PFK Electronics
Elementary my dear Watson The acquisition of Pi Shurlok has enabled Durban based PFK Electronics to diversify says MD Gary Stanton who talks to Africa Outlook. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager Eleanor Watson This is a pivotal moment in the history of Durban-based PFK Electronics. The firm is a renowned designer and manufacturer of aftermarket electronic vehicle systems, telematics systems, and alcohol interlock devices, and in November it completed the acquisition of automotive electronic components manufacturer Pi Shurlok. It was a watershed moment and will enable the company to diversify and expand. That was the point, says managing director Gary Stanton. "It is a bid to diversify our core business to include the manufacture of vehicle components for local and international original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)," he explains. More than that, it increased production capacity – significant growth within PFK Electronics over the last five years meant it lacked production capacity. "The last 18 months have been very interesting," says Stanton. "We've had some fantastic organic growth in the business both through existing customers and products but also with the introduction of new products that we've designed ourselves. On top of that, in the last six months, we have acquired Pi Shurlok which adds capacity from a production point of view and turnover diversification as well. It means we are now firmly entrenched in the aftermarket and the OEM market. "Our organic growth has been very aggressive. PFK Electronics has been growing as a company by about 30 percent each year for the past six years. Pi…
Wilderness Holdings
Wilderness announces reshuffle, targets African growthWriter Ian ArmitageProject Manager Stuart Shirra Whether you go deep bush in northern Kruger or follow the big cats in the Maasai Mara, a trip into the wilderness will be life-changing and it’s very probably the number one thing on your list of stuff to do in Africa. This is where Wilderness Holdings comes in. It has been providing tailor-made holidays and superb accommodation to African visitors for 30 years. Indeed, it is the largest safari company in the SADC region.“We’re a company that operates on a policy of conservation through tourism and share the benefits with local communities,” says acting CEO Keith Vincent. “Wilderness began life as Wilderness Safaris in Botswana in 1983 and it is the holding company for many of Africa’s premier ecotourism brands: Wilderness Safaris; Wilderness Air; Wilderness Adventures; Wilderness Explorations; Wilderness Collection; Wilderness Wildlife Trust; and Children in the Wilderness. Each of these brands is a leader in its specific niche.” Wilderness has countless properties throughout Southern Africa: the Okavango Delta in Botswana; Sossusvlei in Namibia; Kruger Park in South Africa, Kafue, Victoria Falls in Zambia; and Hwange in Zimbabwe, to name a few. “We’ve got it all,” says Vincent. “In terms of safari we’ve a vast array of world-class lodges to choose from.” Mr Vincent replaced Andy Payne in March, albeit on a temporary basis. “This is part of a significant change,” he explains. “It is part of our bid to improve operations as well as to build further executive capacity and to support our operations in Botswana. We would…
BioTherm Energy
Winds of change Africa Outlook talks to green energy specialist Jasandra Nyker, CEO of independent power producer BioTherm Energy. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager James Mitchell South Africa's energy problems have been well documented and recent issues with the Medupi power station and its operating system, and the impasse between Exarro and striking workers, has ignited fears about winter power shortages and possible blackouts. Brian Dames, Eskom's chief executive, has admitted concerns with respect to Medupi and it is clear South Africa is in desperate need of more energy after a decade in which Eskom's pleas for investment in generation capacity were ignored. It has led to renewed calls for a broadening of the energy portfolio to include more flexible energy sources such as renewables. The government is already taking action and in November 2012, it signed the first round of agreements with independent power producers. In total, 28 projects are underway involving an estimated R47 billion in new investments, with those approved in the bid process's second round to turn sod later in the year. The first round projects will see an initial 1,4000 megawatts (MW ) of renewable energy added to SouthAfrica's energy mix by 2014. Bids for a third round have to be placed with the Department of Energy by August 2013. "It is all part of the Department of Energy's Integrated Resource Plan, through which it has planned the transformation of SA's energy mix to 2030," says Jasandra Nyker, CEO of South African independent power producer BioTherm Energy. "We won three projects…
eThekwini Municipality
Living in harmony eThekwini is the largest City in the KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in the country. Municipal spokesperson Thabo Mofokeng answers our questions in this exclusive Q&A. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager Stuart Platt We've featured eThekwini Municipality several times in recent years under our previous incarnation, South Africa Magazine. We've interviewed majors, we've talked to supply chain and service specialists, and we've talked to countless spokespeople and officials. Their goals were all the same – speed up service delivery, root out corruption and make Durban Africa's most caring and liveable city by 2030. The eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality was created in 2000 and is often described by peers as Africa's best run and financially strongest local government. As it continues to make strides forward, we talk to Municipal spokesperson Thabo Mofokeng in this exclusive Q&A. Thabo, congratulations to you on the progress the municipality is making. What are your goals now? A lot of progress has been made towards improving the living conditions of the people of eThekwini. The vast majority of our people already enjoy basic services like piped water, electricity, sanitation and access roads as well as public amenities like libraries and clinics. As you are aware these were only enjoyed by a few during the past establishment. The City has a capital budget of over R5 billion and the majority of this goes towards basic services. While doing all this we recognise that there's still a lot of work that needs to be done, especially due to rapid urbanisation and…
