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EDITOR’S NOTE Heads of Departments Managing Editor Alice Instone-Brewer editor@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Director Alex Smith alexsmith@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Manager Emlyn Freeman emlynfreeman@littlegatepublishing.com
C
hange can be daunting, but it is in
extended feature. We also took a look
taking these risks that we grow - as
at the life-changing work of Anti-Slavery
people, businesses or as countries.
International, a charity for all of those still
As we leave July and enter August,
denied freedom around the globe.
we can’t help but think about change
Finally, we caught up with Ellie Robinson,
here at Endeavour. Many countries are
Head of Editorial Research Paul Bradley paulbradley@littlegatepublishing.com
remembering victories for independence
Editorial Research James Lapping james@littlegatepublishing.com
have just celebrated July 4th – a date that
Project Manager Steven Weller steveweller@littlegatepublishing.com
not we live in the United States; in France,
Corporate Director Anthony Letchumaman anthonyl@littlegatepublishing.com
for the French Revolution, and in India, this
Lead Designer Alina Sandu
the country’s hard-earned independence
studio@littlegatepublishing.com
from British Imperial rule. Listing these
Publisher Stephen Warman stevewarman@littlegatepublishing.com
countries is to name but a few of the many
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during these months: in America, they rings familiar with many of us, whether or Bastille Day commemorates a turning point August will mark the 70th anniversary of
celebrating their freedom every summer – and of course, we can’t talk about liberation without mentioning Emancipation Day, observed
this
month
throughout
the
Caribbean in memory of the 1833 Slavery Abolition Act.
it’s an end of an era here in the Littlegate office. As we enter a new month, we’d like to raise a glass to new horizons by saying a fond farewell to our lead editor, Djamil Benmahidi, who’s served Endeavour with love the past year and is now off to exciting and far sunnier climbs in Vietnam. He will be sorely missed – though the new editor is enjoying his old desk!
ALICE INSTONE-BREWER
Rick Hammell at Elements Holdings, who knows well the importance for businesses to react quickly to changing markets and to have the freedom reach for new horizons
no legal responsibility will be accepted by the
when opportunities arise.
publishers for loss arising from use of information
In our Amazing World series, we are celebrating
the
70th
anniversary
of
retrievable system or transmitted in any form or
independent India by taking a deeper look
by any means without the prior written consent of
into the story behind the success in a special
the publisher.
Change can mean the end of an era, and
an eight-year overhaul, creating a game-
living or dead is purely coincidental. Whilst
publication may be reproduced or stored in a
– and felt thoroughly lazy in comparison!
of disaster and embraced change through
the publisher. Any resemblance to real persons,
published. All rights reserved. No part of this
life since Rio and her goals for Tokyo 2020
who took the bull by the horns in the face
sector in the process. We also spoke with
the information contained within this magazine,
Ellie about the challenges of training, her
caught up with Murray Price of Eqstra Fleet,
changing new system of operations for his
every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of
swimming at Rio 2016. We chatted with
change and triumphs. For this issue, we
of view expressed in articles by attributing magazine do not necessarily represent those of
who brought home Gold and Bronze in
Truly, the summer is a time to celebrate
responsibility for omissions or errors. The points writers and/or in advertisements included in this
the remarkable Team GB Paralympian
Copyright © Littlegate Publishing Ltd 2017
Endeavour Magazine | 3
CONTENTS
ELEMENTS HOLDINGS FEATURES
BAHRAIN MINISTRY OF WORKS 4 | Endeavour Magazine
16 26 34 44 50 60 70 76 82 88
P W Group Nigeria Always Digging Deeper Eqstra Fleet Management Giving That Little Bit Eqstra Elements Global Services Business Without Borders FATS Head And Heart Railroad Association Staying On Track Nexgen Energy Ltd The Uranium Sector’s Next Big Thing Bahrain Ministry of Works The Building Blocks Of Life Chickmont Foods Experts In Quality West Indies Petroleum A Sure Thing National Gas Company of Trinidad & Tobago National Value
EQSTRA FLEET MANAGEMENT ARTICLES 6 7 8 10 11
Business Headlines Middle East Asia Americas Africa Europe
12
Focus Ellie Robinson: Goals After Gold
24 42 66
Amazing World Anti-Slavery International Tomorrow’s Freedom, Today’s Fight Er Wang Dong Indian Independence Day – 70 Years Free
56 58
Automotives Ford Kuga Vignale Hyundai i30
FATS Endeavour Magazine | 5
BUSINESS HEADLINES MIDDLE EAST ALMOST HALF OF GCC BUSINESSES NOT READY FOR VAT SURVEY Up to 49% of GCC businesses are not ready for implementation of value added tax (VAT), a new survey has found. The VAT, set at 5%, is set to be introduced from January 1, 2018. However, the ACCA survey showed that only 11% of GCC firms had drafted a VAT policy, considered compliance models or identified IT system gaps in preparation. This implies that the other 89% do not fully understand the impact that VAT will have on their businesses. The survey also found that many businesses lacked in-house VAT expertise. The study polled 330 companies across the industrial sectors, including construction and engineering, manufacturing, oil and gas, financial services, retail, and consultancy. From the respondents, 68% said they
terrorism, which Qatar denies. The conflict
Nasser fears that global energy security will
could undermine the region’s efforts to
be compromised.
become an international business hub, and
Saudi Aramco plans to double its gas
puts companies in the position of needing
production to 23 billion cubic feet a day.
to pick sides.
They claim this will raise the share of gas in
Qatargas requested key suppliers and service providers established facilities in the
Aramco’s recoverable crude oil and
in the delivery of services. They have asked
condensate reserves fell to 260.8 billion
suppliers without such local facilities to
barrels at the end of 2016 from 261.1
establish them by the end of July this year.
billion a year earlier. Its gas reserves rose to
Last month, Saudi media reported Riyadh planned to demand that firms doing ties with Qatar. Experts said Riyadh might not be able to convince more countries to cut links with
trillion.
$1BILLION + DOHA FESTIVAL CITY LOAN FROZEN IN GCC DIVISION
Doha, but they said it could force firms to
The refinancing of a $1billion loan by
pick between doing business with Qatar or
Doha Festival City has been indefinitely
working in the much bigger Saudi market.
postponed as a result of the current sanctions against Qatar. The diplomatic and trade sanctions are deterring regional banks from doing new
on the framework, and 7% believed that VAT
business in the country.
would not impact them.
The refinanced loan for the Doha retail
The report also showed that 75 per
and hospitality complex was set to rise to
cent of the surveyed organisations failed to
around $1.2 billion. The refinancing was
engage with their tax advisor to understand
QATARGAS CALLS FOR SUPPLIERS TO SET UP LOCAL OFFICES AMID GCC CRISIS
298.7 trillion standard cubic feet from 297.6
business in the kingdom would have to sever
because they were waiting for further clarity
that would be required by the new tax.
other G20 nations.
country to prevent delays and complications
had not made budgetary provision for VAT
the consequences and necessary changes
the kingdom’s utilities to 70%, higher than
being coordinated by Qatari investment
SAUDI ARAMCO TO INVEST $300BN IN OIL/GAS, DOUBLE GAS PRODUCTION
bank QInvest. According to local bankers, the current sanctions against Qatar affected the banks’
Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia oil giant,
appetite for the transaction, as they will
plans to invest $300bn + into oil production
prevent non-Qatari banks from participating.
and natural gas exploration in the country for the next ten years.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain cut diplomatic and transport ties
Qatargas, largely owned by state-run
The company stated that rising oil
with Qatar on June 5 due to accusations
Qatar Petroleum, and the world’s largest
demand called for 20 million barrels p/d
that the country has supported terrorism.
producer of liquefied natural gas (LNG), has
was needed to meet rising demand, yet
Mall and hotel owners in the country have
asked its suppliers to set up local operations
investment in oil has dropped globally by $1
expressed concerns about falling customer
in Qatar in an attempt to limit damage
trillion. Company CEO Amin Nasser said he
numbers due to the sanctions, as well as
from current economic sanctions from
felt the world was aiming to disengage with
the continued fallout from thousands of
its neighbour countries, as well as future
oil and gas prematurely, under “the mistaken
expatriates being fired by government
sanctions being threatened.
assumption that alternatives will be rapidly
bodies in recent years.
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab
deployed.”
The current sanctions have not explicitly
Emirates and Egypt cut diplomatic ties with
The company stressed Saudi Arabia’s
asked commercial banks to stop lending to
Qatar in June, closing all transport to the
work in renewable energy, claiming the
Qatar, unofficial guidance from participating
country through theirs by air, land and sea.
country will become a “solar powerhouse” in
governments has caused most regional
time. However, without strong investment
banks to freeze new loan transactions for
in oil and gas during these transition years,
Qatari borrowers since last month.
The sanctions were placed following accusations
that
Doha
6 | Endeavour Magazine
is
supporting
ASIA BP MAKES UNUSUAL DIESEL SHIPMENT FROM U.S TO AUSTRALIA Oil giant BP is shipping diesel from the United States to Australia in an unusual shipping flow. Departing at the end of June and sailing through July, the Jupiter Express carried about 35,000 tonnes of diesel from Washington to New South Wales, loaded at BP’s Cherry Point and headed to Botany Bay. Australia usually imports its diesel from Singapore, South Korea and Japan, and the U.S usually ships to Europe rather than Asia. A previous U.S to Australia shipment
are focusing more on a “witch-hunt” over
leather industries, both run mostly by India’s
past perpetrators than working on resolving
Muslim minority. The ban was set on the
wider issues and preparing for the future.
grounds of preventing cruelty to animals.
Half of the loans in China are currently
Cow slaughter of cows was already banned
in the property sector, due to extremely
in many parts of India, but Hindu extremist
high property prices. In major cities such
grows have grown in violence on the issue
as Beijing and Shanghai, one square meter
since Modi’s government came to power
of land could cost a year’s income for an
in 2014. There has been a wave of attacks
average buyer, as opposed to a month’s
on Muslims suspected of either storing
income in other major global cities such as
meat or transporting cattle for slaughter.
New York or Tokyo.
An estimated 28 people have been killed in
Xie predicts that, much like in Japan in 1989, China’s property prices “have a long way to fall”.
cow-related violence since 2010 When the Supreme Court suspended the ban, it sited the hardship that it placed on those who worked in these industries.
occurred last December, but had never
India’s meat and leather industries are
taken place before that.
worth more than $16 billion in annual sales.
Several Asia refineries are undergoing maintenance, whilst there is prompt demand from India, which may have prompted the
CHINESE ONLINE VIDEO BUSINESS SET TO RISE IN PROFIT
unusual shipping choice. “I think going forward, it’s going to be
Asia’s online video business is predicted
more and more common to see this kind
to almost triple in size over the next five
of reverse flows as Asian demand for oil
years — from $17.6 billion in 2017 to $46
products like jet fuel and diesel is growing
billion in 2022, according to a report by
phenomenally,” a Singapore-based trader
market research firm Media Partners Asia.
said. However, as maintenance comes to an
Over half of this figure represents Chinese
end for monsoon rain reduces India’s need
media, where digital video advertising and
for irrigation pumps, and so reduces their
online subscription revenues continue to
need for fuel, this demand could ease off.
boom across the country. China’s online video business is also predicted to be profitable
CHINA FOCUSING ON THE WRONG THINGS TO FIX ITS ECONOMY?
by 2019, according to the same report. Ad revenues on Chinese streaming platforms are expected to hit $13 billion in 2022,
Economist Andy Xie said China has avoided a financial crisis through tightening capital controls, but that more needs to be done. Whilst the measures have halted a crisis problem, claims Xie, they have not resolved the core issue. Chinese companies and business people have been investing heavily in overseas
INDIA BAN ON CATTLE SLAUGHTER SUSPENDED India’s Supreme Court suspended Modi’s recent ban on cattle slaughter, after claims it was aimed at marginalising the country’s
and subscription revenues are estimated to reach $17.3 billion. Comparatively, China’s theatrical movie market was only worth $6.4 billion last year, implying big implications for the future of media in the country. Asian digital media companies such as Hooq and Iflix are expected to hold strong
Muslim population. Minister
despite competition from the US, with the
Narendra Modi decreed in May this year that
possibility of partnership between these
“The government had to crack down
cattle could only be traded for agricultural
names. Meanwhile, Japanese media remains
on capital flight. Without bottling up the
purposes, such as dairy products or the
strong, with the country exhibiting its usual
country, China would be in a crisis now,”
ploughing of fields.
ability to keep ahead of modern trends,
assets, provoking a tightening of controls and limitation on offshore investments.
observed Xie. However, he states that the government
Hindu
Nationalist
Prime
This ruling banned the practise of the country’s multi-billion dollar beef and
and Australian media is also growing as a major player. Endeavour Magazine | 7
AMERICAS “Because the neutral rate is currently
FED RATE HIKES WON’T KILL THE STOCK MARKET RUN, CLAIMS JIM PAULSEN
quite low by historical standards, the federal
The Federal Reserve is “going to have to tighten for some time before we even notice,”
Jim
Paulsen,
Leuthold
This statement was a first for U.S trading deal history.
funds rate would not have to rise all that
President Donald Trump has claimed
much further to get to a neutral policy
he will take more legal and regulatory steps
stance,” says Yellen.
towards trade deals during the next six
Markets currently assign about a 50%
months to protect American manufacturers.
Group
chance that the Fed will approve another
The source said officials from the United
chief investment strategist, has theorised,
interest rate hike this year. The anticipation
States, Mexico and Canada would meet in
followed by claims investors also shouldn’t
is that the FOMC will start reducing the $4.5
Washington on Tuesday to discuss logistics.
get scared away from risk assets.
trillion balance sheet containing bonds the
A senior Mexican government official,
He added that the European Central
Fed has bought to stimulate the economy,
who wished to remain anonymous, said
Bank will likely trail behind the U.S. central
then possibly do one more rate increase
the U.S’s list of priorities for NAFTA talks
bank with tightening.
before the year ends.
was “not as bad as I was expecting” and
The Federal Reserve has raised interest
welcomed that the United States was not
rates in the US four times in the last nine
pushing to impose punitive tariffs, as Trump
years: June 2017, March 2017, December
had threatened.
2016 and December 2015.
Trade experts have expressed doubts
Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen
that the U.S trade deficit can be reduced
outlined her monetary policy in her recent
through trade alone.
semi-annual address to Congress. Since she claimed that gradual increases
NEW LARGE OIL RESERVES FOUND OFF MEXICO’S GULF COAST
are coming, Dow figures have jumped 100 points, and the central bank still expects its benchmark rate to reach 1.4 percent by the
A group of private international oil
end of 2017. Bespoke Investment Group
companies have struck oil in shallow
co-founder Paul Hickey added that despite
waters off the coast of Mexico. The find is
concerns the economy is slowing, U.S. data
being described as one of the five largest
looks promising. He advised that investors
discoveries for oil and gas in the last five
focus on financial, technological and energy
years. The reserve is predicted to have the
sectors in the short term.
potential to yield 1.4 to 2 billion barrels of light crude. The discovery was the result of a wild
FEDERAL RESERVE MAY NOT NEED TO HIKE RATES, SUGGESTS YELLEN
cat” drill — exploration in an area that had never been explored before. The nearest
Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen claims
previous exploration to the site was 20km
that interest rates are close to a ‘neutral’ level and will not need to rise much more – an opinion previously put forwards by Fed Governor Lael Brainard. Following
the
release
of
Yellen’s
away, and had produced no results.
