Endeavour Magazine November 2018

NOVEMBER 2018

www.endeavourmagazine.com

YUM PIZZA HUT A Slice Of Africa

PRIMAROSA FLOWERS Coming Up Roses

SKYWARD EXPRESS Rising High

Teranga Gold A Bright Tomorrow UK £4.95 CAN $7.95 USA $7.95 EUR €5.95 SA ZAR 69.00

INSPIRED BY YOUR SUCCESS

EDITOR’S NOTE Heads of Departments Managing Editor Alice Instone-Brewer editor@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Director Alex Hilling-Smith alexsmith@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Manager Emlyn Freeman emlynfreeman@littlegatepublishing.com Head of Editorial Research Paul Bradley paulbradley@littlegatepublishing.com Project Manager Steven Weller steveweller@littlegatepublishing.com Editorial Researcher James Lapping james@littlegatepublishing.com Editorial Researcher Will Girling willgirling@littlegatepublishing.com

2

018 is almost over, with Christmas

companies, some familiar to us and others

and Hanukkah on the horizon for

that were exciting new discoveries, and

many of us. As those who celebrate

were amazed at the many ways that people

start to look forward to these festivals,

are doing good, even whilst working to

whether they are held dear because of

succeed at a business. From transforming

Editorial Researcher Alex Hayes alexhayes@littlegatepublishing.com

faith or because they symbolise a time with

communities with schools and health

family and loved ones, it is tragic that the

centres, to empowering regions with new

Editorial Researcher Dennis Morales dennismorales@littlegatepublishing.com

approach to the season has already been

skills, or providing affordable and ethical

marred by the painful news of the mass

ways to eat healthily, there are so many

Editorial Researcher David Kimberley david@littlegatepublishing.com

shooting at the Pittsburgh synagogue in

ways that businesses are doing good, and so

the US. Although the shooter has been

much future good to achieve. As we gear up

Corporate Director Anthony Letchumaman anthonyl@littlegatepublishing.com

charged and will be brought to justice, the

for our Christmas issue next month, we’re

pain of the violence and the losses of life

excited to keep unearthing these stories,

Lead Designer Alina Sandu studio@littlegatepublishing.com

experienced at this place of worship will

and showing what can be accomplished

stay with those affected. Unfortunately, this

with a little money, a little dedication, and

Publisher Stephen Warman stevewarman@littlegatepublishing.com

well-reported story is also only one of many

some heart.

For enquiries or subscriptions contact info@littlegatepublishing.com +44 1603 296 100

the world continuing to threaten people’s

ENDEAVOUR MAGAZINE is published

by Littlegate Publishing LTD which is a Registered Company in the United Kingdom.

Company Registration: 07657236 VAT registration number: 116 776007 343 City Road Suite 10, Thorpe House London 79 Thorpe Road EC1 V1LR Norwich, NR1 1UA

such stories, with violence throughout freedoms of religious expression and basic ability to feel and be safe.

Whilst not an intentional attack, tragedy also struck worshippers in India last month when a train ran into crowds gathered to celebrate the Hindu festival of Dusshera. At least 59 were killed by the accident, so whilst our thoughts are with the communities mourning the events in Pittsburg, they

Littlegate Publishing Ltd does not accept

are also with those mourning this loss in

responsibility for omissions or errors. The points

Amritsar, and everywhere else around the

of view expressed in articles by attributing writers and/or in advertisements included in this

globe that is battling daily against such

magazine do not necessarily represent those of

tragedies, both accidental and intentional.

the publisher. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. Whilst

However,

every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of

with respect for those who were lost, it

the information contained within this magazine,

is important to remember that the news

no legal responsibility will be accepted by the publishers for loss arising from use of information

whilst

we

look

backwards

isn’t all negative, no matter how true that

published. All rights reserved. No part of this

can seem. It is inspiring and reassuring to

publication may be reproduced or stored in a

see how many active initiatives there are

retrievable system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of

ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

in the world to improve lives, from not

the publisher.

