February2013

February 2013 www.endeavourmagazine.com

NOT-SO-SECRET CUSTOMER VISITS

CLUBHOTEL RIU BUENA VISTA

MOVIETOWNE

NICO VAN DER MEULEN

SEMS EXPLORATION

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

Inspired by your success

n o s u c fo city

` 272 rooms (standard, executive, deluxe, suite) “enjoy the style and tradition” ` 5 Conference rooms with courtyard view ` ARAZ Restaurant with terrace & Cocktail Bar ` Gallery Café & Corporate Lounge 272 rooms (standard, executive, deluxe, suite) ` Continental Spa & Fitness Room 5 Conference rooms with courtyard view ` Roof Garden

` ` ` ARAZ Restaurant with terrace & Cocktail Bar ` Gallery Café & Corporate Lounge ` Continental Spa & Fitness Room ` Roof Garden

H-1074 Budapest, Dohány utca 42-44. | Tel: +36 1 815 1000 | E-mail: continentalinfo@zeinahotels.com | www.continentalhotelbudapest.com

February 2013 www.endeavourmagazine.com

NOT-SO-SECRET CUSTOMER VISITS

CLUBHOTEL RIU BUENA VISTA

Editor’s note

MOVIETOWNE

By Daemon Sands

NICO VAN DER MEULEN

Chief Editor of Endeavour Magazine

SEMS EXPLORATION

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

Inspired by your success

Heads of Departments Editor in Chief Daemon Sands daemonsands@littlegatepublishing.com Director of Research Don Campbell doncampbell@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Director James Martin jamesmartin@littlegatepublishing.com Corporate Director Anthony Letchumaman anthonyl@littlegatepublishing.com 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 Kings Lane Norwich, NR1 3PS United Kingdom

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 2013

Admit it. Nobody likes January. It’s a hangover month where we lament the excesses of Christmas and New Year, compounded by being a long month where December’s salary runs out way too quickly. So February is probably the most welcomed month of the year and is no doubt considered to be the friendliest. Inexcusably connected to November (when more babies are born than any other month) it is a month that people reach with relief and a smile.

Beset as we are with chocolates, flowers, cards and well-armed babies in nappies Littlegate Publishing has notoriously approached this month with caution thanks to Donnie Rust’s usual technique of blanket-mailing the office with Valentine cards in the same way he fishes with dynamite.

Marketing for this month has taken a prolific turn as the internet has wrapped the entire gift-giving-receiving industry around itself with more choices, more opportunities and more ideas than ever before.

It seems unbelievable that we have only had the internet since the early 1990s and it is responsible for changing so much. As a platform for communication not only between individuals but between corporations and organizations, a stage from where entire industries have developed and millionaire careers have been launched the internet has become a defining and undeniable part of our lives. Furthermore it is also going to continue to play and ever increasing role in our futures.

But do you know how best to use it?

Internet connectivity is becoming a universal language that is being spoken across the globe and whether you want to or not you’ll need to familiarize yourself with it or be left behind. You could make someone else rich by allowing them to translate it for you or you can invest a few hours of your life and learn it yourself. Ignorance is no longer an excuse. It is a case of step up or be left behind.

The understanding of basic internet connectivity and an understanding on how to make the best use of this wonderful resource promises a significant advantage for any business. Only a tiny percentage of the internet’s potential has been tapped and the newest market booms will only be enjoyed by those in the position to ride the wave.

Kindest,

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 •

3

Features

20 Damus Ltd: Team Work Equals Quality 26 Foulath: Solid As Ever 32 Movietowne: Bringing The Magic Of Hollywood To The Caribbean 38 ClubHotel Riu Buena Vista: Not-So-Secret Customer Visit 48 GM Graphix: Staying At The Top 54 Ambatovy Mines: An Axis Of Development 60 SEMS Exploration: World Class Consultancy Service And Local Values 66 Santam: Safely Undercover 72 Nico Van Der Meulen: Beautifully Functional 78 Fuchs Lubricants: Keeping Friction At Bay

“It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.�

Nelson Mandela

Articles

6 Real Falls And Real Car Chases 10 A Personality Feature On Nick Gillard Is The Answer To The UK’s Economic 14 Woes Really Below The Sea? Don’t They Watch 16 Television?

Valentine’s 18 Day Headlines And Good News

Fifty Shades Of Grey Saves Companies Founded in Millinocket, Maine in 1900, the Great Northern Paper Company started off strong, producing up to 240 tons of newsprint on a daily basis and as the century progressed, business only got better until the end of the century.

At the end of the 20th century, publishing companies were outsourcing to other countries around the world because they charged less than the GNP and as a result, GNP lost a lot of business and had to close many of their plants. This included laying off hundreds of staff, including 400 workers in the small town of East Millinocket.

However, when Cate Street Capital bought the GNP plant in East Millinocket they quickly signed a deal to produce 3,000 tons of paper that were needed to print E.L. James’ novel: ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’.

Video Game Saves Lives

“We aren’t in an information age, we are in an entertainment age.”

Tony Robbins

Minecraft has teamed up with the United Nations to take advantage of the problem solving abilities developed in gamers who play the game regularly and are able to make judgement calls based on trial and error without the distraction of bullets and explosions.

In September 2012, the gaming company that runs Minecraft teamed up with the UN Habitat to start a project they are calling ‘Block by Block’. Essentially, the game takes real-world environments and puts them into Minecraft.

Financial Headlines & Good News

More Homeowners Believe Now is a Good Time To Sell; Fear of Missing Out on Future Price Gains Surpasses the Economy as Top Concern in Redfin Home Seller Survey Housing Inventory Remains at Record Lows despite Seller Optimism SEATTLE -- Redfin (www.redfin.com), a technology-powered real estate broker, today released its latest survey of home sellers, capturing sentiment of homeowners with the intent to sell.

Redfin based this analysis on survey answers from 895 respondents across the U.S. who indicated intent to sell their home in the near future. Data was collected just last week.

The Redfin Real-Time Home Seller Survey is a companion to the quarterly Buyer Survey and Agent Survey.

Results Snapshot: • 81% believe prices will rise in the next 12 months, up from 75% in the fourth quarter; • 34.1% indicated that missing out on future price

New Transactions, Revenue Backlog To Boost Growth: Research Report On Seadrill Ltd. Seadrill looks to build on its bright future with record highs in revenue backlog and earnings visibility, as well as improving access to capital and asset mix and new acquisitions Norwegian offshore driller Seadrill (NYSE:SDRL) [ Full Research Report ](1), known for its high dividend yield stock, has secured itself for further growth in the future after announcing its plans to introduce 22 newbuilds into its current fleet of 48 drilling units over the next two years.

In addition, Seadrill has a record high revenue backlog of $19.7 billion and has earnings visibility as markets from all asset classes are improving. Motley Fool expects the company to add to its backlog up until next year as 2014 newbuild deliveries start to contract out. At present, it has a diverse asset base of 24 drillships & semi-submersibles, 21 jack-up rigs and 21 tender rigs.

The company also improved its access to capital and asset mix by floating its master limited partnership division, Seadrill Partners. In addition, they managed to increase its stake in Asia Offshore Drilling at 66.16 percent after failing to secure the purchase. It now owns twice as much of the company, expanding the company’s position in the shallowwater sector of the offshore drilling industry.

Seadrill announced the sale of its tender rig division to Malaysian oil and gas firm SapuraKencana for $2.9 billion,

including $363 million in remaining capital expenditures on the company’s newbuild tender rigs, $187 million in a seller’s note, and $350 million worth of new shares of SapuraKencana.

The company will also assume the debt Seadrill’s tender rig division, which is at $800 million.

A report from Seeking Alpha says pushing for an acquisition rather than build new rigs, which could take at least two years, would make better sense for Seadrill. Aside from that, shipyards can only build so many rigs at one time, considering constraints on space, manpower, equipment and other resources.

Fortunately, Seadrill has secured build slots at various shipyards, enabling them to construct new rigs even with capacity concerns. However, an acquisition would give the company a ready-made fleet of rigs without having to wait years to obtain and begin using the rigs. This would drastically increase its operating fleet and start generating revenue, cash flow, and profits right away.

Nevertheless, investors can expect substantial payouts ahead into the future as Seadrill rakes in the revenue and additional oil production either through new rigs or acquisitions they have planned. It wouldn’t be surprising if the $38.16 stock price would be in the hundreds not far from today.

Reference Links: (1)The Full Research Report on Seadrill Ltd. including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: http://bit.ly/14r07a1.

• • • •

gains was a major concern, up from 30.6%, and overtaking general economic conditions (33.8%) as the top concern; 49% indicated that they were planning to sell, up from 45%; 47% would also consider renting out their home instead of selling, up from 43%; 22% believe now is a good time to sell, up from 15% 54% believe it is a good time to buy, down from 58%

Based on increased home-seller confidence reported in last quarter’s survey, Redfin was optimistic that inventory would start to pick up in early 2013. As of last week, inventory was still down dramatically, indicating that the home-selling season have a late start this year. Redfin compared the number of new listings added to the market during the first two weeks of 2013 with the number of homes for sale listed during the same period last year. The company saw inventory plummet in every market it serves, with an average of 30 percent fewer new listings this year than last. The growing number of home sellers whose top concern is that they may miss out on even greater price gains suggests homeowners’ continued reluctance to enter the market just yet. As prices continue to rise, Redfin expects what it now considers an inventory crisis to ease as the spring and summer home-selling seasons approach.

Click the following link to read the full Real-Time Home Seller Survey. http://blog.redfin.com/?p=10672.

About the Report From January 17 through January 21, Redfin surveyed 1,847 people who had used Redfin in the last three months and indicated that they were a homeowner. Those who did not indicate an intention to sell their home were excluded. This report incorporates the survey responses of 895 respondents across 20 in the U.S.: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Orange County, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Riverside / San Bernardino, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington DC. About Redfin Redfin (www.redfin.com) is a technology-powered real estate broker that represents people buying and selling homes. Founded and run by technologists, Redfin has a team of experienced, full-service real estate agents who are advocates, not sales-people, earning customer-satisfaction bonuses, not commissions. Redfin’s online tools feature all the broker-listed homes for sale, as well as for-sale-byowner properties that don’t pay brokers a commission. The company serves 20 U.S. markets and has closed more than $5 billion in home sales. In 2012, Redfin was named one of The DIGITAL 100: World’s Most Valuable Private Tech Companies by Business Insider. Follow us on blog.redfin. com, on Twitter @redfin, and Facebook.com/Redfin.

Little Girl’s “Magic Arms” Exoskeleton Design - Created

By Stratasys 3D Printer Customer - Is Up For Designs Of The Year Award MINNEAPOLIS and REHOVOT, Israel, Jan. 25, 2013 Stratasys Ltd. (NASDAQ: SSYS) a leading manufacturer of 3D printers and production systems for prototyping and manufacturing, says that the “magic arms” WREX exoskeleton, designed by Nemours/ Alfred l. duPont Hospital for Children, has been nominated for the Designs of the Year 2013 awards by London’s Design Museum.

Using a Stratasys Dimension 3D Printer, researchers at the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Philadelphia were able to help four-year-old Emma Lavelle overcome the limitations of a congenital disorder, allowing her to use her arms for the first time. The “magic arms” device is a custom-designed robotic exoskeleton that enables her to conquer greatly limited joint mobility and underdeveloped muscles.

The Designs of the Year is an international awards program, showcasing the most innovative and imaginative designs from the past year. It spans seven categories: Architecture, Digital, Fashion, Furniture, Graphics, Transport and Product. Category winners and the overall winner will be decided by a jury and announced to the public on 17th April 2013. The nominated entries will also be available to view in an exhibition at the Design Museum, running from 20th March 2013.

