DECEMBER 2018
www.endeavourmagazine.com
Eric Seamon
Co-Founder & Managing Director
OW LOGISTICS ‘Speaking Fluent Customer’
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EDITOR’S NOTE Heads of Departments Managing Editor Alice Instone-Brewer editor@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Director Alex Hilling-Smith alexsmith@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Manager Emlyn Freeman emlynfreeman@littlegatepublishing.com Head of Editorial Research Paul Bradley paulbradley@littlegatepublishing.com Project Manager Steven Weller steveweller@littlegatepublishing.com Editorial Researcher James Lapping james@littlegatepublishing.com Editorial Researcher Will Girling willgirling@littlegatepublishing.com Editorial Researcher Alex Hayes alexhayes@littlegatepublishing.com Editorial Researcher Dennis Morales dennismorales@littlegatepublishing.com Editorial Researcher David Kimberley david@littlegatepublishing.com Corporate Director Anthony Letchumaman anthonyl@littlegatepublishing.com
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! It’s finally December again, and we’re
are in their business itself. We also took
getting deep into the spirit here in the
a look at some charities that we thought
Endeavour offices. It’s been an inspirational
needed more exposure; for example,
year for us; we’ve spoken with what’s felt
Helping Hands undertakes vast efforts
like a wider range of companies than ever
to safely and ethically train unique and
before, from traditional heavy industries to
adorable helpers for those with mobility
less frequently examined markets such as
issues, aka capuchin monkeys. Whilst
floriculture or meat-free QSR, and over the
sounding either like a novelty or, worse, an
months, we’ve seen some truly incredible
ethical quandary, the members of Helping
stories. Time and again, we’ve encountered
Hands’ ‘Monkey College’ are exceedingly
innovations in sustainable practices that
well cared for, and trained at a gentle pace
restore faith in human ingenuity in the face
to suit them until they are acclimatized
of climate fears, and we’ve seen companies
to life in human homes. Once rehomed,
providing delicious answers to healthy
they are able to provide both help and
eating demands, raise their safety and
companionship to US citizens who aren’t
Lead Designer Alina Sandu studio@littlegatepublishing.com
product standards across the industries,
able to get out and about or take care of
and put ever-greater emphasis on employee
themselves as easily as other people.
Publisher Stephen Warman stevewarman@littlegatepublishing.com
well-being. Of course, not every company
Finally, we took a look around the world to
is leading the way, but with the glowing
see how different cultures mark the coming
examples that some are setting, we hope
of winter; after all, we’re a global family
that we are witnessing a snowball that will
at Endeavour, and our UK-based holidays
keep growing and answer the concerns
won’t even scratch the surface of the array
that the world at large is facing. For every
of celebrations that will be kicking off this
worrying news story, or every company
season. So, wrap up warm, or stick on
that applies poor practices, there is another
the air con, depending which hemisphere
flourishing business working behind the
you’re in, and enjoy this final Endeavour
scenes to improve lives.
of 2018 with us. We’re looking forward to
Most notably, we have seen countless
next year already!
For enquiries or subscriptions contact info@littlegatepublishing.com +44 1603 296 100 ENDEAVOUR MAGAZINE is published by Littlegate Publishing LTD which is a Registered Company in the United Kingdom. Company Registration: 07657236 VAT registration number: 116 776007 343 City Road Suite 10, Thorpe House London 79 Thorpe Road EC1 V1LR Norwich, NR1 1UA Littlegate Publishing Ltd does not accept responsibility for omissions or errors. The points
stories of companies working to make real differences in their communities. For some
of view expressed in articles by attributing
this push is more genuine than for others,
writers and/or in advertisements included in this
but in the cases where it is, staggering
magazine do not necessarily represent those of the publisher. Any resemblance to real persons,
change can and is being made around the
living or dead is purely coincidental. Whilst
world. Overall, this culture of CSR seems
every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of
to be more heartfelt and central than ever,
the information contained within this magazine,
with the financial bottom line not always
no legal responsibility will be accepted by the publishers for loss arising from use of information
being a company’s emotional bottom line.
published. All rights reserved. No part of this
This month, we were happy to speak with
publication may be reproduced or stored in a
OW Logistics, a logistics company for small
retrievable system or transmitted in any form or
ALICE INSTONE-BREWER
by any means without the prior written consent of
to medium importers between Asia and
the publisher.
North America, who are as invested in their
Copyright © Littlegate Publishing Ltd 2018
support of a Sri Lankan orphanage as they Endeavour Magazine | 3
CONTENTS
NANDO’S SA FEATURES
BIOTHERM ENERGY 4 | Endeavour Magazine
14 OW Logistics ‘Speaking Fluent Customer’ 24 Building Defence Systems Securing The Future 32 BioTherm Energy Making The Change 38 Nando’s SA Saviours Of Local Flavour 44 Sian Roses The Smell Of Success 52 Indoguna Celebrating 25 Years 58 Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co. Singapore Digging Deeper 72 Tanzania Chamber of Minerals and Energy Dedication To The Core 78 Safair Up, Up And Away 84 Bidvest Panalpina Logistics A One-Stop Solutions Shop 92 Kuwait Airways A Benchmark For The Skies 98 Bharathi Cement Cementing The Future
SHANGHAI TUNNEL ENGINEERING CO. SINGAPORE
ARTICLES Business Headlines 6 Africa 7 Americas 8 Asia 10 Europe 11 Middle East 30 50 90
Amazing World Helping Hands Winter Customs Around The World Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
68
Automotives Ford Mustang 2.3 Turbo 6 Speed Manual
INDOGUNA Endeavour Magazine | 5
BUSINESS HEADLINES AFRICA ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES SEARCHES FOR AFRICAN CONNECTIONS Ethiopian Airlines is accelerating its strategy of new African routes to soak up
what is happening in the country. Because
Its initial implementation date was
of the economic crisis, now the association
pushed from May 1, following a series of
is not functional as before. We no longer
blunders during the bill’s drafting period.
have subsidies. We just manage”, said Adèle
Monthly minimum wage is “the lowest
Mpinga, President of the association.
wage that an employer is allowed to pay;
traffic on the continent and fly customers
Most social groups in the city are folding
towards its more lucrative flights to rapidly
up due to the economic crisis, deepening
expanding Asian markets.
the social marginalization of women.
determined by contract or by law.” Its
supporters
say
it
will
reduce
inequality and stimulate economic growth.
With a long-delayed African “open skies”
Despite the hurdles, women feel the
However,critics say it could lead to increased
revolution still mired in red tape, Ethiopian
need to be protected more than before. The
unemployment, already at record highs, with
has been snapping up stakes in small carriers
economic crisis also means, this social group
some employers unable to afford higher
around the continent to pre-empt potential
cannot afford a meeting place of their own.
wage bills.
rivals and become the dominant pan-African airline. The carrier is in talks with Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Republic and
The Association might be shattered but leaders say they are not defeated. They hope to continue to fight for the rights of
KENYA AND MOZAMBIQUE SIGN VISA WAIVER AGREEMENT
women.
Djibouti about either launching airlines or
Kenya and Mozambique have concluded
securing landing spots.
a deal that removes visa requirements for
CEO Tewolde GebreMariam said in May
citizens of both countries.
the airline was looking to set up carriers in
The visa waiver agreement, signed in
Equatorial Guinea and Guinea through joint
the presence of Kenyan president Uhuru
ventures.
Kenyatta and Mozambique president Filipe
“The task of African integration is not
Nyusi, is aimed at easing trade and travel
easy,” Tewolde said in an interview. “The
between the two nations.
context is the need for air transport. There
‘‘This is the right step towards facilitating
is huge demand. We are responding to it.”
people to people contact, as well as
Ethiopian’s push comes as Middle Eastern rivals who expanded heavily in Africa are feeling some pain from overcapacity, while African carriers such as South African
enhancing trade between our two nations,”
SOUTH AFRICA PRESIDENT SIGNS $266 MINIMUM WAGE BILL
Airways and Kenya Airways are on the back foot after losing money for years.
The activities of most social groups
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa media portals in the country reported. The new minimum wage of 3,700 rands (about $266) a month is expected to take
ties, and cherish cultural ties like the Mozambique and Kenya. Both presidents attended a KenyaMozambique business forum, where they challenged the private sector to exploit the trade potential between the two countries.
effect on January 1, 2019. It is set to benefit
‘‘We seek to bolster trade between
some six million workers currently earning
our two countries, and to build capacity
below the amount.
in developing our Blue Economy so as to
targeted at vulnerable people in the Republic
The minimum wage, a policy championed
of Congo is under threat due to the current
by President Ramaphosa, is seen as an
economic crisis.
important step to tackle labour instability
Children and women are the most
The two countries share historical Swahili speakers that can be found in both
has signed a new minimum wage bill, local
FIGHT FOR WOMEN’S SAFETY THREATENED BY CONGO ECONOMIC CRISIS
Kenyatta said.
and wage inequality.
unlock the great potential in our maritime resources,” Kenyatta said. President Nyusi said his country is open to sharing its experience in fishing with
affected. An Association known as a
Formulation of the minimum wage law
‘‘Woman does not cry” in Pointe Noire,
started as far back as in 2015 by the National
Both countries are keen to increase the
the economic capital, is having difficulty in
Economic Development and Labour Council
level of economic partnerships in sectors
defending abused women.
(Nedlac). Parties agreed to set the minimum
such as agriculture, agribusiness, minerals,
hourly wage rate of R20 in 2017.
tourism among others.
‘‘The association is lifeless. Tou know 6 | Endeavour Magazine
Kenya.
AMERICAS US SUED FOR $60 MILLION AFTER DETENTION CENTRE INFANT DEATH
wiping out a chunk of Monday’s gains.
documents just days before his committee
Trump’s threat came a day after GM
was joined by lawmakers from eight other
announced plans to cut 14,000 jobs and
countries for an unusual hearing related to
The mother of a toddler who died weeks
shut five facilities in North America, dealing
Facebook and disinformation in London.
after being released from the nation’s largest
a blow to the president’s promise to help
family detention centre filed a legal claim
auto workers.
seeking $60 million from the US government
The
inaugural
“International
hearing
Grand
of
the
Committee
on
GM said the moves are designed
Disinformation” was attended by lawmakers
to prepare the company for a future of
from Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada,
Attorneys for Yazmin Juarez submitted
driverless and electric vehicles. GM is also
France, Ireland, Latvia, Singapore, and the
the claim against multiple agencies. Juarez’s
responding to a consumer shift away from
United Kingdom.
1-year-old daughter, Mariee, died in May.
sedans in favor of trucks and SUVs.
for the child’s death.
Juarez’s lawyers said Mariee developed a respiratory illness while she and her
It’s not clear what subsidies Trump was referring to. A person familiar with the matter told
Family Residential Centre in Dilley, Texas.
CNN Business that GM is unaware of any
They accused US Immigration and Customs
significant federal subsidies the company
Enforcement of releasing the pair while
is receiving beyond a $7,500 plug-in tax
Mariee was still sick.
credit, which goes to the consumer, not the company.
Philadelphia. Washington-based
absence of one star witness. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was repeatedly asked to
mother were detained at the South Texas
The girl died six weeks later in
Much of the discussion focused on the
attend, but the tech company has instead dispatched one of his deputies. The committee left an open seat for the CEO, complete with a nameplate.
UNITED TECHNOLOGIES BREAKS UP United
law
firm
Arnold
Technologies,
the
84-year-
old maker of elevators and jet engines, is
& Porter said it will file a lawsuit if the
breaking itself apart.
government doesn’t settle its claim. R.
The company announced plans to spin
Stanton Jones, a lawyer at the firm, said
off its Otis elevator division as well as its
the government has six months to respond
Carrier building systems business. The
before his firm can file suit.
remaining company, squarely focused on
“Having made the decision to jail small
aviation, will be led by jet engine maker Pratt
children, the US government is responsible
& Whitney and newly acquired parts maker
to provide living conditions that are safe,
Rockwell Collins.
sanitary and appropriate,” Jones said.
Splitting United Technologies into three
ICE and other agencies listed in the claim said they wouldn’t comment on pending litigation.
TRUMP THREATENS TO CUT GM SUBSIDIES
separate public companies marks the end
UK LAWMAKER HOPES TO PUBLISH SECRET FACEBOOK DOCUMENTS
cut all General Motors subsidies after the
could make them public in December. Damian Collins, the chairman of a British
automaker announced thousands of jobs
parliamentary
cuts.
disinformation, told reporters he would
“Very disappointed with General Motors and their CEO, Mary Barra, for closing plants
committee
investigating
Corporation. “Our
decision
to
separate
United
Technologies is a pivotal moment in our history,” UTC CEO Gregory Hayes said in a statement. Investors
have
soured
on
the
conglomerate model typified by General
reviewed and stripped of personal data.
Electric, which at one point provided
Facebook has fought for months to keep
tweeted. “We are now looking at cutting all
the documents private. They are part of a
@GM subsidies, including for electric cars.”
court case in California between Facebook
GM stock declined as much as 3.8%
Jones Industrial Average, was founded in
release the documents once they had been
in Ohio, Michigan and Maryland,” Trump
on the comments. GM closed 2.6% lower,
conglomerates. UTC, a member of the Dow July 1934 under the name United Aircraft
The British lawmaker who seized a cache of confidential Facebook documents says he
President Donald Trump threatened to
of one of America’s last great industrial
and a small app developer. Collins was able to obtain copies of the
everything from movies and microwaves to mortgages, MRI machines and locomotives. Today, GE is racing to break itself apart to pay down a mountain of debt caused by poorly timed acquisitions. Endeavour Magazine | 7
ASIA TAIWAN VOTERS REJECT SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN REFERENDUMS Voters
in
Taiwan
have
retardant on a fire that has threatened
The controversy risks alienating Dolce
houses at Port Stephens, 150km (90 miles)
& Gabbana from one of the world’s biggest
north of Sydney.
luxury markets. The brand crisis deepened
rejected
The blaze was not considered an
when messages allegedly written by co-
legalising same-sex marriages in a series of
immediate threat to lives. It had burnt
founder Stefano Gabbana, which included
referendums.
through about 1,500 hectares.
offensive comments about Chinese people,
They backed the definition of marriage as the union of a man and woman.
The 737 was converted into an air tanker
went viral.
by Canadian company Coulson Aviation, and
The firm apologised for any offence but
is on contract to the NSW Rural Fire Service.
said it and Gabbana’s Instagram accounts
of same-sex unions, ordering legislation. The
The fire-fighting agency has nine other
had been hacked. It offered a fresh apology
government has said it will still press on with
water-bombing aircraft, including one with a
on Friday, publishing a video showing
new laws but they may now be weaker.
45,000-litre capacity.
Gabbana and co-founder Domenico Dolce
Last year, a high court had ruled in favour
The marriage issue was the subject of
However, spokesman Chris Garlick said
three separate referendums, which were put
the modified 737 was a “more versatile”
forward by rival camps.
option. The state’s bushfire season runs
Conservative groups asked whether
from October until April.
the current legislation - defining marriage
appealing for their “misunderstanding of Chinese culture” to be forgiven.
DOUBTS OVER CHINESE CLAIMS OF BABY GENE EDITING
as a union between a man and a woman in Taiwan’s Civil Code - should remain
Chinese scientist Prof He Jiankui claims
unchanged, whilst LGBT activists asked for
that he has helped make the world’s first
the marriage law to be amended to include
genetically edited babies. He says that the
same-sex couples.
twin girls, born a few weeks ago, had their
Results showed voters backed the
DNA altered as embryos to prevent them
conservative groups.
from contracting HIV. His claims, filmed by
The government had earlier said that the
Associated Press, are unverified and have
referendums would not affect it bringing in
sparked outrage from other scientists.
the changes required by the court ruling.
Gene editing could potentially help
One possible outcome could be that gay
avoid heritable diseases by deleting or
couples are given legal protection - but not
changing troublesome coding in embryos.
allowed to get married, correspondents say.