LOWER TRADE DEFICIT U.S. PRIORITY IN NAFTA TALKS U.S.
Trade
Representative
Robert
comments, Government bond yields and the
Lighthizer said he would seek to reduce the
U.S. dollar fell, although U.S. stock futures
trade imbalance by improving access for
jumped. The ‘neutral’ level refers to the point
U.S. goods exported to Canada and Mexico
where the Federal Reserve’s benchmark rate
under the three-nation pact.
is neither accelerating nor restraining the
An “appropriate” provision was also
economy. The current target for the funds
proposed to deter currency manipulation by
rate is 1 to 1.25 %, while inflation is around
trading partners. The document stated that
1.4 %. That puts the real rate close to zero,
no country should manipulate its currency
where Yellen claims it needs to be.
exchange rate for unfair trading advantage.
8 | Endeavour Magazine
Investment in the reserve is estimated to be cheaper than similar-sized projects, due to the easy access of its shallow-water location. Two years ago, Mexico declared that private companies may participate in the country’s energy projects. This find could now generate high levels of interest for the country from yet more private companies. Once the block enters production, the government will take a 68.99% share of the profit from each barrel produced.
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B r I S T O w g r O u P. C O m
AFRICA GAMBIA PUSHING TO BE MALARIA-FREE The presence of malaria in children under five has dropped in Gambia from 4% in 2011 to 0.2%, according to the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP). This is part of Gambia’s push to eradicate the disease entirely, and places them close to being the first sub-Saharan African country to eliminate the parasite. However, more donations are still needed. During this push, since 2011 the number of new malaria cases across Gambia has also fallen, by a dramatic 40%. This is 155,450 new cases in 2016 opposed to 262,000 in 2011. Gambia hopes to achieve its 0% malaria goal by 2020, but slowing funding to the drive raises concern for this goal. Funding of over $25 million is needed to finish this final push, according to NMCP head Balla Kandeh. “This last mile is the most difficult - we need more support to sustain the gains we have made, yet donors often turn their attention elsewhere as cases drop,” he said, adding that malaria rates in Gambia may rebound if more funding is not secured soon. Kandeh
hopes
that
gas was partly responsible for the economic situation, and that moving away from this and diversifying their output was key. “It’s just one of our resources and only
the financial situation in Congo over the last two years. The country is now seeking
our economy - 90 per cent - really has to
aid from international donors to assist in
contribute to our revenue.”
containing inflation, which is predicted to hit
For two years running, Nigeria has
Congo’s oil and mining sectors account
been in talks with the World Bank and the
for about 95%of its export revenues. The
African Development Bank to borrow at
government claims that mining companies
least another $2 billion.
do not pay enough tax, and have proposed
Meanwhile,
President
Muhammadu
raising their taxes and royalties in a revision
Buhari has proposed borrowing of up to
of the 2002 mining code. However, mining
$30 billion to finance infrastructure projects
companies claim that the proposed penalties
across the country.
and revisions will make them unprofitable.
Lawmakers sceptical about the proposal expressed fears that it might not be favourable to the country in the long run, especially as the administration presented no clear plans of how it will utilise the loan.
FARMERS EVICTED TO PRESERVE GREAT RUAHA RIVER, TANZANIA The Tanzanian government is accusing
In her address, Mrs. Adeosun expressed
small-scale farmers of depleting the Great
the hope that diversification will reposition
Ruaha River, previously described as the
Nigeria to the level that “we will not be so
“ecological backbone of Tanzania”.
vulnerable as we have been in the past to oil price movements”.
It is illegal to divert water from the river in wetland areas the government decides to make protected sites. The government claims these farmers are illegally squatting on this protected land.
who left during Yahya Jammeh’s regime,
The Great Ruaha River used to produce
due to better working conditions and more
over half of Tanzania’s hydropower, but
appealing political stability.
increasing periods of drought have forced the government to shift to fossil fuels.
NIGERIA ‘CANNOT BORROW ANY MORE’, SAYS FINANCE MINISTER
Officials say the depletion of the river spans its entire length, and is endangering local wildlife, including those in Ruaha
Kemi Adeosun, Nigerian Minister of
National Park.
Finance, has said that Nigeria must not
Mrs Adeosun, who has held her position
30% this year.
pursued foreign loans, and has recently
President Adama Barrow will attract donors
money for its budget by other means.
Low commodity prices for copper and other key exports for Congo has aggravated
10 per cent of our GDP. So, the rest of
newly elected
continue to borrow funds, but must raise
bank your details for a foreign bank account.
MINERS IN CONGO COULD FACE CENTRAL BANK PENALTIES
They claim that farmers’ water-intensive methods and herders’ cattle have exhausted the river, but farmers say they have lived undisruptively with it for decades, and claim
as Minister of Finance since November 2015,
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s
encouraged Nigeria to continue diversifying
central bank has announced new penalties
its economy to support its budget.
for companies that fail to repatriate at least
Roughly one million small-scale farmers
She also stated that the country needs
40 percent of their revenues from mineral
work to produce much of Tanzania’s food,
to improve their tax collection, but that
exports. The ruling demands a penalty
with many cultivating rice on water-intensive
encouraging business and enabling a higher
of 1% of the total sum that has not been
farms. Now, thousands face eviction as
generation of revenue was the only way to
repatriated, per day that this remains the
authorities try to protect wetlands critical
grow.
case. It also includes a potential fine of
for the Great River.
She highlighted that a reliance on oil and 10 | Endeavour Magazine
up to US$125,000 for not sending the
they are victims of drought.
EUROPE NON-MEMBERS THINKING ABOUT JOINING EU THANKS TO BREXIT, LAGARDE CLAIMS
in 2016: since then, Samsung has invested
before the end of the year or it will be too
in over 60 companies and acquired 15. This
late to stop the shift.
arm is now expanding into Europe, starting in Berlin, with plans to expand.
Financial services account for over 10% of British economic output, and the industry
Lagarde prompted strong reactions at an
“I’m excited to lead our expansion into
international banking conference in Croatia,
Europe. The combination of deep tech talent
after saying the Europe project was “alive,
and cultural diversity makes this market very
Executives are pessimistic about Britain
kicking, an aspiration and an inspiration”
attractive,” said Felix Petersen, managing
getting a deal this year, as it must first agree
for many countries in the EU, describing
director at Samsung NEXT Europe.
to exit terms.
remaining
members
as
“revitalized,
This comes at a time when Samsung’s
rejuvenated and re-encouraged” in their
acquisitions have reached a high. It also
commitment to the EU after watching the
comes at the same time that France-based
UK’s attempts at exit.
investment firm Partech Ventures has raised
British and EU have just over a year and a half left to negotiate and agree the terms
400 million euros to invest in start-ups, in
contributed a record £71.4 billion in taxes last year.
DAIMLER EMISSIONS CUT BID; COMPANY TO RECALL 3 MILLION DIESEL CARS ACROSS EUROPE German carmaker Daimler has said
both Europe and the U.S.
of Brexit, which will then go to a vote before
that it is choosing to recal 3 million diesel
the European Parliament.
cars across Europe in a bid to cut harmful
Predictions
for
how
the
exit
will
emissions.
affect the UK economy are still unclear,
The company, which owns the Mercedes
as the terms are yet to be set. Previously,
and Smart brands, said that its board of
Lagarde suggested it would be best for the
management had approved measures to cut
U.K. economy to prioritize a predictable
pollution, including €220m of investment to
exit rather than a “crash situation”, the
update the 3 million Mercedes-Benz diesel
uncertainty around which is feared to have
engine cars across the region.
a global knock-on effect. According to Lagarde, the uncertainty
The cars will be recalled in order for
surrounding this exit has also inspired
“further measures” to be taken to reassure
non-EU-member countries to apply for
the
membership, and in fact to attempt to rush
technology, said Dieter Zetsche, head of
this application process.
SAMSUNG: $150 MILLION INVESTMENT FOR EUROPEAN START-UPS
BANKS’ BREXIT EXODUS LOOMING, WARNS LONDON BOSS Britain risks thousands of finance jobs moving overseas if a staggered exit from the
company’s
customers
in
diesel
Mercedes-Benz cars. “We are convinced that diesel engines will continue to be a fixed element of the drive-system mix, not least due to their low CO2 emissions,” he added.
Samsung have said they plan to invest in
EU isn’t negotiated in the next few months,
The company said that the updates would
European tech start-ups, using $150 million
warns Catherine McGuinness, policy chief of
involve no further cost for customers. The
they raised for the ventures in January.
London’s financial district.
new measures will begin being implemented
The company plans to target start-
London has more banks than any
soon, but the process is expected to be long-term.
on
other financial centre, as well as housing
artificial intelligence, the internet of things,
lobal foreign exchange, bonds and fund
augmented reality and virtual reality. They
management operations. Firms may decide
conscious about environmental emissions
say they are looking for products that will
to leave for Europe to avoid customer losses
and their perception by the public, since the
“transform how consumers connect with the
from Brexit, set for 2019.
Volkswagen emissions test scandal in 2015.
ups
for
tech
companies
working
Globally,
car
manufacturers
are
McGuinness says some firms in the
Volkswagen faced a massive recall after
This is coming at a time when investment
sector have started relocating parts of their
confessing that they had installed systems
capital in Europe is at an all-time. In 2016, it
businesses overseas amid frustration at the
in their cars that falsified the results of
totalled 6.4 billion euros, the highest it had
lack of clarity about what any Brexit deal
emissions testing to make their cars appear
been since 2007.
may look like. She warns that Britain and the
compliant.
world”.
Samsung established an investment arm
EU must agree the outlines of any transition Endeavour Magazine | 11
FOCUS
ELLIE ROBINSON: GOALS AFTER GOLD
S
port: it’s a moment of adrenalin and suspense, not just for those competing, but for the world that watches them.
It’s a moment of rivalry, but also of unity, as strangers are brought together in a common cause and hope: to see their team win, their athletes bring home the prize. If sport is a unifying experience, then the Olympics are its ultimate expression – a place where we can celebrate each other’s achievements, nation competes peacefully against nation, and merit alone can earn the opportunity to push oneself to personal bests in front of a global audience. The first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896, fittingly in Athens, Greece. At the time, only 14 nations were included. The event grew in size, and so grew increasingly inclusive of the world’s athletes, but it was 1960 that saw the event become truly open
Club in 2012, at 11 years of age, and began
Hair Hypoplasia. Robinson knew about
with the holding of the first Paralympic
competitive swimming with them in 2013.
Simmonds before London because of this
Games. Similar Games had previously been
She has previously modestly said that before
connection, but seeing her compete and
held exclusively for army veterans, but Rome
she began competing, she’d been told that
achieve the Gold sparked something in her.
1960 saw them open up to any athlete with
she “might be alright” at swimming. So,
Simmonds became her idol, and in just four
disabilities who qualified to compete.
what prompted Ellie to take swimming to
years, would be her teammate.
Endeavour Magazine had the honour of catching up with Team GB’s Ellie Robinson,
a competitive level and to push it as far as she did?
“Watching Ellie compete allowed me to get a taste of what being an athlete was
the prolific 15-year-old who brought home
Her inspiration came at the 2012 London
all about - in particular, the emotion an
Gold and Bronze in Rio 2016’s Paralympic
Paralympics. Fortuitously, Ellie had tickets to
athlete goes through in a race,” Ellie tells
swimming - 50m butterfly S6 and 100m
the watch the Paralympic swimming event
us. “However, I later discovered that what I
freestyle S6, respectively. Turning 16 this
(does anyone else remember how hard it
witnessed was only the tip of the iceberg!”
month, Ellie’s athletic career has skyrocketed
was to get tickets?), and it was there that
A meteoric rise from spectator to
at an incredible pace, earning her not only
she saw Ellie Simmonds bring home one
Paralympic champion comes at a cost;
Paralympic wins, but world records (set
of her two 2012 Golds. Like Robinson,
between sport and schoolwork, Ellie’s goals
when she was only 13), recognition from the
Simmonds was born with a form of dwarfism
have required dedication and unwavering
BBC, and even an MBE.
– in Simmonds’ case, achondroplasia, and in
discipline. “She can’t always do what a
Robinson’s case the extremely rare Cartilage
normal teenager does,” her coach, Andy
Ellie joined Northampton Swimming 12 | Endeavour Magazine
“My main piece of advice is that every
parents, Hannah and Will Robinson, have
athlete has a plateau year or maybe longer,
always made it their mission to encourage
but you need to remember to keep working
Ellie without applying pressure on her to
hard. The longer the wait, the greater
succeed – as they’ve said, she’s already
the rewards.”
able to put that pressure on herself. When
As if she wasn’t already juggling enough,
training began, Tokyo 2020 was the goal,
Ellie is currently taking her GCSEs. “I decided
but when she qualified for Rio 2016, Ellie
that this season was going to be academically
resolved to give it her all: “Because I was
focused, and my school and swimming club
new and young, there was hardly any
have worked well together. My school
pressure on me. Being an athlete, I liked to
have allowed me extra time to complete
put that pressure on myself to get the best
Sharpe, told press at the Paralympic Games.
my homework, and my swimming club
performance I could out of me. I wanted to
“But then, she would not have done what
coach has supported me through a reduced
gain experience in Rio for my future self.”
she did [in Rio] if she was a normal teenager.”
training timetable during my exams.”
The road hasn’t been easy, and there
We asked Ellie what a typical day looks like
Ellie’s incredible tenacity and drive has,
have been unexpected hurdles for Ellie along
for her: She wakes at 04:00, ready to hit the
thankfully, also been supported by a fantastic
the way. As well as being born with Cartilage
pool from 05:00 – 07:00. School begins
team of family, friends and professionals
Hair Hypoplasia, she was diagnosed with
at 08.30 until 15:00 in the afternoon, and
who are as passionate about her success
Perthes disease at 11, a hip disorder that
then from 16:30 until 19:00 she’s back in
as she is. “I’ve had a lot of support from my
occurs in childhood. The diagnosis came only
the pool. Home time isn’t until 19:30, when
parents (emotional), my coach (technical and
a few months after her resolve to train, and it
she has to fit in her homework before bed.
motivational), British Swimming (technical,
had her out of the pool and on crutches for
That’s a 14-hour work day, with homework
psychological, physical and nutritional), and
six months. For most 11-year olds, the story
waiting at the end of it! This is the reality
my friends and team mates. We are also
of her swimming career would have ended
behind the glamour of success; those in
really lucky to be supported by National
here, but Ellie was determined. Inspired by
the sporting spotlight haven’t walked there
Lottery funding, which is so important to
Simmonds, she got back in the pool, despite
– they’ve carved out that golden moment
every athlete’s programme.”
still being in a great deal of pain as she had
through focus and unshakable drive, even
However, even with all the support
to re-learn her independence as a swimmer.
when the road grows tedious or the goal
in the world, the strength to do what Ellie
The effects of those six months were
seems far away.
achieved has to come from within. Her
psychological as well as physical: “I had to Endeavour Magazine | 13
rebuild my self-confidence, as I had become very reliant upon my parents’ support. Luckily my swimming career escalated quickly and I matured far quicker than I expected.” Learning to turn hurdles into fuel was a tough lesson as a young age, and it’s what allowed Ellie to push as far as she has; “My greatest challenge has been the key to my success, and that was finding my independence. I had suffered from separation anxiety as a result of the Perthes disease, and this is something that goes unmentioned, but when I went to Rio I overcame these challenges.” After the heavy push to Rio and the surprising heights of her successes, the transition back to ordinary life must have been a culture shock for the young swimmer, and to begin it all over again for Tokyo, a daunting prospect. However, on 14th December 2016, a new recognition reminded Ellie what it had all been about: “The preparation for Tokyo is all part of a four-year cycle, something that I have yet to experience as an elite athlete.” “The BBC Young Sports Personality award was announced three months after Rio when I was back at school working hard to catch up on missed GCSE work. Having been so focused on Rio, getting back in the pool was quite hard, so the award was great to remind me what all the hard work was for.” Perhaps
the
most
surprising
and
significant accolade for Ellie, though, was her presentation of an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) and reception from the Royal Family. “Receiving an MBE at 15 opened my eyes to the respect that Paralympic sport has gained and how highly valued it is in our country. It helped me to put into perspective how great the Rio achievement was. Meeting the Royal Family was quite surreal!” As it has been since the start, Tokyo remains the goal for Ellie, but with such successes already, have her plans changed? As always, she remains driven yet grounded,
I’d like to say I have a rough idea, and I’ll be
Tokyo 2020 - she’s already winning golds
showing a maturity beyond her years despite
starting my A Levels in September. Each
in the competitions on that path. However,
her sudden global attention:
year is the next step towards Tokyo, and I
whether it’s in the Paralympics, other
will work with my coach on new goals and
swimming arenas, or whatever else she
processes.”
decides to set her mind to, Ellie Robinson is
“It’s difficult to plan career ideas around sport, because one day you could be World No. 1 and the next day you could be injured. 14 | Endeavour Magazine
We hope we’ll see Ellie qualify for
clearly one to watch.