“This is an exciting time for 3D printing, as more people become aware of its potential and its impact,” said Stratasys Executive VP of Global Marketing, Jon Cobb. “We are honored to have been involved in such a worthwhile project and pleased to see it recognized by the design community.”

Besides its customer being an award finalist, Stratasys itself has been named a finalist for three Golden Mousetrap Awards from U.S. industry magazine, Design News . It was recognized in the Materials and Assembly category for its Mojo 3D Printer, its Objet30 3D Printer, and its Objet line of digital materials. Award subcategories are engineering plastics and rapid prototyping machines.

In addition, Stratasys has garnered two recent award wins from industry magazines, and its founder, chairman, and former CEO, Scott Crump, was inducted into Industry Week magazine’s 2012 Hall of Fame in December. The company’s Objet product line won the 2012 Leadership in Engineering Program from U.S. publication Design World and the Objet260 Connex has received an innovation award from U.S. magazine, Dental Advisor .

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 7

Telecommunications Headlines

Global Voice Group Strengthens Its Partnerships With Telecommunications Regulators In 2013 CAPE TOWN, South Africa, January 25, 2013 Global Voice Group’s annual message Global Voice Group (GVG) wishes its partners in telecommunications regulation, as well as all public and private stakeholders of the sector, a new year 2013 filled with success, innovation and growth.

The group has made a very positive assessment of its technical assistance activities for the benefit of telecommunications regulators in 2012 and is planning to strengthen its partnerships with the latter in 2013.

Already enjoying a strong presence in Africa, where its revenue assurance and governance solutions are used in some ten countries, GVG is moving forward on the path to global development which was laid out in 2012. The group is expanding internationally by marketing its technologies in the Middle East and throughout the Asian continent.

Regulating the main segments of the flourishing mobile services market (voice, data, mobile money, etc.) will still represent a key stake for emerging countries in 2013. The

VimpelCom partners with Wikimedia Foundation to offer free mobile Wikipedia access through Wikipedia Zero AMSTERDAM, Jan. 25, 2013 VimpelCom Ltd., a leading global provider of telecommunications services, and the Wikimedia Foundation, operator of Wikipedia, the web-based, multilingual, freecontent encyclopedia project, today announced a partnership to deliver free Wikipedia access to VimpelCom customers.

Through Wikipedia Zero, VimpelCom’s mobile customers will have free access to the mobile version of Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, along with a light-weight, text-only fast version of the site. Locally-relevant articles in local language versions of Wikipedia will be available along with the English version.

Wikipedia is the largest collection of knowledge ever assembled. Featuring more than 23 million articles available in 280 languages, Wikipedia is the world’s fifth most visited website with a 483 million-strong global readership.

Mikhail Gerchuk, VimpelCom’s Group Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer, said: “The world’s sixth largest telecommunications company and fifth largest website globally are coming together to offer our customers a better mobile experience and greater access to free knowledge, particularly in emerging markets. This is a win-win

development of the necessary infrastructures will further widen the scope of IP convergence. The pace at which the technological and commercial telecom environment in emerging and developing countries has been changing and growing in complexity will keep on accelerating. This accelerated evolution has a deep impact on the way in which regulatory authorities manage the issues at stake, such as fraud, Quality of Service, revenue control and the protection of national interests in a globalization context.

In 2013, GVG will keep on following the evolution of these challenges very closely and on developing optimal solutions to address the current and future challenges related to telecommunications regulation in emerging countries.

About GVG Founded in 1998, Global Voice Group S.A. develops and implements cutting-edge management and monitoring solutions for telecoms regulation authorities. As a key investor and partner, we optimize the regulators’ capacities to help them face the current and future challenges of the sector, both at the national and international level. Our revenue assurance, traffic monitoring and fraud management solutions are being successfully used in several countries, including Ghana, Liberia, Rwanda, Togo, Congo-Brazzaville, Guinea-Conakry and the Central African Republic.

partnership that helps us to promote the mobile internet to our customers while contributing to Wikipedia’s mission to bring free access to the entire world’s knowledge.”

“We’re very happy VimpelCom is joining us in removing a major barrier to accessing Wikipedia on mobile phones.

This partnership is an important step forward in our mission to bring free knowledge to everyone on the planet,” said Kul Takanao Wadhwa, Head of Mobile with the Wikimedia Foundation. “In conjunction with VimpelCom, one of the largest telecommunication providers in the world, we’re now able to expand free access to Wikipedia in more countries.

With this partnership, Wikipedia Zero is now available to 330 million mobile users around the world.”

Wikipedia Zero will be rolled out in VimpelCom operations across the globe starting this year, with focus on emerging markets in Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa. While Wikipedia Zero will be the first initiative of the partnership to launch, both partners are also expected to jointly develop additional Wikimedia services to target emerging markets in the future.

This latest agreement is part of VimpelCom’s consistent strategy of providing its customers with the best mobile experience and complements the previously announced partnership with Opera Mini to provide a mobile web browser optimized for basic phones.

About VimpelCom VimpelCom is one of the world’s largest integrated telecommunications services operators providing voice and

NASA Launches Next-Generation Communications Satellite

data services through a range of traditional and broadband mobile and fixed technologies in Russia, Italy, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, Laos, Algeria, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Burundi, Zimbabwe, Central African Republic and Canada.

VimpelCom’s operations around the globe cover territory with a total population of approximately 780 million people. VimpelCom provides services under the “Beeline”, “Kyivstar”, “djuice”, “Wind”, “Infostrada” “Mobilink”, “Leo”, “banglalink”, “Telecel”, and “Djezzy” brands. As of September 30, 2012 VimpelCom had 212 million mobile subscribers on a combined basis. VimpelCom is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol (VIP). For more information visit: http://www.vimpelcom.com.

About the Wikimedia Foundation The Wikimedia Foundation is the non-profit organization that operates Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. According to comScore Media Metrix, Wikipedia and the other projects operated by the Wikimedia Foundation receive more than 483 million unique visitors per month, making them the fifth-most popular web property world-wide (comScore, November 2012). Available in 285 languages, Wikipedia contains more than 24 million articles contributed by a global volunteer community of roughly 80,000 people. Based in San Francisco, California, the Wikimedia Foundation is an audited, 501(c)(3) charity that is funded primarily through donations and grants. For more information visit: http://wikimediafoundation.org , http://blog.wikimedia.org.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Jan. 30, 2013 The first of NASA’s three next-generation Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS), known as TDRS-K, launched at 8:48 p.m. EST Wednesday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

“TDRS-K bolsters our network of satellites that provides essential communications to support space exploration,” said Badri Younes, deputy associate administrator for Space Communications and Navigation at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “It will improve the overall health and longevity of our system.”

The TDRS system provides tracking, telemetry, command and high-bandwidth data return services for numerous science and human exploration missions orbiting Earth. These include the International Space Station and NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.

“With this launch, NASA has begun the replenishment of our aging space network,” said Jeffrey Gramling, TDRS project manager. “This addition to our current fleet of seven will provide even greater capabilities to a network that has become key to enabling many of NASA’s scientific discoveries.”

TDRS-K was lifted into orbit aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41.

After a three-month test phase, NASA will accept the spacecraft for additional evaluation before putting the satellite into service.

The TDRS-K spacecraft includes several modifications from older satellites in the TDRS system, including redesigned telecommunications payload electronics and a high-performance solar panel designed for more spacecraft power to meet growing S-band requirements. Another significant design change, the return to ground-based processing of data, will allow the system to service more customers with evolving communication requirements.

The next TDRS spacecraft, TDRS-L, is scheduled for launch in 2014. TDRS-M’s manufacturing process will be completed in 2015.

NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation Program, part of the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate at the agency’s Headquarters in Washington, is responsible for the space network.

The TDRS Project Office at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., manages the TDRS development program. Launch services were provided

by United Launch Alliance. NASA’s Launch Services Program at the Kennedy Space Center was responsible for acquisition of launch services.

For more information about TDRS, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/tdrs.

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 9

REAL FALLS AND REAL CAR CHASES A PERSONALITY FEATURE ON NICK GILLARD

by Donnie Rust

Even though the credit roll for the biggest movies take up a good portion of the film time, it’s easy to forget the amount of people it requires to make a big budget film nowadays. The biggest blockbusters are backed by the biggest companies, employing hundreds, even thousands of people behind the scenes responsible for making the magic possible around a comparatively small amount of cast.

As the audience we don’t appreciate how many people it takes to get these big budget films to a suitable standard that will impress the ever changing tastes of the audience. Star

Wars is the finest example as the fight scenes in the original films were some of the best of the time and even today are of a highly entertaining quality but they dull in comparison to the speed and grace that we see in the most recent films.

We got the chance to speak with the driving force behind it all. Nick Gillard is the creative and productive force behind those fight scenes that add the extra sharpness and sweetness

to our favourite action films. A highly sought after individual, his choices and creations have defined an entire industry and yet how it all started is not what you would expect.

“I was brought up in the circus, bareback horse riding.

We were called in to do a film in 1977 at Shepperton Studios called ‘The Thief of Bagdad’,” he explains, “I noticed that the food was free and that’s when I decided to make a career of it.”

Since then he’s been the first choice stunt man for Mark Hamill in Star Wars Episode IV (New Hope) and amongst his movie credits are Sleepy Hollow, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones The

Last Crusade. He had a minor role in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith as Jedi Master Cin Drallig (“Nic Gillard” spelled backwards). Not bad, considering it was initially the canteen that attracted him to it all.

“Free food. Yes please!”- Nick Gillard.

Action films will always be highlighted by the fighting and stunt work. Little will keep an audience as stuck to their seats as a dangerous, visually spectacular fight sequence. As the years have progressed, our expectations have changed.

In the seventies and eighties we looked for power and strength. Epitomised by Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris, the Americanization of films at this time had such a wide effect Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 11

that Jackie Chan, to break into the American audience had to re-shoot a number of his fight scenes in his most famous films to a different style.

In the eighties it was the high kicking of Jean Claude Van Damme and the brutal yet graceful Steve Segal. In the nineties we wanted something faster, fluid and stunning, we wanted to see somersaults, cartwheels, wire work, CGI special effects and if possible someone in a trench-coat flying through the air (The Matrix and Blade Trilogies) and today we look for fight sequences that are realistic, direct and brutal such as Taken, Forgotten and almost anything to do with Liam Neilson.

“The industry has changed considerably. When I started we used to do everything for real which was why the stuntman was so important, real high falls, real fires, real cars in real streets,” Nick recalls fondly, “Now because visual understanding is as important as visual stunning most of it can be achieved digitally, this is much safer but way less fun. You also have to pay for the food now.”

A brief browse on the internet will supply an extensive list of films that Nick has worked on as stunt choreographer or stuntman himself. He’s acted with Davie Bowie as his stunt double in the peerless classic The Labyrinth and worked with other A Listers such as Samuel L. Jackson and Ewan McGregor. With such a reputation, which was the job that stands out most in his mind?

“The best shoot for fun was Amsterdammed,” he says, “I got to jump a 24 foot speed boat over a bridge.”

Amsterdammed was a 1987 film and that very scene he speaks of can be seen on Youtube at http://bit.ly/iRUZAY. Considering that this was done with no wires, no CGI effects, you can see just how much work, skill and guts it must have taken to do this.

“There were also pretty girls there too,” he adds.

Cinema, film and the technology available to view it all at home both advance the industry and create industries.

Despite the shiny exterior, this industry has its fair share of ups and downs, what would be the advice of one of its

longest surviving vanguards?

“It’s always been a tough industry, full of hurdles. You have to learn to jump them all, at speed, with your head down and your leading leg high.”

