Endeavour Magazine January 2017

JANUARY 2017

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Going Underground HELGELAND KRAFT A Fusion Of Art And Energy

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EDITOR’S NOTE Heads of Departments Managing Editor Djamil Benmehidi editor@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Director Alex Smith alexsmith@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Manager Emlyn Freeman emlynfreeman@littlegatepublishing.com Head of Editorial Research Paul Bradley paulbradley@littlegatepublishing.com Editorial Research Alice Instone-Brewer alice@littlegatepublishing.com Project Director Steven Weller steveweller@littlegatepublishing.com Corporate Director Anthony Letchumaman anthonyl@littlegatepublishing.com Lead Designer Alina Sandu studio@littlegatepublishing.com Publisher Stephen Warman stevewarman@littlegatepublishing.com 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.

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F

irst things first, Happy New Year from myself and the team here at Endeavour Magazine. After a 2016 which might best be described as memorable, now comes the opportunity for all of us to wipe the

slate clean and start afresh.

Whether your 2017 will be a year of new beginnings, or instead a year to build upon the success of the one before, undoubtedly it will be a year of great change. The rule book has been well and truly torn up and the status quo toppled, and inevitably this will create ripples for global business – the size and scale of which are yet unknown.

Of course, there is every reason to be optimistic about the coming 12-months. While change, in the form of political earthquakes, might be painful, it helps to shake-off the complacency and deadwood which accumulates – a view shared by Murray Williams, the CEO of South African fleet management giant, Eqstra Fleet Management, which we had the pleasure of featuring once more in this month’s magazine.

Alongside Eqstra Fleet, this month’s issue of Endeavour Magazine also caught up with the likes of Norwegian hydropower operators, Helgeland & Kraft, who have successfully blended power generation with striking aesthetics; Barbados Port In., which over the past decade has made the painstaking transition from a second-rate port operator into a global-level player, and arguably the best in the Caribbean. And then there is Ashnil Hotels and Marasa Africa, whom we featured as part of a focus on the East African tourism sector – these two thrilling companies are rightfully recognised as leaders in their field, when it comes to the delivery of luxury safari holidays.

And let’s not forget Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co., which is currently engaged in a vast metro build project under the bustling streets of

by attributing writers and/or in advertisements included in this

Singapore, and C.O. Williams Construction of Barbados, and Nexus Group

magazine do not necessarily represent those of the publisher.

of Namibia.

Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy

As always, we hope you enjoy reading this month’s issue as we enjoyed

of the information contained within this magazine, no legal

making it.

responsibility will be accepted by the publishers for loss arising from use of information published. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrievable system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the

DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

prior written consent of the publisher.

Copyright © Littlegate Publishing Ltd 2017

Endeavour Magazine | 3

CONTENTS

13

Eqstra Fleet Management

FEATURES 13

21

29

35

43

51

61

67

75

81

21

Limegrove Lifestyle Center

4 | Endeavour Magazine

Eqstra Fleet Management Embracing Change Limegrove Lifestyle Center The First Word In Caribbean Chic Ashnil Hotels Ltd The Sun Shines On Everyone Helgeland Kraft A Fusion Of Art And Energy Barbados Port Inc The Maritime Gateway To The Caribbean Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Company Going Underground C.O. Williams Construction Ltd Building Barbados Island Grill Serving Up Great Business Acumen Nexus Group Exceed And Deliver INSS-POL Sp. Z o.o.

Maintaining A Steely Gaze

29

Ashnil Hotels Ltd

ARTICLES 3 Editor’s Note 6 Business Headlines

Middle East

Africa Asia

Americas Europe

26 40 72

Amazing World Cryonics - Preserving Our Future Project Nourished Relampago Del Catatumbo, Eternal Storm

56

Automotives Citroen C4 Grand Picasso

87

INSS-POL Sp. Z o.o.

Endeavour Magazine | 5

BUSINESS HEADLINES MIDDLE EAST WORLD’S NEW TALLEST TOWER IN DUBAI UNDERGOES GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION The world’s new tallest tower coming up in Dubai – The Tower at Dubai Creek Harbour – has undergone an extensive geotechnical

now is negotiating an oil deal. The agreement could help open a new chapter in the turbulent history of Iran’s oil sector, which has been marked by waves of nationalisations and successive sanctions. Shell halted most of its activities in Iran in 2010.

investigation. Dutch firm Fugro, which provides geotechnical assistance, was contracted by Emaar Properties to conduct the investigation. Construction on the tower was launched last month, and when completed in 2020, it will beat the Burj Khalifa (828 metres) as the tallest building in the world. However, the exact height of the new building has not yet been disclosed.

Because of the building’s height and design, ground engineering is “critical” in the programme schedule and foundation design, Fugro said in a statement.

IRAN SHIPPING LINES CLOSE TO US$650 MILLION KOREAN ORDER

SAUDI’S KING SALMAN ACKNOWLEDGES RESTRUCTURING MEASURES ARE ‘PAINFUL’ King Salman told Saudis that he recognised that economic restructuring measures adopted in response to a sharp drop in oil prices were painful, but said they were necessary to avoid long-term damage to the country. “The state has sought to deal with these changes … through a variety of measures to restructure the economy, some of which may be painful in the short run but ultimately aim to protect the economy of your country from worse problems,” he told the consultative Shura Council.

“Similar circumstances have happened before over the past three

Iran’s state-owned shipping company is in advanced talks with

decades, forcing the state to cut its expenses, but it emerged from

Korean shipyard Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. for a $650 million

them, thanks be to God, with a strong economy and continuous and

order of container ships and tankers, people involved in the talks

increasing growth,” Salman said.

said, marking Iran’s return to the international market after a decade.

In a drastic step to save money, the king in September ordered

The deal may be announced as early as this week and is part

salaries of ministers and Shura Council members to be cut by 20

of plans by Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines and Iranian

and 15 per cent, and scaled back financial perks for public sector

Offshore Oil Co., a subsidiary of state oil company National Iranian

employees.

Oil Co., to spend a total of up to $2.5 billion to modernise their fleets. A Hyundai Heavy spokesman said that Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, or IRISL, was in talks with the shipyard over a 10-ship order, but gave no details.

SAUDI ARAMCO SAYS WILL INVEST US$6-7BN THROUGH NABOR AND ROWAN JOINT VENTURES

Iranian shipping companies haven’t modernised their fleets since

State-owned oil giant Saudi Aramco has announced two new joint

2006, when the United Nations imposed wide-ranging sanctions

ventures with US-listed Nabors Industries and Rowan Companies

against Tehran over its uranium-enrichment program. The sanctions

focussing on onshore and offshore drilling in the kingdom. Together

began to be gradually lifted in January.

they will invest $6-7bn to purchase onshore rigs and offshore jackups manufactured in Saudi Arabia by Aramco’s still to be formed

SHELL SIGNS PRELIMINARY IRAN OIL DEAL DESPITE UNCERTAINTY OVER TRUMP

manufacturing joint ventures. Aramco said these ventures would create 5,000 jobs and aim for an 80 per cent Saudisation rate. They are expected to begin operations in the second quarter of 2017.

Royal Dutch Shell PLC on Wednesday said it had signed an

The onshore venture with Nabor will combine the two

agreement with Iran’s state oil company to explore future projects,

companies’ existing onshore drilling operations in the kingdom and

signalling that giant energy companies are unlikely to be deterred

cover current and future onshore oil and gas fields. It will initially

by President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to undo the Iran nuclear

own 15 contributed rigs, of which five will be from Aramco and 10

deal. Shell is the largest company to wade back into Iran since the

from Nabors, and manage the remaining Nabor-owned rigs in the

U.S. and other world powers lifted sanctions in January in exchange

kingdom bringing the total to 41.

for Tehran putting strict limits on its nuclear program. The British-

“The total value of initial contributions from both partners

Dutch firm follows France’s Total SA, which last month signed a

through domestic operations, assets, equipment and capital is

US$4.8 billion deal to develop a large natural-gas field in Iran and

estimated at over US$1bn,” Aramco said.

6 | Endeavour Magazine

AFRICA Van Zyl is the current CEO of Ubuntu-Botho as well as the joint CEO of African Rainbow Capital. During his tenure as CEO of Sanlam he was credited for transforming the group from a primarily South African life insurer to a multinational diversified financial services group. He currently sits on the supervisory board of Steinhoff International Holdings and is a director on several other boards.

OIL FIRMS IN US$100BN COST CUTS FOR AFRICA Capital investment in the oil and gas industry in sub-Saharan Africa has been cut by US$100 billion over the next five years, according to Wood Mackenzie’s latest report on upstream activity.

“Exploration cuts in the region will also contribute to a longerterm production slump as explorers have shied away from greenfield

AGRI SA CALLS FOR DONATIONS TO ASSIST DROUGHTRAVAGED FARMERS While recent widespread rains have brought some relief‚ “parts of the Northern Cape‚ Western Cape‚ North West‚ Limpopo and the Free State are still in the grip of the worst drought this decade”.

prospects, in favour of appraising known discoveries. However, the confirmation of the giant Owowo discovery in deepwater Nigeria shows the quality of resources Sub-Saharan Africa still has to offer,”Femi Oso, senior research manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, Wood Mackenzie, said this month.

Wood Mackenzie expects a slow recovery for exploration.

That is according to Agri SA‚ which on Monday reiterated its call

“Governments in sub-Saharan Africa need to revive the upstream oil

for donations to assist needy farmers. Agri SA president Johannes

and gas industry by offering attractive fiscal terms rather than look

Möller said: “Agri SA alone cannot meet the farmers’ needs and

to increase state revenues in the current climate,” Oso said.

therefore we call urgently for financial contributions.”

He said that while the agricultural association had “launched various initiatives to provide needy farmers countrywide with

However, the biggest upstream success story in sub-Saharan Africa continues to be East Africa’s emergence as a gas region of global importance and notably Tanzania.

drought relief”‚ the “time has now come for the government to

With over 168 Tcf of gas found and limited regional demand,

provide further assistance to commercial and small-scale farmers to

East Africa is on track to become a major global LNG supplier and

help them survive”.

various export projects are awaiting final investment decision.

“The shortage of funds has now resulted in Agri SA being unable to provide further assistance and we therefore call urgently on the private sector to make further contributions to the Agri SA droughtrelief fund.”

KENYA SIGNS SH11 BILLION FUNDING DEAL AT ONGOING ACP-EU MEETING Kenya signed finance agreements with the European Union

FORMER CEO JOHAN VAN ZYL IS NEW SANLAM CHAIR AFTER PATRICE MOTSEPE DECLINES

worth Sh11 billion in the sidelines of the ongoing African Caribbean Pacific and EU (ACP-EU) parliamentary conference.

The government will use Sh5.3 billion to support productive,

Dr Johan van Zyl will take over the reins from Desmond Smith as

adapted and market integrated smallholder agriculture in Kenya.

chairperson of financial services group Sanlam when Smith retires in

A further Sh3.6 billion will be used in the programme for Legal

June 2017, the group announced.

Empowerment and Aid Delivery, while Sh2.1 billion will go towards

The board had nominated business mogul and current deputy chairperson Patrice Motsepe to succeed Smith. However, he proposed Van Zyl, a former CEO of the group, for the position.

the Ending Drought Emergencies Strategy.

The strategy is the government’s commitment to end suffering because of the drought by 2022. The plan was developed jointly

Smith has been chairperson of the group since 2010 after serving

with development partners and focuses on the 23 most vulnerable

as its MD from 1993. He is also the chairperson of Reinsurance

counties in Kenya. President Uhuru Kenyetta witnessed the signing

Group of America and holds several other company directorships.

of the agreements.

Endeavour Magazine | 7

ASIA JAPAN’S SOFTBANK INVESTS US$1 BILLION IN SATELLITE STARTUP ONEWEB Japan’s SoftBank Group Corp. is pumping US$1 billion into OneWeb Ltd., which aims to use hundreds of satellites to provide internet access in rural areas and developing countries, in a

Paris and now agreed to by nearly 200 nations. Top executives with many big American corporations also have said they would follow through on their plans to shrink their carbon profiles, even with Mr. Trump’s sceptical view of some Obama administration environmental policies.

fundraising round that values the startup at roughly US$2.5 billion.

OneWeb’s current investors are also giving $200 million in the latest fundraising, the company announced. The fresh funds ensure that OneWeb has the firepower to build and launch more than 640 satellites by the beginning of the next decade. The company’s goal is to offer fast internet-via-space connectivity to everything from vehicles in urban areas to rural homes in the U.S. and schools in developing countries.

