December magazine web by Littlegate Publishing

December 2011 www.endeavourmagazine.com

SERENA: TAKING AFRICA’S HOTEL INDUSTRY BY STORM BIZ-TAINMENT AMPELMANN: AS EASY AS CROSSING THE STREET

SENET: UNDER ANY CONDITIONS

EHL: LOOKING FORWARD

UK £4.95 CAN $14.75 USA $7.99 EUR €7.90 SA ZAR 58.00

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December 2011 www.endeavourmagazine.com

SERENA: TAKING AFRICA’S HOTEL INDUSTRY BY STORM BIZ-TAINMENT AMPELMANN: AS EASY AS CROSSING THE STREET

SENET: UNDER ANY CONDITIONS

EHL: LOOKING FORWARD

Editor’s note UK £4.95 CAN $14.75 USA $7.99 EUR €7.90 SA ZAR 58.00

Inspired by your success

Heads of Departments Editorial: Editor in Chief Daemon Sands daemon.sands@littlegatepublishing.com Research: Director of Research Don Campbell doncampbell@littlegatepublishing.com Finance: Corporate Director Anthony Letchumaman anthonyl@littlegatepublishing.com Studio: Lead Designer Alina Sandu studio@littlegatepublishing.com Publisher: Stephen Warman stevewarman@littlegatepublishing.com Any enquiries or subscriptions can be sent to info@littlegatepublishing.com ENDEAVOUR MAGAZINE is published by Littlegate Publishing LTD which is a Registered Company in the United Kingdom. Company Registration: 07657236 Registered office: 343 City Road London EC1 V1LR VAT registration number:116 776007 Littlegate Publishing Ltd Cavell House, Stannard Place, St Crispins Norwich, Norfolk United Kingdom, NR3 1YE Reception telephone: 00 44 (1)603 821122

Littlegate Publishing Ltd does not accept responsibility for omissions or errors. The points of view expressed in articles by attributing writers and/or in advertisements included in this magazine do not necessarily represent those of the publisher. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within this magazine, no legal responsibility will be accepted by the publishers for loss arising from use of information published. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrievable system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher. Copyright © Littlegate Publishing Ltd 2011

By Daemon Sands Chief Editor of Endeavour Magazine

December, I can’t believe it’s here already. 2011 has almost drawn to a close and it has been a year of it: as a world we watched in helpless horror as Japan suffered one of the worst natural disasters in its history and then as a planet we collaborated in one of the biggest rescue missions ever posed. A girl’s dream to become a Princess was made a reality and President Obama celebrated the big 50. The All Blacks won the Rugby World Cup and we all took a gamble on who was going to be hit by the falling NASA satellite. Christmas at Littlegate Publishing is a grand time of celebrating, where no expense is spared to ensure our employees are fully in the festive feeling. Our forty foot Christmas tree has been erected in the lobby directly in front of the water feature, the kitchen staff have been given their festive uniforms to wear (and their festive Carols for the company Carols by Candlelight) and in the interests of health and safety we have employed a team of temps to prevent Donnie Rust from getting his hands on any candy sticks. For many, this time of year involves winding down, slowing up and having some well-earned R & R after a year of grafting. Anticipating that you will have many opportunities to sit down and read, we’ve sourced the best features for you to enjoy. This month we heard the amazing story of Chris Moon who proves that nobody can tell a person what they can or cannot do, met the CEO of Norwich International Airport who showed us the inner complexities of what goes into running a modern day airport. We continued our in-depth look at the marine engineering industry with Akerboom and bridged the gap between them and the oil rigs with Ampelmann. We also touched bases with SENET, EHL Consulting Engineers and SNA Consultants and had a very luxurious and accommodating chat with the incredible Serena Hotels, the shining icon of African leisure. Yes, this is by far the best magazine for the end of the year. Kindest,

Endeavour Magazine • November 2011 • 3

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Features Serena: Taking Africa’s Hotel Industry By Storm

Norwich Airport: Come Fly With Me

Ampelmann: As Easy As Crossing The Street

Akerboom: Supplying Super Yachts is a Booming Business

EHL Consulting: Looking Forward

SENET: Under Any Conditions

SNA Consulting: At The Forefront Of The Energy Revolution

“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.” David Brinkley

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Articles

Chris Moon: Zest For Life

10 Things I Hate About Yule

10 Sites To Help Avoid Work

Why I’d Be Happy With Socks

Biz-tainment

The Stand Comedy Club: A Venue Review

Addison’s Uncle: Talent Gets Talked About

Timmy Auld: Going Viral With “Kiss Or Two”

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Daemon Sands gets the chance to speak to life-guru Chris Moon regarding his approach to life and success. After working for a charity to keep people safe from landmines, only to be severely injured by one, Chris has spent the rest of his life focussed on helping others achieve, proving that life is all about choosing to do something and doing it no matter what people say.

ZEST FOR LIFE Could you summarise for our readers the events leading to your accident and what you had to do to survive? (you mentioned on the phone about treating yours own wounds) As an army officer I was in an operational role where I was able to make a contribution to stop people being taken apart by terrorist bombs. Using my agricultural engineering and development background combined with my military experience I worked for a charity clearing landmines. I was running a large program in remote East Africa clearing up after the Civil War in Mozambique when I was blown up walking in the middle of a safe area where the landmines had been removed. Ironically doing one of the least dangerous things I ever did I instantly lost my lower leg and my lower right arm was later amputated. The surgeon who treated me in South Africa told me I survived against all odds because of my attitude. As the years have passed and I told my story, I’ve heard people speak about survival and they say the will to live kicks in and it’s all about willpower. That is not my experience. It stands to

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reason everything living has a death mechanism and when the pain kicks in and your body shuts down it takes over and my experience of it was entirely pleasant. What stopped it taking over was that I made a decision to choose life because I knew if I died it would be very bad for funding for the charity I worked for. It was through understanding of the situation I was in and using my imagination that I was able to survive. When the medic couldn’t get the drip lines right in I knew my body had gone into shock and was closing down due to lack of fluid. We had great medical training from a fabulous Territorial Army Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Army Medical Corps with 25 years of trauma care experience and I had worked hard to develop a strong stomach and knew that since I had been wearing my body armour I had no peritoneal injuries. The saline drip is the same concentration as blood so it stood to reason that it could be absorbed through the gut wall more or less instantly if your stomach is strong enough to keep it down. I drank nearly three litres of it.

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You are clearly a determined, action based, highly wilful individual, was that always the case? I’ve not always been as determined, action based and wilful as I would like to be. However it is through choice that I’ve been able to develop my determination and go the extra mile when I’ve been straight up told that I can’t do something. I walk the talk as a keynote speaker and trainer. You’ve lived through some extreme experiences. Can you describe how overcoming those hurdles attributes to business leadership? I’ve had some extreme experiences which are straightforward and stark. I have taken many groups of people to achieve things they thought they might not be able to do like climbing Kilimanjaro, cycling the length of countries and running ultra distance races. These and my own experiences have made a tremendous laboratory for understanding the process of achievement both as individuals and groups. People are the same whatever the environmental task, we have the same thoughts, feelings and emotions. The successful business people I have had the privilege of working for want real experience and personal stories and achievements from someone who’s done something rather than an academic analysis. People love to categorize things and often they look at their accomplishments and label someone successful or unsuccessful but the most influential people agree that success is an accumulation of small successes and it’s dealing with this slow growth that is hardest, how do you coach people to overcome the daily rigours of building small successes? I do a lot of work with people on developing daily habits, mindsets and behaviours which enable them to focus on being what they should be and want to be. The best way to explain the way I work is to say if we are building a structure on the seashore we need to put in a rock foundation and build a strong interlocking wall that will not be washed away by the waves that will inevitably come. Success is a state of being and maintaining momentum and a part of that is

developing the art of focus and not being washed away by the sea of procrastination. What inspires you? Is it a particular person? Or thing? An idea? I am inspired most by what I believe to be the truth of life - it is about people. Every philosophy and religion has at its core a true value for human relationships, it’s about making the best of it and achieving our full potential and doing something to help others that will add value and meaning to our existence. Maybe it’s about loving and being loved and doing the best we can do and most importantly having a laugh and enjoying the journey because any fool can be miserable at work. Although knowing it isn’t true, has anyone ever assumed it is your injury that has made you the man you are today? I’ve lived in many different places and people with my background and experience have friends who have lost limbs or been seriously injured, so within my frame of reference being an amputee is nothing exceptional. Certainly, being in the prime of life, having found my niche and then being blown up in a safe area, surviving against the odds, doing my first marathon less than a year after leaving hospital and subsequently the world’s toughest ultramarathons, has all been a defining experience and it has fostered my passion for understanding the process of achievement, but there are several experiences that are more defining. For example being taken prisoner by the Khmer Rouge and being held for three days facing possible execution and negotiating my way out has been far more defining, as has fatherhood. What is the next big challenge? I want to put everything I have learnt together to create an adventure event where people can go on a journey, recharge their psychological batteries and share positive vibes, so please come and join me. It’s a bit like a hippie commune except it’ll be six days and there will be lots of people like me with short hair and a zest for life: www.chrismoon.co.uk

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10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YULE

by Jim Blythe

As the title suggests, I’m about to spend this whole article moaning about Christmas even though I realise that’s a bit of a miserable and clichéd thing to do.

