INNOVATION
TECHNOLOGY
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP INSPIRATION
THE LATEST IN TECH & BUSINESS NOVEMBER 2019
1
AFRICA’S BUSIEST AIRPORT AUDIENCE WITH BONGIWE PITYI
2
CONTENTS Editors note............................................................................................................ 4 Free2move lease provides funding and telematics package for Maxxis tyres........7 Simply Smart success rounds off Beaulieu’s bumper rally year........................8 Hyundai motor group develops world’s first road noise active noise control technology........................................................................10 UK Chamber of Shipping....................................................................13 Assaia Apron AI.............................................................................16 Mission Success: Lockheed Martin’s PAC-3 Interceptor Test Proves Reliability.............................................................. 19 Aeromao.............................................................................20 Ten Ways Magna Is Reimagining the Future.................... 22 Goodyear South Africa............................................... 26 Tsatsi Lehlabile...................................................... 30 Uncompromising steel........................................ 32
3
EDITORS NOTE
As 2019 approaches its final sprint, it is tempting to look back and take stock of how the past year has gone. While this year has certainly had its share of ups and downs it has been mostly positive and we’re forever grateful and proud of the businesses that we’ve been able to work with.
As 2020 quickly approaches, it is a good time for all businesses and people to start making plans and commitments for the upcoming year. November is a great time to begin formulating ideas, highlighting hurdles and finding solutions. November is the time to dream about what the New Year is going to bring and how it is going to be better than the one gone by. After all, why should you wait until the end to start dreaming about the new?
This issue we’ve highlighted businesses involved in automotive, aeronautics, road and construction, showcasing brilliant stories of innovation and growth. Telling the stories of the pioneers of tomorrow’s business and technology. Businesses that have worked hard to provide the best services to their customers and that are always looking for ways to innovate, grow and improve.
4
TechDrive was set up as a dedicated news outlet to highlight these changes in industry and we are the leading global dedicated news source to document the various developments happening in this unprecedented time in history.
HI! We are the founders of TechDrive, a digital news site now in its 5th year of operation and entering into an exciting new opportunity with The Lost Executive as we launch our very first digital magazine. TechDrive has always been at the epicentre of innovation and was founded in Silicon Valley, where we worked in the technology industry. We loved racing our cars along the Golden Gate Bridge and savouring the incredible buzz that can be found when you’re surrounded by likeminded people who are on the same page.
Over the last five years we have built a dedicated readership and a reach of over 1million people and have covered some of the world biggest innovators. We are media partners of Formula E - The world’s first race to use electric powered cars. We’ve interviewed big names like entrepreneur Richard Branson and looked into how the incalculably valuable blockchain will be a part of how we travel in the future.
I (Hermione) was a journalist interviewing entrepreneurs like Mark Zuckerberg and Travis Kalanick (founder of Uber) and Serhan, the other founder, had just completed an MBA at Golden Gate University. With a passion for travel, we witnessed many industries going through a rapid period of change driven by the catalyst of technology companies such as Uber, Surf Air, Tesla and Google Self Driving Cars.
With TechDrive Magazine we will be able to offer an even stronger journalistic service to our readers, providing them with a greater insight into the businesses who are pioneering new methodologies. Encouraging appreciation for the smallest changes to the biggest and bringing attention to the companies to look out for.
Today, more than ever, innovation is the energy of business. Those companies that have the drive to innovate, outperform their competition. Higher sales, greater customer satisfaction, stronger employee relationships, these are all drawn from innovative thinking.
It’s going to be a great ride. Hold on.
Hermione & Serhan
5
Leaders in Asphalt Preservation Protecting tructures, Maximising Potential
6
FREE2MOVE LEASE PROVIDES FUNDING AND TELEMATICS PACKAGE FOR MAXXIS TYRES to run a lease contract for 2.4 years to take us from May in year one to the September of year three, just in time for new registrations. Finally, the cars themselves produce very little CO2 which means lower costs to drivers and to the company too.”
Connected leasing company Free2Move Lease has provided the funding for a fleet of new Peugeot 508 Fastback models for global tyre manufacturer Maxxis Tyres. Free2Move Lease was Maxxis chosen funding partner because of the service the company provided with the supplying dealer John Grose Peugeot, Ipswich and the flexible contracts offered.
“Our experience as a fleet funding partner enabled us to offer Maxxis a financing package that meets their particular needs, while also providing additional services that we know will help them with the smooth and efficient running of their new fleet”, comments Free2Move Lease General Manager Mark Pickles, “Free2Move Connect Fleet is available in three packages which enable fleets to focus on the elements that will bring the greatest benefits to their operations. Most of the cars we supply are “connected ready”, bringing effortless connection to the Free2Move Connect Fleet packages. It has been a pleasure to put this deal together for Maxxis and we look forward to a long and fruitful working relationship.”
Maxxis has also opted to take up the Free2Move Connect Fleet telematics package with Geolocation which provides the Maxxis team with real-time geolocation of vehicles, itinerary and route tracking, plus analysis as well as customisable geofencing alerts, which can indicate when a vehicle enters or leaves a particular location. “From a financing perspective, Free2Move Lease was the clear choice, not just based on price, but the company also offered a full service by collaborating with the local Peugeot dealer, John Grose Peugeot in Ipswich”, commented Chris Oliver, Maxxis Finance Manager, “We were able
7
SIMPLY SMART SUCCESS ROUNDS OFF BEAULIEU’S BUMPER RALLY YEAR
retired Royal Navy CPO and smart car owner Mr Tod Sloan.
An impressive line-up of 121 cars made Simply Smart a colourful conclusion to Beaulieu’s successful 2019 rally season.
Drivers and enthusiasts enjoyed the autumn sunshine and admired the four-wheeled treasures on show, from the sought-after Roadster to the iconic ForTwo and family-friendly ForFour. New event sponsor TomTom also held a raffle, with a year’s subscription to TomTom traffic data being awarded to a lucky driver.
Sponsored by leading independent location technology specialist TomTom, the rally on Sunday 10th November rounded off this year’s range of ten Simply events at the home of the National Motor Museum. Simply Smart’s display of the smallest and cheekiest cars on the roads was a fitting finale to the season, which included record-breaking turn-outs for no less than four of this year’s rallies at Simply Jaguar, Simply Land Rover, Simply Aston Martin and Simply Audi, as well as the new Simply Mercedes.