only governments and charities, but the

Copyright © Littlegate Publishing Ltd 2018

private sector; we spoke with a selection of Endeavour Magazine | 3

CONTENTS

34 PRIMAROSA FLOWERS LIMITED FEATURES

12 YUM PIZZA HUT 4 | Endeavour Magazine

12 Yum Pizza Hut

A Slice Of Africa 18 Teranga Gold

A Bright Tomorrow 28 Copper Branch

Superfoods And Power Bowls 34 Primarosa Flowers Limited

Coming Up Roses 40 Kempinski Dominica

Cabrits Resort & Spa 48 ESA Copernicus

Earth’s All-Seeing Eye 54 Davis & Shirtliff

Going With The Flow 60 Skyward Express Ltd

Rising High 68 National Council for Construction NCC

Integrity, Accountability, Transparency 74 Prestige Group

Developed With Love 80 Manaseer Oil & Gas

Building For Future Generations 88 LotusHall Mining & Construction

Heavy Lifting 94 Obeikan Paper Industries

Making The Papers 100 Motisun MM Integrated Steel Mills

Rising Across Africa 108 Swakop Uranium

Husab Mine – The Next Big Thing 112 Refraline

Three Decades Of Success 118 Kuwait Oil Company

In The Black

48 ESA COPERNICUS ARTICLES

Business Headlines 6 Africa 7 Asia 8 Middle East 10 Americas 11 Europe

26 46 106

Amazing World The Surprise At Abraham Lake Conundrum Of The AI Workshops The Ghost Fleet Of Truk Lagoon

86

Automotives Skoda Kodiaq Sportline

82 MANASEER OIL & GAS Endeavour Magazine | 5

BUSINESS HEADLINES AFRICA SOUTH AFRICA RAISES $20 BILLION IN NEW INVESTMENT PLEDGES

November 9, 2018. According to Fitsum

Office said the three road and 13 power

Aregaa, the current move is: “Consistent

projects would be launched this fiscal

with PM Abiy Ahmed’s vision of a closer and

year, after the tendering processes were

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa

full regional integration in Africa — where

completed, Fana reported.

announced in late October that his country

minds are open to ideas and markets are

has

open to trade.”

raised $20 billion

in

investment

commitments made by several companies.

It did not say how they would be financed or give any other details on the projects.

Abiy had earlier this year disclosed that

Ethiopia – which has recorded the

Local and international companies made

following Rwanda’s lead, Ethiopia was going

highest economic growth rate in sub-

pledges at an investment summit held in

to allow a visa-free regime for all Africans. At

Saharan Africa for years – has invested

Johannesburg.

the time, he was speaking at a state banquet

heavily in state-led infrastructure projects,

held for his visiting Rwandan counterpart,

drawing on foreign borrowing and its own

Paul Kagame.

foreign exchange reserves.

“Today marks an important milestone along our journey of establishing South Africa as an investment destination of choice,” he said.

Abiy said: “The President invited all

But there have been signs that China, a

Africans to travel to Rwanda without visas,

major creditor, is slowing financing to Addis

Ramaphosa said some of the companies

we will follow you very soon.” On June 1 the

Ababa as doubts grow over the profitability

that made pledges include those in mining

issuance of visas online for all tourists kick

of some infrastructure projects there.

industry,

started. Ethiopia boasts the continent’s best

Dr Teshome Tafese, director general of

national carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, which

the office noted that the projects will be

Others are from the transport, energy,

has made the Bole International Airport in

launched this fiscal year after necessary

agro-processing and pharmaceutical sectors.

Addis Ababa, not just a regional but global

tendering procedures are completed.

In April, Ramaphosa launched a drive to

aviation hub. The most recent time the issue

raise at least $100 billion in new investment

was came up was when ex-president Mulatu

to boast the country’s ailing economy, over a

Teshome at the opening of parliament

period of five years. South Africa’s economy

said the visa-on-arrival regime was to be

has seen slow growth in the past decade,

implemented in this year.

forestry,

manufacturing,

and

telecommunications.

where investors feared to put their money

NAMIBIA ENDS BLACK OWNERSHIP RULES FOR MINING EXPLORATION LICENCES Namibia has scrapped a requirement

into the economy due to policy uncertainty.

for companies seeking mining exploration

When Ramaphosa assumed office in

licences to be partly owned and managed by

February, he assured investors of favorable

black Namibians.

investment policies and incentives for some

The policy was introduced in 2015 to

companies. Earlier this year, he travelled

increase the participation of historically

to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates

disadvantaged black Namibians in some

and several other countries where he

of the country’s most lucrative business

received several investment pledges from

projects, but critics said it threatened the

governments there.

diamond and uranium producers’ ability to

“As we indicated earlier today, these

attract investment.

investments are in addition to pledges of

The

chamber

of

mines

said

the

over R400 billion ($27 billion) that we have

requirements had been set aside by Mines

received from several governments over the

and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo in a

last 6 months,” he said.

letter to the group.