MODIFIED BOEING 737 FIGHTS ITS FIRST AUSTRALIAN WILDFIRE
CHINESE SITES PULL DOLCE & GABBANA PRODUCTS IN AD BACKLASH
However, experts worry that meddling with the genome of an embryo could cause harm not only to the individual but also future generations that inherit these same changes.
Dolce & Gabbana products have been
Many countries have laws that prevent
A modified Boeing 737 has been used to
pulled from Chinese e-commerce sites
the use of genome editing in embryos for
fight a wildfire for the first time, Australian
as the backlash against a controversial ad
assisted reproduction in humans.
authorities say.
campaign grows.
Prof He claims to have eliminated a gene
The former passenger jet was deployed
The firm posted videos this week showing
called CCR5 to make the girls resistant to
as a water-bombing aircraft in New South
a Chinese model struggling to eat pasta and
HIV should they ever come into contact
Wales.
pizza with chopsticks. The campaign was
with the virus. He says his work is about
accused of trivialising Chinese culture and
creating children who would not suffer
promoting unflattering stereotypes.
from diseases, rather than making designer
It can carry more than 15,000 litres (4,000 gallons) of water and fire retardant a large amount, though less than some other water-bombing planes.
The controversy came in the build up to a fashion show the Italian firm had
babies. Several organisations linked to the claim have denied any involvement.
However, officials say it offers greater
been arranging in Shanghai. The costly and
The Southern University of Science and
flexibility because it can hold up to 63
ambitious show has since been cancelled,
Technology in Shenzhen said it had been
firefighters in addition.
and local celebrities have called for a boycott
unaware of the research project and will
of the brand.
now launch an investigation.
The plane dropped several loads of 8 | Endeavour Magazine
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EUROPE VOLKSWAGEN RECALL 75,000 CARS OVER SEATBELT FAULT
the report said, with around 70,000 works just in the Quai Branly - a museum featuring art indigenous to Africa.
Volkswagen will recall about 75,000 of
recommended
French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner blamed the clashes on far-right
French
extremists infiltrating the demonstrations.
its VW Polo and Seat Ibiza and Arona cars
government return stolen artifacts to their
“Today, the far right has mobilized,” Castaner
after a seatbelt fault was exposed by a
countries of origin.
told reporters. “The security forces perfectly
Finnish car magazine test drive.
It
center, with government buildings protected.
that
the
These 26 pieces may just be the start.
anticipated this situation.”
The test drive in Finland showed that
The report suggested a three-phased
Far-right political leader Marine Le Pen
when three passengers were in the back
approach. The first, the return of “several
rejected the accusations, describing them as
seats and the car turned sharply, the centre-
symbolic pieces whose return has been
a “pathetic and dishonest” form of “political
rear seatbelt failed. A new fix would be
requested from a long time by various African
manipulation” by the government.
offered to affected UK owners, according to
nations.” Then, an international inventory of
Earlier Castaner said of the protesters:
VW. The company also said that the tests
stolen pieces. And the final phase would
“Their freedom of expression will be
were under “exceptional” conditions and had
include African nations submitting claims of
guaranteed, but it must not be exercised
not been replicated or reported elsewhere.
restitution.
to the detriment of security, public order
However,
consumer
group
Which
and the right of everybody to come and go.
questioned why Volkswagen had sold
There is no liberty without public order.”
close to 55,000 additional cars with a
RUSSIA SEIZES UKRAINE SHIPS
“potentially lethal fault” since the problem was first identified in May. An earlier cable
Ukraine’s navy says Russia has fired on
tie solution and an “informal recall” were
and seized three of its vessels off the coast
rejected by regulators. Nobody has been
of the annexed Crimea, in a major escalation
injured because of the fault. Volkswagen
of tensions. It said two gunboats and a tug
said affected customers would be contacted
were captured by Russian special forces
and could drop their cars off to VW retailers to arrange the fix, free of charge.
FRANCE TO RETURN 26 STOLEN ARTIFACTS TO BENIN
MACRON CONDEMNS PROTESTERS AFTER VIOLENT DEMONSTRATIONS
after a chase. Two Ukrainian crew members were injured. Russia is yet to comment on the claims. The crisis began when Russia accused
French President Emmanuel Macron
the Ukrainian ships of illegally entering its
condemned protesters who brought central
waters and stopped them from sailing into
France will return 26 works of art to
Paris to a halt amid claims that the far right
the Sea of Azov.
Benin more than a century after it took them
had infiltrated the march, which turned
from the west African nation.
violent.
The Russians placed a cargo ship under a bridge in the Kerch Straight. It is the only
President Emmanuel Macron ordered
“Thank you to all our law enforcement, for
the pieces returned “without delay” to the
their courage and professionalism. Shame on
former French colony, according to a report
all the people who assaulted them,” Macron
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko
commissioned by the French government.
tweeted. “Shame to those who voluntarily
later called an urgent meeting of his “war
assaulted citizens and reporters. Shame on
cabinet”, his spokesperson said.
The pieces have been in France’s possession for 126 years, ever since they
those who tried to intimidate our elected.”
access to the Sea of Azov, which is shared between the two countries.
The Ukrainian navy issued a statement
were taken from the palace of King Behanzin,
The demonstrations included protesters
that the Berdyansk and the Nikopol gunboats
who was deposed and exiled when France
lighting fires and police using tear gas and
were hit and disabled as they tried to leave
claimed the region as a protectorate in 1894.
water cannons to disperse them. One-
the area. It said the tug was forced to stop.
Macron’s decision to return the artworks
hundred and thirty people were arrested
“There is also information that two
stems from a report authored by French
in protests across France, with 42 detained
Ukrainian sailors were injured,” the statement
historian Bénédicte Savoy and Senegalese
in Paris.
said. Meanwhile, Russia’s FSB security
writer and academic Felwine Sarr. French
Police said they have mobilized 3,000
service said that the three Ukrainian vessels
collections now house at least 90,000
officers in Paris to contain 8,000 protesters.
were returning home, Russia’s Ria Novosti
pieces originating from sub-Saharan Africa,
A security perimeter was set up in the city
news agency reports.
10 | Endeavour Magazine
MIDDLE EAST 100 + WOUNDED IN ALEPPO GAS ATTACK
The government said in May it planned
at the time. It’s unclear if Saudi Arabia plans
to ease that policy. Detailed rules approved
to keep increasing production, or if it is still
by the cabinet on Saturday offer five-year
supplementing supply from inventories.
More than 100 people were wounded in
residency to owners of UAE real estate
A Saudi Arabian oil official declined to
Syria’s Aleppo in a suspected toxic gas attack
worth at least 5 million dirhams ($1.4
comment.
which the government and its ally, Russia,
million), as long as ownership is not based
blamed on insurgents.
on loans, state news agency WAM reported.
A
health
Renewable 10-year visas will be provided
production strategy. Saudi Arabia has already
difficulties,
to foreigners with investments in the UAE of
said it supports a drop in output and has
eye inflammation and other symptoms
at least 10 million dirhams, if non-real estate
pledged to reduce shipments by 500,000
suggesting the use of chlorine gas. Rebel
assets account for at least 60 percent of
barrels a day in December, compared with
officials denied the allegations and said their
the total. Investors can bring spouses and
November. Key decision makers will be at
forces did not possess chemical weapons.
children into the country.
the G20 summit in Buenos Aires later this
suffered
Russia’s
in
Aleppo
6 in Vienna to discuss the group’s 2019
said
victims
official
OPEC and its allies meet December
breathing
defence
ministry
said
its
Other rules offer five-year visas to
warplanes bombed militants in the insurgent
entrepreneurs and 10-year visas for scientists
stronghold of Idlib who it accused of firing
and researchers with top qualifications.
poison gas at Aleppo.
Outstanding students can stay for five years.
Major-General Igor Konashenkov said
week, in a meeting that may well decide the direction of oil prices in 2019.
UAE RELEASES BRITISH ACADEMIC JAILED ON SPYING CHARGES
Moscow sent advance warning to Ankara, which backs some rebel factions and helped
The British academic jailed for spying in
broker a ceasefire in Idlib.
UAE has thanked his “brave and strong” wife
A monitoring group said air strikes hit
Daniela Tejada for helping secure his release.
rebel territory in northwest Syria on Sunday
Matthew Hedges, 31, landed back at
for the first time since Russia and Turkey
Heathrow Airport on Tuesday morning after
agreed a buffer zone there in September.
receiving a pardon. He said: “I could not
State news agency SANA said on
have done this without Daniela. I hear her
Sunday 107 people were injured, including
face is everywhere.
children, after militants hit three districts
“She is so brave and strong, seeing her
with projectiles containing gases that caused
and my family after this ordeal is the best
choking.
thing that could have happened.
It marks the highest such casualty toll in
Mr Hedges, who was arrested at Dubai
Aleppo since government forces and their
airport in May, said he was innocent and
allies clawed back the city from rebels nearly
had been researching the country’s security
two years ago.
UAE SEEKS EDUCATED FOREIGNERS WITH LONG-TERM VISA SCHEME The United Arab Emirates will offer longterm visas to rich property investors, senior
SAUDI ARABIA SAID TO BE PUMPING MORE OIL THAN EVER
strategy as part of his PhD studies at Durham University. However, a spokesman for the UAE government said Mr Hedges
Saudi Arabia is pumping as much as
was “100% a secret service operative”.
11.2 million barrels of crude a day, the most
Following a news conference, during
since the kingdom extracted its first oil eight
which a video was shown in which he
decades ago.
purportedly confessed to being a spy, it was
scientists and entrepreneurs in an effort to
The kingdom’s production was running
announced Mr Hedges would be pardoned
support its economy and real estate market,
at about 10.8 million to 10.9 million barrels
as part of a series of orders on the country’s
which have been hurt by low oil prices.
earlier this month as it responded to
National Day anniversary.
Until now, visas for foreigners to live in
stronger-than-usual demand from clients
Mr Hedges, who had been held in
the Arab world’s second biggest economy
preparing for a disruption in Iranian supplies.
have generally been valid for only a few
Saudi Arabia was also using crude
including six in solitary confinement, arrived
years, and have depended on the main visa
from domestic and overseas stockpiles to
at Heathrow Airport and was welcomed by
holder in each family remaining employed.
supplement supply, industry executives said
his wife and members of his family.
detention
for
almost
seven
months,
Endeavour Magazine | 11
OW LOGISTICS HTTP://OWLOGISTICS.COM // 852 2742 2902
‘SPEAKING FLUENT CUSTOMER’ After 20+ years in an industry, you know that world inside and out. Surviving through its many highs and lows, one will become intimately familiar with the way business is done. WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER
OW LOGISTICS
This depth of experience will not only teach you what is profitable, but also what you consider moral – what you’re happy to be a part of, and what you’d like to see set right.
C
lose friends Eric Seamon and David Wong, co-founders of OW Logistics, decided that after two decades of these lessons, they were ready to take the risk of setting up their own company –
DISTRIBUTORS WANTED THE GLOBAL SPORTS AND LEISURE BRAND DEVELOPERS ARE ACTIVELY SEEKING DISTRIBUTORS!
one that they were happy to put their name to: “Our backgrounds were similar – we had both ‘grown up’ in the retail divisions of large 3PLs and technology companies. In particular, we had both focused on managing and marketing operations both in Asia and North America.” Over the past 20 years, the friends had both worked in the retail divisions of US$20 billion+
St Andrews
Est 1860
GOLF’S OLDEST BRAND!
logistics companies such as UPS, Sealand, Hutchison and LogNet, the retail focused supply chain technology company. In 2008, the pair opened up a new company on behalf of an American group that sold to another vast organisation after only five years. Their entire careers in logistics had been with entities of this calibre, and in 2012, they took stock of their experience, and decided that they
THE ICONIC BRAND MAKING ITS COMEBACK
wanted a change. “By that point, we were both about 45 years old, and we looked at where we were in life. We decided that we wanted to build a business that was about more than just the bottom line. In addition to building revenue fairly and honestly, we wanted to focus
GLOBALLY RENOWNED CRICKET, GOLF, AND LEISURE BRAND
on cultivating long term, personal relationships with customers, partners, vendors and staff. That was what we had in mind when starting OWL.”
global.shop247.com 16 | Endeavour Magazine
When you set out on a mission like this, you take a gamble, and Eric and David knew that ideals alone couldn’t realize their
OW LOGISTICS dreams – they needed a reliable business plan to create a sturdy
Instead of focusing on logistics-based acronyms and concerns that
foundation for the world they wanted to build. “We knew that
an importer doesn’t understand, and vice versa, OWL is able to pair
if we didn’t layer this thing and invest in technology to run it, we
their clients with staff members who have sometimes worked in an
would be like everybody else and we would be left behind. The
industry longer than the customer themselves, resulting in a better,
mission was to build something that was boutique, that was super
more relevant solution-based service.
customer focused, that was for a niche market, and was driven by
The other reason for OWL’s niche market of choice was
technology.” The company’s niche of choice was the retail sector –
the observations Eric and David had made in the industry: that
more specifically, logistic solutions from Asia into the UK and North
digitalisation was the only viable way forwards if they wanted to
America for small to medium sized importers.
compete. To this end, the company has not only classed itself as a
Eric and David selected this focus based on their previous
technology driven supply chain solutions provider, but has invested
experience in the logistics sector. “We were building the retail
in several technology companies in order to do so. “We heard the
divisions, working specifically for North American retailers buying
market, and instead of using technology off the shelf, we decided to
from Asia. So, the team we assembled, as well as our advisors and
take a more direct approach, which was to invest in modern supply
board, came from the retail logistics divisions of 3PLs and US and
chain technology companies, gain a seat on the board of those
European importers.” This experience of OWL’s leadership and its
companies and help steer them towards creating best-in-class
key staff allows the company to offer its customers something that
technology for our customers and operations.” One such company
not every logistic provider can - that is, an understanding of their
was Mercado Labs, the first affordable web-based digital platform
side of the fence. “When we use that tagline, ‘We speak fluent
for managing international supply chains for small to medium sized
Customer’, we mean that we literally have been the customer.”
importers.
This genuine insight into customers’ experiences allows OWL to
OWL has also strategically partnered through common
address their needs in a way other logistics companies may not.
ownership with 28One, a partnership sourcing company based in
Fastic Logistics Group
Innovative Logistics Solutions
FASTIC LOGISTICS GROUP are a nominated
State-of-the-art technology and human-based management • China’s premier CFS headquartered in Ningbo • 420,000sqm Container Depot serving all major carriers • 120,000sqm WH capacity, also handling eCommerce (FBA) • Present in all major Chinese port cities • Handled a volume of 1.75mln TEUs in 2017 • Customs-approved Integrated Logistics Hub
www.fasticgroup.com 18 | Endeavour Magazine
Some of our partners: MSC Evergreen Maersk CMA CGM Cosco ONE
Supervised Customhouse Warehouse enabling China Customs officers to inspect goods within their premises, making the whole process faster and in turn improving your supply chain efficiency.
