Endeavour Magazine November 2016

NOVEMBER 2016

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CSI Electrical Achieving Engineering Excellence The Right Way SolarEff Powering South Africa Nomad Africa Adventure Tour Walking On The Wild Side

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EDITOR’S NOTE Heads of Departments

Well first off, what a month October was for the business communities of the

Managing Editor Djamil Benmehidi editor@littlegatepublishing.com

EU member states and Canada, the members of which will either be raising

Sales Director Alex Smith alexsmith@littlegatepublishing.com

It seems almost a miracle that both parties actually got the thing signed at all,

Sales Manager Emlyn Freeman emlynfreeman@littlegatepublishing.com

tiny French-speaking Belgian province of Wallonia almost torpedoed 7-years

Head of Editorial Research Paul Bradley paulbradley@littlegatepublishing.com

the side of globalism and tariff-free trade will see this as a great progressive

Editorial Research Alice Instone-Brewer alice@littlegatepublishing.com

Of course, the global trend of ever increasing globalisation could go up in

Editorial Research Steven Weller steveweller@littlegatepublishing.com

November – aka, the big day.

Corporate Director Anthony Letchumaman anthonyl@littlegatepublishing.com

We’ve all become increasingly transfixed by the fascinating, and quite frankly

Lead Designer Alina Sandu studio@littlegatepublishing.com

this month. Whilst the political implications of a Trump victory – something

Publisher Stephen Warman stevewarman@littlegatepublishing.com

impact of a shock victory for The Donald will have consequences for financial

Any enquiries or subscriptions can be sent to info@littlegatepublishing.com ENDEAVOUR MAGAZINE is published by Littlegate Publishing LTD which is a Registered Company in the United Kingdom.

Company Registration: 07657236 VAT registration number: 116 776007 343 City Road London EC1 V1LR

Suite 10, Thorpe House 79 Thorpe Road Norwich, NR1 1UA

Littlegate Publishing Ltd does not accept responsibility for omissions or errors. The points of view expressed in articles by attributing writers and/or in advertisements included in this

a cheer or drowning their sorrows following the signing of the CETA treaty. seeing as it was only a week or so ago when stubborn opposition from the of lengthy and at times maddening negotiations. All in all, those who err on stride in the right direction. a puff of smoke, should an impossible Trump victory occur on Tuesday 8th The entire world is talking about this topic right now; how could it not? bizarre spectacle that is the run-up to the 2016 US presidential election we’ll refrain from discussing – require little explanation, nor discussion, the markets and the business world so great that it is difficult to fathom.

The status quo and established way of doing over the past 50-years could be out of the window under a Trump presidency. Certainly, there is the chance that, under his leadership, the US may once more more inward-looking power, and embrace long-forgotten policies of economic isolationism from its past – cue the imposition of tariffs, and a sharp rejection of the present trend of free movement of labour, capital, and trade.

Of course, should Hillary Clinton manage to shake off the scandals that have dogged her reputation from the beginning of her campaign, and limp across the finish line, business as usual will likely continue and much of the world will breathe a sigh of relief.

As far as we at Endeavour Magazine are concerned, we hope that whichever

magazine do not necessarily represent those of the publisher.

way the pendulum swings this month and whoever picks up the keys for a

Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely

4-year stay in the White House, the new leader of the free world is committed

coincidental. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within this magazine, no legal

to keeping the peace and improving global prosperity. The world economy

responsibility will be accepted by the publishers for loss arising

still rests on a knife-edge, and we are all in need of the excellent leadership

from use of information published. All rights reserved. No part

that we hope the new US president can deliver.

of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrievable system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher.

Copyright © Littlegate Publishing Ltd 2016

Fingers crossed!

DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

Endeavour Magazine | 3

CONTENTS

45

Hissho Sushi

FEATURES

61 PLIPDECO 4 | Endeavour Magazine

13 COVER STORY CSI Electrical

Achieving Engineering Excellence 25 COVER STORY Nomad Africa Adventure Tours

Walking On The Wild Side 37 Abdali Investment & Development PSc

Building Jordan’s Crown Jewel 45 Hissho Sushi

Certain Victory!

53 The Ludan Group

Developing Biogas-Based Energy Solutions 61 PLIPDECO

Keeping Everything Ship-Shape 69 COVER STORY SolarEff

Powering South Africa 79 MovieTowne

Bringing The Magic Of The Movies To Life 85 Nexgen Energy Ltd

The Uranium Sector’s Next Big Thing 91 Banana Investments

A Banana Beer Pioneer 101 Weir Gas and Oil Services

Best In The Business 105 Arab Engineering Bureau

Half A Century Of Success

37

Abdali Investment & Development PSc

ARTICLES 3 Editor’s Note 6 Business Headlines

Middle East

Africa Asia

Americas Europe

34 58 98 110

Amazing World Klementinum Library, Prague The Northern Lights Diwali, the fabulous Festival of Light A Caribbean Paradise: Ladera Resort St. Lucia

74 76

Automotives The BMW M4 Dtm Champion Edition Nissan GT-R Nismo

53

The Ludan Group Endeavour Magazine | 5

BUSINESS HEADLINES MIDDLE EAST SAUDI ARAMCO PLANNING MEGA IPO FOR 2018, SAYS CEO Saudi Aramco’s CEO Amin Nasser announced the company is planning what could be the world’s largest public listing in 2018, as it expects oil prices and market conditions to improve in the coming years.

Speaking at the World Energy Congress in Istanbul, Nasser said that all markets were still being considered for the initial public offering (IPO) of up to 5% of Aramco, though the exact size of the offering will be determined by the Saudi Supreme Council.

“We are optimistic that the market started to recover and we expect it to recover even more in 2017 and I think the time in 2018 will be almost right,” Nasser said.v“When we talk about 2018 we feel comfortable to be able to meet all the requirements in the different markets if we decide to go to certain markets.”

He said Aramco has yet to finalise the location of the listing and is currently reviewing several markets including New York, London, Hong Kong and Japan.

UAE’S ECONOMY HAS DOUBLED IN THE LAST DECADE, ACCORDING TO VICE PRESIDENT SHEIKH MOHAMMED The UAE’s economy has doubled in the past 10 years, from a GDP of Dhs663bn to Dhs1.360bn, the country’s Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum confirmed.

“Despite the global financial crisis and the resulting economic slowdown, despite the upheaval and disorder our region has endured, the United Arab Emirates has shown marked progress in all sectors,” he wrote in the note, published by Dubai Media Office.

The improvement in the economy has “provided jobs and underpinned considerable economic and commercial opportunities for the citizens and residents of our country”, he added.

Sheikh Mohammed also said that with the focus on diversification, the contribution of the non-oil sector to the UAE’s economy has grown by over 10 per cent in the last 10 years.

“We have continuously stressed in the past 10 years, through legislation and policies, the importance of diversifying our economy away from dependence on oil.

“As a result, our non-petroleum exports have increased from Dhs113bn when I assumed office to Dhs603bn (including free zone trade) in the past year. The economic contribution of the nonpetroleum sector has increased from 66 per cent to some 77 per cent today,” he said.

DUBAI’S DP WORLD CONFIRMS MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN HYPERLOOP ONE Dubai ports operator DP World has announced a multi-million dollar investment in US firm Hyperloop One - a conceptual high speed transportation system which involves the use of pressurised tubes to transport human and freight cargo at speeds of up to 1,100kmh.

The deal, announced over the weekend, follows a memorandum of understanding signed between both companies in August to assess the feasibility of using high-speed transportation technology hyperloop to shift cargo at Jebel Ali port in Dubai. The company’s group chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem has been elected to Hyperloop’s board of directors following the deal.

“We are exploring many innovations in our sector and our collaboration with Hyperloop One is just one example illustrating our support of creativity and our commitment to research and development, using technologies to make our operations more efficient,” said Bin Sulayem. Hyperloop One previously disclosed it had raised more than $100m in investment.

6 | Endeavour Magazine

FINNISH ELEVATOR GIANT KONE WINS LUSAIL RAIL CONTRACT IN QATAR Kone has announced that it has won an contract for the installation of 139 elevators, escalators and autowalks, to be installed across Qatar’s Lusail Light Rail Transit (LRT) system. The value of the deal was not disclosed.

Located in the new city of Lusail, 15km north of Doha, the new transport network will comprise 10km of underground track, four main tram lines at ground level, elevated tracks and passenger stations. As part of the deal, Kone will provide 49 elevators, 82 escalators and eight horizontal autowalks, it said in a statement.

Developed by Qatar Rail, the new sustainable transport system is expected to cater to the 250,000 inhabitants of Lusail and serve around 40,000 daily visitors. The rail network is also expected to connect to Doha’s metro network at a network interchange located on Khor highway.

It is expected to enter commercial service from 2018.

AFRICA SPAT WITH TURKANA OIL EXPORTS SEES RIFT VALLEY RAILWAYS MISS OUT ON LUCRATIVE DEAL

CHINESE FIRM AWARDED CONTRACT TO BUILD US$26 MILLION POWER LINE FROM KENYA TO TANZANIA

Rift Valley Railways (RVR) lost out on a lucrative deal to transport

The Kenyan government has awarded a Chinese firm the contract

Kenya’s first batch of crude oil exports due to delays in meeting key

to construct a power transmission line, connecting Kenya to Tanzania

deadlines, according to a government announcement. The Ministry

as it seeks to boost energy trade The 96-kilometre line will run from

of Energy’s withdrawal of the rail option has infuriated the RVR.

Isinya substation in Kajiado to the border town of Namanga. Kenya

“We were interested in the project until August 30. That is when

plans to use the line to link up with the Southern African power pool,

they told us that they had already made a decision,” said Group Chief

made up of Tanzania, Zambia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique

Executive, Isaiah Okoth. Kenya’s Ministry of Energy countered these

and Zimbabwe. “With a capacity to transfer 2,000 megawatts in

claims by saying that RVR missed key deadlines in a plan to modify

either direction, the interconnector will have positive impacts on the

its rail equipment for the transportation of the oil.

development of renewable sources of energy in Kenya and Tanzania

“We were not happy with the progress they were making on the

because the interconnected system of both countries will result in

changes that were needed. We were requesting for certain things

a larger, more stable system,” said Ketraco in a statement. The line

and we were not getting them,” said Petroleum PS CEO, Andrew

will be jointly financed by Kenyan government (Sh439.4 million) and

Kamau.

the African Development Bank (AfDB) which will offer Sh2.2 billion

In a bid to salvage its role in the project, the RVR later submitted

($22.4 million). Construction will take 22 months.

a proposal that would have seen the oil transported by road to Eldoret, then by rail to Changamwe before being moved back onto trucks for the last kilometre to the Kenya Petroleum Refineries storage facilities. This proposal was rejected.

SIGNING OF OVER 20 BILATERAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN TANZANIA AND MOROCCO HERALDS THE BEGINNING OF STRONGER DIPLOMATIC AND ECONOMIC TIES Tanzania and Morocco this month signed 21 economic and political partnership agreements this month across a number of areas, including political cooperation, aviation, tourism, oil & gas, and agriculture. The signing of these agreements during a successful state visit to Dar es Salaam by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI is the culmination of efforts by both parties to strengthen bilateral ties between both countries.

ARCELORMITTAL SOUTH AFRICA TO INCREASE STEEL PRICES IN FACE OF COMPETITION FROM CHEAP FOREIGN IMPORTS Steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa will increase the prices of its steel products from April 2017 to stabilise the business,

Relations between the two countries have been amicable but

following heavy losses due to competition from cheap imports. “The

distant since Morocco’s decision to withdraw from the Organisation

global economic developments and the sustainability of the steel

of African Unity (OAU) in 1984, the predecessor of the African Union

industry are one of the reasons which led the company to increase

(AU), following the OAU’s admission of a delegation that claimed to

prices following its monthly price review,” says the steelmaker. The

represent Western Sahara.

company said it would increase the prices of hot rolled coil by 8%

Agreements were also made to forge closer links and partnerships

on average and plate by 11%. Last year South Africa placed a 10%

between the two countries’ business communities, and finance and

tariff on imported steel and ArcelorMittal, which had been hurt by

banking sectors, and implement training exchange programs among

cheap steel from China, said in January that further duty increases

their military and home security arms. Witnessed by Tanzanian

were on the horizon. “ArcelorMittal South Africa is focused on the

President President John Magufuli and King Mohammed VI at

local steel market, where it is still the largest player.” The company,

State House, Dar es Salaam, the newly signed trade and diplomatic

which is reviewing its loss-making Saldanha plant near Cape Town,

agreements capped what was a successful 8-day visit by the

said a 20% jump in iron ore prices over the last month influenced its

Moroccan King and his 150-strong team of delegates.

decision, as well as the further hike in South Africa’s electricity costs.

Endeavour Magazine | 7

ASIA SAMSUNG PROFIT FORECAST SLASHED FOLLOWING GALAXY NOTE 7 SMARTPHONE FIASCO Samsung Electronics drastically cut its preliminary thirdquarter earnings guidance figures, after announcing that it would permanently discontinue its troubled Galaxy Note 7 smartphone.

The widening financial impact of its product safety crisis has hit the company hard, and the South Korean technology giant lowered its operating profit estimates for the third-quarter to US$4.6 billion, down from an original estimate of over US$6.3 billion.

Samsung said last week that its preliminary third-quarter earnings guidance figures took into account the Galaxy Note 7 recall. But the

RUSSIA’S ROSTEC TO COMPLETE MILITARY HELICOPTER DEAL WITH INDIA

new numbers now factor in the increased likelihood that customers

Russia’s Rostec State Corp. is on the verge of completing an

will seek a refund for their Galaxy Note 7, rather than an exchange

agreement to build around 200 military helicopters in India. Rostec,

for a Samsung phone, leading to lower expected earnings for the

which controls different companies that make everything from small

quarter.

arms to radar systems, didn’t reveal the value of the deal, which it

“The expected direct cost of the discontinuation of the Galaxy Note 7 has been reflected,” a company spokeswoman said.

expects to be signed at the Brics summit in Goa. A person familiar with the negotiations said the cost of the Ka-226T light multi-

The full impact of the crisis over phones that are at risk of catching

purpose helicopters would be about US$1 billion. India’s state-run

fire will play out over several months. Most analysts pegged the cost

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. will be the local joint-venture partner for

of the Galaxy Note 7 debacle at about US$4 billion, including recall

the factory in India. The Ka-226T—which will replace aging Chetak

expenses and lost sales.

and Cheetak helicopters—are primarily used for reconnaissance and the transportation of troops and cargo. India’s military is struggling with aging equipment due to bureaucratic delays in ordering

ALIBABA EXPECTED TO RAISE US$1 BILLION FOR KOUBEI LOCAL-SERVICES PLATFORM EXPANSION Chinese internet giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. is planning to raise about US$1 billion to fund the expansion of its local-services platform, Koubei, which could value the venture at nearly US$8 billion.

replacements, but the new government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ordered billions of dollars of new weapons. The Rostec deal aligns with the government’s plans to ensure military manufacturing is kept in-house.

HANJIN SHIPPING’S ASIA-U.S. ROUTE ASSETS TO AUCTIONED OFF AS PART OF INSOLVENCY PROCEEDINGS

The new fundraising would bring in outside investors to set a

The South Korean bankruptcy court handling Hanjin Shipping

valuation benchmark for the business. Koubei, which operates in the

Co.’s insolvency proceedings said Thursday it plans to sell-of the

competitive field of online orders for offline services such as food

firm’s Asia-U.S. route assets, in an effort to raise funds and help

delivery, has thus far been funded largely by Alibaba and its financial

rehabilitate the indebted company. Hanjin said in a regulatory filing

affiliate Ant Financial Services Group. The outside fundraising could

that it would receive letters of interest from potential bidders by

set up the operation to become more independent, allowing it to list

Oct. 28th and binding bids from them by Nov. 7th after a due-

shares as a separate entity eventually.

diligence process. Shares of Hanjin rose markedly following this

The terms of the deal haven’t been completed and could change,

announcement and now stand at the highest level in nearly two

as Alibaba negotiates with potential investors. The Chinese online-

months, following the announcement of the asset sale plan.

shopping company has hired Credit Suisse Group AG to reach out

Hanjin Shipping, the country’s biggest shipping company and the

to a small group of prominent international investors that already

world’s seventh largest in terms of capacity, filed for bankruptcy

have close relationships with Alibaba for the deal. Alibaba and Ant

protection in late August and is under a court order to sell its own

Financial together put nearly US$1 billion into Koubei—which means

ships and return chartered ships to their owners. The company has

“word-of-mouth reputation” in Chinese - for 50% equity stakes in

a total of 97 container ships, of which 60 were chartered and 37

the operation when it was launched in June 2015.

owned by Hanjin.

8 | Endeavour Magazine

AMERICAS BUDGET AIRLINES SPREAD THEIR WINGS AS CROSSATLANTIC PRICES CONTINUE TO FALL

VENEZUELA’S STATE OIL COMPANY PDVSA SAYS “ALL OPTIONS ARE OPEN” IF DEBT EXCHANGE FAILS

Discount airlines are spreading their wings across the Atlantic,

The head of Venezuela’s state oil company has warned that “all

driving down ticket prices and expanding service to major and

options are open,” including delaying upcoming bond payments, the

second-tier cities in the biggest shake-up to travel across the

latest sign that the day of reckoning is approaching for investors in

Atlantic in decades. New long-haul budget airlines are loosening the

Petróleos de Venezuela SA.

near-monopoly grip the major, full-service airlines enjoy on routes

Bondholders who choose not to participate in PdVSA’s US$5.3

between North America and Europe, on which they control 80% of

billion exchange offer “are playing a dangerous game they can end

capacity. Targeting customers who fly infrequently or once visited

up losing,” Eulogio del Pino, the president of the firm said. The

Europe on package tours, they are bringing the shift toward low-cost

sprawling firm’s “cash flow will be very complicated next year” if the

flying to one of the globe’s busiest and most lucrative corridors.

offer to replace debt maturing in 2017 with bonds maturing years

“They seem to have made the world a little smaller place, making

later doesn’t go through, he said.

it so affordable to get to Europe,” said Nick Rezendes, 29, a San

The oil producer, the major economic engine in a country facing

Francisco-based employee of FitBit Inc. who recently booked a

major social, economic and political challenges, has struggled to

US$181 one-way Norwegian Air Shuttle ticket from Copenhagen

persuade owners of half of the tendered bonds to accept the deal,

to Boston.

despite three deadline extensions and an increase in compensation.