The People’s Choice Award, presented to the most popular car of the show, was won by Philippe Stockart who had travelled in a group of eight drivers from as far away as Belgium, calling themselves Smart Fever Belgium. Philippe, in his highly distinctive 2005 Roadster in custom black and white, said:
Simply Smart traditionally takes place on Remembrance Sunday and a two-minute silence was observed at 11am. A reading was given by
8
“I love driving this car. As well as the new paint finish, I have also converted the doors to lift up Lamborghini-style!” Philippe was presented with a special trophy and Autoglym car care pack by Beaulieu’s Visitor Services Manager Jon Tee. Runners-up were Jeff Way, from Poole in Dorset, and Carrie Jackson, from Andover, with their very different but equally eye-catching ForTwos. Jeff’s 2001 ForTwo got many show-goers talking on account of its radical engine swap. “I’ve done loads of work to the car over the past nine years, including fitting a VW GTi engine and gearbox,” he said. “Everyone told me that I’d never fit that engine into the car! It also now has adjustable front and rear suspension.”
She loves the practicality of her cheerful motor, saying: “It’s great, being very economical with a good turning circle.” Both runners-up were presented with Autoglym prizes. Simply Smart was Beaulieu’s final Simply rally for 2019 but will return again on Remembrance Sunday 8th November in 2020, as part of next year’s packed line-up. For details on Beaulieu’s 2020 events calendar see www.beaulieu.co.uk/ events.
Carrie had decorated her 2016 ForTwo with red poppies to mark Remembrance Sunday.
9
HYUNDAI MOTOR GROUP DEVELOPS WORLD’S FIRST ROAD NOISE ACTIVE NOISE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY New breakthrough for limitations of current noise control technology Overcomes the limit of existing Active Noise Control technology Noise analysis and inverted soundwave emitted by DSP within 0.002 second Road noise reduction up to 3dB, to enable industry-leading interior sound reduction Dramatic ‘nearly silent’ cabin environment in engine-free fuel cell electric and electric models Hyundai Motor Group today announced the development of the world’s first Road Noise Active Noise Control (RANC) system. The firstever system dramatically reduces noise within the cabin of a vehicle. RANC builds on the Group’s current Active Noise Control (ANC) technology, which actively reduces noise by emitting soundwaves inverted to incoming noise. ANC is a software-driven technology that analyses the in-cabin sound to decrease engine and road noise, versus than the passive method of blocking noise through sound insulation. The existing noise insulation method involved sound insulations and dynamic dampers, which not only increased weight but also failed to block the buzzing infrasound completely. In contrast, ANC utilizes much lighter parts like microphones and controllers to control the noise and reduces infrasound more efficiently. The technology is already available in some Hyundai Motor Group vehicles. However, due to the limitations of noise measurement and analysis technology, the existing ANC was only able to be utilized when noise was constant and the occurrence of the
noise predictable. The Group’s current ANC technology has been most commonly used to counteract constant engine noise. Given that it only takes about 0.009 second for road or engine noise to reach the passenger, the current technology was limited. With the first-ever RANC technology, Hyundai Motor Group is able to greatly improve in-cabin quietness. The new system can analyze various types of noise in real-time and produce inverted soundwaves. For example, there are different types of road noises that the new technology can process, such as resonant sounds created between tires and wheels or rumble sounds coming up from the road. The working principle of RANC is as follows: Using an acceleration sensor, RANC calculates the vibration from the road to the car and the control computer analyzes road noise. As its computation and signal transfer speeds are optimized, it only takes 0.002 second to analyze the noise and produce an inverted soundwave, generated by the DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The microphone constantly monitors the road noise cancelation status, and sends the information to the DSP. RANC is able to conduct accurate noise analysis and rapid computation to combat road noise for the driver’s seat, the
10
passenger seat and rear seats separately. Based on tests evaluating road surface, vehicle speed, and different seating positions, RANC was able to reduce in-cabin noise by 3dB. That 3dB level is roughly half the noise level as compared without RANC. Thanks to this achievement, the Group can potentially decrease the amount of unsprung weight in a vehicle, utilizing fewer sound-insulating parts and dampers as compared with before. Hyundai Motor Group went through six years of research and development for the mass production of RANC. Especially, the pre-production phase involved an open innovation between industry and academia, with participation by Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, WeAcom, ARE, BurnYoung and more. Furthermore, the mass production phase was carried out with global car audio company, Harman to increase degree of competition.
Looking to the future, in-cabin quietness becomes more important as internal combustion vehicles are phased out. Vehicle interior noise primarily comes from three sources: vehicle powertrain noise, road noise, and wind noise. There is almost no powertrain noise from electric and fuel cell electric vehicles, so quelling road and wind noise becomes even more imperative. Utilizing RANC can significantly reduce road noise and create a serene cabin for future electric and fuel cell electric vehicles. “RANC is a remarkable technology which takes existing NVH technology to the next level,” said Gangdeok Lee, a Research Fellow of NVH Research Lab, “We will continue to take the leading position of NVH technology and deliver the highest level of quietness to customers.” The technology will begin to be applied to an upcoming Genesis model. More details about RANC can be found at the Hyundai Motor Group Newsroom
Hyundai Motor Group has completed domestic and American patent application about the location of sensors and signal selection method, the core technology of RANC.
11
www.assaia.com
Article on page
12
16
UK CHAMBER OF SHIPPING The UK Chamber of Shipping is the trade association and voice of the UK shipping industry. We work with Government, parliament, international organisations and others to champion and protect the industry on behalf of our members. It is our mission to deliver for our members trusted specialist expertise, lobbying and influence at a UK level on maritime issues across national, European and international government and governmental bodies. By combining the strength of our members with this expertise we will advance the competitive strength of the industry ensuring that the UK remains as a leader in the global maritime business. Membership of the UK Chamber gives access to unrivalled policy expertise, an extensive network of industry influencers and a voice in Government and beyond that can simply not be achieved by companies acting alone. It is also the home of the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) that is the shipping industry’s central body for promoting and developing seafarer education, training and skills across specific industry sectors. We have a dedicated staff with an unparalleled breadth of specialist knowledge and access to Governments at the highest level. We support our members on legislation and regulation that affects their business. As the industry association for UK shipping we create change, influencing Government at Westminster, Whitehall, Holyrood, Brussels and the International Maritime Organization.