GET IN TOUCH WITH US: Mr. Riccardo Cavaglià riccardo.c@fasticgroup.com +86-18969857972 +86-(0)574-87093226
Miss Jessica Qin jessica.qin@fasticgroup.com +86-13601635747 +86-(0)21-35310302
Hong Kong. “28One provides product sourcing services, managed QA operations, and vendor/product development services for many well-known retailers and brands. We believe our apparel and retail customers are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the intellectual capital and experience available within the OWL team due to its cross pollination with our retail focused sourcing sister company 28One.” Whilst it seems to have its fingers in many pies, the OWL team has also kept its vision focused. “We’re not and we’ll never be everything to everyone. Our mission is to be the best in the market we serve.” They refuse to over-extend themselves: spreading their operation too thin would run the risk of having their existing small to medium customers suffer from a split focus. OWL knows what it is they do, and they want to do it as well as possible. Starting the company without private equity or unlimited funding, all OWL could do was ask staff to take a gamble on them if they liked their model: “All of the people we hired took risks, because they were in good jobs and all we could promise them was a year’s salary with no guarantee that this was going to work.” Regarding OWL suppliers, it was important to be upfront at the beginning of business, to manage their contacts’ expectations and ask for their
Eric Seamon, Co-Founder & Managing Director
Endeavour Magazine | 19
OW LOGISTICS trust: “We had to sit down with our suppliers and say, ‘Here’s our
Studio Nine. In fact, I’d like to give a special shout out to Mr. James
business plan and all we ask is that if you join us as a supplier, you
Snyder, partner at CKR, for all his guidance and diligence in looking
may have to be patient. If it works, everyone benefits, but there’s
after our interests in the tech. investments we have made. He has
going to be times in the first year and a half where terms of 30 days
become a part of the family”.
might have to be 60 days.’ Thankfully, due to our past lives and
Amongst the support and benefits that they offer their staff,
connections with these companies and staff, 95% of them were on
David and Eric are keen to provide opportunities to learn and work
board. If it wasn’t for this trust and patience, we wouldn’t be having
abroad: “We’re actively trying to find ways for our staff to get the
this conversation.”
same gift and blessing that David and I had. Someone made the
The gamble that OWL’s original staff took paid off, and seven
decision to take a chance on us 25 years ago.” Growing up in a small
years later, that same original staff and management is intact.
town in Ohio, USA, Eric sees the decision to send him out to Asia at
Eric told us that this was due to the positive work culture that is
a young age as a catalytic moment in the growth of his career, and
encouraged. “We’ve built a familial environment here: I’m a bit of
he wants to provide the same opportunities to others by allowing
an old hippy, and our Chinese staff have adopted that mentality. We
them to relocate with the company to North America, Europe or Sri
encourage staff to take care of the one square metre around them,
Lanka. “I’m not the only one who has wanderlust, so if we can allow
and if they’ve got more to give, give more: that comes in terms of
people to nibble on that, then why wouldn’t we?”
community service, of respect to those in the office with them etc., and I’m really proud of what has happened so far.”
As well as looking after their staff and suppliers, David and Eric’s passion for OWL was about doing business in a way that
“In truth, all partners, staff and suppliers of OWL are of the
spread this goodness to their customers. More than their interest
same mind concerning how we do business. Choosing these entities
in profit, they wanted to be a company that added genuine value
has been done with purpose. This includes our outside legal team
to the industry and that treated its clients as well as it treated
in San Francisco, CKR Law, and our marketing agency in London,
its own.
CKR is a global firm of experienced lawyers with diverse international practices.
GLOBAL PRESENCE. LOCAL EXPERTISE.®
Corporate/ Transactional General Corporate & Commercial Emerging Growth Mergers and Acquisitions Data, Privacy and Security Business Technology
James Snyder is a CKR Law, LLP partner in the firm’s San Diego and San Francisco offices. James has a broad high-tech business transactions practice, with years of experience in law firms and as in-house General Counsel in San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley and with clients throughout APAC, Europe and South America.
San Diego, San Francisco +1-415-627-7264 – jsnyder@ckrlaw.com www.ckrlaw.com 20 | Endeavour Magazine
I greatly enjoy providing OW LOGISTICS’ outside General Counsel services. I work with emerging and high growth clients offering companies flexible and practical GC services from corporate finance and M&A to structuring and negotiating contracts. Having been GC for GT Nexus, I have extensive expertise in logistics that benefits OWL. As a CKR partner, I am able to leverage the knowledge and expertise of my global partners in every aspect of the law, across the globe, which is a huge benefit to my clients.
– JAMES D. SNYDER
Their dedication to their customers isn’t just lip service – recently it was put to a trying and highly costly test. The eventful ‘trade war’ that has been taking place between the US and China had a drastic impact on import tariffs between the countries, directly affecting OWL’s operations. During this current shipping season, if you didn’t get imports into the country by certain specific dates, there were 10% or in some cases 25% additional tariffs. With the next round threatened for January, it can increase to 15% more for many commodities. Eric explained that in response to this and the resulting influx of items trying to enter the US, steamship lines decreased their capacity, thus driving the market up. In total, the strains of these additional costs and the costs of securing a position on steamships had to go somewhere – either they needed to be absorbed by OWL or passed on to their customers. There had been no way to predict this situation, and OWL had to make a choice. Staying true to their word, OWL honoured their commitments to their customers and, in most cases, absorbed all or a portion of the costs themselves. This was possible thanks to OWL’s buying power and carrier relationships, as well as in many cases, the ability to subsidize ocean transport losses through other value-added services provided to their customers. One such success story and
David Wong Co-Founder & Senior VP Operations
Endeavour Magazine | 21
OW LOGISTICS proof this commitment was told to us by David Millington, Director
the conference, as well as OWL’s friends and customers, received
of Shop247. Shop247 an online UK/US retailer of home, garden,
t-shirts designed after the 1975 Rolling Stones tour jersey, and
sports and leisure products. Millington said, “We decided to do
were asked to send in selfies wearing the shirts all over the world.
business with OWL four years ago because of their retail focused
For each photo received, OWL donated US$50 to the Gangodawila
origin solutions and technology. Our relationship with OWL has
orphanage. As well as gaining a little publicity from sending their
always been good, but this summer is when we really knew that we
shirts around the world, the company donated a total of US$50,000
made the right decision.” Millington went on to say that “even in this
to the orphanage, which they were able to spend on repairing and
unprecedented peak season - which still isn’t over - we haven’t been
improving the building’s plumbing, sanitation, dormitories, library
rolled once, and haven’t paid more for ocean transport than what
and playground. They were even able to buy the girls nicer beds
we agreed to in April.”
and decorate their dormitories with fairies and princess curtains
Eric and David’s ambitions are paying off, and the company
hanging from the ceiling.
they took such a risk on is now comfortably profitable. However,
“One of the biggest satisfactions I’ve gotten in the last seven
for these partners, it isn’t just about the bottom line. With profits
years is sponsoring those 65 little girls in that orphanage in Sri
to spare, they are re-investing in the future of the business. On top
Lanka. Checking the PNL every quarter and seeing that it was
of that, they have seized upon the freedom to support non-profit
profitable pales in comparison to seeing a positive difference being
endeavours as well. The first cause OWL turned its focus on was the
made in the lives of these girls.”
Gangodawila Orphanage, an orphanage in Sri Lanka that currently houses 65 girls from ages 3 to 13.
Eric spends his time between Hong Kong, the US and his wife Thushara’s country of origin, Sri Lanka. It is because of this
As a part of their push to support this orphanage, OWL
connection to the country that David and Eric selected a Sri Lankan
launched the ‘Wear in the World? Campaign.’ The campaign was
cause as its first charity to focus on, and opened OWL Sri Lanka this
launched at the 2017 TPM conference in Shenzhen. Attendees of
summer. Support of the Gangodawila orphanage comes directly
22 | Endeavour Magazine
28one partnership
through OWL and the Wear in the World? Campaign. The company has established a non-profit branch of its operations that focuses on the various ways the company can support other initiatives in the country. Eric hopes that seeing the good being done in Sri Lanka will
“Where Experience and Solutions come together”
encourage OWL’s suppliers and customers to get involved not only in this cause, but in their own communities as well. “In my mind, if you can set that example and get people to start thinking that way, then they start looking around their own community and say, ‘Boy, there must be more than just lining pockets’, and we’re seeing that.” As well as sending funding to these other initiatives identified by their non-profit branch, the company also plans to run the Wear
Your Partners in Sourcing Focused on delivering • Tailored customer solutions • Value from concept to consumer • Visibility and control throughout the supply chain
in the World? Campaign again in 2018-19, with the aim of donating a further $50,000 to the orphanage. This year, the Rolling Stones inspired shirt will be replaced with a tie-dyed, Grateful Dead inspired design, with the Mick Jagger quote replaced by one from Jerry Garcia. This should be the next of many such drives to help not only Gangodawila but wider efforts in Sri Lanka – efforts that can only increase as Eric and David’s logistics company with a difference continues to go from strength to strength.
www.28one.com
Endeavour Magazine | 23
BUILDING DEFENCE SYSTEMS HTTP://BDSWLL.COM // 973 17 716 704
SECURING THE FUTURE We all want to put our trust in our security measures, but how can we be confident in exactly who we put that faith in? We spoke with John Benton, Managing Director of Building Defence Systems (BDS) - who have prided themselves in helping secure the Middle East for over 10 years - about what inspired him to create BDS and what it takes to keep the region safe from any threat. WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER
BUILDING DEFENCE SYSTEMS
Headquartered in the Bahrain International Investment Park and with offices across the Middle East, BDS have supplied equipment to as far afield as Afghanistan, Ethiopia and Nigeria but their home turf is the GCC. In the words of their Managing Director, John Benton; “We are a supplier of Physical Security equipment to the regions Industrial, Governmental and Critical National Infrastructure sectors, put in simplistic terms, we put in barriers that stop people, vehicles, boats, bullets or bombs.”
S
uch barriers are an important offering but this means more than just fencing. Although secure and resilient fencing of different kinds are a significant part of what they offer, it also
involves security search and detection systems, vehicle restrictions
The STANDARD for higher maritime security protection Harbor Offshore Barriers’ systems are designed and tested against attacking vessels under full power throughout impact.
Protect Your Critical Infrastructure Investments
and the required technology needed for entry point control. “This gives you a flavor of what we are about. To top this off, software and technology play a critical role in tying all the various systems together on a local, national and global scale.” John maintains that confidence in their service is the easy part and insists that one of the greatest requirements and challenges of operating a company such as BDS is predicting demand; as soon as a product is sought after, you want to be the one who can provide it, but this requires a lot of what John calls “nimble thinking”. Staying on top of current or future threats, the latest solutions to these, and an understanding of which solutions the market is currently interested in is imperative: “You go to exhibitions and expos, and walk the floor and get a feel for what the market globally is looking at. You have to be open to anything, but you also need to have a good filter, because there is a mountain of products and solutions
www.harboroffshorebarriers.com info@harboroffshorebarriers.com
out there.”
US (805) 677-2102 | Worldwide 1 805 677 2102 Europe +33 609 319 323 | Middle East +973 17 716 704
strong relationships and partnerships. “Hill & Smith’s Bristorm
26 | Endeavour Magazine
He is also adamant that the key to good business is forging product range is at the core of our perimeter security offering and they have developed products within the range based upon
strong input from BDS, so we’ve tailor made the range to reflect
must also stay aware of what the market wants – and surprisingly,
the requirements of the key markets we have exposure to. Harbor
these aren’t always the same thing. “Quite often in security,
Offshore, another partner of BDS are specialists in marine security
people don’t act until the threat has already appeared. That’s not
barriers and we were the first company to implement their
always the best thing to do – anticipation means you’re ready,
solutions in Saudi Arabia but only after years of visits and remote
whereas doing something after the fact can take a bit of time,
communication whilst they waited for their solutions and market
and that means you’re vulnerable.” This phenomenon isn’t wise,
demand to line up together. Our technology partner VidSys are
but it is understandable; when an individual, company or even a
at the forefront in terms of making security management easy for
government only have finite funds to apply to security, the priority
the operators, and the ability to react to situations much more
naturally goes to threats that people are most concerned about,
straightforward. Confidence like that in your products and partners
and preventative measures against a threat that has never been
is paramount and keeps this type of business on track.”
experienced may fall to the bottom of the pile.
One way in which John stays focused is by keeping the company
Whilst this approach persists, it was this exact response to
centred around the area they have always worked in: physical
the perception of threat that sparked an increase in the demand
security. “As an approved vendor to a large number of the world’s
for security measures in the early 2000s. John told us about his
leading Security and Defence contractors, we have delivered to
decision to start BDS, and the move was linked to a significant
and worked on some of the region’s largest Industrial sites and that
shift in attitudes towards security in the Middle East following
experience is not only priceless but as a result of BDS maintaining
the tragic events of September 11th 2001. “I was based out in
ourselves in what we are good at,” he explains. Remaining
Saudi Arabia doing some consultancy, which was essentially
anchored in what they do best allows BDS to resist the temptation
business representation and agency identification for a number of
of spreading themselves too thin, not being everything to every
UK companies. I had a small portfolio that I represented, and the
person, but instead knowing their product areas exceptionally well.
idea was to promote them and find suitable partners to get them
As well as staying on top of the latest developments in
into new regions. This became quite heavy in companies from the
technology, regulations and potential threats, John and his team
security related industries after the events in 2001.”
Endeavour Magazine | 27
BUILDING DEFENCE SYSTEMS “The period of 2001-2003 saw a shift: what had felt like a
Individuals have certainly taken their security very seriously when
very safe environment, very low key in terms of security, suddenly
they’re travelling to this region, and you think about it a lot more
became focused on security as life changed.” Many of us remember
carefully than you would have done previously.”
this period of time, and the way that life changed as a result. From
Whilst this mentality has persisted, the sense of waiting for a
airport security to an every-day feeling, many countries felt their
threat to show itself before investing in a preventative measure
awareness of potential danger rise. From the news and politicians,
still exists. A good example of this is marine safety: several years
it entered our rhetoric, and that in turn affected our outlook and
ago, BDS reached out to Harbour Offshore, after identifying the
choices. For John, a silver lining to this unwelcome change was that
need for marine-side industries to protect themselves from threats
he found himself with a portfolio of interesting security companies,
at sea. However, it was some time before they felt the market was
in a climate of high demand for what they could offer. Instead of
ready for their solutions:
playing the middle man between entities, he decided to represent these companies himself, and so BDS was born.
“It goes back a number of years. In 2002, the USS Cole was attacked in Yemen by a very small craft that blew a hole in the
The world has of course not remained at the exact same state
side of it. It unfortunately killed several US service personnel and
of alert that occurred in the early 2000s, but some things changed
caused millions of dollars of damage. From that point, the US
for the long-term. “Security precautions in Saudi Arabia between
Navy developed their own harbor and marine protection barriers.
2002 and 2008, and since then on and off in peaks and troughs
In the late 2000s, I started thinking that something similar would
of security risk, but between those years in particular there was a
be needed in the offshore facilities that we have along the coast
high security risk, with a lot of instances of issues directed towards
of the Gulf. Many industrial sites are marine-side because they
Western interests and Western employees in particular.” John
need to bring in cooling waters from the sea. They pump these
breaks the security market into three categories – governments,
cooling waters into power stations and a variety of different kinds
corporations and individuals – and the permanent change has
of petrochemical plants etc., and it would be very easy to destroy
been perceptible in all three ever since. “People’s memories don’t
or severely damage these sites by utilizing a small craft. There is a
change, and we’ve all operated slightly differently from that point.
variety of remote-control technologies that would enable a small
28 | Endeavour Magazine
unmanned vessel to move quickly across the surface of the water to damage these facilities.”
“We have grown very quickly and many a learning curve was experienced but we have become a large enough company to
This is the sort of “nimble thinking” that John says is essential
remain a strong player in the region, whilst still being manageable
for predicting needs, and he began to research companies offering
so that BDS can continue to interact and work closely together
marine security. This search led him to Harbour Offshore, a US-
with a core and experienced team. As an SME it is ingrained in us
based company, who have worked closely with the US Navy, which
to never give up. We believe that sets us apart from our rivals as
is a testament to their expertise and the quality of their solutions.
does the overall package of capability we offer which is designed to
They devised a marine barrier that serves as a sort of ‘floating wall’
assist our clients deliver their project, from bid to project delivery.”
- this sea-bound barrier requires almost zero maintenance once
In looking to the future, BDS has the curious task of needing
it is installed, and can stand for 25+ years. “We built up a long
to predict where new threats may occur, or, more positively, where
relationship with Harbour Offshore, which is a really positive story
new developments will unfold and thus require protection. With
and we’ve been fortunate enough to represent them across the
conflict in much of the Middle East, such as in Syria and Yemen,
region for over six years. Industrial security teams are now treating
John feels that eventually, these countries will need to rebuild their
marine security seriously, and this genre of products has become a
infrastructure, and that these could therefore open up as markets
central part of BDS’ business.”
with new demand. He also told us that he believes that countries
As well as the unique complications of working in the security industry, BDS also navigates the ups and downs of
such as Oman and Kuwait may soon be raising the levels of their security to that of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
being an SME in the Middle East. The government are incredibly
Finally, the company is also looking into new technologies, such
supportive of SME’s by offering services and grants to provide
as solutions for the rising concern over drones. BDS seem set to
training for your staff, assistance with marketing grants,
keep expanding the ways they keep the Middle East safe, and may
upgrading your IT and if you hire local Bahrainis, they will assist
soon be keeping our skies as safe as our shorelines.
with government payments to support their wages for the first two years.