The latest offer won’t be improved further, Mr. Del Pino said.

PdVSA needs to roll over the notes to save cash for a drilling campaign needed to reverse a decline in production. The state oil company and the Venezuelan central government are facing a total of US$15 billion in principal and interest payments between now and end-2017, including a US$2 billion amortization payment on Nov. 2nd for a 2017 PdVSA bond.

BREAKTHROUGH AS MIT’S FUSION REACTOR SETS A NEW WORLD RECORD FOR PLASMA PRESSURE

BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO OFFERS REYNOLDS US$47 BILLION FOR REMAINING STAKE OF COMPANY

An almost limitless supply of clean energy has been brought one

British American Tobacco has made a US$47 billion offer to take

step closer to reality after a team in the US set a marvellous new

full control of Reynolds American Inc.in a move that would create

record for nuclear fusion.

the world’s largest listed tobacco company by revenue and market

By beating the previous record for plasma pressure - one of the

value.

core components of the fusion process - engineers and scientists

London-based BAT already owns 42.2% of Reynolds, and is

have nudged the process further along the road towards a viable

offering cash and stock worth $56.50 a share for the rest of the

source of energy production.

company, representing a roughly 20% premium to Reynolds’s closing

While using nuclear fusion to power homes and businesses may still be some way off, the work proves that the burning of star-like fuel can be achieved and contained using the current approach.

share price. BAT said it hadn’t broached the offer with Reynolds management before going directly to its board.

Reynolds, which is based in Winston-Salem, N.C., said that

According to experts at MIT, the conditions inside the reactor

its board will evaluate the offer and respond. Analysts expect

generate hundreds of trillions of fusion reactions every second

negotiations between Reynolds and BAT will lead to a higher offer

inside a single cubic metre. “This is a remarkable achievement,” Dale

price.

Meade, former deputy director at the Princeton Plasma Physics

After years of distancing themselves from the U.S. because

Laboratory, not directly involved in the experiments, told MIT news.

of mounting civil law suits, international tobacco companies are

“The record plasma pressure validates the high-magnetic-field

returning as they confront declining cigarette volumes and expanding

approach as an attractive path to practical fusion energy.”

10 | Endeavour Magazine

regulations around the world.

EUROPE ERICSSON SHARES DIVE FOLLOWING PROFIT WARNING Ericsson, one of the world’s largest makers of telecom equipment, capped a difficult few months with the announcement of a profit warning that sent its share price tumbling by 20%.

Sweden’s flagship tech company said its third-quarter earnings would almost completely evaporate, citing a 19% sales decline in its core mobile-network equipment business, while its gross margin fell to 28% from 34% in the same period last year.

Ericsson has been caught in a perfect storm. Spending by mobile-service providers on latest-generation, or 4G, networks largely has dried up, with most mobile-broadband projects having been completed last year.

At the same time, competition has risen, with Huawei Technologies Co. of China expanding aggressively on the traditional European turf of Ericsson and Finland’s Nokia Corp.

EU-CANADIAN CETA TRADE DEAL FINALLY SIGNED AFTER WALLONIA DROPS OPPOSITION The EU and Canada finally succeeded in signing a historic free trade deal, CETA, after overcoming objections from the Frenchspeaking Belgian region of Wallonia, who almost derailed the treaty just a week ago.

The signing of CETA has concluded seven years of hard work and at times maddening negotiations between the two parties, which some say as highlighted the difficulties facing Britain as it prepares for its negotiations with the EU following Brexit.

The European Commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, insisted there was no parallel between the deal struck with Canada and looming Brexit talks. Now that it is ‘mission accomplished,’ in the words of EU Council president, Donald Tusk, the signing of CETA will open up the two hugely lucrative markets to each other in a move which supporters of the treaty view as progressive.

LONGEST SUBSEA POWER LINK IN THE WORLD WILL GENERATE AT LEAST 1.3BN INCOME FOR BRITAIN’S NATIONAL GRID

It will eliminate over 95% of tariffs between the EU and Canada, and save exporters an estimated €500m in duties annually. Robert Fico of the EU Council said: “I am delighted to confirm that the EU is ready to sign the comprehensive economic and trade agreement

Britain’s National Grid will be guaranteed a minimum of £1.3bn

with Canada. It represents a milestone in EU’s trade policy and our

income for building the world’s longest subsea power cable to

commitment to it. The CETA represents a modern and progressive

import electricity from Norway.

deal, opening the door to new opportunities, while protecting

Energy regulator Ofgem announced plans for consumers to

important

guarantee the utility giant at least £53m annual revenues for 25-years, in return for its 50% investment in the £1.4bn North Sea Link interconnector.

The 450-mile cable from Blyth in Northumberland to Kvilldal in Norway is due to be built by 2021, and will be the first electricity link between the two countries.

It will be able to import or export up to 1.4 gigawatts of electricity - enough to power around 750,000 UK homes.

Ofgem is keen to encourage investment in such cables and has introduced a “cap and floor” regime, guaranteeing developers a minimum income, backed up by consumer subsidies if needed, while also limiting their total revenues.

TESCO IN POST-BREXIT PRICING BATTLE WITH UNILEVER Tesco, Britain’s largest grocer, has pulled products made by fellow giant Unilever from its online shopping site because of a dispute over pricing, following the pound’s recent sharp drop.

In recent weeks, amid a sharp selloff of the British pound following the June 23 vote by Britons to leave the European Union, many retailers of imported products, including wine, electronics and cars, have raised prices.

But Tesco’s tensions with Unilever brings the reality of the pound’s diminished buying power overseas into much sharper focus for consumers of big-name Unilever brands like Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Marmite spreads and Dove deodorants.

Unilever had demanded Tesco raise prices on a range of its products, saying they rely on imported ingredients, priced in dollars and euros, according to the person familiar with the matter. Tesco Chief Executive Dave Lewis, a former Unilever executive, refused to do so, leading to the standoff, an insider has claimed.

Endeavour Magazine | 11

12 | Endeavour Magazine

CSI ELECTRICAL WWW.CSIELECTRICAL.COM +255 22 2664682

ACHIEVING ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE, THE RIGHT WAY WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

In a world where even the world’s traditional great power nations teeter nervously on the edge of the macroeconomic precipice, the East African region has stood out as one of the few economic good news stories of recent years.

The statistics don’t lie, and the logic is sound; countries like Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Uganda from this resource rich part of the world are showing promising signs that are finally about to realise their quite staggering potential, and the rampant year-on-year economic growth figures of the past decade back this notion up.

Endeavour Magazine | 13

CSI ELECTRICAL

In particular, Tanzania’s buoyant economy has fostered the growth

of a hugely lucrative construction and engineering sector, as the country races to build the infrastructure, utilities, and urban centres needed to power Tanzania’s drive towards a more prosperous future for its people as a middle-income country by 2025.

Thanks to its hard-work and dedication to delivering excellence, CSI Electrical has built a reputation as one of the best electrical engineering contractors in the East African region in less than a decade.

Endeavour had the pleasure to speak to company Managing Director, Chris Glasson about this once-humble start-up’s rise to the top of the industry.

T

he African continent has, until recently, been the world’s

stability these changes have brought about has acted as a catalyst

forgotten continent in many respects, but no longer. With

for the emergence of the thriving, confident business culture the

many areas of Sub-Saharan Africa now posting growth rates

country has long been crying out for – one which in time will act as

far in excess of what the developed world, and even China, for that

the economic engine needed to start lifting millions of Tanzanians

matter, have achieved of late, the smart money is rightfully placing

out of poverty. These are exciting times for Tanzania, and for

its chips on Africa being the next big thing.

companies like CSI Electrical, the Tanzanian landscape, and that of

Thanks to political and economic reform, and astute, stable

the surrounding region, is one laden with riches and opportunity.

leadership from a new wave of political leaders committed to

Today, CSI Electrical, based out of its headquarters in Dar es

stamping out corruption and cronyism, for the most part, the

Salaam, is one of East Africa’s leading electrical engineering and

booming economy of the East African region in particular has

contracting service providers. As you’d expect of a company

enjoyed a period of sustained rapid growth going back a decade.

with a seat at the regional industry’s top table, CSI Electrical has

Just 15-years on from its decision to turn towards a more

proved itself capable of completing electrical installations for more

free-market economic system, Tanzania – with its year-on-year

challenging high-specification industrial, power and commercial

average GDP growth rates of 7% – has undergone a promising

installations for a diverse range of clients across all sectors

process of transformation. Perhaps one not as overtly visible as

to internationally accredited standards – credentials that are

the transformations seen in the now glittering cities along the

evidenced by the company’s acquisition of its ISO 9001, OHSAS

coastlines of south-east Asia or the GCC, granted, but subtle

18001 certifications, with a view to also gaining its ISO 14001

and yet significant all the same. Under the present leadership of

during Q2 2017.

President Dr. John Pombe Magufuli, widespread changes are being

“Our core business activities include electrical installations

made to the Tanzanian public sector that have permeated through

across the entire engineering sector, including airports, hotels,

the very fabric of the country. The new-found positivity and

diplomatic missions, and other commercial projects where

14 | Endeavour Magazine

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CSI ELECTRICAL

the highest quality of finish is not only expected but required.

achieve what it now has; there is little reason to believe Tanzania

Additionally, we have significant proven capability for projects in the

can’t also achieve proportionately similarly developmental strides

extractive industries, manufacturing sector, power transmission,

over the decades to come.

generation, and distribution sectors.

CSI’s

customers

are

for

the

In some respects, it could be said the rise of CSI Electrical has most

part

international

followed a parallel path of sorts to the one trodden by its home

organisations, including power developers, EPC contractors, and

country. The story behind the success of CSI Electrical is a genuinely

mining companies. Our partners, such as Vemma Attorneys, are

inspirational one. Having begun life as a humble business start-up

very important to us, and we’ve forged strong relationships within

with limited resources but blue sky ambition, CSI Electrical has

the local construction sector, and worked with many fellow local

come a long way in the 9-years since it was awarded its first project

businesses on strategic construction projects within Tanzania.”

on the Buzwagi Goldmine in 2007. Chris Glasson, now Managing

Like the administrations of many of its neighbours, Tanzania’s

Director and Shareholder of CSI Electrical, reminisced:

government has invested heavily over the past 5-years in necessary

“I performed the role of Project Supervisor for our works, but

but costly large-scale power, construction, and infrastructure

being the business’s first employee meant my role encompassed

development projects – the foundations upon which a prosperous,

every element required to establish operating processes, implement

outward-looking Tanzania of the future will be built. Tanzania,

and improve activities, and ensure success of the project.”

whilst still a country where millions remain trapped in poverty, is

When you’re a senior member of a small but gifted young

undoubtedly a country on the up. Rome wasn’t built in a day, of

company with a reputation to build like CSI Electrical was in its

course, and even the Chinese miracle has taken some 30-years to

early days, there is no job that isn’t on your job description; you

18 | Endeavour Magazine

have to get your hands dirty, and go above and beyond to deliver a quality service beyond the expectations of the client. Over time as the business expanded, CSI Electrical brought in ever more new talent which allowed Chris to move upstairs, so to speak, into a more conventional strategic leadership role, but what became clear over the course of our interview was that, in spite of CSI Electrical’s rise from plucky contender to the industry big-hitter it is today, neither man nor company has lost sight of the values, vision, nor passion that made the business what it is.

Chris, like the company he runs, is humble, but also entirely confident in the expertise and capabilities of the company he has helped nurture since its inception; one that now has a panAfrican profile and operational capacity, with regional offices in Rwanda, Mozambique, Uganda, and Mauritius, and a star-studded list of international clients and partners, including Accacia Mining, Ashanti Geita Goldmines, BAM International, Hyosung, Mitsubishi Corporation, and Schlumberger, to name but a few.

Certainly, CSI Electrical has come on leaps and bounds in 9-short

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Endeavour Magazine | 19

CSI ELECTRICAL

chgear. and reliable industrial plications.

years, and the key to its ascent, aside from its professionalism and

We recognise the value in investing in our workforce

vigour, is down to an empowering and inspirational culture of self-

development and have strong staff training development programs

improvement which courses through the very veins of the company.

utilising both internal and external resources. CSI develops amongst

Whilst it would perhaps be justified in doing so, to an extent, CSI

other things a core health and safety competency throughout

Electrical hasn’t rested on the laurels of its achievements; rather, it

the workforce, providing staff with the internationally accredited

has instead been spurred on, and used them as a springboard from

International Health & Safety Passport. Training opportunities are

which to strive for further expansion.

made available to all staff and individual development plans are part

On this, Chris said: “At CSI, we see every challenge, obstacle, and

of the business performance evaluation process that also aims to

threat as an opportunity to improve; to re-strategise and increase

align employee’s personal ethical values to those which contribute

the value proposition of the business. We focus on continual

to the success of CSI.”

improvement to strengthen our policies, processes, systems, and

In terms of major contracts that the company has been awarded,

personnel to ensure successful participation in the sector at the

CSI Electrical is predictably busy. As before mentioned, these are

highest level. Whilst we acknowledge the challenges presented by

heady times for Tanzania and there are a great number of lucrative

a lack of technological resources, developing infrastructure systems

projects up for grabs for the companies with the know-how and

and limited availability of skilled manpower, our ability to overcome

capabilities to take them on.

simply doesn’t grow from market entrant to a regional industry title

Systems and Services Corporation. CSI is extremely honoured to

ABB’s medium-voltage primary switchgear offers the ideal combination of flexibility, these effectively is one of the key differentiators of our business.”

When asked about this subject, Chris revealed: “One such reliability, availability, safety and economy for industrial and utility applications.

So often in business you hear senior management and executives project CSI has recently been awarded is its largest single contract Based on leading-edge gas or air-insulated technology and a range of voltages from make such similar claims, but, in the case of CSI Electrical, Chris and by value, the electro-mechanical erection of the Kinyerezi II 1 to 40.5 kV, our switchgear is easy to install, operate and maintain, ensuring the company that he leads practice what they preach. A company 240MW Combined Cycle Gas Power Plant for Toshiba Plant reliability and efficiency throughout its service life. www.abb.com/mediumvoltage contender in such a short timeframe without effective, inspiring leadership and good corporate governance. It’s inconceivable.

Achieving growth and profitability is crucial for the business; that much goes without saying, but perhaps what sets CSI Electrical apart from its rivals is that it is no less dedicated to doing the right thing, and through its unbending dedication to going about its business ethically and having a sustainable, positive impact upon the communities it serves.

This truly genuine commitment to being a socially responsible business entity also manifests itself in CSI Electrical’s attitude toward its workforce. The company’s culture of self-improvement is complimented by a no-less important commitment to the selfactualisation of its employees. Happy, motivated, empowered staff, as any leader worthy of his title knows, can be the difference between success and failure; excellence and mediocrity, and from a hard-nosed business angle keeping your workforce happy can inspire them to achieve productivity and results beyond what you’d thought was possible. But more than this, Chris is simply of the opinion that staff should be treated well and looked after because it would be improper not to.

“Our human resource is our greatest asset, without question.

Indeed, without our staff, no matter how great the business is, it will not succeed. CSI Electrical has a fluctuating staff count depending on the commencement and completion of projects. Our average staff-count at this stage is close to 200, though we expect this to rise to 400 as we move into 2017.

20 | Endeavour Magazine

ABB is supplying state-of-the-art technology to the new Terminal 3 complex at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The technology includes medium voltage switchgear, cast coil transformers, ring main units, low voltage MNS switchboards, uninterrupted power supply units and wiring accessories.

ABB’s latest UPS technology meets the airport’s requirements for high availability of power supply. ABB’s UNIGEAR ZS1 medium-voltage switchgear allows for reliable and swift transfer of power from the main supply to the backup supply. “ABB’s technology is helping to support the airport’s growth to cater for increased trade and tourism in Tanzania,” says Michael Otonya, Managing Director of ABB in Tanzania.

be entrusted with this project by TPSC as the project is of strategic

traditional sailing boats that can be found at the Dar es Salaam

importance to the development of Tanzania and facilitating wider

Coast. The new terminal 3 is designed with the anticipated growth

access to electricity. This project is the first Combined Cycle Power

of international air traffic in mind, leaving the existing international

Plant to be built in Tanzania and is one of several planned by the

Terminal 2 to cater for domestic flights. Completion of the second

power utility TANESCO over the next few years.

phase will then provide further capacity for 6 million annual

Additionally, CSI is currently in final negotiations with international clients for projects in Ghana, Rwanda and Zambia.”

passengers.

This project is a truly marquee project which is essential for

Not that CSI Electrical’s current client commitments stop there.

the future economic prosperity of Tanzania, and for CSI. Before

Whilst the Toshiba Plant Systems project is its most lucrative

wrapping-up the interview, Chris said: “The message that I hope

contract yet, CSI Electrical’s role in the construction of the colossal

our involvement with the JNIA Terminal 3 build sends is that CSI

Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) Terminal 3 project is

Electrical is ready. We’re able to take on the biggest projects in

undoubtedly the company’s most significant.

the region, and we have the capabilities and capacity to take the

The construction of the new JNIA main terminal building,

business further afield.

which will provide capacity for 6 million annual passengers,

The JNIA project is a platform for us to show what we can do.

including parking lots, access roads, platforms and taxiway, is a vast

This isn’t the high-water mark for CSI Electrical; this is the beginning

undertaking which will test CSI’s capabilities to the limit.

of things to come.”

Phase 1 of the project, which it is working on with Main Contractor BAM International, will result in the construction of the main terminal building – capable of taking 3.5 million annual passengers – and its aesthetically designed roof, inspired by the

Primary switchgear.

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ABB Ltd, Tanzania Tel. +255 22 2864131/2/3 E-mail: tz.headoffice@tz.abb.com

Endeavour Magazine | 21

LEGAL COMPLIANCE AUDIT AND ITS PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE IN TESTING LEGAL COMPLIANCE IN THE AFFAIRS OF AN ORGANIZATION.