One of the most notable changes that would be relevant at the moment is the recent changing of hands between Lucasarts and Disney of the Star Wars franchise. There is a lot of debate on this subject in the media at the moment and everyone seems to have their own opinion on the matter. Is it that we believe there are some things that remain sacred and should not be changed or are we hungry for a new take on this franchise which many of us have grown up with.

“I think it’s good news, Star Wars is an institution and needs to be moved forward,” And what about newcomers to the industry, for the percentage of our readers who may be looking for a career change? I’m sure that many of us have seen the special features, Youtube clips and caption images of the stuntmen performing these incredibly daring and physically robust

stunts, and shaking hands with celebrity A-listers and dreamt of doing it. How difficult is it to get into the industry?

“Would probably be easier to become a brain surgeon or a rocket scientist. Safer too.”

One of the key factors it seems is that this is a landscape of diversity. It seems that Nick is always working, always busy, updating, coordinating and creating. Like many of the personalities we’ve featured at Endeavour it is not a place for the average thinker or the average doer. It’s one of those industries that if you’re meant to be a main player, you already know it.

Now along with major Hollywood titles he has under his belt Nick has also kept the British public entertained with the likes of The Bill, Lovejoy and other such classic of British television. We asked him which he preferred: The big over the top budget movie in foreign countries or the nice and calm series at home?

“It’s also nice to be at home, especially in Brighton by the sea. But I’m easy. Whoever has the best food!”

Endeavour Magazine • January 2013 • 13

OPINION:

IS THE ANSWER TO THE UK’S ECONOMIC WOES REALLY BELOW THE SEA?

by Martin White

With the widely reported prospect of an unprecedented triple-dip recession looming on the horizon, the UK economy is in crisis. The symptoms of the crisis can be widely seen affecting the retail, leisure, manufacturing, engineering and construction sectors but also throughout the country we see high levels of unemployment and rising debts.

Drastic action needs to be taken at a government level immediately to avoid what could be the worst economic situation in the country’s history. The situation is not without hope as Winston Churchill once said “Some people regard private enterprise as a predatory tiger to be shot. Others look on it as a cow they can milk. Not enough people see it as a healthy horse pulling a sturdy wagon.” The answers to this crisis lie in basic economics.

Trident is the British nuclear weapons programme, a relic from the Cold War set up between Prime Minister Margaret

Thatcher and US President Jimmy Carter to provide a mobile, submarine based inter-continental ballistic missile platform capable of launching nuclear weapons wherever may be required in the world. The system currently costs an estimated £2.5bn each year to operate and plans are in place to upgrade the system at an estimated cost of £130bn over 30 years. To me this seems like an astronomical amount of money to spend on something which is never intended to be used.

Scrapping the Trident programme would free a great deal of money which in these testing times could be effectively channeled back into the UK economy. Half of this budget could be put towards other more effective forms of civil defence, whilst I am no militar y expert I have absolutely no doubt that an additional £65bn in funding would provide a much needed shot in the arm to a defence budget facing severe cuts and provide more than adequate national protection. From a moralistic perspective this would also send a clear message to the rest of the world on the controversial issue of nuclear disarmament.

The modest sum of £65bn saved from scrapping Trident could be used as a stimulus fund to effectively rebuild the economy. For example; there are currently 62 million people living in the UK with over 21 million over 50 years of age. It would be possible to offer ever y person in the UK over 50 a tax free bonus of £1 million to retire on the condition that they have worked and paid income tax for a minimum of 25 years. This lump sum “Retirement Bonus” would carr y two main conditions; each person must buy a home in the UK or pay off their mortgage in full and buy a new car which must be manufactured in the UK. As I write this I can almost hear the gasps already but the facts are actually quite straightfor ward.

Offering such an attractive retirement package to the over 50’s would open up a much greater number of jobs for those not eligible to accept retirement. This first solves the problem of unemployment itself but also resolves the current phenomenon we see in the UK of well-educated graduates leaving university with no prospect of finding a job in their desired field. Unemployment would be solved.

The so called “grey market” currently accounts for 44% of consumer spending in the UK. This demographic group spends money, even in our current troubled times.

Arming this group with a high disposable income and abundant leisure time would help revitalise the UK retail sector through sheer spending alone. This spending would gradually work its way back into the economy through a basic economic principle called the multiplier effect. The multiplier effect is defined as an increase in spending leading to an increase in national income and consumption which is greater than the initial amount spent. For example; people spend money in a given retailer, said retailer expands employing more people and paying more money to its employees, employees of said retailer then spend their money in other retailers and so the cycle continues. Retail, leisure and hospitality cured.

Forcing people to buy a home or pay off their mortgage addresses the critical issues facing the building sector through stimulating demand for housing (note again the multiplier effect also applies here). This would also have the effect of going great lengths towards solving the national debt problem as on a household level, having no mortgage to pay increases disposable income which can then be put towards repayment of other personal debts, bearing in mind what Winston Churchill said about milking cows; this would also bring our rather notorious banking sector in to check by effectively forcing them back towards more traditional ways of doing business such as savings, deposits and investments. National debt and building sector cured.

The UK has always had a very skilled workforce in the automotive engineering and manufacturing sector, however we have seen a shift over recent years where car makers have moved operations abroad to take advantage of

cheap labour. The requirement to buy a car made in the UK would attract manufacturers to support their UK operations therefore creating even more skilled jobs. This is basic supply and demand but also don’t forget that multiplier because it also applies here. Please also consider that often skills which have been developed in automotive engineering are sought after within a number of other important industries.

Engineering and manufacturing sectors cured.

As far as I see it, the solution to the crisis could really be this simple. Don’t forget that £1 million is a lot of money which many people will simply not be able to spend entirely in their lifetime. This means there will be more wealth passed to the younger generation which in turn supports education, first time home ownership and private entrepreneurship, but also the government will reclaim a significant portion of this revenue through taxes levied on inheritance. This shows that the UK economy can be saved. Through effective stimulation it can also become a powerhouse in creating great opportunities and benefits for all who live here. The cost of doing so would be four submarines and some redundant nuclear weapons. I stress that this grand scheme merely represents the ramblings of one frustrated business journalist but none the less shows what can be achieved through the application of basic economics and common sense. Personally I feel it is time for our policy makers to wake up.

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 15

DON’T THEY WATCH TELEVISION?

by Donnie Rust In a move that would make James Cameron slap his forehead, we now have an unmanned, superdrone that has all the capabilities for murder as a stealth bomber with the added advantage of being able to pick its own targets and has been named after the Celtic god of thunder- Taranis - because when the British make a super-fast-super-quiet-killing-machine we want everyone to know it’s named after the British god of Thunder.

Didn’t the designers watch Terminator 1,2,3 or 4? Isn’t there a clear problem with this thinking? To use an adage from Dr. Ian Malcolm, mathematician, dinosaur killer and supernerd, “Are we too preoccupied with whether we could and didn’t stop to think about whether we should?”

I can see the steps now: some programming computer genius realizes one night while playing Halo that he can actually design a super-sonic-missile-delivery-system that can be unmanned and make its own decisions. Because he’s keen he doesn’t think about the possible ramifications of creating a decision making machine with guns despite having watched every movie regarding the topic ranging from Terminator to the lesser known but equally cool Solo.

He immediately pauses his game and gets to work. Sooner than we’d like, this idea reaches the Chief of British Military HQ who at first says, “This is an insane idea! It’s like giving a computer a mind of its own and giant missiles and telling it to make its own decisions as long as those decisions are

what we tell it.”

But before it’s scrapped, a technician/accountant says, “But sir, we’re able to save money because we don’t have to employ soldiers, pilots or ground control anymore we can just let this thing go loose and kill all of our enemies.”

The chief of Britain Military HQ thinks for a moment and says, “Yes okay, what’s the name of it?”

“We’ve named it Eddy … after the jet in the movie Stealth…” the techie says..

“Stealth?” the chief says thoughtfully, “Isn’t that movie about a decision making jet that goes mental and starts killing its makers?”

“Yes sir,” the technician says, “But the movie was a flop.”

“But it was about a decision making jet that went mental and starts killing its makers, yes?”

“Yes.” “That’s a preposterous idea, ridiculous. You, my little underappreciated staff member are insane,” the chief then

walks away, potentially smoking a cigar and says, “You must change the name immediately. Give it something memorable, something that makes people think of godliness and above all, Britain … how about Thor?”

“That’s not British sir, the British God of Thunder is Taranis.”

“Oh I like it,” the chief says ecstatically, “Make it happen immediately. I want us to spend a huge amount of money creating this self-thinking, decision making, almost sentient machinery that will be able to choose its targets - hopefully with appropriate accuracy and hostility for our enemies and not for us.”

“Yes sir!”

There seems to be a lot of this sort of thing at the moment.

Great minds coming up with marvellous ideas that push the boundaries of science, technology and common sense. As a rule I think anything that a technician who enjoys playing video games that involve sentient robots killing things says should ever be taken seriously at a meeting involving budget spending.

In fact a person with the desire to create an artificialdecision-making-mind should not be allowed in the same room with someone who wants to attach weapons to it.

I feel that, for some reason it is my fault. Since I haven’t interceded and smacked the wrists of all the people involved in this project, I feel like an adult who sees a child playing with a loaded nail gun who’s looking down the wrong end of it while whispering, “Squeeze… pull… squeeze… pull.”

I want to shake them awake and ask them to take a moment to think about what they’re doing and have a time out in the corner. The economy is in desperate need of repair and the millions that are being spent to fund this project could surely be better spent.

Now, I concede that military advancements define modern technologies and spur things on but I get jumpy when experts like, Professor Noel Sharkey, a robotics engineer specialising in autonomous military systems at Sheffield University, says ‘This is a very dangerous move. Once it has

been developed, who knows what new governments who inherit the technology will do with it.’

And yes, I may have a bit of a derogatory tone but please forgive me but I am fighting the urge to slap someone.

You have military minds building flying Terminators and scientists in laboratories creating a super Bird Flu virus that will be prone to air transmission between humans, be ten times as deadly as its original and could wipe out millions of humans because they want to study it so that they can find the cure for this manmade virus.

Why don’t these people watch television?

I don’t believe the answer to a gun is a bigger gun. I can’t, that’s how the atomic bomb was created and the entire world currently luxuriates in the most precarious situation in our history as atomic peace. A nervy situation, maintained only until some manic, insane dictactor decides to push a button because nobody is brave enough to give a flying headbutt to stop him and he has a very limited understanding of the term Fall Out. Assuming that what you see on television and the internet is never the full story it staggers me to think what we’re not hearing about? But I’ve seen this scenario in so many films and it’s like these so called geniuses are trying to test the theory of, “If you play with fire are you actually going to get burned?” or “If we create Skynet what are the chances it will turn against us and kill us all?”

I know I’m not the only person thinking like this, and I don’t know what the solution is. But assuming that these people are acting out the role of insane super villain I can only hope that there is someone out there developing the ability to fly and beat the sense back into someone who desperately needs it.

I cannot overemphasize how happy I would be if I read tomorrow morning that the Chief of Britain Military HQ had sat down and thought long and hard about it while staring at the mirror and decided that they’re scrapping the plan because it was just a really bad idea.

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 17

VALENTINE’S DAY

by Tom Schaer

Each year, it seems like the anti-Valentine’s day brigade grow in strength and number.

They’re a vocal and proud bunch, determined to expose the day as a corporate, grubby attempt to flaunt teddies and heart-shaped gifts. In fact, down a drink each time somebody makes a pithy remake about the day being an excuse to sell cards (make it a double if they happen to mention the St Valentine’s Day

massacre), and you’ll be thoroughly sloshed by lunchtime.