It’s not to do with any religious beliefs or lack of them, ok? Maybe God exists, maybe he doesn’t; I don’t know. Richard Dawkins seems pretty sure God doesn’t exist but I think that, for a guy who doesn’t exist, a lot of people seem to know who he is. I exist but no one knows who I am! But it’s not religion that annoys me – there are lots of other things that bug me. For a start, it’s my least favourite time of the year to be at work. We have this enforced idea of fun where I work. Last year, Mel chirped up. “Wouldn’t it be lots of fun” she said “if, on the last Friday before Christmas, we had a fun Christmas market day where we decorate the office and dress up all in the name of fun. And then we’ll have a fun Christmas

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quiz which will be lots of fun.” Or words to that effect. And to make it extra-fun the teams had to be chosen at random since, apparently, it wouldn’t have been fun to do the fun quiz with your work friends. It’s much more fun to be in a team with people you either don’t know or actively choose not to mix with. But then Dave found out about this and said, “If you’re doing this in work time, there should really be a work objective”. Which is how we wound up having a fun quiz about work on the last Friday before Christmas. Now if you work in the circus, if you’re a clown perhaps, then maybe you can have a fun quiz about work. But I work in HR. For an insurance company. That’s about as far from fun as you can get. That’s what fun would be like if you had no friends. It’s fun for people who have read about fun in a Ken Blanchard book and now think they know how it’s done.

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You know, the kind of people who learned to smile using a series of diagrams. Oliver Cromwell abolished Christmas in England between 1647 and 1660 because it was deemed too much fun. Oliver Cromwell clearly never worked in the 17th century version of a large corporate office! Or had much to do with Czechs either. Apparently it’s traditional in the Czech Republic to have a Christmas dinner of eggs and carp and legend has it that an even number of people must sit at the Christmas dinner table or the partnerless person will shortly die. How lovely. Merry Christmas!

blossom as white as lily flower, a berry as red as any blood, a prickle as sharp as any thorn and a bark as bitter as any gall but nothing - not one little tiny fact - about the ivy. At all. Which seems uncalled for.

Christmas is equally strange in other parts of the world. In Austria, Santa Claus is followed on his rounds by Krampus - a horned demonic creature who throws sleds at children. And in Northern France he’s accompanied by a character called Pere Fouettard – a butcher who murdered three children. It makes the UK Christmas tradition of mild sexual harassment under a poisonous woodland vine seem fairly tame by comparison doesn’t it!

It’s also a time of year when the media like to throw pointless survey results at us. I read that one out of three men will leave their Christmas shopping until Christmas Eve. And that there are 3 places in the US called Santa Claus. And that, on average, Britons gain the weight of two bags of sugar in four weeks over Christmas. So what? What am I supposed to do with this information? There are too many people obsessed with their weight in this country as it is. Some scientists theorise that fat people might be overweight because they can smell food better than their skinnier counterparts. But of course fat people can smell food better than skinny people; it’s in their hand. I said in the title there’d be ten things I hate about Yule but I’ve reached four and I’m already out of space. Have a merry one if you must.

Whilst mistletoe has done very nicely out of Christmas, one plant really hasn’t, and that’s the ivy. There’s the rather cruel and unnecessary song ‘The Holly and the Ivy’ which really only features the ivy to point out how poor it is in comparison to the Holly. “The holly and the ivy, when they are both full grown, of all the trees that are in the wood the holly bears the crown”. And that’s it - no further mention of the ivy. We find out that the holly bears a

Jim Blythe is a writer, actor, director, producer, comedian and inconsiderate lover. When he isn’t moaning about his experiences in the field of business he runs Spooky Kid Productions, a platform to help new talent get in front of an audience. See more of what he does at www.spookykid.co.uk.

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designed for life @ sea JLR-21/31

The GPS compass

New

• 5.7-inch display • Roll, pitch, rate of turn and heave integrated • Wide range of new display modes available • High speed tracking response (ROT 45°/sec) • Proven antenna design

JLR-7500/7800

The (D)GPS navigator

• 5.7-inch display • Great Circle and Rhumb line in the same route • 3D highway mode • Advanced port flexibility • LAN for route data transfer and interswitching

These are just 2 examples of JRC’s uniform design approach... jrceurope.com ▸

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In my on-going attempt to avoid doing any work while still collecting a regular paycheque and being able to torment my chief editor (here’s looking at you, Daemon). I went onto Facebook and asked my myriad of friends of whom I liaise with continuously regarding my every waking thought (to get in on the action go to: DONNIE’S WAKING THOUGHTS) and they were kind enough to help me stay well away from anything constructive or work related. thedailymash.co.uk - based around what a newspaper would look like if you had a sense of humour and were squinting. The amazing thing is that it’s particularly entertaining- true to the heart and brutally honest- while actually reporting the news. Also whenever Daemon walks past he thinks I’m looking at something serious. MLIA.com - My Life Is Average…. I love this. Mostly because of the stuff that people think is funny or unique enough to be put onto a public blogging site, for example “A dwarf crashed through my window today in a ninja outfit brandishing a loofah and screaming wildly about the invasion of the ice cubes”… doesn’t that happen to everyone? engrish.com - there are a lot of mistakes in the world. And while it’s easy to take the fun out of the big ones, such as Rebecca Black, the Euro, Twilight

accessible, and also, thanks to the handy link we have here, untraceable if your boss has a real time viewer of what you’re looking at on your computer. theoatmeal.com - I found this one particularly useful: HOW TO USE A SEMICOLON. There are other ones too, but I’ve already been told I’m the Mel Gibson of the semicolon world - loved but somewhat feared. funnyordie.com - not just for the title which seems to scream of possibilities that could involve any Bruce Willis scenario (okay now I’m just being funny for the sake of it). This is a plethora of timewasting just waiting to happen. Visit this site at some time today - you deserve it. sfdt.com - it restores my hope in humanity to think that there are people out there putting such effort into stopping me from doing what I’m paid to do. STICK FIGURE DEATH THEATRE, I salute you. funfactz.com/funny-facts - everyone wants to sound like they know something important, something that the person they’re talking to doesn’t know. It’s how we survived evolution - by knowing something the other person didn’t know,

10 SITES TO HELP YOU by Donnie Rust AVOID WORK and videos like that crazy twilight girl, it’s good to see that people are noticing the small and fairly important fopars in people’s language and bringing these to the light of day. Do yourself a favour and check out their SIGNS, probably the main reason I’m not allowed to make signs myself. rottentomatoes.com - if you’re like me, you like to know what other people think of that film you liked before you tell them how much you enjoyed it or loathed it (often depending on whether you’re trying to make some girl like you). With an endless supply of films to criticise this could enrage as much as entertain. 9gag.com - we love them, because until we can easily create holographic versions of people being hit by flying sharks and until I become a better writer, memes will be here to save the day. Exactly how they should be: random, clever and easily

and making sure that person was between us and the pair of eyes above the teeth crouching in the grass. Also, since it’s educational your boss can’t really complain. s o c i a l t i m e s . c o m / t o p - yo u t u b e vloggers_b10280 - I don’t know why but I enjoyed it… especially when my colleague was on the phone talking to a client. This dude has magic eyes or something that just lure you in and you keep watching with the hopeful anticipation that comes with knowing his head is seconds away from exploding.

Donnie Rust, (AKA The Naked Busker) is one of Britain’s foremost comedy writers in the field of business, travel and adventure with over 1 million readers worldwide. His stand-up comedy is apparently hilarious too. He can be found at: www.facebook.com/donnierust. Endeavour Magazine • December 2011 • 11

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WHY I’D BE HAPPY by Jim Blythe WITH SOCKS Feedback is a gift, or at least various coaching and management gurus would have us believe this is the case. Today is the day that senior stakeholders are going to give me feedback on the training material I’ve been lovingly preparing for the launch of their new computer system. What a lot of gifts I can look forward to receiving! Chris starts.

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“It’s crap” he says. Ah! “What’s wrong with it?” I ask. “It’s just crap”. “Right, but why is it crap?” I ask, dogged in the pursuit of knowledge. “It’s all just total crap.” I sigh. The trouble is that I agree with Chris – it is all crap. And as the person accountable for delivering this training material, it is technically my fault. But here’s the thing - when this all started, I knew what we were doing and I put together a training strategy which was signed off by all the major

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stakeholders. But then they got busy and delegated sign off of the training products to a gaggle of new peripheral stakeholders. What is the collective noun for peripheral stakeholders? A “conflict”? An “impede”? An “obstruction”? I don’t know. But they don’t seem to care too much about the signed off training strategy. It seems they just have nothing better to do, other than to change their minds on a daily basis about what should or shouldn’t be in the training. “I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before,” says Zoe, archly, ”but we need to have something in the training about the referral process, in case things don’t work properly.” “We had something in there about referral processes but you asked me to take them out because you thought they would imply that things weren’t working properly.” I point out. “Is everything working properly?” Dave asks. “Not as far as I’m aware.” I reply. “If we’re not sure then we need the referral processes in the training material.” he says. “But that might imply to users that things aren’t working properly.” Chris says. “That’s a good point.” Zoe appears to agree.