Endeavour Magazine | 29
AMAZING WORLD HELPING HANDS
W
BY WILL GIRLING
ith the Christmas season now pretty
far less fortunate, for whom the routines
guessed that they will provide a free-of-
much underway, many of us will be
of daily life can be an arduous mission and
charge, highly-trained capuchin monkey…
finding ourselves wishing we had
the help needed for them often exceeds
you’d be totally right. This monkey will not
a little extra help now and again. Whether
the supply available. This is where ‘Helping
only help its owner perform daily tasks,
it’s preparing a big family meal, putting up
Hands’ comes in - a group providing a quirky
but will also, as any pet owner will tell you,
the decorations or struggling to think of a
and innovative solution to a problem we
provide companionship, joy, and the strong
present to buy for that difficult cousin you
might seldom think about.
sense of purpose that looking after another
hardly see, we all hope that there will be
Starting in 1979, this company from
living thing entails.
someone who can lend a hand and make the
Boston, Massachusetts has been providing
Each monkey is raised, trained and
season that much easier.
assistance to people across the U.S. with
matched for a specific recipient. Helping
However, we should count ourselves
severe mobility impairments, such spinal
Hands will then provide extensive training
lucky that, for most of us, the added strains
cord injuries or cerebral palsy, in order to
and ongoing in-house skill development to
of the holidays are frivolous and easily
gift them with richer, more independent
the monkey as it settles in to its new home.
conquerable. All around the world are others
lives. You might wonder how? Well, if you
Frequent medical and behavioral checks
30 | Endeavour Magazine
they can adapt to new environments
basic learning skills. Next is the ‘B-Room’:
quickly. These monkeys also have a friendly
here they are taught voice commands
disposition that makes them easy to train
(for example: ‘sun’ means ‘turn a light on’)
and domesticate, in contrast to other,
and gain experience in using household
more aggressive members of the primate
objects correctly. Finally, the monkeys are
world. They are also noted for their ability
introduced to the ‘Apartment’ environment,
to identify and utilize crude tools, such as
a reconstruction of a typically cluttered and
using rocks to break open nut-containing
complicated house environment where all
fruits. Further studies on the capuchins’
their training comes together. Graduates of
intelligence has revealed that they possess
the Monkey College are able to competently
some skills of rationalization previously
operate refrigerators, CD Players and
considered exclusive to humans, such as
televisions, as well as both manual and
understanding currency exchange and price
electronic wheelchairs.
fluctuations.
Helping Hands truly is a remarkable
Helping to sculpt the monkeys’ natural
and unique charity, especially when one
talent and curiosity is the Monkey College,
considers that these incredible monkeys and
located at the ‘Thomas and Agnes Carvel
their training are provided at absolutely no
Foundation Center’ in Boston. Highly-skilled
cost to those who need them. The charity
trainers are paired up with the capuchins
depends on generous donations from the
are also provided, ensuring that both the
to develop them into the capable and
public to keep their services available, and I
monkey and their client are getting along
dependable service animals they’re required
certainly hope that Monkey College will not
perfectly with each other. Capuchins can
to be. The Helping Hands website (www.
stop producing bright new graduates. Losing
have a lifespan/active service in excess
monkeyhelpers.org) assures the public that
one’s independence is one of the worst
of 20 years, and when they are finally too
each monkey is allowed to learn at its own
consequences of a mobility impairment,
old to work, Helping Hands ensures that
pace in a program with a gradually steeper
but it is heartening to know that there are
they retire to loving, caring homes for their
gradient of sophistication.
groups of people who have not neglected to
autumn years.
Much
like
human
universities,
the
research new solutions. Perhaps the silver-
So, why do the capuchin monkeys make
capuchins will be trained for 3-5 years until
lining is that those who need these monkeys
such fantastic helpers? Originally from
they are acclimatized to functioning within
most will gain not only the daily assistance
South America, capuchins are exceptionally
a home-like setting. Their first learning
they need, but also a friend for life.
clever animals, with the species generally
environment is dubbed ‘The Cubicle’, an
maintaining its numbers in the wild despite
empty room bereft of distractions; perfect
the erosion of their natural habitat, because
for letting the monkeys develop their
Endeavour Magazine | 31
BIOTHERM ENERGY HTTPS://BIOTHERMENERGY.COM // 27 011 367 4600
MAKING THE CHANGE With climate issues increasingly in the news and on our minds, the shift towards renewable energy is ever more pressing. However, it isn’t only good for the planet – it can also be good for business. We spoke with Jasandra Nyker, CEO of BioTherm Energy, a pan-African renewable energy development and investment platform who turned their attention away from gas and towards a greener, richer future. WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER
BIOTHERM ENERGY
Founded in 2003, South African company BioTherm Energy initially focused on the development of gas and waste heat cogeneration projects. However, in 2011, the company was restructured and refocused: as concerns about sustainability began to gain real attention around the world, the company transformed themselves into a renewable energy platform, with a new focus on producing and supporting solar and wind power in particular.
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and maintenance, and asset management and administration. They are involved with projects both throughout South Africa and further afield, once their various developments and expansions CEO Jasandra Nyker has been with the company since its transformation: “I came in as part of its turnaround efforts. I have been in the clean energy sector since 2005 and I have worked in Kuwait, the United Kingdom, the USA and Brazil, investing in both small and large clean energy projects and technologies. My appointment as CEO at BioTherm was my first stint as being head of the helm.” That first ‘stint’ quickly proved successful; taking all of the experience she had gained in her previous roles within renewable energy, Jasandra was able to turn BioTherm around not only in terms of sustainability, but also in terms of profit and successful business practices: “At the time of my arrival, BioTherm had a troubled 4MW waste gas project. Today it has over 500MW’s secured, with 52MW operational, 284MW in construction and the rest in the process of reaching financial close in the short to medium term.” “I heard of BioTherm through Denham Capital whilst working in the United States. Denham, the investor behind BioTherm,
34 | Endeavour Magazine
presented an interesting proposition of turning around an existing
successfully commenced construction. We also won two bids this
development platform into a success renewable energy player on
year - our 25MW Ivorian project which is in the final rounds of
the African continent. Over the last seven years, the company
Project Document negotiation, and our 27MW of C&I projects with
has grown from strength to strength amidst some very difficult
a leading mining company here in South Africa. This is testament to
times, primarily due to delays in the rollout of renewables in Africa.
BioTherm’s ability to deliver projects in new markets.”
Today we are a leading African development and investment
“Our main objective is to reach site completion on the 284
platform and have become a formidable player competing against
MW projects currently under construction within the construction
the international utilities with their large and very strong balance
timelines we have set. We would also like to reach financial closure
sheets – a bit of an elephant and ant story!”
and commence construction on our two solar projects in Burkina
BioTherm’s head offices are located in Johannesburg, and they
Faso, one solar PV project in Ivory Coast and a private PPA project
also operate three renewable energy projects in South Africa,
in South Africa for a mining utility.” The first of their construction
situated in the Northern Cape and Western Cape. In addition,
plans in South Africa is set to reach completion and enter operations
a further four projects are currently under construction, again
in October 2019.
throughout South Africa. To date, the company does not have
Growth is the sign of a successful business, but it is also
any assets outside of the country, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t
necessary in order to compete; since the renewable energy sector
expanding: it already has a presence in Ghana, has several projects
started receiving heavier attention and investment, it has also
beginning to explore development in both Southern and East
become a competitive market, and for BioTherm, getting involved
Africa, as well as multiple projects that have reached a preferred
was only the beginning – they now need to keep up and keep ahead.
bidder in West Africa. “In August 2018, we reached financial close
Jasandra elaborated on the state of the industry: “Over the past
on four projects totalling 284 MW, awarded under Bid Window
few years, the industry has grown rapidly and become competitive
IV of the REIPPP Program in South Africa. These projects have
due to the declining costs of renewable energy technology, as well
Endeavour Magazine | 35
BIOTHERM ENERGY as potential advanced technologies such as energy storage and
energy has allowed her to foster at BioTherm. We asked her more
digitalisation to further reduce costs, spark growth and improve the
about her journey in her career leading up to joining the company’s
value and reliability of renewable energy assets.”
re-structure:
Competition is not the only issue that BioTherm has to tackle,
“After my MBA and prior to joining BioTherm, I worked in
either: “Policy uncertainty, political unrest and customer demand
London first for Lehman Brothers and then Booz Allen Hamilton,
are challenges that the sector continually faces across Africa and
where I focused on alternative energy and private equity related
globally.” In a state of political uncertainty, be it economically or
projects. In 2006, I established one of the first alternative energy
an uncertainty regarding government policy, the heavy initial
funds for one of the leading national oil companies in the Middle
investments needed to pursue renewable energy may be concerning
East, for which I subsequently led multiple alternative energy
for many. However, despite the challenges, BioTherm is not only
investments.
growing and thriving, but has successfully set multiple firsts in its
“I then joined the PCG Clean Energy and Technology Fund
industry. Out of the South African renewable energy market, it was
in the US, where I led the direct investment activities of a dual
the first company to monetise carbon credits, to complete project
focussed Fund. I played an active role in the business development,
financing of a renewable energy project, to secure three renewable
fundraising and international market rollout of many of our portfolio
energy projects in South Africa’s Department of Energy’s REIPPP
companies, and I was also a board director on four portfolio
Program, to secure a utility scale private PPA, and to win solar
companies (Brazil, US) and a board observer for three companies
projects in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire by way of a competitive
(Germany, US). During this time, I also sat as a board advisor to the
auction. It was also the first and is still the largest renewable energy
Middle Eastern investment fund in which I had previously invested.”
investment in the African continent by an international investor.
With this impressive bank of experience behind her, Jasandra
These achievements are, in part, a testament to the instincts
knew her industry well, and was able to lead BioTherm in a
and industry insight that Jasandra’s background in renewable
successful strategy that applied all of the lessons of her career.
36 | Endeavour Magazine
However, it is also a testament to the entire team, and Jasandra is
environment. I encourage employees to always provide feedback
the first to applaud their consistent work: “Our dedicated and hard-
on the company’s evolving strategy and to continually come up
working employees are the business’ greatest asset, and investment
with ways to do things better.”
in our team is vital for the success of a business. At BioTherm,
“Equally important is a shared common vision in terms of what
we understand the need for employee progression and thus we
we want to be - Africa’s leading energy development company.”
continuously provide opportunities for employees to develop
With the milestones already behind them and the broad slate of
themselves. We like to challenge our employees by giving them
expanding projects already underway, BioTherm are pursuing
the opportunities to expand their capabilities by taking on complex
this shared vision with a focused dedication. Renewable energy
project opportunities, and we also promote an environment where
is an industry that it is exciting and rewarding to see flourishing
employees can be multi-skilled.”
the world over, and its expanding foothold in Africa is a promising
In any team, full success is, of course, a result of both the
event not only for the environment, but the economy of the region.
leadership and the people themselves, and the ways in which they
Non-renewables are finite, but a solid investment in clean energy
are able to work together in harmony and towards the same goal. No
could set African countries up for the long-term. With companies
matter how hard-working the BioTherm team or how experienced
like BioTherm already chasing that goal, we look forward to seeing
their CEO, it is the teamwork that makes the difference between a
what the scope of the industry will be in five to ten years’ time.
good company and a great company. “The key is to lead by example. By showing commitment and passion about the business, it filters through the organisation and inspires and motivates the team. I also feel the key is having staff feel like it’s their own business and that they are part of writing the narrative by believing in its mission. We are fairly flat structure where we promote an open
Endeavour Magazine | 37
NANDO’S SA WWW.NANDOS.CO.ZA
SAVIOURS OF LOCAL FLAVOUR Nando’s South Africa has always stood for great food at a good price that absolutely everyone can enjoy, but things are being taken to the next level following a period of exciting rebranding that utilised local talent. WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON
NANDO’S SA
Nando’s is a fascinating company that pays homage to a tasty heritage that actually offers a surprising glimpse into how a piquant spice mix ended up migrating to South Africa, which in turn, led to the opening of a global food giant. It’s essential to understand exactly what influenced the founders of this tasty chain and luckily, Nando’s is always keen to draw attention to its roots.
I
t might be surprising to learn that a global restaurant chain,
began, a more grounded and in-touch approach has been taken,
known in countless countries as a go-to for a nutritious and
from 1987 right through until today and the results speak for
delicious meal, has a serious focus on the community that it was
themselves, but the company branding has a hidden message as
founded in, but Nando’s isn’t your average eatery and South African culture is as vital to its vibe as chicken itself!
well, “Nando’s started way back in 1987, when the first restaurant
Forget what you think you know about Nando’s, as while there
opened in Rosettenville in Johannesburg, South Africa. We’ve
is a definite multicultural element here, it was in South Africa that
come a long way since then, but we’ve never forgotten our humble
the first ever restaurant was actually opened, not Portugal, as many
beginnings. So, to remind us of our roots, all our headings are tilted
people mistakenly believe.
at an 87 degree angle, across all of our designs.”
When Portuguese explorers landed in Mozambique and added
Blink and you could totally overlook this subtle nuance,
a heady mix of garlic and fresh citrus to the homegrown bird’s
but once you know that it’s in place, it certainly elicits a deeper
eye chilis, PERi-PERi was born. Actually, it was more than born,
understanding of the intensely personal and invested feelings of
it exploded into food culture, travelling to various parts of Africa,
the Nando’s founders. It also paves the way for some interesting
until it arrived in Rosettenville, Johannesburg, in South Africa.
insights as to the new corporate identity initiative that has injected
When two friends tasted it, in 1987, they both realized that they
fresh life into an already beloved brand.
had stumbled upon a flavour sensation that the whole of South
What keeps a recognisable brand current and in the spotlight?
Africa, not to mention the rest of the world, needed to experience
A total lack of fear when it comes to a subtle reworking of the
and they set about to ensure that it happened.
existing branding and that’s exactly what Nando’s South Africa has
A lot of operations recognise that continued growth and domination rely on a blend of great products and a willingness to
embraced, while also adding an extra sprinkle of local talent and connectivity,
embrace the future, but Nando’s has taken this basic recipe and
“When we looked at refining our quirky Nando’s font, we were
added a little spice of its own by always remembering the humble
once more inspired by the tradition of sign-writing in Southern
beginnings of the company. By never forgetting where everything
Africa. So, we asked Marks Salimu - a South African signwriter and
40 | Endeavour Magazine
PROUD TO BE A SPICE SUPPLIER TO NANDO’S SA FOR 16 YEARS
AFRICA SPICE (PTY) LTD Tel 011 623 1322 Fax 011 623 2188 emil@africaspice.co.za WWW.AFRICASPICE.CO.ZA
NANDO’S SA talented artist - to help us out. Marks hand-painted all our letters
region. More than simply hanging a few pieces, however, Nando’s
and characters onto wooden panels and these were made into our
is actually the largest collector of South African art in the world,
new, refined font.”
boasting over 21,000 examples that are hanging throughout the
The delicate reworking was so cohesive that other elements
world,
were also drawn in. Most pertinently, a secondary font was selected
“We support various artist career development and art
to work alongside the master lettering and the inspiration for the
sourcing programmes, administered by Spier Arts Trust, including
final choice is extremely surprising,
Nando’s Creative Exchange. This programme creates a mentoring
“We looked to Johannesburg, South Africa (the vibrant city
opportunity for artists to develop their narratives in their work
where Nando’s was born) for inspiration and found the answer
while building the professional-practice skills vital for their career
in the road, adopting the same font that’s used on road signs
development.”
throughout South Africa. The font used is straightforward, legible and because it pays homage to our roots, it’s perfect for helping you navigate your way around Nando’s.”
