Roymec Technologies
The best tools for the job Filtration and separation technology specialist Roymec Technologies continues to supply its clients "best service and equipment to be found anywhere". Writer Chris Farnell Project manager Debbie Clark Roymec Technologies is a company boasting impeccable credentials in the area of filtration and separation solutions. Its sound mechanical, process and project experience combined with its engineers' full complement of in-house design and engineering expertise have made it a leader in the industry since it was established in the year 2000. The company has built itself a recognised name that has partnered with leading global companies, offering cutting edge solutions and the latest designs to its client base. It is actually a relatively small operation, and yet with its small size the company has advantages often not found with larger firms. As Mark Langton, the company's Process Director explains, "Roymec Technologies is a separation technology supplier, particularly of liquid solid separation, coalescing filters and iron exchange. We've made a unique selling point of the fact that we tend to be a niche product supplier and being a small, flexible company we can adapt our approach to suit the client's needs. We don't supply off the shelf equipment; everything we supply is custom designed for each application. We invest significant time and resources in process development, aiming to become the industry leaders in the technology we provide." However, being a small company in a resource-led industry sector brings certain risks with it, and Roymec Technologies has faced some serious challenges in recent years. "We…
Anchor Yeast
Anchor Yeast celebrates a proud legacy of 90 years This year anchor Yeast celebrates 90 years of supplying innovative product solutions to customers and consumers, locally and internationally. the anchor Yeast brand has been a South African icon since 1923 and has entrenched itself in the heart and homes of South African families. we speak to MD, Vic De Melo, about Anchor and its future. Writer Hannah Eiseman-Renyard/Vanda Evens Project manager Jason Gilkes Anchor Yeast, the leading yeast manufacturer in Sub- Saharan Africa, has embraced changing market conditions and has welcomed the challenge of new opportunities over the years. The most significant event in the last decade was its acquisition by Lallemand a Canadian based company in 2006. "This acquisition brought together two companies that are long-standing leaders in the production and distribution of yeast and ingredients, for the baking and fermented beverage industries," explains Anchor's managing Director Vic De Melo. "Both companies have been in existence since the early 1920's and have common goals, strong values and a commitment to customers, quality products and high service levels." Lallemand's growth agenda enabled global market penetration and access to leading technology. Both companies have pioneered solutions for bakers, wine makers and consumers alike. Lallemand is also a world leader in the development of specialty yeasts and bacteria for animal and human nutrition, as well as fuel ethanol and fermented beverages. "In order to meet the needs of our customers and to remain focused on being a leader in dough raising technology, Anchor is structured into three market-focused…
Energold Drilling
Global speciality driller Canadian company Energold Drilling Corp is listed on the Toronto Venture Stock Exchange (EgD:tSX-V) and can drill in most conditions using modular portable drilling rigs which are manufactured in-house. Vice President of operations for the Europe, Middle East and Africa Division, Richard Thomas, tells us more. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager Debbie Clark Energold is unique in the industry and over the last 10 years has enjoyed a period of rampant growth. that growth has stabilized due to global market pressures in the resource sector but the firm has maintained a robust balance sheet, making a series of acquisitions in the mineral exploration, manufacturing and energy sectors, providing diversification of its drilling operations and the benefit of complementary skills. "We operate a fleet of over 140 mineral exploration rigs in over 20 countries worldwide and have become a global specialty drilling services provider," says Vice President of operations Richard Thomas. "We've a niche know-how of frontier drilling." Envirodrill ltd, which was a "private family company with 10 drills" in west Africa, was acquired in 2010 off erring Energold a gateway into African markets. The firm was set up by Mr. Thomas's father. "within a year of meeting Energold Drilling Corp in March 2009, Envirodrill had done a deal and we became the managers of Energold's African operations," he says. "Fred Davidson, the CEO of Energold Drilling Corp calls it a semi-autonomous operation, which I think is very important. We've got the backing of the group, but we're given the flexibility to approach different…
Teubes
Oiling the wheels South African oils manufacturer Teubes is celebrating its 30th anniversary. We popped to meet founder Clive Teubes who says that "a new era is opening up" as it reaches the milestone. Writer Ian Armitage Project Manager Jason Gilkes If there is one quality that more companies could stand to benefit from it's the benefit of having a true expert at the helm of the company – somebody whose passion lies with the product the business is selling, rather than the act of selling itself. Teubes cc, a company selling a huge variety of oils and natural extracts, is one such company. Talking to Clive Teubes, the founder of Clive Teubes cc, it is clear that his technical background has played a significant part in the development of the company. A variety of chemical processes have been developed down the years which involve distillation, rectification, extraction and various chemical synthetic processes. Consequently today the business is based on a technical foundation which is under continuous development and expansion It's a skill Clive Teubes has spent his life honing. After completing his studies in chemistry at the University of Cape Town in the early 70s, he spent four years in England with ICI (Imperial Chemical Industries) receiving industrial training in the design and operation of chemical plants. When he returned to South Africa, Teubes built on that experience during his employment at AECI and Air Products. However, even then, he was keen to go into business for himself and, as the market in essential oils,…
African Consolidated Resources