ETHIOPIA’S VISA-ON-ARRIVAL FOR ALL ETHIOPIA ANNOUNCES $7 BILLION AFRICANS STARTS NOVEMBER 9 ROAD AND POWER PROJECTS Finally, Ethiopia has announced a date

department could be reached for comment.

Hilifa

Mbako,

the

chamber’s

vice

president, said the decision “was the most important fundamental decision for future

for the start of a visa-on-arrival regime for

Ethiopia has announced $7 billion worth

all Africans. Africa’s second most populous

of new road and power supply projects. The

nation will start visa-on-arrival regime from

government’s Public-Private Partnerships

6 | Endeavour Magazine

Neither the minister nor officials in his

investment into Namibia.”

Mining contributed 12.2 percent to the country’s gross domestic product last year.

ASIA INDONESIA ARRESTS PALM OIL EXECUTIVES IN BRIBERY INVESTIGATION Indonesia’s

anti-graft

agency

INDIA PREPARES TO INAUGURATE THE WORLD’S TALLEST STATUE

Modi in 2013. The Statue of Liberty is 93 meters high, including its pedestal.

The ambitious project was announced

India was set to unveil the world’s tallest

by Modi in 2010, when he was still the

has

statue at the end of October. The towering

chief minister for the state of Gujarat. Built

arrested seven people, including a senior

statue is of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a

with funds allocated by the Gujarat state

executive of palm oil firm Sinar Mas Agro

popular political and social leader, who was

government, it has also received support

Resources and Technology, in connection

part of the freedom struggle that resulted in

from the federal government and individual

with a bribery case, an official at the agency

India’s independence from British colonial

contributions.

said on Oct 28th.

rule in 1947.

Estimated to cost over $410 million,

The Corruption Eradication Commission,

the committee overseeing the construction

known as KPK, named the vice-president

asked for the public donations to finish the

director of Sinar Mas Agro, Edy Saputra

statue. Modi called on farmers across the

Suradja; chief executive of PT Binasawit

country to donate iron.

Abadi Pratama, Willy Agung Adipradhana;

Images show Indian workers putting the

and some members of Central Kalimantan

final touches on the statue of Patel, who’s

Parliament as suspects in the case. Both Sinar

wearing a shirt, shawl and loincloth with

Mas Agro and Binasawit are subsidiaries of

detailed folds. Promoted as a dream that

Singapore-listed palm oil giant Golden Agri-

Modi is keen to fulfill in his first term as Prime

Resources. The people are accused of bribing

Minister, the project includes a museum,

parliamentarians to avoid an investigation

research and entertainment center. A 3-star

into Binasawit’s plantation permits and palm

hotel has been built in a complex nearby.

processing waste near Sembuluh lake in the

CHINA MINING ACCIDENT: 18 TRAPPED IN TUNNEL

Borneo island, Dy Chief Situmorang said.

Golden Agri, in a statement following the arrest, said: “The company will cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation and

More than 170 rescue workers are trying

hopes that the issues can be resolved as

to free 18 coal miners trapped in a tunnel

quickly as possible”.

in China’s eastern Shandong province,

It called the case “gravely concerning and

according to state broadcaster CCTV.

regrettable” and stated that its Indonesian

The miners were trapped after a rock

operations and subsidiaries must be managed

burst at the Longyun Coal Mining Company

in accordance to the law and regulations in

in Yuncheng County.

the country. A statement on behalf of both

The incident destroyed part of a water

Sinar Mas Agro and Binasawit said all parties

drainage tunnel in the coal mine, killing two

are fully cooperating with the investigation.

and trapping another 20 workers, the official

Indonesia is the world’s top producer of palm

Xinhua news agency reported.

oil. It has faced pressures from international buyers and environmentalists to make the industry more sustainable.

Rock burst accidents are often caused by Looming 182 meters (597 feet) above

fractures in rocks due to mining.

the Narmada River in the western Indian

Mining accidents are not unusual in

During a site visit to investigate the

state of Gujarat, the statue was scheduled

China. In 2018 there were 219 coal mining

matter, Parliament members found problems

to be unveiled on October 31, revealing a

accidents in total, according to official

with Binasawit’s permit for use of forest

figure molded from approximately 1,850

statistics, killing 375 people.

areas, he said. He did not elaborate.

metric tons of bronze.

Less than a week before the accident in

In the operation, KPK confiscated 240

“In the world, people talk about America’s

Shandong, five people died in a gas explosion

million rupiah (S$21,797.52) the authorities

Statue of Liberty. We want to make a statue

at a coal mine in Chongqing in the country’s

suspect had been intended as bribe money,

of Sardar Patel at twice the size of the statue

southwest.

