Issue 15
Kumi Hospital
Kumi Hospital Beating the Odds – Compassion & Commitment to the poor Kumi Hospital is prospering, in terms of patient numbers, infrastructure and training the new generation of doctors and nurses Writer Emily Jarvis Project manager Eddie Clinton Kumi Hospital has now established itself as a preferred destination for the poor, for those who have not been reached, as a centre for hope, healing and wholeness. With an annual budget of uSh$2.2 billion, 170 permanent staff and a range of soon-to-be qualified medical trainees, Kumi Hospital was voted the second best hospital in the drug management programme in 2013, boasting one of the top laboratories in the country and is one of the top customers for the procurement of drugs from Joint medical Store. we were fortunate enough to interview the hospital's administrator, Charles Okula, who explained the difficult history that Kumi has faced over the last century, and the future plans that the hospital is working on to maintain its high status in Uganda. The Origins of Kumi Hospital Kumi Hospital is a Private Not for Profit (PNFP) facility located in eastern Uganda, 300 km from Kampala. It is a rural hospital, which transformed from a leprosy centre to a general hospital in 1997. The hospital was founded by the Church Missionary Society in 1929 as a leprosarium in response to the need for specialised work among leprosy patients. Dr. Wiggins recognised this in 1927 after Sir Albert Cook had already treated many leprosy patients in 1909. For many leprosy sufferers then, Kumi Leprosy Centre…
Ampcontrol
Amped on safety Ampcontrol's customer driven technology solutions are redefining mining industry expectations and leading safety in over nine countries Writer Emily Jarvis Project manager Tom Cullum The Ampcontrol story is one full of twists and turns. Since the company's inception in Australia over forty years ago, they've grown into one of the world's leading privately owned electrical engineering companies. Whether it's building the world's first 11,000 volt longwall system in Australia, monitoring tunnelling machines deep under Hong Kong, or powering mines in the heart of Siberia, they've built their name on the back of supplying innovative solutions that enable their customers to maintain efficient, reliable and profitable operations. Yet amongst the technological firsts, awards, impressive growth and global reach, is a company founded on simple yet rock solid foundations. A philosophy of anything is possible has meant Ampcontrol's customer driven technology solutions are redefining industry expectations and leading safety in over nine countries. Strengthened by their vertically integrated structure, Ampcontrol's technology and innovation base underpins the company's internal supply chain. From customised engineering to the fabrication and manufacture of product suited to the most hazardous environments, Ampcontrol are able to support customers every step of the way. Along with the solutions they offer, Ampcontrol's business is multi-faceted and located across several continents, including Southern Africa. "Ampcontrol's move into South Africa was part of a strategic plan to bring well established products and solutions to the African mining markets. Not only do we offer our customers products that are driven by safety and productivity, we manufacture…
SLR Consulting
Diversifying consultancy SLR provides multi-disciplinary advice from in-house experts on a wide range of strategic and site-specific environmental and sustainability issues Writer Emily Jarvis Project manager Nick Norris SLR is an independent and employee controlled international environmental consultancy that has a reputation for providing high quality tailored services with an expanding network of offices in Africa, Australasia, Europe, and North America. SLR provides multi-disciplinary advice on a wide range of strategic and site specific environmental and sustainability issues. In particular, SLR specialises in the oil and gas, mining, energy, waste management, planning and development, infrastructure and manufacturing sectors. African Managing Director, Brandon Stobart, says that the strategy for the development of the company is based on organic growth, augmented by the selective acquisition of high calibre companies to strengthen and extend technical and geographical coverage. He stated that for SLR to get involved with Africa Outlook in doing a feature article is part of a coordinated growth and marketing strategy. "One team approach" With 100 employees across Africa and 1000 globally, SLR has seen great business development, some strategic highs and improved performance in recent years. SLR is one of a handful of environmental consultancies that draws on knowledge and insight from across the globe and across multiple sectors. "It is our 'one team approach' across the globe that has been fundamental to SLR's success and our people, coupled with long standing client relationships that are our most notable strengths." Recent Developments and Projects The African environmental assessment offering has recently been strengthened by the successful…
