Endeavour Magazine December 2018

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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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

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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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53 Ubi Avenue 1 #03-05 Paya Ubi Ind. Park Singapore 408934 Tel: 6284 7977 Fax: 6284 5258 Email: admin@crt-engineering.com BCA Members

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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?

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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.

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Line Maintenance Letter Checks (Boeing 737) Periodic Depot Maintenance PDM (C130/L100) Military & Commercial Paint Schemes Interior Refurbishment 82 | Endeavour Magazine

Components Services

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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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