SoftBank, an early financial backer of some of the largest internet companies on both sides of the Pacific, is set to become the fledgling company’s largest shareholder with a roughly 40% stake, said Greg Wyler, OneWeb’s founder, executive chairman and chief architect.

CHINA’S MEDTRONIC FINE MAY SIGNAL HEALTH-CARE-COST CRACKDOWN The Chinese government’s punishment of a medical-equipment supplier for price-fixing could be the opening to wider scrutiny of health-care costs.

The National Development and Reform Commission this week fined Medtronic PLC 118.5 million yuan (US$17 million) for refusing to let dealers and distributors discount prices for the company’s insulin pumps, pacemakers and other medical devices. It said this raised costs to patients.

This was the first time the commission had fined a medicaldevice maker, according to the state broadcaster CCTV. The news was widely covered in official media—usually a sign of a major investigative push.

Medtronic is just the “tip of the iceberg,” according to the China Economic Herald, the commission’s official publication, which reports that 100 pharmaceutical and medical-device companies are under the microscope. A spokesman for Dublin-based Medtronic said the company accepted the decision and would pay the fine.

ASIAN FIRMS PLEDGE LOYALTY TO PARIS ACCORD ON CLIMATE

CYRUS MISTRY RESIGNS FROM FIVE TATA COMPANY BOARDS A battle for control of the Tata Group, India’s largest conglomerate

Top companies in Asia say they are standing behind the Paris

with more than US$100 billion a year in sales, took an unexpected

climate accord reached last year, regardless of what path the U.S.

turn as Cyrus Mistry, the ousted head of the group’s holding

takes. That includes at least one major producer of palm oil, a product

company, resigned from the boards of five of the group’s biggest

whose plantations are often associated with deforestation and air

companies.

pollution caused by the burning of land to make way for them.

Mr. Mistry gave up his board positions at Tata Motors Ltd., Tata

“We will continue to emphasize our priorities and keep climate

Steel Ltd., Indian Hotels Co., Tata Chemicals Ltd. and Tata Power Ltd.,

at the top of the agenda,” John Hartmann, chief executive Cargill

retreating from his earlier plans to let shareholders decide his fate.

Tropical Palm Holdings Pte. Ltd., wrote in an email.

He pledged to continue his battle from outside the group.

A subsidiary of U.S. commodities giant Cargill Inc., with palm-

Mr. Mistry has raised governance issues at the conglomerate,

oil plantations in Indonesia, Cargill Tropical Palm says it remains

which sells everything from tea to software to Land Rover vehicles.

committed to efforts to prevent deforestation and invest in

His father’s construction company, Shapoorji Pallonji & Co., is a

renewable energy sources.

major shareholder in holding company Tata Sons Ltd.

A number of other corporate leaders, from Australia to Japan,

Tata Sons was dismissive of Mr. Mistry’s announcement. “Mr.

said they also would stand firm on plans to reduce their carbon

Mistry’s resignation is a deliberate strategy on his part, knowing fully

footprints, even as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has created

well that the overwhelming majority of the shareholders were not in

uncertainty about the climate-change accord formed last year in

support of his actions,” the company said.

8 | Endeavour Magazine

AMERICAS FINANCIALS RALLY WILL CONTINUE, WITH BIG BANKS THE BIG WINNERS, EXPERT SAYS Financial stocks are going to continue soar thanks to an improving economy, less regulation and higher interest rates, experts told CNBC. “This is all about credibility and confidence … as the economy continues to recover, financials are going to be a big part of it, especially loan growth,” said Brian Belski, chief investment strategist at BMO Capital Markets.

Plus, the sector usually trades in tandem with the market, but this latest bull market has not been led by financials, he pointed out.

“We think there is still gross, gross underperformance of financials to get caught up on.” In fact, Belski continued to say he believes S&P 500 financials have more than 30 percent higher to go in terms of reaching any kind of fair value.

FED HAS 8 BIGGEST US BANKS SHIFT LOSS BURDEN TO INVESTORS The eight biggest U.S. banks will be required to build new cushions against losses that would shift the burden to investors. The action by the Federal Reserve was the latest bid by regulators to

GM TO LAY OFF NEARLY 1,300 WORKERS AT DETROIT PLANT, CUT PRODUCTION AT SEVERAL FACTORIES

reduce the chances of future taxpayer bailouts.

The Fed governors led by Chair Janet Yellen voted 5-0 to lay down the new requirements. The mega-banks must bulk up their

General Motors Co. said it would lay off nearly 1,300 workers

capacity to absorb financial shocks by issuing equity or long-term

at an assembly plant in Detroit beginning in March and temporarily

debt equal to certain portions of total bank assets. The idea is that

cut production at several other factories next month, the latest auto

the cost of a huge bank’s failure would fall on investors in the bank,

maker adjusting to softening demand after a seven-year growth

not on taxpayers.

spurt.

The Fed action comes as Washington braces for changes to the

GM disclosed in a state regulatory filing Monday that it would lay

2010 law that reined in Wall Street after the financial crisis and the

off about 600 regular workers from its Detroit-Hamtramck factory,

Great Recession. President-elect Donald Trump urged during his

where workers assemble the Chevrolet Volt, Buick LaCrosse and

campaign that the Dodd-Frank law be dismantled, and his transition

other cars. About another 670 temporary workers also will be let go,

team has set that as a goal. Republicans, who overwhelmingly

according to the filing.

opposed Dodd-Frank, will control the White House and Congress in

Earlier Monday, GM confirmed that it will cut car production at five U.S. assembly plants for one to three weeks in January, mostly

January and see an opening to go after key parts of the law — such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

to reduce swollen inventories. The nation’s largest auto maker by

“Today we are putting into place one of the last critical safeguards

volume entered December with about 873,000 vehicles on dealer

that make up the core of our ... reform efforts” following the financial

lots, 26% more than the same time a year earlier and the highest

crisis, Yellen said at the start of the meeting. “These banks must bear

mark for the month since 2007, according to researcher WardsAuto.

the costs their failure would impose on the financial system and the

com.

economy.”

The move underscores the slowing pace of retail sales at auto dealerships and weak demand for passenger cars in particular, as consumer preference shifts to crossover SUVs and pickup trucks.

10 | Endeavour Magazine

EUROPE BP AGREES US$1BN DEAL FOR STAKE IN MASSIVE AFRICAN OFFSHORE GASFIELDS

EUROPEAN COMMISSION ‘EXCEEDED ITS POWERS’ OVER IRELAND APPLE TAX RULING

BP has agreed its second huge deal in days with the energy giant

Ireland has accused the European Commission of exceeding

revealing a near US$1bn investment in gas fields off Northwest

its powers in a legal challenge to the ruling that Apple must return

Africa. The company has signed deals with Kosmos Energy to take

billions in unpaid taxes.

a 62pc stake in the company’s exploration blocks of gas fields off

The Ministry of Finance said that the competition watchdog,

Mauritania and a 33.5pc holding in those off Senegal. BP will also

which ordered Apple to pay back €13bn, had interfered with its

operate the Mauritania fields.

sovereignty.

It is thought the 33,000 square kilometres covered by the deal

Ireland is appealing the Commission’s ruling which found that

could contain as much as 50 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas, as well

the tech giant enjoyed a special deal allowing it to pay 0.0005pc tax

as more than 1bn barrels of oil in deepwater reserves. At the upper

in 2014 - 50 euros for every one million of profit.

end of the estimates, the gas reserves would be enough to fuel the UK for two decades.

The Kosmos deal, which will expand BP’s presence in liquified natural gas (LNG), follows a tie-up with the Abu Dhabi government over the weekend.

The Irish Department of Finance submission said: “The Commission has exceeded its powers and interfered with national tax sovereignty.

“The Commission has no competence, under State aid rules, unilaterally to substitute its own view of the geographic scope and extent of the member state’s tax jurisdiction for those of the member state itself.

“The purpose of the State aid rules is to tackle State interventions which confer a selective advantage. The State aid rules by their nature cannot remedy mismatches between tax systems on a global level.”

CRUNCH TIME FOR TROUBLED MONTE DEI PASCHI AS SURVIVAL RESTS ON SAVERS The world’s oldest bank has made a last-ditch attempt to convince tens of thousands of ordinary Italian savers to help it escape state hands.

Monte dei Paschi, Italy’s third biggest bank, wants 40,000 retail investors to take part in a complex €5bn (£4.18bn) bailout, which was almost derailed by the country’s recent constitutional referendum.

The Tuscan lender said it is pressing ahead with a highlyambitious plan to persuade private investors to convert their bonds into shares.

A “no” vote for the proposed reforms of Italy’s prime minister, Matteo Renzi, triggered his resignation and a bout of market uncertainty, forcing Monte dei Paschi and its battalion of advisers to temporarily halt the fund-raising. It has been ordered to clean up its balance sheet after failing European bank stress tests last summer.

However, despite the volatility, the European Central Bank turned down a request for further time to complete the deal, forcing new boss Marco Morelli to try to drum up the cash from private investors in just a matter of days.

Endeavour Magazine | 11

12 | Endeavour Magazine

EQSTRA FLEET MANAGEMENT WWW.EFM.CO.ZA 27 (0)11 458 7555

EMBRACING CHANGE WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

When Eqstra Fleet Management (EFM) first opened its doors for business in 1984, the idea of fleet management was not so much in its infancy as it was a foreign concept.

Endeavour Magazine | 13

EQSTRA FLEET MANAGEMENT

For virtually all businesses across all industries, vehicle leasing and

finance was for the most part unheard of – vehicles were bought upfront and outright, and often at great cost. The time and resource-intensive task of effectively managing a fleet of vehicles, whether large or small, fell to in-house logistics teams and departments – but no longer.

A

s Eqstra Fleet Management’s growth over the past three decades has shown, times have changed. Today, fleet management is a multi-billion dollar global industry, upon

which countless thousands of companies around the world rely.

Full vehicle ownership, while common in business, is now no less common than the adoption of vehicle hire finance packages.

Additionally, and quite sensibly it should be added, the management of vehicle fleets and their drivers is now outsourced to companies like Eqstra Fleet where possible, so as to ensure their effective use and integration.

Through the provision of a far-reaching portfolio of fleet solutions and consultancy services, EFM is an industry specialist which deals with the not-so-insignificant matter of ensuring vehicle maintenance is planned and managed effectively, that vehicles are GPS tracked, full background checks on drivers are rigorous, and all areas of business risk related to the vehicle fleet and its drivers are diligently taken care of. In turn, this management allows Eqstra’s clients to redirect their attention and resources toward other areas of the business.

EFM has always strived to deliver sustainable value to its customers, supplying a range of integrated solutions designed to

14 | Endeavour Magazine

GOOD PARTNERS.

GOOD BUSINESS. Combined Motor Holdings Limited (CMH Group) is a leading multi-franchise group listed on the JSE with well-established roots in the retail motor sector.

CMH represents a number of leading vehicle-brand dealerships across South Africa specialising in online and offline new and used car dealerships, service centres, and the supply of genuine manufacturer parts. www.cmh.co.za

CMH employs in excess of 2800 staff and at October 2016, had a market value of in excess of R1.3 billion.

CMH Fleet Solutions is the fleet division of Combined Motoring Holdings (CMH), offering corporate companies customised and optimised fleet solutions from a comprehensive range of products and vehicles from the extensive CMH dealer network.

The CMH Group operates its car hire business through First Car Rental, a 17 year old, award-winning car hire company with 51 branches in South Africa, and a fleet of approximately 7000 vehicles.

The company offers passenger vehicles, light and heavy commercial vehicles with an excellent after-sales programme for your entire fleet.

First Car Rental also operates a van and truck rental division, and a transfer solutions service called Direct Transfer.

www.cmhfleetsolutions.co.za

www.firstcarrental.com

WE ARE PROUD TO BE PARTNERED WITH

EQSTRA FLEET MANAGEMENT

provide efficient and cost-effective vehicle fleet management for

Change must be embraced, and often encouraged. It forces you to

their clients. Importantly, it does so while ensuring that the value

pick up your company and give it a thorough shake until all that isn’t

delivered is measurable and quantifiable.

needed simply falls out.”