Dy Chief Situmorang said.

of Liberty,” said Prime Minister Narendra Endeavour Magazine | 7

MIDDLE EAST MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA BILLIONAIRE POPULATION GROWS 24%

dating back more than three decades, raises the central bank’s capital to Dhs20bn

SAUDI ARABIA SAYS OIL MARKET COULD SHIFT TO OVERSUPPLY IN Q4

($5.45bn) and allows for the establishment The Middle East and North Africa region saw its billionaire population grow

of a general reserve of up to four times the paid up capital, the UAE said in a statement.

Saudi Arabia has said that the oil market could be shifting towards oversupply in the

24 per cent last year, according to a study

As well as ensuring prudent management

fourth quarter of the year as oil inventories

by professional services firm PwC and Swiss

of foreign reserves, the new rules are

rise and demand slows, and the top oil

bank UBS. The firms said in their Billionaires

designed to protect stability of the financial

exporter will “mirror” such changes in its

Insights report that the number of billionaires

system and help stability of the currency.

production.

in the region grew to 52 last year, while their total wealth grew by 15 per cent to $165bn.

The law, which was issued after a decree

“We are of the view that the market in the

by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan,

fourth quarter could be shifting towards an

Self-made billionaires were found to

the president of the UAE, does not apply

oversupply situation as evidenced by rising

account for 75 per cent of the regional

to financial free zones and the financial

inventories over the past few weeks,” Saudi

billionaire population compared to 68 per

institutions, most of them foreign, that

OPEC governor Adeeb Al-Aama announced.

cent in the United States and 80 per cent in

operate within them and are regulated by

Asia Pacific.

the authorities of those zones.

So we want to be watchful not to overcorrect and cause a substantial inventory

Globally, billionaire wealth grew by 19

build,” Al-Aama, who heads a joint OPEC

per cent to $18.9 trillion shared across

and non-OPEC committee which monitors

2,158 individuals. The fastest growing group

compliance and market fundamentals, said

was Chinese billionaires, which expanded

after a recent meeting of the panel, known

their wealth by 39 per cent to $1.12 trillion.

as the JTC, in Vienna.

However, the Americas region was

OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers

still home to the largest concentration of

agreed in June to relax their oil cuts, but the

billionaire wealth led by the US, where it

group said on Thursday they may need to

grew 12 per cent to $3.1 trillion.

change course because of rising inventories

“Over

the

last

decade,

Chinese

and economic uncertainties.

billionaires have created some of the world’s

Asked

about

concerns

of

slowing

largest and most successful companies,

economic growth in countries such as China,

raised living standards,” said UBS Global

a major oil consumer, Al-Aama said: “Growth

Wealth Management head of ultra high net

risks are a concern particularly in emerging

worth Josef Stadler.

countries … we are aware that oil demand

“We are experiencing a new wave of

entrepreneurship

worldwide,

responds to global macroeconomic factors

with

The new law would help establish better

billionaires at the vanguard of innovation.

regulations for monitoring credit, enabling

They are creating jobs and prosperity, but

the UAE to achieve balanced economic

He added Saudi Arabia does not push oil

their impact goes beyond economics. A new

growth, said deputy ruler of Dubai and

to the market but responds to its customers’

generation is emerging, and they see an

finance minister Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid.

needs and said the increase in the kingdom’s

opportunity to tackle some of the greatest

The law also includes new provisions governance

of

financial

proactively”.

oil production over the past months was in

environmental and societal challenges facing

relating

humankind.”

institutions licensed by the central bank

Saudi Arabia produces only what its

and penalties for companies in breach of

customers ask for, not more. We saw strong

the rules.

demand for our crudes in the third quarter

UAE ISSUES NEW BANKING LAWS

to

and will be responding with our partners

response to rising demand.

The United Arab Emirates has issued

It also contains provisions designed to

and we have increased our production

a new law governing the central bank and

boost consumer protection, including the

accordingly,” he said.Saudi energy minister

the regulation of financial institutions and

confidentiality, protection, and appropriate

Khalid al-Falih said on October 22 the

activities in an effort to bolster monetary

use of customer financial information,

kingdom would soon raise output to 11

performance and confidence in the economy.

as well as aiming to raise levels of

million barrels per day (bpd) from the current

The new law, which updates old legislation

financial inclusion.

10.7 million.