And to think; you might have thought that there was little else to Nando’s than just tasty chicken! When it comes to the future, Nando’s South Africa has made
Add in some spicy new colours and bold silhouettes and
it clear where its priorities lie. Seeking to consistently improve
suddenly, Nando’s has really returned to its roots, without losing any
customer experience, while remaining authentic and true to
of the ground that it has gained in the last 30 years. If anything, the
the roots of the entire operation, it’s obvious that more local
re-focussing on local connections is an homage to the country that
cooperative initiatives will be the way forward.
not only played host to the first ever Nando’s, but also continues to inspire the evolution of the company. Having looked to local artists to create fresh fonts, it should come as no surprise that every Nando’s in South Africa is beautifully embellished with wall art created by talented people from the
42 | Endeavour Magazine
The food will always be delicious, exciting and invigorating, but by taking steps to ensure that the restaurant environments are as well, through the acquisition of regional art, Nando’s is ensuring its position as a favourite food establishment for decades to come.
SIAN ROSES HTTP://SIANROSES.CO.KE // 254 20 2170 540
THE SMELL OF SUCCESS Flowers are a thing of beauty, and for many countries, a soughtafter product. In recent issues, we have been investigating the Kenyan floriculture business, and this month we spoke with Sian Roses, a three-farm group who are using their success to support the schools and communities around their farms. WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER
SIAN ROSES
We buy cut flowers for many reasons, from decoration around the home to elaborate arrangements in religious or otherwise important buildings, as well as ceremonial milestones such as weddings and funerals. They can be a gift to a friend, colleague, relative or romantic partner, which just goes to show how many meanings and implications can be conveyed by a different flower choice.
W
hen they carry this much symbolic meaning, purchasing
groups of flowers are a classic choice in floral design, whether
the right flowers, in the right varieties, and at high quality,
you are going for sophistication, ceremony or romance. The group
is extremely important. However, not everywhere in the
cultivates their flowers on three farms, all located within Kenya:
world treats cut flowers with the same level of importance: one
Agriflora Kenya Ltd, Equator Flowers Kenya Ltd and Maasai Flowers
such country is Kenya, and yet, Kenya has a flourishing floricultural
Ltd, all of which are FairTrade certified. These flowers are enjoyed
industry.
all over the world: Sian Roses sell their crops both to the Dutch
Until the 1980s, flowers were not a recognised product on
flower auctions and directly to customers such as supermarkets
Kenya’s export market. Much of Africa does not place the same
and wholesalers. Their main markets for these direct sails are the
level of importance on cut flowers as, say, Europe and the US;
EU (Sweden, UK, Holland, Germany, France and Italy), the USA,
in Kenya this is particularly true. Flowers may be gathered to
Dubai and Australia.
decorate special events, but quantity is valued over quality, as
The group is led by managing director Naron Koimur. With a
they are seen as a disposable, single-use item and they do not
Masters in Business Administration and a Bachelors in Commerce,
carry the symbolic importance that some cultures place on them.
Haron’s 23 years of experience as an accountant and his previous
Therefore, the idea of growing flowers specifically for export did
work at the Nation Media Group Limited (NMG) and Kenya Power
not seem profitable, or even something that would find a market.
& Lighting Company Limited (KPLC) have given him the shrewd
However, the weather conditions in Kenya are perfect for such a
business sense needed to guide Sian Roses and lead it from the
crop, and after one inspired farm owner began to lobby the trade
helm. However, for the company to truly excel , this business
councils for recognition and support in growing this crop, the
savvy is combined with its staff, passionate for flowers, striving
industry blossomed into a fruitful staple of the country’s industry.
to produce the best quality they can whilst also operating both
This first farm was Oserian, which you can read more about in our
efficiently and sustainably.
October issue.
As the company states, “Sian Roses is committed to operating
Sian Roses is not only a leading Kenyan rose producer, but they
in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable
also farm and export highly sought-after Zantedeschia Calla Lilies.
manner whilst balancing the interests of diverse stakeholders. We
If you’ve ever tried to plan a wedding, you’ll know that if you want
maximize efficiency and aim for the highest shareholder return
Calla Lilies out of season, it’ll cost you. These two highly popular
whilst maintaining our company values.”
46 | Endeavour Magazine
SIAN ROSES To protect them from wind, rain and extreme temperatures,
in the greenhouses. This alternative is not only better for the crops
all of Sian Roses’ crops are grown in greenhouses, and they are
and the environment at large, but it is also cheaper! The Agriflora
transported to the airport for export in cooled and insulated trucks
farm also boasts an impressive tissue culture laboratory.
in order to preserve their quality. To keep their greenhouses green,
Equator Flowers Kenya Limited, in Eldoret, also focuses mostly
the company’s farms all recycle and re-use their drain water, saving
on roses, though it also produces calla lilies. It has also, as well as
on both water and fertilizer. They also apply a hydroponics systems
growing the company’s traditional single roses, begun a line of spray
of irrigation to again improve water efficiency, as well as to protect
roses, which feature several heads to a stem and have a slightly
the land from the strains of over-farming.
more wild or rustic look. This farm opened in 1997, two years after
So, what is the difference between Sian Roses’ three farms?
Agriflora. For over a decade, these two farms accounted for Sian
Agriflora Kenya Ltd is situated in Njoro, 20km west of Nakuru,
Roses’ entire operations, until Maasai Flowers Ltd opened in 2008.
and sits at an altitude of 2,150m above the sea level. The farm
This latest addition to the group is 40km southeast of Nairobi
was established in 1995, and has always focused solely on
and 20km south of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, well
rose production.
situated for export. The farm’s altitude is 1,750m above the sea
In order to manage pests in a green manner and to remove
level, and like Equator, grows both single and spray roses of many
the need for pesticides, Agriflora uses biological controls such
varieties. What sets Maasai apart is the farm’s propagation unit,
as an integrated pest management strategy. This approach to
which produces an impressive 1.5 million plants per year.
pest control is seen throughout many flower farms in Kenya, and
Both farms apply the same integrated pest management
involves the intentional introduction and cultivation of certain pest
systems that were introduced at Agriflora, as well as its water
populations to keep down those that would threaten the crops.
conversation and other green strategies. The farms also all involve
Agriflora Kenya Ltd uses insects called Phytoseiulus persimilis,
themselves in CSR initiatives in their local areas. Agriflora has been
which are highly successful at reducing the numbers of spider mites
involved in various school initiatives, such as their involvement
WE DRIVE YOUR SUCCESS - STARTING RIGHT AT YOUR DOORSTEP
IT’S NEVER BEEN EASIER TO MANAGE YOUR FREIGHT. We offer a Global Logistics Network with worldwide offices and distribution facilities, staffed by dedicated teams of experts. https://home.kuehne-nagel.com 48 | Endeavour Magazine
with Ogilgei primary School. In 2009, the company constructed
the Kenya Flower Council Silver Certificate for complying with
an administrative block for the school to give the teaching and
rigorous environmental standards that govern the use of pesticides,
support staff room to operate, as well as constructing a store for
conservation of water, treatment of wastewater and protection of
the staff and students alike. In 2010, they renovated classrooms
the ecosystem.
that had fallen into disrepair, and the company continues to work closely with the PTA and school board on development projects.
Moving forwards, Sian Roses are always expanding their product ranges, adding to the varieties of roses, spray roses and
This dedication to local schools is one exhibited by all three
calla lilies that they offer in order to keep up with current trends
farms, as a reflection of Sian Roses’ commitment to empowering
and to reach an ever-bigger market. As they do, we are sure they
local education. Equator Flowers Ltd aims to contribute positively
will continue to support their workers and the communities around
to its local communities by employing local people, as well as
them: as long as they continue on their current path, everything
contributing in renovation and construction work to improve
should be coming up roses!
conditions at Ainabtich Primary School. These works have included the construction of an administrative block and eight classrooms. As the company says, “We are continually committed to behave ethically and to contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families, as well as of the local community and society at large.� Thanks to both their product quality and their green and ethical practices, Sian Roses have received both local and international recognition. For example, they have received the Mileu Programma Sierteelt Good Agricultural Practice Certificate (MPS-GAP) and
Endeavour Magazine | 49
AMAZING WORLD WINTER CUSTOMS AROUND THE WORLD
BY DAVID KIMBERLEY
I
n many cultures, the coldest season is typically a time of celebration, with traditions varying from one country to
the next. These celebrations are designed to light up the dark, provide something to look forward to and boost moral in the trying months, often involving themes of food, light and/or togetherness as we gather together to shake off or reclaim the winter. In Australia, the population come from a blend of cultures and ethnic backgrounds, so their winter celebrations reflect a mixture of many different elements. However, despite December falling in Australia’s summer, Christmas is still celebrated and even features themes of fake snow. Trees are still decorated, carols are sung and gifts are exchanged; Father Christmas just has to wear sunscreen. In China, approximately two percent of the population observes Christmas as a religious holiday, although the expectation is that this number will rise as it gains popularity. The main winter festival is the celebration of New Year that occurs at the end of January. This is often known as the Spring Festival and, like Christmas, is a time for gift-giving and feasting with family. During this, ancestors are worshipped, which
a glass of milk out for the Juulnisse, shy elves
is why you will find portraits and paintings of
that reside in homes, and for Julemanden,
late relatives in every home.
their version of Santa Claus.
Denmark’s main event is the Christmas
Madeira whilst consuming baked treats. Whilst Christmas is not a major holiday in Greece, Greeks recognize St. Nicholas
The Finnish people also have a large feast
as the patron saint of sailors. Hearth fires
Eve dinner. Part of the meal is the traditional
on Christmas Eve, consuming the leftovers
burn between the 25th December and 6th
rice pudding, which is baked with a single
on the 25th December. On the 26th, it is a
January, with a sprig of basil wrapped around
almond inside. Whoever gets the almond
time for visiting friends and family, with many
a wooden cross to protect homes from the
during serving is said to have good luck for
Glogg parties taking place. This involves the
Killantzaroi - negative spirits that are only
the coming year. Danish children also leave
drinking of a mulled wine (Glogg) made from
active for the twelve days after Christmas.
50 | Endeavour Magazine
and adorning their homes with red flowers.
then finishes baking the Turta and the trees
Whilst gifts are exchanged, it is also tradition
are spared.
to give to the poor.
The big holiday in Scotland is Hogmanay,
The Italians have perhaps some of the
which is observed on the 31st December,
more diverse traditions, celebrating the
with celebrations usually spilling over into
Legend of La Befana, a kind old witch who
January. One tradition during this time is
travels the world delivering gifts to children.
known as “first-footing”, in which the first
The tale goes that on their way to Bethlehem,
person to cross the threshold of a home
the three Magi asked her for shelter, but she
brings the residents good luck for the
rejected them. Later, realizing how rude she
coming year. However, they must be dark-
had been, she tried to find them but they had
haired and male. This tradition comes from
gone, and so she roams the Earth searching
a time when the Norsemen were invading
for them and delivering gifts on her journey.
Scotland, meaning that someone entering
In Romania, winter celebrations are often linked with an old fertility ritual, as a way of
with red or blonde hair was probably a Viking.
There are, however, gifts exchanged on the
looking to the coming spring. The tradition
These are just some of the traditions from
1st January (St. Basil’s Day).
starts with a woman baking a confection
around the world, and there are many more
famously
called a Turta: as she kneads the dough, her
being observed over the coming weeks. If
brightens up the dark with Diwali, the
husband goes outside and moves from one
you find yourself in a different country over
festival of lights, during which families will
barren tree to the next, threatening to cut
the Christmas period, the best advice is to
place clay oil lamps on their rooves in honour
them down. Each time he does, she begs
embrace the festivities and enjoy yourself,
of the return of the sun. Meanwhile, their
him to spare the tree, saying ‘I am sure this
as you will most certainly be made welcome!
Christian neighbours celebrate Christmas
tree will be as heavy with fruit next spring
by decorating mango and banana trees
as my fingers are with dough today’. She
India’s
Hindu
population
Endeavour Magazine | 51
INDOGUNA WWW.INDOGUNA.COM // 65 6755 0330
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS Whilst we’re still recovering from our many Christmas dinners and weeks of delicious snacks, we turned our attention back to Indoguna – Singapore’s passionate importers and distributors of topquality foods and ingredients. From fresh meats to lovingly prepared own product brands, they have supplied restaurants across the country for 25 years. We returned to Indoguna on their Silver Anniversary to see how the company plans to celebrate. WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER
INDOGUNA
Singapore is a unique market for culinary ingredients, as the island has no agriculture of its own. Ingredients for meals must all be imported into the country, and this makes companies such as Indoguna essential. When the distribution company launched its operations in 1993, Singapore’s marketplace for meat was dominated by frozen goods, with little to no chilled or fresh goods available. There was an unmet demand for smaller quantities of higher-quality meat, and Indoguna set out to answer this need.
From this starting point, the company eventually expanded from meats to also include sea food, and from here, they continued to grow until they supplied 80% of the ingredients required to make any meal, leaving canned goods to other companies whilst they focused on everything that gives a dish its distinction. Finally, they added to their own in-house brands to their offerings, taking the high-quality produce they imported and creating delicious ranges such as Carne Meats (their butcher range), Ocean Gems (their seafood range) and Masterpiece (their range of dim sum and ready-to-use products). To read about the evolution of these operations in more detail, you can revisit our 2018 interview with Helene Raudaschl, Indoguna’s Managing Director. This year, we returned to catch up with the signature company in time for their 25th anniversary and to see if much had changed – and the changes we discovered were dramatic. Namely, since we last spoke with Helene, Indoguna has been acquired by Siam Makro, a subsidiary of CP Foods in Thailand. This acquisition has launched Indoguna’s operations overseas, taking their focus beyond their starting place of Singapore to now run additional operations in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong
“The perfect duo to complement your Fine Dining experiences” Official Waters Partner of the 2018 MICHELIN Guide Singapore Partner zone
PREMIUM PARTNER
54 | Endeavour Magazine
Kong & Macau and Dubai & Abu Dhabi. This new phase of life for Indoguna is happening under the holding company Food Service APME. We reconnected with Helene, who told us this about the holding company: “Under Food Service APME, Indoguna aims to be the market leader in providing quality food and beverage ingredients to the
food service markets in Asia Pacific and the Middle East. The aim is
end of 2018. It will be a space for providing butchery services at all
to ensure that our clients and customers have satisfaction and ease
levels for our clients there. We are excited about this opportunity,
of sourcing ingredients with the presence of the growing network
as we believe this will be the future in the food service space well
of Indoguna in Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Today, Food
into the future.” The company is also opening a similar venture in
Service APME operates Indoguna in six countries and 13 cities, and
Thailand, which will go into full operation by Q1 2019.
employs 650 employees.”
To mark their 25th anniversary, and in view of these large-scale
This development has exploded Indoguna onto Asia’s stage,
changes taking place for the company, we asked Helene what some
and the company is rising to the occasion by continuing to
of the biggest lessons were that she has learnt during her time as
innovate and create new products with as much passion as ever.
CEO, and that the company as a whole has learnt since it began.