“Transparency is one of our corporate watch words,” explained

The implementation of a new automated management system,

Murray Price, who has been instrumental in building the company

known as Quest, was greenlit with this change in mind. The

up from a small enterprise almost twenty years ago into a latter-

software grants customers access to their own profile, from which

day giant in its field: “It makes things far simpler when your good

they can record, access and amend agreements, transactions,

service can be described in figures instead of words. It is a system

service histories and other information online. The system has

that must work - we have had customers for fifteen years and

proved to be revolutionary, and has thus far been well received

employees who have lasted just as long. People want to stay with

by its international client base, particularly in South Africa, Europe

us.”

and the US. This is an important factor, bearing in mind the troubles which

“Our new system, called Quest, is an evolution of our product

the company has faced over the last decade, particularly around

and is our answer for the customer who is looking for the best. It

the 2008 global economic crisis – an event which placed a huge

has been a significant investment of between US$15 million and

amount of pressure on Eqstra Fleet, as it did many others, and

US$20 million, but we believe it will be a complete game-changer.”

forced the company to move away from its vehicle leasing focused

Murray continued: “Quest is a one stop-shop, a porthole through

business model in favour of a more balanced, flexible 50-50 split

which a customer can access not only the latest technology for

between leasing and service divisions. “Many challenges, upsets

fleet management and driver’s assessments but also the 30 or so

and upheavals were thrown our way (in the past), but it’s good. Big

years of experience that EFM has gained. A customer being able to

upsets give you the choice of going under or changing, and that has

view all fleet costs against a single vehicle record in an integrated

made us a much sharper and even more efficient operation today.

system makes Quest unique, and with more and more customers

16 | Endeavour Magazine

FREE TYRE DATA MANAGEMENT

T&Cs apply

P.O Box 1109, Potchefstroom 2520 Tel: 018 293 0432/3, Fax: 018 294 4037 50 Ross Str. Potchefstroom www.harrystyres.co.za

PROUD VEHICLE SUPPLIER TO WWW.HINO.CO.ZA Endeavour Magazine | 17

EQSTRA FLEET MANAGEMENT

looking to rationalise their supply chain through partnering with a single service provider, the future looks very bright indeed.”

In Murray’s view, while the South Africa of today has some of the most innovative and forward thinking minds in the world, there

He describes Quest as taking the receipts and accounts off the

are conservative pockets which remain resistant to change. As

desk of a fleet owner and putting them all into one access point

implementation has proven in the case of EFM, change should be

on the computer; “Our customers can go with us and a get a full

embraced, and he anticipates that over time the rest of the industry

package with just one invoice from us while we deal with the banks,

will follow in their lead. This is not to say that it’s all been smooth

the dealerships and the insurance instead of them.” Quest has been

sailing, of course, as Murray is the first to admit – he revealed that

live for just over a year in four different countries, and has already

whilst the Quest system has been active for over a year, a lot of

proved its worth to the companies who rely on EFM’s services to

painful lessons have been learned in the time since its roll-out.

do business.

This is just the beginning of the new era for EFM. With plans to

Using SA Breweries, one of Eqstra Fleet’s key clients, as an

expand further afield than just into Africa, crossing the oceans will

example, Murray told us: “SA breweries had a fleet of vehicles that

be the next big step for the fleet management company. However,

we analysed. Using Quest, we looked at vehicles, roads and driver

Murray is quick to point out that you should dream big but work

habits, and determined that they were using the wrong vehicles for

small, making sure that every little detail is done right:

those routes. For example, city cars on dirt roads. This allowed us

“Now that the system is live we need to ensure step-by-step

to recommend a proactive approach to change the routes, therein

and day-by-day that it does what it says on the box. Landing is just

providing an improvement within the confinement of operation

stage one, next is the roll out, and then global expansion.”

and costs.”

Murray believes this message is worth driving home; “When you have informed data that consolidates many different aspects of the fleet, you can make the right decisions.”

Unitrans Automotive is proud to offer a broad range of new

and used cars for sale across our network of dealerships across the country. Our dealerships have knowledgeable team members in their sales and servicing divisions, ensuring that they are wellequipped in helping you find quality cars.

Our reputation is based on our unyielding commitment to offering our customers the best deals and service in the Industry. Thanks to our loyal customers, this is a reputation that we intend to uphold for many years to come.

To learn more about the products and services offered by Unitrans Automotive visit: www.um.co.za Unitrans Automotive a Division of JDG Trading (Pty) Ltd 18 | Endeavour Magazine

20 | Endeavour Magazine

LIMEGROVE LIFESTYLE CENTER WWW.LIMEGROVE.COM 1 (246) 620 (5463)

THE FIRST WORD IN CARIBBEAN CHIC WRITTEN BY JASPER MILVAIN

Dubbed by London’s Daily Telegraph as the “Most stylish place to shop and dine” in Barbados, Limegrove is the first word in Caribbean chic, and has become a mainstay for tourists and locals alike. Located in the heart of Holetown, it is a signature location with an array of boutiques, designer stores, featuring more than 100 of the world’s best known fashion brands, leisure establishments and apartments.

Endeavour Magazine | 21

LIMEGROVE LIFESTYLE CENTER

Endeavour Magazine spoke with Patricia Mckenzie, Head

of Marketing at Limegrove and Paul Altman, its visionary founder, to find out more.

T

he Limegrove story began in 1980 when Paul Altman, the

use facility presents the world’s top retail brands, all set around

founder of the Limegrove venture, joined the team for the

courtyards where visitors spend time enjoying food, fashion, art

creation of the Speightstown Mall. Located in Barbados’

and film.

most northern city, this was and is a treasured conservation area

Paul reveals that shortly they will be opening a signature

and signalled the start of Paul’s career in development. During

rooftop restaurant, a radio station as well as refurbishing a number

his tenure as President of the Barbados National Trust, Paul had

of restaurants and this is over and above the usual score of events

the opportunity to oversee improvement of the town, particularly

and promotions they have year round focused around the Barbados

significant because of its rich, historic past. This ignited a passion

obsession with food, wine, rum and music.

which led to the creation of many signature developments associated with the Altman Real Estate brand.

LIFE AT LIMEGROVE

“I’m in the real estate business and have been involved in

The Grove Residences are a combination of luxury apartments

a number of projects where I have been acting on behalf of

and penthouse suites and the Hillside Villas at The Grove, currently

investors or investing in myself,” Paul tells us, “Limegrove gave the

for sale, offer a living experience unmatched anywhere in Barbados.

opportunity to go into a mix used development that has everything

“Our villas feature a unique open design inspired by loft living, with

with it- restaurants, retail, hotels, films, cinemas and residential.

high ceilings and plenty of natural light,” Patricia says. She adds

Before Limegrove, there was a void of high-end duty free shopping

that there are eight in total with 3,433 square feet of living space

in Barbados. Limegrove introduced this at the highest end possible,

including three bedrooms and bathrooms over three levels.

in an environment that is socially inviting. There is a culture and an

“One third of the living space is outdoors and includes a pool

image surrounding Limegrove that makes our visitors feel special.”

deck, garden decks on the ground level and two decks off the main

Paul explains that the particular site lent itself to this development. It was abandoned because people didn’t understand how to develop it, but he had the experience to make it happen.

living level,” she says.

The exterior architecture is a modern take on traditional design, which complements the chic surroundings of the Limegrove

“Barbados is a high-profile destination,” he adds, “And Limegrove

Lifestyle Centre while making full use of the majestic beauty of

is influenced and inspired by Havana, Miami, Los Angeles, Las

Barbados’ other architectural surroundings. Each villa benefits

Vegas, New York (Soho), Singapore and other trendy destinations.”

from a private pool with easy access to the beach and world class

Throughout the architecture you can catch glimpses of the original influences and the atmosphere of Limegrove. This mixed22 | Endeavour Magazine

shopping and gourmet dining to be found within Limegrove itself.

Furthermore, any visitors have the added benefit of knowing

LIMEGROVE LIFESTYLE CENTER

that all this does not come with a hefty cost to the environment,

Then, to best capture the spirit of historic Holetown, the

which is part of the natural splendour of this area. It is quickly

buildings at Limegrove were constructed from recycled materials

apparent that at Limegrove, “going green” is not some token gesture

with many of the walls made from natural coral stone and the

but a corporate commitment to environmental sustainability.

walkways feature recycled bricks.

This is why, Patricia reveals, Limegrove embarked on a number

Furthermore, Limegrove carefully examines the products that

of initiatives with the ultimate goal of earning the prestigious LEED

staff, tenants and guests use on a day-to-day basis, in order to

Certification for environmentally friendly commercial projects and

understand opportunities to reduce, reuse or recycle waste as part

has set out to achieve this in a number of ways.

of their waste management initiative. Currently, Limegrove refills ink cartridges, recycles paper and has plans to use grey water from the on-site sewage treatment plant for irrigation.

REDUCTION OF AREA FLOODING

Management of waste and construction via recycled products

Up until the development of Limegrove there had been no

are one thing, but Limegrove has taken it a step further with the

buildings on the site’s location because it was a low lying flood zone.

creation of green spaces for their community. Understanding

The floods had been an ongoing and highly damaging problem for

the aesthetic, environmental and psychological benefits of green

the local community and it took a combination of a large number

spaces, which are a common feature around the centre, they have

of environmental studies followed by aggressive engineering to

gone to extreme lengths to fit in as much as possible.

eliminate the flooding and to ensure the integrity of the project’s foundation.

“Naturally, eliminating the flooding to make way for the construction of Limegrove was a prestigious and appreciated project that involved in the community,” Patricia highlights.

24 | Endeavour Magazine

“During development, The Sandbox Building, which houses Burberry and Hugo Boss, was given a “J shape” to preserve the sandbox tree that is located there and today it features a green courtyard,” she illustrates.

Natural flowering trees, including lime trees, bay leaf trees and

palm trees surround the parking and outdoor areas and in addition, the residential areas at Limegrove are intentionally designed to provide a great deal of space for “greening” and landscaping.

“On the rooftop, we have created a starter shed to grow herbs, which restaurants in the Centre can use for their menus,” she says.

Still under development, the green roof will be additionally useful for absorbing rainwater and providing insulation to the building.

Limegrove is an exceptional place to live and play, and over the years to come it is only set to improve. “There is always change and excitement that takes the level of experience to the next stage,” Paul cryptically revealed, suggesting that there are further plans in the pipeline for . “It must be pushed and advanced. You have to be constantly in touch with products in new markets, in touch and tweaking it and extracting the highest level for the public.

Constantly reviewing, upgrading and acting is vital, instead of reacting.”

What is there to say? Yes – Limegrove is the place to be for those with exclusive tastes and a love of chic aesthetics, but it should also be remembered that it is more than just a shopping destination for tourists travelling to Barbados, or a place to live.

Limegrove is a way of life.

Endeavour Magazine | 25

AMAZING WORLD CRYONICS - PRESERVING OUR FUTURE WRITTEN BY STEVEN WELLER

R

ecent advances within the realms of science never fail to

Wars, we do not yet possess the technology necessary to bring

impress us here at Endeavour Magazine. Over the past

humans back from a cryopreserved state, but one day, sooner rather

decade alone mankind has witnessed remarkable advances

than later, we might, and that’s where the attraction lies.

in the field of bio-research, ranging from the great strides forward

The possibility of returning in a future generation has captured

that have been made in cloning technology, to our ever-increasing

the imagination, with hundreds of willing participants already frozen

understanding of stem cell development. And yet for all the progress

and thousands more on the waiting list. Quite surprisingly, cryonics

that has been made in recent years, there’s one area of research in

is nothing too recent. In fact, the first person to be cryopreserved

particular which has grabbed recent headlines; cryonics.

was a Mr. James Bedford in 1967, not Walt Disney (contrary to

Sounding more like an experiment from a science fiction movie

popular belief).

than reality, cryonics is the low temperature preservation of people;

So how does it all work? Well, cryogenics in layman’s terms

think Han Solo in The Empire Strikes Back. Unlike the world of Star

is the study of matter at extremely low temperatures. In the

26 | Endeavour Magazine

case of cryopreservation, bodies are not frozen per se for the inconvenient reason that the ice crystals which form when cells are frozen irreparably damages their cellular structure. Instead, almost immediately after death, the body is injected with cryoprotectants which prevent the formation of ice. Ice aside, we are talking temperature’s in the region of -190°.

There are multiple facilities located around the world which offer the cryonics treatments, the most high-profile of which being the Alcor Life Extension Foundation in Arizona, and the Cryonics Institute in Michigan. But what does something like this cost? Well, at present prices vary greatly, depending on the cryofreezing package which is chosen, although anywhere between US$30,000-150,000 would be a representative figure – less than one might imagine, in other words.