Few, if any, other holidays of the year draw the same ire and fury like Valentine’s Day does, so what is it about the celebration that seems to divide the nation?

Of course, it’s easy to point the blame at single people.

The more irate a person gets when talking about the day is usually a fair indicator about how much it bothers them. Many are hungover on the 15th, wearing a thousand-yard stare of regret about what they, unfortunately, ended up doing the night before. Who can blame them though? Seeing loveydovey displays of affection can be annoying at the best of times, so having to suffer an entire day of forced romance from everyone around you can test the most patient of people. However, it’s the unavoidable full frontal marketing assault that is most infuriating.

As it’s one of the biggest gift-buying days of the year, promoters start their advertisement bombardments enthusiastically early in January.

Supermarkets and shops are lined with endless displays of sickly sweet cards, chocolates and stuffed paraphernalia. Jewellers, florists and lingerie companies take full advantage of the opportunity and tirelessly remind couples to extravagantly spend on their significant others. The clichés don’t end with merchandising. Restaurants, despite charging more for a smaller menu and scrappier service, are fully booked weeks in advance, and even

pubs are bustling with lovers and sorrow-drinkers alike.

However, it’s not just the singles who are angry towards Valentine’s Day. Men, seemingly incensed that they have to spend a day with their girlfriends to celebrate love, have created their own version of the holiday. They have picked March 14th as a day to celebrate steak, among other things, and some deluded supporters are cautiously optimistic that it will one day become as widely celebrated as Christmas.

Just don’t expect to see any Hallmark cards for this particular holiday any time soon.

It seems that, faced with such fervent opposition, it’s awfully hard to openly celebrate the day. You’ll hastily be labelled as gloating if you divulge your romantic plans to a member of the Valentine’s Resistance, and some overzealous critics may even try to send you to Court at The Hague (don’t worry though, they’ve usually calmed down by February 15th). But, don’t forget that it’s a day for couples and loved ones. Being able to openly celebrate your significant other is something to be enjoyed and cherished.

Even if you’re surrounded by negativity from friends and co-workers about the day, at its heart Valentine’s Day is all about the heart. Ignore the nay-sayers, put up with the eye-rollers and shun the pithy remarks. It’s a day for you and your loved one, so celebrate it. Buy them something nice and shiny and plan a nice meal or little getaway. You don’t necessarily have to settle for a teddy or box of chocolates, so get your partner something they’ve had their eye on for a while or a gift you know they’ll love. It might be hard justifying a little expense, but love trumps all. Bring romance back to February 14th and, if anybody tries to say otherwise, take Cupid’s advice and fire an arrow at them.

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 19

Fuchs Lubricants www.fuchsoil.co.za 0027 11 565 9600 Written by Don Campbell

A FOLLOW UP ON THE COMPANY

KEEPING FRICTION AT BAY

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 21

Fuchs Lubricants

It is always a pleasure to revisit old friends and catch up regarding their newest and most exciting movements and projects. Our regular readers will recall that we featured Fuchs Lubricants last year and touched on their marvellous success story and it is with great pleasure we’re able to focus on them again to highlight their latest developments not only as favoured lubricants but also their recent successes in the motorsport arena. I caught up with John Anderson, Fuchs SA’s Automotive OEM Manager, regarding the newest developments for 2013.

“While this year is going be about consolidating the developments of last year, capitalizing and continuing the positive growth we’ve had we’ve recently had a lot of movement in the sponsorship arena,” To refresh your memory: South Africa’s leading independent sector trader in

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 22

products reducing friction between moving surfaces, Fuchs Lubricants has a reputation for delivering operational efficiency across the mining and manufacturing sectors and among Major League auto clients such as Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen. A subsidiary of the Manheim, Germany, based parent, Fuchs SA is the ninth biggest of the company’s thirty four global production plants and the largest non-fuel lubricant supplier in South Africa

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 •

Fuchs Lubricants

with around 8% of market share.

A highly focussed company, Fuchs is a specialist organisation. Unlike their competitors they have taken the stance of not becoming involved in fuel, mining or exploration, choosing to rather focus on lubrication and this method of becoming a master of this field has put them a clear mile ahead of their competitors.

While the South African market is still running smoothly as a reliable and consistent branch, the real interest is developing in the Sub Saharan section across Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique. These countries have bared their fair share of political and social movements and this has created an environment filled with opportunity.

“As some of the businesses including the giants of the industry leave these countries in favour of Europe and China it leaves a void,” John explains, “Which we’re happily positioned to fill.”

Mining in sub Saharan Africa brings with it the need for construction, engineering and infrastructure projects which increases the economic weight of the countries and cross boarder growth has always been a major thrust of Fuchs Oil on an international level. Wherever there is motorized machinery Fuchs can be found ensuring that things run smoothly and efficiently.

Customer retention is still as high as ever and this characteristic has been replicated among its 100-plus staff where the average length of service in the sales and technical

teams is eighteen years. Additionally, Fuchs SA is still a career magnet for senior personnel among the big players with those with the experience seeing an environment perfectly suited for career development.

With the biggest customers Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and John Deere, Fuchs SA has returned ten per cent plus year on year growth over the last decade and to facilitate its growing customer base, in 2011 Fuchs doubled its Johannesburg manufacturing, bottling and warehousing facilities, with a new state of the art bottling lines ranging from one litre packs to drums and 1,000 litre flow bins. ”Growing into our new capacity has enabled us to take on recent parcels of business.”

As Fuchs consolidates their developments from last year a focus has been placed on sponsorship as a reliable means of getting their product seen and recognized by a relevant audience and involvement in the motorsport sector has produced very pleasing results that are felt throughout the company’s international branches.

“We are having great success with Silkolene in South Africa at the moment,” we’re told, “Sales of this motorcycle lubricant are up and we’re going big or going home with this in SA.” The Silkolene range is designed to meet the specific needs of both the bike and the rider. Dedicated products are developed for every type of motorcycle and scooter whether they are used for pleasure, commuting, touring or

racing. With this new product is the state of the art use of Electrosyntec Technology.

An entirely new concept in motorcycle engine lubrication this technology uses powerful intermolecular forces that bond low friction molecules to stressed metal surfaces by a process of electrostatic adhesion, significantly reducing friction and wear from start up to full power. This not only offers improved protection against engine wear and long term performance retention but also most interestingly minimises friction at crucial points in the engine. Important to mention is that electrosyntec technology is exclusive to Silkolene.

“Two major sponsorship deals have been signed for 2013,” John highlights, “ The First and foremost is the Factory Red Bull KTM Silkolene motocross team. This is a massive achievement for us because we have managed to squeeze Motorex out which is KTM’s international partner and Probably our biggest competitor in the bike market in South Africa.”

The second is the Factory BMW Motorrad Team , which will run in the South African Superbike series in 2013, BMW have won this series for the last 3 years running and this counts as another victory against Castrol.

In a country devoted to the outdoors where motorsports are spectacularly popular this sponsorship deal will place Fuchs’ product Silkolene directly in front of a cheering audience where they will be able to show exactly what they can do. A better marketing strategy would be hard to come by.

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half2012.pdf 1 2012/05/30 03:30:42 PM

G L O B A L

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W O R L D C L A S S P R I N C I PA L S - W O R L D C L A S S P R O D U C TS - W O R L D C L A S S S E R V I C E Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 25

Damus Ltd www.damusgroup.com 001 868 657 7351 Written by Jack Slater

TEAM WORK EQUALS

QUALITY

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 27

Damus Ltd

Working with BSI Services, Damus Group has completed Trinidad’s largest power station. The 720MW combined-cycle power plant at La Brea Industrial Estate has become a defining benchmark for the company, representing the largest and most influential of their most recent endeavours. Jack Slater spoke with Dwight Mahiber President of Damus Group about it.

“This partnership has proved particularly stable and this has placed us in an advantageous position with the other industry leaders,” says Dwight Mahiber.

Formed in 1973, Damus Group, is the Largest Mechanical Fabrication and Construction Contractor in Trinidad and Tobago and all of the Eastern Caribbean. The company, since inception, has been providing diversified mechanical services to the oil and gas, petrochemical, manufacturing and marketing sectors.

The services offered by Damus Group are highly diversified, representing a clear approach of “taking up the challenge” and applying themselves to accomplishing whatever projects they aim for no matter what the risk.

They include the creation and assemblage of pipe spool fabrications, structural fabrication, pressure vessels and fire ducts, field services of piping a complete installation of processing equipment and new construction, maintenance, integration and repair for offshore and onshore projects, design and fabrication of storage tanks and the blasting and coating of pipes which include fibreglass raps, asphalt coats and concrete coats.

“We also offer offshore services,” Dwight Maheever explains, “Including the laying of underwater pipes of 2” to 30” diameter with above the water tie-in technique for calm and shallow water.”

Staff at Damus have to be trained as a high level of hands-on attention must be appropriated for the safe and efficient production. Over the last two decades, there has been a paradigm shift with clients requiring the practice of safety standards to the highest levels for which Damus have adopted as part of their culture.

“The culture that we try to instil into our workers,” Mr. Mahibir explains, “is that quality and safety must occur in tandem. These are not things that can be managed but must be felt, there has to be pride in your work. We don’t micromanage but empower our staff employees to develop the highest level of professionalism. Of course, nobody is perfect so employ quality inspectors to ensure everything is up to standard.”

Since Damus is responsible for putting together complex projects requiring exacting methods of assemblage, quality assurance is crucial and as a policy they perform regular

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Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 29

Damus Ltd

Norman Gabriel Limited is proud to be able to provide the Damus Group with complex insurance coverage for their very varied activities. Though the company was founded in 1990, Norman Gabriel’s association with the founder of what is now Damus Limited first started 30 years ago when they came together on the provision of a Perform Bond and has since grown from strength to strength.

internal quality audits with spot checks throughout the project. Damus Group owns and operates a Quality Management System (QMS) that is certified to ISO 9001:2000 by the British Standards Institution (BSI Inc.).

“This is important to our Quality Management Programme since it is a formal symbol of our commitment to the provision of quality products and services and ensures that we have the necessary infrastructure to improve and develop our QMS to better serve our customers.”

Their approach to work safety is highly regarded in Trinidad and Tobago where environmental management has become a mandated institution for industries.

“It is one of our key visions as a group to bring forward the standards of contractors that serve the market,” – Dwight emphasises. “This will have a substantial ripple effect throughout.”

The company is a privately owned family business, with Dwight’s father managing the company prior to him, and is managed by a team of experienced employees. It is very much a situation where recruitment is aimed at bringing in career minded individuals and not just people seeking a job.

“A mix of very experienced professionals and younger well-qualified individuals with proven ability is key,” he explains, “Our people are dedicated and bring a sense of urgency to every project.”

According to annual reports, from inception, Damus has pursued a path of growth and has witnessed a steady increase in revenue. Over the years, projects of varying sizes, some very complex, were undertaken on behalf of most

You don’t really know how strong your insurance broker is, until you’re in hot water.

Always present with unsurpased technical depth, strategic insight and confidence when you need it most.

of the major Trans-national industrial construction firms contracted for Projects in Trinidad and Tobago.

Damus Caribbean Limited, a subsidiary company in the group provides diversified mechanical services to the petroleum products marketing sector and the manufacturing sector in the Eastern Caribbean Islands and parts of Latin America.

“One of our current projects working with BP Trinidad and Tobago LLC involves us fabricating and installing some incredible pieces of equipment,” Dwight reveals, “including a 400 ton subsea manifold and an underground piping set up.

We’re modifying a Beachfield Gas Manifold and handling the steel structures.”