A legal compliance audit is an evaluation of an organization’s operations to determine its compliance with the laws and regulations that apply to its operations. In Tanzania the audit firms generally are mainly conducting legal audit and compliance. However, Vemma Attorneys having realized that, to ensure strict compliance, legal compliance audit is supposed to be done thoroughly by legal firms. Having realized this gap, Vemma Attorneys provides these services to its clients in order to ensure this gap is covered and our Clients are compliant within the ambits of corporate governance.

The audit checklist guides the evaluation process by checking the company’s performance against legal standards and identifying areas where adherence needs to be stricter and compliant. Many areas in companies operations are subject to legal oversight but the major areas an organizational legal audit compliance checklist should cover are labour and employment relations, corporate governance and health and safety.

LABOUR LAWS The labour laws and its regulations arguably are the main area which require a thorough check, not only for the curbed complex involving the latter but also it is considered as a compliance risk involving the relationship of the employer and employees at the workplace. Subsequently on conducting a thorough examination on the human resource practices, there are requisite requirements which needs to be adhered including testing the employment contracts, policies vis a viz the contents of the Employment and Labour Relations Act, 2004 and its regulations such as job description, working hours, salary and fringe benefits, length of the contract, entitled leave, incapacity, illness and sick pay and termination and other labour laws and policies in place to include collective bargaining and trade union practices.

The examination should go further to determine the policies in place and if at all the employees acknowledge the existence of such policies by reading and signing and to be more effective the policies are supposed to be displayed at conspicuous place so that each employee can read and understand their existence.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE Corporate governance is one key element in improving organization efficiency and growth as well as enhancing investor confidence. Good Corporate governance also provides the structure through which the objectives of the company are set, and the means of attaining those objectives and monitoring performance are determined. In order for corporate governance to take part organizations are expected to comply with various governance laws and observe transparency, accountability, ethical code of conduct and sustainability. A legal compliance audit checklist should probe areas of the organization’s corporate governance practices; the examination may look into the appointments of directors, staff employment, procurement, annual general meetings, tax remittances (Corporate Tax, Withholding Tax, VAT, Stamp Duty, Capital Gains Tax) and company returns at the respective registry. For example under the Companies Act, Cap 212 the post compliance requisites after registration include: To keep a register of your company’s members (shareholders); To file the company’s Annual Returns in every year; To annex to the annual returns certified copies of Accounts and Auditors Reports related to the said returns; A company must hold an Annual General Meeting in every year and keep all its minutes; A company is required to keep proper Books of Accounts; To state your company’s incorporation number on any document you deliver to the Registrar for registration; To notify the Registrar of any changes of the company’s registered particulars kept by the Registrar; To register any charges created by your company.

In the same sequel corporate governance examination should probe into conducting regulatory review depending on the sector that the company that audit is conducted is falling, like on the banking sector the regulations imposed by Bank of Tanzania (BoT) should be checked to ensure compliance, the same for telecommunications companies under Tanzania Communications and Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Insurance Firms, Brokerage and Agencies under Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA), for contractors under Contractors Registration Board (CRB), for aviation under Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority, (TCAA) energy sector under Energy and Water Regulatory Authority (EWURA), for transportation both surface and marine under the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (SUMATRA) and the same applies for Forest Industry (natural and plantations), bee reserves and bee resources under the semi-autonomous government agency of Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS). The examination should went further to audit on the review of contracts including management of contracts to meet the set goals, existing litigation and or, arbitration proceedings as well as employment disputes pending before the court of laws and their consequences or advise on the best alternative dispute resolution to avoid incurring costs and resources.

HEALTH AND SAFETY Health and Safety is another area of potential compliance risk while conducting compliance audit to ascertain organizational compliance on the health and safety. Organizations are subject to various health and safety laws, policies and directives such as Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA), which distinguish health, and safety that apply to different sectors. The coming into force of Worker’s Compensation Act, which provides compensation for employees injured or incapacitated in the course of employment, all employers are required to contribute to the established Workers Compensation Fund (WCF). Private Sector is supposed to contribute 1% and Public Sector 0.5% of their annual wage bill. The contributions are due on monthly basis. In conducting the audit a checklist that covers the laws under health and safety are paramount to be examined in order to address every compliance risk.

The legal compliance audit not only prevents unnecessary penalties upon spotted incompliant with regulators but has proved to be key element in improving organization efďŹ ciency, growth and provide an enabling climate for organization to operate and thrive within the realms of compliant structures.

FURTHER INFORMATION: This editorial is intended to give you a general over view of the Law. If you would like further information on any issue raised in this column, please contact.

Patrick Sanga Partner E: p.sanga@vemmaattorneys.co.tz M: +255 686 999 993 Haika-Belinda Macha Partner E: hb.macha@vemmaattorneys.co.tz M: +255 688 305 999

24 | Endeavour Magazine

NOMAD AFRICA ADVENTURE TOURS WWW.NOMADTOURS.CO.ZA +27 (0)21 426 5445

WALKING ON THE WILD SIDE WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

Nomad Africa Adventure Tours believe in showing every traveller the very best of what makes the continent unique. Established in 1997, the 100% African-owned company boasts that no other tour operator has covered more distance to plan their routes; their team travels an average of two million kilometres over more than 1000 tours a year, offering packages that take their clients through a choice of 14 countries across Africa, seeking out its highlights in culture, excitement and natural beauty.

Endeavour Magazine | 25

NOMAD AFRICA ADVENTURE TOURS

Tours vary to meet every taste, from relaxing travels through

the breath-taking landscapes of South Africa’s ‘Garden Route’, to getting up close with the Big 5 (lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants and rhinoceros) and more in Africa’s many nature reserves – if you’re feeling brave, you can even go diving with sharks.

wildlifezambia.com info@wildlifezambia.com + 00 260 216 246026

“W

e include plenty of adventure,” enthuses company founder and Managing Director Alex Rutherford; “Just the right amount to ensure everyone comes

out alive!” Alex founded Nomad inspired by his own love of Africa – a love he discovered during his youthful, less carefully planned adventures driving across the continent in an old land-rover.

He became determined to share the beauty and culture he had experienced with the world – a dream that wasn’t dimmed even when he lost his vehicle to a dust storm or was chased by gorillas!

THE TOURS Alex pursued his dream, and now, 19 years later, Nomad is a renowned and well-trusted tour operator and a sought-after employer. Tour guides are selected carefully, evaluated in firstaid, local knowledge and even their temperament, to ensure that customers have the safest and best experiences on Nomad’s Adventure Tours that they can. Not only are guides closely assessed before they are hired, they are constantly trained and re-evaluated, sitting tests to check their knowledge is up to scratch before each Wildlife Camp is a safari-camp on the banks of the Luangwa River in Zambia. We provide our guests with an affordable front-row seat to one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in Africa, South Luangwa National Park.

26 | Endeavour Magazine

and every tour.

The variety of tours these guides prepare for is huge; the company offer packages that range from short two-day tours to 56-day epics, traveling to a vast selection of African locations with

NOMAD AFRICA ADVENTURE TOURS

itineraries for all types of holiday makers. On top of this huge range of packages, Nomad also offers custom-made tours, which allow every member of the group to select activities that appeal to them.

“We have always described ourselves as a pizza; we provide a good base, and then if you want olives, have olives, if you want skydiving, have skydiving.” Groups passing through Botswana might choose to visit the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, whilst braver individuals may choose to row boats alongside hippopotamuses and crocodiles.

Unlike many tour operators, Nomad encourages mixed ages on their tours, feeling that the mix creates a fun and comfortable feeling around camp. “The itineraries and customers are so varied, but somehow when you put them all together, they work.”

The variety of landscapes available for visitors to see is also incredible, from the striking Sossusvlei sand dunes of Nambia to its Ai-Ais ‘burning water’ hot springs; the stormy ‘rough water’ Lake Naivasha in Kenya or Zambia’s thundering Victoria Falls. Perhaps the most breath-taking natural sight, however, is Uhuru Peak – the highest point of Tanzania’s infamous Mount Kilimanjaro. The snowy peak towers far above visitors; a looming cliff of ice, looking not unlike Game of Thrones’ great Wall of the North.

THE TRAVELERS It isn’t just these locations that guides must stay up-to-date on, however - the team also needs to stay up to date with their clients.

Alex tells us that there has been a peaking interest in Africa the past few years, but with this has come risen expectations. The tour operators offer either camping or accommodated tours, but have seen a notable rise in customers opting for accommodation (good news for the trusted cabins Nomad have built strong relationships with over two decades of business!). There is also a higher expectation for tours to run smoothly; “Twenty years ago, a snake coming into camp was part of the adventure – now, it’s a hazard!”

Alex jokes. Times change, and Nomad are constantly working to move with them; on top of the company’s ever-high standards of safety, guides now receive extra training to understand the evolving needs of their customers, and Nomad works tirelessly to communicate and evolve with them.

The biggest change for Alex in the past five years has been in the importance of social media. “Five years ago, we had someone who would maybe post on Facebook every now and then; now, we have a whole social media department, and they’re growing

Awake to the birdcalls of the Kalahari and prepare yourself for a day in the bushveld.

(267) 721 207 91 / 75121955 ghanzitrailblazers@gmail.com www.ghanzitrailblazers.co.bw 28 | Endeavour Magazine

The ideal place for honeymoons, business travelers, tourists in transit & backpackers in the Masindi District (Mid-Western Uganda) Self-contained rooms, modern conference facilities, gardens for recreation events Proud Partner of NOMAD in Uganda www.kabalegaresort.com

Endeavour Magazine | 29

NOMAD AFRICA ADVENTURE TOURS

faster than our traditional marketing team.” Whilst still producing

enlarging the windows, adding more storage space and, importantly,

traditional advertising, Nomad is aware that more and more holiday

installing USB ports for every seat. As well as this fleet overhaul,

makers base their decisions on online research. Social media plays a

the company aims to add eight new vehicles to their numbers every

huge role both in how Nomad reaches out to these customers, and

year to keep up with growing demand (the company as a whole

how they interact with them after their holiday is over.

currently grows by 35%-40% every year!) The team also customises

“Online reviews have the power to make or break your

their equipment to make sure that it is ideal for tour conditions,

reputation – social media has given people more power.” Alex

with developments built from 19-years of on-the-trail experience.

relishes this shift, both because it allows Nomad’s customers to share their excitement over their holiday experiences, and this clear feedback allows the company to keep being the best that it can be.

“We have over a 99% satisfaction rating, the same as we did 20 years ago, and it was much easier back then!”

GIVING BACK Nomad makes a point of ending many of their tours in Zimbabwe, which is uncommon amongst their rival companies. Alex makes it a personal point to take business through the country; he describes it as a “good place with good people”, and bringing

THE TOOLS

tourists there provides a welcome income boost to many of the locals. The country also has much to offer a sight-seer; the Big 5

Nomad tours are conducted from two types of vehicles – small

are out and at large in the beautiful Hwange National Park, home to

open-top safari jeeps, great for up-close views of the wildlife, and

Africa’s largest elephants herds, and at the Great Zimbabwe Ruins

Nomad’s own purpose-built trucks. These trucks are designed and

travellers can witness what remains of the 11th to 14th century

built in Nomad’s workshop, built just outside of Cape Town and

palace of the country’s ancient monarchy.

fully approved by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS).

In 2015, the company gave their trucks a complete re-design,

30 | Endeavour Magazine

As well as striving to provide business where it is needed, Nomad also takes great care to look after their employees. Whilst

Endeavour Magazine | 31

NOMAD AFRICA ADVENTURE TOURS

they expect high standards from their guides, they give just as

well travelled, but the wildlife here always stands apart. This is once

much back – every guide is encouraged to further their education

in a lifetime, bucket list stuff.”

and qualifications, and are financially incentivised to do so. The

So what is next for Nomad? “The past three years have been

company’s in-house academy also develops their skills by training

so strong – we’ve smashed every record, our team is happy, our

them in first aid, history, culinary skills and everything they need to

customers are happy, and interest in Africa is rising. We have some

be superior guides, which in turn improves their employability for

developments that we are testing out, but for now, we are focusing

the future.

on using this success to make Nomad Tours as strong and enjoyable as they can be.”

SO WHY AFRICA?

Whether you’re a thrill seeker or a sight-seer, looking to rough it or relax, Nomad Africa Adventure Tours have what you are looking

Alex explains what it is that keeps him in love with the continent;

for. Catering to every type of traveller for over two decades has

“There’s beauty here, but I’ve seen beauty in many places. We don’t

taught Alex and his team a lot, raising them from a small start-up

own that; the world is full of it. You can say the same for enriching

company to one of the most trusted tour operators in South and

cultures, or adrenaline-pumping activities, but there is a rush in

East Africa.

Africa that you can’t find or replicate anywhere else: the wildlife.

As they move from strength to strength, is Alex still as excited

The world is full of incredible nature, but in Africa, there’s a

by the tours as he was when they began? “We have a legendary

wildness that remains unique. Sitting in an open-top jeep with a lion

team who are committed to the company and do their jobs better

right in front of you, or laying in your tent and hearing them roar at

than I ever did them! For me, the passion behind founding Nomad

night – there’s something primal there, something that speaks to all

was never just about tourism – it’s about Africa, and that love

of us. It’s a feeling you can’t create artificially – it’s something very

hasn’t changed.”

old and very real, very human. We have many customers who are

32 | Endeavour Magazine

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Book now at theberiversafaris.com or +267.625.0995  Endeavour Magazine | 33

AMAZING WORLD KLEMENTINUM LIBRARY, PRAGUE

T

his Amazing World article is one for the book worms and lovers

of the Jesuits. Unsurprisingly, today, a number of important and

of classical aesthetics if ever there was one. If there’s a more

unique works reside here that have great global significance.

beautiful library to be found anywhere else in the world, which

it must be said is most unlikely, you’ll be hard-pressed to find it.

The opulent interior of the baroque library, in all its polished red wood and golden glory, remains unchanged and intact since the

The baroque Klementinum Library was first opened in 1722

18th century. Arguably the most striking feature of this sweeping

as a part of the Jesuit university, based in the larger Klementinum

library hall are the ceiling frescoes, painted by Jan Hiebl, which

complex in the historical centre of Prague. It houses over 20,000

depict allegorical motifs of education, and portraits of Jesuit saints;

rare volumes of mostly foreign theological literature, which first

the patrons of the university, and prominent representatives of

started to arrive into Klementinum from the beginning of the 17th

this order. Even today, you can still see the strokes and marvellous

century. If you notice the books with white painted spines and red

brushwork which seem to further perfect them – truly, they are

marks, they are tomes which have been in the library since the time

even more impressive to see with the naked eye.

34 | Endeavour Magazine

At the head of the hall is a portrait of Emperor Joseph II, who

under the same name, located at the head of the hall in the gallery.

arranged for the books from abolished monastic libraries to be sent

It is quite difficult to find the words fit to express just how breath

to Klementinum. And then there is the remarkable collection of

taking this magical place really is. Indeed, there are few words that do

geographical and astronomical globes in the center of the library;

it justice. So, instead, we’ll just let the pictures speak for themselves,

again, mainly works of the Jesuits, among which are also a number of

and, of course, recommend that you take note of the Klementinum

astronomical clocks, many of which were crafted by Jan Klein.

Library as a bucket list destination to visit at some stage in your life.

In 1777, the library was eventually declared by Maria Theresa as a Public and University Library, and the establishment of a

To find out more about visiting the Klementinum Library, visit

www.klementinum.com.

collection of Czech literature, called Biblioteca Nationalis in 1781 by its then director, Karel Rafael Ungar, set in place the foundations for what later became a national library. This collection is now Endeavour Magazine | 35

36 | Endeavour Magazine

ABDALI INVESTMENT & DEVELOPMENT PSC WWW.ABDALI.JO 962 6 561 0560

BUILDING JORDAN’S CROWN JEWEL WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

For any ambitious city with aspirations of gaining international relevance and importance, along with the top talent, riches, economic growth and prestige that this brings, heavy investment in building an awe-inspiring 21st century urban financial hub is now par for the course.

Endeavour Magazine | 37

ABDALI INVESTMENT & DEVELOPMENT PSC

Endeavour Magazine worked with Abdali Investment and

Development PSC – the company responsible for the construction of this incredible municipal centrum – to find out more about the development of the Abdali district in Amman, as Jordan builds a financial and business hub worthy of one of the Middle East’s leading, most cosmopolitan capital cities.

T

he construction of vastly expensive multi-billion dollar glittering modern urban developments and business hubs,

Samih Barbir Chairman of Abdali Dev Corp

have become all the rage in recent decades.

38 | Endeavour Magazine

Ambitious

cities with aspirations of gaining international recognition and prominence, vie fiercely for the prestigious places near the top of the global city rankings, which brings in talent, prestige and capital investment.

Abdali, the new downtown of Amman, with a value exceeding US$5 billion, was built with this intention in mind. This modern 21st century glass and steel metropolis, which glitters over the Jordanian capital’s skyline, is exactly as it appears; a signature endeavour fit to deliver an international-tier business district and tourism hub suitable for a progressive capital city with truly global aspirations.

The Jordanian capital, Amman - a city which has rapidly grown from being a village of thousands little over a century ago to the bustling political, economic and cultural centre with a population of 4-million that it is today – is, at first glance at least, seemingly one among many. However, Amman, thanks to a number of advantageous traits, has the potential to develop into a modern civic centre capable of rivalling even its great neighbours, Dubai and Doha. As it stands today, Amman’s striking new Abdali district

ABDALI INVESTMENT & DEVELOPMENT PSC

acts as a ground-breaking catalyst that ensures the city meets this

city within a city – a vibrant, metropolitan centre which will secure

potential.

Jordan’s position as a leading tourist and investment destination

Samih Barbir, Chairman of Abdali Investment & Development PSC, told Endeavour: “At the heart of Amman and spanning over

in the region and an equal regional power that stands shoulder-toshoulder with its majestic neighbours Dubai and Doha.