“We are constantly innovating new products and brining the best
She listed several. Firstly, “Innovation and creativity never stops;
ingredients from around the world to our clients,” Helene tells us,
we have to continuously be innovative to stay as the market leader.”
and the company isn’t short of examples. One of their many house
This lesson was one that Indoguna shared with us when we spoke
brands, Ocean Gems, has launched a number of new products in
with them last year; as Helene explained then, Singapore’s fine
2018, and sales of that line have increased by 26% year-over-year.
dining restaurants are a small but sophisticated market, and one
As the name suggests, this line focuses on sea food; some of the
that evolves at a fast pace. Trends and public tastes change often,
new products available in this range include Hokkaido scallop,
and one must stay alert in order to keep up and keep ahead. Of
Spanish octopus, Hokkaido octopus, slipper lobster, soft shell crab,
course, innovation is only one of many approaches needed to truly
sustainable clams - whole, squid tubes, cuttlefish and live processed
stay on top of the market – you must also take care of your people,
whole, raw and cooked vannemai.
both customers and staff. Helene continued to list Indoguna’s key
On top of this new product line, Indoguna is also branching out
lessons: “Quality brings back customers and not the price; always
to a whole new area of operations: “We are building a brand-new
be true and honest to your stakeholders; our people are the biggest
butchery production in Hong Kong that is slated to open at the
asset in the company that is not on our balance sheet,” and, finally,
INDOGUNA “Follow your passion to the fullest extent, and the rest will fall in
for her, the best celebration was to see so many members of staff
its place.”
joining this Gold List.
Lessons such as these are learnt from the challenges of day to
Of course, Indoguna are currently marking more than their
day business, but they are learnt most vividly when a company goes
anniversary – it is also the winter season. Just about situated in
through a particular hardship or achieves a great victory. Indoguna’s
the Northern Hemisphere, the always sunny city-state is still
faith in and dedication to its people has been put to the test in the
technically ushering in winter, and with that comes a winter menu,
past, but they and the company have always pulled through: “We
with seasonal imports such as oysters, mussels, winter black
have been through some major crises where we have almost had
truffles, white truffles, goose, and specialty cheeses such as soft,
to retrench people, but in the end, because of team spirit and team
rich Vacherin Mont D’or. Delicious!
cohesion, we pull through each and every crisis without having
Moving forwards, Indoguna aims to continue to bring its passion,
to retrench anyone in the company.” As well as challenges, they
innovation and lovingly sourced products to restaurants and hotels
have also experienced many achievements, including recognition
around Asia Pacific and the Middle East. “We continuously plan to
of their quality and hard work through multiple awards, including
innovate, create and source quality products for our clients from
five consecutive wins of the Enterprise 50 award in Singapore!
around the world. Our aim is constantly to become the market
“Myself, I was awarded with EY Entrepreneur of the Year for F&B
leader in our field of servicing our Food Service clients.” Under
Distribution. But, awards aside, I think seeing the number of
Food Service APME, these markets could well continue to grow,
employees that have hit that Gold List is really a sense of triumph.”
and ever-adapting Indoguna are sure to be ready for them when
The “Gold List” is a list of Indoguna employees who have been with
they do.
the company for ten years and over – a figure that this year went from 23 to 40. Helene described the company’s silver anniversary celebrations as a “lavish get together with our whole team”, but
4* BAP & ASC A vertically integrated shrimp supplier
Proud supplier for Indoguna +91 98481 22339, mail@sandhyaaqua.com www.azgems.com Redlands, CA, USA Frankfurt, Germany Toronto, Canada 56 | Endeavour Magazine
SHANGHAI TUNNEL ENGINEERING CO. SINGAPORE WWW.STECS.COM.SG // 65 6392 0060
DIGGING DEEPER Singapore’s city-state island is a booming metropolis, heaving with industrial development as far as you can see. Of course, whatever goes up must come down, and no vibrant, jam-packed urban landscape can exist without its underground counterpart. A labyrinth of basements, pipeworks and tunnels snakes under Singapore, making any underground works highly challenging to carry out: that’s where experts like STEC come in. WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER
SHANGHAI TUNNEL ENGINEERING CO. SINGAPORE
Established in 1996, Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co (Singapore) Pte Ltd (“STEC”) is a leading civil engineering and construction firm in Singapore. In particular, they focus on underground works, constructing train stations and their connecting tunnels, as well as working on sewage, underground demolition and other careful, subterranean contracts. We revisited STEC Managing Director Khor Eng Leong to catch up on their current projects.
“S
TEC started off a subcontractor in one of the Land Transport Authority (“LTA”) North-East Line projects and
Our Humble Beginnings…since 1972 With history dating back to more than a quarter of a century, we are continuously looking to the future while constantly keeping tuned to the market changes in terms of products and customers’ needs. We are recognised as a highly reliable and well-stocked hardware supplier in industries ranging from aerospace, marine and shipbuilding, engineering and construction, petroleum and offshore, as well as government and Statutory boards, with a vast and diversified network in Singapore. We boast of a truly comprehensive stock and product range: Hardware Consumables: Gloves, Trash bags, Brooms, Tapes, Plastic and Canvas sheets • General Hardware: Adhesives, Sealants, Safety and Welding, Abrasives, hoses & couplings, ladders • Marine Hardware: Wire ropes, Nylon Ropes, Tiger Ropes, Chins, Blocks, Hoists • Power & Air Tools: Makita, Bosch, Hitachi, Toku, Fuji, Nitto Kohki • Machineries: Pumps, Vibrators, Ventilation Fans, Blowers, Air Compressors • Hand Tools: Elora, Ridgid, Stanley as well as Japanese and China makes
7 Woodlands Terrace Singapore 738432 Tel: 65 6748 4211 / 6748 7121 Fax: 65 6747 8026 / 6743 5460 / 6369 1937 Email: rashidah@unique.com.sg Web: www.unique.com.sg 60 | Endeavour Magazine
has never looked back since,” Khor reminded us. “Over
the years, we have been trusted by our clients to construct many of the major civil projects in Singapore.” “Today, we have successfully undertaken and completed projects for LTA, Public Utilities Board (“PUB”) and Marina Bay Sands (“MBS”). Our involvement in all the major LTA Mass Rapid Transit (“MRT”) lines, from North-East Line to the current ThomsonEast Coast Line, is a testament of our client’s confidence in our technical capabilities and competencies in handling and delivering large infrastructure projects.” The company has had great success working in the utilities and infrastructure sectors; their current slate involves work for the Public Utilities Board and a whole range of contracts for the Land Transport Authority (LTA). Their contract with the Public Utilities Board involves the design and construction of a tunnel network for a deep tunnel sewerage system, including a 6km South Main Sewerage Tunnel, a 5.5km South Linkway Sewerage Tunnel and fifteen working shafts, as well as two 3.0m diameter slurry TBMs and three 3.3m diameter slurry TBMs. This huge undertaking represents a contract value of S$472.17 million, and is yet another opportunity for STEC to put their expert knowledge of Singapore’s underground challenges to the test.
Established
in
1979
by
Founder
and
With the legacy of Chin Yuan Metal well in
Chairman Mr. Lim Sen, Chin Yuan Metal has
place, our Executive Director Ms. Dolly Lim
established itself as one of the leading bolts
embarked on a bold move to pursue and
& nuts manufacturer within the region. Its
expand the business into steel fabrication.
humble beginnings from a trading house to
This decision 8 years ago created a synergistic
a full fledge manufacturing facility catapulted
approach in our business model.
the brand name of ‘’CYM” within the Oil
Today, all our fabricated and installed steel
& Gas, Construction, Marine and Tunnel
structures are paired with “CYM” bolts and
Industries. Not contented, the business
nuts to further strengthen our position in the
further expanded with an in house coating
market. This is in line with our customer-
facility to provide coating services such
centric approach, providing our clients with a
as PTFE (Fluorocarbon), Zinc Flake (Zinc
total end to end solution from material supply,
Aluminium), Cadmium and Zinc Electroplating.
manufacturing to on site installation. We strive
Mr. Lim Sen’s keen eye to details and always
to be structurally sound and continuously
wanting to explore for new possibilities are
committed
key ingredients to the company’s success
stones to every successful project here at
story today.
Chin Yuan Metal.
as
these
are
the
corner-
Our Vision To play a key role in building Singapore and the Southeast Asian region Our Mission To combine our know-how and determination, and provide solutions for our customers Our Values Customer Focus: Demonstrating Excellence, Quality & Reliability People Focus: Having Integrity, Passion & Compassion Solutions Focus: Being Collaborative, Resourceful & Agile
STRUCTURAL STEELWORKS
BOLTS & NUTS
COATING SYSTEMS
PIPE ACCESSORIES
TUNNEL & RAIL SYSTEMS
Specialist Builder of Structural Steelworks Leading Manufacturer of Bolts, Nuts, and Tunnel & Rail Systems www.chinyuanmetal.com | 18 Tuas Street, Singapore 638455 Tel: (+65) 62650550 / Fax: (+65) 6262 0550 | Email: sales@chinyuanmetal.com
SHANGHAI TUNNEL ENGINEERING CO. SINGAPORE Most of their current work, however, is with Singapore Land
do. Shenton Way Station will be built at a depth of 42m, with two
Transport Authority, in particular, the Thomson-East Coast Line.
adjacent stacked bored tunnels totalling 2.26km built to connect
The company currently has four major contracts with the LTA,
Maxwell Station to Marina Bay Station. Also included in the same
including one that carries particular complications. Rising to
agreement is the demolition of the iconic Golden Bridge currently
these complications, the project has allowed STEC to showcase
standing at Shenton Way. The build will take place on reclaimed
some of its latest in technological innovations. In total, these four
land, originally the Telok Ayer Basin in the 1950s, meaning extensive
contracts represent a value of S$1.379 billion (over US$1billion).
ground improvement works have been required to ensure that the
The first, worth S$421.58 million, is to design and build 6.15km
build will be safe, as well as bored piling work. As Khor explained,
of bored tunnels extending from Woodlands Station towards
“The greatest challenge was the high-risk mining works that under-
Woodlands South Station, and between Woodlands South Station
crossed the ‘live’ East-West Line Tunnels, which sit a mere 3.5m
to Sembawang Airbase. Another, worth S$293.45 million, is to
above the T225 tunnel. In addition, we also tunnelled beneath a
construct Katong Park Station and twin bored tunnels to connect
series of historic pre-war houses located within URA conservation
between the adjacent Tanjong Rhu Station and Amber Station,
district.” Even the demolition of the Golden Bridge itself was a huge
as well as two cross passages. Meanwhile, in collaboration with
health and safety undertaking; the feet took a year and a half to
another prominent civil contractor, they have also been appointed
plan, and took place during the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays
to construct the future Bayshore Station, including an additional
in 2015.
1.7km of connecting tunnels. This contract not only includes the
Due to these safety concerns and structural obstacles, the
stations’ five entrances and their connecting tunnels, but also
S$368.16 million contract has called a range of safety innovations
requires the construction of an escape shaft, near to Bedok South
into play: “T225 supports and fully endorses the National Workplace
Avenue 1. Overall, this contract represents S$295.86 million.
Safety and Health Campaign’s ‘Vision Zero’ movement, with the
However, it is another contract – contract T225, for the Shenton
message ‘Prevent all injuries. Go home safe and healthy’, as well
Way Station - that is truly pushing the company to show what it can
as LTA’s ‘Zero Accident Movement’.” One of the most innovative
64 | Endeavour Magazine
solutions that have been applied to the projects has been the use of virtual reality (“VR”). As Khor explained, “Virtual reality has added a new dimension to workplace safety training. This technology created simulations of high risk and common accident-prone activities in a 3D interactive environment, instilling the workers with the dangers of failing to adhere to good safe practice.” As well as using VR to really drive the message home, STEC also trained and prepared their staff with animations and safety videos at the T225 training centre. Meanwhile, when it comes to the work itself, T225 has applied the use of drones to mitigate the risk of accidents and injuries by allowing views of the worksite not possible for personnel to navigate and access. Oscilloscope sensors were also installed at the tunnel boring machine cutter head, which STEC used to detect metal obstructions that may have otherwise caused any unplanned downtime while they were under-crossing 23 fragile premises. Photo beam sensors were introduced to provide real-time monitoring and alarms as the Station diaphragm walls were only one meter away from the glass façade of the adjacent development to prevent machinery straying beyond the work boundaries. Finally, in-cabin camera systems monitor the activity of excavators and
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Endeavour Magazine | 65
SHANGHAI TUNNEL ENGINEERING CO. SINGAPORE gantry cranes to encourage safe behaviour through promoting
Authority Annual Safety Award Convention (“ASAC”) Challenge
accountability.
Shield for the same three years. On top of this, they were awarded
This range of features shows that safety lies in two areas: technical accuracy, and human effort. Through training staff, raising
the Best Theme Presentation award twice, and went on to win the ASAC Champion Shield in both 2017 and 2018.
their awareness and monitoring their work, STEC has produced
Whilst awards and accolades are appreciated, and even though
staff that are both equipped and motivated to operate to the
this recognition has been well-earned, they are not the goal for
highest safety standards. This is essential to STEC, who, given the
STEC: for the company, the purpose of their safety standards is not
highly skilled and dangerous nature of their work, place a strong
to receive praise, but to protect its employees and the projects of
importance on promoting safety at work: “Other than our successful
its clients. Achieving this goal is the greatest reward the company
track records, we are a company with a strong Workplace Safety,
can receive, and the greatest claim for it to take pride in; through
Health & Environment (WSHE) culture. Our many WSHE initiatives
the efforts of its safety culture, both the organisation itself and
and continual improvements form the cornerstone of this culture
its subcontractors have successfully maintained a rate of zero
and a foundation of WSHE success.”
major WSHE statistics, as well as 5.8 million accident-free worker
Thanks to these various efforts to encourage safety and a sound
hours. When dealing with work as full of risk and complication as
working environment, the T225 project has received numerous
underground construction, the ability to make this claim makes
awards, particularly over the past three years: they have received
STEC a highly attractive company to work with. Continuing to place
the Safety and Health Recognition Award for Projects (“SHARP”),
their emphasis here will continue to not only safeguard their staff
presented by Work Place Safety and Health Council in collaboration
and the projects they are undertaking, but it will also safeguard
with the Ministry of Manpower (“MOM”), in three consecutive
their reputation and continue to promote them as one of the
wins from 2016 to 2018, and they also won the Land Transport
leading contractors in their region – a testament to the importance
Authority Construction Safety & Environmental Awards for the
of working responsibly and well, no matter the cost.
past three years, as well as being finalists for the Land Transport
Specialists in: • • • • • •
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66 | Endeavour Magazine
INTEGROUS. RELIABLE. COMPETITIVE. INNOVATIVE.
Specializing in all metal fabrication, structural and architectural metal works with integrity, reliability, competiveness and innovation 31 Gul Drive, Singapore 629479 Tel: 6863-0606, Fax: 6863-4863 E-mail: omnimetal@omnimetalgroup.com
AUTOMOTIVES FORD MUSTANG 2.3 TURBO 6 SPEED MANUAL
Max Power PS: 290 Combined MPG: 32 RRP on the road £37,045 There are few cars I have tested this year that I haven’t wanted to give back, but the Mustang 5.0l V8 was one. What an eye-wateringly marvellous car that is; you can read about me gushing over it back in our June issue this year! Not only did that car have stunning good looks, but it had an engine that other cars long for. As you can imagine, then, I was over the moon when our 2.3 turbo version Mustang arrived in the beautiful Kona dark blue, with black wheels and a gorgeous black and brown interior. I had organised a 400-mile road trip though all manner of roads, to really see how the 2.3 version behaved. This car looks every bit a classic slice of American muscle. The poised and aggressive exterior is set off beautifully with the soft and comfortable interior. For a two-door sports car, the cabin is large and will comfortably seat four adults, and the interior is a great 68 | Endeavour Magazine
mix of quality materials and practicality
gear, but to get the very best out of the 2.3
throughout.
you wring her out in each gear and then she
This Mustang is an everyday, car as it doesn’t have the annoying characteristics of
will howl and fly. Our test vehicle averaged 32 mpg, which is surprisingly good.
many of the other sports cars. It has good
Whilst the looks are amazing, I must
ground clearance and visibility, it’s very easy
admit that I was disappointed by the exhaust
to drive and, to my surprise, can be parked in
noise, as it was just too quiet. At tick-over,
a tight modern multi-story carpark.
the Mustang sounds like any modern-day
The engine is a sweet 2.3 petrol unit
car, and it’s only when you boot it does it
with twin-scroll turbocharger strapped on
start to sound how I think she should. A car
and it will wind up from 25 MPH in sixth
like this needs to sound like a V8 even if it
isn’t. That said, my wife loves the 2.3 for
As I mentioned back in June’s issue, I
V8 and you will gain about 10 miles per
being classy and quiet, whereas I like the
tested the 5.0 litre V8 Mustang and I fell
gallon better economy. Even so, the V8 thrill
over stated and loud V8. I guess it’s horses
head over heels in love with that car. The
factor is priceless.
for courses.
throb from the torque of that beast was
All Mustangs offer great value for money
You have a choice of driving modes for
nothing short of intoxicating, so the little 2.3
and nothing can touch them. They look and
the 2.3 that range from Normal, MyMode,
always had a hard battle to win my affection.
feel wonderful but if I was to spend my hard-
Snow/Wet, Sport+, track and Drag modes.