13
With a growing membership of 190 member companies throughout the UK, made up of shipowners, professional organisations and service companies, we do not just seek to raise awareness of shipping; we work to create an understanding of it, ensuring that member companies’ commercial objectives are at the heart of the government process. The UK is a global centre for maritime business and our location here, in a stable and business orientated democracy, provides unique access to a range of international bodies and influencers at a global level. The Chambers job is to work with government, parliament, international organisations and others to champion and protect our members. And the contribution they make to the UK economy. The UK shipping industry is one of our great success stories. To many people’s surprise, the maritime sector is one of the country’s largest — larger even than the aerospace and automotive sectors. It contributes over £46bn in GVA to the UK economy and supports just under 1 million jobs across the whole of the UK, with a strong regional spread. About 95% of all British imports and exports, including 25% of the UK’s energy supply, are moved by sea. To
say shipping and maritime are vital to the UK economy is rather downplaying its importance. Without a successful shipping industry, the UK economy would grind to a halt, goods would not be moved, and businesses and people would suffer. It is one of the great success stories of our economy and one which should be celebrated more. But we can’t be complacent. One of the greatest challenges facing not only the shipping industry, but the world, is climate change. We all know the world is warming too quickly and action is needed on this now. We are clear, the shipping industry must change to ensure we do our bit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Maritime transport is already one of the most sustainable ways of moving people and goods from place to place. Shipping is 6 times more efficient than trucks and over 40 times more efficient than a freight aircraft as a mode of transport, but we know there is more to do. This is why the International Maritime Organisation has set ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by at least 50% by 2050. More recently, the UK Government launched the Clean Maritime Plan that is even more ambitious for shipping – it requires all-new ships trading
in UK waters, both international and domestic, to be designed with zero-emission capable technologies. And to have net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The targets set are a huge challenge. We’re confident, as a community, that the radical solutions will eventually be found, possibly using a combination of hydrogen or ammonia, and batteries powered from renewable energy sources. However, the key question is ‘How does the industry successfully transition to net zero, not merely remaining competitive but going further and making the most of the big opportunities? We believe that the efficiency improvements to meet 2030 regulation targets can be delivered using existing technologies. It will include the likes of energy efficiency indices for new builds, and energy management plans for responsible ship owners. But it is very clear that the technologies needed to achieve the 2050 target do not currently exist at a scale or in a form which is commercially viable, especially for long voyages. So, what is needed at the heart of our strategy to achieve our longer term, is concerted R & D activity, led and incentivised by government, and supported by the industry, manufacturers, academics and innovators.
14
Earlier this year the Department for Transport launched its Maritime 2050 strategy. This has set a clear pathway for industry and government to work together to innovate, develop new greener, cleaner technologies and exploit the opportunities of the future.
tomorrow.
To make the most of the opportunities of tomorrow we need to ensure we are all working together. We can and must do better, but there are some great examples already where we are making a difference.
But we need to everyone in the industry to work together.
Our innovators and disruptors, the researchers and entrepreneurs now have the opportunity to make the UK a world leader in developing green technology.
The UK has always been a great maritime nation and we need to seize the opportunities going forward. But, we also need to develop new technologies and fuels. And we need to work in very close partnership across the sector, in order to meet the targets set and continue to be a world leader in the fight against climate change.
Take maritime technology, an area where we have a proud history of innovation. Companies such as L3 ASV in Portsmouth and Hushcraft in Essex, are leading the way in the field of autonomous vessels. While Artemis Technologies, led by double Olympic gold medallist yachtsman Iain Percy, has established itself as one of the world’s leading high-performance maritime design and applied technologies companies.
We know there are challenges on the horizon, but by industry working together and speaking with one voice to government, we know we can exploit the opportunities of the future and the UK Chamber of Shipping will continue to support our members crate the innovations of tomorrow and continue to beat the drum and celebrate the success of the shipping industry across the UK.
The government has been clear about their ambitions, to achieve net-zero by 2050, and we see this as a great opportunity for the UK shipping industry to step up to the mark, and, once again, be a global leader in areas with massive growth potential. Underpinning the government’s commitment is Maritime research and innovation UK – or MarRIUK. They are making available up to £1 million pounds of funding for industrial research to find innovative ways to reduce maritime emissions. A small, but important step. But there are fundamental questions which need answering now. How can vessels built today be future-proofed, given they may well be operating in 2050? To ensure a smooth transition, zero-emission ships need to enter the fleet sooner rather than later. Over the next decade these zero-emission options need to evolve rapidly to overcome barriers around safety, availability and, of course, commercial viability. Over the next couple of decades, we’re going to see profound changes – some call it a propulsion revolution. This change in policy will not only help slow global warming but will also provide us with huge opportunities to develop the technologies of
15
ASSAIA APRON AI AI. A COMPLETE OVERVIEW MORE EFFICIENT AND SAFER AIR TRAVEL THROUGH USE OF COMPUTER VISION/ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE With demand for air travel expected to double before 2040, there has never been a greater need for Artificially Intelligent technology to support human teams in-charge of airport efficiency, safety and innovation. And, with so many areas in the industry that could benefit from this support, airports are now asking which innovative businesses are bringing the most inspiring and intelligent products to the table. One company that is creating waves in the air travel industry is Assaia, who’s product Apron AI has had notable success and rave reviews from some of the busiest airports. We spoke with Chief Customer Officer Christiaan Hen, who shared his perspective on how they are changing the future of air travel. “Innovation can hold a different meaning depending on what you are looking to improve,” Christiaan explains, “At Assaia, we ambitiously demonstrate innovation by using AI to deliver real-time situational awareness that eliminates ambiguity between airports, airlines and handlers.”
APRON AI As specialists in the aviation industry, Assaia provides reliable software solutions that create insight into ongoing turnarounds to help understand what is really happening within airports in real-time. Providing accurate and clear data that can speed up decision making processes and limit risk. The core product, The Apron AI, ingests video streams (preferably from existing cameras) and turns this video data
16
into structured data. This is typically timestamped about turnaround events (e.g. bridge connected, catering on stand, pushback truck connected…). Furthermore, the AI can be trained to recognize any events of interest that are visible on the available video streams. It is a system that learns and offers a predictive analysis which assists airlines and airports with managing their operations. Currently there are a number of airports which are being prepared for a full roll out, while 20-30 pilot programmes are being trialled across the globe. The aim of these pilot programmes is to demonstrate to potential customers the capabilities and value that the product can provide.