384,000 sqm of land, Abdali is the capital’s new downtown that

Much to its advantage, there are in-fact a number of contributing

delivers a smart urban community with an architecturally distinctive

factors which could bestow upon Amman the potential to even

hub, which integrates business, residential, hospitality, medical,

supersede its prestigious regional rivals. Insofar as building an

and leisure, all utilising cutting-edge infrastructure solutions and a

exclusive business, finance and retail hub targeting the international

seamless communications network.

jet set is concerned, the petrodollar-powered United Arab Emirates and Qatar have for the time being strongly dominated the market.

A CUTTING-EDGE MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT FIT FOR A 21ST CENTURY AMMAN

However, today Amman’s appeal as the most westernised and liberal city in the Arab world is, structurally speaking, inimitable.

Furthermore, Jordan enjoys deep-rooted historical and cultural

An exceptional city-centre comprising of a total built-up area

links with the world’s great powers, such as the US and UK, and,

(BUA) of over 2 million sqm, Abdali creates a truly dynamic and

importantly, remains remarkably untroubled by the geopolitical

innovative destination that stimulates investments and attracts

chaos, volatility, and economic strife which has swept across

people to live, work, and play. Today, Abdali has helped catapult

the region in recent years. Already, Amman is one of the region’s

the city well into the 21st century, placing it on par with even some

top-three most desirable locations for multinational activity and

of the world’s most renowned cities.”

business activity - the effect that the completion of the new Abdali

Amman’s stunning new Abdali district could be viewed as a

40 | Endeavour Magazine

urban centre could have in leveraging these inherent institutional

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PHASE I OF THE ABDALI DEVELOPMENT IS BEARING FRUIT Work continues at Abdali, as Phase I has already taken form.

Lying on 251,000 sqm of land with 33 separate mid-rise building and tower projects, consisting of Grade-A offices, luxurious apartments, integrated retail markets and medical facilities, in addition to 5-star hotels and serviced apartments. With a total built-up area of 1.03 million sq. metres, Phase I has thus far seen the completion of a great many buildings and projects to date.

Already, numerous industry giants of the stature of Orange Jordan, LG, and Ferring have opted to take-up residence in the Abdali; the first of many, no doubt.

Among the new projects and premises to open on-site, however, undoubtedly the most notable to date and high-profile to date was the opening of The Boulevard in 2014, and more recently the trailblazing Abdali Mall– an avant-garde building with distinctive

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Endeavour Magazine | 41

ABDALI INVESTMENT & DEVELOPMENT PSC

Abdali Investment and Development PSC has crafted an

Bahaa Al-Hariri. Truly, it has emerged as a marvel worthy of such

intricate sustainable ecosystem that hosts numerous high-end

association. Jordan is a country, which for all its strengths lacks

boutiques and exclusive designer stores, cinemas, restaurants, and

the resource riches of many of its neighbours. However the iconic

gourmet coffee shops. In addition to these, every office, residence,

landmark of Abdali, with its sustainable designs, is fit to be the

clinic that is and will be operational in Abdali enjoys state-of-

jewel in the crown of Jordan’s feted new green economy, which

the-art communication solutions, district energy for heating and

will undoubtedly prove to be the economic engine needed to offset

cooling, a central gas network, gray water recycling system, and

its natural disadvantages, and power the growth of a prosperous

pedestrian friendly traffic solutions. Intended to be the first of

Jordan which matches the dreams and ambitions of its people.

many such sustainable developments, Abdali is at the vanguard of a Jordan going green. Energy and water are no luxury in this resource-poor country, which spends 1/5th of its national budget on importing oil and, as one of the driest countries in the world, has little access to water. Conservation of what little it has through sustainable development and environmental good practice is therefore essential.

A CROWN JEWEL DEVELOPMENT ENCOURAGING GROWTH AND MATCHES THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE JORDANIAN PEOPLE Abdali is the realised vision of King Abdullah II lbn Al Hussein, supported by the late Sheikh Rafic Al-Hariri and his son, Sheikh

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Combining the best of traditional Islamic values with cutting edge technology and innovation, JDIB delivers the best of services to cater to client’s needs - a philosophy that is embodied in the bank’s slogan “Solid Principles, Innovative Solutions”.

42 | Endeavour Magazine

44 | Endeavour Magazine

HISSHO SUSHI WWW.HISSHOSUSHI.COM 001 704.926.2200

CERTAIN VICTORY! WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

In Endeavour Magazine we have often featured companies that have risen-up from the humblest of beginnings to become industry leaders in their fields, whether regionally or even internationally.

It can safely be said that few, if any, however, began life from beginnings quite as humble as that of Hissho Sushi’s inspiring CEO and Founder, Philip Maung.

Endeavour Magazine | 45

HISSHO SUSHI

Hissho Sushi is the culmination of a remarkable rags to riches

journey of a remarkable man. It is a real-life tale of passion and belief, hard work and eventual hard-earned success; more than this, though, it is proof that the American Dream still exists for those willing and hungry enough to reach up and seize it. And boy has Philip reaped the rewards.

With over 900 sushi and Pan-Asian hotbars and kiosks in operation across 40 states, and counting, business at Hissho Sushi is booming. Endeavour Magazine had the pleasure of catching-up with Philip to find out more.

I

f you haven’t heard the name of Hissho Sushi, or that of the company’s founder Philip Maung outside of the US just yet, you’d be forgiven. Equally, however, you can be rest assured that

both names are ones you will begin to hear a lot more of over the years to come.

The story of both man and company is one of determination, ambition, and tireless hard work, fit to suit the Hissho namesake – meaning ‘certain victory.’ After beginning life as a humble husband and wife set-up out of Philip’s family home in Charlotte, North Carolina, just 9 years after he arrived on US shores with a pocketful of dollars to his name, today, Hissho Sushi has been on the Hot 500 list of fastest growing businesses in the US, and was recently named to the Inc 5000 list of the fastest growing privately owned business in the US for the 6th time in 7 years.

It is a food retail giant of sorts with over 900 outlets across more than 40 states and rising, boasting an annual revenue in excess of US$100 million. But rather than sell its menu of sushi snacks from the branded restaurants that are usually the signature of a major food retail brand, Hissho Sushi does things a little differently.

Hissho’s delicious Spicy Salmon, Tuna-Avocado, and California rolls, along with its Chicken Gyoza, Nippon Favorite, Inari, and Nagano Special, instead, vie for space with a wide range of other Pan-Asian bites in the display cases of Hissho’s fresh sushi bar and Pan-Asian hot bar kiosks in shops, supermarkets, airports, corporate facilities and universities across the length and breadth of the US.

46 | Endeavour Magazine

HISSHO SUSHI

As Philip explained, the logic behind this is simple: “Hissho

Hungry sushi lovers can pick-up a box from a Hissho Sushi

Sushi is aimed at yuppies and young professionals who often don’t

kiosk at their local shop along while they buy milk and bread, or

have time to sit down in a restaurant and have a sit down meal.

while waiting for a connection at the airport; when at corporate

Our customers are time-short, so to cater to them we offer a ‘grab

conferences with work, or on campus at university. It’s sushi

and go’ system so that wherever they are, however much of a rush

made easy; really easy, and it’s made easy without compromising

they are in, they can pick up a Hissho Sushi on the move.” It is this

on freshness. Hissho Sushi is synonymous with quality, and the

convenience which has proved to be a main ingredient for Hissho’s

delivery of quality begins and ends with its dedicated, expert chefs

rip-roaring rise from being a one man band to becoming one of the

who are trained the Hissho way at the company’s Charlotte, NC

sector’s industry leaders.

headquarters at Steele Creek Road.

THE KEY TO HISSHO’S ‘CERTAIN VICTORY’: RESTAURANT-GRADE QUALITY, AFFORDABILITY, AND CONVENIENCE

On this, Andrea Lee, Head of Corporate Communications at Hissho, explained: “Hissho recruits and trains chefs and supervisors at our headquarters in Charlotte, NC. These same people are then

Since the company first opened for business in 1998, Hissho

sent back into the field to operate our sushi bars, or Pan-Asian hot

Sushi has steadily perfected the business of delivering restaurant-

bars, either as a franchisee or employee. Fresh sushi or hot bar

grade sushi to customers at affordable prices into a fine art. But

items are made fresh every day, using product shipped from Hissho

more importantly than this, however, Hissho makes its high-

Sushi HQ, and always purchasing their produce locally to ensure

grade, affordable sushi easily accessible. Wherever customers are,

the freshest available.”

whatever they’re doing, whether they are at work or at play or in a

She continued: “CEO Philip Maung insists on the very

rush, the chances are Hissho Sushi will be available. How could fine

best quality across the board for all of the ingredients that go

snacking be more convenient?

into any of our products. Our items are made fresh every day

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and our customers can rest assured that they are getting the

happiness. And make no mistake about it; the Hissho story is still

best of the best.”

in its early chapters.

That the business has more than doubled in size over the past

DREAMS OF A BETTER LIFE, SELF-BELIEF AND HARD WORK – THE FOUNDATIONS UPON WHICH SUCCESS IS BUILT What is there to say? When you take into consideration for a moment that he has built a food retail empire and a multi-million

three years alone speaks volumes; more so, when you take into account that this doubling has occurred in-line with Hissho Sushi’s somewhat conservative growth strategy, which is “in the manner of a tortoise; slow and steady wins the race.” A particularly apt metaphor, since the tortoise has a very long lifespan.

dollar fortune only two decades after landing on US shores with

Business is booming, as they say, but while Hissho Sushi’s

just $13 in his pocket, Hissho Sushi’s success can, to say the least,

portfolio continues to expand, with new locations being added

be considered be a job very well done on the part of Philip Maung.

each month, that isn’t to say the company has had things entirely

The Hissho Sushi success story is an inspiring, true-life tale

its own way. The food retail sector is a big money game, and as

about just what can be achieved by somebody with little, but who

one would expect the company faces fierce competition from rival

dreams big; somebody who has an insatiable hunger for a better

businesses, some of whom have been open for business much

life, and who has the work ethic, belief, invention and dynamism to

longer than Hissho’s 18-years. Added to this, there is also the

pursue it. As anybody who has looked up at the stars from a life of

additional threat posed by a number of ambitious, exciting new

seemingly hopeless poverty knows, a dream of a better life is the

start-ups that are emerging, all of who are hungry and ready to

most powerful of drivers for success. What Philip lacked in money

cut into Hissho’s formidable market share should the opportunity

or connections he more than made up for in endeavour, incredible

present itself. But as of yet, the company has proven resilient to the

self-belief, his desire to achieve success and, no less importantly,

best efforts of the competition.

Endeavour Magazine | 49

HISSHO SUSHI

Not that Philip is overly concerned: “Our marketplace is

doesn’t come without its difficulties. Such a transition will always

competitive, but that’s life. Whatever you do, in business or in life,

lead a company to experience its fair share of growing pain, even

there is competition everywhere. We’re aware of the competition

if the transition is a slow one. Maintaining a winning corporate

but we don’t focus on it. We focus inwards; on delivering quality

culture and attracting staff who are truly invested in a company’s

and building a culture in which our staff are happy and motivated,

values in such instances is difficult. When, like Hissho Sushi, such a

and which is true to our values.”

transition is made over a 10-year period of frenzied, rapid growth, it can be near impossible to maintain the identity and values that

HISSHO SUSHI: NOT JUST A COMPANY BUT A WAY OF LIFE

first brought about your success in the first place.

The company which Philip has lovingly nurtured over the years is more than a company; it’s a way of life. The Hissho brand is instantly recognisable, chic, and much-loved by the hipsters, creatives and young professionals who make up much of its customer base. And, besides, which of its competitors has such a charismatic, instantly recognisable personality at the helm?

THE IMPORTANCE OF HISSHO SUSHI’S 11 CORE VALUES, AND ITS WINNING TEAM OF STAFF Philip Maung found this out the hard way. After a first decade of incredible growth, during which Maung in his words “hired staff left

No, the only real challenges that have stood in Hissho Sushi’s

and right,” he stepped back in the end for a breather, only to realise

way have been internal in nature, related to the company’s, at

he presided over a divided business with a clear lack of identity,

times difficult 18-year journey from start-up to food retail giant.

and more than a few employees who hadn’t bought into his values,

The process of growing first from a small out-of-the-home-kitchen

nor were as invested in Hissho’s success as they should have been.

start-up to a mid-sized local and regional player, and then finally a

Finally, this led to Philip creating a ‘once voice, one culture’

cross-continental hegemon with a presence in more than 40 states

ideal, and the creation of Hissho Sushi’s 11 Core Values – the

50 | Endeavour Magazine

philosophy by which he and his employees live out each and

gaining experience. The prefect example would be our Director

every day; a philosophy which he regrets not implementing from

of Logistics, Hsiao Wen. Wen started out with us 15-years ago as

the off. Maintaining a small company, family culture is central

company sushi chef, and today she heads up our logistics team and

to Hissho Sushi. It acts as the anchor by which it preserves the

supervises its operations. Processing weekly orders from chefs and

values and identities that have underpinned its success, and fosters

staff working out in the field, warehouse operations and shipping, is

togetherness and loyalty among its 340 or so staff – the men and

a hugely challenging job with a lot of responsibility – only somebody

women without whom the company could never have achieved

who understands the business from the ground up could do it.”

what it has achieved.

All in all, it is clear to see that Hissho Sushi is a progressive

On this, Andrea told us: “Each member of Hissho’s 340 or so

company that is on the up, and its journey to the top is far from

staff is carefully vetted and trained specifically to not only be able

over. In Philip’s view, the coming 5-years will see the company doing

to perform their job, but are cross-trained to improve efficiency.

what it does best, namely delivering great, accessible Asian cuisine.

Hissho’s benefit package is generous and includes a matched

He said: “We will continue expanding steadily, but something we

401k, 90% of healthcare costs paid by the company, flex time, free

are aiming to do is to improve our product offerings beyond sushi.

activities like yoga and weight training with a personal instructor,

Already we have a range of Pan-Asian products that are available,

an on-site library, exercise equipment, basketball, ping-pong, a

but there is room for growth in this area. That will be our focus in

communal patio with a fire pit, and numerous company-funded

the short to medium-term.”

outside activities.”

She continues, “Hissho employees also have the opportunity to rise up through the ranks – we have added great talent to senior staff and management teams, who rose up through the ranks after

Endeavour Magazine | 51

52 | Endeavour Magazine

THE LUDAN GROUP WWW.LUDAN-GROUP.COM 972-3-9182000

DEVELOPING BIOGAS-BASED ENERGY SOLUTIONS WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

At a time when some leading figures are still denying the existence of global warming, other countries and companies are working industriously to develop sustainable energy alternatives for world fuel. Ludan Environmental Technologies, a subsidiary of the Ludan Group, have been working on just such a mission, assisting in the development of a method to not only produce green energy, but to reduce existing pollution in the process.

Alice Instone-Brewer spoke to the Ludan Environmental Technologies CEO, Tidhar ‘Teddy’ Golan, to find out more.

Endeavour Magazine | 53

THE LUDAN GROUP

After decades of industrialisation, mankind initially succeeded in

stemming the rise of greenhouse gas emissions in the 1990s, but sadly this progress was short-lived. Greenhouse gas emissions have been on the rise again since 2007, with fracking having been pointed in some quarters as the obvious culprit. Environmental scientists agree, and are of the opinion that fracking has heavily contributed, and yet the rise in natural gas drilling does not align with the rise in greenhouse gases closely enough for it to be the only cause. Researchers are now looking back to ‘green waste’ as a contributing factor – crop and livestock agricultural waste, sewage, wasted food, and ever-increasing landfills.

V

arious renewable energy technologies have been developed

goals at once. The process is cheap and leaves little to no carbon

over the years in the search for alternative fuel, and whilst

footprint behind, as it collects and dissolves the waste and uses

these technologies do not yet produce the majority of the

most of its carbon content.

energy we use, they do represent the majority of the current

As well as reducing the global greenhouse effect by utilising

growth in the energy sector. Nobody would deny a green future

these gases, biogas technology also lowers soil and water pollution

is on the horizon, and the national economies that are investing

by reducing unused sewage and landfill waste. The method is

in green energy are already reaping the benefits. However, these

applicable in high pollution areas and rural areas alike, and can assist

alternatives to fossil fuels still don’t tackle the secondary culprit

developing areas and economies by creating jobs and increasing

behind the greenhouse effect, this issue of ‘green waste’. The Ludan

self-sustainability with this clean, readily available energy source.

Group sees this issue as the next exciting area of development

“Biogas is a remarkably green choice,” enthuses Tidhar ‘Teddy’

in renewable energy, and have committed their Environmental

Golan, CEO of Ludan Environmental Technologies. “Not only is it

Technologies division to the problem.

creating clean energy, it is also an end solution to treating waste.”

The Ludan Group are a multi-purpose technology and

All in all, biogas sounds perfect - cheap, sustainable, and not

engineering group with a formidable reputation. The Group, which

only does is avoid creating pollution, but it reduces the pollution

is made up of three key divisions, started life in 1977 as an Israel-

that already exists. Yet we currently only utilise biogas on a small

based engineering services provider, where it quickly went on to

scale, and there is a long way to go in developing the technology

become an industry leader. Ludan then extended these services

before it is a viable option on a larger one. This is where the Ludan

into Europe and developed their second branch, dealing in IT and

Group comes in.

control systems software.

Ludan Environmental Technologies (LET) is the third division of the group, focused on providing and developing environmental solutions, primarily in wastewater treatment, soil remediation and renewable energy. Their highly-trained engineers specialize in providing solutions to clients around all segments of industrial pollutants. These areas of expertise lend themselves perfectly to the development of biogas technology.

BIOGAS The principle behind biogas is simple: it takes organic waste and turns it into a renewable energy source, achieving two sustainability 54 | Endeavour Magazine

LUDAN ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES For the past five years, LET have primarily focused their efforts in the Netherlands and Spain, where they have invested heavily in an array of biogas power infrastructures. To date, they have constructed 14 European biogas power plants, and are currently working on their 15th. The focus in the Netherland has been made possible by the Dutch government, who is targeting a sustainable national economy. “Europe in general, and the Netherlands in particular, is moving towards a green economy”, Golan tells Endeavour, “and we are very excited to be a part of it.”