Dwight Mahiber’s father, who took over the company in 1981, was a singular man with excellent leadership qualities, technically and in terms of people relations. He was able to direct the company to the fine position it was in when Dwight eventually took over.

The company now employs 350 permanent staff with upwards of over 2400 subcontracted workers by project and still attributes its success to its human capital.

In conclusion, working in an industry that operates very much like a grand machine where every project acts like a part and relies on the surreptitious and full working completion of every other part, a client can only be relieved when working with such a dedicated company. Damus Group brings a sense of family, a sense of team work to their projects where every single component employee knows that they play an intrinsic and irreplaceable role.

LMCS Limited has been a successful Service Provider to the Trinidad and Tobago State Oil Company, Petrotrin, for the past sixteen (16) years.

LMCS Limited has expanded its range of services and is now the Authorised Distributor of Earth ReClaim™ and Sea Reclaim™ products for the immediate and effective reclamation of oil/petroleum product spills on hard surfaces or on water. Earth ReClaim™ and Sea Reclaim™ products are composed of natural and modified-natural scoriaceous nano-material found in the earth. The products are green, environmentally friendly, non-polluting, non-toxic and GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe), and are recoverable and recyclable.

LMCS Limited

27, Gulf View Villas La Romain, Trinidad, WI. Phones: 1-868-658-0466; 1-868-354-9577 E-mail: admin@lmcsltd.com LMCS Limited provides project management, engineering design, procurement and construction services (inclusive of diving-related underwater services and marine logistics support) to the oil and gas, petrochemical, government and other private sector industries in Trinidad and Tobago and in the wider Caribbean region. LMCS Ltd owns a wide range of marine/heavy equipment inclusive of crane barges, offshore supply vessel, crew boats, excavators, tractors, piling hammers and crawler cranes.

Foulath gic.com.kw 00965 9788 6356 Written by Don Campbell

SOLID AS EVER

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 33

Foulath

Since the 1st of January 2013, Mr. Khalid Al Qadeeri has been directing the ship of Bahrain-based steel producer Foulath as chairman of the company. Previously the vice-chairman of the leading company in charge of the manufacturing projects division at the Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) since 1997. Don Campbell spoke with Mr. Al Qadeeri regarding this development.

“Part of my responsibility is the development of projects and managing investments in the metals, mining, chemical and petrochemical sectors,” he explains, “And to manage an equity portfolio worth $1.5 billion, to be invested in 10 companies in the region.”

Al-Qadeeri, who began his career in 1980 as finance manager at the Kuwait Ministry of Interior, is also a board member of National Titanium Dioxide Company, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and joined Gulf Industrial Investment Co (GIIC), one of the plants within Foulath in 1988 as general manager.

Foulath’s 1.3 million sq metre integrated steel complex at Hidd in Bahrain, includes GIIC, Gusco (Foulath) and Sulb (United Steel Company), making it the world’s first fully integrated steel manufacturing facility producing pellets to final products at the same site.

Currently investing $1.4 billion with Sulb, which together with Foulath’s subsidiary Saudi Sulb, will be the Middle East region’s first fully integrated beams and sections producer with a capacity of 1 million tpy, covering a full range of structural steel products.

The Foulath Holding Company Established in June 2008 in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Gulf United Steel Holding Company B.S.C (c) “Foulath” is an investment vehicle and holding company primarily focused on investing in the growth of the steel industry in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. An area marked with an excitement over the development and overseas investment coming to the region.

With investments at current market value in excess of $3.5 billion, Foulath has established companies across the entire steel value chain from “Mine to Metal” and has

2

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 34

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 •

Foulath

developed the world’s only fully integrated single site steel complex, which is located in Bahrain. In doing so, Foulath has indelibly footed itself as a market leader and is quickly moving towards becoming one of the most competitive steel producers globally.

“Such development is essential for the future development of the company,” he indicates, “And the group and the staff we employee.”

Contributing much of the company’s success to the development of the region’s steel industry and the transference of expertise and know-how gained from the valuable subsidiaries and partnerships they’ve built. It would appear that in choosing to work with leading international steel companies and other technical partners it is definitely the case that working with the best is the only way to achieve the best.

In every industry there are piers that form the standard, support and structure for a nation and Foulath’s investments further serve to enhance the stability and security of steel supplies both to regional markets, where steel remains a critical component of all construction and infrastructure development, as well as to the global customers it serves.

Through its investments in the regional markets and unique projects that add value, Foulath is also helping to strengthen the industrial base of the Middle East economies and support efforts to achieve greater economic diversification. Understanding that a global partnership require global understanding and alliances.

“The region is undergoing rapid expansion and

development across all markets, from infrastructure construction through to commercial, industrial and residential property development,” he says, “To ensure security of supply to this market we have invested across the entire steel value chain, from the primary raw material processing through to the manufacture of finished product.”

Gulf Industrial Investment Company (GIIC) is the eldest of the Foulath subsidiaries. Born in 1984, GIIC is wholly owned by Foulath and operates two iron ore pelletizing plants capable of producing 11 million tonnes of iron oxide per year. It is also one of only three merchant pelletizing plants in the world.

Making use of the grate-kiln technology, the pellets are customised to suit the client’s needs. Of course, the quality of the product and reliability of delivery to the customer is dependent on continuous updating and improvement at the plant and excellent supply chain management.

The second wholly owned subsidiary located on the steel complex is USCO (United Stainless Steel Company). USCO began commercial operations in the fourth quarter of 2008 and is the first plant of its type in the Middle East, capable of producing 100,000 tons of cold rolled stainless steel per year in wide and slit coil or sheet form.

The final company located on the Foulath Steel Complex is SULB (United Steel Company), a joint venture between Foulath, with a 51 per cent share of the company, and Yamato Kogyo, a globally pioneering beams and structural section producer from Japan. Not only will this be the first fully integrated facility of this nature in the region, and will be

able to supply approximately 14 per cent of the medium and heavy beams and structural sections that are currently imported into the Middle East.

“Having made the decision to strategically locate the three companies together,” said Khalid, “Foulath has given its companies a unique competitive cost advantage. Through the use of state-of-the-art technologies, strategic planning and the synergies achieved at the Foulath Complex we are on our way to securing Foulath’s long-term profitability.”

Much attention has been placed on the environmental perspective with over $20 million being invested into environmental technologies and community projects including initiatives in health and education.

“Developing the lives of the 450 people directly employed

by Foulath is of significant importance to us,” he concludes.

SANGHO INTERNATIONAL INC. Mechanical Equipments & Spare parts for Iron & Steel Works · Iron Ore Pelletizing & DRI Plant

SangHo International Inc., #304 Gayang-Technotown, Gayang-dong 1487 Gangso-gu, Seoul 157-793, South Korea Tel : +82-2-2668-5624 | Fax : +82-2-2668-5622 | e-mail : mail@sanghokorea.com Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 37

MovieTowne movietowne.com 001 868 6278277 Written by Djamil Benmehidi

BRINGING

THE MAGIC OF HOLLYWOOD

TO THE CARIBBEAN

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 39

MovieTowne

The MovieTowne brand is something of a cultural icon in the Caribbean region and its name has become synonymous with the islands of Trinidad and Tobago as a result of its success. However so far ahead of its time was this venture and so fierce was the negativity from all sides that it is only through the determination and audaciousness of MovieTowne’s CEO and founder, Derek Chin that the project made it off the drawing board. He told Djamil Benmehidi about the MovieTowne story.

Such is the country’s natural beauty, it could be considered something of an understatement to describe Trinidad and Tobago as a Caribbean paradise.

In addition to its truly outstanding natural heritage, the archipelagic republic which lies off the coast of Venezuela in the Caribbean is one of the wealthiest countries in the region and on paper enjoys a per-capita income many times higher than a majority of the surrounding islands, not to mention the wider Latin American continent. So this being the case, upon first glance it is difficult to fathom why Trinidad and Tobago does not enjoy the same reputation as some of its better known neighbours such as Jamaica, Barbados and the Dominican Republic to name but a few.

The fact is for all its natural beauty, its abundance of oil and gas reserves and its sunny climes, Trinidad and Tobago is a country which has been stricken by its reputation for high violent crime rates, corruption and an apathetic population.

However in recent years, the country has taken significant strides forward and via a combination of government initiatives aimed at diversifying the national economy and ever increasing investment from private enterprise, Trinidad and Tobago looks poised to finally start reaching its potential. And it would not be outlandish to give some of the credit for this forward momentum to what must be one of the most visionary and eccentric businessmen to come from the islands, Derek Chin, founder and CEO of MovieTowne.

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 40

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 •

MovieTowne

The MovieTowne story begins back in 2002 when its flagship Cineplex, shopping and entertainment complex opened to the public at Invaders Bay in Trinidad and Tobago’s capital, Port-of-Spain. Boasting a state-of-the-art ten-plex cinema with luxury seating for 2,500 customers, access to the hottest films straight out of Hollywood, a magnificent thematic lobby that takes its customers back into ancient Egypt and a vast array of elegant retail outlets, fine dining outlets, video arcades and a cocktail bar, MovieTowne brought an experience to Trinidad and Tobago islanders which was like nothing they had ever encountered before outside of the US, a boast which still stands today. It is no exaggeration to say that not only has MovieTowne brought about an entertainment revolution to the islands but also that it has opened people’s eyes to a new level of service and raised the bar in terms of their expectations for a quality customer experience.

“The cinematic industry in Trinidad and Tobago was on its knees before MovieTowne came into being. People preferred DVD’s, VHS and Betamax at home to going to the cinema and considering the conditions of the old auditoriums it is no surprise. There was little choice of film on offer and often people would have to wait longer than they should to see the newest Hollywood movies. The bathroom facilities were deplorable, the movie theatre was dowdy and uncomfortable and it was an intimidating experience all round. Customer service was also far from polished if it existed at all.

MovieTowne changed all this. I wanted to bring the glitz and glamour of Hollywood to movie fans here on the islands

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MovieTowne

and give people a real experience. Also I wanted to introduce people to a far higher level of customer service than they were accustomed to. MovieTowne was ahead of its time and I believe we have really opened people’s eyes and changed their expectations.”

The rise to prominence of MovieTowne and its integration into island life has made it something of an icon and it is therefore hard to imagine that the MovieTowne project came close to crumbling on many occasions during its early inception stage.

“The negativity from banks and people who insisted that MovieTowne was a dream and wouldn’t work was incredible.

The idea for MovieTowne came to me when I was visiting Miami on business and after a trip to a multiplex to see a movie I just knew it would work on the islands. I didn’t even do a feasibility survey for this project during the planning stage because I knew people would go for it. I made contact with MuviCo, a cinema chain in Florida who were very supportive and the shopping chain PriceSmart who were keen to diversify and invest in the venture.

Even with this seed money however, negotiations with the banks was a torturous process and they pulled the funding on more than one occasion. Acquiring the land on which to build MovieTowne was also most challenging.”

But acquire first the lands and then the funds Derek did, and upon opening its doors following construction, MovieTowne’s modern, flamboyant thematic experience, pleasant facilities and vibrant staff soon won over its sceptics and it is no coincidence that the complex in Port-of-Spain

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today enjoys over 1 million ticket sales per year.

Over the decade following its birth, MovieTowne has expanded considerably and alongside its flagship complex in Port-of-Spain, two additional complexes now fall under the MovieTowne brand. An eight-screen multiplex cinema at Price Plaza, Chaguanas, and a four-screen multiplex cinema at Gulf City Mall in Tobago, also accompanied by a selection of shopping centres, entertainment facilities, and restaurants are now open for business. These facilities also enjoy high footfall and considerable ticket sales.

The scale of its success is such that the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday reported how MovieTowne has ‘contributed towards enhancing the social and national fabric of the country’ for a variety of different reasons; a statement which Derek Chin agrees with.