Copperbelt Energy Corporation
A Network in power CEC like to play a role in observing and shaping the present and future business environment for the benefit of the company, its customers and its suppliers Writer Emily Jarvis Project manager Ben Wigger Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (CEC) is an emerging independent power generating company, well positioned as a developer of energy including optic fibre based telecoms infrastructure in Africa. With a control centre on the Copperbelt, the company operate and maintain a network comprising transmission, distribution and generation assets. Their assets comprise of an emergency power generation capacity of 80MW, transmission and distribution network of around 1,000 km of overhead power lines, 41 high voltage substations and electricity network carrying capacity in excess of 700MW. CEC operate an interconnector with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), through which power is wheeled to Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. CEC is member of the Southern African power pool and is listed on the Lusaka Stock Exchange, accounting for over 50 per cent of power consumed in Zambia. CEC is a member of SAPP and is an independent power transmission and quality electricity distribution company with interests in Zambia and Sub- Saharan Africa, including fibre based telecommunications. As a developer of energy infrastructure in Africa, CEC is respected in the region for its skills in designing and operating transmission systems and its status as an emerging independent power generating company. CEC sponsor local top flight football club Power Dynamos and are always looking for more ways to invest in the team. Shaping the…
Eterna
Energy entrepreneurs In their 25th year, Eterna continue to push boundaries with their innovation, high level of performance and strong principles, accompanying their vision to be an energy company that delivers exceptional value Writer Emily Jarvis Project manager Sheridan Halls Eterna was incorporated on the 13th of January 1989 as Eterna Oil & Gas Limited and commenced business in 1991. The company was re-registered as a public limited company in 1997. In a bid to carve a niche as a manufacturer and marketer of reliable, efficient and high quality lubricants and oil products, Eterna established a technical trading relationship with Castrol BP in 1991 – the pioneers in global lubricant technology and specialty chemicals. This relationship gave rise to a distributorship agreement and an exclusive right to import and market Castrol products in Nigeria and the ECOWAS sub-region. Eterna have significantly expanded their retail network in coastal areas in order to enhance cash flows and profitability with the following acquisitions: ● A coastal tank farm in Lagos with a capacity of 34 million litres ● An aviation fuel depot at the Bill Clinton Drive, within the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja ● Development of a coastal storage facility in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State to serve the petroleum products needs of the Eastern and Southern markets ● Roll-out of several filling stations across the country Eterna engage in the manufacturing and sale of lubricating oils and petrochemicals; importation and bulk/retail sale of petroleum products including PMS, AGO, LPFO, base oils, bitumen and export of lubricants/fuels; bunkering,…
MSC Logistics
Innovative shipping & logistics After receiving the prestigious Diamond Arrow Award for being the top shipping line in the KwaZulu Natal province in 2011, MSC are in a position of strong growth Writer Emily Jarvis Project manager Nick Norris Mediterranean Shipping Company South Africa /MSC), through its innovative, flexible and unique approach to shipping, has continued to grow during and beyond the fi rst decade of the new democratic South Africa. The company which was founded in 1978 with the introduction of the Europe- South Africa service, has grown to become one of the biggest users of the South African ports. MSC are one of the leading shipping companies in the world. With its large fleet of container vessels, the company has grown rapidly to include other major trade routes linking South Africa directly with Europe, UK, USA, Asia, Middle East, Indian Ocean Islands, Madagascar and Mozambique. The success of the MSC is evident in its phenomenal growth over the past decade that can only be attributed to its Quality Management Systems (QMS), which aim to consistently improve upon service levels within the shipping community and its willingness to initiate change to meet the requirements of clients and principals. In 2011, the MSC Chicago made her much anticipated entrance into Durban. With a length of 336 metres and carry capacity of 9178 teus, it was the biggest container ship to ever call at a South African port. MSC has invested significantly in the acquisition of its own characteristic office buildings which have become landmark buildings in…