However, towards the end of the test week,
earned money, I would have to go with the
All of these offer a slightly different driving
it had. It’s a very usable and practical sports
V8. I suspect that if I were to be looking to
experience; however, I found it spend 90%
car that is easier to drive fast than its bigger
buy this style of car, I would be happy to
of the time in Normal, as the mode does
brother, as it is more forgiving.
accept the lower MPG for the real muscle
everything well.
The 2.3 is around £4k less than the big
sensation. Endeavour Magazine | 69
Making life easier for fleet managers everywhere
TANZANIA CHAMBER OF MINERALS AND ENERGY HTTPS://TCME.OR.TZ // 255 22 2667594
DEDICATION TO THE CORE The mining industry in Tanzania is critical, in terms of supporting the local economy, so it makes perfect sense that an overseeing body would be put in place to protect the interests of everyone, at every level. Endeavour Magazine spoke with Gerald Mturi, Executive Head of the Tanzania Chamber of Minerals and Energy, to find out if there are any innovations or challenges on the horizon. WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON
TANZANIA CHAMBER OF MINERALS AND ENERGY
The Tanzania Chamber of Minerals and Energy may have only been brought into being in 1994, but don’t let their relatively short operating span fool you into believing that developments haven’t been made.
O
riginally founded in order to ensure that its members’ interests
who have identified Tanzania as a worthwhile place to invest their
were represented within the Tanzanian mineral sector,
money. These companies are carrying out a range of activities
the Chamber essentially gives a voice to everybody, from
within the mining sector from exploration to production.”
stakeholders through to investors and even mediates between governmental bodies and mining operations as well.
Mining is a complex industry to navigate, what with a number of different operational and investment tiers to take into account
Naturally, with communication playing a major role in the day-
and then there’s the fact that Tanzania is a very attractive prospect
to-day business of the Chamber, highly experienced, dedicated and
for international investors as well. Being able to draw up a
responsible professionals were needed to get on board, and Gerald
comprehensive communications strategy is vital; one that will reach
Mturi proved to be the exact calibre of management material
local businesses as well as foreign parties, which is why promoting
required:
the current ongoing mining projects in the country is a top priority
“I have been an executive of the Chamber since September
for Gerald:
2016, taking over from Eng. Emmanuel Jengo who worked for the
“As of now, we have five large-scale gold mines and one large
TCME for 17 years. Before joining the TCME I worked for Resolute
scale diamond mine. We have one world-class uranium project and
(Tanzania) Limited, a subsidiary of Resolute Mining Limited of
one world-class nickel project. These two are currently under care
Australia for 16 years in various capacities, and my background is
and maintenance, due to low commodity prices, but it’s expected
firmly in accounting.”
that as soon as prices improve, mines will be constructed in the two
It’s no mystery why Gerald was considered to be the man for
project areas. There are also two advanced graphite projects and
the job. With a wealth of experience within the mining industry
three others. There is one iron and one coal (advanced) project, and
already and qualifications relating to high-level accounting, he was
our plan is to develop them together. The coal project will feed a
perfectly positioned to inject new life into the Chamber:
coal-fired power plant whose electricity will run a steel smelter to
“Currently we have about 42 members and are looking to expand when new projects come online. There is the potential to have more than 60 members in the next few years.”
process the iron ore. There are also many other small and medium gold, rare earth and gemstone projects.” Far from being a one-trick pony, Tanzania’s mining industry is
We can well believe that expansion is on the cards, especially
offering a wide range of potential finds and savvy investors are
when you understand exactly who the Chamber seeks to represent
frequently seeing the sense in offering their knowledge and financial
and bring together:
backing to mining operations within the country. As Gerald says,
“The Chamber represents a broad spectrum of relevant players
“Tanzania is a country where mining investors can come and
in the mining industry, including small-scale miners, individuals,
invest. The country has a rich geology with a lot of potential for
service providers and international mining companies of all sizes
hosting world-class mines and it currently has a firm and strong
74 | Endeavour Magazine
TANZANIA CHAMBER OF MINERALS AND ENERGY government, which is anti-corruption. We have just revived our
sustainable social development, commercial practices, building
mining legislation and there are some piquant changes that people
capacity in the workforce and working in partnership with
will definitely want to know about.”
educators and students.”
You might be thinking that it’s a little strange that the Chamber
This small part of the Chamber’s mission statement is a
would be so happy for external investors to come in, but regardless
worthwhile endnote, as it succinctly demonstrates that Tanzania
of where the funding comes from for new exploration projects, the
is doing things that little bit differently. Safety, the future and
benefits to local communities will always be felt, while also keeping
education are central concerns, and if that isn’t a good enough
the industry as buoyant as possible. Gerald explained a little further,
reason for outside investors to take some serious interest, then we
“Mining provides employment, generates foreign exchange and
don’t know what is.
generates taxes for the country. Profits always eventually trickle
In terms of securing a profitable, informed and progressive
down to support social economic projects and give back to the
industry within Tanzania, Gerald and his team at the Chamber are
communities close to successful projects.”
ready for whatever the future will bring, and will be consistently
With a comprehensive mission in place to represent, educate,
striving to improve the mining sector from the inside, out. We look
mediate and protect every facet of the mining industry in Tanzania,
forward to revisiting the Chamber to see the results, especially
the Chamber of Minerals and Energy has been focussing on the
when commodity prices improve and resting mines are opened
elements that will best serve the interests of its members. Critically,
back up for new exploration projects.
this includes: “Encouraging all members to achieve best practice, in accordance with the Chamber’s commitments and in all aspects of their business, with special emphasis on Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S), environmental conservation and land management,
Proud to be a member of the Tanzania Chamber of Minerals www.panafricangroup.com 76 | Endeavour Magazine
SAFAIR HTTPS://WWW.FLYSAFAIR.CO.ZA/ // 087 135 1351
UP, UP AND AWAY Having soared to amazing heights within the aviation industry, Safair is showing no sign of slowing down, as it now wants to be South Africa’s favourite airline, bar none. WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON
SAFAIR
Safair is a South African institution with a serious amount of heritage, having been an aviation industry innovator for over 50 years. Far from simply choosing one element of this specialist arena to focus on, many different facets have come to be mastered, in a bid to offer greater consumer satisfaction and market share monopoly and it has worked to incredible effect.
1
965 was an exciting year for South Africa, with Safair setting
Kulula and have done work for Air Namibia, South African Airways
out to change the landscape of aviation endeavours forever,
and Ryanair, to name a few.”
but not just in terms of passenger aircraft. It shouldn’t come
It has to be the ultimate accolade when industry peers choose
as a surprise that effective cargo transportation has long been
to work with what should be a competitor, to ensure the seamless
considered vital for economic stability and as such, Safair offered
continuation of their own service, but Safair is anything but
the perfect solution for effective commercial logistics solutions,
predictable, which is aptly demonstrated by its foray into passenger
“In one part of the business we operate an incredible type of
services.
aircraft called the Lockheed Hercules C130. These amazing aircraft allow us to carry large and bulky cargo and land in obscure places, from short dirt runways in deep Africa to ice in Antarctica. Four
A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
propeller engines power them and the wide bodies and rear cargo
Having established itself within the aviation industry, it was
doors mean that these aircraft are great for transporting large and
natural evolution that saw Safair move into direct customer-facing
often awkward loads by air.”
enterprises, but as ever, the management team didn’t make the
While passenger services are a specialist area of their own,
move without due care and market evaluation,
it takes an extra level of confidence to willingly undertake cargo
“When we launched the airline we saw a great opportunity
transportation. Though the comfort of the loads isn’t a priority,
in the South African market to make a difference. We wanted to
timely and safe deliveries are and just one broken promise or late
create an airline that would open the skies to many who had never
landing can ruin a fantastic reputation, but Safair has nothing to
flown before, thanks to great fares and we wanted to do this while
fear in this respect. Always seeking out new and forward-thinking
offering a really solid service.”
ways to improve the experience for the client has led to the
With a definitive vision of becoming South Africa’s favourite
acquisition of not only a spectacularly reliable fleet of aircraft, but
airline, the FlySafair mission is simple yet bold, stating that the
also a natural diversification into the leasing of said vehicles,
airline aims to,
“The other side of our business has been a leasing and cargo business. Here we largely operate Boeing aircraft on contracts for
“Unite people with who and what they love, by providing a lowfare, hassle-free, and on-time travel experience.”
other airlines. If you’ve been a semi-regular flier in South Africa,
There can be no doubting the reliability and value of the services
since the 1980s, there’s actually a very high chance that you’ve
on offer from FlySafair, but what isn’t instantly obvious is that it’s the
been on a Safair aircraft before. We operated the maiden flight for
staff members that really make the biggest contribution. Working
80 | Endeavour Magazine
SAFAIR diligently to not only uphold the values and reputation that Safair
THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL
already enjoys, they also create a client experience that guarantees
Safair talks about doing “small things with great love” and it
repeat custom and the management team are, refreshingly, very
really shows. Every single evolution of services and solutions on
aware of this,
offer are designed to improve the experiences for the end user,
“The people that work at Safair are a very special breed. We
whether that be passengers or cargo clients. There’s an inherent
love everything about flying. We love aircraft and the miracle that
sense of the company being in this for the long haul, which brings
is modern flight. We love adventure. We love connecting people
about a greater sense of responsibility and stewardship throughout
and most of all, we love sharing our passion for flying with our
every part of the process. From more comfortable seats to excellent
customers.”
missed flight policies and even ambient cabin lighting, the ‘little
So while Safair is for everyone, not everyone is right to
things’, as Safair calls them, ensure that the customer is always king,
work for Safair, which is why the safety credentials of the
“Sometimes it’s about the smaller things. The little changes
airline, the quality of in-flight care and reliability of services
we make, which in the long run, make a huge difference in our
are second to none. The team has been specifically selected
customers’ lives.”
to ensure the continuation of an already exemplar reputation
So what can we expect from Safair in the future? To put it simply,
in the aviation industry timeline and nothing is left to slip
more of the same. The same high standards, reliable services and
through the net,
exemplar value that have made it a household name with travellers
“FlySafair boasts a full IOSA safety accreditation. IOSA is the
old and new. Opening up new lines of communication, through
IATA Operational Safety Audit and represents the foremost measure
feedback forums and questionnaires, Safair is asking its customers
of the safety for airlines across the world. While Safair has held
what more they need and responding in kind. Perhaps it’s going
these credentials for a while, audits are conducted periodically and
to come down to something truly fantastical, such as space
our last audit, which we passed with flying colours, was conducted
exploration, to take Safair from South Africa’s favourite airline to
in September 2015.”
the entire solar system’s?
+962 6 4885392 info@jac.com.jo www.jac.com.jo
Jordan Aeronautical-systems Company JAC is an MRO that has more than 18 years of experience in MRO services. We have served clients on C130/L100 and Boeing 737Classic and will start the Boeing 737NG maintenance services on 2019 up to and including C Check. JAC prides itself of being one of few MROs that possesses the hybrid capability on working on military and commercial aircraft at the same time, making it a unique company The experience With SAFAIR is fabulous, long , unique and unbreakable, JAC CEO says. JAC has the honor to maintain many SAFAIR’s aircraft for about 10 years, SAFAIR was and remains a permanent customer for JAC crossing distances to Jordan to guarantee the high standard of quality at reasonable cost. JAC and SAFAIR prove how the confidence and work with faith can lead all parties to the world of nonstop successes.
Airframe Services
Line Maintenance Letter Checks (Boeing 737) Periodic Depot Maintenance PDM (C130/L100) Military & Commercial Paint Schemes Interior Refurbishment 82 | Endeavour Magazine
Components Services
Wheels & Brakes Battery Maintenance Engine intermediate Maintenance Propeller intermediate Maintenance
Avionics Services
TCAS Upgrade Weather RADAR Installation VOR, DME & GPS Upgrade SATCOM Installation
Specialized Services
NDT Level III (5 Methods) Off Base Support Aircraft Assessment Deep Structure Analysis Repair Schemes Defense & Military Solutions
BIDVEST PANALPINA LOGISTICS WWW.BPL.ZA.COM // 27 11 570 6000
A ONE-STOP SOLUTIONS SHOP Bidvest Panalpina Logistics is a South African transportation giant with a difference, offering endto-end solutions for its clients alongside industry experience that is hard to compete with, as Endeavour Magazine discovered. WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER
BIDVEST PANALPINA LOGISTICS
The amalgamation of Rennies Distribution Services and Safcor Panalpina, Bidvest Panalpina Logistics (BPL) was officially founded in 2012 but brought with it more than a century of industry experience.
T
he merger was a commercial home run as it allowed the newly formed operation to begin offering complete supply chain solutions, all backed up by an impressive national and global
market presence, “The collaboration of our experience gained over the past century, scale and global reach enable us to design, implement and synchronise cargo throughout the globe in the most efficient way. Our services and industry solutions create a seamless journey.”
GLOBAL THINKING Of course, it’s all very well looking to operate on a national level, as that will naturally benefit the country, but to really make a difference in the competitive logistics world, a more international viewpoint is essential. Not only that, but by extending the reach of the company, BPL was able to encourage more cargo to move in and out of South Africa, helping to boost the economy and increase the overall commercial potential, as the management team acknowledged, “Our vision is to deliver supply chain solutions that advance the competitive edge of our clients.” In short, this translates to great value, reliable transportation and customs services that prevent any bottlenecks occurring, which in turn, means more successful business, for everyone. The real genius behind the BPL working model is that it doesn’t need to focus on just one industry, in terms of clients, as every market in the world needs secure supply chain services, 86 | Endeavour Magazine
BIDVEST PANALPINA LOGISTICS “We provide end-to-end supply chain solutions that include air,
temperature controlled, high value and bulky out of gauge cargo.
ocean, warehousing, road transport and customs brokering in all
Global partner Panalpina adds significant reach with some 500
major industries.”
branches in over 70 countries and partner companies in a further
This certainly sounds like a huge undertaking, especially when
90 countries.”
it’s understood that the industries being catered to are exceptionally
With each of the other five divisions being equally as reined
diverse, covering everything from automotive to chemicals, fashion,
in and focused on providing an expert and tailored service, it acts
healthcare and quite literally everything in between.
as a fantastic demonstration of just how talented the entire team
A DIVERSE ROSTER Offering air freight, ocean freight, road transport, warehousing, supply chain and customs solutions, BPL has a number of relatively
at BPL must be. After all, air logistics and ocean transportation, as a key example, are exceptionally different, meaning that staff wouldn’t be interchangeable, but that’s not to say that the team isn’t a cohesive unit.
self-contained divisions, all under one roof. This is the only way that efficient management could be maintained and the air freight branch is a perfect example of the process in action,
THE HUMAN TOUCH Though a multifaceted operation, BPL has a very concise and
“Capacity in the air and arguably the most secure facility
one-track vision that speaks about ‘one BPL, one strategy and one
with unique security arrangements on the ground are what sets
result’. With this in mind, the people entrusted to not only maintain
BPL apart from the opposition. We offer end-to-end supply
the existing enviable reputation of BPL but also to build on it,
chain solutions, partner with best-in-class global airlines and
through the acquisition of new clients, need to be of the highest
have strategically located hubs at all international airports. BPL’s
calibre and fully aligned with how BPL operates,
sophisticated facilities are fitted with maximum security measures
“Our culture is established based on our vision and values, which
and accommodate all sizes and shapes of cargo, including
distinguish us from any other organisation. Our culture provides
88 | Endeavour Magazine
direction in the way that BPL vows to serve customers, engage with suppliers and other stakeholders, interact with colleagues and uphold professional standards.”
