Issue 07
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,"…
Cyclone Engineering Projects
Waste masters Gerrit Van Jansen Van Ryssen formed mine residue handling company Cyclone Engineering Projects following demand from the mining industry and the fast growing company has gone from strength to strength. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager Debbie Clark All business managers will tell you of the importance of creating your own niche – being focused on a targetable part of the market. As the pool of people you are looking at is smaller, it will be easier to identify potential clients, and it is this that has seen Cyclone Engineering Projects grow. "I'll start at the beginning," says founder Gerrit Jansen van Ryssen. "I had and still have another company called Cyclone Projects and Consulting (CP & C) which was formed in 1998 and we would consult the mining industry in Africa and all the major mining houses – AngloGold Ashanti, Debswana Diamond Company etc. – and design tailings management solutions for them. That business was formed because there are two inevitabilities about mining for certain types of minerals: they consume vast amounts of water and produce equally large quantities of waste. Tailing management is also expensive and comes with considerable responsibility so we stepped into handle that, specialising in a process of Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) construction known as cycloning. Cyclone Engineering Projects was founded during 2007 on demand by the mining industry to operate and manage cycloned- and other tailings storage facilities (TSFs). I thought it a good opportunity; there was big demand from the mining industry. It has gone very well." The…
Tsebo Outsourcing Group
Food for thought Tsebo Outsourcing Group offers market-leading services in outsourced catering solutions, contract cleaning and hygiene solutions. We talk to Dr Chris Jardine, the man who heads up its Catering arm. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager Stuart Shirra Dr Chris Jardine heads up Tsebo Catering Solutions, a South African market leader, which is part of Tsebo Outsourcing Group, the country's largest hospitality services and facilities management company. He is the former group CEO of the J and J Group, a diversified investment and management company and has worked in the logistics, IT and telecommunications, and industrial and financial services sectors. Besides his strong operational track record, Dr Jardine has also served on the boards of companies as diverse as MTN, Transnet, Macquarie First South and Union Carriage and Wagons. He holds BS and MS degrees in Computer Science and a PhD in Information Technology, all from George Mason University in Virginia. It is an impressive CV and he has been using all of his experience to do some pretty interesting things at Tsebo Catering as it looks to keep pace in a changing world, faced with competition for talent. "We needed to differentiate ourselves by doing things that haven't been done before," he says. "What became evident was focusing on the basics first. We started with a refreshed operational excellence programme and we've looked at our service culture – from the way we greet our customers on a day-to-day basis to the way we present our food. We also looked at our reporting systems and…
SAPETRO
Built in Africa SAPETRO is a Nigerian based upstream oil and gas exploration and production company with portfolio of five assets in four countries spanning the full E&P value chain. Writer Chris Farnell Project manager Sheridan Halls Perhaps one of the most crucial sectors in the modern oil and gas industry is the exploration sector. The people who search for new oil fields are among those taking the biggest risks in the industry, while seeking out the greatest rewards. This is what SAPETRO does. The firm is an indigenous Nigerian exploration and production company with operations in Nigeria, the Republic of Benin, Madagascar and the French Overseas territories. The company was established in 1995 with the specific objective of building up the Nigerian capability to participate in the hydrocarbon industry. It was an ambitious goal, but one which very quickly began to pay off. "In the indigenous bid round in 1998 SAPETRO was awarded the deepwater frontier acreage OPL 246," explains Martin Trachsel, SAPETRO's CEO. "The company entered into a partnership with Total and Petrobras to undertake a very successful exploration programme leading to the discovery of the 500mmbbl Akpo field and the similar size Egina field. Post discovery the partnership was joined by CNOOC and the four parties jointly undertook the development of the Akpo field. The Akpo fi eld came on stream in 2009 and is now producing at a plateau rate of 175,000bbls/day. This year the partnership also took a final investment decision to bring Egina fi eld on stream by 2017. They're…
Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
Pioneering healthcare in Ghana The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital is Ghana's "premier healthcare facility". It is also celebrating its 90th birthday. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager Eddie Clinton Ghana has made significant improvements in healthcare and there have been remarkable achievements when it comes immunisation rates and under-five mortality in the past few decades. a lot of thanks must to go to the government and its development partners. However more can always be done. Established on October 9 1923, the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital continues to "blaze the trail" when it comes to healthcare and over the last 90 years has grown from an initial 200-bed hospital to a world class medical facility with over 2,000 beds. That makes it Africa's third largest hospital. It is also the leading national referral centre in Ghana. "Korle Bu, which means 'the valley of the Korle lagoon', was established as a general Hospital to address the health needs of the indigenous people under Sir Gordon Guggisberg's administration, the then governor of the gold Coast," the hospital's website says. "Population growth and the proven efficacy of hospital-based treatment caused a rise in hospital attendance in Korle Bu. By 1953, demand for the hospital's services had escalated so high that the government was compelled to set up a task force to study the situation and make recommendations for the expansion of the hospital. The government accepted and implemented the recommendations of the task force which resulted in the construction of new structures, such as the maternity, medical, Surgical and Child Health…
Daymed Medical Centre & Private Hospital