THE TEAM The relatively young and rapidly expanding team started on their product roughly a year and a half ago after identifying the need in the industry for more insightful data. They introduced their AI computer vision technology and the company has been on a non-stop flight and soaring to new heights ever since. While they have been faced with many different opportunities to use their technology for various sectors, their focus is exclusively on being the full solution provider within the aviation industry. Geographically the team is sprawled out, but this doesn’t stop them from being close knit and staying in contact with each other multiple times a day. This has helped foster a real spirit of reliability, an essential skill required when working on such large-scale projects remotely as a team.
INNOVATIVE POWER There are many motivating factors when it comes to creating new technologies and solutions, but for Assaia’s Apron AI, innovation is the driving force behind their product. And it doesn’t end at the creation process; according to Christiaan, innovation is part of the Assaia culture and is an attitude that the company is built on. Being one of the first to offer a unique technology that is still new to airports is something to be excited about and it is this pioneering spirit that helps the team push the boundaries within the industry.
CHALLENGES Like every business there is a fair share of challenges to contend with and the air travel industry is constantly growing with no sign of slowing down. Being proactive and able to keep up with the demand and meeting the needs of airlines and airports is both a challenge and juggling act. Additionally, the challenge of ambiguity is the operational enemy for almost any industry, especially for air travel which relies on precision data to make minute-by-minute decisions. Assaia is one of the very few solutions that aims to break the cycle by positioning all three entities of wins, losses and improvement opportunities on equal ground and in real-time.
AI IN ACTION Rather than just selling a product, Christiaan and his team spend time working intimately with their clients to help fully understand their needs. Once they have identified the areas that require
support, technological solutions are presented to help them solve the issue at hand. Christiaan reveals that clients who are getting on board with the technology include the likes of British Airways, Swissport and Finavia just to name a few. This list is set to grow soon as more airports get a taste for how AI technologies can vastly improve their operational capacities.
“Recently,” Christiaan says, “Our collaboration with the Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport gave us the opportunity to demonstrate the value of our technologies in a bustling airport environment. The project involved a trial of the Apron AI software which spanned over three months, allowing adequate time for testing different innovations and tech.” The team worked closely with Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport’s Chief of Innovation Brian Cobb, to try and resolve some of the challenges the airport faced. This involved looking at how the technology could alleviate some of these pressures and one of the major challenges was a common theme experienced by many other airports. The limited insight into the real-time turnaround of an aircraft. Brian explains that as he is now responsible for CVG Airport’s brand commitments to efficiency and airline performance, he needs as much accurate data as possible.
17
“Assaia gives me the immediate advantage of monitoring and reporting all phases of ground movement in and around each aircraft,” he says, “It is a complete overview.”
examples of how the AI technology is assisting the air travel industry, and to witness the benefits in action.”
Great innovations are found through creating advantages like this which allow for valuable data to be collected and analysed efficiently. This in turn assists the airport management and their airlines and handlers to improve their operational effectiveness and safety.
As proof of how the technology is solving some of the industry’s biggest challenges, there is also the aim to develop further use of machine learning based predictions for aircraft statuses instead of the current human generated estimates. This represents a progressive step for the air travel industry.
ADVANTAGES
WHAT LIES AHEAD?
“Assaia’s Artificial Intelligence capacity is intriguing,” Brian says, “Our industry must always close gaps in the map of the customer’s travel journey, so we must futureproof ourselves beyond merely trendy solutions. After working with Assaia through a short and straightforward pilot test of the product line we quickly envisioned a long-term strategy that provided advantages and clear returns on investment across their portfolio of services.”
As 2020 inches closer, Christiaan assures us that the only plan Assaia has, is to expand their technology and continue to be an influential innovator within their industry.
The industry is fast-paced and competitive and constantly involves being a step ahead of the game. With that in mind, Brian admits he is enjoying the distinct and marketable advantage he currently has over competing airports. “Leveraging the Apron AI technology,” he says, “Has allowed us to demonstrate to airline partners that our service level commitments are among the best. This will be a pivotal milestone for the team as we will be able to share real-life
”Artificial Intelligent programmes may seem like tomorrow’s technology, but we are harnessing it today,” he says, “By working together with airports we will find new areas where our solutions can be used, and new ways to innovate Together, we are helping shape the future of air travel.” If you want to see for yourself how the Apron AI product works, check out the online demo at www.assaia.com/tmc WEBSITE: www.assaia.com
18
MISSION SUCCESS: LOCKHEED MARTIN’S PAC-3 INTERCEPTOR TEST PROVES RELIABILITY
Two Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) PAC-3 Cost Reduction Initiative (CRI) interceptors successfully intercepted two tactical ballistic missile targets today in a test at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The PAC-3 CRI intercepts support the U.S. Army’s Field Surveillance Program (FSP) ensuring the reliability and readiness of fielded PAC-3 missiles. The test also marked the twelfth and thirteenth successful PAC-3 CRI FSP intercepts in seven years.
The PAC-3 CRI and MSE are high-velocity interceptors that defend against incoming threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft. Fourteen nations have procured the PAC-3 missile defense interceptor: the U.S., Germany, Kuwait, Japan, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Romania, Poland, Sweden and Bahrain.
The U.S. Army-led missile defense flight test demonstrated the unique Hit-to-Kill capability of the PAC-3 family of missiles which defends against threats through body-to-body contact. The test also reconfirmed PAC-3 CRI’s ability to detect, track and intercept incoming missiles while meeting fielded reliability requirements. The test was observed by representatives from the U.S. Army and current and potential Foreign Military Sales PAC-3 customers.
ABOUT LOCKHEED MARTIN Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 105,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
“PAC-3 continues its long history of reliability and readiness in the field and remains the only combat proven Hit-to-Kill interceptor in the world,” said Jay Pitman, vice president of PAC-3 programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “Today’s global security environment demands reliable solutions. We expect PAC-3 interceptors to continue serving as an essential element in integrated, layered defense systems.”
19
REVIEW
AEROMAO NEW DEVELOPMENT. AMPHIBIOUS FIX WING DRONE.
Founded in 2004, it is their drive for innovation that has propelled Aeromao into the position as the leading Canadian manufacturer of UAVs and developer of fixed wing, unmanned survey grade aerial vehicles. Based in Ontario Canada, their high commercial grade drones are optimized to carry a range of video surveillance equipment and have been extensively used for mapping, surveying, precision agriculture and remote sensing to name a few.