“But things aren’t working properly” I point out. “No, but we don’t want to advertise the fact, do we!” Chris retaliates. I have to admit he has a point, albeit a completely pointless one. “So what would you like me to put in the training?” I ask with a sigh. “I think we should mention the referral process but not draw attention to it.” Dave says. “Right. So…?” I flounder at this point. “Sorry, how exactly do you want me to do that?” Back when we started I’d have used my initiative on this one but I’ve learned by now that there’s no point - they’ll just ask me to change it anyway and, besides, I haven’t really got a clue what it is they want me to do any more. “Just… subtly add it in.” Dave says. “Subtly?” I query. “Yes, that’s it.” He beams. “Just put it somewhere where it’s not too obvious.” Zoe helpfully chips in. “So you want me to include the referral process in the training material in a place where no one’s going to notice it?” I ask. “Yes. Thank you.” Dave seems satisfied on this point at any rate. “But what’s the point?” I ask. “I think we’ve covered that already.” Chris says. “Right. Well, I’ll add it into the Frequently Asked Questions,” I say. “No one ever looks at them.” “So why are we having them?” asks Dave. “Because you told me you wanted them.” I reply. “Yes but if no one looks at them, then what’s the point?” Dave persists. “I don’t know,” I say quite truthfully. “I asked you that at the time and you told me we had to have them.” “Not if no one’s going to look at them,” Dave says indignantly. “Seems like a complete waste of time to me.” “I think it’s a waste of time, yes.” Zoe adds helpfully. “So are you saying that you don’t want Frequently Asked Questions after all?” I ask. “Not if they don’t add value.” Dave says. “They don’t.” I assure him. “Right, get rid of them, then.” He says decisively. “OK” I say, quietly counting to ten in my head. “So the FAQs are out. And the referral process…?” “If it’s in the FAQs then it’s out to.” Dave dynamically decides. “I agree.” Zoe unsurprisingly agrees. Chris nods curtly, the sure sign of a man who isn’t remotely interested in the conversation but isn’t afraid to call up an opinion if required. Ah yes, feedback may indeed be a gift but I think I’d be happier with socks for Christmas!

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TAKING AFRICAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HOTEL INDUSTRY BY STORM

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06/12/2011 10:59

Serena Hotels www.serena.co.ke 00254 20 2842 000 Written by Leonie Ann Garlick

Endeavour Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ December 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ 15

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Serena Hotels

In case you hadn’t heard, Serena Hotels are those little doses of luxury that are popping up all over East Africa recently. And with hearty safari lodges, sparkling city hotels and water cuddled lodges all being stamped under their name, chances are they won’t be staying little for much longer. We speak with the man at the soul of Serena’s passion, Mr Janmohamad, who is based at the busy, but brilliantly breath-taking branch in Nairobi, Kenya. We are on the edge of our seats, even before we dial through the International digit barrier; and so we should be. Having previously nosed around the website, we had a slight idea of what was in store. And we were right - this man is a professional; phones ringing from all directions, and an overly sweet personal PA inviting us to converse with him about his work and his creations. Page upon page of luxury packages waiting to be snatched away; clean-cut photography that causes us to break out into mid-winter holiday blues. It was all we could do but imagine the sight that Mr Janmohamad could see out of his office window - bushy oak trees, gaping greenery and oh - Nairobi’s Central Park. That’s something we’d all very much like to see, and not just because we are huddled inside coffee shops tasting our

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way through the seasonal pies and pastries as of late. Now you can imagine our excitement when the call was connected and Mr Serena himself began to speak to us, at Endeavour Magazine. “Serena Hotels began here, in Kenya; in the early seventies,” Mr Janmohamad says with a nostalgic swoon. “By the year 1993, we owned four properties; and by 2003 we had expanded into Tanzania, Zanzibar, and then into Uganda and Mozambique. We are constantly expanding”, and rightly so. With three diverse styles of accommodation, all rocketing into success with impeccable urgency, there is no direction but onwards and upwards for Serena. Harman Professional is the world’s largest professional audio company, handling design, manufacture and market leading professional audio products for recording and broadcast, musicians, cinema, touring sound, commercial sound and contracting applications. As Harman’s valued partner, Ultra Equipment Limited develops and deliver solutions that embrace innovation, superior value and a highly-satisfying customer experience.

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So what’s the story with Serena - when did the hotels, lodges, spas, camps, and even the forts of Africa become so… so, serene? “When Serena began in Kenya, the tourism industry was very small,” Mr Janmohamad says with a comforting level of bona fide. He goes on to explain that as the industry grew and the demands of guests altered over the years, Serena had no choice but to grow along with it. Although Serena primarily focused on safari, Mr Janmohamad expresses the importance of strengthening the city and resort circuit which has helped to keep them one step ahead in the everincreasing hotel industry. Not only were the Serena hotels expanding and still are; but they are in the midst of reinvestment, rebranding and refurbishment as well. And by this coming December, Serena are aiming to have a few more under their belts, too. Mr Janmohamad says he recognises how important it is to have well-trained employees; and that is exactly why time and money is heavily invested in the sector to make sure this happens. For example, to reach their standards of culinary perfection the chefs are sent to Europe to train with the very best, so that they can bring those

Endeavour Magazine • December 2011 • 17

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Serena Hotels

skills home. With every department, from restaurant, to spa, to safari, being immersed into rich on-duty education, it is unavoidable that Serena’s nurturers are to be rising stars along with their resorts. Mr Janmohamad goes on to say that “All of the staff within our hotels are of African origin, apart from one expatriate member; who is our French pastry chef,” Serena loves to keep things local; this can be seen in anything from their close-knit family of employees, freshly sourced ingredients at breakfast time and lustrously brewed wines and beverages; making every branch laced with refined rustic culture. Serena only turns to importing when necessary; these are features that simply cannot be obtained from a local source - such as machinery, decorative plants and spa products by Elemis, which are flown in from the UK. This again, ensures that Serena upholds the best standard of quality as well as preserving the natural beauties of a true Clique have partnered with Serena Hotels for over a decade supplying quality products. As one of Kenya’s leading suppliers of Toiletries, Amenities, Linen, Crockery, Cutlery Glassware and Kitchen Accessories; Clique are the ideal one stop shop for the hospitality industry. Clique has a superb stock service collection providing a choice of over 3000 items available for both Personalization and Fast Delivery with Large Stocks held at our warehouse.

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TOILETRIES, AMENITIES, LINEN, CROCKERY, CUTLERY

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06/12/2011 11:00

African resort. To remain truly African there is a certain style, a certain feel that is needed to make it work. An African culture needs to saturate the entire company from top to bottom to bring out that specific taste which is internationally sought. Many of Serena’s competitors have lost this as they have grown too large and lost touch with their roots. This is where Serena Hotels has gained strength by remaining true to its roots and building a business based on cultural richness and not the other way around. How to best transmit this culture? Through the people - and this is really what is being established here: hospitality is about people interacting with people. Although the first branch in Kenya, which has been running safari experiences since the very beginning, was a success, it became apparent that Serena needed to expand in order to captivate a broader range of guests. And that’s LifeSize believes that HD Video should be available to anyone, anywhere. Using the most advanced technology, LifeSize delivers the ultimate in HD quality, flexibility, and lowest total cost of ownership. Contact Ultra Equipment Limited and choose from a complete range of Lifesize HD video solutions to fit any need, including full-scale telepresence, room and office, personal, integrated HD video communications, and PC desktop systems.

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Good food by design, not by chance Turnkey solutions for high level food preparation facilities. Bespoke design, manufacturing, assemblage and training. www.aligroup.it

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Serena Hotels

Wellness as a way of life, an improved quality of living, is an approach that embraces the individual and also contributes to better productivity while lowering health care costs. Technogym is a world leader in the design of fitness equipment for fitness facilities, hotels, spas, rehabilitation centers, corporate gyms, universities, professional sports facilities, private homes, and beyond.

exactly what they did. Serena’s opulent accommodations began to develop within an array of different destinations; these included lodges by the river; intricate camps in the mountains and spas near to the ocean, to name a few. I can tell by the tone of Mr Janmohamad’s voice that this is a vital factor for Serena - to be diverse. Whether the packages were crafted for business conferences, a honeymoon, or even an elephant seeking trail during a student gap year - every inch of the company’s effort has been squeezed into making each one brilliant in its own way. Allow me to introduce another of Serena’s on-going focuses, and in Mr Janmohamad’s words, their “philosophy” - value for money without loosening any of the luxury. One of the main ways the company is able to do this is by offering something for every budget; so whether you are booking into “Deluxe” or going all out with “State Suite”, you won’t be disappointed. Mr Janmohamad goes on to say how important guest feedback is. “28% of our business is repeat business; (areas that guests have commented on positively again and again) so this is what drives us”. Okay, so many hotels in Africa can do a safari experience or provide “x” amount of space for a wedding ceremony. So what does Serena have that the others simply do not, we hear you say? What is it that makes their guests return again, and again… and again? It’s the small extra details, that other companies would not even consider, that make Serena worth spending that little extra. For starters, they offer the safari experience,