Endeavour Magazine | 15
P W GROUP NIGERIA WWW.PWLIMITED.COM // 234 709 8121450
ALWAYS DIGGING DEEPER One of the premier engineering partners in Africa, PW Nigeria Ltd came from humble beginnings and rose to a prominent mining industry position through good old-fashioned grit, determination and inspired market analysis. Endeavour Magazine spoke with Martin O’Boyle, Plant Manager, to find out more about the company’s meteoric rise to fame. WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON
P W GROUP NIGERIA
We wanted to start at the very beginning with PW
Nigeria Ltd (PWN), by taking a look at exactly what the company seeks to do on a day-to-day basis. However, having dug deep into the activities carried out by this expansive and forward-thinking operation, it might be easier to talk about what it doesn’t do, as the specialisms proudly offered by the PWN team are as seemingly endless as the client base that requires them.
A
dequately positioned to offer a wealth of services, including mining, earthmoving, significant road, bridge and airport infrastructure, construction, design and logistics, PWN
doesn’t so much have many strings to its bow as an arsenal of archers; “PW Nigeria Ltd is at the forefront in developing Africa’s roads, bridges and other civil infrastructure. In partnership with government and multi-national companies, we are active in construction, but also in making available the continent’s rich natural resources. We are a responsible company, as well as a dynamic one. We apply sound environmental standards to all our projects. “PW Nigeria Ltd provides jobs for more than 5,000 people on the continent and brings a new dimension to civil engineering in this land of endless opportunity and potential. Since 2000 we have moved more than 50 million tonnes of earth and rock during mining and road works operations, built more than 2,000 kilometres of highway and installed almost 100 kilometres of underwater cable in swamps and at sea.” Martin O’Boyle went on to say that, “PW Nigeria is one of the largest civil engineering, construction and mining contractors in West Africa, with over 40 years’ experience in several countries. As part of the PW Group, it was involved in major gold projects including the Obuasi, Teberebie, 18 | Endeavour Magazine
Obotan, and Wassa mines in Ghana, Syama mine in Mali, the Youga mine in Burkina Faso and the North Mara mine in Tanzania.” Impressive credentials, we think you’ll agree, but how and why was the company started? Now that is an interesting tale. You might not necessarily think that Africa and Ireland are naturally connected, particularly in terms of engineering developments, but all it took was one ambitious and talented mind to join a few dots and suddenly, the landscape of civil engineering was altered forever. Founded in 1948 as H&D Flinn Ltd by the late Mr. Huge Flinn, the company was rebranded as Public Works Ltd in 1963. The company became one of the largest and most respected civil engineering operations in Ireland during the 1970s, which offered great scope for growth and development if Flinn seized the potential in front of him. He not only dared to dream, he strived to turn potential into promise, which resulted in PW Nigeria Ltd being formally set up in 1974, thanks to the backing of a melting pot of investors from both Nigeria and Ireland. Today, PW Nigeria Ltd is one of the largest contracting operations in the country and has a reputation to match, thanks to being known for both the quality of workmanship provided and the levels of professionalism maintained throughout every contract. This is one of many reasons why PWN’s client base is exceptionally diverse and sizeable.
CEMENT INDUSTRY Extraction of Limestone as major raw material in Cement Manufacturing
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NNL has an Established Cartridge Emulsion Manufacturing Factory with an extension for Bulk Explosives in Abeokuta and supports schools, builds boreholes, maintains the road linking communities to their factory and maintains a clinic for the community as well as a football team: Kwande-Nigachem FC.
MINING Iron Ore, Coal, Barytes, Gem Stone.
OIL EXPLORATION Our products are used in energy generation for seismic data acquisition.
Manufacturers of the SUPERPOWER Emulsion-Type Explosive
Head Office: 20, Sule Abuka Crescent, Off Opebi Road, P.O. Box 10749 Ikeja, Lagos.
Email: info@nigachem.com.ng Web: www.nigachem.com.ng Mobile: 08033222215, 08036303122, 08033504316 Endeavour Magazine | 19
P W GROUP NIGERIA “PW Nigeria Ltd has a wide range of valuable clients. On the
It’s becoming increasing rare to find longstanding family-owned
governmental side these include the Federal Ministry of Works
companies that have remained true to the ethoses of the founding
and Housing, the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria, FERMA,
fathers, but PW Nigeria Ltd has. Perhaps that’s why there is an
the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, the Federal Capital
undercurrent of social responsibility and employee consideration
Development Authority and the Nigerian Ports Authority. At the
running through everything that that company does:
State level, we have worked extensively with the Ministries of
“The company has always had a very strong policy of substantial
Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, Enugu, Benue, Ogun
re-investment in Nigeria. It has an extensive and modern fleet of
and Lagos. We have also worked with a long and distinguished
construction equipment and a highly trained and dedicated staff. It
list of private clients such as Chevron and Shell in the oil industry
is highly committed to the continued development of Nigeria and
and practically every major bank in Nigeria, for private property
its aim of being one of the foremost and leading countries not just
infrastructure development.”
in Africa, but the world.”
With a heritage dating back almost 70 years, a reputation
O’Boyle expended staff stewardship and talked briefly about the
for being the best and a diverse portfolio of service available
alliances that made the move from Ireland to Nigeria so successful:
to prestigious clients, how could PW Nigeria Ltd get any more
“PW Nigeria Ltd have an internal company agreement with its
impressive? Well, there are a few more facets to this operation that
entire staff which enables the most capable staff to be promoted
make it stand out from the competition, the most notable of which
from a junior level through Intermediate to Senior Staff level. In
is the fact that it is still a family-run company, with Donal Flinn at
terms of forging beneficial relationships, when the company first
the helm:
moved to Nigeria it was greatly helped by the Irish Missionaries
“Donal is a civil engineer with over 35 years’ experience in
who had first come to the country over a century before. Their local
Ireland, the United Kingdom and Africa. Donal has extensive
knowledge, fluency in the 300+ dialects and moral support was
experience in strategic management and is CEO of P.W. Ltd, and a
invaluable when moving to the more remote parts of the country.”
Director of P.W. Nigeria.”
Adding to the impressive credentials of PW Nigeria Ltd is the
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P W GROUP NIGERIA fact that the construction industry has been suffering in recent
Mining market and the largely untapped reserves and associated
years, but the company has not faltered;
development opportunities. We have acquired exploration licenses
“The Nigerian market has recently suffered a recession and
for two potential gold projects in the north of the county, and have
caused a decline in construction projects across the nation. With
also tried to help develop the mining sector through innovative
falling oil prices, Nigeria - an oil dependant nation - has realised that
schemes with the state government. Having operated in Nigeria for
as a country it needs to diversify to generate revenue internally,
over 40 years, PW Nigeria Ltd has extensive knowledge of the local
and recently moved its focus from oil to the mining sector. There
market and conditions, operating over 20 quarries to support their
are challenges ahead as this largely untapped mining sector
civil engineering operation during that time. Recently, PW Nigeria
requires investment in terms of exploration and development.
Ltd has been seen as the go-to company for logistical, technical and
During colonial times some exploration work had been carried out
engineering support and solutions across a wide range of mining
and provides an area of focus in the beginning. The market has the
projects.”
potential to grow at a fast rate.”
PWN clearly have their work cut out ahead of them, and we can
So what does the future hold for PW Nigeria Ltd?
already tell that they will be digging ever deeper into their reserves
One look at the team’s ongoing projects tells us that the
of professionalism and expertise to offer increasingly more intuitive
future is set to be busy, but that won’t stop more contracts being
and innovative engineering solutions - and that’s something we
competitively tendered for. With a relatively new head office fully
look forward to witnessing.
up and running, PW Nigeria Ltd has everything in place to ensure that operations can continue seamlessly and to the standards for which the company is well-known. It’s a good job too, as the industry is showing signs of improvement in Nigeria. O’Boyle was pleased to talk about some of the upcoming endeavours; “Currently, PW Nigeria Ltd is concentrating on the Nigerian
22 | Endeavour Magazine
AMAZING WORLD ANTI-SLAVERY INTERNATIONAL – TOMORROW’S FREEDOM, TODAY’S FIGHT
Bonded labour, India, Anti-Slavery International
I
n 1833, the Slavery Abolition Act was
in Belgian Congo, successfully fought Indian
It can be shocking or hard to process,
passed by the British government. In
and Chinese ‘coolie’ systems and slavery in
living our sheltered and privileged lives,
1839, UK-based charity Anti-Slavery
Peruvian Amazon - and still they campaign
that slavery is still an active threat, yet for
on.
many it is a reality without any sign of a way
International
established
themselves,
knowing that globally, and even within the
Anti-Slavery International are currently
out. The list above shows the many ways
British Empire, there was still much more
actively working in Africa, India and the UK, as
slavery can disguise itself, or in some cases,
work to be done before equality and freedom
well as Nepal, Lebanon, Peru, Uzbekistan and
continues to flagrantly exist despite laws
was truly a global human experience.
Turkmenistan. Their work focuses on helping
that claim to prevent it. Without sufficient
1865 saw the abolition of slavery in
victims of slavery under all guises, enabling
legal protection and support systems in
United States, but even then, the work was
people to leave and pushing governments
place, victims of slavery see few options but
far from over. 178 years of campaigning later,
to provide greater legal protection. They
to remain – and this mentality is re-enforced
Anti-Slavery International have achieved
tackle descent-based slavery, bonded labour
by their captors, psychologically and often
numerous life-changing and often Herculean
and ‘debt bondage’, oppressive domestic
violently.
successes, at personal and legislative levels:
service, forced marriage, child labour, human
they fought to extend the abolition act to
trafficking, and also work to protect the
International’s
the British colonies, worked to stop abuses
rights of vulnerable migrant workers.
believed slavery was her only option: “I had
24 | Endeavour Magazine
Tatinatt in Niger, one of Anti-Slavery many
success
stories,
Bonded labour, India © Pete Pattisson
Forced labour in the cotton industry, Uzbekistan © Simon Buxton
always been led to believe that God would
oil and sauces. I feel completely free – I am
significant role to play. We advocate that
punish any slave who disobeyed her master,
no longer a slave.”
supply chain transparency and human rights
and that the slave’s chances of going to
There is much work still to be done, and
due diligence are necessary in order to
paradise would be decided by her master.
not just by charities, or even governments.
eliminate the risk of exploitative practices.
[Anti-Slavery International, and their Niger
Anti-Slavery
that
We also provide guidance and training for
partners Timidria] explained to me that my
businesses can make huge steps towards
numerous UK and international businesses
situation of slavery was a crime, and that it
eradicating slavery in the world through
on supply chain due diligence and addressing
was not endorsed by Islam, as I had always
due diligence in their supply chains. The
modern slavery risks across a range of
been told.”
charity first identified this form of slavery
sectors.”
With
Timidria
and
International
believe
Anti-Slavery
as a key issue two decades ago, around the
If you want to get in touch with Anti-
International’s help, Tatinatt now has her
time that child labour in West Africa’s cocoa
Slavery International to see how you can
own life, and has even been able to send
industry was uncovered. Today, companies’
help, or receive help, you can contact them
her children to school. “I never believed that
responsibility to respect human rights is
on email supporter@antislavery.org or visit
a woman, especially a slave woman, could
widely recognised, and yet the issue of
www.antislavery.org.
make her own fortune, but now I have ten
supply chain slavery remains.
goats and I sell sugar, tea, tobacco, cooking
“We believe that businesses have a Endeavour Magazine | 25
EQSTRA FLEET MANAGEMENT WWW.EFM.CO.ZA // 27 11 458 7555
GIVING THAT LITTLE BIT EQSTRA Business is about staying ahead not only working to be the best at what you do, but when it’s called for, having the courage to start over and create something new. Murray Price took this gamble, and it’s been a call that has taken eight years of work to back up. Now, with a new product behind them and their future ahead, we spoke with Price about what kept his vision going throughout this long process, and what we should all expect from the new face of Eqstra Fleet. WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER
EQSTRA FLEET MANAGEMENT The 2008 financial crisis hit the whole world hard. In
fact, as most of us know all too well, it was the greatest economic sucker-punch since the Great Depression of 1929. Strong and fragile economies alike were shaken, and South Africa was no exception. 2008 was also the year that Eqstra Fleet unbundled from their original owners, the Imperial Group, one of the largest list groups in SA The collision of these two events put Eqstra in a precarious position, and one where they faced a choice: scale down, keep operating as they always have and try to live out the storm, or change.
“I
f you were to take a view on our company originally,” explains
has been a daunting undertaking to produce, but the result is like
Murray Price, Managing Director of Eqstra Fleet, “we were
no other fleet management service out there: “The view for us was,
pretty much a leasing business, focused predominantly on
if you want to play in this market, you’ve got to be the lowest cost
vehicle leasing with a bit of maintenance and accident management
competitor, or you’ll never be able to compete effectively, and in
on the side, at best. With the events of 2008, we realised very
order to do that, we needed to automate.
quickly that we weren’t going to be able to compete on price going forward, and made the decision to diversify.”
This software was new territory, and whilst Eqstra planned the endeavour, they didn’t fully know what they were letting
Adaptation, it’s often said, is the key to survival: Eqstra
themselves in for – an eight-year process that is still ongoing, even
Fleet decided that in order to compete and keep their business
as they seem to be clearing the woods. “There were many times
sustainable, they needed to transform into a full fleet management
we questioned it. We’d get feedback from some fleet managers
company. Not only this – they needed to be a management
we know in the UK and they’d say ‘Oh, you’re insane.’ We were
company with a difference, bringing something new to the table
agreeing with them at one point! What kept me going was that the
that would out-do their competitors. The road to creating this new,
requirement had not disappeared and that achieving our objective
cutting-edge element was an organic part of their service growth,
would deliver measurable value to our wide base of customers.
but ‘organic’ by no means implies easy.