Aeromao’s latest development is unique in the unmanned world and has already been used successfully in a number of expeditions including searching for megafauna such as turtles, dolphins and sharks and surveillance of illegal fishing activity. During a set of trials in the beautiful Turneffe Atoll in Belize, in a work lead by the Zoological Society of London and the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association. The drones were used to detect and document illegal fishing activities and ecology research toward ongoing conservation efforts. Delineated in 2012, the Turneffe marine protected area is a challenge to manage effectively due to its remote location.
INNOVATIVE STRENGTHS With their systems proven in the field, and two hundred clients across fifty countries, Aeromao’s power is in their ability to innovate on their feet and meet market demands and client requirements quickly and reliably. Their aim is to expand their client’s abilities to collect and analyse data, enabling them to make better decisions based on accurate information. They achieve this by using the latest technologies and relying on their strengths, which lie in their range of expertise in robotics, manufacturing, CAD, prototyping, flying and avionics, communications, computing and innovative thinking. Above all is their commitment to quality and dedication to their products which undergo rigorous testing in the field.
All in all, the Amphibious Fixed Wing Drone is a remarkable fete of engineering and has provided an essential and accurate tool with far reaching uses.
THE PROBLEM AND THE SOLUTION This represents a huge potential advantage in the fight against this sort of illegal exploitation as the current enforcement strategy on the Turneffe atoll involves patrols around the atoll in small boats. Due to the time constraints and the nature of the work, systematic surveys for megafauna aren’t regularly carried out. Instead, the conservation officers tend to document animals they happen across while on their patrol. Added to this, boat fuel is very costly, and this further inhibits the amount of area the conservation officers can patrol and dramatically reduces the potential sighting of animals. On the other hand, the drones proved to be an exceptional low-cost solution to these challenges. Furthermore, as part of the flight trials, two senior conservation officers were trained on
20
site in how to prepare and deploy the drone. They were also trained in planning missions and monitoring flights and how to ensure a safe water landing. Demonstrating how easily this could be fitted into a new, more effective strategy that would guarantee better results all round. WEBSITE: www.aeromao.com EMAIL: info@aeromao.com TELEPHONE: +1 (647) 484–9966 COMPANY ADDRESS: 6033 Shawson Drive, Unit 27, Mississauga, L5T1H8, Ontario, Canada
21
TEN WAYS MAGNA IS REIMAGINING THE FUTURE
Magna’s company of entrepreneurs and open-for-business mentality are helping to drive change in nearly every part of a vehicle, from seating to lighting to powertrain. As a technology company backed by more than 60 years of experience in the global auto industry, Magna is at the forefront of a dramatic transformation in mobility. “Magna’s mission is to make the impossible possible by solving some of the auto industry’s most complex problems,” said Swamy Kotagiri, Magna chief technology officer.
It is fascinating to imagine what the future will bring with the growth of electrified, autonomous and smart mobility. To better envision the coming shift in the way we move people and goods, Magna has compiled a list of the company’s top ten innovations that are a force for change. They are:
48-VOLT ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS With its focus toward vehicle electrification, Magna is offering an array of modular and scalable electrified powertrain products designed to help automakers meet increasingly stringent tailpipe emissions regulations around
22
the world. These modular and scalable products include both 48-volt (mild hybrid) and high voltage (full / plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles) variants.
environment and creating a high-definition, fourdimensional view.
Magna’s ever-expanding portfolio of electrified products begins with a family of modular and scalable high voltage electric propulsion systems, where the company has been awarded a production contract for a high voltage secondary axle for an electric vehicle to be produced in China for VW.
ICON scans its surroundings 50 times faster than it takes a human to blink. It will be used in the near term in autonomous emergency braking – and on self-driving cars in the new era of mobility. Whether it’s cameras, lidar or radar, with Magna’s expertise, the company can also seamlessly integrate these ADAS features in vehicle exteriors without sacrificing design.
Magna is also focused on electrified transmission systems and is now industrializing an innovative solution for BMW that packages a modular and scalable 48-volt traction motor inside a DCT automatic transmission. This innovative new product allows automakers to offer a mild hybrid option within the same engine compartment for their front wheel drive vehicles, thus reducing CO2 emissions and increasing functionality.
RECONFIGURABLE SEATS Magna’s seating experts are designing flexible vehicle interiors that can be reconfigured with the touch of a smartphone screen.
ADAS FEATURES Today, more than 100 vehicle models on the road have Magna ADAS features as Magna continues to deliver new autonomous features including 3D Surround View systems, Advanced trailering features and Autonomous Valet, which meet the growing demand from automakers seeking to integrate automated driving technologies into their vehicles. With Magna’s lidar solution with Innoviz coming to market with BMW, the company is also close to production of its ICON radar. Military-grade ICON radar system is a new generation of solid-state automotive radar that moves a step closer towards an autonomous future. Industry-first ICON radar is about seeing the things you can’t see and giving drivers and the car plenty of time to react by scanning the
The company’s reconfigurable seating solution is designed to dramatically reshape the vehicle cabin based on actual usage. This solution is in response to the rapid growth in car-sharing and ride-sharing and builds on Magna’s reputation for such innovations as the Stow ‘n Go seats in the Chrysler minivans. From a base configuration in a three-row vehicle, the innovative seats transform in a seamlessly choreographed dance into three modes: Cargo Space, Road Trip and Mobile Meeting. Two of the modes could be ready to enter production as early as 2022.
FLEXIBLE LIGHTING Magna is sparking the revolution in automotive lighting through a joint venture with Rohinni, an Idaho startup that has come up with ways to
23
create “endless possibilities” with light that go far beyond conventional LEDs or light-emitting diodes. When paired with Magna’s world-class electronics manufacturing expertise, the combination is expected to produce modern lighting magic. By using thin-film micro and mini LEDs – as thin as a piece of paper – Magna Rohinni Automotive provides highperformance, flexible lighting that opens up new possibilities for design and product differentiation.
COMPOSITE SPACE FRAME Increasingly stringent vehicle emissions requirements demand that manufacturers find new materials and innovative applications to dramatically reduce mass and weight.
HAPTIC TECHNOLOGY Haptic technology, which relies on motion and the sense of touch inside and outside of the car, is rapidly being adopted by the auto industry as a way to give drivers a more intuitive experience.
Magna’s composite space frame is 10 percent lighter than conventional steel and can be used on liftgate and side door modules, as well as windshield headers.
To continue developing these advanced technologies for the automotive market, Magna acquired Haptronik, further investing in advanced motion-control software and adding to Magna’s leadership in mechatronics products. In addition, this technology is part of the company’s building block approach to their SmartAccess power door platform.