Cryonics has repeatedly made the headlines in recent months, following an unprecedented case involving a 14-year-old terminally ill cancer patient, who asked that she be cryofrozen as her dying wish. Mr Justice Peter Jackson granted the girls request after her parents had also agreed, following the reading of a hand-written letter to the court by the patient which reduced many to tears: “I have been asked to explain why I want this unusual thing done.

I am only 14-years-old and I don’t want to die but I know I am going to die. I think being cryo-preserved gives me a chance to be cured and woken up - even in hundreds of years’ time. I don’t want to be buried underground. I want to live and live longer and I think that in the future they may find a cure for my cancer and wake me up. I want to have this chance. This is my wish”.

The problem with the treatment is not that in the future we will be incapable of curing diseases that today we cannot, but the actual process of unfreezing. And even if this can be done without inflicting physical harm, the treatment raises many ethical questions, ie. is it fair for the girl to come back into a world in the distant future, where her family and friends are no longer there? And then there are the quite valid concerns about what affect the cryofreezing process may have on the patient’s brain – what good will being revived a century from now be should the patient lose her memories, or even her mental faculties?

What we must remember, irrespective of the near-certainty that humans will one day be able to reverse the effects of cryopreservation in the near or distant future, is that the possibility of someday returning is somewhat comforting, especially to those who have been given very little hope in this life.

Endeavour Magazine | 27

28 | Endeavour Magazine

ASHNIL HOTELS LTD WWW.ASHNILHOTELS.COM 254-20 3566970

THE SUN SHINES ON EVERYONE WRITTEN BY STEVEN WELLER

Attracted by its glorious coastal beaches, expansive wildlife reservations, and tropical climates, tourists flock to Kenya every year in their thousands. Ashnil Hotels Limited is one the country’s hidden gems within the hospitality sector, offering customers excellence in both service and location.

Endeavour Magazine | 29

ASHNIL HOTELS LTD

To find out more about the business and current state of play

within Kenya, Endeavour magazine had the pleasure of conversing with Ashnil Hotels managing director, Mr Rajan Bhandari.

“A

shnil Hotels Ltd is a hotel group that operates 3

be a weather consideration – in fact, it adds to the excitement to

properties in the National Parks / Reserves in Kenya,

slip-slide around the Game Parks looking for wildlife.”

namely; Ashnil Aruba Lodge in Tsavo East National Park,

In Kenya, visitors can find the big five game animals, the lion,

Ashnil Samburu Camp in the Buffalo Springs Reserve and Ashnil

leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant, all of whom live in its vast

Mara Camp in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Our clientele is

national parks and game reserves. The annual migration of great

both Resident and non-Resident tourists visiting the parks for the

numbers of these animals means big business for the Kenyan

wildlife and nature experience,” explains Mr Bhandari.

economy, with one such example occurring at the Masai Masa game reserve, where wildebeest come to migrate in their hundreds of thousands. Of course, the Mara river is also where one of Ashnil

LOCATION IS EVERYTHING In 2013 alone, 200,000 Brits ventured to Kenya, but just what is so enticing about the country? Well, firstly there’s the climate.

Kenya is lucky enough to enjoy a spot on the equator, ensuring

Hotels properties rests.

THE CAMPS

tropical weather nearly all year round. March and April are the

“We have three beautiful camps and lodges located in some of

months to expect rain, something which will no doubt make its

the best game-viewing locations in Kenya’s world famous national

British visitors feel right at home, but Rajan insists this only adds

parks. Each of the properties has its own unique feel, unparalleled

to the fun: “Kenya is located in the tropics, and our temperate

levels of comfort and service, but most importantly offer amazing

climates are divided by brief rainy seasons. There should not even

opportunities to view the local wildlife, culture, and landscape.”

ASHNIL ARUBA

ASHNIL SAMBURU

ASHNIL MARA

The Aruba lodge lies amid Tsavo East

Samburu camp is located in Buffalo

Mara is the latest property, introduced

National Park, known for attractions such

Springs Game Reserve, a protected area

in 2010, and not only does the reserve

as Aruba Dam and Mudanda Rock and

in the Isiolo County. Wildlife includes, the

play home to large wildebeest numbers,

famous for its lion population. In total,

endangered Grevy’s zebra, reticulated

but also all of the big five game animals.

there are about 700 lions in the Amboseli-

giraffe,

elephant,

The camp itself is in one of the very best

Tsavo ecosystem. Aruba is also a short

spotted hyena and African buffalo whilst

positions of the reserve, with 40 luxury

distance away from the popular tourist

the river is home to crocodiles and

tents. Standout activities include the 4X4

destination, Mombasa. The property

hippos. The camp consists of 30 luxury

guided drive and breakfast by the hippo

offers 46 deluxe rooms, a restaurant,

tents, and activities include game drives,

pool; set aside the stunning Mara River.

lounge bar, conference facilities and

guided nature walks, sundowners and

swimming pool.

even wedding receptions for the more

the

African

romantic-minded.

30 | Endeavour Magazine

bush

Endeavour Magazine | 31

ASHNIL HOTELS LTD

A BUMPY RIDE

THE TEAM

The tourism industry, not just in Kenya but in all of Africa, has

There are many factors which can be attributed to the success

certainly had its ups and downs over the past few years. Perception

of this business, but perhaps none more so than the hard work and

is everything, particularly when it comes to selecting a holiday

dedication of the 250-strong staff force; a collective herd to be

destination, Rajan elaborates,

revered:

“The past 2 years were very difficult for us and the Industry at

“We strongly believe that people are our greatest asset. We

large. The perception of the destination suffered for a variety of

encourage the culture of thinking and creativity and recognize

reasons and not all can be attributed to our circumstances. We have

initiative with growth. So many of our staff started with us over

also been affected by a downturn in the global economy coupled

8 years ago, and even more have been attaining their 5-year

with the Ebola threat which whilst was a localised situation in West

milestone with us all the time. Our preference to promote from

Africa, it affected tourism to the whole continent.”

within has amongst many, even resulted in a Lodge Manager who

Despite all of the threats Ashnil Hotels Limited has faced

started in Housekeeping!”

in recent years, business remains on the up: “Thankfully, the

Many of the staff are allowed, and even encouraged to continue

destination seems to have recovered and the appetite for Safari

studying whilst in employment. This further strengthens skills

and Leisure travel to Kenya is on the increase. It was comforting to

and enriches lives. At the forefront of this strategy and guidance

see that most if not all the operators in the Maasai Mara did very

is the group’s chairman, Mr Suresh Sofat – a gentleman whom

well this summer. The demand for the first time in a while seemed

Rajan credited as being instrumental in identifying locations, and

to match if not exceed bed capacity. Sadly, the perception that our

contributing toward design and concept. This is all testimony of his

product is seasonal seems to undermine it”, Rajan continues.

50 years’ experience in the industry.

32 | Endeavour Magazine

WORKING TOGETHER On a personal note, what has impressed us most at Endeavour Magazine during our recent focus into Kenya is the collective willingness of companies to work together. This approach helps

Ashnil Hotels has been a valued

to foster a sustainable, thriving tourism industry, and provide an

JWS client for 18 months. The two companies have known each other for many years and share the same passion for quality products and exceptional customer service.

overall enjoyable, unforgettable experience for the customer.

Rajan’s attitude is a credit to Ashnil Hotels Limited, the industry, and the country.

“I have always been a believer that the sun shines on everyone.

I would rather see all the hoteliers thrive than to compete for what they already have. To this end, we enjoy very good relations with

When JWS presented its Safari Plan the Ashnil team was immediately convinced by the comprehensive cover and competitive price. JWS now looks forward to developing the business relationship further.

most of the players in the industry as they are not my competition – simply partners working together to build the destination.”

SAFETY IN NUMBERS

for the travel and tourism sector We’re proud to have launched the first all encompassing packaged policy for the tourism industry and our service is backed up by some impressive numbers, which means the JWS Safari Range really stands out from the crowd.

Believe in safety in numbers?

+254 709 455 350

Call or visit www.jwseagon.com/safarirange

3 great products exclusively for the travel and tourism sector – General Insurance, Motor Insurance and Health Insurance

94463_Safari range_v2.indd 1

$20k

donated to charity in the last 12 months – a percentage of all income earned on the JWS Safari Range goes towards our nominated wildlife and conservation charities

400+

clients covered across our 3 Safari products – and this figure is growing by the day

120

sites covered – from award winning camps, lodges and hotels to boutique B&Bs and tour operators, we’ve got it covered

$500k

paid out in claims in the last 12 months – no quibbles, no fuss

24/7

access to JWS 360° - an emergency helpline manned by crisis response experts

14/12/2016 10:24:43 Endeavour Magazine | 33

34 | Endeavour Magazine

HELGELAND KRAFT WWW.HELGELANDKRAFT.NO 0047 75 10 00 00

A FUSION OF ART AND ENERGY WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

Hidden deep in the wintery forests of Helgeland, nestled away from public roads at the foot of the North Norwegian peeks, sits a lone building of glass, stone and wood. At night, lights from within this curious structure glow magenta and blue, reflecting off the falling waters of the Forsland river and the crisp surrounding snow.

Endeavour Magazine | 35

HELGELAND KRAFT

This is Øvre Forsland Kraftverk – the Upper Forsland hydro-power plant,

one of 12 owned, developed and run by the region’s sole energy providers, Helgeland Kraft.

U

pper Forsland Power-plant could easily be mistaken for an art

from glass, slate and local stone that blend with the rock-face

installation. It is both at odds with its surroundings and yet

that cradles it. The windows and facade are cut in irregular shapes

in harmony with them - a modern anomaly in a wild setting,

that mimic trees and these nearby peaks, created using a wood

yet one that has been designed to not only leave its surroundings

that will gradually develop a soft grey pigment as it interacts with

unspoiled, but to work with them to enhance the natural beauty of

the elements. The wood is produced by Kebony, a local company;

its location.

its durability and low-maintenance mean it lends itself to use in remote locations, and thus diverts demand away from endangered tropical forests.

THE COMPANY Helgeland is the southern-most district of Northern Norway, just south of the Arctic Circle – a province with a small population but many visitors who travel to hike and explore its rugged, striking landscapes. Helgeland Kraft’s hydro-power plants generate 90% of the area’s power, providing electricity to 54,950 homes purely from renewable energy, with an additional 35% of their revenue coming from the supply of power to homes further afield.

In 2008, Helgeland Kraft commissioned the design of several new plants briefed to not only meet a high standard of sustainability, clean production and low environmental impact, but to also suit their surroundings. Øvre Forsland was the first of these plants to be completed, in 2015, with the remaining plants expected to be finished between now and 2018.

Norway is a world leader in green energy; the Dutch government actively promote the development of a variety of green solutions, but hydropower is by far the dominant industry, generating 80% of the country’s electricity.

Hydropower is cheaper than many other sources of power and Helgeland Kraft is able to pass on the savings to the homes they supply in the form of a lower energy bill. However, unlike some power sources, hydro-power is of course affected by the weather. In heavy rainfall or icy conditions, the volume of electricity produced can rise or fall, causing costs to fall and rise in response.

Helgeland Kraft are careful to monitor these conditions daily, looking always for the cheapest way to meet supply demand using only green energy sources. However, even taking these price

THE PLANT Helgeland

Upper Forsland was commissioned for two reasons – firstly and most importantly, to provide clean hydro-power to the local area.

fluctuations into account, the cost of energy is a fraction of that Kraft

commissioned

Hamre

paid for oil and gas-fired energy, making hydropower both a more

Arkitektkontor to design the Upper Forsland plant. The firm took

affordable and sustainable solution, both in the short-term and, for

inspiration from the facility’s surroundings, creating the building

the environment, the long-term too.

36 | Endeavour Magazine

architects

Stein

HELGELAND KRAFT

Helgeland Kraft’s goal is “to improve the security of supply and

of these plants represents an investment of 1100 million NOK, and

provide increased value in Helgeland.” - a mission which Helgeland,

will increase Helgeland Kraft’s total power generation capacity by

having spent hundreds of millions in recent years, is dedicated to

25 per cent. The Tosenanleggene plant in Tosbotn has already been

upholding.

completed, supplying 6500 households from an equally attractive,

The future of clean energy supply is a motivation behind Upper

conscientiously constructed facility. The cost of these remaining

Forsland’s second purpose as well: education. The plant’s striking

builds has been made possible largely by a loan of 470 million NOK,

appearance was not only designed out of respect for the aesthetics

which was provided by the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB).

of its location, but also in the hope that the plant will gain media

This long-term funding is a new source of capital for Helgeland

attention and draw the gaze of the public eye. Raising awareness

Kraft, and indicative of the recognition the company is quite

and education on this energy source is an important goal for

rightfully receiving for its recent works. In May 2016, plant

Helgeland Kraft, which hopes to ensure hydro-power’s continued

architects Stein Hamre Arkitektkontor attended the Architizer A+

growth in Norway, and see that it continues long into the future.