“We have always believed that what we’re selling to our
In diversifying, Eqstra introduced numerous new services: fuel
customers is the system. We don’t really make the car, we’ve never
cards, integrated tracking services, in-house roadside assistance,
towed, maintained or repaired one – we arrange for it to happen,
service and maintenance plans, and the administrative selling of
and that all comes down to the system.”
not only their packages, but those of other groups as well. In total,
So what exactly does Quest offer that has makes it unique to
they now offer over 60 services. Arranging and providing such
fleet management (and has made it so difficult to produce)? Price
a range of products created new problems for Eqstra to solve,
breaks the services down for us:
the main one being organization. To manage their operations
“The system was built on Microsoft AX 2012, but we did a lot
effectively, they needed to streamline their data – this need
of dev on top of it. I think for me, the main differentiator is that you
prompted the birth of what would eventually become Quest, a new
have a single point of access to the full range of fleet solutions.”
software system that monitors, organizes and reports on every
Quest offers fully comprehensive fleet management data, analysed
layer of fleet management and activity through one interface. It
and easily accessible from one reference point. As well as recording
28 | Endeavour Magazine
EQSTRA FLEETis MANAGEMENT usiness going places.
want to be there rom the start. the entire fleet lifecycle, from procurement to licencing to fines,
state their case to new personnel, and protects both parties from
short term rentals and complete maintenance information, the
false claims about what has been said or taken place. All in all, the
system also allows access to data on vehicle insurance, vehicle
system allows transparency, efficiency and certainty.
tracking and fuel consumption. However, the true difference comes in its stream-lined organization:
This all-inclusive system also allows Eqstra Fleet to manage
personalised services for their clients without unnecessary
“For everything we do, we can create a case, and a case can
administration. Eqstra alter their 60+ products depending on their
have multiple services linked to it. For example, on an accident
clients’ individual needs, and this creates a headache of data – or
case, I might have 15 services: I may tow it, I may assess it,
it would, without Quest’s Product Masters keeping track. Finally,
whatever I need to do. This allows me to run a mini project, with
Quest reduces both human error and carbon footprints by operating
all the services against one case, so that when we’ve finished it, we
on a paperless system. The system has 350 in-built outbound
can produce the customer one invoice for all of the repairs for one
documents that are generated automatically by the system, whilst
incident, not in pieces.”
optical character recognition allows it to automatically process
More than invoicing, this system allows both Eqstra Fleet and
incoming documents. “We’ve processed about 300,000 or 400,000
their client to keep track of exactly what is happening during a
documents since we’ve gone live, coming and going through without
case. “What this system’s also doing is giving a detailed history, so
human hands.” Automation indeed – every element of Quest sets
we can see exactly who’s done what. It keeps careful notes, and
Eqstra Fleet up to operate in the future fast-lane of industry, where
we track all conversations, outbound and inbound, so we and the
data is king and hands-on-paper is kept to a slick minimum. Like any new venture, there have been many hurdles along
This level of record keeping avoids many of the bumps that occur
the way; Eqstra’s main challenge was converting reams of data
between customers and support services: it removes issues caused
over from a less organized system into another, highly organized
by departments not talking to each other, customers having to re-
one in an entirely different format. Price confesses that they
rucks her to find the r business.
8559/54023 ADMAKERS.COM
customer have a common clear view of what’s really going on.”
www.isuzutrucks.co.za @IsuzuTruckSA 08600 ISUZU (47898) Isuzu Truck South Africa is the top single
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30 | Endeavour Magazine
underestimate the sheer effort and time this would take: “The system took us eight years to build. It’s been live in Africa for three, and nearly a year in South Africa. Of the three years it has been live in Africa, it took us two to convert all the 175, 000 vehicles on our system from one platform to the other.” With doubts being cast by customers and other fleet companies, and the work ever more challenging and time consuming than they expected, some companies would have backed out of the project, but Price kept looking at the long-term. Adaptation needed to happen, and once it did, he was convinced, it would put Eqstra ahead of the crowd: “The thing that kept us going in was ‘We don’t have to convert again’. We needed to do this because it was about sustainability for our business. Whoever did it, it was going to be a challenge. If you expect to do something great and not take a lot of pain, you’re missing the truth of it.” Whilst changes are constantly being made, and Price feels it will be a couple of months before they can truly sit back and let the profit of their efforts roll in, Quest is already receiving keen feedback: “Global fleet directors have said they haven’t seen anything like it – not in the States, not in Europe.” Even competitors have started
Your business is going places.
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We want to be there from the start.
Come into your nearest Isuzu Trucks Dealership and let’s work together to find the right transport solution for your business.
www.isuzutrucks.co.za @IsuzuTruckSA 08600 ISUZU (47898) Endeavour Magazine | 31
EQSTRA FLEET MANAGEMENT admitting that Quest represents the way forward, and some are
close time zones. “It’ll be interesting. We’ve got the right person to
looking to start adding similar services to their own models.
take the lead in the UK. Obviously, it’s about who you put in and
“I would say 90% of fleet management companies are facing a legacy problem in terms of system. Everyone’s going to have to do
whether they know the market. We can’t pre-suppose the market from here.”
it at a point, and in fact the more mature markets have got more
From there, Price is looking to enable local parties across Africa
legacy problems than the emerging markets, whose technologies
to use and distribute the software – a more cost-effective solution
have jumped over the older stuff.
than boots on ground, and one which will allow Quest to take off
“2008 felt like the worst thing that could happen to us, but it
at its own speed. After a slow birth, this could be the beginning of
forced us to get moving, and thank goodness we moved, because
a rapid global adventure for Eqstra, and a game-changer for those
the world around us is changing so quickly now.”
looking to keep up. Either way, Eqstra’s story is a testament to
With data and automated software more important and
innovation in crisis: instead of battening down in the storm, Price
advanced than ever before, Eqstra Fleet are well positioned to play
let it force the company forwards, to what is now the edge of a
with the big boys, whilst their competitors are going to have to start
potential booming future for the company and fleet management
the arduous journey they’ve just emerged from. Now that the battle
services as a whole.
is over, like any ambitious business, they are already looking at new horizons by considering Quest’s potential on a global market: “If you look at fleet anywhere in the world, the intricacies change, but the principles don’t. The core flow of what happens is pretty standard, so we think there might also be a global opportunity for the system.” To start, they are looking at testing Quest in the UK, because of the countries’ shared language and
32 | Endeavour Magazine
ELEMENTS GLOBAL SERVICES WWW.ELEMENTSGS.COM // 001 404.317.4299
BUSINESS WITHOUT BORDERS If employees are the keys to a successful business, then HR is the locksmith. Handling the employment of staff, both during the initial process and the ongoing responsibilities, is a manyfaceted task, requiring equal parts personal input and solid, reliable administration. This is demanding enough for a small local business, but what if your company is several thousand employees strong, or is branching out overseas? With every country comes new laws, processes and expectations – complexities that could slow an employer down during a crucial time of expansion. WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER
ELEMENTS GLOBAL SERVICES
Elements Global Services is the fast-growing HR and
payroll provider with a difference, offering employment solutions that allow companies to focus on making the right choices for their business. Elements’ client base is soaring, with more and more companies discovering the group’s ability to fit a niche that many didn’t realise needed filling. We spoke with Rick Hammell, Elements’ founder and CEO, to explore exactly what they are offering that is proving so popular.
I
n essence, Elements provides Human Resources solutions, but their services go beyond what we might expect when we hear those terms. On top of payroll and Human Resources
Organization (HRO), Elements offer their clients Professional Employer
Organization
(PEO)
and
Administrative
Services
Outsourcing (ASO) services, meaning they will organize and provide staff benefits such as healthcare, retirement plans, commuter benefits, workers’ compensation and other commitments that can mark their clients out as desirable employers to work for. However, the real appeal of Elements shines when hiring overseas. A global payroll can be an administrative nightmare; Elements soothes their client’s minds by taking responsibility for the red tape, paperwork and legal hassle that comes with adding a new country to their company’s presence. These services are called Employer of Record (EOR) services, and they include staying on top of your risk management, employment law compliance and of course, adherence to local taxes. These things are time consuming but essential, and outsourcing this headache to a company like Elements allows companies to focus on the smooth running and expansion of the business itself. Crucially, they also allow companies to move quickly to seize new opportunities or move into new markets; paperwork moves slowly, but the business world is non-stop – with Elements, companies are able to move freely and stay ahead of the race. “For companies that are looking to test new markets without having the burdens of registering in new countries, we can give 36 | Endeavour Magazine
them the ability to expand a little bit faster,” explains Hammell. “I’ll give you a success story – I had a client who said they wanted to expand into China, but China takes about 18 months to get up and running. They had a real need to get in there right away – they didn’t have 18 months, or they’d have lost an opportunity. They onboarded two employees through us in China in approximately 2-3 weeks, and now they have 25 there. Now, not only are we supporting them in China, but we’re supporting them in about eight other countries.” Typically, EOR services are employed by a client with a small workforce. Businesses of this size want the guarantee that this work will be handled in an efficient and professional manner, without needing to expand their own team by a significant proportion to cover the workload it generates. This can be a hydra of a task for a smaller company, with more employees of course generating yet more HR and payroll work. However, increasingly, Elements been finding themselves approached by larger companies, including some major global players. “There’s been a surge. Originally, the EOR model is for companies with one to ten or fifteen employees in different countries. Now, we’re finding that we’re working with companies who have 3,000, 4,000 employees around the world, and these companies are looking for one vendor who can consolidate all of that.” Even though Elements’ services come at a cost, they ultimately provide a huge savings for their clients, both in terms on man-hours
ELEMENTS GLOBAL SERVICES and, often, tax and administration. “They don’t want to go through
15 EOR companies operating in the entire world. Hammell says
the burden, for one employee, say, of setting up a new entity in
Elements stands apart from their competition thanks to their direct
another country,” Hammell explains. “Some countries have tax laws
business model. “The outsourcer doesn’t outsource!” he jokes. A
that require you to report all your income, even if you only have
middle-man approach is common amongst their rivals: using an
one employee in that country.” These sorts of laws can lead to
indirect model, a typical EOR provider will speak with a client about
companies over-paying tax, paying one country tax on their total
their needs, then turn to other companies to employ staff for the
global revenue. With these types of complications and hoops in
client on their behalf, leaving them in a purely administrative role
existence, Elements offers more than payroll management and
and able to enjoy the mark-up. “That’s a little disruptive to me,”
employee benefits, they also advise their clients on structuring their
criticizes Hammell. “I’ve been the client of an EOR company that
global expansion in the most cost-effective way. “HR isn’t just the
used this model. There was a lot of miscommunication because
personnel department,” Hammell emphasises to us. “It’s someone
there were a lot of parties involved.” These experiences inspired
at the table with the company, helping them to grow the business.”
Hammell to run Elements differently.
Since it was founded in 2010, Elements has risen from humble
At Elements everything is organised in-house by a dedicated
beginnings to soaring success. 2017 has been a year of well-
team of staff. New employees are carefully trained, going through
deserved praise and recognition for the company: they have
a six-week process before they even interact with a client. This
won several awards, including being named the Best of Chicago
training involves strict software education, speaking with the
International Trade Company 2017, and Hammell being listed
company’s attorneys to gain a better knowledge of global legal
amongst the Top 100 Global Influential People 2017. Elements was
requirements, and also a study of each of Elements’ clients to
also included in Inc Magazine’s top 500 as the 28th fastest growing
learn about their individual needs. During this period, trainees are
company in the US and 3rd fastest growing company in Chicago.
encouraged to come forwards with suggestions on how Elements
So, what sets Elements apart? Currently, there are only one of
38 | Endeavour Magazine
can grow; “We ask them to look at our processes and vet them
themselves, so we can look at how to improve our processes. We want to maintain a family-type environment in our organization, no matter how big we get, so we want their feedback on how to make it better.” This level of training would be good preparation to give any member of staff, but Elements doesn’t hire just anyone. “We’re pulling talent from some of the big boys - the top ten payroll providers around the world.” As well as his experiences as a client, Hammell also came to Elements with insight from the other side of the fence. He has a background in HR, supporting government contracting in Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Japan – all very different countries with their own nuances and challenges. This allowed him to see the complications that arise when HR spans borders. One of the key lessons this taught him was to approach every country differently – a philosophy that has become a cornerstone in employee training, and an attitude that runs through every aspect of Elements’ operations: “Every country has its nuances. We don’t just want to walk into a country and say, ‘We’re going to do this the Elements way.’ We’re very culture conscious. I’m in Taiwan right now, and I’m spending
Endeavour Magazine | 39
ELEMENTS GLOBAL SERVICES time with our bankers, our consultants, our lawyers, and I would say
Elements’ future. They are currently investing in expansion across
I’ve gone through culture training for Taiwan. What does it mean to
several countries, anticipating the high demand for their services
do business in Taiwan? What does it mean to support employees in
to continue. “We just established our Barcelona office, which I’m
Taiwan? You have to understand what it means to be an employer
excited about, and we have our sales hub out of London, and we’re
in each country.”
opening another sales hub in Hong Kong or Singapore, and another
This cultural awareness allows Elements to not only work
operational hub in the Philippines. That’s all in the next six months.”
compliantly with local laws, but also to communicate effectively
Put people first – it seems obvious for a company dealing in
between employers and employees of different nationalities,
personnel, but it’s a lesson often overlooked in their field. From
breaking down social borders as well as legal ones. Part of this
understanding the customs of the 130 countries they work in,
consciousness also means understanding and working to alleviate
to communicating openly with both employers and employees,
local business concerns. For example, the American company is
this personal touch has set Elements above the competition and
currently looking deep into Brexit and helping the UK and European
marked them out as the company to work with, for your employees’
companies to prepare for whatever the negotiations of the next
peace of mind as well as your own.
year and a half may bring. So, has this personal touch been a benefit to the company? The figures speak for themselves: “It started off small, with just a couple of clients, and when it took off, it really took off. We’ve had 14,000% growth over the last three and a half years. I think that says a lot about what we’re doing.” With impressive growth like this, and larger and larger companies knocking at their door, Hammell feels confident for
40 | Endeavour Magazine
“Even though we’re doing EOR, the employee is not a commodity. Listen. Always listen.”