LET is operating in the Netherlands as project developers, EPC

THE LUDAN GROUP

contractor and O&M contractor. In most cases LET will work as the

profitable investment for the private sector. “We strongly believe in

contractor and operator on projects that were developed by it but

the Dutch market.An established regulatory environment coupled

such services are also provided to third party developers.

by long term commitment of the Dutch government provides us a

Each of the plants is geared towards efficient biogas production

sound working environment. After establishing a leading position

and boosting capability, and will operate under a 12-years

in this market, we see the Netherlands as a hub of other European

concession structure with the Dutch government. They collect

operations. “

energy from organic waste using either anaerobic digestion or

In countries without this level of government support, Ludan

gasification technologies, with the resulting output being delivered

Environmental Technologies are facing a different picture. For

to the Dutch national gas grid. Biogas technology is advancing in

example, LET are also actively involved in waste-to-energy

many ways; the product syngas can be upgraded for biomethane

production in Spain, but without government subsidising, these

(an equivalent of natural gas) or used for electricity and heat

are smaller individual projects managing on site waste to energy

production. “We started out by converting agricultural waste to

solutions.

electricity. Over the years, the plants have gotten bigger in size

“Renewables are poised to seize the crucial top spot in global

and capacity, and we’ve moved on to converting a combination of

power supply growth, but this is hardly time for complacency,” said

agricultural and industrial waste into green gas. Producing green

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol as he released the IEA’s Medium-

gas is a much more complicated and challenging process than

Term Renewable Energy Market Report 2015 at the G20 Energy

generating electricity, so there is a clear path of technological

Ministers’ Meeting; “Governments must remove the question

developments there.” Says Mr. Golan.

marks over renewables if these technologies are to achieve their full potential, and put our energy system on a more secure,

GREEN EARTH? Globally, renewable energy is growing fast. According to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) last year, renewables will represent the largest single source of electricity growth until 2020, driven by falling costs and aggressive expansion in emerging economies.

However, despite green expansion in many areas, biogas is being globally under-utilised, with studies suggesting how while the amount of potential available energy from renewables rivals our yearly consumption of fossil fuels, we currently use only 0.5% of the potential available power.

This is partly because the potential energy is scattered too thinly – rather than having key sites to drill, those working in biogas are faced with a planet’s worth of landfills, sewage systems, food and plant waste. This high availability of potential fuel seems illogical to ignore, yet collecting it on a large scale is a logistical challenge. There are also other challenges. “This is also one of the big challenges in this sector,” explains Golan. “It is much more complicated than any other green energy supply because it involves managing not only the energy side but also the waste cycle.”

Yet in the Netherlands, the biogas industry is seeing doubledigit growth - a rise which is partly due to how strictly the Dutch government enforce regulations on agricultural waste management and disposal. These regulations create demand for companies to use sustainable, green solutions rather than being able to opt for cheaper, more wasteful practises. This support is coupled with financial backing, to encourage companies to develop this resource, to allow the technology to develop to the point where it is a

56 | Endeavour Magazine

sustainable path.”

This confidence comes from the Group’s 30-plus years of end-

LEADING THE WAY Dutch support is coming from the SDE+ Scheme (Stimulering Duurzame

Energieproductie/Encouraging

Production).

Sustainable

Energy

The scheme is an operating grant that aims to

incentivise the development of renewable energy, eligible for companies and non-profit organisations working in renewable electricity, gas or heat in the Netherlands, with two application deadlines a year. The second application deadline for 2016 expired on October 27th.

Each of the Dutch biogas plants that Ludan have been involved with were developed and supported under this scheme, and plans are in place to continue assisting future plants supported

to-end, all-in-one project delivery experience, and the large-scale operations they already have in place. Always pushing technology forward whilst running their operations with industrial efficiency will, Golan hopes, serve as an inspiration to other organisations looking to make their contributions to the sector more efficiently, as well as demonstrate what is possible when a government takes an active role in supporting green growth. Ludan is looking to grow its European operations to other markets that are following the Netherlands’s example and trust that their growing installed base operations will exist as a point of reference for such expansion in the carbon light sector.

by the scheme, as well as supporting their existing plants in the Netherlands. This is a vast commitment of both time and resources from Ludan, but they have faith that the Dutch biogas market is ready to rise. As they pave the way for future companies with their all-in-one project delivery, Ludan hope to inspire an expansion of this sector, but are also confident that as more companies become involved in producing the resource, their will securely remain a sector leader.

Nesemeier GmbH Proudly working with The Ludan Group

IndustriestraĂ&#x;e 10 D-32825 Blomberg Germany

T: +49 5235 50287 0 F: +49 5235 50287 29 E: info@nesemeier-gmbh.de

nesemeier-gmbh.de Endeavour Magazine | 57

AMAZING WORLD THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

L

arge parts of the northern hemisphere were treated to a

Lights is truly one of the world’s most beautiful natural wonders.

wonderful festival of colour that’s usually only visible from the

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis – meaning dawn of the

northern-most tip of the planet, thanks to a powerful solar

north, is created when waves of electrically charged electron and

storm which buffeted the Earth’s atmosphere at the end of October.

proton particles, that are flung out into space from the surface of

Increased solar activity of last month, caused by particle

the sun, enter the Earth’s atmosphere. Most of these particles are

emissions from a huge coronal hole on the outermost layer of the

deflected back into space by the atmosphere, but at either end of

sun, meant that sky gazers as far south as Canada, the northern

our planet’s poles, where the Earth’s magnetic field is weaker, some

USA, Scandinavia, and areas of England and Wales witnessed

of these solar particles penetrate through reacts in flashes of colour.

the multi-coloured spectacle of the Northern Lights in all its

The collisions between these solar particles and the atmosphere’s

glory. As anybody fortunate enough to have seen its skyline of

different gases are what is responsible for the amazing waves of

greens and pinks and purples and blues will tell you, the Northern

dancing colour, synonymous with the aurora.

58 | Endeavour Magazine

The pale to rich greens are produced by particle interactions with

Australis – an aurora which is effectively a mirror-image of the

lower-altitude oxygen molecules, around 60-miles above the Earth’s

Northern Lights, taking place at the same times in hues, shapes and

surface, while interactions with Nitrogen produces streams of blue,

colours that are virtually the same. But taking place in a ring around

pink, and purplish-red aurora. On rare occasions, a mysterious all-

Antarctica the southern Indian Ocean, sightings are rare.

red aurora event occurs, created when blasts of the sun’s particles

To see the Northern Lights in all its glory, the best places to

collide with high-altitude oxygen at heights of up to 200-miles above

visit to watch the lights are from the north-western regions of

the Earth’s surface. Naturally, this means that the lights of the aurora

Canada, namely the Yukon, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and

actually take place at varying heights, ranging from 50-miles above

Alaska from the US. It can also be seen over Greenland and Iceland,

the surface of the Earth to as high as 400-miles up.

the northern tip of Norway and Finland, and over the coastal waters

Interestingly, the Aurora Borealis has a sister event which occurs

of northern Russia.

at the world’s southern pole over the Antarctic region, the Aurora Endeavour Magazine | 59

60 | Endeavour Magazine

PLIPDECO WWW.PLIPDECO.COM (868) 636-2201

KEEPING EVERYTHING SHIP-SHAPE WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON

Taking the lead in port management and industrial real estate management, Point Lisa Industrial Port Development Corporation Limited is a huge part of the commercial vista in Trinidad and Tobago.

Endeavour Magazine took a closer look at the operation, now in its 50th year, to find out more.

Endeavour Magazine | 61

PLIPDECO

The history of the Point Lisa Industrial Port Development

Corporation Limited (PLIPDECO) is a long and fascinating one, filled with momentous milestones and determination. Its story began 50-years ago in 1966 when, after years of campaigning by local businessmen for an industrial port development to be considered, light appeared at the end of the tunnel, and the green light was given to bring this ambitious proposal to life. From this point on, PLIPDECO was born.

PETROCHEMICAL SERVICES LTD.

S

uddenly, all the Government-funded research paid off and it was acknowledged that not only was a commercial port development the way forward, but that an insightful and

trustworthy team needed to be put in place to oversee and manage it. Naturally, key figures from the Chamber that had lobbied long and hard for the brave foray into port development were selected to take charge and the company has never looked back, thanks to the shrewd business sense and focused interest of those innovative men.

We should stop and take a moment here to reveal just how much of a step forward the inauguration of PLIPDECO was, as when the company came into being on September 16th 1966, there wasn’t a port to develop, let alone an industrial estate to manage and make hugely profitable. These notions were totally new and, as such, a lot of persuasion in the form of transparent financial justification was required, especially when you consider

Exclusive local distributor (drum supply) for Methanol manufactured

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62 | Endeavour Magazine

what had to be sacrificed to make way for this brand new version of Trinidad and Tobago. With sugar production being a longstanding and well-understood industry in the region, choosing to usurp that, in favour of something totally untested, was a real risk.

“There was a well-established, if marginal, sugar land, except near the coat, where the cane gave way to scrub and then a band of mangrove swamp along the shoreline. It was here that Trinidad and Tobago’s most ambitious industrialisation was to take shape.

#44 Maharaj Street Marabella Trinidad and Tobago Mailing: P.O. Box 4, San Fernando Telephone: 653-3803 / 653-1881 Fax: 652-8030 / 652-2066 info@paramounttransport.com www.paramounttransport.com

Monumental Tasks Require Magnificient Tools

Paramount’s fleet is unparalleled throughout the Caribbean. We utilize a huge range of state-of-the-art equipment, which is maintained on a strict schedule and to the highest safety standards.

Our equipment includes the region’s largest cranes, the most advanced computer control systems and selfpropelled modular transporters, skidding and strand jack systems and fully-computerized ballasting systems for barges. The Paramount fleet consists of: •

Cranes

•

Transport

•

Forklifts

•

Telescopic Handlers

•

Earth Moving

•

Aerial Work Platforms

•

Miscellaneous

PLIPDECO

“Sugar, the commodity of the old economy, gave way to the high

the 860-hectare Point Lisas Industrial Estate, located on the west

technology of the new: cane to wire rods. Point Lisas was Trinidad

coast of central Trinidad. The Estate houses more than 103 tenants,

and Tobago’s way of making a break with the past and turning its

comprising a mix of world-class methanol, ammonia and urea plants,

natural resources into steady revenue.”

three steel plants, a power plant and smaller light manufacturing

You start to get a real sense of just how persuasive the early

and service companies.

incarnation the PLIPDECO proposal must have been, don’t you?

“Port Point Lisas, the second major port in Trinidad and Tobago,

But thank goodness they were. Imagine a world where Trinidad

consists of six general cargo and container berths. The facility

and Tobago still relied solely on sugar production? It doesn’t bear

handles a variety of cargo including containerised break bulk,

thinking about, considering the substantial impact of the port as a

lumber, paper, consumables dry bulk and steel.”

key employer, and a major source of income and prosperity.

As you can see, this is not a task for the weak-hearted, as not

So, with a port in place and an industrial estate created, what

only are there real estate management services to be tackled; a

exactly are the day-to-day duties that PLIPDECO fulfills? It’s an

tricky task on its own, but with large industries using the port to

interesting question, given the fact that without the company itself,

move their products as well, to say that a firm hand is needed on

there would be nothing for it to actually do. It’s a corporate game

the tiller would be a drastic understatement.

of chicken and egg, but the fruits of the organisation’s labour are clear to see.

A public company, with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago owning a 51% share and the remaining 49% being held by private

“PLIPDECO’s two core activities are industrial real estate

shareholders, PLIPDECO has a responsibility to maintain the

management and port management and operations, including

standard by which they have always worked to, which so many

cargo handling services. PLIPDECO is the owner and landlord of

other operations could only dream of achieving. It’s because of

With a passion for service, Paramount was solidly anchored from the roots of Joseph Lutchmansingh in 1945. The Paramount group, first secured place in the energy sector in #44their Maharaj Street Marabella 1967 by successfully assisting Texaco Trinidad Trinidad and with the construction of Tobago a desulfurization plant; andMailing: have since maintained a frontline P.O. Box 4, San Fernando presence building on experience gained by Telephone: 653-3803 / 653-1881 the demands of the highest standards known worldwide.

The Paramount name is now Fax: 652-8030 / 652-2066 reinforced with an employee base of over 500 info@paramounttransport.com committed individuals who can celebrate 3 generations of best practice, refinement and www.paramounttransport.com evolution. Through heavy lift equipment rates in excess of 700 tonnes, heavy haul capabilities beyond 1 kiloton and loads over 200 feet in length we have been known to draw a crowd when executing an impressive array of well 64 | Endeavour Magazine

planned lifts, twists and turns. Paramount’s value is not defined by lifting / moving a load within the striking parameters of our equipment; it is our ability to execute without incident, safely and as planned, utilising the right equipment for the job. Paramount’s potential is enabled through the technical skill of our workforce, providing customised solutions to the dynamic business needs of our clients. No job is too difficult; safety and customer service is paramount to us. The Paramount influence includes a steady supply of ready mix cement out of our Advanced Ready Mix plant fed from our very own Vega Minerals quarry. Our passion for refinement has allowed us to offer our clients a truly superior product resulting in an ever expanding market footprint.

Paramount’s fleet is unparallel

PLIPDECO

the stringent attention to detail, industry knowledge and business

ideas to new approaches that will revolutionise the way we work.”

savvy that permeates the organisation as a whole that these

There’s a lot of revolutionary, innovative and brave language

standards are in place, and, we suspect, a contributing factor which

permeating the history and current operations of PLIPDECO, but

led to its award of the Caribbean Shipping Association’s Port of The

we see why. It IS a visionary and forward-thinking organisation

Year Award, which it won for three successive years.

that, lead by local business moguls, made good on a promise to

So far, PLIPDECO’s history and successes read like a fairy tale,

create prosperity for Trinidad and Tobago. What’s more; with the

but don’t forget that it wasn’t plain sailing at the start. Convincing

industrial complex attracting profitable businesses that are vital

the Government that funding should be released for a new port,

for the future technologies market, we suspect that PLIPDECO is

as well as an industrial estate complex, was no small feat and

going to have a lot to deal with in the coming years.

taking charge of a totally new venture can’t have been easy, but

We look forward to checking back, to see what new innovations

PLIPDECO embraced this challenge with a confidence far beyond

they’ve put in place to make sure that they are always on the crest

the company’s years, and with a strict mandate of values in place.

of yet another successful wave.

“Our mission is to develop, market and operate port, logistics and industrial estate infrastructure for optimal economic growth, alongside our vision of becoming a global Leader in port and estate management by consistently providing superior, innovative service. We will act with honesty, without compromising the truth and be personally accountable for the highest standards of behaviour and we will convert knowledge and

Tel: 1-868-636-1858 Tel: 1-868-620-0693 Tel: 1-868-662-4775 Tel: 1-868-730-2910 Fax:1-868-679-2974 66 | Endeavour Magazine

LP 83 Phoenix Park West, Point Lisas, Carlifonia, Trinidad & Tobago docsgroup@docseng.com www.docseng.net

PCS Nitrogen Trinidad Limited is a subsidiary of PotashCorp and is located on the Point Lisas Industrial Estate.

The facility is one of the world’s largest nitrogen complexes, consisting of four ammonia units producing approximately 2.4 million short tons annually, and one urea plant which produces approximately 800,000 short tons annually.

PCS Trinidad also helps develop Trinidad and Tobago’s agricultural sector. The PCS Model Farm & Agricultural Resource Centre was officially launched on February 11, 2009. It provides the local farming community with free training and new agricultural techniques.

We are the proud sponsors of twice National Panorama Champion, the PCS Silver Stars Steel Orchestra.

Endeavour Magazine | 67

68 | Endeavour Magazine

SOLAREFF WWW.SOLAREFF.CO.ZA 0027 11 675 1114

POWERING SOUTH AFRICA WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

It isn’t difficult to see how the sustainable energy revolution has taken hold in the way it has in South Africa, when you take it into account the natural gifts that make it the perfect location within which to host a truly world-class renewables sector.

South Africa’s beautiful rugged, mountainous terrain, and rolling green vistas bask in all-yearround golden sunshine; a potentially limitless source of energy, in other words, capable of powering a vast network of the solar PV systems needed to tackle the energy crisis which has long afflicted the country, and meeting the growing energy demands of its growing economy. No less importantly, solar will also prove to be the instrument through which South Africa will wean itself off its traditional reliance on fossil fuelbased energy sources.

Endeavour Magazine | 69

SOLAREFF

Having opened its doors for business 6 years ago, Solareff has

reaped the benefits that come with spotting an emerging market with huge potential and getting in early, so to speak. In this time, Solareff has carved out a reputation as a solar PV specialist that’s the best in the business.

Endeavour caught up with Solareff’s Managing Director and co-founder, Jaco Botha, to find out more about the key to his company’s success, and catch-up on what’s been happening at the company since Endeavour first featured Solareff in 2012.

T

he lights are switching on across every corner of the African

This alone is telling. As a country with abundant sunshine; one which

continent as urban centres expand and grow ever taller into

has invested large sums of capital into solar energy technologies

the sky; as electrical infrastructure is increasingly supplied to

research, its potential with regards to solar is quite staggering. The

isolated communities, and the needs of a newly emerging wealthy

rewards and opportunity are rich indeed for the companies, like

consumer class increasingly needs to be sated. The increasing

Solareff, with the capabilities, reach, and professionalism to seize it.

trend of modernisation, industrialisation, and urbanisation across swathes of sub-Saharan Africa is a clear sign that many of the region’s countries are reaping the rewards of a booming period of economic growth which, as of yet, shows no signs of fading anytime soon. That being said, ongoing rapid economic growth doesn’t come without its challenges.

