jul 14

Company proFIle

Nevertheless, GMSA remains one of the top three car brands in the country with the Chevrolet Utility remaining ever popular and the Chevrolet Sonic making waves in its sector and the Williams Hunt outlets are a huge part of this success.

A LONG JOURNEyWilliams Hunt has a long and fascinating history and its roots stretch as far back as 1886 and visionary of the time Henry Hunt, an Englishman who had moved to SA with the hope of making a fortune on Kimberley’s diamond fields.

After struggling initially with various business ventures, Hunt moved to Johannesburg and saw a gap in the transport market; at the time the horse and carriage was the recognised method and if you couldn’t afford a horse you bought a bike. Hunt, along with a partner, opened a bicycle shop in 1903 in downtown Jo’burg, unwittingly creating the foundations for the success of Williams Hunt.

In the beginning, the business was a great success but after time began to struggle and Hunt himself began to struggle; failing in attempts to bring his wife out from London. Eventually, two of Hunt’s three sons joined him in SA and helped with the running of the business but it still wasn’t enough. Finally, Hunt’s wife arrived in SA and bought with her a much needed cash injection of £300.

This resulted in a change of fortunes for the business but the real turnaround came when the Hunt’s helped introduce the Indian Motor Cycle to SA. Previous attempts to introduce motorbikes to SA had failed mainly because they were difficult to maintain and could not handle the rugged SA conditions. The Indian however,

was sturdier and the Hunts’ popularised the vehicle with innovative marketing stunts.

Following the success of the bike, the first Williams Hunt branch was opened in 1914 in Durban and more followed.

Even though the Indian was popular, times were changing and the future of transport was the car. After dipping into the market, the Hunts found the perfect vehicle for SA terrain during a trip to the USA - the Chevrolet 490. This sparked the beginning of a long standing relationship between the two companies.

Today, Williams Hunt is under new ownership. “It has changed hands a number of times over the years. It has been part of the Unitrans Group for quite some time, Grain Silo

Company proFIle WIllIams Hunt

Jul 14 page 95

probably around 20 years now, and recently Unitrans was taken under the wing of Steinhoff International and that is our holding company,” explains Robertson.

The set-up of each of the motor businesses under the Unitrans brand has its own targets and its own management and Robertson says that everything is geared towards increasing market share.

“Unitrans has many divisions including a dedicated motor division. Within the group we have different franchises including Nissan, BMW, Mercedes Benz, General Motors, Toyota and even a MAN truck dealership. Each of these franchises has a Franchise Director who heads up the brand within the group and then each branch is run by a Dealer Principal.

“You have targets that are set by the manufacturer on volumes and purchasing of parts, then you have financial targets that are set by the cost structure of your business and by Unitrans. It’s all based on a market share penetration strategy,” he says.

PEOPLE POWERUnder the Dealer Principal and Franchise Director, there is a mix or expertise and skills. Williams Hunt is very

keen to harness these skills and develop them to ensure that customers get the best possible service. This means training employees to the highest of standards.

“We are very open to training new people in the industry” says Robertson, “however; a large amount of our workforce is on the technical side which means they need to get a technical qualification that will allow them to work on the vehicles.

“We have a very strong apprenticeship programme across the country so we take on people and train them up so they can filter into our workforce.”

Robertson also explains that the company is very active in the community and, together with GMSA, places a large emphasis on upliftment. He says that a very aggressive affirmative action plan to grow the business’s BEE component is in place and the company is also open to working with individual dealers to support worthy projects.

“Together with GM we are involved in schooling projects where we provide food for children and we are also involved with individual dealers in the local community; whatever the need may be in the specific area, we identify it and support it best we can,” he says.

apr 14

Company proFIle

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Company proFIle WIllIams Hunt

Jul 14 page 97

DRIVING FORWARDThe future holds much promise for Williams Hunt. Using its vast and wide ranging experience, the company has managed to position itself amongst the leaders in the industry. When asked which part of the business is the most important for growth over the coming years, Robertson suggests that each division supports the next but sales and service remain prevalent parts of the business.

“Of course, there is certainly a drive for new car and used car volume” he says “but we wouldn’t have a business if it wasn’t for the service centre. Obviously, the parts centre supports the service centre and the finance and admin centres are the support structure for the other divisions so all parts of the business work hand-in-hand.”

When it comes to marketing, the Williams Hunt brand is extremely recognisable; the shimmering blue lights that illuminate the Fourways dealership at night make it quite the sight but of course lighting is not the only promotion that goes on. The company is keen to let the products speak for themselves and actively encourages customers to get behind the wheel.

“A lot of the time, we will supply people with test vehicles for their honest and unbiased opinion. It’s something we do on an on-going basis; we like to invite the public to ‘ride and drive days’ so they can judge the cars for themselves.