AMAZING WORLD
ER WANG DONG
T
here’s big, and then there’s ‘so big that you have your own weather system’ big. Er Wang Dong, a colossal cave network
stretching 42 kilometres under Southwest China, is a self-sustaining world that fits into the latter category. Lush green forest, rapids, waterfalls, streams, and remarkably, even layers of clouds can be found deep inside the cavernous labyrinth. Dating back 440 to 488 million years, a period known as the Ordovician period, Er Wang Dong was by no means unknown of, but curiously it appears to have been completely unexplored until only a few years ago. Generations of local nitrate miners have known that there was something special, not to mention huge, lying beneath China’s 195-metre-deep Niubizi tiankeng sinkhole, but it was only when a team of 15 explorers and photographers from the Hong Meigui Cave Exploration Society bravely hunkered down into its depths in 2013 that its sheer size and scale became apparent. Remarkably, not a single one of the system’s vast underground tunnels and passages revealed any signs of having been explored by man, nor of even being touched by light, before. During their exploration of Er Wang Dong, the 15-strong team also a made discovery that is truly mind-blowing in
surprise that this cave is one of the biggest,
Of course, caving can be a terribly
its vastness. Cloud Ladder Hall, a huge
most impressive caverns in the world – so
dangerous business, and it was noted by
cathedral-like space within the cave system
big, in fact, that when it was discovered, the
the expedition team during a number of
that measures more than 500,000 sq. ft.
aptly named Cloud Ladder Hall was full of
explorations that water frequently rose
with a roof at least 250 meters high, is, for
thick fog-like clouds that drastically hindered
to dangerous levels, especially following
those familiar with their Tolkien, almost a
visibility and gave this splendid underground
rain in the area. If this magnificent place
naturally formed Moria. It may come as little
hall a feel of the ethereal.
is somewhere you’re thinking of adding to
42 | Endeavour Magazine
your bucket list, you’d do well not to go in too far unless you’re an expert with a keen understanding and thorough experience of all things caving, or have a well experienced guide helping you to traverse the potentially fatal maze.
Endeavour Magazine | 43
FATS WWW.FATS.CO.ZA // 27 31 3690888
HEAD AND HEART Passion is what separates the wheat from the chaff; be it which employee you hire, which company you trust or which person you choose to befriend or date, passion is compelling. It signifies investment, effort, achievements, and is a positive energy to be around. Forwarding African Transport Services CC (FATS) believe that it is not just passion, but the marriage between this and integrity, which sets them apart in the African logistics sector. WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER
FATS
Founded by sisters Caron and Elaine Harris, FATS bring
a personal touch to the forwarding logistics industry. The sisters started the company in 1992, with themselves as the only two employees. Today, the company has boomed to a healthy size and a global reach, with 25 years of success under their belts: a silver anniversary for a gold-star service.
S
o, how has FATS evolved over these 25 years? We spoke with
handled from their offices in South Africa and Zambia, where they
Caron Harris, co-founder and CEO, to hear more about their
orchestrate all matters regarding warehousing, exports, imports
journey. Like most companies, FATS had modest beginnings:
and logistics.
“The initial concept was cross-border road transport from locations
More than providing the expected range of choices, it is FATS’
like Durban. After ten years, we decided it was time to open an
ability to meet these more unusual or specific needs that marks
international business operating out of South Africa”. Now, they
them out from the crowd. A company needs to stand out and strive
offer freight services by not only road, but also air and sea, with
to offer something unique, and it didn’t take long for FATS to find
a variety of higher-tier options available for their clients to ensure
their niche and signature style:
they get the best possible service. With a world of information
“We know that people do not buy business systems or
at our fingertips, customers have more options than ever before,
opportunities,” the FATS website states proudly. “People buy
and so a company needs to be both diverse and innovative in the
people.” It is a sentiment that Jessica Harris, HR Manager,
services it offers if it wants to stand a chance of competing.
reiterates: “Customers do not just buy our services – they get
FATS offer just this. Through FATS, you can have your cargo
us thrown in, because we listen to them with our heads and our
shipped within South Africa, internationally throughout Africa,
hearts.” This phrase, ‘heads and hearts’, references a speech made
and even overseas to global destinations (60% of their business is
by Nelson Mandela where he stated, “A good head and a good
currently sourced from over-border transportation.) This includes
heart is a formidable combination”. These are words that FATS live
to-your-door services, and can incorporate a wide range of cargo.
by, working the mantra into every aspect of their integrity policy
For example, they are able to handle refrigerated containers,
and professional life.
perishable products, other vehicles, and even dangerous or volatile
FATS achieve this promise through high levels of person-to-
goods. By air, they can deliver spare parts for ships or relief/aid
person communication with their clients. Rather than keeping
cargo at high speed, including air-sea services to make sure your
customers at arm’s length, they will speak to each one to have a
items get exactly where they need to go.
proper discussion about their individual expectations and needs.
Over the years, the company has handled a diverse range of
Using this information, the company will then personalise their
jobs, including numerous briefs that they describe as “abnormal”.
services accordingly. “Understanding is crucial,” emphasises Caron.
This includes hard-to-ship items, but also the co-ordination of
“We make sure we have a full grasp of our client’s needs by speaking
massive moving projects. The logistics of such projects are all
with them and developing open and honest communication. Our
46 | Endeavour Magazine
FATS business relationships are person to person, not client to company.”
as well as English, therefore offering three out of the four most
Not only does this allows FATS to get a detailed understanding of
commonly spoken languages in the world. Again, this comes from
what a job requires, but both parties have an awareness of the
FATS’ dedication to not only clear communication, but valuing each
human being that they are working with, as opposed to a faceless
customer equally and working to meet their individual needs.
company logo or email trail – a connection which aids understanding and co-operation both mentally and emotionally.
This emphasis on integrity and inclusion was an attitude high in South Africa’s cultural consciousness at the time FATS was
Africa is a vast and challenging continent, with 11 official
founded. “When my sister and I started our company in 1992,
languages in South Africa alone and varying laws and expectations
South Africa was on the brink of becoming a truly democratic
from country to country. Their emphasis on strong communication
company, and we, like everyone else, were looking forward with
has been a part of FATS’ key to mastering these difficulties and
excited to Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as president of our new
trading successfully across the region. “Africa is a volatile beast, but
nation.” Much as his ‘head and heart’ sentiment is at the centre of
our understanding of the processes is one of our strengths, as is
how FATS operate, Mandela’s push for honesty, fair conduct and
having good partners in the countries that we deal with.”
equality of opportunity are all things close to the company’s heart.
FATS’ transparency also creates confidence in their clients,
They express this through the treatment of their staff, who they
as they know that they are being kept in the loop, and that they
provide extensive training to at every level in order to maximise
will be listened to if they have any questions or concerns. This is
their performance, as well as their growth and potential. “Our
supported by daily check-ups, an unusual level of customer care
employees are our people – they’re a part of the FATS family. We
for a logistics company, which allows their clients to receive daily
work together and we play together.” The company also encourages
updates on what is happening with their cargo. This service is
innovation in their staff by giving them independence and agency
not limited to English-speaking clients; unlike many companies of
in their decision making: “We step back and give our employees
their size, FATS offer support and feedback in Hindi and Mandarin
authority to make certain decisions. We understand that, in
48 | Endeavour Magazine
today’s working world, people perform better if they have a say in
company remains as keen as it was in that emotionally charged
operations.”
1992, when she and her sister formed a new business at the dawn
However, their interest in empowerment goes beyond their
of a new South Africa. “I am so impressed and proud of what FATS
own staff. For the female entrepreneurs who founded FATS, the
has achieved over the years, and I think this is because of our
empowerment of South African women in business is an important
unwavering values.” Whilst this has been a personal journey for
issue. “First and foremost,” Caron says firmly, “I am a proud South
Caron, she does not claim the credit for herself. “I am not the only
African woman.” South African industry faces a shortage of skilled
one responsible for the success of FATS – I am privileged to be the
workers across the board, but this is most noticeable in the lack of
leader of a dynamic team who are efficient, loyal, and committed
women. There are many drives in the country to empower female
to serving our customers beyond our call of duty.” This above-and-
employees and see them achieving in their careers, especially in
beyond attitude will continue to set FATS apart from the crowd;
roles of leadership within stereotypically ‘male’ industries. After all,
as the company grows, maintaining their levels of contact and
when half of a country’s citizens lack empowerment, the country
personalisation will prove challenges, but ‘challenge’ doesn’t seem
is only running at half-strength, and in 2016, only 50.9% of South
to be the sort of word the Harris family back away from. As their
Africa’s female population aged 25 – 54 were employed. In a bid to
reach spreads and their services grow, each challenge will be a new
help tackle this issue, FATS support a self-help centre that offers
opportunity for FATS to impress, no doubt problem-solving with
training to women, both in business skulls such as communication
both their heads, and their heart. It’s a formidable combination.
and budget management, and also in essential life skills. The centre hopes to enable more women to generate their own incomes and become independent, contributing citizens, leading to better lives and a stronger South Africa as a whole. It has been a long road, but Caron’s enthusiasm for the
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Endeavour Magazine | 49
RAILROAD ASSOCIATION WWW.RRA.CO.ZA // 2779-857-5374
STAYING ON TRACK Efficient transportation is the pulse of any country: it enables trade, access to goods and jobs, and gives the people a freedom that brings both happiness and economic movement. South Africa is a booming country in terms of industry, and yet suffers many transport issues that choke it from achieving its full potential; we spoke with Trevor Mohlala, the RailRoad Association’s Media Marketing and Research Officer, on how the group believes it can make a life-changing difference to the sector, and in doing so, South Africa as a whole. WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER
RAILROAD ASSOCIATION
Long before the car was a normal household possession,
trains have been enabling modern life. There’s a reason why early silent cinema was fascinated by them: they were the hint of a new pace of living that, at their emergence, was world-changing even in its infancy. With their invention came faster trade and business, the ability to commute to distant jobs, and a connectivity that had never been seen before, and has only snowballed since.
T
he world we live in today would be unrecognizable to those
with stakes in this sector, and also the good of the sector as South
inventors who began our journey of connected acceleration,
African people as a whole. Thus, RRA was born.
yet, as a true testament to the train’s role, even as technology
The new organisation made its first appearance before it was
and life around them has changed, they remain crucial. Whether
officially founded, at the June 2000 Africa Rail Conference and
or not the trains are running on time is our tongue-in-cheek mark
Exhibition. The success of this appearance finalised the group, with
of a society operating smoothly, but it isn’t far from the truth:
the well-known and respected Bill Strong as its first Chairman. In
that’s why, if a country’s railway services are in need, it is in the
essence, the RRA aims to assist in the issues currently facing South
best interest of individuals and companies alike to help them stay
Africa’s transportation sector by improving communication: they
on track.
endeavour to create open forums where discussion is welcomed,
The RailRoad Association (RRA) is a Railway Association with
allowing a fair discourse between industry leaders, politicians and
over 40 companies and organisations, all pledged to ensuring that
the general public with a view to resolving, or at least understanding,
South Africa’s transport services are utilised in the most efficient
these issues as they currently stand.
ways. As the name suggests, the focus is specific to the Railway
As well as improving empathy and communication between the
Industry. Their aim: to become the most influential non-profit
public and the sector, RRA also aims to improve relations within the
organisation serving the transport industry in Southern Africa.
sector itself by working to improve conversation and, ultimately,
The RRA was originally established in October 2000 – a move that was prompted and supported by the Committee for
trust between the rail and road services. Like any quest for change, whilst division exists, progress will falter.
Railway Engineering (CRE) in 1998. At the time, CRE was made
The RRA’s other key tactic is lobbying. Their main targets
up of professional road and railway engineers, both academic and
are not only politicians, but stakeholders; if you want to target
vocational, who were growing increasingly concerned about how
decision makers, you have to follow the money. However, they are
South Africa’s transport resources were being managed. The group’s
not seeking to pressure these decision makers, but to reach out
chairman, Pierre Lombard, proposed an independent transport
to and support them. They aim to provide these individuals with
industry support group, separate from government interests and
information and advice which is objective, impartial and technically
profit, that could fairly represent the many private businesses
sound, recommending the best ways to operate profitably, whilst
52 | Endeavour Magazine
Products – manufacturing • Polycarbonate / Perspex components – cut to size for windows, doors, head light covers, windscreens and sun-roofs • Industrial plastic components – windows and doors • Insulation – car bodies, loco floors and roofs • Fiberglass shrouds – train windows and bus escape doors
Services – consulting • Continuous improvement projects - Process engineering - Change management (MDWT’s) - Quality management - Optimisation and productivity improvement - Waste minimisation
Special Projects • Diesel locomotive manufacturing – in partnership with CRRC (international OEM)
+27 (0) 11 824 0248 | www.azonrail.com
Endeavour Magazine | 53
RAILROAD ASSOCIATION
also keeping safety and environment concerns, and the other
representing the rail industry in the global environment as an
concerns of the people, in mind.
Export Council.
What qualifies or entitles the RRA to give this sort of input? They
It is a large task, and they cannot do it alone. “The RRA is
are the people making, operating and analysing the rail industry:
creating relationships with key industry players and sponsors.
their 40+ members include manufacturers, suppliers, operators
Just to highlight a few, we’re speaking with the Department of
and consultants. On top of this, RRA staff are themselves recipients
Trade & Industry, the Department of Transport, the Department
of frequent training. Trevor Mohlala, the group’s Media Marketing
of Public Enterprise, Railways Safety Regulator and many other
and Research Officer, describes the RRA’s strategy as ‘Protect and
organizations that are key to the growth of the Rail Industry.” They
Promote’. Aspects of the rail industry that the RRA are out to protect
are also reaching out to the rest of Africa, having previously been
include the ability for collective bargaining, the development of
involved in talks on further-afield African rail opportunities such as
Industry Standards and the sharing of opportunities. Meanwhile,
Zimbabwean rail infrastructure revitalization or the Lappset project
they are attempting to promote revitalisation of the railway, to
in Kenya. The next arena for this outreach will be the Link Africa
encourage further training and development of railway staff,
Conference & Expo. “We are working to find common interests
advertising the industry through presentations and conferences,
with associations and other industry bodies serving at the SADC
and to act as a Technical Centre of Excellence to the industry.
region, Sub-Saharan Africa region and the entire African continent,”
Protect & Promote wants to see rail services not only improve,
enthuses Mohlala.
but grow through the creation of jobs and a rise in exports. As
The RRA’s aims are large and ongoing: “The Industry has and
a means towards this end, RRA are working towards the goal of
is still experiencing challenges, and this is a sign for us that we
ABOUT JACINTHA NAIDOO – OWNER AND FOUNDER OF NANYATA SIYAYA Amongst Jacintha’s qualifications she holds a Master’s Degree in Safety, Health and Environment and an MBA. She has been involved in the railway industry since 2003 where she held the post of Regional Risk Manager: Metrorail where she was responsible for overseeing employee and public safety. From 2006 to 2015, Jacintha held the post of Senior Manager: Standards at the Railway Safety Regulator of South Africa, where she: • Managed the development of railway safety, operational, technical and management standards in South Africa • Facilitated the development of SADC railway safety, operational, technical and management standards • Facilitated the training of railway safety operators in South Africa and SADC • Coordinated MOUs between various government departments and NGOs with the Railway Safety Regulator Jacintha started Nanyata Siyaya in 2015 and works with many subject matters experts in railway safety, technical and operations railway experts and occupational health and safety experts. 54 | Endeavour Magazine
are still needed.” Out of their many initiatives, one project stands out as a main focal point: the founding of the South African Rail Industry Incorporated (SA Inc). SA Inc will be a cooperative Group with leaders and suppliers from many areas of the railway sector, including civil, signalling, telecoms, rolling stock, operators, and component manufacture and supply. Business ties, the RRA feels, will take the conversations they are encouraging to the next level. “The Association is confident that the relationships forged by this incorporation will serve the industry and country in a positive light.” “SA Inc is progressing well. Its primary objective is to showcase South African Rail’s capacity and to strengthen our competitive edge in the export market.” “To some it was just a dream, but to the thought leaders it became a reality that brings a solution to the table. The RRA has now passed the planning stage and is making the dream of SA Rail Inc into this reality.”