8 | Endeavour Magazine

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AMERICAS PITTSBURGH SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING LEAVES 11 DEAD AND 6 WOUNDED; SUSPECT HIT WITH MULTIPLE CHARGES

impact of the rotating Canada Post strike.

citizenship. That dynamic change, Rosselló

Some say their packages are taking much

contends, may provide for wiping out what

longer to arrive and that the delay could

he called that “second-class citizenship” for

cause problems going into Christmas.

3.3 million Puerto Rican residents by making

The suspected gunman behind the

The Canada Post job action started Oct.

the island the nation’s 51st state. Island

shooting in a Pittsburgh synagogue, which

22 after negotiators failed to reach a new

residents can’t vote in U.S. presidential

left 11 people dead and six more injured,

contract agreement before a deadline, set

elections and have no voting representative

has been formally charged, prosecutors said.

by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.

in

Robert Bowers, 46, was charged late

Since, it’s affected several cities including

the mainland.

Saturday with 29 federal counts of crimes

Vancouver, Toronto, Halifax, Saint John

of violence and firearms offenses after

among others.

Congress

unless

they

move

to

The resulting lack of political clout means the island receives a smaller relative share of

authorities say he carried out an anti-Semitic

federal funding for healthcare, infrastructure

attack on Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath.

and other services than states do, hurting

Bowers

is

facing

11

counts

of

its residents’ well-being and their economic

obstruction of exercise of religious beliefs

prospects, and it was most dramatically

resulting in death; 11 of use of a firearm to

in evidence in the federal government’s

commit murder during and in relation to a

agonizingly slow response to Hurricane

crime of violence; four counts of obstruction

Maria, Rosselló said.

of exercise of religious beliefs resulting

“I think this is the moment in time where

in bodily injury to a public safety officer;

it clicked that Puerto Rico is part of the

and three counts of use and discharge of

United States,” Rosselló told Puerto Rican

a firearm during and in relation to a crime

business and civic leaders gathered for a

of violence.

town hall meeting at the Greater Miami

Pittsburgh

Public

Safety

Director

Chamber of Commerce. “Now we need

Wendell Hissrich said police were dispatched

results. We need execution.”

to Tree of Life Synagogue at 9:55 a.m. after

Rosselló was in Florida with members

receiving calls describing an active-shooter

of this Puerto Rico Statehood Commission,

situation in the city’s predominantly Jewish

which he created to advance the question,

Squirrel Hill neighborhood.

to make an unusual pitch to the state’s

He confirmed the 11 deaths, none of which were children. One victim was ID’d as a 70-year-old male with gunshot wounds to his torso “involving major organs in his abdomen.” He was undergoing his second operation and in critical condition, hospital

Puerto Rican voters.

PUERTO RICO’S GOVERNOR APPROACHES FLORIDA OVER STATEHOOD

He is asking them to vote in the Nov. 6 midterm elections for candidates who support Puerto Rico statehood. He has also been putting candidates on the spot, in forays not just to Florida but also to

officials said. Police Chief Scott Schubert

Before Hurricane Maria struck the U.S.

California, Massachusetts and Colorado, by

said that two police officers were hit during

territory of Puerto Rico, eight out of ten

asking them to publicly back statehood for

initial contact with the shooter and that

Americans didn’t know the island residents

the island if they want support from Puerto

two SWAT team members were also struck

were their fellow citizens. Now, thanks to

Rican voters in those states.

“during an engagement inside the building.”

Maria, more than 90 percent know it, Puerto

He confirmed that all four law enforcement

Rico’s governor says surveys show.

officials are in stable condition.

Support from a Puerto Rican voting bloc could mean the difference in tight races,

That sharp upgrade in Americans’

particularly in Florida, where polls have

knowledge about the island marks a

some candidates within a few percentage

potentially consequential turning point in

points of each other, including the contest

its relationship with the states, Puerto Rico

for governor and U.S. Senate, Rosselló said.

Gov. Ricardo Rosselló said in Miami — a tie

A recent survey showed that 80 percent of

Crafters and online shop owners who

that he says is marked by unequal rights for

the state’s Puerto Rican residents support

sell handmade goods say they’re feeling the

residents of the territory in spite of their U.S.

statehood for the island, he added.

SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS FEELING IMPACT OF CANADA POST STRIKE

10 | Endeavour Magazine

EUROPE FRANCE SUSPENDS USE OF ONE OF EUROPE’S MOST POPULAR PESTICIDES FOLLOWING ILLNESSES The French government has ordered a

It is a move that could be soon replicated in plenty of other countries, with the EU consulting on a proposal to abandon the practice from 2019.

2002,

part of a new bid to rally separatists.