ADB Airfield Solutions
Ensuring a smooth flight ADB Airfield Solutions ensure that airports around the world maintain a high standard in both construction and technology products Writer Matt Bone & Emily Jarvis Project manager Nick Norris ADB Airfield Solutions (Pty) Ltd is the South African registered entity of the multinational ADB Airfield Solutions, headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. The parent company manufactures airfield lighting equipment in Belgium, China, and USA. The South African based part of the company is responsible for projects and sales in sub-Saharan Africa, headquartering in Rivonia, Johannesburg. With a team of 50 direct and contract workers and revenue of R180 million, ADB have been providing vital solutions for airports for over 65 years. Nel Kotze, the Chief Operating Officer for ADB Southern Africa, explains what sets them apart from other airfield construction companies: "ADB serve a niche and specialized market with full turnkey solutions that revolve around all the electrical and electronic aspects for a modern runway. Our strength lies in not only providing high quality equipment but also in offering the full project to the client providing end to end, integrated and sustainable solutions for visual guidance; this includes design and advice, project management, installation, commissioning and maintenance." ADB have formed a strong focus on technology, quality, processes and people, powering a series of innovations ranging from individual light control and monitoring systems to advanced surface movement ground control systems; and from the first LED airfield lights to runway incursion systems. "Every aspect of our business is attuned toward innovation from ideation and execution to…
AMS Properties
High class living AMS develop truly unique constructions with style, quality and award-winning service at the heart of all they do Writer Emily Jarvis Project manager Arron Rampling Family-run business AMS Properties Ltd has grown from strength to strength over the last 20 years in Kenya. Now the company are a pioneer in the property industry, with a reputation for investment, integrity, quality finishes and on-time delivery. With brothers Rupen and Ronal Samani at the helm, the AMS brand is well respected in the market, recently acquiring Superbrand status in East Africa, becoming the first real estate company with this award in Kenya. AMS have completed in excess of 5,000,000 square feet residential, commercial and industrial projects, with thousands of sub-contractors at their side. "We give the best quality in all the properties we construct, providing innovative designs and concepts. We strive to be the first to bring new ideas to the market," explains Rupen, one of the company directors. The company aim to create trends and design a building that is unique, which of course is a key factor to attracting business in such a niche market as upper-middle class to luxury constructions. "We believe in creating a brand that will be recognised globally. So whenever we launch a project, everyone knows it will be of an incredibly high standard and be an innovative design and concept unique to that building," says Rupen. The Niche Luxury Construction Market To achieve such projects, it requires a serious amount of inspiration, and Rupen is excited by this…
National Real Estate
The real estate deal With short and long term plans in place and a technology system that is quickly becoming the cornerstone of the company, NRE are well placed to retain their market leader status for the foreseeable future Writer Matt Bone Project manager James Mitchell Since 1933, National Real Estate (NRE), based in Bloemfontein, have been in operation and owned by the Du Toit family, who still manage the company's day to day operations. Brothers Francois, MD, and Wilco Du Toit are the driving force behind the company's massive expansion over the last 9 years. In 2005 the company moved to new premises with a staff compliment of 46 and an annual turnover of R9.1 million. today the company has a staff of over 100, a turnover of R52 million per annum and is thriving in a market that has been very turbulent in recent years. Wilco Du Toit, Special Projects Director of NRE, has overseen much of the major changes NRE have made and believes it was all down to one significant change: Technology. Over the last few years NRE have invested R600 million in IT upgrades in order to ensure that the company has the latest innovations in portfolio management software. "When I joined the company in 2005, we did not have a system in place to handle big numbers of accounts and house portfolios, one person could only realistically manage about 300 accounts and this was diffi cult to keep track of. We began to look at new systems and together with…
HellermannTyton