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Kitchens are the heart of any culinary establishment, be it a restaurant, hotel or a school. Whenever there is preparation of food, the design, practicality and efficiency of a kitchen can never be underestimated. With a firmly deserved reputation, Ali Group has proven invaluable to the food industry in this regard, providing their services to a variety of different sectors ranging from institutional establishments to five star luxury hotels, such as Serena Hotels. Al Group through its contract subsidiary Alicontract offers a turnkey solution to facilities catering to a high level of food preparation and provide bespoke design, manufacturing and assembly for their clients. In this regard Ali Group has developed a standard of quality that is second to none. In the past, kitchenettes were institutionalized to a single standard, but Alicontract through leveraging Ali Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 66 brands instead of just selling products offer high quality, functional kitchens that catered to the specific needs of chefs as individual as the dishes they made. A wave of technological advancements has occurred, and Ali Group is at the forefront of it with a line of innovations and developments that have made the kitchen a safer and more efficient place to work in. It is not by chance but by design that great food is always prepared in a great kitchen. Group/ companies/ offerings: The 66 companies within the manufacturing belt of Ali Group collaborate with a common methodology and focus on maintaining and developing the highest quality. The Group employs 7,125 people in 24 countries and, in terms of sales, is one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two largest groups in this industry. It has manufacturing facilities in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Estonia, Finland, France, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands and the US and sales and service subsidiaries in Europe, North America, Russia, Japan, China, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand. Cooking, bakery, meal delivery and preparation, refrigeration, washing, ice cream, and beverage dispensing and contracting, distribution and service are the main sectors that the companies herald from ensuring a one-stop-shop to the discerning customer. The entire process is measured and highly controlled - from design, to the production/manufacturing, and straight through to assemblage, installation and even

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providing their own gourmet chefs to train and instruct those who will be using the kitchens on how best to use the equipment. The principle is clear: a client provides the space, Ali Group provide the kitchen. Each company within the group is an independent entity that provides a complete manufacturing and distribution service. A kitchen is like a machine with every single part adding to a finished product as a whole and when every component is the best in the industry the result is clear. ALICONTRACT Like the tip of a pencil ALICONTRACT is the very point that writes the success story. They are the entity responsible for dealing with the public, acting as the bottle neck for the manufacturing entities of the group and as the face of the company they are the ones who are in the field dealing with the customer. Consolidating projects from design phase to completion and beyond, they function on the front lines for the group as a single source supply company. Since 1994, ALICONTRACT have supplied systems and equipment to the foodservice industry, and today it is one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading contracting companies in the industry. They offer substantial benefits to the customer for every phase of the entire project and are unique in their field with their ability to leverage the combined resources of the other 65 operating companies that comprise the Ali Group. All of the prestigious clients that ALICONTRACT have secured are thanks to their considerable experience in engineering and turnkey solutions that have enabled them to lead the field of commercial and institutional foodservice projects for major hotels chains and hospitals throughout Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, North Africa and India. Operating efficiently on an international scale with a trusted network of worldwide contacts, ALICONTRACT has the proven ability to complete each job on time, within budget and as planned and specified by the designers and in full compliance with all local laws and regulations. It is understanding of this diverse industry that has made this company the respected machine of industry it is today.

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Serena Hotels

but without the added stress of organizing the separate accommodations. Major sight-sees and travel? They’ll do it all for you. Imagine choosing your dream safari, and then watching it all come to life before your very eyes without having to think about a thing? Well, apart from which colour underwear you should bring and whether a baby giraffe will be close enough to pet. We were sold on this already. And as for the packages - where else in Eastern Africa can businesses join inside charming gardens that are bursting with floral displays, vibrant cultural music, invigorating spa treatments and even a flute or five of champagne? Forget stuffy, overcrowded conference rooms and still table water. These things are unheard of as far as Serena is concerned. Or perhaps you will see a traditional wedding taking place next door, complete with a full themed banquet, blooms that would put a Victorian garden in the shade and a harmonic choir… and not a finger sandwich or piece of dry pineapple on a stick in sight. Ultimately, where else in Eastern Africa, will you find so much class mixed with so much authenticity? Give us a minute while we take all this in. Hmm - nowhere we care to think of, that’s for sure. The air outside is thick with mist, and the typical British weather has us tucked up in our blankets with a seasonal mocha and a hot water bottle already. We’ve opened our carry-ons, thrown in a bunch of light cotton garments and located the whereabouts of our promising and well used passports. We’re off to the warm swathe of Africa; all we have to do now is decide on a pretty lodge in fairy lights, or a hotel with an explosion of glitter shed décor. We love Christmas here at Endeavour, don’t you? How about we save you a seat on the plane.

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YOU NAME IT, WE’VE GOT IT!

Your partner in table top and kitchen utensils Verbeelen was founded in 1947 as a wholesale company in Antwerp – Belgium, that manufactures and sells table top items and kitchen utensils. With more than 60 years of experience, Verbeelen has currently offices around the world. We have expanded our activities from wholesale and manufacturing into worldwide logistics and conceptualising restaurants and rooms. We bring to the hotel industry such as Serena Hotels and Resorts a unique lifestyle concept enabling them to provide their customers with a true ‘home away from home’ sensation. www.verbeelen.com export@verbeelen.be

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www.eagm.com Endeavour Magazine • December 2011 • 25

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COME FLY WITH ME

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Norwich International Airport www.norwichinternational.com Written by Martin White and Don Campbell

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Norwich International Airport

Like the inner workings of the planes that safely carry us through the air, most of us never appreciate the complexity that goes into an airport. We turn a blind eye to the buzzing hive of activity that exists behind the scenes, away from the eyes of passengers in this, one of the world’s busiest and most security conscious industries. We prefer to ignore the teams of people responsible for our individual safety, the businesses involved in the day to day operations, the communication and involvement required to keep an airport functioning and on time. People like to look at airports as being largely automated: you hand in your baggage, show your ticket and passport in one area, you get onto a plane, watch the clouds, the inflight movie, enjoy the meal and drinks and then you arrive at your destination. A lot of effort is put into distracting attention from what is beyond the airplane’s wings - mainly a lot of fresh air. But the bulk of operations takes place at the airports

themselves and things have changed, times have changed and the small airports are expected to diversify into other areas to survive because, when passenger safety and regulatory compliance are at the forefront of the minds of management, there is little room for manoeuvring when it comes to keeping an airport successful and safe. Norwich Airport manages to be both. HISTORY Norwich City is one of the busiest but lesser known cities in Britain, surrounded by farmlands. Often more associated with potato farming and Colman’s Mustard, it serves as a vital touching pad for Britain and the world. The airfield was first developed as RAF Horsham St Faith and opened on 1st June 1940 as a bomber station

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CONFIDENCE IN FLIGHT. WORLDWIDE.

Bristow is doing more than anyone to keep your people safe, lower your E&P offshore operating costs and improve your productivity. Our Target Zero culture of safety is recognized for delivering industry-leading safety performance, while new best-practice programs are providing unmatched on-time reliability and customer service. So your people and your production are always right on schedule. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to discover thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a bottom-line difference in helicopter service providers. Bristow is focused on delivering value to prove it.

B R I S T O W G R O U P. C O M

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Norwich International Airport

used throughout the Second World War. Although the first operational aircraft to fly from here were Spitfires of 19 and 66 squadrons from RAF Duxford, it became the operational base of the USAF 56th Fighter Group and finally the 458th Heavy Bombardment Group which flew 240 combat missions from the airfield before returning home to South Dakota, USA in July 1945. After many years as a post war front line RAF station, the airfield was taken over by Norwich City Council and

other areas and, with many key functions including property development, offshore charter operations and aircraft engineering, Andrew is making use of the airport grounds that would otherwise go unused. It’s not about offering the space to anyone though as the locations offer a host of advantages to certain businesses, which has led to many beneficial partnerships. The offshore sector is a key market for Norwich considering the levels of development within the North Sea

“Security requirements for passenger travel are controlled by national and European Authorities. We have to operate to the highest standards of compliance and we cannot compromise in this area. Nevertheless we try hard to minimise passenger inconvenience.” Andrew Bell CEO Norfolk County Council in 1967 and developed to become Norwich International Airport. Whilst the City and County Councils retain a 19.9% interest in the airport, since 2004 it has been owned and operated by the UK based airport and investment company Omniport. Andrew Bell joined Omniport in 2006 as Group Financial Director before taking full control of Norwich International Airport as CEO in February 2010. OPERATIONS “Most people associate airports solely with passengers, but this is a sensitive and demand based market which is why we seek to safeguard the business through diversity.” We’ve mentioned how airports are having to diversify into

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for the energy industry and their airport is positioned to be one of the most direct methods of reaching the southern North Sea. By developing and maintaining close operational relationships with companies such as Bristow Helicopters and Bond, they provide a mutually beneficial arrangement where a give and take of services provides a busy and commercially viable partnership. Bristow provides a channel into the offshore market while Norwich Airport handles the processing of their passengers.

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SKILLS & STANDARDS Over a million pounds has been invested in a state-of-the art fire training facility which is able to replicate a multitude of scenarios. This is in addition to the fire engines, snow clearance vehicles and other equipment which have been heavily invested in as part of the regulatory requirements. Security is critical to the business and if anything were to happen that could potentially threaten compliance then the airport would not operate, that is the culture. The Airport uses the fire training equipment to ensure its fire crews are fully compliant with the required regulations that determine their ability to act in the event of an accident. The equipment simulates a wide variety of scenarios to enable training to be as varied and realistic as possible. “Security requirements for passenger travel are controlled by national and European Authorities. We have to operate to the highest standards of compliance and we cannot compromise in this area. Nevertheless we try hard to minimise passenger inconvenience.” The key is the deployment of highly skilled workers across operations and air traffic control. This is a hazardous environment across the activities, from air operations through to ground handling and security - these groups are each closely regulated, niche sectors which require specific experience and training. Everyone you see in the airport and on the grounds is carefully trained and forward thinking in their approach. From the air-traffic controllers who guide the aircraft and their precious cargo through the skies to the field technician who has to innovatively find effective methods of keeping birds away from the runway to avoid bird-strikes. “People with the right skills can be hard to find.”