The new group, named Crida Nacional (National Call), held a founding congress

time

on Saturday evening, marking the one-year

three-month ban on one of Europe’s most

change has been dictated by an EU directive,

anniversary of the secession push, but it

widely-used pesticides after reports of farm

with a harmonised continental clock seen as

has struggled to attract a groundswell of

staff and residents falling ill in recent weeks.

beneficial to cross-border businesses and

support, with some allies being held in

transport links.

Spanish jails and others choosing a more

The move to ban products based on

Since

Puigdemont had launched a new party as

the

twice-yearly

metam sodium followed reports of three

But a vote in the European Parliament

cases of “respiratory poisoning” in the

last year will see the arrangement be

moderate political path.

The meeting of Puigdemont’s new party

Maine-et-Loire department in the past two

reconsidered and allow member states to

was held in the pro-independence town of

weeks, and another case of poisoning in the

opt out, much as non-EU countries like

Manresa, in the centre of Catalonia, near

department of Finistère.

Russia, Turkey and Iceland already have.

the prison where independence leaders

Metam sodium, one of the most widely

There is no sign of any such move

are being held.“A year ago we decided that

used pesticides in the US and Europe, is

being made in the UK, even after Brexit,

we would continue the fight, whatever the

considered a “probable human carcinogen”

despite road safety charity Break urging

conditions and circumstances, and that we

by the US Environmental Protection Agency

the government to alter the time-honoured

would commit ourselves to building a better

and is not meant to be applied directly to

tradition to aid motorists.

country, a republic,” said Puigdemont said in

plants.

The

Rather than abandon the concept, ministry

said

initial

Brussels of the new party.

findings

however, Brake wants to move the clocks

suggested that recommendations for the use

forward for the entire year - making winter

Torra, in a sombre televised address to

of plant protection products had “not been

one hour ahead of GMT and summer two

mark the October 27 2017 declaration of

correctly respected” in the cases of poisoning

hours ahead.

independence, said: “The year that separates

identified, while climatic conditions may also have contributed to the issue.

The

current

Catalan

leader,

Quim

The renewed appeal came after new

us from this historic date did not unfold

research by the RAC Foundation found that

as we wished … [but] turning back is not an option.”

Of 61 reported cases across the country

the annual October clock change heralds 20

in recent weeks, 17 people had to be briefly

extra road crashes per day in which someone

hospitalised, prompting local authorities

is injured.

The independence declaration threw Spain into political turmoil, with the central

to suspend use of the chemical earlier this

government ousting Puigdemont, who then

month, AFP reported.

fled to Belgium, dissolving parliament and

Metam sodium is authorised in the

imposing direct control over the wealthy

European Union until 2022, when it is due

north-eastern region. Polls in December saw

to come up for review by regulators.

separatist parties once again win an absolute majority in the regional parliament.

MOROCCO ENDS TIME CHANGE, AND EUROPE MAY FOLLOW

But Torra, who regularly seeks counsel from Puigdemont, presides over a Catalan government divided between those who

Morocco has decided to stop changing

back disobedience to advance the cause

its clocks twice a year in a move that could

of independence and those who favour

soon be replicated in Europe. The north

dialogue with new Spanish prime minister,

African nation has instead abandoned the concept of clock changes and chosen to stick to summer time all year round.

OUSTED CATALAN LEADER CARLES PUIGDEMONT LAUNCHES NEW PARTY

The Moroccan government said the

Pedro Sanchez.

The trial of 18 former Catalan leaders over their role in the separatist push, expected to start in early 2019, has helped

decision to stay on GMT+1 would save

A year after secession bid, the separatist

an extra hour of natural light and reduce

tries to rally support from his base in

electricity consumption.

Belgium. Former Catalan president Carles

to keep the separatist camp mobilised.

Endeavour Magazine | 11

YUM PIZZA HUT HTTP://WWW.YUM.COM/COMPANY/OUR-BRANDS/PIZZA-HUT/ // 0027 11 790 9305

A SLICE OF AFRICA They’re known throughout the world, but can they become a staple in Africa? We spoke with Pizza Hut about one of their most exciting, and successful, periods of expansion, as they reach out into a whole continent of new territories for the beloved pizza brand.

WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

YUM PIZZA HUT

Founded in 1958 by Dan and Frank Carney in Kansas, USA Pizza Hut International has since become a well-known global brand. From family outings to late-night orders, Pizza Hut has been a presence in many people’s lives.