“We’ve had one recently in Kyalami and another coming up in Nasrec. It’s a great opportunity for us the let the people see the vehicles, touch and feel, and experience ride quality so it is a strategy of ours and allows people to experience the brand first hand,” says Robertson.

And it seems as though this strategy is working as Robertson says that Williams Hunt is a top player in terms of market share across the entire country.

“There’s always a battle for the top three positions in our market. I would definitely peg us as a consistent player in the top five as far as market share goes in South Africa,” he says.

With a dedicated and highly skilled team, an ambitious and aspiring leadership team and the quality and world renowned expertise of GM behind it, it seems that Williams Hunt has all the components to drive forward quickly and achieve its target of increased market share while delighting drivers along the way..“We have a very strong apprenticeship programme across the country”

Every month we discover awe-inspiring stories of successful entrepreneurship, world-leading innovation and universal inspiration.

In the future we will bring you further stories of business excellence and highlight the hard work that is going on in South Africa to grow the nations industries into global leaders.

Your success is our inspiration

#BeInspired

MAR2014

ISSUE 19

Embracing People Power

Midvaal MunicipalityDEVELOPING SAVANNA CITY

V&A WaterfrontCELEBRATING NO.1 SILO

One of the most progressive companies in the country, BMW SA recently launched the 2-Series and 4-Series. However, one of the world’s most recognised automobile brands is more than just a manufacturer; it is in fact a committed and engaged corporate citizen. MD, Bodo Donauer explains more…

ChianoSkyNEW AUDI AMBASSADOR

DetNetBUSINESS WITH A BANG

nov2013

Issue 15

Forestry SAno substItute For Wood

ColcaboptImIsIng dIsplay exCellenCe

Ultra-Heavy CapabilitiesGenrec, a division of Murray and Roberts, has played a huge part in the development of the Medupi and Kusile power stations. Business Development Manager, Michael Mamotte tells IndustrySA that the company’s ‘ultra-heavy capabilities’ set it apart from the rest.

Jeannie DdIsplayIng entrepreneurIal spIrIt

De KeursoWIng tHe seeds oF suCCess

MAY2014

ISSUE 21

Global Presence, Local Knowhow Benteler South Africa is the local division of the global steel processing company, Benteler International AG. According to management, the business is looking to grow and “show the world what we can do here in South Africa”.

Lyle StewartADDRESSING AFRICAN AUDIENCES

Pienaar BrosWORKING HAND-IN-GLOVE WITH SA INDUSTRY

Howden AfricaLEADERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

Rolfe Laboratories UPLIFTMENT IN THE KAROO

Are you an entrepreneur? Do you have an innovative idea that has the potential to change lives? Is your company celebrating a milestone? Get in touch with us and let us know.

Some of the country’s biggest company’s use IndustrySA to promote their success and we look forward to hearing more stories of development as South Africa continues to grow. Your industry, their future, our

South Africa.

@industry_sa

APR2012

ISSUE 1

The Sky’s the Limit

JOSIE FIELDEVERYTHING IS ASIT SHOULD BE

BRIDGESTONEEARTH MOVINGINNOVATION

SOUTHERNAFRICANSHIPYARDSEXPLORING UNCHARTEREDTERRITORIES

We meet The Denel Group, thelargest manufacturer of defenceequipment in South Africa.

OAK VALLEYAN AWARD WINNINGFAMILY LEGACY

JUN2012

ISSUE 2

Mining’s Golden Boys

DANPATLANSKYBRINGING THE WORLD TOITS KNEES

CELLUCITYTHE ORIGINAL RETAILER,STILL LEADING THE WAY

ALTECH UECDRIVING DIGITAL

MIGRATION IN SA

COCA-COLADOMEENTERTAINING

A NATION

Harmony Gold - IndustrySA talks withCEO Graham Briggs about thechallenges facing the mining industry

deC2012

Issue 5

Engineering the Future

CAMERONVAN DERBURGHTHE BEST STROKE

REZIDORHOTELSRESOUNDING QUALITY

A.S. VILJOENBOERDERYA FAMILY AFFAIR

FORESTRY SAREFORESTATION OF THERAINBOW NATION

IndustrySA speaks with dCd mining &energy group marketing manager, Henkschoeman, about the towering successesof this highly regarded engineering andmanufacturing company.

#Innovationwww.industrysa.co.za

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The Wilderness Expansion Project is managed and run by For Wildlife.

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The Wilderness Expansion Project is an ambitious initiative aimed at growing and protecting wil-derness spaces, relevant to conservation. The Project is as much a humanitarian initiative as it is of conservation, and was set up specifically to address relevant BB-BEE credibility for South Afri-can companies. The Wilderness Expansion Project thus promotes conservation and sustainability in the form of humanitarian resources and infrastructure.

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