Training on South African and SADC Railway Safety Standards • • • • •
•
• •
Railway Nominated Manager Development Consulting Auditing Gap Analyses System implementation (Railway Safety Standards, Occupational Health and Safety, Mine Health and Safety, ISO systems, Business Continuity Management) Risk assessments: including railway risk assessments, human factors risk assessments occupational health and safety Road Rail Level Crossing Assessments Resource augmentation
College House, 26 Peter Place, Bryanston +(27) 11 540 0323 +(27) 83 500 8541 jacintha@nsholdings.co.za www.nsholdings.co.za Endeavour Magazine | 55
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recently had the pleasure of test driving Ford’s new Kuga Vignale, a model designed as a luxury option within Ford’s
Kuga range, created to compete with highend vehicle competitors. The car arrived on a damp and drizzly day, but my mood was quickly changed when I set eyes on this beast. The icing on the cake for me was the number plate reflecting my initials – thank you, Ford! The
Vignale
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has
added
numerous features to the Kuga’s exterior; it is manly and butch, shadow black with plenty of chrome wrapped around its body, finished off with 18 -inch polished alloy wheels. With its design, Ford have managed to throw into question what model this is, especially looking at it from the front, with the Vignale’s hexagonal grille setting it apart from the standard Kuga range. I couldn’t
passengers a comfortable journey, with
This beautiful interior is combined with
wait for the week ahead; I decided to roam
leather upholstered, quilted cream seats
a stylish illuminated dashboard, equipped
the North Norfolk countryside, where a
that offer three different heat settings. The
with a large-sized media screen that offers
variety of roads would be on offer to test
unusual £125 optional add-on of a heated
the latest Sync 3 infotainment system,
this car out.
steering wheel is something I still can’t get
including features such as satnav, Apple
I am used to manual cars, but this semi-
my head around – why would anyone need
Car Play and Android Auto, DAB radio and
automatic Kuga offers an excellent and
this? However, the extra £900 option of
Bluetooth connectivity. You can also use
pleasing drive. I much preferred driving with
the power-opening panoramic roof would
voice commands to program the navigation
the automatic option in place, as opposed
be money well spent, as it really creates an
system. The premium sound system is
to using the paddle shift. The interior is
outdoor feeling whilst driving, giving the
equipped with nine Sony speakers that
luxurious; a huge cabin area promises all
cabin a very bright and airy feel.
deliver an amazing surround sound.
56 | Endeavour Magazine
Kuga’s interior is aesthetically pleasing,
the fine addition of Ford’s Perpendicular
engine can be specified with either 148bhp
and I particularly enjoyed the multi-colour
Parking system. This system essentially
or 180bhp, while the 2.0-litre TDCi diesel
ambient lighting that becomes visible from
parks the car for you, so you should never
is available with 148bhp or 178bhp. Our
dusk. For a heavy car, the Kuga Vignale
have too much trouble fitting the Kuga into a
test car was fitted with Ford’s Powershift
is surprisingly quick out of the blocks,
space. If you choose not to use this system,
automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
especially in its Sports Mode. It has plenty
the rear camera and detectors allow you to
The Kuga Vignale is a likeable and
of grip on the corners and the steering is
position the car smoothly and effectively
enjoyable family car. I really enjoyed this
well weighted to provide a good amount of
yourself.
vehicle – however, the price tag of 35k
feedback. Thanks to a softer suspension setup, this Kuga is a comfortable ride. Parking the beast is a delight, thanks to
There are four engine options available
would put me off even contemplating one,
with the new Kuga Vignale – two petrol and
as I know competitor models are offered at
two diesels. Ford’s 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol
lower prices with similar specifications. Endeavour Magazine | 57
HYUNDAI I30
T
he best-selling cars in the UK are the
was issued that made them compulsory on
The i30 range starts with the S Trim. This
faithful hatchbacks, and of those, the
all commercial vehicles sold after November
base model comes with:
majority are the size of the Hyundai
1st 2015. Sadly, there’s no such directive
•
15-inch alloys
i30. These cars are aimed directly at the
for passenger cars, and manufacturers have
•
LED day-running lights
family market, but it is a market dominated
been slow to take up AEB, even though it’s
•
DAB radio with USB and Aux-in
by the likes of the Golf, Focus and Astra. The
acclaimed by many experts as the greatest
South Korean Hyundai i30 does not enter
safety innovation since the seatbelt.
connections •
Bluetooth phone connectivity
the UK’s Top 10, yet I think it has everything
Also on the safety front, the i30 comes
•
Electric windows all-round
it needs to push its way up the leader board.
with lane-keeping assistance and even
•
Height adjustment for the driver’s
When it comes to safety, Hyundai
automatic dip on its headlights as standard
excel; even their entry-level i30 comes
features – this isn’t something that can
with technology that would be considered
be said for most of its rivals, so well done,
an expensive optional extra with other
Hyundai!
seat Then you have the SE, which adds: •
16-inch wheels
manufacturers. One of the most common
Our i30 was the spritely 1.4 T-GDi 140PS
•
Front foglamps
accidents on our roads today is the nose-
SE Nav with the Visibility Pack. This is the
•
5.0-inch LCD touchscreen
to-tail
fastest car in the range, returning 0-62mph
•
Rear parking sensors
in 8.9 seconds, and it does feel very lively.
•
Rear-view camera
•
Leather steering wheel
collision,
or
‘rear-ender’.
These
collisions happen frequently in congested traffic conditions, both on the motorway
All i30s come with a DAB radio, all-
and in town, and naturally become even
round electric windows, alloy wheels, LED
more serious when a pedestrian is involved.
running lights and Bluetooth connectivity.
Next is the SE Nav Trim, which is the model
All i30s come with autonomous emergency
However, if your budget allows for it, it is
we tested. This comes with:
braking (AEB), a collision-avoidance system
worth upgrading from the base model to
that greatly reduces the risks of such
enjoy some luxurious touches. In fact, I don’t
accidents. An EU study claimed that 5,000
usually run through lists of what comes
•
Voice recognition
deaths and nearly 50,000 injuries could
as standard in each model, but I was so
•
Wireless phone charging
be prevented each year by a widespread
impressed with Hyundai that I am going to
There is a £1,000 optional extra on the
adoption of AEB systems, and a directive
make an acceptation to the rule. Here goes!
SE Nav models called the Visibility Pack,
•
Sat-nav displayed on an 8.0-inch touchscreen
which we were able to enjoy on our car. The Visibility Pack adds dual LED headlights, 17-inch alloys and dual-zone climate control. Premium is next in the series, which gives you: •
17-inch alloys with Michelin tires
•
Dual-zone climate control
•
Electronic parking brake with hillhold function
58 | Endeavour Magazine
•
Tinted rear windows
•
Heated front seats
•
Fake leather and cloth upholstery
•
Electrically adjustable driver’s seat
•
Front and rear parking sensors
•
Blind spot detection
•
LED front headlights and taillights
Finally, at the top of the range is the Premium SE. On top of the above, the Premium SE also includes:
or 68.9mpg with a seven-speed automatic.
includes a generous boot, which ticks all the
The interior of an i30 is an extremely
boxes for a family car. There are 11 colours
pleasant place to be. The plastics are soft
to choose from, all except two of which are available within the original purchase price.
•
Panoramic glass sunroof
and pleasing, and the whole space feels well-
•
Leather upholstery
built and nicely put together. Dare I say, if
Just to sweeten an already brilliant
•
Heated steering wheel
you covered up the Hyundai emblem on the
deal, Hyundai also throw in a 12-year anti-
steering wheel, you would be hard pressed
perforation warranty, a five-year annual
All engine types in the series have good
to guess which manufacturer’s car you were
vehicle health check, five-years roadside
fuel economy: petrols return from 51.4 mpg
in. I say this as a compliment to Hyundai,
assistance and a five-year unlimited mileage
to 56.5 mpg, while the diesels can manage
and their ability to create of a low-cost, high
warranty.
up to 74.3mpg with a manual gearbox
return car. It is a comfortable car, too, and
www.hyundai.co.uk £17,155 to £24,885 Endeavour Magazine | 59
NEXGEN ENERGY LTD WWW.NEXGENENERGY.CA // 001 604.428.4112
THE URANIUM SECTOR’S NEXT BIG THING It seems only yesterday that Endeavour Magazine explored the operations and exciting developments of uranium explorers NexGen Energy. In fact, it was nearly a year ago that we brought you the story of the uranium sector’s ‘next big thing’, and what a year it’s been for the company! WRITTEN BY STEVEN WELLER
NEXGEN ENERGY LTD
NexGen Energy has quickly cemented its reputation as
one of the world’s most important uranium mining outfits. The company, which large targets and high scale uranium deposits, have struck it big at the landbased Arrow deposit within Saskatchewan’s Athabasca Basin. Bearing in mind the importance of this enigmatic mineral and the quite incredible promise of the Arrow project, it is easy to see why so much excitement has built around the company’s development of the site.
D
espite the company still being in the exploration stage,
operating in 30 countries, with another 63 plants currently under
investors have been hugely encouraged by the company’s
construction.
findings, particularly at the Rook I deposit. In February 2017,
The report shows that 13 countries rely on nuclear energy to
stock was trading at a ground-breaking $4.45 a share, a significant
supply at least one quarter of their total electricity. With figures like
return for a company who are yet to begin production.
these, it’s easy to understand why uranium is in such high demand,
Named after the Greek god of the sky, Uranus, uranium is a
and that’s where NexGen Energy step in.
weakly radioactive metal predominantly popularised by its use
“We’re a uranium focused exploration and development
within the nuclear energy sector. What makes uranium a truly
company, and over a two-year period we reviewed over 200
unique element is its ability to break apart into lighter elements,
projects in the Basin alone before we decided to acquire what is
a process named nuclear fission. The destructive capabilities of
now NexGen’s asset portfolio. We’ve acquired the most dominant
such reactions have caused much debate over the years. The 1945
land position in the south-west part of the Basin,” said corporate
bombing on the Japanese city of Hiroshima was a demonstration
development manager Travis McPherson.
of just how devastating this reaction could be, with more than 100,000 civilians perishing in the attack.
The basin which Mr. McPherson alludes to is Athabasca in northern Saskatchewan, best known as the world’s leading source
Things have changed considerably since then; nuclear weapons
of high-grade uranium. Within that region alone there have been
are used more as a deterrent now than a physical weapon. In fact,
some truly monstrous finds, amongst which the colossal McArthur
the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan mark the only
River Uranium Mine, which accounts for 13% of the world’s uranium
use of nuclear weapons in the history of warfare. Now, uranium
production, stands out. NexGen Energy holds over 259,000
has a much more significant and, thankfully, peaceful role to play
hectares of land within the Athabasca Basin, making the likelihood
in the world, instead used as the primary means to fuel the nuclear
of striking it big very much in their favour, and in February 2014
energy sector, powering hundreds of nuclear reactors around
that’s exactly what happened.
the world.
NexGen Energy refers to the central exploration project within
Significantly for the energy sector, on December 20th 1951,
Athabasca at Rook I, which is 100% owned by the company. After
Argonne National Laboratory’s Experimental Breeder Reactor I
some drilling and testing on the Arrow deposit in 2014, the NexGen
became the first nuclear reactor to create electricity. As of May
team knew they were on to a winner.
2016, the IAEA reported there were 444 nuclear power reactors 62 | Endeavour Magazine
Being land based comes as a big advantage for any deposit in the
NEXGEN ENERGY LTD Basin, as the costs involved with water exploration are significantly higher. Leigh Curyer, the groups Managing Director, elaborates:
The future looks brighter than ever for this big-time uranium player. It seems that with each passing month, new discoveries
“The difference between Arrow and, say, McArthur River and
are made, and optimism from management and investors alike
Cigar Lake is that Arrow is entirely hosted in the basement rock,
increases. As a result of the summer drill program, the company
and the mineralization in the basement rock starts roughly 100
have discovered a new zone of off- scale mineralisation, roughly
meters from surface and it has a very thin layer of the Athabasca
400m south of the Arrow Deposit. NexGen have named this new
sandstone, between only five to ten meters thickness over the area
zone the South Arrow Discovery.
of mineralization, within 100m of surface”.
“This is a very exciting time for the company, with the release
It is by no random stroke of luck that NexGen have found a
of the maiden PEA imminent and today’s drill results strongly
world-class deposit; “The NexGen story is not an overnight success
indicating Arrow is still very in its infancy in terms of exploration
- it has been built over 14 years”. NexGen Energy’s board of directors
work conducted. As a consequence, additional drilling focus will
have a vast amount of experience in the uranium mining sector, to
be immediately directed to Arrow South, whilst continuing to
say the least. Many, including chairman Mr. Chris McFadden, were
focus on high value targets in and around Arrow, together with
long associated with mining giants Rio Tinto. Leigh himself is a
the engineering and environmental studies,” Mr Curyer said in a
chartered accountant and naturally has an eye for operating costs.
recent interview.
Mr Curyer continues on the Arrow deposit: “This will be
NexGen now has cash reserves of about C$200-million, which
the lowest cost discovery in the Basin’s history. I’m originally a
will be used to fund the continuing exploration and development
chartered accountant, so it is inherent in my nature to be fierce
of the company’s SW2 properties. Endeavour Magazine wishes
with the dollars, and our dollar’s exploration ratio (dollars spent
NexGen Energy all the best for what promises to be another hugely
in the ground compared with general administrative expenses) is
successful year, and we look forward to catching up with the team
8.5/1. No one can compete with us.”
again in 2018.
64 | Endeavour Magazine
HCC is continuing with a history of
successful projects, including but not limited to civil infrastructure, oil and gas, and the mining sector. Focused locally in Canada and throughout Africa and Eurasia, we bring experience and knowledge to any project, anywhere. Most recently, HCC is pleased to have been aligned with Nexgen Energy in their exploration of the Athabasca Basin.
Endeavour Magazine | 65
AMAZING WORLD INDIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY – 70 YEARS FREE
“A
t the stroke of today’s midnight
for liberation, coming after three long and
sectors and constantly proving her tenacity.
hour, when the world sleeps, India
punishing centuries of foreign imperial
However, freedom did not come easily, or
will awake to life and freedom.”
rule. The words were spoken by Jawaharlal
cleanly, and like many new beginnings, it was bittersweet and bloody in its delivery.