Dreaming big Africa Outlook profiles Pietermaritzburg's Daymed Medical Centre and Private Hospital, the realisation of one man's dream. Writer Ian Armitage Project manager Eddie Clinton In 2004 The Daymed Medical Centre and Private Hospital opened its doors. The facility is the realisation of a dream of Dr Navind Dayanand, who has used his own money to set up it up. And he's doing a fantastic job. "We employ 120 staff and have 85 beds, casualty, general and semi private wards, maternity, renal dialysis, an operating theatre, x-ray, ICU, ambulance services and much more," Dr Dayanand explains. "It has taken a lot of resilience, hard work and determination." Dr Dayanand is one of the most respected doctors in Pietermaritzburg and the hospital was born from a determination to "do something better". "I wanted to have a small hospital basically and we've kept on growing," he says. "How has it changed? I initially founded a medical centre and it grew significantly leading to the opening of a hospital, initially 22 beds and it increased and increased over time. And the range of medical services has also expanded." In the last 12 months the hospital has performed "very well" with ward occupancy at "about 93 percent". It has now embarked on an extension which will see the number of beds rise to 215. "We are extending the hospital now to almost 100 beds more," says Dr Dayanand. "The building has commenced already and it is a multimillion-rand expansion. It is a modern hospital with better facilities and catering for…
Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital
Healing a nation In August JSE-listed pharmaceuticals giant aspen Pharmacare pledged to contribute R5 million towards the establishment of the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital. the need for such a facility is clear: Right now there are only four dedicated children's hospitals in the entire continent of Africa, one in Cape Town, one in Nairobi, and two in Cairo. Yet, there are nearly 450 million children. Writer Chris Farnell Project manager Eddie Clinton In South Africa there are 54 deaths per 1,000 children born every year compared to eight per 1,000 or less in the U.S., UK and Germany. Deaths among the under-fives are becoming increasingly concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa, which is also where children are at the highest risk of death within their first month of life. It is a serious problem that will need a large scale solution. To this end, the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital has been launched, a project that will result in the largest children's medical facility in Africa, building towards achieving the millennium Development goal of cutting mortality among the under fives by two thirds between 1990 and 2015. Nelson Mandela is a name that is recognised the world over as that of a great humanitarian leader but even now there are still people working to expand his legacy for a whole new generation. In his own words: "a children's hospital will be a credible demonstration of the commitment of African leaders to place the rights of children at the forefront. Nothing less would be enough." One of the people inspired…
Ethiopian Airlines
Living the dream Ethiopian Airlines makes record high profit of 2.7 billion birr Writer Ian Armitage Project manager James Mitchell Ethiopian Airlines recently announced it made a record profit. The company's chief executive officer, Tewolde Gebremariam, credited the profitability to the use of new, modern and fuel-efficient jetliners such as the Boeing B787 Dreamliner and B777, and his "exceptionally dedicated employees". The company's operating profit between July 2012 and June 2013 was 2.7 billion birr, 165 percent up from the profit made the previous year. Net profit increased by 178 percent from 734 million to 2.03 billion and the airline generated a revenue of 38.5 billion, up by 14 percent. It transported 5.5 million passengers and hauled 174,000 tons of cargo during the year. "The 2012-2013 fiscal year has been a challenging year for the global industry in which many airlines faced factors that have affected their performance," Ethiopian Airlines told Africa Outlook in a recent interview. "These factors include high and volatile fuel price and weak global economic situations which in turn reflect in low demand for travel. Although Ethiopian was no different and was faced with similar challenges, it managed to finish the year with record revenues and performance and continue its double digit growth registered over the last decade." During the year, Ethiopian took delivery of 14 new aircraft, deploying ultramodern fuel-efficient aircraft. The Boeing B787 uses 20 percent less fuel - its airframe is predominantly made from composites, which account for 50 percent of the aircraft by weight. This makes the aeroplane…
Airtel Tanzania : Pushing for More
Airtel Tanzania has slashed tariff costs, making it easier than ever for Tanzanians to communicate at the most competitive rates.
Airtel Uganda : Airtel goes for Leadership in Uganda
After acquiring the operations of Warid Telecom Uganda, Airtel Uganda is now hot on the heels of market leader MTN.
Airtel Nigeria : Taking a Megabyte out of the Competition
Airtel Nigeria is redefining the data experience and is reaping the rewards – including a 92 percent increase in its internet customer base.
Airtel Malawi : On the Up and Up
Airtel Malawi has been deploying high-speed Internet capacity across its network. Managing Director Saulos Chilima tells us more.
HPE Africa
Importing quality Earlier this year Invicta holding company acquired High Power Equipment Africa. the acquisition was a "strategic investment which will enable Invicta to broaden its product offering to the plant hire, construction, quarrying and mining industries in South Africa and into Africa" said Tony Sinclair, CEO of Capital Equipment Group, the Invicta subsidiary which brought the company. Writer Chris Farnell Project manager Debbie Clark As the only distributor of Hyundai's earth moving equipment HPE Africa is a valuable resource for the industry and has been since it achieved this position under the leadership of Alan Grady 13 years ago. The company has made a flagship product of Hyundai's range, distributing products as esteemed as Astra off -road, articulated and rigid dump trucks, Soosan hammers and drills, MB crusher buckets and Hyundai Packaged Power Stations. Every product in HPE Africa's range has been specially selected to meet the special needs of their South African client base. Their products confirm to European emissions standards, environmental regulations, build requirements and safety standards. With top of the line products and an uncompromisingly customer-driven focus, HPE Africa has seen exponential growth in its service of the plant hire, mining, construction, demolition and materials handlings sectors, for private and government customers alike. However in this day and age it simply isn't enough to provide quality products alone and HPE Africa's after sales care features comprehensive full or part service contracts, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week from the firm's stand-by workshops and parts departments. Internal technicians, artisans, the…