In some countries, the Hut is just one contender among many, but in others, it is one of the kings of the QSR industry.

he brand was established in South Africa for many years, but

T

The Hut’s expansion originally branched out from South

took a few years’ hiatus as it looked into rebranding. Now, for

Africa to travel up the East African coast, but stores are now also

the past four and a half years, it has undergone a resurgence,

established in the North and West. All countries are of course

with restaurants spreading not only back throughout the country,

different, and as Pizza Hut has established itself in new territories,

but also the rest of the continent:

it has found that the reception and culture towards the brand varies

“Our aim is to grow in scale and become Africa’s pizza brand

- particularly between South Africa and the rest of the continent.

of choice,” says Ewan Davenport, General Manager of Pizza Hut

Whilst South Africa already has an established QSR market and

Africa. “It’s been an incredible journey so far. Ultimately, in the first

more affluent consumers, the market in Africa’s other countries

four years, we got ourselves to over 100 stores across Africa, and

has some key differences: Lee-Ann Cullingworth, Chief Marketing

over the next few, we’re looking to reach in excess of 200 stores.

Officer, explained; “From a South African perspective, the business

It’s an exciting journey that we’ve embarked on and we’re really

is very much a delivery, takeaway, carry_out experience, but in the

accelerating.”

rest of Africa it is very much a dining experience. It’s quite a special

Pizza Hut Africa currently have locations in 14 countries, which

occasion. There is a delivery aspect, but there is much more of that

will have reached 16 by the end of 2018, with roughly a 50:50

dine-in need in the African market, where consumers will go with

ratio between their locations in South Africa and the rest of the

their family and see the experience as a treat.”

continent. Over the next couple of years, they aim to expand their number of countries reached to 25.

A Pizza Hut experience comes in many guises, and has existed in many evolutions and styles over the years. Speaking for myself in

“We’ve got stores to continue to build here in South Africa,

the UK, many a day out as a child used to end in a sit-down, dine-in

but we’re also entering a number of new markets by the end of

experience in Pizza Hut, with queues often trailing out of the door

this year, including Sudan, Nigeria and the Ivory Coast, to name

to get in; in my teens, the Pizza Hut buffet was a frequent staple,

three. We also have additional stores going into countries where

thanks to its central location in the city and the delicious all-you-

we’re already present, such as Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia and

could-eat trips back to the hot plates for seconds and thirds; as a

Mozambique.”

young adult, my partner was a waitress with the chain for many

14 | Endeavour Magazine

years, and pizzas would often be brought home after her late shifts; today, as a slightly wearier adult, ordering a delivery is a perfect solution to staying up too late and having a few too many drinks with friends. My relationship with the brand began with balloons and trips to the ice cream machine, and has evolved into leftover slices for a welcome hungover breakfast, and in the same way, the restaurant’s presence in the UK has grown and shifted focus with me. Originally a vast family dining brand with no takeaway option, takeaway and delivery are now key parts of the business here; in Africa, excitingly, both aspects are launching and flourishing at the same time, allowing Pizza Hut to explore how it does service like never before.

Ewan told us: “In many of our African countries, not many global brands are prevalent in any way, so the concept of casual dining is quite unique and unusual, but, that isn’t to say that people don’t get it.” In fact, some of Pizza Hut’s stores in wider Africa are seeing better business than their South African locations. Lee-Ann went on to explain that this dine-in experience is a little different to the traditional assumption: “Dine-in usually means waiter service, but the concept we are launching in Africa is not that: you order at the counter, and you can casually eat at the table.” This sort of smart casual dining experience is a concept that is present in many of the

Endeavour Magazine | 15

YUM PIZZA HUT QSR industries, but is new for Pizza Hut. They are also launching

including a lot of supplier development and investment to get the

a series of other brand changes in Africa, such as a more open

product up to the standard and quality that we need.” By coming in

kitchen that allows diners to see the pizzas being made.

and working with local suppliers to develop their businesses, Pizza

Great Ingredients, Great Food.

Trialling these new features are exciting opportunities for Pizza

Hut not only guarantees ingredients for its products at the standard

Hut. However, when asked what they feel the keys to success for

it requires, but it also empowers these local businesses and has an

the brand in Africa are, Ewan had this to say: “Success in Africa is

ongoing positive effect in the area.