On 15th August 1947, these words
Nehru, freedom campaigner and India’s
ushered in a new era for India, marking
first Prime Minister. 70 years later, India
On Independence Day, India’s national
the moment of their emancipation from
continues to flourish as a nation, setting
colours fill its skies, as thousands of kites
British occupancy. It was a hard-fought-
new industrial standards across multiple
bearing the flag are flown in celebration. The
66 | Endeavour Magazine
movement turned political party founded in 1885, and most notably led by Mahatma Gandhi from 1920. Under his leadership, the INC became the face of Indian independence, with 15 million members and a staggering 70 million participants. Gandhi promoted peaceful protest throughout his leadership, even in the face of violent and fatal backlash from the British and their supporting troops. Some, but by no means all, of the most notable and tragic incidents of violence were the Jallianwala Bagh and Nankana massacres, in 1919 and 1921 respectively. Both massacres saw armed forces fire on non-violent Sikh crowds, in Nankana whilst they protested British control over their gurdwaras (temples), and in Jallianwala Bagh whilst they gathered for a Sikh festival after curfew. In Nankana, reports of fatalities ranged between 126 to 200, and in Jallianwala Bagh, a shocking 379 to 1000plus. Gandhi become leader of the INC the year between these two attacks, and whilst violent protests also took place throughout India’s struggle, his ability to inspire peaceful resistance in the wave of such bloodshed was a testament not only to his leadership, but also the discipline and bravery of those who stood with him. It is impossible to understand India’s struggles for freedom without looking at the religious conflicts within the country. focal point each year takes place at the Red
songs are sung, sweets are shared, and
Distrust
Fort in Delhi, where in 1947, Prime Minister
those who fought and stood for freedom are
and Hindu communities, with the Muslim
Nehru raised the orange, white and green
remembered.
minority fearing that they were not heard,
for the first time and addressed a newly
Indian
protests
and
existed
between
the
Muslim
independence
respected or safe from the Hindu majority.
free country. Now, every year, both India’s
movements took many forms during Britain’s
To a large degree, these tensions had
Prime Minister and President raise the flag
long occupancy. The most famous of these
been aggravated by the British over the
above the Red Fort and make a speech;
is the Indian National Congress, a peaceful
centuries: in 1857 the first Indian Rebellion Endeavour Magazine | 67
took place, with both religions fighting alongside each other for the common cause of independence. This quickly illustrated to the occupiers that ‘divide and conquer’ was the best way to ensure control, and so they encouraged seeds of distrust between these groups. This made such alliances difficult to re-create, keeping Hindus and Muslims distracted with in-fighting instead of forming a united front against a common enemy. Meanwhile, the British soon learned that the Sikh population posed their own difficulties through their militant national pride and sheer levels of tenacity, both spiritual, cultural and physical. It soon became clear that the Sikhs could not be broken through violence, and so instead of trying to defeat them, the British appealed to their militant spirit by enlisting them. They established and maintained control through manipulating their faith, selecting which religious leaders would govern their gurdwaras, and through doing so, gradually altering the faith’s prayers and beliefs to
as outreach towards untouchables, and
handing India back to its people, their own
come in line with their own thinking. This
building peaceful relations between faiths.
strategies now posed them a dilemma: how
sort of subtle control would only be possible
The day was intended as a symbol to stir
to hand power over peacefully with such
over the long period the British had, and was
up national pride and passion, and also to
tensions in place?
as clever as it was objectionable.
counter the divisive methods being used to
In an attempt to resolve this conflict with
However, these divisions were not met
keep groups apart. The day was observed
minimal violence, Britain, through discussion
without resistance. India has in fact observed
from 1930 until 1946. After freedom was
and debate with India’s movement leaders,
an ‘Independence Day’ since 1930, not as a
finally achieved in 1947, the Constitution
decided that the best resolution was to
celebration, but a call to united protest. The
of India came into effect on 26th January
divide the country in two: India, with a Hindu
Indian National Congress declared January
1950, and so this original ‘Independence
and Sikh majority, and the newly created
26th a day for “civil disobedience”: not only
Day’ finally became a day for celebration,
Pakistan, a country devised by and for India’s
a day when Indians were encouraged to
now known as Republic Day.
Muslim minority. The country was proposed
stand with the INC, but also a day to oppose
Despite these efforts, deep-set divisions
and eventually led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah,
the British through community work such
are hard to erase, and when Britain came to
previously the leader of the All-India Muslim
68 | Endeavour Magazine
when the divide finally came into effect,
who today are struggling to find peace
over 15 million Indians were displaced,
with each other, as well as to defend their
moving between states to reach the ‘correct’
people from internal extremism. However,
country. Over 1 million died traveling.
it can’t be denied that both also have much
Much of this fallout could have been
to boast. India has made huge strides in
avoided, or at least mitigated, if more time
space travel and green energy, has achieved
and planning had been put into the divide,
medical feats such as eradicating Polio from
and the right systems and provisions put in
the country, and has created a booming
place. As it was, Britain, which could neither
software industry from nothing in the past
afford to keep India after the ravages of
20 years. Meanwhile, Pakistan boasts the
WWII, nor wished to be responsible for
world’s largest irrigation system, the deepest
the growing violence in the population,
big sea port, the youngest certified Microsoft
set less than two months between the
professional and the invention of the world’s
League, who served as Pakistan’s Governor-
agreement to partition and Pakistan coming
highest density media processor.
General until his death. Many Indian Muslims
into effect. This was a process that included
Truly, in terms of industry and global
feared that in an independent India, they
changing the nationality of millions of
contributions, both countries have much to
would not be heard by the Hindu majority;
people, creating new borders, the division
celebrate this August 15th. However, more
to many, Pakistan became the promise of
of public and private land, the requirement
than any of that, they are able to celebrate
their chance at the freedom, security and
for uncountable new laws - the creation of a
rich cultures, strong peoples and the pride
empowerment that Hindus and Sikhs hoped
country, simultaneous to the liberation and
of hard-earned liberation. It is strange to
for in a united India.
re-invention of another, in eight weeks.
think that this conflict was resolved less
Whilst intended as a peaceful solution,
The circumstances around the freeing of
than a lifetime ago; as the decades pass,
the upheaval of dividing the country
India were a tragedy, in how it was conducted
may the fallout that still lingers continue to
proved anything but. In the run-up, talks of
and the lives that were lost. However, it was
be overcome, along with the new challenges
Pakistan created uncertainty and aggravated
also the beginning of a new chapter for two
that have arisen, and for both nations
religious tensions, causing increasing riots
countries. Tensions and fallout from this
to show the world just what free people
and massacres throughout the country, and
period of history still affect both nations,
can do. Endeavour Magazine | 69
BAHRAIN MINISTRY OF WORKS WWW.WORKS.GOV.BH // 973 1 7545511
THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF LIFE Wherever a high quality of life is sought for the inhabitants of a region, you can guarantee that a solid Ministry of Works department is present and looking to continually improve living conditions. In the case of Bahrain, that is very much the case; Endeavour Magazine took a closer look at the vital construction arm of the Kingdom of Bahrain government to find out what they are developing. WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON
BAHRAIN MINISTRY OF WORKS
Offering steadfast infrastructure in accordance with
all legal frameworks, the Bahrain Ministry of Works has taken on quite a challenge. Responsible not only for the strategic planning and design of all major road networks and vital drainage systems for the Kingdom, it also has the task of maintaining existing infrastructure and overseeing the construction of any new innovative additions.
A
dd to this the responsibility for every facet of public buildings
responsible organisation, the Ministry of Works is fully certified for
construction, from design through to project management,
everything it sets out to achieve. While priding and defining itself
and it becomes clear just how incredibly important the
in terms of the incredible project management skills that underpin
Ministry is. What is truly staggering, however, is that the reasons
the entire organisation, there is a clear focus on maintaining an
behind this careful management strategy are never forgotten. And
exemplar public-facing persona as well:
the Ministry themselves explain: “The Ministry aims to provide physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for all residents of Bahrain. This
“The Ministry is a leading organisation in promoting public interest, equity and reach of services, transparency, sustainability and conservation of the environment.”
infrastructure supports national development goals by maximising
Before we explore the Ministry’s latest projects, which look
the potential of the Kingdom for economic progress. This economic
set to enhance the Kingdom even further, it is vital to understand
diversification is complemented by increased allocation of funds
exactly what the ministry is attempting to accomplish:
for community development projects and the improvement of existing infrastructure.
“The Ministry of Works is the construction arm of the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain. It is entrusted with a major
“The Ministry is committed to constantly improving its services
portion of the public works sector and capital asset formation in
offered to the Kingdom. This objective is achieved through long-
Bahrain. With responsibility for public works and infrastructure
term research, which addresses a range of complex technical issues
engineering covering construction, roads and sanitary drainage
that Bahrain faces in the modern world. For example, an Integrated
projects, the Ministry has an extensive portfolio of projects across
Transport Study is underway to find long-term sustainable solutions
these key sectors. Implementation requires rigor, responsiveness,
to address vehicle saturation on Bahrain’s roads.”
flexibility and a high degree of coordination between development
Naturally, any government body should always be looking
partners.
for ways to improve the lives of the citizens that it oversees, but
“The works undertaken by the Ministry include a large number
in today’s world of complex politics, that isn’t always the case.
of small projects and services that are local in nature, such as small
The Kingdom of Bahrain really is setting a standard in terms of
schools, local access road sections, road safety works, signs and
responsible stewardship, and that is clear to see when taking a look
signals, sanitary house connections and repairs of the sewage
at the mission, values and vision that underpins the Ministry.
network. This is in addition to medium-sized projects and large
Committed to being a world-leading, professional and socially 72 | Endeavour Magazine
complex projects that are of strategic nature or of global community
BAHRAIN MINISTRY OF WORKS interest, such as ports, airports, hospitals, bridges, complex
second-phase developments to fishing harbours, a national theatre
interchanges and sports facilities that normally span several years
and a Bahrain students club located in Cairo. This heady mix of
to complete and require large budgets and specialist expertise.”
necessary infrastructure improvements alongside more cultural
Never undertaking a new project without the values of
installations aptly demonstrates the foresight of the Ministry and
excellence, integrity, professionalism, team spirit and effective
the acknowledgement that enrichment can only be accomplished
communication firmly in place, it may come as no surprise that the
through a mix of commercial and artistic collaborations.
Ministry of Works has been recognised with a variety of awards. Nor will it be a shock that the structure of the Ministry has evolved
Speaking specifically about the exciting Um Al Hassam Interchange expansion, the Ministry noted;
over a number of years to offer the very best in responsive and
“The Um Al Hassam Interchange represents a vital interchange
reflexive infrastructure solutions and support. As everybody knows
connecting Manama, Isa Town and Sitra, and these works are
that the key to a flourishing, successful and adaptive society as a
important to improving access for road users. We are confident
whole is a strong and reliable network of infrastructure – a rock-
that in increasing the capacity of the junction from 2200 vehicles
solid foundation for future initiatives.
per hour to 3800 vehicles per hour, the new junction will serve to
Originally comprising of four separate directorates, the Ministry
strengthen the Kingdom’s investment environment.”
was merged into just two back in 1992, covering public works,
Such initiatives show, without any question, that Bahrain will
electricity and water respectively, but it was in 2001 that the
continue to move with the times and look for new and innovative
Ministry of Works as it stands today was finally created, and the
ways to embrace change and commercial development, and
Kingdom of Bahrain has never looked back.
Endeavour Magazine will be front and centre to report on any and
Currently, the Ministry of Works is engaged in a number of
all future successes.
special projects, the most notable being improvements to the Mina Salam Interchange, expansion of the Um Al Hassam Interchange,
Tel +973 17710241, Fax +973 17710218 Web: www.crownbh.com, Email: info@cemsbahrain.com
CROWN ELECTROMECHANICAL SERVICES W.L.L.
Branches: State of Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
AN ISO 9001:2008,150 14001:2004, OHSAS 18001:2007 Accredited Company 74 | Endeavour Magazine
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Post Box No, 10369, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
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Bahrain Office Flat No. 51, Building No. 947, Road 3620, Block 436 Al Seef, Kingdom of Bahrain E: k_srinivasan@wabag.in | M: +973 36750662
Endeavour Magazine | 75
CHICKMONT FOODS WWW.CHICKMONTFOODS.NET // 001 (246) 418-8000
EXPERTS IN QUALITY The result of an impressive merger in 1990, Chickmont Foods has quickly set itself apart as a poultry processing operation that has single-handedly sought to inject new levels of quality and professionalism into the Barbadian food production industry. Endeavour Magazine spoke with Dominic De Freitas, Executive Director, to discover the company’s secret recipe for success. WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON
CHICKMONT FOODS
When Montrose, Chickgrowers and Super Poultry Farms
amalgamated in the 1990s, nobody could have foreseen just what a powerhouse of poultry production would be created, but that’s exactly what happened. Barbados suddenly found itself playing host to a terrifically stable and determined operation that has seen incredible success, but what exactly are the day-to-day concerns of Chickmont Foods? We asked Dominic De Freitas to elaborate.
“C
hickmont Foods is a vertically integrated poultry
management, centred around an intrinsic appreciation of those
processing company. It sells fresh poultry products
that work alongside him:
(chicken, turkey, table eggs) to Barbados and to some
“Treating your staff as human beings, treating them with
Eastern Caribbean Islands. It hatches and grows its chickens and
respect, is absolutely vital. I work to a philosophy of rewarding
turkeys to market age and then processes them in a state of the
my staff when they achieve success, and continuously training
art processing plant, which has attained the highest standards
and retraining them in their key development areas. Chickmont
internationally based on food safety and food quality under
Foods prides itself on its 300-strong staff of hardworking men and
ISO9001 and HACCP certification.”
women, who deliver the highest quality in poultry products.”
When you understand that Chickmont Foods is the only
By acknowledging that Chickmont would be nothing without a
processing plant to have attained such globally respected standards
dedicated contingent of professionals, Dominic gives a glimpse into
of certification, the scale of the accomplishment really speaks for
how satisfying it must be to work for such a forward-thinking and
itself. Dominic went on to reveal yet more defining achievements:
appreciative operation. He divulged a little more about what makes
“We have actually gone a step further, by starting the process
the company so special:
to achieve the next level in certification, known in the industry as
“We are a family-owned company that cares for our customers
SQF. This certification is required to supply most major fast food
and employees. Being a vertically integrated operation, we have
chains, as it reassures them that we have taken all relevant steps to
control over all of our inputs, which reassures our customers of our
protect the safety of their customers. Chickmont supplies all major
promise that none of our products are engineered with the use of
fast food chains and supermarkets in Barbados, large and small
antibiotics, steroids, or hormones. Every product we produce is all-
hotels, fine dining restaurants and Chicken Galore retail outlets,
natural, ethically raised and slaughtered with the highest adherence
which sell low-cost chicken products to the general population.”
to food safety standards - none of Chickmont Foods’ competitors
Having reached the position of Executive Director through
can attest to this.”
innovative business decisions and consistently exceeding KPIs,
This leads us into a key point of interest, in terms of how
Dominic doesn’t for one second underestimate how impressive
buoyant the poultry industry is in Barbados. Knowing already that
the company is today, but remains modest in enjoying his part
there is a high level of industry competition, we were interested in
in the success. Instead, he chooses to showcase a rare style of
what Dominic views as the main hurdles to be overcome.