FACING THE FUTURE With an impressive catalogue of clients, and more certainly guaranteed to join them, the future already looks terrifically
The culture at BPL is inclusive, supportive and seeks to promote
positive for BPL, but there is more to be done. The secret to
development at every opportunity, which is why the company
ongoing success, after all, is to never rest on one’s laurels and BPL
values have been designed to cut the wheat from the chaff, in
doesn’t intend to be the exception to the rule.
terms of potential employee selection. Looking for individuals
By keeping a keen eye on industry changes and technological
that aren’t afraid of accountability and can demonstrate integrity,
developments, the company has proven a commitment to remaining
respect, communication and a commitment to honest team work,
at the forefront of new innovations, which is supported by the
BPL expects a lot, but offers much in return. With learnerships
yearly identification of promising new students to welcome into
and graduate programmes both in place to nurture new, young
the BPL Academy and family. Plus, with talent not being diluted
talent, as well as continued training for existing staff members, the
across a myriad of different logistics sectors, but instead, being
education and support never stops,
focused on one specific area, there seems little reason to doubt
“BPL’s successes are built on its people and it has become one
that each division will grow in its own right, while contributing to
of the largest providers of global supply chain and logistics services
the overall growth of the company. The only question is, how much
in Southern Africa. Our organisation has won many awards as a top
bigger can a recognised global giant get? We’re hoping to find out,
employer through strategies aimed at ensuring that each member
so will be keeping a close eye on BPL.
of every team is fully supported in their work and their career development. We believe that strong communication, mentorship and leadership within BPL are key factors in developing superior performance in each individual.”
Endeavour Magazine | 89
AMAZING WORLD KAKSLAUTTANEN ARCTIC RESORT
W
hen it comes to choosing a resort
Kakslauttanen is the perfect place for those
and winter, the winter season is considered
for a much-needed winter getaway,
who want to disappear beyond the reach
by most to be the best time to pay a visit,
there are more than a few enticing
of the world. The hotel feels completely
and for good reason. Set right by the Urho
options out there. However, few, if any, enjoy
isolated, even though the Ivalo International
Kekkonen National Park - the largest,
the heritage and reputation for excellence of
Airport is conveniently situated and, if
most pristine national park in Finland -
the Finnish Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort.
guests are of the mind, Norway and Russia
Kakslauttanen is situated in what must be
lie a mere stone’s throw away.
one of the most peaceful places to be found
Located 250-miles north of the Arctic Circle at the northern-most tip of Finland, 90 | Endeavour Magazine
While Kakslauttanen is open summer
anywhere in the world. At Christmas time,
its guests. From the comfort and warmth of your bed, you can stay up all night and marvel at the waves of colour from the northern lights, or stay up with friends talking and laughing and exploring the frozen wilderness around you. If this isn’t your cup of tea, then why not consider Kakslauttanen’s newly built Kelo-glass igloos, which combine the striking views of the glass igloo with the warmth and comfort of a cosy log cabin? Able to sleep up to six, and featuring a private sauna, fireplace and a luxury kitchen, it is the perfect place to stay with family or friends and good company. Of course, if you prefer your creature comforts, guests can choose to stay in a rugged-style log chalet instead, complete with everything needed for a little rest and relaxation time. Conversely, for the more adventurous, there are Kakslauttanen’s famous snow igloos – an ice-cool experience that will still allow guests to sleep in absolute comfort, whatever the temperature might be outside. In keeping with the Christmas season, visitors to Kakslauttanen will be delighted to know that after centuries of anonymity, Santa has chosen to unbolt the door to his home – an idyllic and striking red-decorated log cabin that awaits visitors at the end of an ornate wooden bridge. Set in the heart of a dark snow-topped forest, Santa’s Celebration this area of Lapland is truly magical. For
where the water is so crisp, you can quench
House is a festive cabin that is well-known
starters, there’s the blue light of twilight, and
your thirst from one of the many passing
across Scandinavia as the largest log building
metres upon metres of snow – perfect for
streams, where the air is cool and fresh, so
in Finland. Able to host up to 250 guests,
skiing and snowboarding - and then there’s
that you can feel it in the depths of your
be it for dining, celebrating a wedding or
the wonder of the aurora borealis to behold;
lungs, and the snow is thick and soft beneath
letting their hair down for drinking, music
a natural event so spectacular it needs little
your feet.
and merriment, the Celebration House is
explanation. It is the epitome of a winter wonderland,
The accommodation at Kakslauttanen is
undoubtedly worth a visit during your stay.
world-famous for the glass igloos that await Endeavour Magazine | 91
KUWAIT AIRWAYS 00965 180 2050 // WWW.KUWAITAIRWAYS.COM/EN
A BENCHMARK FOR THE SKIES Some organisations are fighters from the very start and Kuwait Airways, having conquered both financial turbulence and the constant changes in the aviation industry, is a survivor. WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON
KUWAIT AIRWAYS
1954 brought excitement to the skies over Kuwait as, hot off the back of the 1940s oil industry success, Kuwait Airways was formed. After a tentative start, serving a small and exclusive network of destinations, the airline faced a serious profitability issue, but after the Kuwaiti Government bought a 50% share of the operation, things began to turn around. The fortunes of the airline were so drastically improved, in fact, that the remaining 50% was also bought, giving the government full control of Kuwait Airways.
T
he 1960s and 70s saw gradual growth, in terms of frequency of services, destinations reached and models of aircraft being invested in and this trend continued into the 1980s as well.
Boeing and Airbus models helped to add an extra level of legitimacy to the airline, but devastation was just around the corner.
Global Eagle are proud to be partnering with Kuwait Airways as they grow their next generation inflight entertainment experience.
RISING TO A CHALLENGE Having curated a fantastic fleet of vehicles, Kuwait Airways was hit by tragedy when the Iraqi invasion quite literally destroyed everything, from premises to airplanes. What followed was a total relaunch that saw the fleet grow to 17-vehicles strong, all boasting state of the art in-flight entertainment technology. While many companies would have simply rolled over and given up, Kuwait Airways stayed true to a vision of being the best, offering a service that could act as a benchmark to other airlines and establishing an impressive network of destinations; things are looking exciting now.
A VISION OF GREATNESS Following a costly and all-consuming relaunch, Kuwait Airways burst into the aviation world yet again, but this time, with a vision that would speak to customers, colleagues and shareholders alike, “Kuwait Airways aims to set the standard for customer orientation and to become an admired airline to fly, to invest in, 94 | Endeavour Magazine
KUWAIT AIRWAYS and to work for. To provide customer-oriented services that meet
an international set-up, given the fortuitous geographical location
the individual needs and preferences of our clients. For clients who
that it enjoys, but growth requires fiscal stability, dedicated staff
look for best-in-class services, we provide for them a premium
and cutting-edge technology. Of course, all of these facets have
product. For clients seeking value for money, we provide a reliable
been accounted for already, particularly the financial element,
economy product. Our philosophy is to be an airline with a global
“We aim to grow in line with the market demand in Kuwait and
reach and a local touch. Our clients will appreciate our services that
capture further growth opportunities in the Middle East and to
enhance both novelty and tradition.”
provide a viable investment opportunity to the private sector. For
These are certainly not small aspirations, but with defined goals
us, financial viability is the key to becoming a trusted and respected
and a deep understanding of not only who the customers are but
enterprise to our investors, customers and employees. After the
also how the aviation market is performing, alongside a simply
Liberation of Kuwait in 1991, we proudly rebuilt Kuwait Airways.
phenomenal contingent of professional staff members, if any
With the same spirit we look at the future and take the challenge of
company can rise above the smog of disasters past, it is definitely
transforming Kuwait Airways into a profitable enterprise.”
Kuwait Airways.
There are more concerns at hand, however, than mere profit, as Kuwait Airways has a genuine desire to contribute to the local
THE MOST DISCERNING CLIENTS
community in a tangible and admirable way, which has led to a very special charity project.
So, who is the customer? Well, given that Kuwait is a business hub, professional flyers are a given and the airline, having recognised this fact, is actively seeking to become a premier link
THE BALSAM INITIATIVE
for business, as well as leisure, between the East and West. This
Joining forces with Kuwait Red Crescent, Kuwait Airways has
doesn’t seem improbable, given that Kuwait Airways has long been
created a charity that seeks to help the less fortunate. BALSAM
96 | Endeavour Magazine
is a particularly focused humanitarian endeavour that seeks to
vehicles, manned by perfectly trained and genuinely dedicated
“bring a smile” to people’s faces and it encourages passengers to
staff, heading to a variety of covetable destinations, all wrapped up
get involved,
with great value and a touch of humanity sounds like the complete
“The objective of BALSAM is to encourage passengers to
package in the skies; that’s a beautiful overview of Kuwait Airways.
donate coins or currencies, which will not be used back home or at
Having proved that there is no obstacle that can’t be overcome,
their original destination. Further, the different kinds of currencies
there is little reason to doubt that the upcoming years will prove to
collected are then forwarded to the Kuwait Red Crescent Society,
be an exciting opportunity to not only keep setting the standards
to be used in rescue operations and social services, for casualties
by which other airlines measure themselves, but also to grow and
and prisoners of war, as well as for needy children. To facilitate
evolve. They say that the sky’s the limit, but for Kuwait Airways, it’s
passengers to participate in this fundraising project, special
simply the beginning.
envelopes carrying the slogan ‘Bring a smile to their faces’, are available on board all Kuwait Airways flights.” By taking a non-pressured approach to encouraging passengers to contribute to a good cause, travelers are getting a fully rounded experience each time they fly. On board, the hospitality is phenomenal, the flights are comfortable and reliable and adding a level of humanitarian interest really does just bring it all together to make it clear that Kuwait Airways will not struggle to become the favourite airline of the region. If you were asked to describe the world’s most perfect airline, which elements would you necessarily include? Comfortable
Endeavour Magazine | 97
BHARATHI CEMENT WWW.BHARATHICEMENT.COM // 91 40 3000 6999
CEMENTING THE FUTURE With the most unique heritage in the cement and aggregates industry, the Vicat Group is in a fantastically privileged position within its field. Now, with Anoop Kumar Saxena at the helm of the Indian operation, Bhathari Cement, the sky is quite literally the limit for this giant of the construiction industry. WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER
BHARATHI CEMENT
Just as premium cement and related products are the key to construction project foundations, so too is the right leadership absolutely critical to the success of a business, which is why Anoop Kumar Saxena is such a valuable addition to the Vicat Group team.
W
hile the company is the focus of this Endeavour Magazine
representation. This is why a culture of discussion, motivation and
article, it’s important to understand who is driving the new
development has been firmly instilled.
innovation in the Indian region, which is why Anoop was
asked about his appointment and pervious experience:
A RECOGNISED NAME IN THE INDUSTRY
“In total, I have served over 33 years in the cement industry.
The Vicat Group itself is a French operation, dating all the way
I have been serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Vicat India
back to 1817 and Louis Vicat’s ground-breaking, or should that
since July 2017. I had previously joined as a director for Kalburgi
be ground-securing, invention of artificial cement. Now operating
Cement, a 100% subsidiary of the Vicat Group, in March 2012. I
in 12 countries, the core business interests of the Group are
was initially responsible for the first greenfield project for Vicat in
“cement, ready- mixed concrete (RMC) and concrete products
India, and I have quickly established a market footprint for Kalburgi
and aggregates”. With 15 fully integrated and operational cement
Cement Pvt Ltd as a successful company and launched the Vicat
plants, Vicat is able to enjoy a sizeable cement production capacity,
brand, formerly a flagship cement brand from France, in India from
with over 34 million tonnes being manufactured every year, ready
August 2018. In January 2013, I was appointed Chief Operating
to support the global construction industry.
Officer of Vicat India.” Not only is Anoop highly knowledgeable and experienced
Vicat India is an interesting branch of the wider Group, as it operates through two subsidiaries, as Anoop explained,
within the cement industry, he has also carved himself a legacy
“Vicat is operating in India through two companies; Bharathi
within the Vicat Group itself in only a few short years. With this in
Cement Corporation Pvt. Ltd. and Kalburgi Cement Pvt. Ltd. Bharathi
mind, it stands to reason that his management philosophy is well
Cement has a state-of-the-art integrated plant at Cuddapha, while
honed, not to mention proven out. He recognises that effective
Kalburgi Cement has an integrated plant at Kalaburgi and one
leadership should take the form of support, guidance and discipline
bulk terminal at Mumbai. The cement produced at Cuddapha is
in appropriate measures, which will then organically evolve into
sold under the brand ‘Bharathi Cement’ in Southern India, and the
a motivated, dedicated and expert workforce. This leads into his
cement produced at Kalburgi is sold under ‘Vicat’ in Maharashtra
personal philosophy for achieving success:
and ‘Bharathi Cement’ in the Southern states. Our main customers
“From the very outset, I like to remind everyone that there are no shortcuts to success and there is no substitution for hard work.
are construction segments of residential, industrial, commercial and infrastructure building companies or individuals.”
In this case, I believe that employee communication is primary and
Thanks to this multi-pronged approach, the last eight years
goes a long way in building and gaining trust amongst employees.
have been witness to a significant amount of growth within India
As a leader, you have to be the first to embrace change and
for Vicat. Expanding into new areas has lead to an impressive
communicate it effectively to your employees. The order of the
presence in eight states, within which there is a dealer network of
day is to wear different hats while dealing with different situations.
over 3,000 and sub-dealers totalling at least 10,000.
Also, times are changing, and continual improvement is mandatory for professional and personal growth.”
SUPPLY AND DEMAND
Anoop also notes that his staff are, at a basic level, brand
When it comes to the buoyancy of the cement industry in
ambassadors and as such, need to be rewarded for their exemplar
India, Anoop was careful to explain that there is serious scope for
100 | Endeavour Magazine
BHARATHI CEMENT development, noting that “although India is the second-largest
mix design. We also ensure that our products are environment
producer of cement, there is disconnect between the country’s
friendly.”
GDP growth and cement output in recent years.” With outside forces driving pricing and keeping profit margins relatively low,
A FUTURE TO LOOK FORWARD TO
it is down to Vicat itself to make the best of available contracts.
According to Anoop, cement demand is expected to grow in the
Anoop takes a practical approach and focuses on “plant efficiency,
coming years, in line with increased urbanisation and incentives put
logistical efficiency and mitigating the risk of increasing fuel costs
in place by the government. This is an exciting development and
and other raw materials to maintain profitability.”
one that is perfectly timed to allow for Vicat’s expansion plan to
Naturally, it helps that Vicat is in the exceptionally privileged
really have an impact,
position of having a staggering legacy behind it, as well as a
“Recently, Vicat announced its expansion plan with an
reputation for creating only the most premium of products, both
investment of €223 million for a second production line in the
of which have contributed to the company remaining a cut above
existing plant of Kalburgi Cement. Foreseeing the ever-growing
competitors,
demand of the market, it also announced the establishment of a
“Vicat is a name synonymous with cement. Almost 200 years
grinding unit at Vizag, to expand its footprint in India.”
later, Louis Vicat’s discovery is the foundation that the modern
Operating under a banner of “trust, legacy, forever”, Vicat
cement industry is built upon. This has solidly forged Vicat’s identity
has certainly proven to be an operation with not only staying
in the world of engineering, and that legacy is now being carried
power, but also industry foresight and a healthy attitude towards
forward by all of us at the Vicat Group.
continuous development. When it comes to Vicat India, it seems
Our products are premium quality cement that are used in the construction of residential and commercial projects and roads by major RMC manufacturers, due to their highly economical concrete
102 | Endeavour Magazine
clear that nobody represents these values better than Anoop and his dedicated team.
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