An affordable solution for automakers, the composite space frame debuted on the 2020 Toyota Supra.
VIRTUAL AND AUGMENTED REALITY
COMPLETE VEHICLE MANUFACTURING Magna is the only automotive supplier that also engineers and assembles complete vehicles – and automakers including Daimler, BMW and Jaguar contract the company to do so. Magna is the first contract manufacturer to produce an electric vehicle with the Jaguar I-PACE, and the company produces multiple vehicles with different powertrains (BHEVs, EVs and traditional powertrains) from one plant, with two different powertrains in one shared production line for the I-PACE and Jaguar E-PACE. Through a joint venture, Magna is now also the first contract manufacturer for electric vehicles in China, the leading market for e-mobility.
24
Magna is using augmented reality technology to make navigation systems more intuitive and accurate with its bi-focal Augmented Reality Camera. The first-to-market Magna technology for General Motors in North America and Daimler in Europe enhances what the driver sees by providing an actual image of the road ahead with information superimposed onto the image. But that’s not the only way Magna is bringing new technology to real product development. At Magna’s Virtual Reality Center in Graz, Austria, engineers wearing VR goggles are revolutionizing the way cars are designed, developed and manufactured. And virtual-reality headsets are helping the team at Magna’s Dortec Industries boost efficiency and productivity.
FACTORY OF THE FUTURE
including MIT and Cambridge University, to connect with the best and brightest minds in the business.
For Magna, innovating is not isolated to just product. The company innovates in how it manufactures as well. With the advancements in machine learning and artificial intelligence, Magna is able to bring more smart factory concepts into their operations.
Magna experts are mentoring students from the MIT Driverless team to develop self-driving racecars for the new Formula Student Driverless competition. And the company is exploring the potential for new technology with MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, the center for autonomous and robotics development.
A key part of the equation in these high-tech facilities will be humans – or what some are calling the “Industry 4.0 workforce.” The goal is to improve flexibility and efficiency between humans and machines, as the two work in harmony.
This combination of strategic partnerships, world-class manufacturing, process innovation and a product portfolio bursting with innovative technology is enabling Magna to reimagine the vehicle experience and be prepared for the profound changes in the automotive industry.
These advanced manufacturing plants may feature advanced robotic systems, drones that fly above assembly lines to check inventory and maintenance needs, and predictive analytics that will be used to schedule repairs.
PARTNERSHIPS In addition to product innovations, Magna is partnering with startup companies to help speed up the commercialization of new mobility solutions. Devolving self-driving technologies with Lyft, integrating self-driving systems with Waymo, and retrofitting and scaling up May Mobility’s unique fleet of autonomous shuttles are just a few examples. In addition to working with startups on new technology, Magna also is building closer working relationships with universities around the globe,
25
GOODYEAR SOUTH AFRICA TWO YEARS BEHIND THE WHEEL To celebrate two years behind the wheel of one of the pioneering tyre brands in the world, we got the chance to catch up with Darren Hayes-Powell, who’s been Group Managing Director of Goodyear South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa since November 2017. Goodyear South Africa have had a presence in the country since before the last century was in its teenage years. From as early as 1912 they were importing tyres and in 1945, they opened their own manufacturing plant to keep up with the demand for safe and reliable tyres. Over a century later the business is still a pioneer in its industry, a powerful and respected name and a keen market innovator. Darren Hayes-Powell
KEEPING THE PACE South Africa’s automotive market is an all-out race of intense competition, where businesses are having to implement new technologies, formulate new strategies, assimilate new market analytic data and make decisions while keeping the accelerator pedal pressed hard. This was the exact environment that Darren HayesPowell, Group Managing Director of Goodyear South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, entered into when he took over the steering wheel in November 2017 and planted his foot firmly on that pedal. “It was an exhilarating time to take the role,” he reveals, “But I was confident in my local team’s ability to meet the tasks ahead and I was fully prepared to start at a sprint.” In all fairness, he was already accustomed to the blistering pace of Goodyear’s managerial circle. Having spent twenty-five years working with Rolls Royce, he entered Goodyear in 2008 as Finance and IT Director for the
26
United Kingdom. He then became Vice President of Finance for Asia, then Vice President of Operations and Technology Finance before taking on his current assignment almost exactly two years ago.
“My international experience and thorough understanding of Goodyear’s strategy and culture put me in a good position to deliver the strategies for South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. But even then, it was still a learning curve.” THE MAN FOR THE JOB However, in the same way that Goodyear’s reputation for keeping all four tyres on the road (innovations involving flying cars aside), Darren has a reputation for being sure footed and always
having a plan. For his entire career, Darren has consistently been an all-rounder. He studied to be a Mechanical Engineer and an accountant before going on to complete a Master’s in Business Administration. This, coupled with a great passion for business turnaround strategies, has equipped him with the great ability to see the situation for what it is, the clear headedness to gain a clear understanding of what needs to be done, and the charisma and leadership qualities to motivate a team to do it. As an example, when Darren joined Goodyear in 2008, the UK operating company was operating at a loss and he responded, undauntedly by supporting turning things around. After which he was tested again with a transfer to Asia with its fast pace market development, initially to support the new factory build in Pulandian which has become one of the best performing plants within the Goodyear organisation. Darren was later called upon to do this again with another new manufacturing plant in Mexico in 2015. It would seem that Darren’s career has been defined by leading through example, often managing several high responsibility roles simultaneously, motivating entire teams and taking in large amounts of coffee to aid his out of the box thinking. He explains his successes quite simply: “Goodyear is a great international family, comprised of fantastic teams working together and working hard. I don’t believe there is such a thing as a one-man success story.”
TWO YEARS IN So, now almost two years to the date since Darren joined the Goodyear South Africa team, what are his thoughts about the industry so far? According to him, the South African tyre manufacturing sector in general is of a high standard with local producers all focusing their efforts on meeting the growing demands of the high-paced vehicle manufacturing sector. With this in mind, he believes that Goodyear does possess an edge over their competitors because their tyres are specifically designed for South African conditions, such as the swift dispersion of water in wet weather, efficient low rolling resistance technology and off-the-road performance.