“MovieTowne is more than a business, and is now a cultural, educational and charitable institution on the islands.

We promote and fund youth education through film, we founded the Secondary Schools Short Film competition which enables film students to not only get specialist support and tutoring, but win scholarships into higher education courses and we engage in much charitable work while investing in communities.

MovieTowne has been a wonderful addition to the islands.”

Access to its Fiesta Plaza has provided a platform for many emerging artists to showcase and promote their talents, and for the last two years, MovieTowne has hosted the “Trinbago Kids Got Talent” competition.

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Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 45

MovieTowne

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Through this competition children from different age categories have been able to showcase their talents to thousands of patrons and receive constructive feedback on how they can hone their talents from local professional artists. MovieTowne has also been a lead collaborator in promoting foreign cultures with film festivals and is involved in charitable activities.

It is clear that MovieTowne carries more strings to its bow than that of its industry rivals, but in spite of the banks of neon lights, the colour and the spectacle, the foundation of its success lies in the fact that it does the small things well.

Its mantra of providing cinema-goers with excellent service and a memorable customer experience is at the core of his business’ success and as Derek observed, this would not be possible without motivated, hardworking and loyal staff.

Design Contact: “I feelNotes: privileged to have the staff that I have at MovieTowne production@blanquier.com 188mm x 138mm and a lot TRIM: of what has been achieved is down to them.

Many of the employees have been with me for a long time now and share my vision for the MovieTowne project. They do great work and understand me and my philosophy; it is Colors: like a family here.

MovieTowne offers training, a happy working environment and employee benefits, but more than this, they enjoy working here. It enriches them and they are proud to be part C Mof the MovieTowne Y K story. The core staff and the student Summer staff look after each other but also keep each other in line.”

The MovieTowne success story is going to begin a new chapter in 2013 due to the opening of a new complex in

Guyana, its first venture outside of its home islands. With construction currently underway on the new six-plex cinema and an accompanying mall which will bear the MovieTowne hallmark and offer fantastic retail and entertainment facilities, plus enquiries from other Caribbean islands who also wish to explore the option of opening their own Cineplex, CEO Derek Chin faces a busy year ahead as he seeks to export the MovieTowne brand across the region and cement a legacy.

However while overseeing the expansion of his MovieTowne venture, Derek is also concurrently working on his next venture in Trinidad and Tobago, the Streets of the World project, a vision that Derek describes as “the big one” and should it take off, he hopes it will create the foundations of a true Trinidad cultural heritage.

“It will be my gift to help make my country proud and help it grow.

Streets of the World will celebrate the multi-cultural nature of Trinidad and Tobago and bring us closer together.

By creating a Chinatown street, a festival street, an Arab Street, a Madame Tussauds street which will teach people about their cultural heritage and the successful personalities who have come from the islands. It will give people pride in the islands and also give tourists something to see aside from the carnival.

This will be a multi-million, if not a multi-billion dollar project and there is a lot to do but I learned a lot from the MovieTowne experience and I am as confident that Streets of the World will be just as successful as MovieTowne. Maybe more so.”

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Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 47

ClubHotel Riu Buena Vista www.riu.com 0034 871 966296 Written by James Martin

NOT-SO-SECRET CUSTOMER VISITS

CLUBHOTEL RIU BUENA VISTA Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 49

ClubHotel Riu Buena Vista

The Canaries were rated in the top 5 holiday destinations for a Christmas holiday in 2012 and it is easy to see why. It’s only a 4-hour flight from the freezing temperatures of the UK to high twenties. While his friends and colleagues in Britain shivered in the perpetual rain and blizzard conditions of the British Christmas, James Martin basked in the heat of the Canaries and enjoyed the festive season with smiles and suntans.

The ClubHotel Riu Buena Vista is in the sunny shores of Tenerife and certainly knows how to look after its guests.

It may just be my opinion however Christmas at this lavish hotel was fantastic and very impressive. Our every whim was catered for; this break offered everything you could wish from a Christmas back home with the addition of 26 degrees of heat, a pool and wonderful cocktails.

Let’s face it, whilst everyone was there to enjoy the sunshine, the food, the drinking, the sandy beaches and the bikinis, over those few special festive days we wanted to see decorated trees, roasted birds, carols and eggnog.

It is the whimsical quaintness of these occasions that make it worthwhile. We were not disappointed as we found Christmas spirit everywhere including Santa’s Sleigh parading around the resort with his little helpers. There was a sense of community between the staff and guests. In the reception was a large nativity of Bethlehem which was particularly impressive.

The Christmas dinner was not too dissimilar to what we are used to back home and the Gala night was held in two sittings so not to overcrowd the dining area. The management made sure they were very visible to ensure everything went swimmingly. Diego Roa Molina (Director) and Paplo Paris Pérez (Sub director) personally greeted the guests; it’s good to see such a hands on approach when it comes to the wellbeing of guests. The food on offer would delight the most particular guests with various meats, vegetables and a vast array of deserts to entice the strongest of sweettoothed travel journalist.

When asked about their attention to customer focus Paplo expressed, “The customer is the most important thing about ClubHotel Riu Buena vista. We learn from our clients, without the clients we have no hotel, every fortnight we go through the customer satisfaction survey and train our staff accordingly.

As a company we are proud of our achievements, not just at Buena Vista, but through all RIU hotels. Customer retention is a big thing.”

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 51

ClubHotel Riu Buena Vista

Paplo has seen many couples and families return in his time at ClubHotel Riu Buena Vista and he credits his staff for this privilege.

Diego and Pablo do not hold the old-fashioned management technique of sitting in the back office and having the work done for them. Regularly Diego and Pablo are seen out with the guests, talking, finding out what they want from a holiday and I feel this directly translates into the staff and what makes ClubHotel Riu Buena Vista a popular place to return.

Even though they had to work through Christmas, the hotel staff were highly enthusiastic with never faltering smiles added an extra colour to the trip. It seems that they are happy when the customer is happy and will bend over backwards to help ensure that your holiday is perfect.

The cleaning and maintenance staff are often the unsung heroes, these individuals keep the location running smoothly and are frequently ignored in reviews. As they are not often in the public eye they are the perfect measurement of the staff’s attitude to their work. Not that I was stalking them but

whenever I saw them they all had a smile to share. A genuine enjoyment in their work is shown in the standard they kept throughout the resort, it was all spotlessly clean, the pools crystal clear and the rooms immaculate, cared for every day.

We stayed in a villa with a view out to sea looking at La Gomera. La Gomera is an island twenty or so miles out to sea. This neighbour of Tenerife is famous for its magnificent cliffs and the people who live there who developed an entire language out of whistling. These islands, well famous for being caught in a perpetual spring are also blessed with an absorbent amount of historical wealth.

The accommodation was spacious and comfortable, making full use of the brilliant Tenerife sunshine and equipped with cooking facilities, a large lounge, two big bedrooms and a pair of bathrooms fitted with a Jacuzzi.

Dining was fantastic with a varied spread to serve the tastes of everyone. Catering for most nationalities is tough however they really have hit the nail on the head when it comes to providing cuisine to suit the masses and the multitude of nationalities. There is also a restaurant close to

the sea if you’d like a more personal evening meal, with a variety of different cuisines including local dishes.

According to Diego Roa Molina the Director at ClubHotel Riu Beuna Vista and Pablo Paris Perez, Sub director, “Fine cuisine has become a cornerstone RIU product and that’s why the chain offers high quality and a wide variety of products and dishes in their restaurants.”

“In addition to the buffet restaurants guests also have the option of tasting different specialities in the hotel’s themed restaurants. The best Italian, Mexican, steakhouse, Asian and Japanese cuisine is available to guests in the various a la carte restaurants and all available in the All-Inclusive service.”

A bit of background on the company, RIU Hotels and Resorts was founded in Mallorca, Spain in 1963 as a small summer business for the Riu family. It is currently owned and run by the third generation of the family. The company’s business is focused on the holiday hotel sector and over 60% of its establishments offer the renowned All Inclusive by RIU service.

With the opening of its first city Hotel in 2010, RIU extended its range of products with its own line of city hotels called RIU Plaza. RIU Hotels and Resorts has over 100 hotels in 16 counties and employs over 25000 people. Last year its hotels welcomed a total of 3.2 million guests.

RIU Is characterised by its firm commitment to quality, by offering its guests carefully-designed facilities in the very best beach destinations, varied and attentively-prepared cuisine and a highly personal service that is second to none.

RIU staff are what distinguishes it from its competitors. They are the hotel chain’s most valuable asset and their greatest source of pride.

In an effort to continue to meet customer demand, RIU has adopted the Adults Only concept in many of its hotels.

These are aimed at couples who want to enjoy a romantic holiday, with maximum comfort and relaxation. Guests can enjoy this increasingly popular trend. However, I was devastated to find this wasn’t the case at ClubHotel Riu Beuna Vista, but in all fairness it gives me a wonderful excuse to come back again.

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 53

GM Graphix www.gmgraphix.com 0027 11 908 5136 Written by Djamil Benmehidi

STAYING AT THE

TOP

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 55

GM Graphix

In a harsh and swiftly changing global economy, industries the world over face uncertain times ahead with the print sector in particular being hit harder than most. With increased competition from overseas rivals and a fast changing playing field, traditional advertising and media printing is under the cosh. However for innovative companies such as GM Graphix, based at Alberton close to Johannesburg, who have evolved and kept one step ahead of the times the sky is the limit.

Established 24 years ago to initially supply flexographic cost effective printed packaging material to the fast-moving consumer goods and pharmaceutical sectors, GM Graphix has evolved as market trends changed and is now one of South Africa’s leading suppliers of high-quality label solutions such as sachets, self-adhesive labels, unsupported film and shrink sleeves.

Its dynamism and ability to move with the market is woven into the very fabric of the business and it is therefore no surprise that GM has form for setting firsts. In March 1996, it became the first flexo-printer in South Africa to be awarded with an ISO 9001/2000 certificate, and a strategy of pioneering technological advances has seen the company diversify far beyond the self-adhesive labelling that had once been its core market. As a player in numerous sectors ranging from foods and beverages to electronics, health and personal care, GM Graphix has many big-name clients on its books and works with L’Oreal, Revlon, Alberto Culver and Yardley to name but a few.

Marketing Director Junior Massyn puts domestic market share at 2-3%. “Our BBBEE classification is a large enterprise, and I’d say we are surely moving in a corporate direction.”

Flexographic presses produce quality impressions on many different substrates – the base material on to which images are printed. It’s the least expensive and simplest of the printing processes used for decorating and packaging printing and its popularity is on the rise.

“Seventy percent of a customer’s in-store decision is based upon the packaging and it’s increasingly important for consumers and customers to protect their brand.”

And with counterfeiting a significant issue and growing, GM Graphix are made for identification.

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 56

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GM Graphix

“We have many packaging solutions to identify and decorate a product, and flexographic, more than most other methods, protects packaging and adds to the authenticity of a product.

The flexographic has grown since the 1980’s in leaps and bounds through technology, efficiency and flexibility and is now a very advanced form of printing, value-adding to any packaging sector.”

In such a competitive and fast changing market, constant innovation and product development is key and it is this which has allowed GM Graphix to offer consistent high quality and cost efficiency. In another first, it was the first South African printing company to purchase a MPS servo press, while the introduction of rota silkscreen opened a big door into the cosmetics market. Today the business is fully servo-machine driven with full print control, something that has enabled GM Graphix to further enhance and simplify procedures further still.

Now after a string of similar innovations GM Graphix has become the first South African, if not the first nation

from the southern hemisphere, to print on the UPM Raflatic ProLiner PP3, a cutting edge fully recyclable backing material made of polypropylene.