BRISTOW HELICOPTERS HERE TO STAY

upporting the oil and gas industry and the operations in the southern North Sea takes collaboration and teamwork which is what Bristow Helicopters have developed with Norwich International Airport. Having invested over £3.5 million into their facility at this East Anglian airport Bristow Helicopters are here to stay. They are particularly proud of their achievements in providing the safest and most reliable service to clients in the Southern North Sea in support of production, drilling and completion activities on Normally Unmanned installations (NUIs), Offshore Rigs and manned installations. Efficiency equals added value and Bristow’s key approach is through complete commitment to Target Zero Zero Accidents. Zero Downtime. Zero Complaints.

GROWTH “It is very important to have an airport in this region, not only for the leisure market but also because of the number of important industries that exist here such as offshore oil and gas, tourism, automotive and technology which rely on local connectivity” “Airports are capital intensive and an infrastructure based business and the operational cost base can absorb growth without low levels of increase. Obviously we must always maintain our runway and taxiways, and keep our on site fire service, air traffic control and security services operating, for example. These are each significant investment pools critical to our operation but once they are in place we can build volume and diversity to increase revenue.” Away from the operational runway there is a large area on site long earmarked for aviation related development which it is hoped will be made available for aircraft engineering and related businesses to establish operations at the airport. The key objectives are to ensure sustainability of the business and increasing revenue but Andrew does not believe in putting all his eggs in one basket, which is why the passenger business is being expanded by developing the route network. He is also notching more strings to the airport’s bow with the property development and aircraft engineering operations. “It is a diversified revenue line which will be critical to our long term growth and success.” For more information on Norwich Airport please visit www.norwichinternational.com. Endeavour Magazine • December 2011 • 31

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AS EASY AS CROSSING THE STREET

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Ampelmann www.ampelmann.nl 0031 20 24 00 121 Written by Daemon Sands

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Ampelmann

Health and safety has always been a concern of the offshore marine sector, due to the nature of the work and the unpredictable environment of such industries. People who work in this sector have to be vigilant all the time to get their work done, but even before they can get their work started they first have to get onto their place of work safely.

The Ampelmann System is a self stabilising, ship mounted access platform for the offshore sector allowing fast and safe access from moving ships to offshore structures even in rough sea conditions. The company was founded by the inventor and CEO Jan van der Tempel who developed the system in 2002 whilst completing his PhD Thesis in offshore wind. Having witnessed first-hand the difficulties occurring in transfering personnel from a transport vessel to the rig, he knew there had to be a better way of doing it. Even in rough weather, people shouldn’t feel in danger of physical injury just trying to get to work, and, should injuries occur, it shouldn’t be dangerous to get them from the rig onto a transport vessel. “All companies want to embrace change and innovation, but not on their own turf,” Jan Van der Tempel. Before Ampelmann, to get personnel from a ship onto an offshore-platform required a rubber dingy or a helicopter, a rope ladder and a lot of crossed fingers, all completely reliant on

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good weather to accomplish this simple task. These were also expensive and took time to organise. Imagine the difficulties when it came to transferring materials and heavy equipment and machinery. Previously, for routine maintenance to offshore platforms such as painting or repairs, an additional jack-up barge or temporary platform would have to be used; these were either costly or the availability was low. Clearly it was time for a change. The Ampelmann works by fastening a stabilizing platform onto the deck of a ship with a bridge/arm that can be extended from there to latch onto the stand-alone structure of the rig. The decked platform itself is raised on a number of hydraulic cylinders that cooperate with a host of different technologies that measure the movement of the vessel and counteracts that using hydraulics to keep the platform and the Ampelmann bridge stable enough for personnel to walk across. This means that a dozen personnel can make it from boat to rig within the same amount of time it takes to walk the street. Coincidentally, although unconnected, this is where the name Ampelmann came from. “Ampelmann is the green or red figure on a traffic light. At the stage we felt we needed a secret code for the project, I happened to see it and used that. The commonality of the two only came later.” –Jan Van Der Tempel. The Ampelmann design is applicable across a wide variety of offshore locations, wind turbines and oil rigs, wherever two carriers of personel need to transport people from one vehicle to another. The practicalities behind each

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Ampelmann

require them to be built bespokely for that particular location to keep it as safe as possible. So what was once simply an idea has now become a commodity and a point to mention for those companies making use of this engineering design. The company has a number of very high level technology suppliers who have received significant investment throughout development and manufacturing of the system. The company also benefits from a range of offshore partners who have been involved in commissioning, development, testing and operation, such as Shell, Boskalis and SMIT.

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The hydraulic cylinders which move under the platform to keep it and its cargo steady despite the sea conditions beneath are designed and created by VAPO on a bespoke project basis and then shipped to Ampelmann for implementation. The Ampelmann design has proven righteously effective and they are working together with clients to determine how to use the same system to create safer methods of transferring heavy machinery and equipment. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a simple formula: INCREASE THE SAFETY- YOU INCREASE THE PRODUCTIVITY and this eliminates much of the costs spent

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on keeping the previous, dangerous methods, safe. Ampelmann are doubling in size every year which is impressive, even for a company propelled by a brilliant idea and a distinct need. It is also supported by the Delft University, which is where Jan developed the concept and completed his PhD. This has paved the way for future engineers looking to get their teeth into an innovative and fast paced company which has been based on the application of a good idea to a need. Judging by the rate of expansion the company is

experiencing it could very well prove to be a very long and very interesting career. Companies that start by establishing needs and solving problems build themselves and grow by following the same ethos. In conclusion, the Ampelmann System is no doubt the forerunner of a number of innovative systems that this company is going to be developing, and with Mr. Jan van der Tempel at the helm they are already well ahead of their competitors. Endeavour Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ December 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ 37

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SUPPLYING SUPER YACHTS IS A BOOMING BUSINESS

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Akerboom Yacht Equipment www.ayeholland.nl 0031 715 761 600 Written by Joy Taylor

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Akerboom Yacht Equipment

Think “super yacht” and you instantly evoke an image of the sleek, almostimpossibly luxurious white craft which glint in the harbour during the Cannes Film Festival. Generally the preserve of royalty and the über-wealthy, some super yachts sell for €180 million. A dramatic recent expansion in the demand for increasingly sophisticated and mechanised super yachts has had an equally dramatic effect on the Dutch-based manufacturer, Akerboom Yacht Equipment. Supplying the super yacht industry is now the main focus of its business and it not only supplies hydraulic and electrical elements such as gangways to the De Vries and Royal van Lent shipyards, it also manufactures stern equipment and even aluminium super-structures like deck houses. Success has partly come from aligning themselves with like-minded shipyards, and this has clearly worked as they celebrate an annual revenue of €20 million.

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In fact, the complicated process of designing and delivering a super yacht demands that Akerboom Yacht Equipment and the shipyards work together. It also demands that there is an incredible level of co-operation between the four main parties involved in creating a super yacht; the owner’s team, the naval architects, the shipyards, and manufacturers like Akerboom Yacht Equipment. Joachim Kattenberg of Akerboom Yacht Equipment stresses that “those four should work perfectly together to make something in time and within budget because that is always a challenge.” Even when the budget is €180 million. Joachim Kattenberg’s day-to-day role is to manage this preparatory process to ensure they find the most efficient way to meet the owner’s requirements. The future owner is likely to have their own vision and initial designer but it is the naval architects who need to make sure the design is feasible. Since ultimately Akerboom Yacht Equipment will need to fit

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all their elements into the ship’s hull, the naval architects involve the shipyards and Akerboom Yacht Equipment at the ideas stage to ensure that they take into account the space needed for all the physical elements of the design.

points out, “preparations are very important” and it is essential that he ensures that the information he passes on to the production and operations team is as good as possible. The most rewarding aspect of his job as an Account Manager

“We try to complete the full scope in order to be a one-stop-shop” Joachim Kattenberg, Sales Engineer It’s a collaborative process and the shipyards work between the designers and the manufacturers. As a result, building a good relationship with the shipyards is an essential part of both Akerboom Yacht Equipment’s business and the manufacturing process, as Joachim adds “We confirm to them the space we require to install everything and we cooperate at all times.” This co-operation is particularly vital in the initial part of the process in order to ensure that all the elements are successfully engineered into the finished yacht. As Joachim

is getting everything done in time which is “always a great challenge”. Discussions between all four parties ultimately enable them to pre-engineer a model and draw up the final design and Joachim confirms “When that is agreed we start the full engineering process”. The engineering and the production phases are both carried out in-house and when they receive the hull of the ship, the manufactured elements are initially integrated into the vessel (“to see if everything fits”) before being taken out for final finishing and painting. Akerboom Yacht Equipment Endeavour Magazine • December 2011 • 41