Awards in New York, where the plants were the winners of the

Already in a popular location for sight-seeing, Helgeland

Architecture & Sustainability category.

Kraft hope that the Upper Forsland plant will become a sought-

These plants are but a few of the many global projects hoping

out destination for passing explorers, perhaps hiking to it for

to promote green energy by reaching out to the public imagination.

the challenge or the view, but staying to learn more about the

In Denmark, the Solrødgård Wastewater Treatment Plant combines

possibilities of this green technology. The service road leading up

a waste-water treatment plant with public gardens, juxtaposing

to the plant is closed to public traffic, one of Helgeland’s many

natural beauty with their glass-walled facility to remind visitors

efforts to limit the plant’s impact on the tranquillity of the local

of the link between waste management and the world it works to

area. Instead, hikers have the sounds of the tumbling Forsland River

protect. Meanwhile, wider initiatives such as the US-based Land Art

as the biggest clue to the plant’s location – that is, until they reach

Generate Initiative encourage artists around the world to address

the edge of the resort, when their arrival will trigger the building to light up through the trees. The light show, powered by the plant’s clean hydro-power, shines for an hour before falling dormant again, a striking beacon to travellers without wasting power.

A PIECE OF HISTORY As well as being able to explore the facility, read-up and learn about hydropower, and watch the plant’s operations, visitors can enjoy the beauty of the surrounding land from an observation area, capable of seating up to 16 people, sitting just across the water from the hydro-power plant. They can also arrange to join a guided tour that will tell them more about the history of energy in the area, for Upper Forsland is not the only surprise to discover in the sprawling forests.

The plant is kept company by the relics of its predecessors, the remains of hydro-power initiatives dating back to the start of the 20th Century. In particular, remains from the 1940s, concrete now reclaimed by water and woodland greenery, tell of German-built hydro-energy solutions that sought reliable energy sources during strenuous wartime conditions. Only a hint of what once stood, ruins such as the 1941 Starfossen Knaftverk or the 1943 Merrafossen dam show how even one of the darkest periods in human history was able to inspire bright initiatives for the future.

BUILDING THE FUTURE Now, following Upper Forsland, Helgeland Kraft have seven new plants planned - five in Tosbotn and two, in cooperation with Salten Kraftsamband AS, in Rødøy-Lurøy. In total, the construction 38 | Endeavour Magazine

the topic of green energy, combining aesthetics with innovation in its biennial competitions much as Helgeland Kraft have in these builds.

Helgeland Kraft are a conscientious company, all of its staff sharing its commitment to the wellbeing of their region and its future in many capacities. As well as providing for Helgeland through clean, affordable energy, the company also believe in supporting people’s standard of living; every year, the company collect funding for local organizations, particularly supporting groups that work to help Norway’s children and young people.

Hydro-power is set to keep growing in Norway in the coming years, and with it, the industry and sustainability of the Helgeland region. As they enter their penultimate year of development, Helgeland Kraft’s plants should keep increasing visitors and attention to the area, just as they continue to increase reliable, cheap and conscience-freeing energy for the local population and beyond. The popularity of these aesthetic power plants is a trend that we will hopefully start to see spreading around Norway, Europe and the globe – one of many initiatives pushing to show the world that energy does not have to be expensive, ugly and harmful, but can be part of a clean, affordable and beautiful future.

Endeavour Magazine | 39

AMAZING WORLD PROJECT NOURISHED WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

“B

y merging molecular gastronomy with virtual reality, we

diffusers produce food-like smells using ultrasonic and heat, whilst

can finally enjoy any food we want in a whole new way.”

low-calorie, 3D-printed ‘food’ made from algae takes on the

Founded in 2014 by Jinsoo An, Kokiri Lab describes

challenge of re-creating texture, consistency and flavour.

itself as a “playground and think tank” for researching and developing

Simulating these senses is no easy task. Eating is a primal,

new wearables technology that “improve the human condition.” One

essential part of our existence, and though our menus have gone

of the lab’s most striking creations is Project Nourished, an ambitious

through millennia of development since early primates hunted and

virtual reality experiment that aims to simulate the experience of

foraged, the physical act of eating has, of course, barely changed. We

eating.

have a sensitive ‘ick’ reflex when it comes to unfamiliar food – it’s a

More than most VR experiences, Project Nourished evokes

survival instinct, and in the same way that we have an astute sense

thoughts of Star Trek’s Holosuites, creating a fully immersive

for when a face isn’t quite right, a half-convincing food simulation

environment where the user not only interacts with the illusion, but

would risk giving users an unsettling ‘uncanny valley’ reaction.

can feel, smell and even consume it. Yet it was a different work of

Jinsoo An and his team have their work cut out for them - but

fiction that inspired Jinsoo and his team: Steven Spielberg’s Hook

the greater the challenge, the greater the sense of magic when it is

(1991). In Hook, the Lost Boys’ imaginary dinner and food fight is an

achieved.

iconic scene created to capture the limitless freedom of childhood

The real question is, why would anyone want simulated food?

and make-believe - and it inspired one future inventor to make this

The idea seems forget the reason we eat – to eat! In fact, the

limitless make-believe a reality.

project’s creators have many applications in mind, and some of them

In order to re-create the experience of eating, Jinsoo’s team need to go beyond VR headsets to convince all five sense. Aromatic 40 | Endeavour Magazine

are ingenious.

One of the main motives is to use the technology in hospitals,

as escapism for patients with illnesses or conditions that affect their eating, and to assist therapy for people with eating disorders. On an individual level, the technology would allow long-distance diners to share a meal together despite being apart, and the creators believe the technology could also encourage healthy diets by providing a consequence-free way to indulge in unhealthy foods.

Of course, the inspiration for the project suggests another use, and for Jinsoo, this is where the real fun is: fantasy meals, allowing users to eat completely imagined, non-existent foods. What would people eat in the future, or on another planet? Kikiri Lab’s food technicians are working obsessively to not only recreate recognisable foods, but to invent whole new flavours and tastes.

The example footage for Project Nourished is currently, like many VR experiments, fairly basic, especially compared to film and video game CGI. However, this high-spec visual technology exists, whereas the sensation of eating is exciting new territory to be conquered. Once Jinsoo’s team have mastered these challenges, it seems natural that advanced visual technology will join them, leaving no limit to the fictional gastronomic horizons they could travel to.

Endeavour Magazine | 41

42 | Endeavour Magazine

BARBADOS PORT INC WWW.BARBADOSPORT.COM 001 (246) 434-6100

THE MARITIME GATEWAY TO THE CARIBBEAN WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

It is news to nobody that the global financial crisis of 2008 was an event which was unrivalled in terms of the damage it wrought on national economies and companies the world over, and in this respect the Caribbean wasn’t spared.

Endeavour Magazine | 43

BARBADOS PORT INC

The soaring prices of staple goods like energy and rampant

unemployment, along with falling revenues and rising debt, both sovereign and private, hit many of the region’s maritime nations especially hard as trade and tourism floundered. Bridgetown Port, the gateway through which up to 90% of the goods coming into and out of Barbados passes, and the only berth on the island capable of accommodating the colossal cruise vessels that feed the country’s vital tourism sector, naturally took the brunt of the downturn. However, since this time the company has staged a remarkable turnaround.

A

s any business leader worth his salt knows, for every threat that emerges an opportunity of equal scale and potency is created behind it. Where another company might have panicked,

seeing only impending disaster, Barbados Port Inc., the managers

CIVIL COASTAL STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

of the 50-year old Bridgetown site, instead saw an opportunity to give its business operations a much-needed shake-up via the implementation of a modernisation and expansion program.

Fast forward seven years from this time and, now, Bridgetown Port is booming. Business is surging, as is revenue, and following a series of changes which notably included the installation of a new electronic trade logistics system for cargo processing in 2011, the construction of a new pier later in 2015, along with the ancillary facilities needed to cater to a larger volume of visiting cruise ships, Bridgetown Port is more prosperous than ever. The numbers speak for themselves; in January 2016, Barbados welcomed more visitors than during any other January over the past 15-years. Today, its employees handle more than one million tons of goods, and extend their hospitality to more than 700,000 cruise ship passengers every year – quite remarkable figures, bearing in mind the difficulty the company was facing less than a decade ago.

With the capacity to accommodate five mega cruise ships at a time, and first-rate facilities which include an air-conditioned terminal with a duty-free shopping mall, stocking local and international goods, live performances from local musicians and dancers, and even a popular rum-sampling kiosk, Bridgetown Port

44 | Endeavour Magazine

BARBADOS PORT INC

offers a warm, lively Bajun greeting to visitors to the island.

“This is a country with warm, friendly people who are highly educated,” said David Jean-Marie, CEO of Barbados Port Inc.

partial or full home porting operations in Bridgetown. Our vision is to encourage a portion of those passengers to stay on the island a few days before or after their cruise.”

“Barbados is one of the safest countries in the world, and we also

Then there’s the construction of a prospective new cruise

have one of the world’s highest literacy rates. We want to have a

facility to consider – a vast and ambitious undertaking which will

port that remains in your memory, and leaves a lasting, positive

further streamline operations, and help take Bridgetown Port to

impact.”

the highest international standards. “We give cruise vessels priority

During the peak holiday season, a period when the golden

over cargo vessels, but that can create problems for us,” said Mr.

Barbadian sunshine is at its very best, typically running from

Jean-Marie. “We’re therefore planning to build a $250 million cruise

November to April, cruise ships crowd to the islands bringing

facility just to the south of the port. The facility is all designed - it’s

hundreds of thousands of tourists, and the great wealth that comes

now just a matter of having the right financing structure.” Suffice to

with them that is so essential for the Barbadian national economy.

say that Bridgetown Port cannot be accused of having stood still

As the only cruise port on the island, Bridgetown Port plays a critical

over the past decade, during which it has evolved from a creaking,

role in ensuring the rude health of the country’s tourism industry.

clunking relic into a slick maritime operator fit for the 21st century.

Naturally, Barbados Port Inc. is keen to maximise the potential of

On the subject of cargo handling, Bridgetown’s capabilities are

the site, in terms of boosting revenue, and as such has developed

no less impressive than its cruise ship handling operations. The

a host of strategies intended to turbo-charge the country’s already

port, manned by two hundred employees, is equipped to handle

booming tourism sector. On this, Mr. Jean-Marie said: “We have a

over 100,000 containers per year. Cargo berths are equipped

plan to develop home porting. That’s where passengers, particularly

with a 40-ton gantry crane and a 104-ton capacity mobile crane,

from Europe, fly to Barbados to take a cruise, and then debark

whilst the terminal itself has fifty forklifts, nine straddle carriers,

in Barbados again. Currently we have seventeen vessels that do

and two reach stackers. Following its recent setup and installation,

46 | Endeavour Magazine

the newly-developed KleinPort computer system has also had a considerable impact on cargo processing operations for the better, allowing customers to track their cargo shipments from their own offices.

When asked to elaborate more in this, Mr. Jean-Marie continued: “We have a $100 million project for the reorganisation of the port facility, which we’ve already commenced. We have begun to acquire new, modern equipment, including five straddle carriers and a new Panamax gantry crane. We have made deeper draughts and we have dredged and reclaimed areas of land, so we’re building capacity as well as modernising the equipment to be able to accommodate bigger cargo vessels.”

Over the short to medium-term at least, this new equipment will soon be put to the test, with the port anticipating a rise in exports as a result of the Barbados Investment Development Corporation’s ‘Going Global’ program. “The best way we can participate in that transformation and growth is by ensuring that our port is compliant with all types of international standards in terms of security and quality,” stated Mr. Jean-Marie. “Our workforce is being certified to international levels. We have also removed the tariff on exports, to facilitate trade out of Barbados.”

Crane & Equipment Ltd. is the

largest and most respected Crane dealer and service provider in Barbados and the Caribbean for over half a century.