Future's bright for Zim's African Consolidated Resources African Consolidated Resources is a company perched on the brink of great things. This Zimbabwe-focused company has projects covering gold, nickel, platinum, copper, phosphate and diamonds. Africa Outlook talks to Chairman Roy Tucker about what the future has in store. Writer Hannah Eiseman-Renyard Project manager Debbie Clark African Consolidated Resources (AFCR) has been active since 2004 and has made great use of first mover advantage, purchasing an enviable portfolio of over 12 key projects at a time when many companies are struggling to raise the capital for new ventures. "It's been quite a difficult investment background, but we have been successful in getting a number of properties," says Chairman Roy Tucker. "We are progressing from being exploration and prospecting only to development and mining too – and this partly changed because of the world economy." It's safe to say that the development is currently going extremely well. we spoke to Mr. Tucker the day after African Consolidated Resources announced that the definitive feasibility study (DFS) had been completed on time and within budget for the Phase 1 being the oxide cap of its 3.2 million ounce Pickstone-Peerless gold site in Zimbabwe. The DFS established a maiden reserve of 136,000 oz at 2.06 g/t. This is merely the feasibility study for Phase 1. The full open pit planned for the site is reported to have 813,000 ounces of gold at 5.1 g/t, producing a much higher yield. "We regard the oxide pit as just a stepping stone for the larger…
Piza E Vino
A pizza of the action Piza e Vino is the brainchild of Paul Christie and Miki Milovanvic, the clever folks behind the much-loved Doppio Zero franchise. Plans are afoot that will see both brands flourish. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager Jason Gilkes It's like mini Italy here, says one review. The ingredients are fresh, flavour combinations are well thought out and the overall vibe is hip and happening, says another. These are Tripadvisor reviews and they're about Piza e Vino, the brainchild of the clever boys behind Doppio Zero. It isn't "just another pizzeria" and what started as a bakery café in Greenside in Gauteng 12 years ago is now two sought after restaurant franchises with their sights set on expanding throughout the country and beyond. "Basically there are two companies under one umbrella - Doppio Zero and Piza e Vino," explains Neil Griffiths, group operations manager for Piza e Vino. Doppio Zero owner, Paul Christie, moved to Johannesburg in 1992 after studying in Cape Town. He opened a number of convenience stores and small restaurants, but it was in 2002 that he and his business partner, Miki Milovanovic secured the first site. At the time, it didn't have restaurant zoning and Milovanovic had a baking background, two factors that combined to create a great business opportunity. "They started Doppio Zero and then seven years later Piza e Vino evolved," says Griffiths. "I became involved about six months after the brand launched its first site in 2009. I am the operations director of the Piza e…
Aureus Mining : Gold Production in Liberia
Aureus Mining Inc. is engaged in the exploration and development of gold deposits in highly prospective and under-explored areas of Liberia and Cameroon.
SA Corporate Real Estate Fund
The turnaround specialist Rory Mackey has put SA Corporate Real Estate Fund on a much sounder footing thanks to a new focus and four pillar approach. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager Stuart Shirra SA Corporate is a diversified property unit trust listed on the JSE. It invests in retail, industrial and commercial property, mostly in the major metropolitan centres of South Africa and its portfolio consists of 139 properties. The fund however is a traditional underperformer, lagging the market in terms of distribution and share price growth. But where some see adversity, others grasp opportunity - I'm talking about people like Rory Mackey. He has had an eventful year, stepping in to head up SA Corporate. He's the fifth CEO in six years. "The funds woes stemmed from a series of poorly timed acquisitions, disposals and funding structures," he says. The result was that while other listed property firms have boomed, SA Corporate has limped along. You could say the only way was up. But that wouldn't strictly be true. A turnaround in the recent performance (which led to 7.3 percent distribution growth) has been attributed to a strong industrial portfolio and recovering retail assets as well as a new policy rolled out by Mackey. "We have had a busy 12 months initially formulating a turnaround strategy and then executing it," he says. "Given that the market had lost confidence in the fund due to it being a historic underperformer, it was essential that tangible results from the turnaround strategy were evident very quickly. This we…
SBD Guinea : Thrill of the Drill
Reverse circulation drilling specialist SBD Guinea has worked on some of West Africa’s most significant and exciting exploration projects and operating mines.
Motseng Project Management
Mega expansion for Pavilion Motseng Project Management is fast carving out a niche as one of the very best end-to-end property development and project managers around. Africa Outlook talks to managing director Dewald Van Staden to find out what makes this award-winning company work so well and learns more about the redevelopment of Durban's Pavilion Shopping Centre. Writer Hannah Eiseman-Ranyard Project manager Stuart Shirra Motseng Project Management (or MPM to those in the know) manages a portfolio of over R5 billion. It is part of the larger Motseng Investment Holdings Ltd, the largest black-owned property management group in South Africa, and it has been highly specialised company from the start. It has a small and focused portfolio specialising in retail and commercial developments and is currently overseeing the first phase R228 million development of the iconic Pavillion Shopping Centre in Durban. The Pavilion, owned by Pareto Ltd, has been a huge success for over 20 years. What will its redevelopment mean, and how did Motseng Project Management (MPM) win such an impressive contract? "At Motseng Project Management (MPM) we are very small and focused," explains Mr Van Staden. "We get involved in understanding the client's business, and we want to contribute to the bigger picture. We are involved from concept to feasibility, so we can offer a complete service." The advantage of working as part of a group environment is Motseng Project Management (MPM) can offer clients the attention to detail of a smaller company, yet has great range. "We are selling a host of services,"…