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Akerboom Yacht Equipment

has for years been building the finalised elements into the vessel. As Joachim Kattenberg says “We try to complete the full scope in order to be a one-stop-shop”. This seems to be a natural part of the service they offer to the shipyards and Joachim confirms that “We try, as much as possible, to make it convenient for them”. The decision to build deckhouses, as well as yacht and stern equipment, was another part of Akerboom Yacht Equipment’s aim to be a “one-stop-shop” and it has required the company to take on more staff. While it has a number of longstanding staff members, between 2007 and 2011 the company increased staff numbers from 50 to 135 employees. This expansion is partly due to the fact that, as well as producing equipment for the super yachts, Akerboom Yacht Equipment has now also taken responsibility of after-care. This means that, once the super yacht is commissioned and delivered, the service team at Akerboom Yacht Equipment also provide worldwide after sales and warranty services. However, he explains that this expansion also reflects a dramatic expansion in the specifications of your ‘average’ super yacht: “Vessels became bigger, longer – so 80 metres plus is no exception at all these days”. And it is not just the yachts themselves which have got longer, the list of other specifications has lengthened too. As Joachim adds “within a modern vessel a swimming platform is already standard” and owners also want more mechanical features. Even storing away a small tender, rescue or pleasure boat within the main yacht involves mechanised doors and cranes. Inevitably, Akerboom Yacht Equipment has to expand to keep up with this increasing demand for mechanisation: “Whereas we used to have two or three items on a vessel, nowadays we have up to twenty-five items on board.” To suit the lifestyles of some of their clients, it’s not surprising that sometimes the wishes can be challenging but this is the sort of challenge that makes the business so exciting. They are always pushed to do something which most people pretend is not possible because they have a standard concept. Joachim points out that most people buying a yacht would expect to have some capacity to customise a standard product by choosing the colour or length but, at Akerboom

Quality above all cranes-yacht equipment-hydraulics-electrics

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Yacht Equipment, Joachim is very clear that “We do things the other way round.” The requirements are driven by the demands of future owners and Akerboom Yacht Equipment pride themselves on their ability to meet as many of those requirements as possible. When Joachim Kattenburg knows they have met the owner’s requirements “I feel we’ve done a great job” he says, and adds “That satisfies”. “Typically any designer, so to speak, any artist doesn’t want to think in boundaries….” Joachim points out, underlining the importance of creativity in the process of innovation. Joachim puts it even more plainly when he says “For our company it is very hard to make concessions to any boundary and that is what makes Akerboom unique. Custom is our standard.” In terms of the future prospects for growth for Akerboom Yacht Equipment, Joachim Kattenberg is equally clear “We feel that growth is not our main goal” and he adds “We have grown this much because we have never made any concessions, we make only the best”. So while Akerboom Yacht Equipment would like to grow, they are not prepared to make compromises on the quality of the equipment they produce. It certainly seems to be a successful strategy so far. Future owners of super yachts may have an ever-increasing list of demands when it comes to their ultimate pleasure craft but Joachim Kattenburg is adamant that “we love the demanding buyers” who keep Akerboom Yacht Equipment innovating in order to deliver on those demands . At the end of the day, Joachim adds, they don’t see a long list of apparently impossible requirements as an obstacle “We see it as a challenge”.

IF YOU CAN DESIGN IT WE CAN CUT IT

WWW.SNIJTECHNIEK- BRABANT.NL Endeavour Magazine • December 2011 • 43

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LOOKING FORWARD

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EHL Consulting www.ehl.co.za 0027 11 370 7400 Written by Chris Farnell

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EHL Consulting

Over the years, EHL Consulting’s managing director has seen his company from every possible angle, giving him an intimate understanding of its workings. The company has an impressive history behind it, but as we found out, its best days may be yet to come.

grew. Eventually it became a limited company in 1997, and since then has been expanding to the point it’s reached now.”

It’s been a long time since the foundation of EHL Consulting in 1980. Over the last 31 years the company has gone on to become one of the most recognised names in

Understanding the company from bottom to top Knoetze himself didn’t become part of the company until 1989, when he joined up as an engineer. Over the coming years, Knoetze worked his way up through the company, eventually reaching his current

South African engineering. Perhaps better than anyone, EHL Consulting’s managing director Fred Knoetze knows the story of this company inside out. He was there at the very beginning, when the founding partners were only just setting out. “Myself and the founding members all worked together for one of the largest construction companies in the country at the time,” he tells us, “so we got to know each other prior to EHL being established.” He goes on to explain: “EHL Consulting was formed in 1980 as a partnership with two founding members, its name comes from the surnames of the founding partners as well as a third partner who came onboard as the company

position as managing director. Having known the company’s founders since the beginning, and having gained firsthand experience at every level of the company, Knoetze has a unique perspective on the company. “It gives you quite a number of advantages, in that you know the operations of the company right down to ground level,” he admits. “You are intimately acquainted with every facet of the business. It means that when you make a decision you understand the intricate ways the staff will react at every level.” However, while Knoetze’s experience is invaluable, he also acknowledges that the company has changed over time,

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and is aware that the situation on the shop floor won’t always be the same one he experiences: “People are different, and staff at the different levels of the company won’t always share your point of view. But those are the challenges and that’s what makes this job special. It’s bringing those different perspectives together that makes the company work at the end of the day.” Ensuring that the company has the right people, and that the right perspectives are being brought into the company is a huge task right now, not just for EHL Consulting, but for the entire engineering industry.

only really understand by working there yourself,” Knoetze explains. “So we’ve acknowledged you have to go through that period of training when you come here and have coaches and mentors in place to help people through that accelerated training process. Coupled with the coaching and mentoring schemes we have this understanding that you have got to keep training people at every level, so we’re constantly working to improve our workers’ skills base. Throughout the company we’ve adopted a transfer of skills training mentality.” It’s an approach that seems to be paying off. EHL Consulting has been doing extremely well for itself.

“What we have decided to do is to attract people by word of mouth. If we create a good working environment our people will go back into the circles of other professionals they know and they will spread that message.” Fred Knoetze, Managing Director

“The skill shortage is very much still with us,” Knoetze says matter-of-factly. “However what we have decided to do is to attract people by word of mouth. If we create a good working environment our people will go back into the circles of other professionals they know and they will spread that message.” Attracting the cream of the existing talent isn’t enough to solve the issues created by the skills shortage however. It’s also important to foster new talent, and invest in the talent that you already have. “What I found very early on in my time here is that irrespective of your qualifications or education, working in engineering is a very specific environment which you can

“We have established ourselves as a recognised brand in the industry,” Knoetze says proudly. “We operate in a niche market in the mining industry, and we’ve built an association with the most prominent gold mining companies as well as bringing on some platinum mines as clients. In the niche market that we are in we’ve seen year on year growth, while at the same time we’ve seen general market expansion in South Africa.” Weathering the recession However, even the biggest companies have been hit hard by the global downturn over the last few years. “Our biggest challenge, as with most companies in the Endeavour Magazine • December 2011 • 47

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EHL Consulting

industry, has been the consequences of the international recession,” Knoetze admits. “Our own company has faced shrinkage of about 20%. But what we’ve managed to do during that time is look internally at how we will face those challenges and bring in cost cutting exercises to make us more efficient. What we’re working on now is getting the right resources in to face that challenge.” Yet in a strange way the recession has been a mixed blessing for EHL Consulting. With less business than usual coming in, the company has gained the breathing space to take stock of itself and prepare to be at the forefront once

market improves, and Knoetze already has his eyes on the new opportunities that are appearing in the market. The company’s strong foundations and recognisable name give it a good launch pad from which it can expand into other markets. “We’re very much planning to expand our horizons going forward, the company is well established in its niche market, but over and above that we’re looking at going worldwide,” Knoetze explains. With the skills and resources the company has, they are ideally placed to deal with issues faced by businesses across the board. “We are an electrical company,” Knoetze says simply. “We recognise that there are needs in that field, so we’re looking to offer consulting services in an energy environment and exploit new areas of renewable energy. On top of that, from a South African point of view we recognise our country’s infrastructure is insufficient, partly as a result of its legacy from the past. We believe our company is in a position to help overcome those obstacles.” In short, we’re going to be hearing a lot more from EHL Consulting in the future. “Everybody knows us and where we’re established at the moment,” Knoetze says. “They’re going to see us at the forefront of anything energy related going forward.”

“Although the company has gone through the effects of the recession, what we’ve been able to do is use the downturn in business to free up resources to put those systems in place and it’s the best thing we could have done.” again when the markets pick up. “We have managed to, after many years, bring in the quality management system ISO 9000,” Knoetze says. An electrifying future This will place EHL Consulting in good stead as the

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UNDER ANY CONDITIONS

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SENET www.senet.co.za 0027 11 409 1300 Written by Chris Farnell

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SENET

SENET is a well-established project management and engineering company that has made a name for itself working on a diverse range of projects throughout Africa over the past 22 years, with the experience to work under even the harshest conditions. Over the years, SENET has come to pride itself on the range of expertise its engineers are able to display. Diversity is a watchword for this company, and you only need to look at the range of services the company offers to realise how seriously they take it. In the lead up to a project SENET has the capabilities needed for scoping, pre-feasibility, feasibility and bankable feasibility studies. Once the project is started up, they offer consultancy services, design and estimate audits, due diligence studies, project procurement and logistics, project financial studies and specialist engineering. The company demonstrated a particular talent for working on the infrastructure of large mining projects, with their services being utilised by operations mining for copper,

nickel, zinc, cobalt, gold, uranium, coal, iron ore, and diamonds. However, SENET doesn’t just stand out in the range of projects it is able to work on. This company has built a reputation based on where it works almost as much as how it works. An Adaptable Operation It may seem an obvious thing to point out but Africa is a big place, and across the continent you’ll find a huge array of different climates and political situations. Where many engineering firms prefer to stay close to home, SENET literally goes the extra mile. The company has experience on mining and construction projects throughout West Africa, North Africa and Sub-Sahara Africa, even moving as far afield as Asia and Central and South America. “We really come into our own working in Africa,” joint managing director Neil Senior says. “Our project workers