After extensive research and preparation with several suppliers – UPM Raflatic, Ipex Machinery, Flint Narrow Web and MPS – GM Graphix offers its customers a costefficient, quality proposition combined with an original recycling opportunity, incorporating the co-operation of local recycling company, Plasticomp.

“ProLiner PP30 offers several application, quality and cost benefits to out customers. But there’s even more we can offer” says Massyn.

“The unique feature is that it’s recyclable, and this means we have an opportunity to help the environment and reduce our customers waste.”

The objective he says, is to introduce a collection and recycling service with the assistance of local company Plasticomp , and provide a revolutionary ‘total’ product offering to GM Graphix multinational and local customers who choose ProLiner.

“Our drive is to be able to manufacture products where our waste, i.e. backing paper or liner can be recycled in future. As things stand a normal backing material cannot be recycled. We want to start producing an more eco-friendly materials that do not leave such a giant final-user footprint, and that allows companies buying our product to recycle and generate profits out of the waste.”

South African printing technology is equal to that of Europe, but with the rise of Eastern powerhouses such as China and India, competition from the East is rising.

“Many of our customers in South Africa are importing finished products from China and India where wages and production costs are so much lower. As time goes on they will become more efficient at importing and whether I am 10 km or 1,000 km away from a customer is immaterial. I am seeing this daily and I can imagine it’s going to impact our market even more in future.” GM Graphix response, says Massyn, is customer selection.

“We have invested knowledge, money and time into equipment that can give the client something so specific that it would take another company a very long time to get exactly the same equipment and copy our product. We can supply a customer a label construction made out of cold foil, hot foil, rota silk screening and even embossing on the same label. I can count on one hand the companies in South Africa that can do the same. And because our technologies are more advanced this creates a bigger market.”

Customer needs are analysed to create the most successful packaging solution, says Massyn.

“Our service includes strict policies quantity, cost and delivery. And by employing basic principles such continuous training and consistent awareness of customer needs, we add to our recipe to grow while ensuring our customers get what they require.

And whether our orders and enquiries are from corporate customers or small independent companies, we value them, and try to give them an holistic packaging solution.”

So what next for the business? Where will GM Graphix be positioned in three years time?

“As a specialist in pharmaceutical and cosmetics printing and packaging. We have a passion for packaging and all that goes with it. We anticipate further growth in the pharmaceutical market and though this area has seen real growth over the last 12 months, we aim to bring more customers on board. We have adopted a culture of efficiency and productivity which permeates the business. From HR procedures through to our printing processes, we will continue to streamline. We have grown the market and anticipate that this will continue.

“Why choose us? We’ve been around for over two decades, have new and very good technologies and acquired skills and knowledge . We are running at optimum efficiency, ensuring costs do not spill over to our customers. We provide cost effective packaging solutions through the knowledge we’ve gained over the years, and we maintain quality and consistency because of this passion for packaging.”

Our slogan is ‘Where Every Label Counts’ and we deliver on that promise.”

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 59

AN AXIS OF

DEVELOPMENT

Ambatovy Mines www.ambatovy.mg 00261 3344 66194 Written by Ian Charles-Romero

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 61

Ambatovy Mines

Ambatovy Mines has created an axis around which all industries upon this Indian Ocean island are going to benefit. 80 KM east of Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital near the town of Moramana, costing at $5.5 billion and involving the strong arms of 12 major international partners this is the largest mining development to ever take place on the island and we were fortunate enough to have our mining correspondent Ian Charles-Romero speak with Mark Plamodon President of Ambatovy Mine regarding this national first.

The ore body at the Mine consists of two large, weathered lateritic nickel deposits located approximately 3 km apart named the “Ambatovy Deposit” and the “Analamay Deposit”. This pair constitutes one of the world’s biggest lateritic nickel reserves, covering an area of about 1,300 ha, with depths ranging between 20 and 100m.

“Due to the soft nature of the ore, no blasting is necessary,” Mark points out, “Ore will be surface-mined by

hydraulic excavators and delivered to the Ore Preparation Plant in articulated haulage trucks.”

The Ore Preparation Plant (OPP) is located at the Mine Site and separates the soft lateritic soil from rock and waste material.

The laterite is combined with water to produce a slurried ore, which is then pumped into the Pipeline that links the Mine to the Plant Site 220 km away.

“Maximizing the use of gravity, natural topography and minimizing the need for energy-intensive pumping facilities, has been a priority from the start,” The far flung effects of this mining project is not reserved

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Ambatovy Mines

for the precious minerals that are being mined for but goes far further. Prior to Ambatovy’s construction, Madagascar had little of the infrastructure required by such a project.

In fact, construction activities at Ambatovy began with virtually no supporting roads or utilities making Ambatovy one of the largest “greenfield” mining projects currently underway anywhere in the world.

Included in the development, an entirely new 12 km railway line was built in parallel to an existing line to create the capacity needed to efficiently move commodities between the Port and the Plant Site. Madagascar’s railway company, Madarail, operates and maintains the new line and rolling stock.

An ammonia storage facility was constructed approximately mid-way between the Port and the Plant Site and a pipeline transports the ammonia between the two locations. Like all Ambatovy’s pipelines, this has been buried to avoid tampering and to ensure safety and reliability.

The scope of Ambatovy’s developments in this country for this project include, a coal-fired, steam and electricity generating station, including three units rated at 40 megawatts each, plants to produce oxygen, hydrogen, sulfuric acid, and hydrogen sulphide, a one of a kind water treatment plant, a full equipped, professional staffed medical clinic and residential and recreational facilities for staff.

“We’ve made substantial investment in transportation infrastructure that will benefit local communities for years

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Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 64

to come,” Mark explains, “Ambatovy’s investments include construction or upgrading of almost 100 km of public access roads. Some of these roads, which had been closed since 1969, now have bus services for the first time. As a result, 11 rural communities have easier access to markets and social services.”

An 11 km road that links the Plant Site and the Port was also built. This road by-passes Toamasina, helping to reduce traffic congestion in Madagascar’s most important port city and is also the location of a vocational training center, a clinic, a primary school, water points that were constructed alongside the rehabilitation of numerous public structures.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Labor, Ambatovy assisted with the renovation of the Atsinanana Regional and Moramanga District Employment Offices.

Having completed the final stage of construction, in early 2012 Ambatovy is entering into operational production.

Aiming at producing over 60,000 tonnes of refined nickel, 5,600 tonnes of refined cobalt, and 210,000 tonnes of ammonium sulphate fertilizer annually and is expected to continue doing so for a following twenty eight years. Making nickel among Madagascar’s most important exports.

“For the moment production has just begun,” Mark reveals, “We’re handing out contracts for the next stages of development.”

Operations will begin at the Mine Site, where lateritic ore is extracted and transported by Pipeline to the Plant Site on Madagascar’s east coast. It then undergoes processing and complete refining.

To achieve this ground breaking development, Ambatovy has partnered with four companies – Sherritt International Corporation, SNC-Lavalin Incorporated from Canada, Sumitomo Corporation from Japan and Korea Resources Corporation from Korea.

“All partners are fully committed to transparent, sustainable, and responsible business practices,” Mark advocates.

Ambatovy is already a major contributor to Madagascar’s national prosperity and a source of revenue for its people and government. The positive implication of this organization on the country long term is vast with expectations for Ambatovy to generate important economic and social benefits.

Payment of taxes and royalties, investment in infrastructure, job creation, local business development and technology transfer will all be valuable ingredients to the future. And let us not forget about the education and career opportunities it will develop.

As a responsible mining enterprise, Ambatovy is committed to upholding stringent environmental standards including the Equator Principles and the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation Performance Standards. To meet and surpass these requirements and commitments, they have developed a comprehensive approach to environmental management. This will ensure compliance, reduce residual impacts, and mitigate risks. Simultaneously, Ambatovy is implementing a world-class biodiversity offsets program.

Ultimately, “Ambatovy aims to be a leader in operational efficiency, health and safety, environmental management, and social engagement – while contributing to the long-term prosperity of Madagascar.”

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SEMS Exploration Liberia sems-exploration.com 00231 622 22 69 Written by Djamil Benmehidi

COMBINING

A WORLD CLASS CONSULTANCY SERVICE WITH LOCAL VALUES Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 67

SEMS Exploration Liberia

The Western region of Africa is witnessing a spectacular boom in the mining industry and both large players as well as more junior outfits are flocking to the area to explore. SEMS Exploration has developed a reputation as being the best in the business and as a result they enjoy an excellent relationship with global clients who have absolute faith in their expert consultancy services. Joe Collins, Country Manager of SEMS Exploration in Liberia spoke to Djamil Benmehidi about the company and its recent joint venture with the University of Liberia.

10th Street, Monrovia, Liberia • Email: segal_2006@yahoo.com Tel: 0880802700 • 0880802701 • 0880802703

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The mining sector has seen meteoric growth over recent years in West Africa and SEMS Exploration has reaped the rewards in a similarly booming exploration industry.

Since its birth back in 2002 as a one office outfit based in Accra, Ghana, comprised of a small team of exploration geologists, SEMS Exploration has grown rapidly and today boasts further offices in Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Liberia.

Offering a full turnkey exploration service to major industry players such as Anglogold Ashanti, Goldfields and Newmont Mining to name but a few, SEMS Exploration offers technical consultancy which provides geological mapping and geophysical surveys, technical analysis, engineering services and investment advice through the utilisation of their expert knowledge and understanding of the region. And it is this intimate knowledge of local geological, political and cultural issues, in addition to its world-class service which makes its clients choose SEMS Exploration over their often much larger industry rivals.

“We know the area very well and have maps which show the various minerals and their locations. With this knowledge we can advise our clients properly and remove much of the risk.

“Exploration is an expensive business after all.”

As the business has grown, so too has its area of expertise and today SEMS Exploration works with a wide range of minerals including gold, iron ore, manganese, bauxite and kaolin. All-in-all, with an ever growing portfolio of clients and reputation, times are good for the company and its 120 or so staff.

However in spite of its success, SEMS Exploration has not forgotten its local roots and as a result is fully committed to

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 •

SEMS Exploration Liberia

a policy of corporate-social responsibility which has seen the business invest resources in West African communities. In particular, SEMS Exploration has recently embarked on a joint venture with the Geology Department of the University of Liberia (UL) through offering technical training in the use of its advanced software which will enable students to combine data from geo-chemistry to geo-physics and integrate them.

“We have worked closely with the heads of department in geology and geo-engineering here at UL. Students will get the relevant industry training that they need in the use of software here at UL and we will also be able to secondment them with other companies and clients so that they get real experience.

The syllabus covers various exercises involving grid patterns, use of GPS, carrying out correlations and the use of GIS software. The aim is that when students complete the programme, we will enable them to use their expertise to enter the mining sector here in Liberia. The location of the Fendell campus where the course is taught is behind a great deal of bush which will also give students a chance to train and practice.”

This US$1 million training project which will offer students the opportunity to gain direct, first-hand experience of using industry standard SEMS Exploration’s MapInfo software in a professional environment is expected to give Liberians access to the many job opportunities being created as a result of the country’s booming mining sector.

“There is real opportunity here in Liberia and there has

been an influx of companies entering Liberia to explore mining opportunities. A mining conference highlighted the potential of this country and yet Liberians have so far been denied the chance to take new jobs that are being created,” Joe Collins said.

“Liberians currently lack the skills and expertise that are required by the mining industry and as a result, jobs that should be going to them are instead going to foreign geologists.”

It is anticipated that this endeavour will contribute towards the wider process of stimulating and rejuvenating Liberia’s fledgling economy, which is only just beginning to bear fruit again following the civil wars that ravaged the country until recently.