A not inconsiderable number of these nations are facing up to the prospect of a fast-looming energy headache, as decades of lack

SOUTH AFRICA’S LEADING SOLAR PV SOLUTIONS SPECIALIST Founded in 2010 by Jaco and DeVilliers Botha, Johannesburgbased Solareff – a committed and active member of SAPVIA began life as an energetic solar power solutions start-up, initially focused on smaller off-grid and grid integrated installations. An electrical engineer by trade, Jaco’s foray into solar started almost by accident, following on from a somewhat impulsive decision to

of investment in vital energy infrastructure begins to bite. Demand

take what had been long-standing interest in, and tinkering with

for energy is soaring and in South Africa, in particular, energy

renewable energy devices and units at university one step further.

demand is set to explode over the years to come. To say the least,

“It used to be an interest but with the market as it was at the time

this poses a major challenge to a country already grappling with

it made good sense to get into it,” Jaco explained. He continued

sustained power cuts and energy shortages, and unpopular rising

“I remember how when I was at varsity I built a solar powered

tariffs. The task of tackling South Africa’s well-publicised supply-

fridge freezer which was fully functional. I guess you could say that

side energy problems of present and future means that measures

Solareff started as an interest which grew into my passion - one

to drastically increase the country’s electricity generation capacity

thing just led to another.”

is now at the fore of the political agenda, and renewable energy infrastructure, particularly solar, will be at the heart of this drive.

This decision proved to be a prescient one, on the part of Jaco.

Solareff’s forward progress over the 6-years after it first opened

South Africa, whilst a country with a solar energy sector

its doors for business have since mirrored that of the industry in

that might be considered nascent in developmental terms, is yet

which it does business. Whereas once it committed only to small

ranked among the top-10 global solar harnessing nations, having

installations, now, Solareff is an entirely different beast, with the

connected more than half a gigawatt of utility-scale solar power.

capability, experience and expertise to offer a full turnkey service,

70 | Endeavour Magazine

Mall of Africa enabling the company to work hand-in-hand with the client

best talent, whoever they are and wherever they come from. You’ll

through every stage of the journey, from start to finish; design to

have to forgive the cliché but I have always sought to find people

final installation, ongoing aftercare and maintenance.

who are better and smarter than us. We have a brilliant team and

“We specialise in the effective design, supply, installation,

everybody has played a very important role in our success, from our

commissioning and project management of renewable energy

engineers and project managers to the incredible important work

systems, and by completing record-breaking projects we’ve shown

our support team does. Our achievements wouldn’t have been

what we’re capable of. Our focus is power generation by means

possible without them.”

of top of the range renewable energy sources such as mono and polycrystalline silicone photovoltaic solar panels.”

In little more than half a decade, the company is renowned as one of South Africa’s leading solar Photovoltaic (PV) solutions specialists, with a proven track record of successfully completing the most demanding rooftop and ground-mounted Solar PV installations to the highest quality standards. With a footprint across the entire Southern, Western, and East African region, from South Africa to Namibia; Ghana to Nigeria, and Uganda and Zambia, Solareff is currently engaged in more than 17MW of commissioned and current projects across the commercial, agricultural, and industrial markets.

SOLAR POWER’S JOURNEY FROM ECO-GIMMICK TO MAINSTREAM VIABILITY Since Endeavour Magazine last caught-up with Solareff, the solar sector has not only experienced exponential growth globally, but also gained something arguably much more important: credibility.

Not long ago, solar energy was written-off and disregarded by critics who considered it a flash-in-the-pan gimmick; an expensive passing fancy for middle-class eco warriors affluent enough to pay to go off-grid. But times have changed and now, thanks to the falling cost of increasingly capable solar technologies and economies of

Solareff’s reputation as a leading industry player has been hard-

scale, solar energy is now universally recognised as a financially

earned through going above and beyond what is expected and

viable, effective and reputable mainstream energy source. Finally,

the delivery of service excellence; neither of which would have

after a decade in the wilderness, solar is considered fit to lead the

been possible without the company’s small in-house crack-team

way as a sustainable energy source of the future. Jaco explained:

of highly experienced engineers, technicians, support staff, and

“The likes of solar energy used to be a choice for people wanting

project managers, whom Jaco proudly described as “the cream of

to be green, and in the past it used to be a statement of the ‘eco-

the crop.”

conscious.’ Because it was expensive, it built-up a reputation of

He told us: “We are, and always have looked out for the very

being the eco-choice of those who could afford it,” Jaco said, on Endeavour Magazine | 71

SOLAREFF the matter. “But things have dramatically changed since those days.

on the map.” Solareff initially took on the Clearwater project after

The technology has had to advance itself and now it actually makes

winning an open tender for a 500kWp solar PV rooftop installation

financial sense.”

at the mall – a pilot project which, if successful, would pave the way

As one of the first pioneering companies to enter South Africa’s

for a much larger rooftop installation at a later date.

solar PV sector while it was still in its infancy, Solareff has really

Upon winning the contract, Solareff set about work on the

begun to feel the benefits of this in recent years. With the successful

design-build project and, as always, worked to ensure that his team

completion of over 200 rooftop, ground-mount, and carport solar

went above and beyond what was expected. Jaco told us: “The key

installations across a number countries across sub-Saharan Africa

to our success is that the customer experience is at the centre of

to its name, Solareff’s experience, reputation, and portfolio means

everything we do. At Solareff we ensure that each project we take

that nowadays it is a leading contender for most installation

on results in a quality product for our clients which far exceeds

projects it bids for. And with the backing of Pinnacle Holdings –

their expectations.

a South African information & communication technology giant

By always striving to exceed a customer’s expectations, we’ve

whom Solareff has recently become a part of – the company now

generated a lot of repeat business from clients who we have now

has the resources and Pan-African reach to truly take the company

worked with for a number of years.”

to the next level.Building this reputation took time, however, and

The rest, as they say, is history. Over the duration of the

it took one particular defining project, in Jaco’s opinion, to truly lift

project and even following its completion, Solareff succeeded in

Solareff to a spot in the industry’s A-list.

making the most favourable impressions on the Clearwater Mall management team. So favourable, in fact, that less than half a year

THE CLEARWATER MALL PROJECT – THE DEFINING INSTALLATION WHICH TOOK SOLAREFF TO THE TOP The Clearwater Mall project in Strubens Valley, near

an additional 1,000kWp, thus increasing the total solution size to a 1,500kWp rooftop solar installation; a most lucrative installation which Solareff was naturally given first option on.

“The Clearwater Mall installation was an example of the way we

Jaco Botha

Johannesburg, was a project which, in Jaco’s words “put Solareff

later, they made the decision to fast-track plans and proceed with

MODULE SUPPLIER FOR Canadian Solar South Africa together with Solareff delivered COMMERCIAL and built 4.7 MW of THE LARGEST ROOFTOP PV SYS Canadian Solar MaxPower CS6X-P onto the prestigious Mall of Africa Project. With a total built-up area of 45.000 m² this is one of the largest Rooftop Solar PV systems in Africa.

Located in Waterfall City, Gauteng, the Mall of Africa will produce 7.800 MWh of green energy per year. This will be sufficient to support the shopping center‘s daily power requirements and decrease the overall carbon footprint of this newly-built Mall.

It will also alleviate the overall pressure in the National Power Grid, resulting in more available capacity for developments in the Waterfall area.

“We were very impressed by Canadian Solar South Africa’s fast and efficient service in getting the modules to site at the exact CS_Ad_188x138_SouthAfrika.indd 1 right times. The quality of the product is also exceptional.” Jaco Botha, Managing Director, Solareff 72 | Endeavour Magazine

No in

Hi Ma

Wa To

work. When we won the tender for the initial phase of the project,

of Africa project - a 4,755kWp rooftop solar PV installation that

which was only a pilot, we delivered in such a way that the client

will be spread across most of the available roof space of the Mall

changed their plans and automatically selected us to complete the

covering an area of approximately 45000m² - is unquestionably the

full project without having to tender for it. As with the Clearwater

most notable. In terms of size and scale, the Mall of Africa project

Mall installation, we find that often we no longer have to tender for

positively dwarfs the once-record-breaking Clearwater Mall

many projects. But it’s important to remember you’re only as good

installation, and upon its completion will potentially be the largest

as your last job.”

rooftop solar PV installation, not only in Africa but across the entire

The Clearwater Mall project was a gamechanger for Solareff, in

Southern Hemisphere.

that it was a project which showcased what the company was truly

Suffice to say, the future looks bright for Solareff. With work

capable of. At the time, this vast rooftop installation was record-

on the extensive Mall of Africa installation ongoing, alongside a

breaking, in that it was the largest rooftop solar PV installation in

vast portfolio of other smaller projects, it is hard to imagine that

all of Africa; through its seamless, successful completion, Solareff

this dynamic company’s future holds anything other in store than

demonstrated to the world that it was ready and able to take on

further success and continued growth.

the biggest, most demanding of projects and complete them to the highest international standards.

A BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD This success story was no isolated incident, however. Instead of being a high-water mark for the company, rather, the Clearwater installation acted as a springboard for the company, which has gone on to tender for projects of similar size or larger. Among the many projects that Solareff is currently committed to, the Mall

Cover photo: Clearwater Mall

MODULE SUPPLIER FOR THE LARGEST COMMERCIAL ROOFTOP PV SYSTEM IN AFRICA

No. 1 Module Supplier in Africa 2016 High Bankability and Market Capitalization Warehouses in Cape Town and Johannesburg

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Endeavour Magazine | 73 03.11.16 18:39

AUTOMOTIVES THE BMW M4 DTM CHAMPION EDITION

A

s racing fans will already know, 2016 has been a good year

has a top speed that is limited to 190mph, thanks to the innovative

for BMW Motorsport and Marco Wittmann. In honour of

water injection technology featured in the straight six-cylinder

his success in securing yet another DTM driver’s title at the

power unit. This innovative technology enables cooling of the

season finale at the Hockenheimring, BMW M is launching the

combustion chambers, significantly raising the engine’s thermally-

BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition – a new edition model consisting

related performance limits by 16% in power output compared to

of top-class motor racing technology for drive and suspension, and

the production model.

a specific design that mimics the DTM racing cars built by BMW M. Delivering a power output of 500hp and a maximum torque of

DISTINCTIVE EXTERIOR DESIGN INSPIRED BY DTM RACING CARS.

600Nm, the BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition is a beast which

The BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition 2016 is exclusively

completes the sprint from zero to 62mph in just 3.8 seconds, and

available in Alpine White, with the distinctive design, chassis and

74 | Endeavour Magazine

EXTENSIVE MEASURES TO ENHANCE DRIVING DYNAMICS. In comparison to the production version of the BMW M4, the DTM Champion Edition impresses not only with enhanced performance, but also with further optimised dynamic handling qualities. As you might expect, it has been built with lightweight construction in mind, resulting in a vehicle where the components, bonnet, roof, instrument panel support, and rear diffuser are all made from carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). The end silencer of the double-flow sports exhaust system, featuring two pairs of tailpipes, is made of exceptionally lightweight titanium.

Optimal contact with the road is ensured by Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 high-performance tyres, size 265/35 R19 at the front and 285/30 R20 at the rear, designed specifically for use on the racetrack and mounted on light alloys boasting a star spoke design 666 M in Orbit Grey matt. The M carbon-ceramic brakes guarantee fade-free braking even in tough racing conditions, and the individually adjustable 3-way coilover suspension is mechanically adjustable both for rebound and damping, thus allowing the car’s handling characteristics to be adapted according to personal taste.

The BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition is on sale now, with prices yet to be confirmed. aesthetics reminiscent of the look of DTM racing cars produced

by BMW Motorsport. Various aerodynamics components finished in visible carbon also give the car that distinctive racing car look, which include the front splitter, the aero flicks positioned in front of the front wheel arches, exterior mirror caps, side skirt attachments, and a rear diffuser as well as the large rear wing firmly mounted on the boot lid.

PURE MOTOR SPORTS ATMOSPHERE IN A CLASSY, REDUCED INTERIOR. Inside the two-seater BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition 2016, both driver and co-driver sit in M Carbon bucket seats covered in exclusive Alcantara/Leather Merino. The entire interior, which is lined with exceptionally high-quality covering material Alcantara, really feels like the real deal. There is nothing that says racing car more than a white rollover bar that sits where you’d normally find the rear seats!

In terms of comfort and safety, the new edition is by no means lacking, with features including the BMW Professional Navigation system, air con, adaptive LED headlights with BMW Selective Beam, OLED taillights, Park Distance Control (PDC) at the front and rear, as well as automatically dimming interior and exterior mirrors.

Endeavour Magazine | 75

NISSAN FINALLY REVEALS PRICE FOR GT-R NISMO AHEAD OF NOVEMBER LAUNCH

T

he GT-R NISMO is the very pinnacle of the GT-R range; a high-

fresh face with a dramatic new bumper. However, on this model it’s

performance race car for the road, which takes the very best

made entirely from carbon fibre to reduce weight. To help cool the

of the super-coupe’s legendary Japanese heritage, and then

car’s high-output engine, the dark chrome V-motion grille has been

enhances the iconic design and state-of-the-art technology further still.

enlarged to collect more air.

The redesign has been carefully shaped to improve airflow

It is for good reason that this twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V6

around the vehicle and generate a high level of downforce, while

road faring monster is as desirable as it is, and the good news for

at the same time directing air around the wheels to improve the

petrol heads everywhere is that this flagship model will finally go

aerodynamics. The GT-R NISMO generates more downforce

on sale from early this November onwards.

than any other Nissan production car to date, which results in

It truly ticks all the boxes, offering both incredible power and

exceptional high-speed stability. The performance of the all-wheel-

performance in equal measure. The GT-R NISMO offers nearly

drive GT-R NISMO has also been upgraded, thanks in part to the

600BHP – 300BHP more than any other car in the range – thanks

standard model’s significantly reinforced body structure.

to an engine that features a pair of high-flow, large diameter

This allowed the engineering team to further refine the GT-R

turbochargers used in GT3 competition. This power is sent to all

NISMO’s shock absorbers, springs and stabilisers. When combined

four wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch paddleshift gearbox.

with the car’s increase in downforce, the result is the most

Like the standard car, the GT-R NISMO’s front end features a 76 | Endeavour Magazine

dynamically capable GT-R NISMO ever.

This is evidenced by the car’s improved slalom times and superior cornering performance, both of which are nearly 2% better than the previous version. Despite its more potent nature, the new GT-R NISMO boasts better overall balance than before, evolving into a car that can be enjoyed on both winding roads and race circuits. A more premium and sophisticated interior is one of the key enhancements to the new GT-R, and the NISMO version is no exception. The redesigned dashboard, steering wheel and centre armrest are covered with high-quality Alcantara® leather.

Unique to this version are the leather-covered Recaro® carbon bucket seats with red Alcantara® inserts.

The GT-R NISMO can be picked up for €184,950 in Europe, and £149,995 in the UK – the model’s key markets in Europe. Don’t be disheartened if you have your eye on the GT-R NISMO and are based elsewhere in the world, however – it’s still available, but prices in other countries will vary slightly.

Endeavour Magazine | 77

78 | Endeavour Magazine

MOVIETOWNE WWW.MOVIETOWNE.COM 001 868 627 8277

BRINGING THE MAGIC OF THE MOVIES TO LIFE WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON

What more is there to say about MovieTowne?

A name that is synonymous with cinema magic, and a world-class entertainment experience in Trinidad & Tobago. MovieTowne is the epitome of a picture perfect company that is always looking for ways to build both its business and local communities.

Endeavour Magazine found out more about his remarkable business, and the remarkable man who built it, Derek Chin.

Endeavour Magazine | 79

MOVIETOWNE

With its wealth of incredible natural gifts, Trinidad & Tobago has long been a magnet for holidaymakers from all over the world, and one of the region’s premier tourism hubs. Quite sensibly, however, the country’s government has worked tirelessly to implement the diversification schemes and policies needed to re-orientate the country away from its traditional reliance on tourism, and set in place the foundations upon which a more complex and prosperous national economy can be built.

O

f the many industries which have been rebuilt and reborn over the past 5-years, the entertainment sector is perhaps the country’s biggest success story. And this is all down to the

efforts of one man; a man who has single-handedly stepped up to the plate and taken a cinematic sector which was on its knees, and transformed it into one that is the envy of much of the world. That man was Derek Chin.

Derek is something of an eccentric, but he is certainly not a man to be underestimated; it is only as a result of his vision and bloodyminded determination to make Trinidad & Tobago a world-leader in entertainment that the region has come so far, and been propelled forward so quickly.

Having completed a business administration degree at the University of Western Ontario in Canada, where he completed a stint as an auditor with KPMG, he returned to Trinidad back in 1981 with one goal; to revolutionise the entertainment industry, and boy did he accomplish that!

The experience he later gained after his return as a key figure in both the Trinidad Commercial Development Company Limited and Dachin Enterprises, coupled with his desire to always be pushing local business development, has given him unique insight into what consumers want, and what it takes to do business successfully on

80 | Endeavour Magazine

MOVIETOWNE

the islands. This is why when he saw a cinema industry which was a

was, initially, heralded as something of an unnecessary flourish of

national disaster, he was able to spot the opportunity this presented

modernisation.

and take the steps to lead the sector into the 21st century.