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SENET

have a great deal of experience working on projects outside of South Africa. If it’s a difficult country with difficult logistics and a difficult climate, we’re the company for the job.” The in depth understanding SENET has of issues such as cross border logistics, freighting, and the difficulties of executing large construction projects in a place with only limited infrastructure has become invaluable on numerous projects. Regardless of where they are working, SENET emphasises quality, safety and environmental responsibility on all their projects. This has lead to them receiving awards from several respected bodies, including the Quality, Safety and Export Achievement awards. A Proud History SENET’s dedicated, wide ranging approach to engineering has left it very well established, with quite the history behind it. “We’ve been in business for 22 years and our staff level is now at around 500 people,” Senior explains. In fact, right now the company is approaching a major milestone: “We’re approaching our 500th project now,” Senior says, with justifiable pride. Perhaps SENET’s success comes from the fact that the company was founded by a team of project managers and engineers who already had years of experience in the fields of design, construction, process engineering and materials handling. These people founded SENET in 1989 based on two

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principles. Firstly, SENET recognises proven principles and experience - something the company has in abundance after several decades operating in the field. Secondly, the company places a great deal of value on its client relations, and develops and maintains those relationships with trust, respect and honesty. In the mining and materials handling arena SENET has a proven track record of providing solutions that are pragmatic and uniquely customised to the task at hand. SENET’s engineers have an ingrained respect for tried and tested methods, while remaining open minded enough to take the best from the latest technological developments and industry trends. From the very beginning, SENET has been an innovator. In the early nineties the company developed a range of equipment for heap leach stacking and agglomeration equipment that was well received across the world, and went on to become a world leader in heap leach equipment technology. Today SENET will still design and build prototypes to solve new problems for their clients. Likewise, not long after the company was founded, it was completing export type projects in every corner of the African continent and beyond. SENET has truly shown the value of the phrase “start as you mean to go on”, and it says a lot that after 22 years the company’s original directors are still involved in the running of the company. A Matter of Trust Returning to the present day, things are going well for

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Unit 46 Kyanorth Park | +27 11 708 2313/4 | www.lathamafrica.co.za | info@lathamafrica.co.za Endeavour Magazine • December 2011 • 55

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SENET

SENET. “The last year has been very good for us,” Senior says. “partly because we’ve been getting a lot of great work in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the last five years with Glencore/ Groupe Bazano.” SENET’s founding principle of building long lasting, mutually beneficial relationships has paid off, and existing clients keep coming back with more projects. “We get a lot of repeat business from our clients, from large and smaller mining companies such as Glencore, Randgold Resources, Nevsun, Cluff, etc.” Senior says. “They return to us time and again because we bring our projects in on time, and within budget.” Another reason why the company has built up such a reservoir of trust with its clients is the company’s unwavering commitment to transparency, achieving good discounts from suppliers for SENET’s clients. “Most of our projects are EPCM, where we carry out the project on behalf of the client but with everything very ‘open book’ and auditable,” says Senior. “We work closely with a lot of junior miners who often don’t have access to a lot of their own infrastructure so trust is crucial in our relationships with these mining companies, as our team at SENET combines and works for and on behalf of the client with SENET personnel carrying out the implementation of the project.” Placing Value on Skills Of course, for SENET to do what it does, it’s critical that it has the skilled people needed to plan and execute these

projects. This is becoming an increasingly severe issue at a time when there is a huge skills shortage in the mining and engineering sectors. SENET is doing what it can to combat the worst effects of the skills shortage, as Senior explains: “We provide continual training to all our staff, from our project engineers and project managers, through to all the levels of design, project planning and estimating.” However, regardless of the training courses put in place the skills shortage remains a serious problem. This means SENET is making sure that it puts a premium value on talent. “We incentivise our people, using rewards such as end-of-year bonuses,” Senior explains. “Aside from that, we make sure we pay our people well while always keeping an eye out for new people with good performance. “Wherever possible we promote from within, however we’re always open to the possibility of bringing in good people from outside, especially if they’re recommended to us through word of mouth.” Overall, the future of SENET is looking bright. The company continues to work in the DRC on copper cobalt projects as well as continuing its work on gold mining projects in West Africa. Senior also mentions the possibility of expanding into nickel mining work, possibly in the Philipines and Tanzania. Whatever happens, SENET’s founding principles and diverse skills base look set to ensure it does what it’s always done - great work under a huge range of circumstances.

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SNA Consulting Electrical Engineers www.snaconsulting.co.za 0027 31 465 3020 Written by Chris Farnell

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Energy, where we get it from, and how we use it is becoming an issue we all have to be aware of in everything we do. Endeavour Magazine talks to a firm of consultant engineers who are helping to make sure buildings in the government, commercial and residential sectors are ready to meet the challenge. For several years now South Africa has been staring down the barrel of an energy crisis, with its power stations stretched far too thin. Meanwhile, the dangers of global warming are becoming more apparent every day, and it is becoming ever more important to make the most of alternative, less harmful sources of energy. On top of that, all over the world we’re still clawing our way out of a serious financial crisis and everyone has to watch their outgoings - of which energy can often be the most costly. However, where there is a need, there is an opportunity,

and many young companies are starting to meet the challenges. One such company is SNA Consulting Electrical Engineers. Established in Durban in 2003, the company has already generated an impressive list of projects which managing director Sydney Naidoo has personally seen through to completion from the earliest stages of design. Despite being relatively young, the company has built up a client base that has included work for the local, regional and central governments, as well as work for private developers in the commercial and industrial sectors. Specialising in electrical and electronic engineering, the company offers services as varied as feasibility studies, tender documents and community liaison through to contract administration, inspections and post completion audits. SNA boasts an impressive résumé of electrical engineering

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projects. Some of these projects are glamorous, such as the installation of floodlighting, TV and radio broadcasting systems, and fire detection and evacuation systems in sports stadiums. Others are vitally important, such as the installation of operating theatres, intensive care wards and intercom systems in hospitals. A lot of the building services work they do are simply designing and installing the everyday things that none of us notice as long as they’re working correctly - lighting systems, escalators, information display systems. SNA brings its expertise to bear on projects like these and more, but talking to Naidoo, it becomes clear that the company’s real passion lies in the efficient, clean use of energy. “Our expertise in energy management, particularly renewable energy, is one of our key selling points,” Naidoo explains. A Passion for Energy SNA has developed an integrated design philosophy that focuses on solutions driven by technology while demonstrating an awareness of the impact that their projects will have on the environment. As public awareness of the world’s dwindling resources is rising, SNA’s expertise is increasingly in demand, even during the hardest economic times. “Over the last year we’ve probably done better than most companies in our market sector,” Naidoo admits. “We’ve been growing consistently for the last three years. We lost some projects to the downturn, but at the same time we’ve

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SNA Consulting Electrical Engineers

actually picked up work as a result of the downturn because our projects are saving people money.” This is a trend Naidoo expects to continue even as the financial situation improves. “The opportunities for renewable energy are rising because our customers have seen real savings,” Naidoo says. It’s easy to see the truth in what Naidoo says just by taking a look at some of the energy management and renewable energy projects his company has been involved in. SNA Consulting Electrical Engineers has provided solar power plants and wind power plants to clients ranging from the Umgeni Eco-Tourism Centre and Umnini Thusong Centre, right through to the City Fleet Offices and Claremont Taxi Rank. Meanwhile, the firm’s energy efficiency expertise has been sought out by clients as varied as the City Hospital, Kendra Retirement Homes, the ABSA Stadium and Pick’N’Pay, who have made use of SNA’s expertise in several of their stores. Of course, as the demand for engineers with an expertise in renewable energy increases, so does the competition, and SNA are constantly investing in keeping themselves on the cutting edge of energy technology. Their methodologies and design approaches are informed by the latest thinking in the field. The Best Team The most valuable asset a company like SNA has is

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the expertise of its staff, and the company has a tightly constructed team trained to the absolute peak. Naidoo is able to vouch for the expertise of his team personally, as he is responsible for the training of every team member in his company. Over the years the firm has built incredibly strong ties with the Durban University of Technology, helping to assess its curriculum and provide practical training to students, several of whom have gone on to work for SNA. So far the company has trained three students who have all gone on to qualify as technicians, and right now the company is training up another two. Today SNA has a compact team of 11, consisting of technologists, technicians and designers. By keeping the team compact, SNA is able to provide a responsive, flexible service to its clients, as well

as building close relationships with both clients and each other. “The advantage of a team this size is that it’s a much more personal concern,” Naidoo explains. “We’re all able to discuss everything on a daily basis, giving us plenty of opportunities to exchange ideas. It also allows me to keep a close eye on everything that goes into and out of the office.” This approach has led towards SNA developing some strong partnerships with its clients, and the company receives a lot of repeat business thanks to its dedication to finishing projects to deadline and within budget without sacrificing quality. SNA Consulting Electrical Engineers is becoming a name that people trust. It’s no surprise that Naidoo is expecting the company’s turnover to increase drastically over the next few years, and he’s already planning to focus more of his company’s efforts into the energy saving efforts that made SNA’s name. “Next we’re going to be moving heavily into renewable energy,” he tells us. “At the moment roughly 60% of our business comes from building services, and 40% of it comes from energy management. Eventually we’re aiming to have 30% of our business in building management, 40% of it coming from energy distribution and the rest of our business being generated through our renewably energy work.” As more people become educated about the importance of managing our resources, for economic as well as environmental reasons, companies like SNA Consulting Electrical Engineers are going to be crucial in changing the way we do things.