“South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa are known for their intense climates,” Darren says, “And our tyres are manufactured to take into account all the variables of weather and road conditions.” The custom creation of bespoke solutions for different markets is written into Goodyear’s DNA, however it was epitomised shortly after Darren joined with the upgraded and state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Uitenhage. Goodyear invested close to 1 billion Rand (£52M) in the Eastern Cape facility to improve the ability to produce high technology capable passenger tyres to meet the market’s demands. “The investment equipped the plant with the latest technologies and processes, as well as increased local production capacity for high complex, technical tyres,” he says. “It positioned Goodyear as a leader in the creation of low rolling resistant tyres that promote fuel economy in vehicles together with the latest technology SUV and 4x4 tyres,” Darren explained. It has also made Goodyear capable of implementing new technologies and strategies over the proceeding years and into the future. Yet again, putting their customers first. The move followed similar investment in Goodyear’s new production facilities in China and Mexico, with all three plants now sporting the same high-technology equipment aimed at producing premium tyres to a uniform world standard. Such as when it comes to wheel balancing and uniformity, which with the rising number of larger tyre sizes and more intricate vehicles is a critical market factor.
THE ROAD AHEAD Goodyear tyres are prepared to meet obstacles on the road ahead, likewise, over his many years in the company, Darren has identified some areas in the industry that may have gone overlooked in the past. It is evident that South Africa is a great market that is continuously benefitting from a welldeveloped infrastructure and a progressive local tyre industry operating on global standards.
27
The retail edge of the market is exciting, modern and stylish and helps make potential buyers far more aware of the importance of fitting reputable tyres. Combining this with an equally developed commercial market has created an energetic environment to operate as a manufacturer of premium tyres. However, despite this, Darren has seen a distressing trend of unsafe secondhand tyres being sold into the market. Historically, South Africa has a high road accident rate which is a result of a number of different factors, but substandard tyres fitted to vehicles is only making things worse. Also, most drivers probably don’t realise the problem as they’ve purchased these tyres from an unlicensed dealer who they probably trust.
“The more the consumer knows about the importance of their tyres, the safer our roads will be,” Darren says, “Educating all drivers on the perils of using worn-unsafe tyres will only improve the situation and reduce fatalities on our roads. Frankly, this is not only a South African concern.” EDUCATION AND ENTERTAINMENT Of course, educating consumers is no simple matter. The importance of explaining to drivers they should buy quality and safe tyres is not a simple one, the trick is bringing innovative, exciting products to the market that offer clear and long- term
benefits to both their status and safety. “For example, the new Wrangler, All Terrain Adventure tyre is produced with Kevlar and designed specifically for South African and Sub Saharan roads, protecting the tyres against side wall damage but also off road travelling and potholes. Creating a universal capable tyre.” He goes onto explain that these sorts of developments enable the majority of consumers to appreciate the long-term value of purchasing premium tyres. It is a strategy that enables them to innovate for their current customers and introduce their products to potential ones. Darren points out, that while most people probably buy tyres because they are told their cars need them, others are probably more concerned about how cool the tyres look rather than how safe they are. “So, it is therefore our responsibility to make sure that the tyres are both,” concludes Darren. COMPANY ADDRESS: Algoa Road, Uitenhage, 6229, South Africa TELEPHONE: 0027419946911 EMAIL: gyfeedback@goodyear.co.za WEBSITE: www.goodyear.co.za
HTTPS://ECOSTEELAFRICA.COM
WE DESIGN AND BUILD DURABLE STEEL FRAMED BUILDINGS
Article on page
32
REVIEW
TSATSI LEHLABILE Mandla Kubheka entered into the civil construction industry for road building and renewal to play his part in keeping the roads of South Africa functioning and safe. The volume of road users increases every day and without regular maintenance and upkeep, without businesses dedicated to sustaining them, they will succumb to wear and tear. Countries are judged by their roads, especially those countries where citizens and businesspeople rely so heavily on their own transportation commuting to and from work. Also, a long term strategy needs to be adopted to maintain roads, instead of a patchwork approach.
Not limiting themselves to the civil construction on roads, Tsatsi Lehlabile plans to look towards harbour construction in the future. Mandla believes that harbours, ports and sea transport will become increasingly important in the future as road and airport transport becomes saturated. Sea transportation provides a
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
30
2020
smooth and safe means to transport goods and materials as long as the ports and harbours have the correct equipment and design.
Roads and infrastructure are only going to get busier and Mandla’s business has been positioned to keep itself poised to take on the challenges. In the upcoming year much of their work is being targeted to world governments and private business sectors ranging from civil construction contracts to airport parking.
STAFF Staff members and workers are employed based on their experience in the field although hands on training is provided. They are also an equal opportunities employer, providing training and subcontract work for women and people with disabilities.
“Build enough roads and you can connect the world,� Mandla says. EMAIL: tsatsitrading@gmail.com
This is important to Mandla who has built his business from scratch and understands how vital job opportunities are for people in developing communities who may have historically been disadvantaged and unable to gain the required skill sets.
COMPANY ADDRESS: 1182 Ext 1 Rockdale Middleburg 1050
31
UNCOMPROMISING STEEL NEW SOLUTIONS FOR TENTS By Donnie Rust Interviewees: Gary McIntyre & Monique Brown Eco-Steel Africa is an innovative building solutions provider that specializes in Light Gauge Steel Construction. Their solutions have revolutionized the safari tent and glamping industry design and helped influence the modern wave of popularity within these industries. We spoke with managing director Gary McIntyre regarding this innovative solutions provider. “This business’s entire focus is to provide solutions that work without compromising on quality or durability.” Gary explains, “Eco-Steel Africa creates a durable, fast build that helps utilize space, time and finances more efficiently.” Their market leading innovations in steel frame manufacturing, design, detailing, construction and customer care have enabled them to provide solutions with noticeable improvements on traditional builds. The tents are faster to erect with minimal space for equipment required on-site and they produce far less material waste allowing for more accurate budget proposals. Eco-Steel Africa has grown organically from an original partnership with East African Canvas, who now makes use of their Hybrid Build Solutions, and became its own company in 2011. Gary says, “We started out looking for an alternative deck solution that was more of an eco-friendly-green option and found that Light Gauge Steel met all our requirements for such a build.”
32
He reveals that the business grew organically, one building at a time. Beginning, at first, with designing and installing LGS decking solutions for clients. Once they started seeing the installation accuracy and speed, it was not long before they were asking about the applications for different buildings.