“I got my degree here in Liberia before the war began and then had the chance to get experience in Australia. I had opportunities that Liberians do not have currently; this programme will change that and give Liberians the skills that are needed in the industry.”

This programme of investing in Liberia for the benefit of its people is representative of SEMS Exploration’s strong ties and dedication to its home region of West Africa. It is for this reason that many of the businesses staff are West African, supplemented by a small, specialist group of expatriate staff who supply the skills that the company is unable to source locally.

SEMS Exploration rotates staff between projects and West African countries to create a multilingual team, while

continual training on computer software is also done inhouse. In addition to MapInfo, the company also uses Discover and other packages for most GIS applications. Its Ghana and Burkina Faso offices are Pitney Bowes (the owners of MapInfo and Discover) accredited training centres where clients and SEMS staff attend Introductory and Advanced user courses.

The company also places an emphasis on developing young talent as demonstrated by its partnership with the University of Liberia, and therefore works closely with other mining schools and universities in the West African region. With an abundance of high quality training courses in geology and mining engineering, SEMS Exploration is able to recruit technical staff straight out of university and are of the opinion that though these youngsters may have little experience, they make up for this in hunger. It is no surprise therefore that the company has very high staff retention rates, even though many of its competitors can offer higher salaries.

Over the coming years, SEMS Exploration intends to continue expanding and investing in West Africa. Assuming that the region can maintain political stability, companies will increasingly invest in the area to take advantage of the many opportunities that are available and discover the vast mineral resources in West Africa. With its expert knowledge of the locality and a reputation for world class service that can be trusted, what is certain is that any growth in the mining industry will have SEMS Exploration as part of it.

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Tel: + 231 6 511000 info@powerlib.com www.powerlib.com Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 71

Santam www.santam.co.za 0027 21 915 7000 Written by Jack Slater

SAFELY

UNDERCOVER Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 73

Santam

An umbrella is the unquestionable symbol for protection and planning. An umbrella is a simple and practical solution to protect you from the weather but you have to remember to take it with you.

Insurance is exactly the same, it’s never needed until you’re caught in the rain and if you don’t have it, you’ll miss it.

A cornerstone of civilization, insurance is an example of the desire to protect what is ours. A declaration of permanence and ownership with a deeper appreciation for keeping what we have and love safe while also establishing a social contract with our neighbours about a level of tolerance and safekeeping.

Insurance is required in every major industry and business in the world, strong insurance bodies are the foundations on which businesses are built and as with all major industries it is important to choose wisely. From an outsider’s point of view it’s clear why Santam is the insurance provider of choice for South Africa: simplicity.

“We believe that insurance is something that should add value not questions or uncertainty,” Ian Kirk says, “It should provide peace of mind, not parameters or excuses and that has been our philosophy since we first opened our doors on 1 May 1918 in Burg Street, Cape Town.”

Keeping things simple is a winning strategy in any business but especially in an industry where things can become convoluted and Santam has made a reputation for keeping things straight forward. With assets totalling over R17 billion, a countrywide, world-class contact centre infrastructure, a thriving intermediary network and more than 650 000 policy holders, the strategy is working. As South Africa’s leading short-term insurer, they also hold business interests in Zimbabwe, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia and strategic investments in various companies within the insurance industry, such as Santam Namibia Ltd. After almost a hundred years this company has developed a formula that works and the secret to their business always comes back to the same thing, looking after the client.

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Santam

“We consider our broker relationships to be one of our core strengths, and we continue to promote it as a channel of choice to our clients. We do, however, provide clients with multiple points of access, so that you can deal with us in the way that you feel most comfortable.”

Known as one of the country’s finest employers and enjoying a firm position on the JSE one of the moves that singles Santam out is the way that through collaboratively

working with partners and South African retailers to offer a members card that provides clients with up to 3% discounts on many products including clothing, electronics, home and business products. This kind of approach has helped retailers and customers align themselves with this easily recognizable giant.

In 1974, the trademarked umbrella was created for Santam’s Multiplex policy which symbolized the comprehensive cover that this then revolutionary product offered. By 1981, research showed that more people recognised the yellow umbrella than the corporate logo, which at the time comprised of inter-linked chains. A new logo was designed, combining the umbrella and the company name. When Santam acquired Guardian National in 1999, it made business sense to keep the umbrella symbol and with the dawn of the new millennium, the umbrella got a makeover. A more modern umbrella on a blue background emerged with a slightly elongated shaft conveying improved cover, better protection and ultimate peace of mind. The dot that replaced the handle symbolised technological progression.

There is a history of Santam making studious decisions for the benefit of their clients and customers and with many South Africans growing up in their shade the history of the company reads like a heroic novel. In 1918 The South African National Trust and Assurance Company Limited began and quickly established itself within the life assurance industry under its trading name Santam. In 1953 due to an Act of Parliament, Sanlam’s share capital was cancelled and converted from a company to a mutual insurer and in

1963 they launched its well-known Child Art programme to encourage children to find joy and direction in art.

In 1974, Santam launched its Multiplex policy allowing customers a combined, short term policy for all of their insurance needs. Appropriately in 1981 the yellow umbrella became their official logo.

1999, they purchased Guardian National Insurance for R1,58 billion and this merger was one of the most successful in South Africa and secured a 25% share of the local shortterm insurance industry and in 2003 saw the formation of Santam International.

Since then a number of awards, celebrations and pioneering steps have kept this company in the spotlight and well ahead of its competition.

The internet has created a highly connected and networked environment creating competition for every business in every industry especially insurance. This has had a cleansing toll upon the industry and only the businesses that have carefully and gingerly grown themselves on reputation, customer service and intelligent design have survived the blitz. Santam has become the shining example of what businesses are capable of and the standard on which we should all strive to achieve.

“Santam’s history shows a sense of determination, courage and commitment on our way to becoming the largest and leading short-term insurer in South Africa.”

Ultimately, Santam’s yellow umbrella has come to symbolise the all-encompassing cover and peace of mind that only the market leader can offer.

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Motor & Household | Commercial | Corporate Insurance Authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP3425) Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 77

Nico van der Meulen www.nicovdmeulen.com 0027 11 789 5242 Written by Djamil Benmehidi

BEAUTIFULLY

FUNCTIONAL

Endeavour Magazine • February 2013 • 79

Nico van der Meulen

As a result of their reputation for excellence and a unique vision which focuses on both aesthetic beauty and functional pragmatism, Nico van der Meulen Architects is known internationally as a practice for those who will accept nothing but the best. With an extensive and critically acclaimed portfolio of over 4,000 buildings which can quite simply be described as magnificent, and currently engaged in further projects across the globe, Nico van der Meulen Architects spoke to Endeavour Magazine about their success.

Johannesburg-based Nico van der Meulen, CEO of Nico van der Meulen Architects has cultivated a reputation as a pioneer of contemporary architecture that stretches across not only the African continent, but across a far wider international context. Nico van der Meulen’s entry into the field of architecture began in 1984 when he set-up his practice as a family business and nearly 30 successful years later, Nico van der Meulen Architects still remains a family business.

His wife and sons, themselves known within the industry as specialist architects, sculptors and interior designers, work closely alongside Nico and have proved instrumental in helping to bring their clients individual visions to life.

As award winning architects and interior designers, it is unsurprising that the foundation of their success is built upon a reputation for excellence which has been carefully nurtured over the space of many years. In particular, Nico van der Meulen’s practice specialises in designing bespoke residences and exclusive commercial developments for the most discerning clientele at the very top of the market; it is no coincidence that Nico counts some of the world’s richest and most powerful individuals among his client list.

At Nico van der Meulen’s, architects and designers work with great care and diligence to ensure that a building design

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Nico van der Meulen

encapsulates the vision and essence of their clients. Industry experts suggest that the very best architects are the ones that can best read a client’s psyche to ensure they are able to communicate their own unique vision without compromising their wishes. This combined with a meticulous approach to project management which covers every phase from site selection to completion means that the client’s requirements are met, thereby providing peace of mind.

Considering the quality of Nico van der Meulen design aesthetics, it is interesting that Nico’s approach to his unique brand of contemporary, modernist design in fact revolves around the principle of functionalism.

“In architecture, functionality should always be given higher priority than the form, considering we spend our entire lives inhabiting the structures we’ve designed rather than admiring their external appearances.

Functionalism is our design philosophy and whilst our facades could have any form, and be associated with any style, our buildings will always remain functional. To

associate this architectural practice with a specific style would be inaccurate considering the buildings we design are purposed to be functional first and their striking forms are merely a result of this.” – Nico van Den Meulen, Founder, CEO of Nico van Den Meulen Architects.

This unwavering focus on function before form is a natural product of Nico van der Meulen’s origins as a civil engineer. As a man who spent his earlier years cutting his teeth in the construction industry prior to entering the field of architecture, the emphasis on a symbiotic relationship between exterior and interior, functionality and aesthetics, represents a mix of the best of both worlds.

“Across all fields, engineers are trained to make things work. Whilst their entire focus is aimed at making something functional, architects often get carried away in the desire to create beautiful buildings while neglecting the practicality of their designs. This basic principle of engineering is what is at the core of making Nico van der Meulen designs so successful. With a focus on creating beautiful, functional

27 Lyn Road, Strydom Park, Randburg, 2194, South Africa P.O Box 245, Randburg, 2125 Tel: +27 (11) 791-6013 Cell: +27 (0) 82 552 6129 Fax: +27 (11) 791-2240 e-mail: info@beamvac.co.za www.beamvac.co.za

designs it is definite that the forms we create really do follow the function they are intended for.”

Another principle that is a hallmark of Nico van der Meulen Architect is their strict adherence to the ideals of sustainable development. As a registered Green Certified Professional and member of the Green Building Council of South Africa, Nico himself is dedicated to refining his long-term interest in eco-sensitive, sustainable African architecture which he actively champions. This passion was demonstrated recently by his involvement as lead architect in a vast development involving nearly 4,000 houses, a number of which were under development in eco-sensitive areas.

As a result of a still challenging global economy, it is anticipated that Nico van der Meulen’s will face another highly competitive year. However with unwavering support from their suppliers, and with the practice already engrossed in two large projects for a Russian billionaire and a mystery client in South Africa, it appears that this leading practice will continue their forward momentum through 2013.

27 Lyn Road, Strydom Park, Randburg, 2194, South Africa P.O Box 245, Randburg, 2125 Tel: +27 (11) 791-6013 Cell: +27 (0) 82 552 6129 Fax: +27 (11) 791-2240 e-mail: info@beamvac.co.za www.beamvac.co.za

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P.O not Box 245, Randburg, 2125 P.O are Box 245, Randburg, 2125 ...

Tel: +27 (11) 791-6013 27 Cell: Lyn Road, +27 (0)Strydom 82 552 Park, 6129 Randburg, South Africa Fax: +272194, (11) 791-2240 P.Oe-mail: Box 245, Randburg, 2125 info@beamvac.co.za Tel:www.beamvac.co.za +27 (11) 791-6013 Cell: +27 (0) 82 552 6129 Fax: +27 (11) 791-2240 e-mail: info@beamvac.co.za www.beamvac.co.za

Tel: +27 (11) 791-6013 Cell: +27 (0) 82 552 6129 Fax: +27 (11) 791-2240 e-mail: info@beamvac.co.za www.beamvac.co.za

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Managing Director: Séan McHarry Beam Built-In Vacuum (Pty) Ltd Reg No. 2005/0 Vat Reg. 4720223926

Proud Members of

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Managing Director: Séan McHarry Beam Built-In Vacuum (Pty) Ltd Reg No. 2005/034300/07