“I wanted to bring the glitz and glamour of a Hollywood to

Speaking about the cinema industry in the region, he is candid

movie fans here on the islands and give people a real experience.

about the humble beginnings; “The cinematic industry in Trinidad

Also, I wanted to introduce people to a far higher level of customer

and Tobago was on its knees before MovieTowne came into being.

service than they were accustomed to. MovieTowne was ahead

People preferred DVD’s, VHS and Betamax at home to going to the

of its time and I believe we have really opened people’s eyes and

cinema and considering the conditions of the old auditoriums, it was

changed their expectations.”

no surprise. There was little or no variety in choice, the bathroom

With 14-years of successful operation under their belt, it

facilities were deplorable and it was a dowdy and intimidating

should come as no surprise that Derek didn’t want to stop at just

experience. Customer service was also far from polished.”

one complex, so in the years that followed the opening of the

Highly regarded as the premier Cineplex, shopping and

initial location, expansion was rapid and impressive. A further

entertainment complex in the region, MovieTowne was a breath

two complexes were opened which, like their predecessor, were

of fresh air for Trinidad and Tobago when it opened in 2002, as

not limited to simple cinema chains. Instead, these incredible

it offered high-end, family-friendly entertainment at an affordable

complexes offered a multitude of shopping centres, restaurants

price. It also appears to have singlehandedly reinvigorated the

and entertainment suites as well. It’s the small details that make a

country’s passion for seeing the biggest, most exciting new releases

huge difference though;

on the silver screen. By offering state-of-the-art facilities, up to the

“Our Cineplexes are themed along the lines of Hollywood, with

minute sound quality and exemplar customer service, MovieTowne

notable examples being a back drop of Jurassic Park with all the

quickly became a favourite destination rather than an idea that

dinosaurs as an attraction. We also have various life sized models of

82 | Endeavour Magazine

Batman, Chewbacca from Star Wars, the Joker, Gollum and Shrek…

With an eye for a development opportunity, Derek is excited

and these are just a part of our growing museum of film characters.”

about what the future holds for MovieTowne, and elaborated about

What’s really interesting to note is that people aren’t simply

plans in the pipeline; “In San Fernando, we are the anchor for the

attending these cathedrals of modern entertainment; they are

proposed c3 shopping mall, a project owned by the JT Allum and

sitting up and taking notice of the man behind the brand, with

Carlton Mack family of South Trinidad. MovieTowne South will be

Derek becoming something of a local hero and a figurehead that

92,000sq feet of cinema and retail space and is probably going to

represents what young people growing up in Trinidad and Tobago

be the nicest Cineplex of the whole chain so far, fitted with eight

can accomplish with hard work. That’s because this isn’t just a

state of the art cinemas, digital and Dolby surround sound systems,

business enterprise for Derek; it’s a way of life, and offers a tangible

3D technology, thematic layouts and maybe even a VIP section. “

way to give back to the local community. Something that has not

While you might think this has all been something of a fairytale

gone unnoticed. “MovieTowne is more than a business, and is now

for Derek, the success he enjoys has come as the result of years

a cultural, educational and charitable institution on the islands.”

of training and dedication to bringing premier entertainment back

“We promote and fund youth education through film and we

to Trinidad and Tobago. Watching films could, on the surface,

founded the Secondary Schools Short Film competition, which

seem like a frivolous pastime, but Derek has an inherent and deep

enables film students to not only get specialist support and tutoring

understanding that they have a much deeper purpose; to bring

but win scholarships into higher education courses and we engage

people together.

in much charitable work while investing in communities.”

He may not have realised it at the start, but he has brought a

What an incredible way to ensure that emerging talent is

whole nation together now and we can’t wait to see how he mixes

noticed and nurtured as soon as possible, and Derek sees this as

things up again in the future with his contagious enthusiasm for

the key to continued success for the region.

progress and community.

The Power Of The Group There is strength in the multifaceted just as there is strength in financial numbers.

First Citizens Group First Citizens Bank First Citizens Holdings First Citizens Asset Management First Citizens Trustee Services First Citizens Securities Trading First Citizens Investment Services First Citizens Brokerage & Advisory Services First Citizens (St. Lucia) First Citizens Financial Services (St. Lucia) First Citizens (Barbados) First Citizens Investment Services (Barbados) First Citizens, Costa Rica S.A. (FCCR)

62-FIRST (34778) | www.firstcitizenstt.com

Endeavour Magazine | 83

84 | Endeavour Magazine

NEXGEN ENERGY LTD WWW.NEXGENENERGY.CA 001 604.428.4112

THE URANIUM SECTOR’S NEXT BIG THING WRITTEN BY STEVEN WELLER

Until very recently, Canada has led the way as the world’s leading producer of uranium. According to a 2009 study, a staggering 20% of the world’s primary uranium production came directly from mines within Canada alone. Even more astounding than this, however, is the fact that Canada’s entire uranium output derives from one Western province - Saskatchewan.

Endeavour Magazine | 85

NEXGEN ENERGY LTD

We caught up with one of Canada’s big name players in the search for

uranium. Endeavour Magazine investigates the industrial world’s desire for the element, and how NexGen Energy plans to meet this demand head-on.

S

ince striking it big with the discovery of the huge Arrow

a process named nuclear fission. The destructive capabilities of

deposit in Saskatchewan’s Athabasca Basin – a find which is

such reactions have caused much debate over the years. The 1945

amongst the largest, and highest-grade discoveries in decades

bombing on the Japanese city of Hiroshima was a demonstration

NexGen Energy has quickly cemented its reputation as one of the

of just how devastating this reaction could be, with more than

world’s most important uranium mining outfits. Bearing in mind

100,000 civilians perishing in the attack.

the importance of this enigmatic mineral and the quite incredible

Things have changed considerably since then; nuclear weapons

promise of the Arrow project, the company, which targets large and

are used more as a deterrent now than a physical weapon. In fact,

high scale uranium deposits, has encountered a lot of excitement as

the bombing in Japan marks the only use of nuclear weapons in

development of the site continues apace.

the history of warfare. Now, uranium has a much more significant,

North America’s, and indeed the world’s demand for uranium

and, thankfully peaceful role to play in the world. Its instead used

stretches back to the early 1940’s, and the USA’s involvement in

as the primary means to fuel the nuclear energy sector, powering

World War II. As part of the Manhattan Project, the US government

hundreds of nuclear reactors around the world.

demanded an influx of uranium in order to win the nuclear arms

Significantly for the energy sector, on December 20th 1951,

race and produce atomic weapons. It was with this goal in mind

Argonne National Laboratory’s Experimental Breeder Reactor I

when in 1943 the Canadian government formed a federal crown

became the first nuclear reactor to create electricity. As of May

corporation, ‘Eldorado Mining and Refining Limited’ – a company

2016, the IAEA report there are 444 nuclear power reactors

which was given sole, exclusive rights on uranium prospecting and

operating in 30 countries, with another 63 plants currently under

mining.

construction.

Following the end of the war in 1947 the ban was uplifted,

The report shows that 13 countries rely on nuclear energy to

leading to a boom in uranium exploration that has continued in

supply at least one quarter of their total electricity. With figures like

cycles up until the current day.

these, it’s easy to understand why uranium is in such high demand and that’s where NexGen Energy step in.

WHY URANIUM? Named after the Greek god of the sky Uranus, uranium is a

THE EXPLORATION

weakly radioactive metal predominantly popularised by its use

“We’re a uranium focused exploration and development

within the nuclear energy sector. What makes uranium a truly

company and over a 2-year period we reviewed over 200 projects

unique element is its ability to break apart into lighter elements,

in the Basin alone before we decided to acquire what is now

86 | Endeavour Magazine

NEXGEN ENERGY LTD

NexGen’s asset portfolio. We’ve acquired the most dominant land position in the south-west part of the Basin” said corporate development manager Travis McPherson.

higher. Leigh Curyer, the groups managing director, elaborates: “The difference between Arrow and, say, McArthur River and Cigar Lake is that Arrow is entirely hosted in the basement rock,

The basin which Mr. McPherson alludes to is Athabasca in

and the mineralization in the basement rock starts roughly 100

northern Saskatchewan, best known as the world’s leading source

meters from surface and it has a very thin layer of the Athabasca

of high-grade uranium. Within that region alone there have been

sandstone, between 5 to 10 meters thickness over the area of

some truly monstrous finds, among which the colossal McArthur

mineralization, within 100m of surface”.

River Uranium Mine, which accounts for 13% of the worlds uranium production, stands out. NexGen Energy holds over 259,000

It is by no luck that NexGen have found a world-class deposit.

Mr. Curyer states,

hectares of land within the Athabasca Basin, making the likelihood

“The NexGen story is not an overnight success, it has been

of striking it big very much in their favour and in February 2014

built over 14 years”. NexGen Energy’s board of directors have a

that’s exactly what happened.

vast amount of experience in the uranium mining sector, to say the

ARROW DEPOSIT NexGen Energy refer to the central exploration project within Athabasca as Rook I, which is 100% owned by the company. The

least. Many, including chairman Mr. Chris McFadden, were long associated with mining giants Rio Tinto. Leigh himself is a chartered accountant and naturally has an eye for operating costs. Mr. Curyer continues on the Arrow deposit:

project plays host to the land based Arrow deposit. After some

“This will be the lowest cost discovery in the Basin’s history.

drilling and testing on the deposit in 2014, the NexGen team knew

I’m originally a chartered accountant, its inherent in my nature

they were on to a winner.

to be fierce with the dollars and our dollar’s exploration ratio

Being land based comes as a big advantage for any deposit in the Basin as the costs involved with water exploration are significantly

88 | Endeavour Magazine

(dollars spent in the ground compared with general administrative expenses) is 8.5/1. No one can compete with us”.

THE FUTURE OF NEXGEN As credit to the success of NexGen energy as an exploration company and the mass potential of the Arrow deposit, Hong Kong billionaire Mr. Li Ka-shing invested $60 million in early 2016. On the investment, Leigh Curyer had this to say: “This supportive strategic investment represents one of the most significant financing steps in NexGen’s history and provides the company with sufficient capital to continue to optimize the future development of Arrow”.

It’s not only the Arrow deposit that NexGen and investors alike are excited about, in 2015 NexGen made the Bow discovery and in 2016 the Harpoon. Progressing into 2017, NexGen will use investment towards specialised engineering and drilling at Arrow as well as continuing to drill within Rook I. The message has always been clear from NexGen Energy: “We’re not here to be like any other company, we’re here to set the standard”.

HCC is continuing with a history of successful projects, including but not limited to civil infrastructure, oil and gas, and the mining sector.

Focused locally in Canada and throughout Africa and Eurasia, we bring experience and knowledge to any project, anywhere. Most recently, HCC is pleased to have been aligned with Nexgen Energy in their exploration of the Athabasca Basin.

Endeavour Magazine | 89

90 | Endeavour Magazine

BANANA INVESTMENTS WWW.BANANA.CO.TZ 255 (0) 754 224440

A BANANA BEER PIONEER WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

It is a relationship which most experts suspect began entirely by accident – as the best relationships often do - when hungry-prehistoric man first unwittingly ate fermenting fruit while foraging for food countless millennia ago. What is known beyond all doubt, thanks to archaeological evidence, however, is that mankind’s production of, consumption of, and cultural affinity for alcoholic drinks like beers, wines, spirits and liquors certainly extends as far back as the recorded history of human civilisation itself.

Endeavour Magazine | 91

BANANA INVESTMENTS

In East Africa, banana-based alcoholic beverages have been

brewed with great love for countless generations. Indeed, the region has a wonderful heritage when it comes to producing the banana beers and wines that are today so popular among millions of Tanzanians.

Endeavour Magazine took some time out to speak to Adolf Olomi, the founder of Banana Investments Ltd, about his company’s role in becoming the first company in the country’s history to capitalise on this heritage by building a company which pioneered an entirely new alcoholic banana beverage mass market.

Q

uite aside from its modern, altogether pleasurable use as a

63150 Nairobi, Maasai Road Nairobi Industrial Area Zip: 00619 Phone: +254 724390700 www.safepakltd1.insideke.com

social lubricant; an adhesive of sorts, altering consciousness and binding together communities and building relationships,

both in times of leisure and occasions of ceremony; the consumption of calorie and nutrient rich beers and wines has long played a no less important role as an essential dietary staple for

Plastic bottles for world-class packaging of mineral water and juices Uniquely-designed plastic bottles for edible oils and flavorings eg. tomato sauce Jars in all shapes and sizes Agro bottles for the Pharmaceutical Industry

many communities around the world. This holds true in many parts, like East Africa, where access to healthy, nourishing food continues to be in short supply.

Bananas; an energy-rich inexpensive super-fruit in plentiful supply, packed with proteins, minerals and vitamin A, naturally, have long been used in place of grapes, grains and wheats for the production of alcoholic beverages in Tanzania and the surrounding East African region. Unsurprisingly, there is a strong and enduring heritage in this part of the world for such drinks; nowhere else in the world that does it better, in fact. But it is in some ways surprising that it took a pioneering company, in the form of Tanzanian-based Banana Investments Limited to commercialise this heritage by setting up a business which mass produces such beverages, and inadvertently create a brand-new drinks industry in the process.

FROM HOME BREWERY TO MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR SUCCESS STORY IN JUST 20-YEARS Whilst the company’s initial start to life was unassuming, having opened its doors for business as little more than a husband-and92 | Endeavour Magazine

Fermentation tanks

BANANA INVESTMENTS

wife home brewery start-up in 1993, Banana Investments Limited

Once a husband-and-wife business, today, following this

has since expanded its customer base, brand, production facilities,

swift organic growth and subsequent investment in a modern,

and logistical capabilities rapidly in little more than 20-years

high-capacity brewery and bottling plant with the help of an

to become a multi-million dollar business, and one of Tanzania’s

US$800,000 long-term loan from the East African Development

leading producers of banana-based alcoholic beverages with a

Bank, the company now employs 180 permanent staff along

dominant market share.

with a troop of temporary employees, dependant on seasonality

The key to Banana Investments’ success is simple: its banana

and market fluctuations. Banana Investments is structured into

beverage offerings were a labour of love which, through the

three segments, the first of which is Sales and Marketing; which

canny application of sound business acumen, developed almost

covers sales, marketing, and includes operations of its four - Dar

unexpectedly over time into the foundations upon which to build

es salaam, Morogoro, Tanga, and Rombo - distribution depots in

an empire. The Olomi’s tapped into a long-held family recipe to

Tanzania’s largest commercial centres in the country. The second

brew a traditional Tanzanian banana wine which had been lovingly

is Operations, responsible for covering engineering, processing,

and secretly perfected over the course of generations.

packaging and supplier services, whilst Finance and Administration

Its first and only initial product offering, the Olomi’s capitalised

ensure that the company’s operations are efficient and streamlines.

on surging popular demand for its delicious wine, and the growing reputation of their business and brand, by expanding on their product line – which it supplies to specified distributors across the country - to develop a wider range of banana beer, and, more recently, spirit brands, all of which fall under the Banana

Mindful of the still limited budget of millions of Tanzanians, the Olomi’s have sought to, and succeeded in building a price-conscious

Machine room

Investments umbrella.

REACHING OUT TO CUSTOMERS WITH DELICIOUS DRINKS THAT ARE TRADITIONAL AND AFFORDABLE

94 | Endeavour Magazine

business model for their product lines which are accessible to the

However, we have plans in place to cover the rest of the country,

majority who are more often than not unable to buy the malt beers

as well as the countries bordering us, so that the entire country and

and grape wines which remain out of reach of all but the wealthiest

all of our neighbors can enjoy our delicious banana-based drinks.

consumers. It’s signature Raha brand beer product lines are stocked

We are in the process of recruiting distributors in the areas I

with taste and affordability in mind, and are available in 330ml

have mentioned. Entrepreneurs are welcome to support the efforts

bottles, which are packed in 24 bottles crates.

of the company to enable consumers in Tanzania and neighbouring

Adolf Olomi, Banana Investment’s joint CEO and owner,

countries to enjoy our products.”

said: “Banana Investments is in the business of production and We have recently diversified in the production and sale of low-cost spirits, packed in 50-100ml sachets and bottles of 100ml – smaller offerings that ensure affordability for our customers.”

Olomi continued: “We are offering Raha and Raha Poa Banana alcoholic beverages, and various package sizes for our Fiesta Dry Gin. Very soon we are going to come up with non-alcoholic beverages. Our intention is to offer beverage products that fits every taste and every pocket.

At present our products are available in the Tanzanian regions of Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Manyara, Singida, Shinyanga, Simiyu, Mwanza, Mara, Morogoro, Coast, Dar es Salaam, Tanga and Dodoma.

THE GROWTH OF TANZANIA’S CONSUMER CLASS Banana Investments has, along the rest of the Tanzanian business community across all sectors, been buoyed by a booming Tanzanian economy which has enjoyed consistent levels of yearon-year growth virtually unmatched by any country in the world, barring its regional neighbours and the formidable powerhouse economy of China. Granted, Tanzania is still in the developmental stage of its economic lifecycle; millions at the bottom of the pyramid remain in poverty, but clearly things are moving in the right direction.

Quite aside from the fact that the economic empowerment of millions can only be a good thing from a humanitarian perspective,

Motorvehicle workshop

distribution of low-cost, affordable banana alcoholic beverages.

Endeavour Magazine | 95

BANANA INVESTMENTS

the growing consumer class which has emerged over the past decade as a by-product of Tanzania’s boom-times shows how many are beginning to reap the benefits that have come with their country’s increasing affluence. The multiplier effect that this has acted as something of a self-fulfilling prophecy, economically speaking; more consumer spending on goods, services, and leisure feeds the business community, which in-turn means more jobs, more opportunity, and better wages, as Tanzania continues to transform itself into an increasingly sophisticated, diverse consumer economy, and wean itself off its reliance on agriculture and commodity exports.

REBRANDING AND A NEW MARKET STRATEGY TO REACH OUT TO A NEW TARGET DEMOGRAPHIC That said, operating such a high-volume, low-cost model in a fast-changing, fast-growing marketplace isn’t without its risks, however. The low per unit margins that come with the business territory can leave companies exposed in the face of a changing regulatory environment, as Banana Investments has discovered of late.

“The industry is growing, completion is growing. Some of the challenges facing us include the numerous regulatory institutions in Tanzania that regulate industry, especially the food and drink sector. Also, the recently introduced Excise Duty that has been imposed on our products is a key challenge; when it is factored into the price, it is a concern that our consumers will not be able to afford the product,” Olomi told us.

This Excise Duty, he believes, poses a great challenge to the company. It is for this reason that Banana Investments has recently embarked on an ambitious rebranding exercise and strategic marketing campaign, intent on improving the reputation of banana alcoholic beverages. Whilst banana wines and beers are recognised and loved by many East Africans, equally, it is currently viewed as a beverage choice which is less than foreign wheat beers and lagers, and grape wines in the eyes of Tanzania’s more affluent middle class.

On this, Adolf said: “We are in the process of changing our logo and product packaging design, and are reaching out to a consumer market with higher disposable incomes to show them that our banana beverages can compete with any foreign exports.

At present we are working with a European-based marketing agency which will help us improve the way our product is perceived.

I am confident that this rebrand of our products will help take Banana Investments to the next level.”