ENCOURAGING INDUSTRY GROWTH One of the partners, Monique, also a Kenyan, reveals that when Eco-Steel Africa began, there were no materials locally available and they had to import everything. This was not in keeping with one of the things she wanted the business to stand for. “We aim to Buy Kenyan and Build Kenyan,” she says, “Over the last seven years we have seen a movement of quality products available in Kenya and now import less than 5% of our required materials for construction.” The introduction of a new building medium of LGS has also required quite a bit of educating with the public on its benefits vs. traditional build materials. A considerable amount of time and energy has been invested in teaching builders and buyers why LGS is the design technology of the future.
includes working with quality designers and staying in close contact with the LGS machinery manufacturers for updates and new training courses. She adds that they also spend a lot of time working on their own R&D programs, including inhouse testing of new design techniques and finishing materials. “This is work that you must be willing to put in everyday to keep your business running at its most optimal level.” She says.
COMPETE OR COLLABORATE? East Africa’s safari, lodge and glamping industries, are growing as an ever-increasing number of people are looking for the sort of “memorable experiences” that can only be found in the region. With the rise of demand on the product Eco-Steel Africa has taken a typically modern approach. Instead of looking to lengthen the lead-gap between them and their competitors they’ve sought to eliminate it.
“We have worked with owners of luxury lodges and camp sites, airport operators, private companies, landlords and individual private developers,” Monique says, “As well as a growing number of architects, designers and building contractors.”
“In East Africa and beyond there is more than enough work to go around,” she says, “We have started round table discussions with other builders, designers and developers. We find that these open discussions allow each of us to learn from previous failures and successes, plus learn new available techniques that might otherwise be missed.”
CUTTING EDGE PRODUCT, CUTTING EDGE SERVICE Depending on the design and building requirements, Eco-Steel Africa still uses conventional primary steel where structural requirements are needed. However, LGS structural design also comes with an in-built custom-designed engineering software to ensure that the product meets their standards.
To encourage this, Eco-Steel Africa has opened training for traditional builders who would like to learn how to work with LGS in their build portfolio. Their aim is to build a strong future for Kenyan companies. To do this it’s necessary to create a firm foundation and an open-door policy to allow everyone to grow together.
This software allows Eco-Steel to design and accurately predict costs. Saving clients from additional engineering charges. Monique believes that to be cutting edge you must work hard and with the right people. This
33
The Company is proud that many of the staff who began with them when they were still under East African Canvas have remained. Together they’ve taken the business from just an idea to an industry defining company. The number of workers vary from job to job. And as each job is bespoke, working out how many people will need to be involved is part of the planning stages. The number can shift from 40 people in the low season to upwards of 130 in the high season. Staff development is just as important. Through in-house and on-site training Eco-Steel Africa has built up a team of skilled LGS craftsmen. Furthermore, by providing hands-on experience they have developed staff from general daily laborer’s into team managers.
“We have a low turn-over rate of employees.” Monique says, “Our staff movement is mostly between our two companies as they choose to either stay with EACC or to join up with EcoSteel. It’s fine as we still work in the same compound. This way we have staff who have experience in working in both businesses, so we are always covered with that cache of experience.” Interestingly Monique reveals that some of their employees have gone on to open their own construction and tent manufacturing companies using the skills that they have learn over years working with Eco-Steel, “Good on them,” she says, “We’ve even partnered up with some of these companies as well over the years.”
34
PROJECTS Although it would seem that Eco-Steel Africa has it all under control, it should be acknowledged that this is a fairly new industry. As the pioneers of this method and product in east Africa, they are often the first to be surprised by the new challenges they may need to overcome. “We always finish a project and say that this was the most challenging,” she says with great humor, “And each project that we finish allows us to grow and experiment just a little bit more, so that we are prepared for a bigger challenge next time.”
MPINGO RIDGE “With that said,” Gary continues, “We absolutely loved the last camp that we
finished for Lemala Camps, Mpingo Ridge in Tanzania.” Gary explains that this was a perfect example of working with a Tanzanian Contractor that had never worked with LGS structures before. It was an interesting and aesthetically marvelous project that came with a very tight build deadline. The project incorporated beautifully curving decks and a modern public area that was designed to take full advantage of the breathtaking views. These views were thanks to the site’s particular remoteness which posed an exciting challenge. “We had several training sessions with their team here in Kenya as well as having our Quality Control Management
team at site in Tanzania assisting and training the builders every step of the way,” Gary says.
Not only was it challenging to get to, with rocky ground conditions, no road access and no water access. But the client’s design had high internal ceilings, large open spans and the need for lots of windows and openings to showcase the expansive view.
This was necessary as they are the only company who know how to work with their hybrid solution that uses the mixture of a tented wrap and solid structures.
It was as much a new managerial challenge as it was a building one, Gary says, “Transport of goods, tools equipment and crew had to be well organized as this was hundreds of kilometers from civilization. We also had at site over one hundred builders, electricians, painters, plumbers, specialty contractors and general contractors all working at breakneck speeds to ensure that we did not finish behind schedule.”
GROWING TOGETHER
“We are pioneers of this design process and it’s up to us to help people become aware of its benefits,” Monique says. CUSTOMERS
THE RESULT
Having been born into the safari lodge industry and grown with the rise of glamping style accommodations, Eco-Steel Africa has had from the start a fertile land to plant seeds. Since 2011, their business has grown to include a broad spectrum of clients, within safari, glamping and beyond.
Mpingo Ridge consisted of a full design solution for the client where Eco-Steel Africa designed their Back of House Structures and Luxury Guest Units. These consisted of thirteen guest sleepers of 76 sq. meters each. One Family Unit Sleeper which was 150 sq. meters and a modern open plan design for their Public Areas which was almost 600 sq. meters in size.
THE CHALLENGES Mpingo Ridge provided several challenges.
In total the project came in at just under 1700
35
square meters and was completed in under five months.
SEEK OUT CHALLENGES Eco-Steel Africa loves a good challenge and doesn’t believe their business would be where it is now without them. “Mpingo was a great project and we love the result,” Gary says, “To have seen the site before and after the finished project and take stock of the challenges we had to plan for, and the ones we had to solve on the spot, is quite something.” Especially, we appreciate the opportunity to work closely with clients and help them turn their ideas into something tangible.
“Our clients return time and again knowing that we deliver,” Gary says, “Definitely something to be proud of.” PRICE/NIGHT: (if applicable.) Lodge / Safari Camp Build Provider COMPANY ADDRESS: Magadi Tenting Centre off Magadi Road Next Door to Brookhouse School, Nairobi Kenya. P.O. Box 1483 Karen 00502 TELEPHONE: +254 797 738 983 or +254 752 444 3337 EMAIL: info@ecosteelafrica.com
36
37
38