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CHICKMONT FOODS “Chickmont Foods is a mature company in an established
“We have invested in half a megawatt in solar power already, with
industry, with about 70 competitors in the market for poultry
another megawatt scheduled for installation within the next year.
products. These range from medium-sized processors to small
We have also installed a brand-new CO2 ammonia refrigeration
backyard farm operations. The industry is always under threat from
plant, in order to eliminate our impact on the environment and
imports of sub-standard chicken products flooding the Caribbean
depletion of the ozone layer. We are endeavouring to make the
region, but we have benefitted from fruitful partnerships with
company a green operation, with this introduction of more solar
large fast food operators, all of whom have grown with Chickmont
power and an organic gas refrigeration plant to keep all of our
through the years. The forging of these partnerships has helped us
chicken products cool. In addition, new product developments and
to succeed over and above our competition.”
innovative farms are on the cards, to grow better and healthier
So, let’s recap quickly: Chickmont foods has carved itself an
chickens for human consumption.”
enviable reputation, thanks to an incredible team of likeminded and
Just when you think Chickmont couldn’t get any more admirable,
ambitious staff, inspired leadership, the maintaining of illustrious
a green initiative tips the balance that bit more and leaves us
professional alliances and a never-ending commitment to offering
with absolutely no doubts as to why the company has gone from
the highest quality products to the people of Barbados. A recognised,
strength to strength and consistently risen above all competitors.
respected and much-admired local company that remains a family-
With Dominic firmly at the helm, Chickmont Foods can certainly
run operation, it will come as no surprise that off the back of such
look forward to even more success in both the near and long-term
wonderful commercial success, the team at Chickmont has a lot to
future, and we are eagerly anticipating revisiting this innovative
look forward to. We asked Dominic what the future will bring and
operation in months to come.
he didn’t hold back when discussing exciting developments that are in the pipeline.
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Endeavour Magazine | 81
WEST INDIES PETROLEUM WWW.WESTINDIESPETROLEUM.COM // 1 876 929 0093
A SURE THING You have to bet to win, and West Indies Petroleum are putting their chips on the table. Founded to help meet the region’s ever-rising marine refueling demands, West Indies Petroleum have grown from one of many gap-stops to a strong and successful bunkering company ready to take on new challenges. Now, they have their eyes on the horizon and are throwing heavy investments at their ambitions: to become one of the ‘big kids’ of the West Indies fuel market, as well as cornering low-cost bunker-fuel in Jamaica and the Caribbean. WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER
WEST INDIES PETROLEUM
West Indies Petroleum (WIP) was founded in 2012, and
began operating in the bunkering industry in 2013. Jamaica was in the midst of a bid to establish itself as a global logistics hub, as well as eyeing the potential impact on trade that was soon to come with the completion of the Panama Canal expansion. With increased shipping and the promise of more in the near future, demand for marine re-fueling rose dramatically, and WIP seized its opportunity.
W
IP are physical bunker suppliers, meaning they provide a vessel refueling service, which is available to all nine ports across Jamaica. They operate 24 hours a day, 365
days a year. Whatever blend of fuel your vessel requires, they can mix it, using a wide range of intermediate fuels as well as Marine Gas Oil. This blend is then brought straight to your ship by barge or road tank wagon, depending which port you’re moored at. On top of marine fuel supply, WIP also deliver the essentials of diesel and petrol, as well as lubricants that they develop in partnership with Castrol. WIP pride themselves on customer service, and with their non-stop availability, personalized fuel and no minimum order volume, they’d be right to. Accuracy, efficiency and integrity have allowed them to carve out a reputation as a reliable, go-to refueling solution. Now, not content with standing still, they are ready for the next step; to spread their reach across the Caribbean and South America, both in bunkering, and to become one of the key players in the West Indies fuel industry at large. The Jamaican logistics sector is one filled with potential, so much so that its government has created an initiative focused on utilising the country’s strategic location. The island sits at the intersection between several air and sea trade routes to the Americas, Europe and Western Africa, making it the perfect position for a trading and logistics hotspot. The government’s aptly named Global Logistics Hub Initiative seeks to establish state-of-the-art logistics zones and to upgrade the country’s air and sea port infrastructure, to enable it to fully cash in on this prime positioning.
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WEST INDIES PETROLEUM This potential was only added to when the widening of the
that arena. However, they also want to acknowledge their origins
Panama Cannel began. The Panama Canal expansion project, or
in bunkering by taking this business to a level never seen before
Third Set of Locks project, doubled the vessel capacity of the canal
in Jamaica. In both cases, capacity is king, and this vast expansion
by adding enough space for a new lane of marine traffic, as well as
has, at some great expense, positioned WIP with the second-
increasing the width and depth of the existing lanes. West Indies
largest fuel bunker capabilities in Jamaica, beaten only by Petrojam.
Petroleum was founded after this expansion was announced – they
To make the most of this, plus their geographical advantages, the
had two initiatives in existence that promised a rich future in the
company has made yet more investments, this time in its delivery
sector, if they could only establish themselves, play their cards
capacity, which it more than doubled with the addition of a third
right, and wait.
fuel barge. These upgraded capabilities have enabled WIP to secure
The expanded Panama Canal began commercial operation
larger contracts than were previously open to them, including deals
on 26 June 2016. Coincidentally (or was it?), June 2016 was also
with major cruise and container shipping lines, as well as energy
when WIP acquired the Jamaica Broilers Ethanol Plant at Port
companies, bauxite companies and local manufacturers. Already,
Esquivel, found on Jamaica’s south coast. The plant was sold to
the investment is starting to pay off, and these increased options
WIP for around US $5 million, with a further US $3 million spent
can only lead to more profit in the years to come.
on repurposing the facilities. Now known as the ‘West Indies
Of course, an expansion of this size is rarely done alone. New
Petroleum South Terminal’, the facility can store 600,000 barrels
opportunities are an opening for new partnerships, and WIP
of gasoline, diesel or heavy fuel oil. This, combined with 63,000
have recently signed with a hefty global fuel supplier – though
barrels on the north coast, and 72,000 barrels kept on tug and
unfortunately, they’re keeping this company’s identity hush-hush
barges in Kingston Harbour, means that in total, the expansion has
for now. What WIP has disclosed is that their new partner, whilst
launched WIP to in excess of 700,000 barrels.
a major multibillion-dollar global player, doesn’t have much in the
WIP have said that as a business, they are currently focused
way of current involvement within Jamaica. What they do have,
on the export market, and want to maximise their opportunity in
however, are global storage facilities that will allow WIP to keep
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themselves well supplied – and in the future, who knows what these global links could enable? In the immediate future, the partnership will allow cruise and container shipping customers in Jamaica to receive low-cost fuel, which is a boon to everyone involved. WIP’s expansion is intrinsically tied with Jamaica’s global growth, and patriotic pride has always been at the heart of their company spirit. When they set up in 2013, West Indies Petroleum said they were proud to be the only 100% Jamaican-owned company in the bunker market, and today, they still maintain their 100% Jamaican status. Like Jamaica, it seems WIP will be a company to keep our eyes on in the coming years. Their growth has been dramatic and certainly costly, but whilst the bet may be high stakes, it couldn’t have more in place to back it up. In a release from the company, WIP CEO Charles Chambers said: “We are very excited about what we have done so far. We truly believe in our vision and feel it’s all just within our reach. The entire team has put our hearts and souls into this company but still feel amazed, blessed and humbled by how much we have been able to achieve in such a short space of time.” Endeavour couldn’t agree more – all there is to do now is watch this space, but we have a feeling we’ll see WIP’s wager come home.
Endeavour Magazine | 87
THE NATIONAL GAS COMPANY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO WWW.NGC.CO.TT // 1 (868) 636-4662
NATIONAL VALUE The energy market has long been a mainstay for Trinidad and Tobago, with the gas industry playing a major role across the twin-island republic. Whilst the sector is facing global challenges, Trinidad and Tobago remains a key player at the top of the list. We took a look at The National Gas Company Trinidad & Tobago Ltd (NGC) and The NGC Group of Companies, to drill a little deeper into the operations and history behind some of the sector’s leading names within the region. WRITTEN BY JASPER MILVAIN
THE NATIONAL GAS COMPANY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
In essence, NGC constructs, maintains and operates Trinidad
and Tobago’s natural gas transmission and distribution pipeline network. Established 42 years ago in August 1975, the 100% state-owned NGC is located on the Point Lisas Industrial Estate - the most prolific industrial centre on the island. In terms of assets, it has become one of the largest companies in the Caribbean and Latin America, but it is the utilisation of these assets which is important.
T
his is why NGC have maintained a 99% pipeline availability rating for most of their existence, a history that has helped it to amass customers from power generation plants at Cove
Industrial Estate, Tobago, Point Lisas, La Brea and Penal, as well as a large group of global-scale petrochemical plants located within the same industrial estate, and lighter manufacturing companies scattered across the country. NGC is part of The NGC Group, which has grown to include multiple subsidiaries, sucg as The National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd, La Brea Industrial Development Company Ltd (Labidco), Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited (PPGPL) and the NGC CNG Company Ltd. Together, in the Group portfolio includes 1,000 km of pipeline infrastructure, both on land and offshore, as well as industrial sites and port and marine infrastructure, all of which they have used to expand and support their operations. Like all such companies, NGC remains subject to supply and availability,
359 Lazzari Street Palmiste, La Romaine, Trinidad & Tobago W.I. Tel/Fax: (868) 222-1621 Cell: (868) 376 – 0482 sales.sealtech@gmail.com 90 | Endeavour Magazine
Suppliers of Engineered Equipment and Services to users of Rotating Equipment, Pumps, Compressors, Valves, and Process Equipment.
but when supply is available, these pipelines are capable of transporting more than 5 billion cubic feet of gas per day, making this one of the largest capacity systems in the world. NGC work as managing operators over this pipeline network, concentrating on the compressing, purchasing, transporting and selling of natural gas to industry-based clients both upstream and downstream. This requires operations in both the transportation and logistics, and also the marketing fields. NGC’s journey all started in a small office on Abercromby Street, before moving to Pembroke Street in the country’s capital, Port of Spain, under half a year later.
THE NATIONAL GAS COMPANY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO With an TT$80,000.00 advance from the government - a small
condensate processing facilities. The centralised facility is complex
amount for the task, even in 1975 – NGC helped in the supervision
because of its location at this intersection, requiring it to receive
and construction of the 23-mile pipeline from Beachfield to Picton.
gas from different sources and therefore creating the need to
In 1976, they also operated and maintained a 44-mile pipeline
facilitate the integration, bypassing and separation of these gases.
system from Penal to Port of Spain. The latter was valued at TT$12
Along with the Beachfield complex and its impressive
million. Two years later, they also took on responsibility for a
slug catcher is NGC’s 56-inch Cross Island Pipeline (CIP). The
pipeline valued at TT$68 million, as their value, reach and output
76.5-kilometre CIP, which was completed in 2005, is the largest
grew. Total gas sales for 1978 came to 150 MMscf/d.
diameter gas pipeline to be constructed in the Western Hemisphere,
As with the gas industry the world over, the 1980s saw a
with a capacity to deliver approximately 2.4 Bcf/d. The line was
period of growth and expansion for NGC; the company had
constructed parallel to the existing southern pipeline Right of Way
many new pipelines laid for both land and sea, and made several
(ROW), which runs from the southeast coast at Beachfield to Point
major investments in the upstream, midstream and downstream
Fortin on the southwest coast. The first gas flowed into the pipeline
sectors. Out of their more recent developments, some of the most
on November 25th 2005, heralding the successful commissioning
significant have taken place at Beachfield. Beachfield is a focal
and tremendous effort of NGC, its contractors and suppliers to
point of transmission lines - a spot where many pipelines fork
design, procure, construct, commission and deliver this mega-
outwards to locations across the country. The BUD slug catcher
project on schedule and within budget. This pipeline now supplies
and Beachfield Launcher Station have been game-changing
natural gas to the LNG trains at Atlantic LNG and industrial estates
additions to NGC’s operations there; as its name implies, NGC uses
at Union and La Brea in southwest Trinidad.
the launch station to launch pigs from Beachfield in the 24, 30 and
Trinidad and Tobago has not escaped the effect of the global
36-inch departing transmission pipelines, whilst the slug catcher is
gas depression. However, NGC’s subsidiaries provide a diverse
one of the company’s most important and complex natural gas and
portfolio for the company to create a ‘mixed bag’ of opportunities
TRINWELD CONTRACTING SERVICES LIMITED
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92 | Endeavour Magazine
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within the energy sectors, such as the development of industrial port infrastructure, and the production and marketing of NGLs (natural gas liquids), as well as continuing their history of investment in upstream gas and oil exploration. One of their subsidiaries, NGC CNG, offers consumers a cleaner alternative fuel (compressed natural gas, or CNG), which is odourless and non-corrosive as well as cheaper, greener and more efficient than traditional petrol and diesel fuels. PPGPL, another of their subsidiaries, works in cooperation with NGC; the company receives unprocessed natural gas from NGC, from which they extract the NGLs propane, butane and natural gasoline, and return a cleaner, better quality gas. PPGPL has also produced another income-earning opportunity for NGC in the form of TTNGL. TTNGL was incorporated on September 13 2013 by NGC to enable the public to participate in an Initial Public Offering (IPO) to own an equity interest in PPGPL. An APO was held, divesting NGC’s 40,248,000 Class B shares in TTNGL. The APO commenced on June 5th 2017 and ended on Wednesday June 28th 2017, where
Damus is proud of its long standing
relationship with the NGC through which we have participated in some of Trinidad and Tobago’s most important projects including the Abyssinia Beachfield Accumulator Valve Station, Caroni Multi-Fuel Storage Depot, Tobago Cove Estate Facility and the Phoenix Park Valve Station. We wish the NGC abundant success and look forward to a continuation of our excellent business relationship.
shares were offered to the public at a price of TT$21.00 per share. This offer price resulted in a trailing dividend yield of 7.14% - the highest on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange. The shares
Endeavour Magazine | 93
THE NATIONAL GAS COMPANY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO created tremendous excitement on the local stock market, earning
broaden their impact to all areas of community life, including many
endorsements across the financial sector during the three and half
projects supporting the arts, sport, education, Empowerment and
weeks of the offer. The Initial Public Offering of TTNGL shares in
Youth Development, and environmental preservation.
2015 was the largest local IPO. It was oversubscribed by 1.77 times,
It is this final area, given the potential environmental impact
and at that time, also invigorated the local stock exchange. NGC’s
of the energy sector, that is perhaps the most important and
effective ownership of PPGPL will be reduced from 63% to 52%.
commendable a focus for NGC. In recognition of the necessity
On top of these varied operations and business initiatives, NGC’s
for sustainable development, NGC not only donate towards
work in the Light Industrial Commercial Sector (LIC) addresses a
and support an extensive reforestation programme, but are also
much smaller but crucial group of customers.
conscious to keep their environmental commitment in mind
All in all, NGC and The NGC Group have many feathers in their
when making all of their business decisions. This includes opting
caps. Not only are they working to develop the energy sector in
for pipeline routes that will cause the least disruption and using
numerous directions, they have also pledged a portion of their profits
a process Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) to avoid cutting
towards a Community Relations Programme. In its early years, this
across the surfaces of natural habitats or under rivers, as well as
programme was nothing more than a commitment to donate to
other environmentally-sensitive water ways and bodies.
external charities, but over time, it has evolved into a full slate of
Since their inception, NGC have exhibited a history of planning,
events and resources assisted by NGC both financially, but also
commitment and growth. The gas industry experiences peaks and
through capacity-building, technical programmes and logistical aid.
troughs the world over, leaving no company immune, yet NGC have
In the 1990s, this took the form of programmes such as the Marine
continued to not only develop the infrastructure in place to keep
Environmental Awareness Programme, which taught residents of
up with the peaks, but have stood by their subsidiaries, investments
coastal villages essential life and survival skills for living by and with
and community in the troughs, going beyond gas to support a
the sea, including youth sailing courses. As the years have passed,
number of projects that not only build up the energy sector, but
these courses and support systems have continued to grow and
also the local lives and two islands it powers.
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