To maintain a competitive edge, we have focused on ensuring competitive pricing, professional service, flexible 24-hour working schedules and a well-trained theme of operators and engineers.

We are proud to be associated with the Barbados Port Inc as we work together to achieve their plans for future developments.

Endeavour Magazine | 47

BARBADOS PORT INC

He continued: “We’re also going green. We want to move more towards electrical power rather than diesel being burned

region – a reason perhaps why the United Nations added Barbados to its list of maritime nations with high human development.

while the ships are in port.” With a view to making the company’s

Mr. Jean-Marie concluded, saying: “This is a modern facility

business more environmentally sustainable, Barbados Port Inc. has

that is completely different to what it was. It has been structured

committed to working with RightShip, using Carbon War Room’s

to make sure that it is competitive and there is maximum

GHG Emissions Ratings to create an incentive program that

operational efficiency. I have just been elected President of the

encourages more environmentally friendly vessels to dock at port.

Caribbean Shipping Association, and I therefore want to have more

This incentive will reward vessels with better energy efficiency

collaboration between regional ports, so we have signed a number

ratings, in the form of reduced port fees for vessels which rank

of MoU’s.

highly in terms of energy efficiency. “The Organisation of American

We want to see more being done in terms of training and

States has played a key role in facilitating our partnership with

collaboration so that we can maximise the services provided by the

RightShip,” said Mr. Jean-Marie. “We are one of a coordinated

region. We are striving to become, and expect to be the best-in-

effort across the industry to promote efficient shipping. By ‘acting

class port in the region, both from a cargo perspective as well as a

local’ and protecting our port environment, we are part of a larger

cruise perspective. This is a safe, friendly destination with lots to

global movement intent on reducing the carbon footprint of the

see and do!”

shipping industry.”

As the gateway into Barbados for the throngs of tourists who flock to the island each year, and the commercial hub through which much of Barbados’ cargo enters and leaves, the port’s influence on the rest of the island is to say the least considerable. Certainly, it is the equal of virtually all but the greatest ports operating in this

48 | Endeavour Magazine

We at Endeavour Magazine expect to hear a lot more about this this fast-growing maritime operator over the coming years.

50 | Endeavour Magazine

SHANGHAI TUNNEL ENGINEERING COMPANY WWW.STEC.NET 65 6391 9150

GOING UNDERGROUND WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

Nowadays, when news emerges of the next mind-boggling, multi-billion-dollar engineering mega-project, China tends to be the first name on everybody’s lips. Granted, the Middle East isn’t far behind, but nobody would deny that when it comes to building bigger and bolder infrastructure, China undoubtedly has the monopoly.

Endeavour Magazine | 51

STEC

As one of China’s finest experts in this field, Shanghai Tunnel

Engineering Company (STEC) has, to say the least, been keeping busy. As the name implies, STEC’s core business is public infrastructure works and, in particular, transit projects involving both tunneling and expansive civil and structural engineering.

B

ut while STEC’s business focus has traditionally centred around

Hsiung City Metro Line; Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA)

its bread-and-butter public infrastructure and tunneling works,

East-West Line; North-East Line; Circle Line; Downtown Line and

plans are in place which will see the company expand into new

currently the Thomson-East Coast Line,” he says.

ventures in new markets. Endeavour Magazine found out more.

In his current capacity as the Project Director of LTA Thomson-

As one might expect of a glass and steel metropolis of the

East Coast Line T225 Project, the company has granted Eng Leong

stature of Singapore – a city which is quite justifiably recognised as

a relatively free rein to manage the project in terms of cost control,

one of the world’s leading urban centres, and the equal of virtually

manpower recruitment, procurement and administrative matters.

all rivals, barring London, New York, and Tokyo – subterranean engineering works below its bustling streets are ongoing. The nature of the city means that such works are as challenging in their maddening complexity as they are expensive.

With this being the case, STEC Singapore, whilst something of a niche civil engineering company that specialises on underground tunnelling works, is often called upon, according to Managing Director Engineer Leong. As a man with extensive experience in his field and an intimate understanding of the complicated geography on which Singapore is built, he is something of a safe pair of hands for the company.

“I was trained in Civil Engineering and has been working on tunnelling and underground projects for the past 29 years, having been involved in the Hong Kong Tai Lam Tunnel; Taiwan Kao

52 | Endeavour Magazine

CURRENT PROJECTS The construction of Shenton Way station (T225) and its associated tunnels is a vast undertaking which was first awarded to Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co. Ltd in 2014, at a contract sum of approximately S$368 million, thanks largely to STEC’s frequent involvement in similar transit projects within Singapore in the past.

Shenton Way MRT Station (TE19) is an upcoming underground Mass Rapid Transit station on the Thomson-East Coast Line in Singapore, which will be located around Asia Square and Shenton House.

The Mass Rapid Transit, or MRT, is a rapid transit system forming the major component of the railway system in Singapore, spanning the entire city-state. The initial section of the MRT, between Yio

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Beam Launching at Tuas West MRT

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Haulage Services Endeavour Magazine | 53

STEC

Chu Kang and Toa Payoh, opened on 7 November 1987, making it

August 2014 by the Land Transport Authority as the merger of the

the second-oldest metro system in Southeast Asia, after Manila’s

Thomson Line (TSL) and the Eastern Region Line (ERL). The total

Light Rail Transit (LRT) System. The network has since grown rapidly

cost of the system stretching from Woodlands North to Gardens

in accordance with Singapore’s aim of developing a comprehensive

by the Bay has been set at S$18 billion, and will open in five stages

rail network as the backbone of the public transport system in

from 2019 onwards. Upon the completion of the first three stages

Singapore, with an average daily ridership of 3.031 million in 2015

of TEL, it is anticipated that the system will serve in the region of

(including the Light Rail Transit), approximately 78% of the bus

500,000 commuters daily.

network’s 3.891 million in the same period.

The line, which is 43 km (27 mi) long and consists of 31

The MRT network encompasses 170.7 kilometres (106.1

stations, will run through the north-south corridor, starting in the

mi) of route, with 101 stations in operation, on standard gauge.

northern Woodlands area, passing through the estate of Sin Ming

The lines are built by the Land Transport Authority, a statutory

Avenue, down to the residential Thomson area and the shopping

board of the Government of Singapore, which allocates operating

districts of Orchard and Marina Bay, then running eastwards along

concessions to the profit-based corporations, SMRT Corporation

the east coast through Siglap, Marine Parade and Bedok South,

and SBS Transit. These operators also run bus and taxi services,

before ending at Sungei Bedok. Residents in the heartlands of

thus facilitating full integration of public transport services. The

Sembawang, Yishun, Ang Mo Kio, Bishan-Toa Payoh, Moulmein-

MRT is complemented by a small number of local LRT networks in

Kallang, Tanjong Rhu and Bedok South will benefit from faster

Bukit Panjang, Sengkang and Punggol that link MRT stations with

and more direct connections to the city. Its depots are located at

HDB public housing estates.

Mandai, south of Woodlands, and near the south-eastern terminus

The Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) will be the sixth Mass

of the line at Tanah Merah. If built, the planned Singapore-Johor

Rapid Transit system,(MRT) and the fourth fully automated and

Bahru Rapid Transit System is also likely to offer interchange to the

driverless system line in Singapore. The line was announced on 15

line’s Woodlands North terminus.

54 | Endeavour Magazine

The scope of work that they are involved in with LTA includes the design and construction of Newton station and associated tunnels for Downtown Line 2, the construction of tunnels between Tampines East station and Upper Changi station for Downtown Line 3 and the construction of Gul Circle station and viaducts for Tuas West Extension.

Not that STEC’s work stops with the Thomson Line. According to Eng Leong, the company will is poised to venture into new markets further afield across the South East Asian region. “We are actively looking into possible business opportunities in Malaysia; Thailand, Myanmar and Indonesia,” he says. “By further expanding the operations into other parts of Southeast Asia, it would raise the stature of the company and may even create overseas job opportunities for the locals here as the plan is to gradually increase the team strength and resources as required in the process of this expansion plan.”

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AUTOMOTIVES CITROEN C4 GRAND PICASSO LET THE CELEBRATIONS BEGIN

My big weekend was approaching, turning into a 40-year-old.

having spent a lot of energy simply making this big bus more fuel

Full of wisdom and maturity – like a fine wine, I wanted to test a

efficient and aerodynamic, and added a great deal of space inside

vehicle that could comfortably accommodate 3 adults, 4 children

the cabin, have instead focused more on utility. Quite simply, it is

and their luggage to a fun filled adventure within the capital to

just a better vehicle than that of its predecessors.

celebrate my birthday.

The inside of the C4 feels vast and very light. Gone are the

With the big weekend of my 40th approaching, I was awaiting

thick pillars that would restrict visibility, to be replaced by a

delivery of the vehicle which would take myself and the family for

smaller, minimalist interior which is seemingly all glass – without

a jaunt to the capital when the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso arrived

exaggeration, its windscreen and enormous glass roof are the

on a bright Friday morning. My initial thoughts of the car, in all its

largest I have seen yet. All the seats adjust, meaning there is plenty

electric blue, silver and chrome glory, were undoubtedly positive. It

of legroom and headroom, and the three middle seats individually

was well received when the passengers were picked up too.

recline, slide and fold.

The C4 Grand Picasso, in spite of its sleek good looks has clearly

The rear seats are a bit tight on leg room but perfect for two

been designed with a degree of modesty in mind. Its aesthetics are

11-year olds happy to busy themselves on their Iphones. The

not there to make the C4 leap out from the crowd; rather, Citroen,

middle row of seats had plenty of legroom and were certainly fit for

56 | Endeavour Magazine

purpose. There is adjustable ventilation for both the second and third rows, which is brilliant, as it can get stuffy towards the rear of a big vehicle. An odd and rather unenjoyable encounter, however, was the one I had with the massaging seats setting, which felt not unlike the kids were pushing and kicking their feet into the back of the seats every 5-seconds or so. A heated seats option would have been preferable, had the option been available.

If you don’t need the third row of seats, they store away in the floor, offering a large boot with a 632-litre capacity, a low load lip and a nice flat floor. Dropping the middle row of seats keeps the floor, again, completely flat and increases capacity to a cavernous 2181 litres. Truly, the C4 is an amazingly versatile vehicle. The boot space left over with the back seats out was a little concerning, although it did comfortably fit the 2 small suitcases and two rucksack-size bags, one of which contained my birthday beer! The automatic boot lock was fantastic, beeping as closing to securely lock in the contents. Plus, it must be noted that the car has many little clever stowaways throughout which allowed items to be hidden away neatly, almost to the point of forgetting where you put them in the first place.

It took a while to adjust to the speedometer being in the Endeavour Magazine | 57

centre, however after a few miles I had acclimatised. Citroens do

with red LED mirror lights which flashed when cars were close

everything well, but I did find the touchscreen central controls a

by i.e. overtaking. The main lights were also superb, and changed

little confusing at first. At times, like when I was opening the boot

direction of the beam when turning corners to provide the best

of the car, it proved to be a little unresponsive, but it simply takes

visibility a car could offer.

a little getting used to - a long press of the key was all that was

I found the new C4 to be a very capable car to drive and while

needed on that occasion. Long gone are the buttons and knobs to

it’s never going to set speed records with six adults on board, it

turn the heater up and down; now you go through the computer to

happily responded to everything I asked of it and handles securely

control everything. We mastered most of the controls quickly but

and predictably. Would I buy the C4? Most definitely. We covered

we simply couldn’t find out how many miles we had left in the tank.

around 250 miles to London and back and I grew to love this car

Another annoyance to me was the non-qwerty keyboard layout

as did my passengers. It is so flexible that it is difficult to raise

of the satellite navigation that caused my arm to ache typing in

arguments against it. I guess it doesn’t have the quality feel of some

destinations. It just took an age and the destination it sent us to

other makes, but for the price it is very close to being the perfect

was wrong first time round. I could have referred to the manual,

MPV. Some of the exterior panels were made from a flexible plastic

but I’m a man, so enough said!

material that for one questioned how easy this would scratch

Every Grand C4 Picasso comes with alloy wheels, Bluetooth

further down its life.

and a six-speaker stereo with a USB socket. Parking sensors, active

A very nice and comfortable journey in a lovely car that returned

cruise control, rear camera and parking assist are all great features

57mpg in real life driving, while very heavily loaded. This car was

that are also available. Other than the foldable wing mirrors, a nice

a perfect gift for me to test drive and added to my memorable

touch is the bright LED lights underneath the mirrors, allowing

weekend of fun. Citroen, I salute you.

you to see the floor when you get in and out of the vehicle, along 58 | Endeavour Magazine

Endeavour Magazine | 59

60 | Endeavour Magazine

C.O. WILLIAMS CONSTRUCTION LTD WWW.COW.BB 1 246-436-3910

BUILDING BARBADOS WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

Over the space of a little over 60-years, the name of C O Williams Construction Limited, along with that of its charismatic and formidable founder, Sir Charles Williams, has grown to become among the most instantly recognisable in the region.