Manufacturing Tyton With a huge range of products and a reputation for innovation, quality and great customer service HellermannTyton are a leading edge organisation in manufacturing and distribution in the Southern African electrical industry Writer Emily Jarvis Project manager Tom Cullum With managing Director Rod Dewing at the helm in South Africa, HellermannTyton operates with a very customer-centric focus, working hard as a team to understand and appreciate the value of their customers. "Our corporate culture is what sets us aside from many of our competitors. We see every customer as important and as a result we have been able to maintain a long list of very loyal customers," cites Dewing. Headquartering in Johannesburg, HellermannTyton is a subsidiary of the HellermannTyton group PLC comprised of 35 business units worldwide. with the local focus being on the manufacturing of cable tubing, cable ties, cable marking products and the supply of a vast array of other cable accessories, test instruments and tools, the company has established a comprehensive footprint country-wide to ensure that stocks of products are readily available to customers. This has been achieved through the establishment of a network of stocking branch offices in Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth and the deployment of regional sales operatives in Mpumalanga, the North Eastern Cape, Free State and Namibia. With a name that is synonymous with very high quality, HellermannTyton is always looking for new ways to innovate. "Local customers are able to identify with our international image and the value-add that comes from doing business with a…
Reinforcing Mesh Solutions
Steel determination RMS have become a nationally recognised industry leader of steel reinforcing and welded mesh fabric Writer Matt Bone Project manager Tom Cullum When it comes to building a successful business within the construction industry in South Africa, you need several key ingredients: dedication, industry knowledge, vision and most importantly, a high quality product that meets the needs of the market. Reinforcing & Mesh Solutions (RMS) fit that bill perfectly. Since their inception in 2002, with just one base of operations in Johannesburg, RMS have grown into a nationally recognised industry leader of steel reinforcing and welded mesh fabric. André Nienaber, managing Director of RMS, has overseen the company's steady growth since 2012 and the company now has 11 operation centres under his watchful eye across South Africa, including outlets in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Lephalale and Rustenburg. With 39 years in the rebar industry, Nienaber certainly knows what it takes to make it in this highly competitive industry: "we always strive to ensure that we are constantly competitive in the market and to maximise this, we must be visible in as many cities across South Africa as we can. After all, our presence in a city gives prospective clients an opportunity to come and speak with us about projects and potential dealings," Mr Nienaber cites. "Training is crucial" One of the bigger problems in the construction industry is a shortage of the skilled workers available. South Africa has one of the biggest construction markets in Southern Africa and yet it still relies…
Business Connexion Nigeria
Connecting Nigeria With a focus on delivering the Connective Intelligence™ value proposition, Business Connexion are bringing cloud computing to Nigeria Writer Emily Jarvis Project manager Donovan Smith The diverse and vibrant Nigerian economy presents a range of opportunities for the delivery of world-class Information and Communication Technology solutions. One such company that benefits from this is Business Connexion, who have successfully delivered industry-leading solutions to the financial services, academic, telecommunications, SMB, public sector as well as oil and gas sectors for over five years. Focused on delivering the Connective Intelligence™ value proposition, the company has over 7000 members of staff, who pride themselves on flexibility, teamwork and cross-skilling. Connective Intelligence™ is about connecting the world's most advanced information and communication technology (ICT) products, services and solutions, and merging them with the skills and experience of some of the world's best-qualified individuals, to provide simple, affordable solutions to Africa and the world. With this approach, Business Connexion Nigeria has the capability to successfully implement substantial projects while maintaining close relationships built on mutual value creation. "To date, the Nigeria office has delivered projects including data centres, wireless networks, cabling infrastructures and more," explains Ian McAlpine, Managing Director of Business Connexion Nigeria. The company holds partnerships with major vendors including Cisco, Avaya, Microsoft, IBM, HP, Systimax and NetApp, underpinning Business Connexion's presence with access to expertise and resources for the design, delivery and support of elegant solutions to complex business problems. "Our team represents solid service delivery and is armed with new age technologies. It was only a…