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T: 0027 31 404 8031 F: 0027 31 404 5200 bcbr@polka.co.za Endeavour Magazine • December 2011 • 63

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BIZ-TAINMENT.COM Getting Talent Seen

“I can’t believe it’ s December alread y,” on e of my colle it’s strange that he ag ues sa id to day, ca n’t believe this se eing as De cem ber ha 12th m onth of th e ye s always be en th e ar fo r as long as I ca n rem em ber and it’ jum ping. s not on e fo r lin e I like De cem ber, it’s th e on e m onth of th e year wh er e I ca n ea as I like, drin k as mu t as mu ch food ch as I like and as lo ng as I ke ep a sm ile fu nny re d hat (well on and wear th e I would have done if Jim Blyt he ha dn’t sto jus t agre es and says len m in e) ever yone what a wond er ful jo b I’m doing. As we’re ex pe cti ng you to have m or e tim e on your ha nd s we deal of tim e orga ni ’ve sp ent a gr eat zing th e best in th e enter ta in m ent indu ab ou t. We went trave str y fo r you to read lli ng down a ro ad of ly rical sto ry tel ling Addison’s Un cle, go with folk mu sician tten swept up in th e on lin e-v ira l mag Ha d a look at Th e St ic of Tim my Auld. and’s new venu e in Newcas tle and ha d Blyt he is doing this found ou t what Jim Ch ris tmas. Happy Krimble, Donnie Rust

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THE STAND COMEDY CLUB: A VENUE REVIEW by Donnie Rust For new comedians, finding a platform from which to be seen as a professional and treated like an adult is a difficult step and sometimes feels like it’s more down to pure blind luck than talent. The Stand Comedy Club offers just such a platform and luckily they are keen to open it to new acts. Did you see what I did there? What started out as an idea by a group of comedy fans has become a recognized brand in comedy circles. The Stand Comedy Club is dedicated to developing new talent in the North East and providing the next generation of comics that vital step up needed to get started and seen. Red Raw was launched November 2nd 2011 and soon established itself as a popular and busy event. Boasting a solid team of local comperes including Tony Jameson, John Scott, Nicola Mantalios-Lovett, John Smith and George Zach, ten acts per night and a seasoned headlining act, this venue is clearly a rite of passage for comedians. Not only is Red Raw the place where many acts step on stage for the first time and where they learn their craft, it’s also a place where (sometimes very well known) headline acts are given the freedom to experiment and try out new material. Every show is unique, unpredictable, and as the name suggests, comedy at its purest and most unpolished. Every week Red Raw offers the potential to witness something rather special for the very first time. In Newcastle, the new, purpose built “The Stand Comedy Club”, six minutes from Central Station in High Bridge Gallery, opened its doors to the public on October 2011. The venue attracts the kind of acts you’d expect and this draws in the crowds; but neither would be interested if it wasn’t for the already firmly established reputation and promotion The Stand can offer. With a 300 person capacity, they’re going to be entertaining over 100 000 people per year - a lot of happy customers and a lot of laughter. INTERESTING FACT: The Stand Comedy Club is the trading name of Salt ‘n’ Sauce Promotions Ltd which

operates year round venues in Edinburgh, Glasgow and now Newcastle. Situated in Newcastle’s entertainment hub - round the corner from the newly re-opened Theatre Royal, The Stand adds another dimension to the High Bridge Gallery complex that occupies the rest of the building. Tony Durcan, director of culture, libraries and lifelong learning at Newcastle City Council, said: “We really are delighted that The Stand is opening, adding yet another distinctive brand of culture to the city and to the High Bridge environment.” INTERESTING FACT: Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday there’s prime stand-up with five professional acts from the UK and international circuits in a two hour show. Considering they operate some of the venues most heavily involved in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, in which BizTainment.com have a vested interest, clearly getting involved with anything The Stand does is a good move for any career in comedy and performance. The Stand is so much more than a comedy club. There is a street level bistro and bar which is open all day every day, providing meals of the best locally sourced, home-cooked quality to accompany your enjoyment of the show. A meal and a show. Superb! For additional information, images, interviews, etc contact: Dave McGuire, dave@thestand.co.uk 0131 5587373

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TALENT GETS TALKED ABOUT It’s common knowledge that I have a problem with “pop popularity”, the audience engineered culture that worships the X Factor machine and the conveniently packaged Pop-Icons it pumps out on a yearly basis. Doomed to turn against their maker the moment their year of fame ends and their sell by date expires. I’m not the only one, it would seem, judging by the growing number of people who are for the first time listening and following folk music. By the way, if you haven’t heard of Addison’s Uncle then you can thank me later. “There is folk music revitalization; the lyrical storytelling involved in it offers a lot more to the audience member than some other music genres” Philip Pearson, Addison’s Uncle. INTERESTING FACT: Philip Pearson took the stage name Addison’s Uncle as homage to the birth of his brother’s first child… Addison. “My family have played a major part in my song writing,” he says, fondly recollected the story behind one of his most popular and wildly catchy B1159* - a song about how his father used to drive the wrong way from Nottingham to Norwich to avoid all the major highways. It’s songs like these that bridge the gap between generations and genres, everyone can relate to the story behind them. And when you see him keeping an entire audience riveted and singing along, the genius behind it is clear. The main difference between a performer and an artist is immersion. There’s an old adage that you become a product of your surroundings and in this way you could say that Philip was destined to do what he does. His parents are both musicians as is his brother, his mother used to sing to him before he was able to speak, and it’s to her that he accredits his near perfect pitch. Philip Pearson is immersed in the folk culture - whether he’s on stage or at home, he looks like a folk singer; his clothes, his style, his taste in music speak of lyrical tales of life and experience. INTERESTING FACT: It is rumoured

that if Add i s o n’s Uncle ever played a Co l d p l a y or Dire Straits song he would actually spontaneously combust. Amazingly, he’s only been in the gigging scene for a year, and his unique, clever style of guitar playing (he has never held a plectrum) which involves finger picking, strumming, slapping and retuning his guitar mid song is entirely self-taught. Always impeccably in character, with trousers and suspenders, collared shirt, waist coat and his ever faithful Yamaha guitar he hasn’t yet played a gig with shoes on, claiming that having his feet on the floor helps him relax. This has become a bit of a characterising gimmick and his growing following have come to expect it. In all fairness, legends have been created on less. Online presence was something that happened almost without his direct influence, people like to chat about talent and his reputation precedes him. “You have to immerse yourself in what you love doing, and do it well because you love doing it.” Philip Pearson, Addison’s Uncle. I would seriously recommend you visit Addison’s Uncle on Facebookmake the effort of going to one of his gigs and see this guy for yourself. You’ll be proud of yourself for doing so, almost as much as young Addison will be of the famous performer and genre leader he calls Uncle. His Facebook page: facebook.com/addisonsuncle Donnie Rust, (AKA The Naked Busker) is one of Britain’s foremost comedy writers in the field of business, travel and adventure with over 1 million readers worldwide. His stand-up comedy is apparently hilarious too. He can be found at: www.facebook. com/donnierust.

*warning: listening to anything on this link will result in humming and potentially whistling

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TIMMY AULD: GOING VIRAL WITH “KISS OR TWO” At age 10 a young Timmy Auld found in his possession a beat box programme called Fruity Loops and taught himself how to use it to make music. Now, aged 21, he is a fast riding artist on the road to victory. YouTube has become one of his vehicles of choice and this is just one of the available vids:

Take the time to enjoy this video. I had the chance to chat with Timmy Auld the other day, He talked to me on his cell phone in English, while he also bought some wood for a DIY project that he was conducting at home and buying it in German. All in all, it had been one of those mornings. Growing up in Germany with both German and British parents, Timmy has benefitted from a cross-pollination of influences, which has led to a smooth, easy listening style of music that can be appreciated universally. What’s remarkable however is that Timmy Auld is almost entirely self- taught and music is only one of the many things that this young performer is involved in. “You have to go where your interests lie,” Timmy says to me, “Focus is important, but unless you’re interested in something you can’t focus.” The YouTube video was first posted on a German social networking site by a German celebrity, which gave Timmy the initial push he required. It’s gone well since then, judging by the many gigs he’s been asked to perform at, the fan-base-

following he’s acquired, and the fact that my boss insisted that under no circumstances was I allowed to write about anything else until I had an editorial about Timmy who he quoted as being “The next YouTube phenomenon”. I happen to agree with him. I love this video. With the ongoing success of the video Timmy’s brother along with his drummer set up the recording label homeFi Productions to cater to the demand for the albums. The trio communicate everything thoroughly, approaching every task as a team to ensure that everyone is happy and with this combined effort the results are set to be miraculous. Timmy’s YouTube Channel: youtube.com/user/timothyschannel Donnie Rust, (AKA The Naked Busker) is one of Britain’s foremost comedy writers in the field of business, travel and adventure with over 1 million readers worldwide. His stand-up comedy is apparently hilarious too. He can be found at: www.facebook.com/donnierust. Endeavour Magazine • December 2011 • 67

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