Quite simply, C O Williams Construction is quite rightfully regarded as one of the Caribbean’s most respected civil engineering and construction companies.

Endeavour Magazine | 61

C.O. WILLIAMS CONSTRUCTION LTD

Its portfolio of completed projects, during which it has built oil

terminals, highways, marinas, large-scale residential builds, and laid airport runways is vast, and has set the standard for its regional rivals. Endeavour investigated this exciting company to find out more.

W

hen we look at any company which is overwhelmingly

of the major projects we have carried out in other Caribbean

large and successful, it can be difficult to imagine how

territories are similar in their developmental purpose. We are very

once this wasn’t always so. Even the greatest, most well-

proud of our contribution in this regard,” Sir Charles said.

known household brands started from beginnings which were to some degree humble.

He continued: “our resources and capabilities extend beyond construction and include quarries, asphalt production, ready

The story of C O Williams is one of just what can be achieved by

mix concrete block production, concrete block production, pre-

a company starting out from even the most modest of beginnings.

stressed & pre-cast concrete, large diameter bored excavation,

Today, C O Williams, a subsidiary of Williams Industries Inc. – a

low-cost housing, high-end real estate developments, and office

vast Barbadian-based conglomerate, which as any Bajan knows

developments.”

is as much a household name as you’re likely to find – is one of

It’s been a busy six-decades for the company, in other words –

the largest, most well-regarded civil engineering and highway

not bad going, all in all, for a company which upon being founded

construction companies operating in the Caribbean. With

by its larger-than-life founder, Sir Charles Williams, started out with

operations in a number of countries, including St. Lucia Antigua,

nothing more than an old tractor to its name and, of course, the

in addition to its Barbadian operations, it is a one-stop shop with a

quite boundless ambition of its remarkable founder.

list of successfully completed projects for government and private sector clients that is as diverse as it is long.

A restless and lively man of great energy which belies his years, Sir Charles Williams is today a renowned entrepreneur of consider

C O Williams has successfully built oil terminals and airports in

able wealth and influence, but like that of the company he founded

St. Lucia, Bahamas, and Bequia; a hydroelectric dam in Dominica,

in 1960 his beginnings to life were humble. One of eight brothers,

and major highways in most countries in the Caribbean; large-scale

Sir Charles learned young from his hardworking but poor mother

residential builds, marina and coastal reclamation works.

and father the work ethic and vigor which has propelled himself

“One of my strong beliefs is in the creation of sustainable

and C O Construction forward over the years. Indeed, it is these

development. In Barbados this has been accomplished by

traits which one might say have acted as the foundations upon

participating in projects such as the Bridgetown Fisheries Project,

which his empire has been built – these traits, and the secondhand

the Deep Water Harbour and Port St. Charles. In addition, many

D6 tractor which he bought at great difficulty, of course.

62 | Endeavour Magazine

C.O. WILLIAMS CONSTRUCTION LTD

“I jumped at the chance to buy one. I had to borrow most of

to be the springboard upon which today’s success has been built. It

the money, but I was able to pay the deposit with my savings from

would be untrue to say that C O Williams was able to fully bridge the

selling fish and sexing chickens.

expertise and experience gap over this time – such a thing would

I drove that tractor myself, doing demolition and land clearing,

be impossible, after all, taking into account the huge resources and

until I got a break when I was asked to work with Costains on the

decades of experience in completing project after giant project that

new deep-water harbor,” Sir Charles said. These initial first steps,

the industry leaders had could call upon. Undoubtedly, however,

during which he made himself known proved to be the making of

there was a great convergence in the capability gap, to the degree

the company.

that a level of parity could be achieved once C O William’s key

Over time, C O Williams Construction, then a small, hungry new entrant to the industry, grew in reputation and ability as the

advantage was factored in, namely its intimate local knowledge of the Barbadian land on which it plies its trade.

company increasingly found itself working as a sub-contractor for

“Since 1960 we have worked the length and breadth of

the big-name companies as they went about their work on the

Barbados. Our knowledge of the ground conditions, climate

island. As the months and years passed, its responsibilities and

and local materials, and the implications that these have on the

remit became more expansive, to the point where the company

construction process and project costs is more extensive than

could by all intents and purposes work autonomously. Sir Charles

anyone else in our field.

continued: “More international companies came looking for

From experience, we know best how to meet the challenge of

my services, including Mitchell Construction, McAlpines, Miller

such local conditions, and how to mitigate and adverse effects.

Buckley, and Wimpey. We learned our trade working alongside the

This expertise and know-how we put to use in every project we

big overseas boys, and that experience equipped us to go regional.”

undertake.”

This time spent with the big boys, during which the company

Certainly, the company has built incredible strength in depth,

served its apprenticeship and learned the tricks of the trade, proved

with regards to the expertise and highly-skilled staff it can call

64 | Endeavour Magazine

upon - quite contrary to the common misconception that still exists outside of the Caribbean about the region’s construction and engineering industries’ supposedly provincial capabilities.

As a 100% Bajun born and bred company capable of taking on all but the most complex mega projects, C O Williams Construction has since capitalised on this key USP to capture much of the industry market share away from its former employers. Quite aside from its better understanding of the local lands and business culture, and of course its international-level strength in depth, with regards to its employee expertise, equipment, and resources, it must be considered that Barbadians are a proud people.

It is only natural how in Barbados, and across the wider Caribbean region, for that matter, clients who have need for construction and civil engineering works, whether large or small in scale, prefer that tenders for works are won by an outfit with roots in the area.

With more bold projects on the horizon over the coming years, and with the company continuing to grow from strength to strength, we can expect to see more from this proudly Bajun business.

Endeavour Magazine | 65

66 | Endeavour Magazine

ISLAND GRILL WWW.ISLANDGRILLJA.COM 001 876 931 9869

SERVING UP GREAT BUSINESS ACUMEN WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON

The hospitality trade is notorious for being highpressure and seriously competitive, so how has Island Grill, a Jamaican-grown company, managed to rise above and set its sights on expansion?

Endeavour Magazine got up close and personal to find out!

Endeavour Magazine | 67

ISLAND GRILL

There’s something rather special about local companies that start

at the bottom and carve untouchable reputations through nothing more innovative than plain, old fashioned, hard work and that’s exactly what Island Grill has done. Now one of the favourite chains in the Caribbean, it would be easy to rest up, maybe even get a little complacent, but the team is set on a programme of expansion that means there is no room for anything less than 100% commitment. If you can’t keep up, Island Grill is not the place for you to start a lifelong career, but the beginnings of the company were a lot more humble.

F

ounded in 1991 by Thalia Lyn, Chicken Supreme, which would

standards. That’s no small feat, but then again, this is no flash-in-

later change to Island Grill in 1998, had just one outlet, in Twin

the-pan restaurant operation either.

Gates. While the quality of service and food has never changed,

You might think that the success of Island Grill is directly linked

the size of the operation grew exponentially and a major rebranding

to the management team, which of course are high-powered,

was undertaken with a view to reflect the “…Jamaicanness in both

experienced executives that only care about the bottom line, but

menu and décor,” that the company so proudly exuded. But this

you’d be very wrong. While it shouldn’t come as a surprise, it is

was no mere publicity stunt that sought to play on the inherent

pleasantly shocking to discover that 90% of shift managers and

pride of the region, as there is a deep and lasting commitment to

86% of kitchen supervisors all started in the lowest grade positions

staying local.

and have worked their way up, through the company, thanks to

Celebrating 25 years of success, Island Grill now employs in

their knowledge and experience gained directly on the shop floor.

excess of 600 people, making it a significant contributor to the local

Many go on to become full restaurant managers and commissary

economy and the quality of life that so many families enjoy and the

managers as well, as the progression opportunities are there

desire to always support fellow local set-ups is easy to see in the

and Island Grill has a commitment to promoting from within, a

use of locally sourced ingredients,

development technique that many other operations could take

“…we process approximately a quarter of a million pounds of

inspiration from.

locally raised chicken and fish each month. Last year, 130 tons of

With a team of dedicated staff members in place, a reputation

locally farmed carrots, cabbages, lettuces, tomatoes and yams were

that so many competitors can only dream of attaining and a desire

processed.”

to keep growing, Island Grill is looking to expand its menu to

Put this into a wider context and you’ll start to understand why this is so significant. Island Grill employs local people, serves up

include new and exciting flavours that will have hungry patrons coming back for more,

delicious, authentic Jamaican fare to locals and even sources its

“At Island Grill, we use our own unique combination of these

primary ingredients locally as well. This is more than just a food

very same spices on our chicken, pork and fish to create an

chain; this is a staple of the Jamaican economy that re-invests at

authentic jerk taste. But wait - mi bredrin, can’t stand the heat?

every opportunity and seeks to raise the bar in terms of hospitality

Island Grill serves up other island dishes that give you the big taste

68 | Endeavour Magazine

ISLAND GRILL

of the Caribbean. Our own special BBQ, rice and peas, curries and

some 42 acres of land, most of which has now been sold for

stews have all the goodness that makes island cooking delicious

development into what later became Valentine Gardens. The Island

and exciting.”

Grill headquarters occupies some of the property.”

The authenticity is incredible, don’t you think? There is such

Green initiatives, such as the replacing of plastic food trays

pride and authenticity running through every menu item and with

with biodegradable cardboard packaging and community outreach

jerk pork having just been added to the extensive offerings, there

programmes are another string to the bow of Island Grill, but they

is no sign of the company slowing down or stagnating. In fact,

poccur quietly and modestly, in the background. That’s an unusual

following the successful opening of a new branch last year, even

step, as so many large companies seek to publicise their good

more are in the planning phase, despite the huge investment that

deeds, but let’s not forget that this is a chain with a difference. This

each commissary requires,

is THE local restaurant, run by and for locals, so grandiose gestures,

“Our new commissary opened in December last year with approximately 13,000 square feet of storage and 12 temperaturecontrolled production areas. It took two years of planning, $200 million in investment and has created 32 new jobs,”

while generous, need not be shouted about as it’s the food and atmosphere that are the really important factors.

We wouldn’t go so far as to call Island Grill a company that fought tooth and nail for everything it has, but a little bit of good

There’s something familiar, nostalgic and even a little romantic

fortune at ththan just a dream. It lead to the creation of a market

about Island Grill. It offers food that has all the love and flavour

leader with more than a little heart at its centre and we can’t wait

of homecooked meals, but with added convenience and ambience,

to see how the operation continues to improve the commercial

which naturally makes it the first choice for meals out. Add in a

landscape of Jamaica.

sweet back story and suddenly, you have a chain that everybody in the region feels connected to. Lyn explained, “My father had won a premium bond and used it to purchase

70 | Endeavour Magazine

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AMAZING WORLD ‘RELAMPAGO DEL CATATUMBO’ THE ETERNAL STORM, VENEZUELA

I

f ever you’ve ever found yourself wondering what it would be

Quite simply, the Catatumbo Lightning, whilst not technically an

like to experience a violent thunderstorm that seemingly never

eternal storm in the literal sense, is not far from it. The cacophony

ends, you need look no further than Venezuela – the home of

of noise and explosive power is truly startling in its intensity. For

yet another of planet earth’s more mysterious natural wonders, to

between 200 to 300 days a year, the storm produces an average of

find out.

28 strikes of lightning per minute for up to 10 hours at a time. At

Where the Catatumbo River mouth meets the vast Lake

peak activity, the storm can unleash up to 3,600 bolts of lightning per

Maracaibo in Zulia state, situated at the northern tip of the country,

hour, or roughly one strike per second during particularly explosive

can be found the ‘Relámpago del Catatumbo,’ or Catatumbo

displays - this equates to upwards of 40,000 lightning strikes in a

Lightning, a unique atmospheric phenomenon that has captivated

single night.

tourists and locals for countless generations.