City of Cape Town
The city that works for you Cape Town is miles ahead of the other South African metros when it comes to quality of governance and financial management. Africa Outlook talks to Alderman Ian Neilson, the city's executive deputy mayor. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager Stuart Platt When it comes to quality of governance and financial management few can claim to be better than Cape Town. The City delivers basic services efficiently, is doing more for genuine black economic empowerment and the upliftment of the disadvantaged than any other metro in the country, and even has a functioning billing system. We recently talked to Alderman Ian Neilson who told us more about the City's fabulous achievements. Are you making strides in your goal to create a 'better life for all'? The City aims to create a Cape Town that works for everyone. Since being elected to office, this administration has made great strides in delivering on this promise. We are committed to redress and delivery. As such, our priority areas remain those in which the poor and the vulnerable reside. Good financial management has meant that our budgets are used responsibly, which allows for more money to be used on important projects such as the provision of human settlements, safety, health and infrastructure. We have delivered human settlements to previously disadvantaged communities, have invested in roads and public transport and we have put more police officers on visible patrols. You have five strategic pillars. What are they? And why are those pillars important? The work we do…
East Africa Bottling Share Company
The East Africa Bottling Share Company (EABSC) plans to invest $500 million in the East African nation as it plans expand its capacity further with the aim of meeting increasing demand within the soft drink industry
KFC Nigeria
KFC spreads its wings Yum! Restaurants International continues to expand KFC's African footprint. Africa Outlook talks to Bruce Layzell, KFC General Manager New African Markets, about the firm's growth across the continent and particularly in Nigeria. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager Eleanor Watson Africa is undoubtedly one of the fastest growing regions globally and an increasingly attractive investment option, with the latest McKinsey Report suggesting consumer-facing industries in Africa are expected to grow by more than $400 billion by 2020. The Economist Intelligence Unit meanwhile predicts that by 2030' Africa's top 18 cities could have a combined spending power of $1.3 trillion. The short-term outlook for the region remains broadly positive, and growth is projected at 5.25 percent a year in 2012–13. One of the main drivers is the increasing pace of urbanisation and consumerisation. "Africa is undoubtedly one of the fastest growing regions globally and KFC is fully committed to harnessing this opportunity and building a sustainable business model on the continent," says Bruce Layzell, KFC General Manager New African Markets. By the end of 2012, KFC had 63 new African restaurants, with operations in Angola, Nigeria, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho, Malawi, Swaziland, Ghana, Kenya and Zambia. The 63 figure excludes South Africa, Egypt, Morocco and Mauritius, which if included, would mean there are almost 900 KFC restaurants on the continent. KFC has plans to extend its reach to Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Uganda in 2013, with much longer-term growth plans to establish itself in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia and Senegal. "In Nigeria, our…
Netcare
Helping to heal South Africa Netcare strives for quality patient care, grounded by an unwavering commitment to its values. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager Stuart Shirra As South Africa's largest private hospital group, primary care network and emergency service provider, Netcare strives for quality patient care, grounded by an unwavering commitment to its values. "Our core value is care," says Kerishnie Naiker, Director Communications at Netcare. "Providing quality care is both a duty and a privilege which we assume seriously. "In 2011, we launched the Netcare Way, a programme aimed at inculcating five consistent behaviours in our staff. This, together with our values of care, dignity, participation, truth and passion directly and profoundly impact the quality of interpersonal interactions that our patients, colleagues and clinical partners experience within our facilities. "In practicing these behaviours consistently, we give practical meaning to significantly living our values and create a minimum benchmark of how we treat everyone at Netcare," she asserts. Since its listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in December 1996, Netcare has grown into a business with a market capitalisation in excess of R26 billion. The group earned revenues of R25 billion for the financial year ended 30 September 2012, of which 58 percent or almost R15 billion was generated from its South African operations, and the balance from its business in the United Kingdom. "In 2012, our South African business grew its operating profit by 11 percent to almost R2.5 billion, underpinned by an investment of R875 million in maintaining and expanding our network of…
