Endeavour Magazine August 2017

AUGUST 2017

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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

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26

34

44

50

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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

CEMENT INDUSTRY Extraction of Limestone as major raw material in Cement Manufacturing

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 Incorporated in 1987, NIGACHEM NIGERIA LIMITED manufactures emulsiontype explosives under the brand SUPERPOWER. This genre of explosives is very safe because, unlike other types, it only detonates upon introduction of a suitable initiation stimulus.

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

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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20 | Endeavour Magazine

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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.

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customer have a common clear view of what’s really going on.”

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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

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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

AUTOMOTIVES

FORD KUGA VIGNALE

I

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

makeover

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

RVICES

L

GRADE - 1

SE

Post Box No, 10369, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain

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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.

78 | Endeavour Magazine

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.

80 | Endeavour Magazine

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.

84 | Endeavour Magazine

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

86 | Endeavour Magazine

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

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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.

94 | Endeavour Magazine