72 | Endeavour Magazine

This lightning is not only produced in excessively large amounts,

but

is

powerful,

also

astonishingly

with

potentially

each

charged

bolt

up

to

predictable as it is brutal, occurring in the exact same place, starting practically on cue at roughly the same time, every day, around an hour or so after dusk.

400,00 amps – far, far beyond

The Catatumbo Lightning phenomenon has been well-known for

that of your average lightning

centuries. Local Venezuelans from the region historically called it rib

strike. This staggeringly potent

a-ba - the ‘river of fire,’ and revered it as a sign from the gods. Later,

lightning is also incredibly bright

during the colonial period of the Caribbean, the highly visible light

and constant; so much so, in

show was used as a means of navigation by sailors, who called it ‘The

fact, that it is visible from up to

Lighthouse of Catatumbo,’ and the ‘Maracaibo Beacon.’

250-miles away, as a haunting flickering glow on the horizon.

Nowhere

else

on

Scientists believe that Catatumbo, named for a river that runs into the lake, is in fact normal lightning that, due to the area’s local

earth

topography and wind patterns, just happens to occur far more in

does lightning strike in such

this particular area than anywhere else. The Lake Maracaibo basin

concentrations and with such

is surrounded on virtually all sides by mountains that capture warm

relentless ferocity. Interestingly,

trade winds coming off the Caribbean, which then crash into the

however, this most wild and

cool air which spills down from the Andes, forcing the conflicting

untamed of thunderstorms is as

winds up until they condense into thunderclouds.

Endeavour Magazine | 73

74 | Endeavour Magazine

NEXUS GROUP WWW.NEXUSGROUP.COM.NA 264 67 313 770

EXCEED AND DELIVER WRITTEN BY JASPER MILVAIN

With an annual turnover in excess of N$500 million, and a proven capability to deliver a range of projects across all scales and formats to clients in a diverse selection of markets, Nexus Group is understandably recognised as Namibia’s leading building and civil construction group.

Endeavour Magazine | 75

NEXUS GROUP

Operating in sectors that include infrastructure, road and

earthworks, property and concessions, mining services, interior fit out and the construction and building sector, there are few areas that Nexus Group doesn’t feature in.

A

s a company with a solid footprint in all 14 regions of Namibia,

maintaining or upgrading their fleet, they are able to ensure that

involved in all areas of civil construction and engineering

they are always in the best position to deliver.

works for both government and private sector clients, Nexus

Organic growth has played a significant part in the expansion

Group has forged a reputation as the go-to company for projects

of Nexus. In Namibia, they operate in all construction related

large and small alike.

industries

including

roads

and

earthworks,

property

and

Comprised of three business units that operate across their

concessions, mining services as well as the construction and

geographical areas of operation, all of which are registered as

building sectors. Additionally, the company’s operations cover

separate operating companies, Nexus is a unique, in that operates

smaller scale works such as shop fittings, refurbishments and

something of a decentralised business model. However, although

construction. Having come to dominate the Namibian market in

each of these divisions operate autonomously, these business units

such an all-encompassing fashion, the company is now targeting

frequently cross-collaborate on projects when the need arises.

further expansion into Africa. This falls in line with their overall

Their Civil Division has capabilities spanning the spectrum of

vision, which is to not only consolidate its standing as the flagship

national infrastructure including municipal infrastructure such as

construction industry in Namibia, but grow into a regional player

environmental rehabilitation, servicing of infrastructure, water

with operations beyond its own borders.

storage reservoirs, municipal roads and stormwater drainage.

Transport infrastructure initiatives including roads, bridges, gravel roads, airport terminals, aprons and runways, labour based projects and railways are also a speciality.

The Building Division covers the full range of conventional construction,

providing

infrastructure

including

hospitals,

airports, retail and development of parking lots, residential, office accommodation, educational institutions, stadia, hotels and leisure and industrial facilities. They also undertake select residential developments for major institutions and industrial clients as well as low cost and affordable housing for the public sector.

Plant and Equipment is continually invested in to maintain the high level of service and support to their stakeholders and keep up with the continuous demand for excellence. Either by regularly 76 | Endeavour Magazine

EXCEEDING CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS Nexus Group is a dedicated leader in providing excellent, value added construction services to their customers, in order to exceed customer expectations. To achieve this, the company has in place a number of objectives that govern their actions and decisions on a day-to-day basis. They are all equally important and include; focusing on continuous and sustainable top and bottom line growth, creating a desirable place to work, being a natural home for creativity and enthusiasm and offering a safe working environment to strengthen human capital through training and development for the growth of the organisation so as to benefit shareholders and other stakeholders.

For Nexus, their 700 employees are the driving force behind the

NEXUS GROUP

business and the source of all their capabilities and achievements.

specialist trades such as electricians, joiners, plumbers, painters

Their country-wide presence and expansion beyond their borders

and steelworkers, among others. Furthermore, as CIF is an

would not be possible were it not for each of its highly skilled staff

autonomous, non-governmental and apolitical organisation, an

members.

Executive Committee comprised of volunteer members elected at the Federation’s annual general meeting governs the group and the

A KEY MEMBER OF THE NAMIBIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY FEDERATION One of the key reasons for the company’s success and diverse offering is their strength when it comes to tendering, which is enhanced by their membership within the Namibian Construction Industry Federation – an organisation which acts as the mouthpiece for Namibia’s construction industry, and has played a major role in building the country’s economic prosperity over the space of 60 years.

As a member of CIF, Nexus is in very good company. Included in the group are multi-national building and civil contractors, though the bulk consists of smaller contractors and SME’s. Members also include the retail and wholesale building material trade, along with many other manufacturers and suppliers of construction

committee is elected from a variety of construction-related sectors, thereby enabling the Federation to speak authoritatively on behalf of all its members.

BEE PARTICIPATION As a company, Nexus is motivated by the potential that can be harnessed through embracing diversity and incorporating empowerment into its business culture. The company has surpassed the implementation of the Black Economic Empowerment policy in Namibia, and worked to empower previously disadvantaged groups and communities. This policy presents an effective solution to addressing historic economic and social inequities, and to this end Nexus supports the BEE Policy and actively participates in its implementation.

materials and equipment that serve the sector. It also represents

PO Box 11588, Windhoek, Namibia Tel: + 264 855505032 or + 264 855508158 Fax: + 264 0886557339 E-mail : sandworx@brandbergcon.com

Supply & Delivery of: ā Sand ā Stone 19mm & 13mm ā Garden Stone ā Garden Soil ā Crusher Dust ā G5, G6, G7, G8

78 | Endeavour Magazine

MANAGEMENT The company employs a flat and hands-on management structure, which is led by a managing director together with his management. Both are based at the head office Outjo with the

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Maager, ie. Jan Hendrick Engelbrecht (Building) and Johan Smit

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are manufactured in Uis and are NAMCLAY CLAY BRICKS INTEGRITY AND EXCELLENCE made out of natural materials. Our The benefits should be more than just about looks.

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NAMCLAY CLAY BRICKS The benefits should be more than just about looks. www.namclay.com Tel: +264 (0)64 504 126 Fax: +264 (0)64 504 223 Cell: +264 (0)81 129 0056 sales@namclay.com PO Box 48, Uis, Namibia Endeavour Magazine | 79

80 | Endeavour Magazine

INSS-POL SP. Z O.O. WWW.INSS-POL.PL 48 71 362 90 00

MAINTAINING A STEELY GAZE WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON

There is a natural propensity for looking at a finished product and giving no thought to the innovative infrastructure that made it a possibility, but INSS-POL is a market leader in stainless steel installations that deserves a closer look, so Endeavour Magazine set about finding out more.

Endeavour Magazine | 81

INSS-POL SP. ZZOO O.O.

Established in 1995, INSS-POL is celebrating more than 20 years

in the stainless steel industry and has an impeccable record to show for all the hard work and innovative solutions that it has supplied in those two decades.

W

hile lesser operations might have sought to dilute the

work for close proximity projects, rather, INSS-POL has set out to

know-how of their material by embarking on a programme

be the very standard by which all stainless steel applications and

of diversification, INSS-POL has maintained a tight grip on

installations are measured and the bar is high. With a firm grasp

its interests and sought to specialise in targeted installations,

on safety protocols and client satisfaction, no corners can be cut,

“We carry out work in food industry factories and manufacturing

especially when you consider how high-value some of the products

sites: in the brewery, fruit and vegetable processing and dairy

being produced within the steel installations are. Cosmetics, for

industries. In addition to this, the area of our activities covers

example, is one of the largest grossing markets throughout the

the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and chemical industries, as well as

world, meaning that the processes and equipment used to produce

environmental protection, in particular effluent treatment plants

them need to be perfect from start to finish. When an end product

and water treatment stations. We accompany the client through all

is to be consumed or applied topically, there is no margin for error,

stages of execution; from the design phase, through prefabrication

but that’s not a concern for INSS-POL, as the company has directed

and assembly, to the commissioning of equipment and entire

its steely gaze to monitor all things quality and safety critical, right

process lines.”

through to employee wellbeing,

While this might sound like a lot of areas to cover, each flows into

“In the company, we focus on safety, therefore we follow any

the other with a natural grace an aplomb, meaning that consistently

binding standards concerning H&S regulations. With respect to

high standards and new developments are easy to implement and

employee protection, we have taken actions to ensure that each

control. It’s when you learn of the geographical reach of INSS-Pol

of them receives VCA certification. We are aiming to obtain VCA

that things start to get really impressive though,

certification also for our Company. INSS-POL follows any and all

“We run our business in the local Lower Silesia market and all

binding legal regulations in the area of environment protection

over Poland, in Europe, and also in the countries of Asia, Africa

according to requirements of directive 96/61/WE imposed by the

and South America. Regardless of where we work, we maintain

Environment Protection Law Act of 27th April 2001. We improve

the highest standards compliant with the ISO 9001:2008 quality

employees’ ecological awareness by ensuring participation in

assurance system.”

external training in the field of environmental protection and

This is no homegrown operation that saves the best quality 82 | Endeavour Magazine

internal courses lead by the company. We take care to maintain the

INSS-POL SP. ZOO

highest quality standards. In order to control the quality of our work,

Each industry that INSS-POL works with has strict compliance

we cooperate with accredited laboratories and our employees have

standards and a unique set of needs, but for a company as dynamic

licences to evaluate the quality of welding work.”

and reactive as this one, that’s no problem. For example, dealing with

Employee safety, pride in workmanship and environmental

brewery installations is a complex task that requires prefabrication,

concerns. How many companies can you name that genuinely

assembly and installation of pipelines and tanks that won’t affect

and passionately enforce such stringent standards? It’s impressive

the custom flavours of the beers being brewed in them. Having

and just one of the reasons that INSS-POL remains so far ahead

completed a programme of brewery modernisations in Poland,

of many competitors in the field, alongside its desire to always be

brand new breweries have also been built in Spain, Germany,

looking for new, innovative solutions that will improve operations,

Holland, Nigeria and Tunisia. This might sound complicated enough,

“...Steel ahead! This is the expression of our readiness for

but add in all the other industries that INSS-POL is in the thick of,

continuous development and remaining a leader in our trade.

and the project management skills of the team really come to light,

Extending the scope of activities, extending the group of business

“From coffee and chocolate, to French fries and carbonated

partners and clients satisfied with their cooperation with us. The

beverages... Our clients include both enormous concerns as well as

green colour symbolises care for the natural environment and the

smaller family enterprises. We have been running businesses in the

pun shows our love for steel. We are one step ahead of competitors,

food industry for years and the scope of work covers all stages of

always one step further...”

execution, from design to the commissioning of machines. We have

You have to love a company that takes its endeavours seriously, but still has a sense of humour! There’s nothing funny about the awards that INSS-POL has been given though, nor the impressive projects that they have completed.

84 | Endeavour Magazine

created plants for chewing gum, chocolate, coffee, beverage, food fragrances, chips and many other factories.”

Imagine what a catastrophe it would be if biotechnology installations and food production projects were mixed up! But that’s

not something that will EVER happen, as INSS-POL has its finger not only on the pulse in terms of the stainless steel industry as a whole, but also at a more grass roots level for managing numerous projects all at once.

It takes a special type of company to make a global name for itself within just 20 years, but INSS-POL has managed exactly that by never compromising, not resting and being unwilling to complete work to anything less than its self-imposed standards. We look forward to learning about exciting developments within the company in the coming years and have no doubt that its reputation will remain as untarnished as the stainless steel it works with.

Endeavour Magazine | 85