96 | Endeavour Magazine

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES Whilst this looming tax certainly represents a challenge, perhaps it would be more fitting to view it is an obstacle than a major threat, however. Adolf Olomi is a proud but modest man who has not only built his business, but an entirely new industry in the face of a difficult business climate; bearing in mind how far Banana Investments has come, and the adversity it has overcome it has overcome over its lifetime already, it is difficult to believe that such a pioneering business truly faces an existential crisis.

This much loved brand, although facing a period of change and difficulty, will likely continue to lovingly produce traditional East African alcoholic beverages for both its existing loyal customer base and a new, more affluent consumer demographic for more years to come.

Adolf Olomi - MD Banana

AMAZING WORLD DIWALI, THE FABULOUS FESTIVAL OF LIGHT Close to 1 billion Hindus, Sikhs and Jains around the world

way as Christmas is by non-Christians in the West. Coinciding with

observed the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, in October – a vast

the Hindu New Year, Diwali is a festival that is also observed with

and colourful 5-day festival celebrating the triumph of light over

self-improvement and new beginnings, and many people choose this

darkness, and the legend of Lord Rama and his wife Sita’s return to

time of year as the time to pay off old debts and make significant

their kingdom from exile, following their victory over the evil demon

life changes.

king Ravanna in the 15th century BC.

Starting when the monsoon season ends, just in time for the return of warm and pleasant weather, hundreds of millions come out in celebration to recite prayer, share gifts with one another

calendar. Although it is celebrated in every major global city each

and enjoy delicious festive feasts which bring together family and

autumn, from London to Cape Town; Sydney to San Francisco, the

friends. In keeping with its namesake, Diwali is a time of bright lights

Diwali festival in India is undoubtedly the centre of the party, where

and colour, where houses and entire streets are illuminated and

it is a recognised public holiday, celebrated by all - much the same

magnificent fireworks displays are held across the land.

©  S Pakhrin

It is unquestionably a happy and joyous event which stands amongst the most important festivals to take place in the religious

98 | Endeavour Magazine

©  Kartikeya Kaul ©  Ashwin Kumar

festival

this, there were street processions as the Hindu goddess Lakshmi’s

preparations, houses are first

As

part

of

statue was carried through the streets of villages, towns and cities

cleaned out thoroughly, and

across the country. Melas (fairs) were held day and night. Children

the

whitewashed

were given sweets and toys from booths set-up for the occasion,

and decorated with colourful

some of whom in southern India wore flower wreaths on their heads

designs and murals. Then, they

or anklets of bells. After darkness fell, however, the festival of light

are decorated with traditional

truly came into its own. Night-time heralded the release of fireworks

oil-burning bowls called dipa,

and landscapes of light that are synonymous with the occasion, not

along with more modern strings

to mention the release of millions of lamps and candles on tiny rafts

of bright lights.

into rivers and waterways across India – Diwali is truly a sight to

exteriors

the

The first day of Diwali was a

behold after the sun sets.

day that kicked off celebrations

So, if you missed Diwali this year, wherever you are in the world,

in style, beginning with prayer

don’t forget to take the time out to enjoy this wonderful spectacle

and a special breakfast. After

of light and colour in 2017.

Endeavour Magazine | 99

100 | Endeavour Magazine

WEIR GAS AND OIL SERVICES WWW.GLOBAL.WEIR

BEST IN THE BUSINESS WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

Well, what a few years it’s been for the Middle East’s petro-powers. Certainly, the downturn which has crashed upon the sector like a storm is past the worst, but prices remain low and orders down year-on-year.

Endeavour Magazine | 101

WEIR GAS AND OIL SERVICES

That said, in every time of difficulty there is also opportunity

too. The Weir Oil & Gas division of Weir Group – one of the world’s leading engineering outfits based out of the UK – has struggled like many others in the industry, but through its recent acquisition of American wellhead manufacturer, Seaboard, Weir has both opened the door to the new cash-rich US-based shale sector, while also giving a boost to its traditional Middle Eastern markets.

Endeavour Magazine investigated.

T

o say the least, many of the established global big-names

equipment for process pumps. We also offer full integrated

who operate in the oil & gas industry have endured a torrid

service management for oil companies. So that includes complete

two years, as they come to terms with an uncomfortable new

maintenance and management pumps, compressors, valves of any

reality where OPEC has lost its stranglehold in the face of a shale

make, a one-stop shop for all maintenance and repairs. So these are

and renewables revolution, and where low oil prices are the new

largely four divisions.

normal.

In the upstream sector, we cater to the drilling industry. Then

Naturally, as a world-leader in the design and manufacture

we have the OCTG business, where we have all of the premium

of pumps and ancillary equipment for global upstream and

trading licenses. The company also manufactures the crossover

downstream oil and gas markets, particularly in the Middle East,

pump joints that goes into the wellhead. This plant we manufacture

the Weir Oil & Gas division of global engineering giant, Weir Group,

the valves locally in Dubai, so its being made in the UAE for the first

has suffered as much as any during these difficult times.

time ever.

That said, it would be unwise to discount a company with a

Out of Dubai especially, we manufacture the entire top side of

long-held global reputation for excellence. When you’ve been in

the rigs which get built in the region. All the drilling contractors are

business for as long as Weir has, it’s inevitable that you’ve learned

our customers. We manufacture valves and all the API (American

how to roll with the punches - even during a malaise as severe as

Petroleum Institute) accessories that are needed in the drilling rigs.”

the present downturn. It also doesn’t do any harm when you’re part

These are impressive credentials, and it is easy to see how the

of a company with 14,000 employees, and the capabilities, reach,

company’s operations made it a billion dollar business during the

and resources to operate as a truly global entity.

pre-commodity crisis years when the oil and gas market was bullish.

Vikas Handa, Weir’s Managing Dirctor of European, Middle

As a global leader in providing high pressure pumping equipment

Eastern, and African operations, said: “Weir Group is a 150-year old

– critical for the extraction of shale gas and tight oil – and wellhead

company – it’s one of the UK’s largest engineering groups.” When

equipment, following its recent acquisition of the American

you’ve been in business this long, it certainly doesn’t do any harm

wellhead manufacturer Seaboard for US$675 million, Weir Oil &

to your survival prospects – such longevity simply isn’t possible if

Gas is quite sensibly opting not to place all its eggs in basket, and

you’re not amongst the best in the business in your field.

has moved aggressively to capture the fast-growing shale market US. Granted, this might appear an extravagant purchase at a time

A GLOBAL INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS AND EQUIPMENT PROVIDER TO GLOBAL OIL INDUSTRY He continued: “In oil and gas, we have got four verticals. We are the world’s largest vacuum pump manufacturer for the shale

when the industry but the logic behind the decision is undeniable.

ACQUISITION OF US-BASED SEABOARD ADDS AN IMPORTANT STRING TO THE WEIR BOW

market, in the form of our subsidiary known as SPM, based out

In terms of its strategic impact, the acquisition of Seaboard

of Fort Worth, Texas. In Houston we manufacture valves, in the

means that Weir now has one foot firmly in the oil and gas sector’s

brand name of Seaboard. From Gabbioneta, Italy we manufacture

new boom market early, namely US shale, but it has also acted as

102 | Endeavour Magazine

something of a shot in the arm for its Middle Eastern operations.

manufacture them locally, along with Weirs own portfolio of SPM

The acquisition of Seaboard was sanctioned with the intent of

branded valves and high pressure flow equipment, thereby enabling

capturing market share in the US, where it was the fourth largest

the company to deliver them to customers at a competitive price.

wellhead manufacturer in the entire country, but there is huge

“It is right at the heart of the marketplace, close to the customer,

scope for its expansion into the Middle Eastern markets where it

catering for their needs and meeting their demand for tighter lead

currently has virtually no presence.

times while ensuring the highest quality standards in a trusted

Weir Oil & Gas is the largest manufacturer and provider of oil

product. It is the first such plant in the United Arab Emirates.”

and gas equipment in the Middle East; it has long been this way,

With its new manufacturing plant, which will greatly simplify

and now, with Seaboard among its portfolio, Weir has a new string

the manufacture, delivery and servicing capabilities of highly

to its bow that has greatly increased its product and service offering

engineered equipment for clients, and its recent landing of new

capacity.

maintenance contracts with the region’s big beasts, Saudi Aramco, Saudi Electric Company, and Lukoil, the future is finally beginning

CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY ON NEW US$20 MILLION WELLHEAD MANUFACTURING PLANT IN DUBAI

to look a little rosier again for Weir Oil & Gas. Cash flow might remain tight, and the wider industry remains somewhat punch-drunk after what has been an especially brutal

The demand for Seaboard’s exclusive wellheads has been such

crash, but the worst is now over. There is light at the end of the

that Weir took the decision to build a US$20million new 250,000

tunnel, and when the inevitable upturn comes you can bet that

square foot plant, based in Dubai and manned by 300 employees, to

Weir Oil & Gas will be in a prime position to capitalise.

Providing Innovative Engineering Solutions and EPC Solutions to Oil & Gas Industry

Engineering Procurement Supply Construction Commissioning O&M Support Long Term Service Agreements Local Fabrication & Machining Services

+964 780 1099758 • info@srg-iq.com www.srgme.com Endeavour Magazine | 103

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ARAB ENGINEERING BUREAU WWW.AEB-QATAR.COM 974-4406 88 88

HALF A CENTURY OF SUCCESS WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

A 50th anniversary is as much an accolade as a milestone for the elite companies that are capable and competitive enough to achieve such longevity. Business is a tough old game, after all.

The saying, ‘nothing is more constant than change itself,’ is one which must surely have been stated with business in mind.

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ARAB ENGINEERING BUREAU

Few companies succeed in riding the waves of change throughout

their lifetimes, let alone achieve ongoing, continued success over the course of half a century as Arab Engineering Bureau (AEB) have. Arab Engineering Bureau’s 50-years in the construction industry is a real-life success story, during which it has grown to become a leading multidisciplinary architectural design consultancy player, not only in the Gulf but on the international stage. Today, AEB operates across the Middle East, in Doha and Abu Dhabi and South East Asia, with offices in Manila and Kuala Lumpur – it’s global reach is substantial.

“A

EB works across extensively divergent project scales, typologies and environmental conditions,” Ibrahim begins, “In recent years, the firm has completed

numerous commercial, residential, civic, institutional, educational and historic preservation projects for a variety of public and private clients throughout Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Kuwait, Egypt, Yemen and Sudan.”

Arab Engineering Bureau (AEB) is an award-winning firm of architects, urban and master planners, interior, landscape and structural designers, engineers, quantity surveyors and project and design managers with a truly inimitable portfolio. The strongest aspect of their business is that they are well rounded in terms of services offered as just recently AEB has introduced speciality areas such as Acoustics, Lighting, Transportation and Planning to their offering.

“Our strength lies in transforming potential into reality,” Ibrahim affirms, “The firm considers every project to be a benefactor to a sustainable environment, local economy and community,” AEB draws on the strengths of a unique architectural methodology, established by Ibrahim M. Jaidah himself. Its focus is on the present development of the country, and, where appropriate, the firm preserves and articulates traditional architecture while ensuring that each design offers the client a functional space

THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS With branches in Doha, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Manila, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok AEB employees have an unparalleled foundation on which to build their careers, their abilities and their dreams. AEB provides an opportunity to work in a diversified work culture with people from almost every corner of the world.

Presently there are 33 nationalities employed at AEB. “As AEB employees hail from different regions of the world and bring the local expertise and culture, our staff are well versed in over forty different languages and dialects,” Ibrahim describes, clearly proud, “The firm’s strength is derived from this diversified work force and its people are the architects of the future.”

He continues, “Standards which our staff have to adhere to are not only general international rules and regulations but locally established regulations relevant to the local environment. We keep our staff up to date and in line with state regulated policies and rules in construction industry.

Individual development is of extreme importance and we always encourage and very often finance our staff’s further professional education and development.”

HANDS ON FOR CLIENT MANAGEMENT

tailored to their needs and design brief. The firm’s approach is

AEB’s executives play an important role in client management

grounded in the search for contextually appropriate solutions.

and involve their clients in the entire process from conception to

Special emphasis is given to climate and scale – and, as a result,

completion of their projects, regardless of project scale or typology.

AEB has been chosen numerous times to create landmark projects.

“We are very proud that more than 80% of our clients are

“Notable early projects include the Barzan Tower, acclaimed

returning to us for our services,” Ibrahim says, “I believe that high

as one of the most famous buildings of the Doha skyline,” he

client retention reflects client’s satisfaction. We make sure to

continues, “And award-winning projects such as the Diplomatic

always provide quality services within the scope and budget.”

Club and Al Shaqab Institute for Girls which has been honoured on the Qatari Currency 100 Riyal note.”

What makes us unique,” he goes on to highlight, “Is having a history of almost 50 years practising in Qatar, and over this period

Beginning with just six employees in 1991, when the firm was

of time we have managed to acquire a wealth of information

acquired by its current Chief Executive Officer Ibrahim M. Jaidah,

and knowledge on local architecture, local engineering, local

AEB’s diversified human resource has grown to a current figure of

environment, the culture of conducting business and understanding

close to 600 highly qualified professionals.

the client.”

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ARAB ENGINEERING BUREAU Responsibility plan which has taken a centre stage at AEB,” he

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD With World Cup 2022 being hosted in Qatar there has been a noticeable shift in the markets, especially in the hospitality and sports venues. Hospitality projects are being done on a much larger scale than before, Ibrahim tells us.

“In terms of the sports venues and stadiums we have been approached by a few major international key players in the sports venue development to offer our local cultural and technical

highlights, “Our corporate social responsibility is most dominant in the area of education. As one of our core values education is fundamental part of who we are, reflecting our long term commitment to Qatar National Vision 2030 and knowledge based society.”

AEB is committed to the community where their employees live and work by supporting educational programs, but also serving as

expertise.” As the oldest, most reputable architectural design

ambassador to the local heritage and local traditional architecture.

company in the country, it was only natural that AEB would be at

Of the key areas that are closest to Ibrahim Mohamed Jaidah’s

the forefront of Qatar’s goal to deliver the world-class stadiums and

heart, it is clear that this is a man who can see the long term

infrastructure fit to host such a prestigious global sporting event.

benefits of developing the people of the community to create a

All the same, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy’s

foundation of education and intellect for the company to build

decision to appoint AEB as the designer of the eighth stadium for

future developments upon. These include scholarships and grants

the World Cup 2022 tournament, which will be based on 515,400

at the Virginia Commonwealth University of Qatar, developing

sqm in Al Thumama, is a great honour.

entrepreneurship through workshops and sponsorships, lectures,

Now that the firm is well established in the Middle East and

workshops and conferences at a number of universities in Qatar and

Asia, they are looking into other possibilities of expanding the

out and a strong, regional and international internship placement

firm’s horizons. Their goal is to create a strong regional presence

programme.

but could very soon start looking into African markets, especially

“If AEB is to continue serving our customers well, we have

Northen Africa. Ibrahim revealed they are expecting a work force

to look at developing our staff. Training and education for the

increase of 14%-20%.

next generation is how we position ourselves for the future,” he

“Our plan is also to continue with our Corporate Social

concludes.

I AM

TIVOLI

info@tivoli.com.qa www.tivoli.com.qa

108 | Endeavour Magazine

WW W.B E NE . COM

Al-Rayyan AL-Ateeq Street 3633 Doha, Qatar +974-4021 20 0 0

AMAZING WORLD A CARIBBEAN PARADISE: LADERA RESORT ST. LUCIA

W

ith its mountainous terrain and lush flora, it’s world-

Perhaps the most exciting expression of St. Lucia’s culture is its

renowned beaches and endless sunshine, St. Lucia’s almost

festivals. If you want to see St. Lucia at its party-best, Carnival -

otherworldly beauty is unmatched even by its neighbouring

which takes place each year from the end of May through to mid-

Caribbean islands.

At 27 miles long by 14 miles wide, St. Lucia is small enough that visitors can take the time to explore parts of the island intimately during their stay, but not so small that you’ll ever find yourself kicking your heels for things to do.

July - is by far the biggest event. It is a party of legend, and an explosion of colour and festivity, with calypso contests and parades radiating throughout the island.

For visitors to this spectacular island who are looking to enjoy all that St. Lucia has to offer in the utmost luxury, the Ladera St.

St Lucia’s culture - a unique fusion of French, British and African

Lucia Resort is the first and last word in romantic island escapes.

traditions - and its population of approximately 160,000 people

Ladera, which was once part of Rabot Estate, one of Soufrière’s

bring the island’s beauty and rich heritage to life. Along with its

oldest and most famous cocoa plantations, was in 1982

lovely quaint towns, beautiful beaches and bays, mineral baths, and

transformed into the unique resort it is today. Taking full advantage

banana plantations, you won’t tire of exploring St. Lucia. You can

of its natural surroundings, Ladera offers a unique design in guest

even visit a volcano!

accommodations.

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From the Ladera Resort, you can look out over an intensely blue

The memories of your stay on the island will be many. Will you

Caribbean Sea as it dashes against the volcanic Piton Mountains

remember the exquisite freshness and inventive flavors of the fresh

a thousand feet below. Faintly scented tropical breezes cool your

local cuisine at Dasheene? Dining in the open air, high above the

skin. Your private plunge pool beckons. Each room offers fine linens,

Caribbean Sea? The sumptuous pleasures of the Spa? The welcoming

luxurious amenities and four-poster beds made of polished tropical

island hospitality offered by the entire staff? Maybe lounging on

hardwood - and each, deliberately without a fourth wall, invites the

warm sand on the beach at the base of the Pitons?

spectacular sunsets and astonishing views right inside, to be a part of your very private, very special retreat.

The 32 suites all have an ‘open wall’ – the west side of each unit is left open to expose the breathtaking view, and the orientation of

Or possibly, what you will remember is simply the magically serene experience of being so separate from the rest of the world, surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest, at one with Ladera, and embracing all that it has to offer.

the buildings maintain complete privacy. As one of the top St. Lucia resorts, the suites are constructed of tropical hardwoods, stone and tile, furnished with locally crafted wood furniture, fixtures and accessories. All units are decorated with local artwork and feature magnificent views of the Pitons and Caribbean Sea.

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