largely focused around two things: the first is having an established

This not only allows Pizza Hut pizzas to reach their standard

supply chain, and the second is your affordability.” Many of the

and maintain the consistency that is essential to any QSR chain,

lowest GDP per capita countries in the world are in the African

but it also allows them to compete for their goal of being Africa’s

continent, making the Hut a premium brand for many of their

tastiest pizza. They already know that in customer tasting, they

African customers. Hence, whilst the experience is casual, it is a

score very favourably against their competition. This, plus their

offer a full are two out of their three special occasion, and oneAt that International customers expect to beMeat deliveredIngredients at focus on being we accessible and affordable,

product solution for cooked and meat strategies forfermented appealing to customers, and the third is speed, of prepared supply chain. Pizza Hut is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands Inc., one of Of course, this would not be possible without the right staff. meal sectors. We are proud to be the preferred the largest restaurant companies in the world, and both Yum! and Shaista Imam, Chief People Officer, was excited to talk to us about supplier to the world’s leading food brands and are therefore Pizza Hut have an incredibly high food quality and safety the Hut’s African team: “In Africa, we have a small but mighty team. considered be the industry leaders inbefood standard. “We will not change or reduce our to standards anywhere An organisation will only as goodsafety, as its people. It’s critical that in the world, which means we have to ensure that we have a very we have franchises, marketers, store managers and servers with sustainability and insight-led product innovation. strong and capable supply Whilst establishing our the right mindset. terms of staff training and recruitment, we Webase. put thewe’re customer at the heart ofIneverything businesses in each of these new countries, there’s a significant have a mantra here that is “People capability first”, and at Yum! we do, which is why for your convenience all our amount of work that goes into the supply chain infrastructure, we absolutely believe that. We take training very seriously.” To products are fully cooked and ready-to-eat. a high standard.

A part of delivering this standard is, as Ewan said, down to the service or delivery.and ingredients across pizza, sandwich

“We have a saying in the Gaelic language “Níof neart go cur le chéile” International Meat Ingredients is part - We are stronger when we act the Dawn Farms family of companies. together. We are honoured to receive To discover the ingredients that set us apart, the Food Supplier of the Year award visit www.dawnfarms.ie. and a special recognition award at this year’s Pizza Hut European FOOD SAFETY + INNOVATION + SUSTAINABILITY Supplier Conference, marking our “30 Years of Dedicated Service” which is a true sign of the mutual respect between our two businesses and the strong relationship that has developed in that time.”

16 | Endeavour Magazine

facilitate their expansion, Pizza Hut has taken on 3,000 new

Another potentially life-changing initiative from Pizza Hut

members of staff across the continent. Believing that no customer

Africa is the Slice of Africa drive; an initiative that continues the

experience can exceed that of a team member’s experience,

company’s global dedication to literacy by travelling 200,000kms

the company takes the support of these staff as seriously as its

across 12 countries to deliver Pizza Hut Red Reading Boxes to the

training. They have partnered with local NGOs who help youth

children who might not have access to books otherwise. The push

come off the streets and find employment, hiring many into their

is traveling in a triangle sharp across Africa, hence the “slice” in its

restaurants, and they have also launched an initiative to sponsor

name; at first, the journey launched a series of events to promote

their Restaurant General Managers (RGMs) through a four-year

the drive and encourage donations of books, and next year, it will

business degree.

be travelled again to deliver them to children in need, hopefully

“This is a huge commitment from Pizza Hut,” Shaista tells us,

helping to combat the high level of illiteracy in the continent.

“And I’m really excited because it grows our individuals. As you

Helping education and spreading joy, Pizza Hut seem to

can imagine, education in Africa is really important.” The support

be taking Africa by storm, and are only going to keep growing.

does not come with any compulsory time with Pizza Hut following

“Africa is a continent where, if you really get it right, you can have

graduation, following the model used by Starbucks, KFC and others

thousands of restaurants, but you really need to get it right.” It

in the US; the support in hugely beneficial for the development of

seems as though they’ve achieved that formula, and this month will

workers in the areas where Pizza Hut operate, and it also inspires

be the test they are most looking forward to: “This month, we’ll be

many to choose to stay with the company simply because they

launching in Nigeria, which is a country with 180 million people,

feel cared for within the team. In fact, this feeling travels all the

and an incredible excitement is being generated about our launch

way through the company, as Ewan shared: “We have senior team

there at the moment. If we can land the Pizza Hut brand in Nigeria,

members who started with us for their first job at 16 as a delivery

then we really do think that the sky is the limit.”

driver, which is really quite remarkable. I’ve not seen anything like it at my previous companies.”

Great Ingredients, Great Food.

At International Meat Ingredients we offer a full product solution for cooked and fermented meat ingredients across pizza, sandwich and prepared meal sectors. We are proud to be the preferred supplier to the world’s leading food brands and are considered to be the industry leaders in food safety, sustainability and insight-led product innovation.

We put the customer at the heart of everything we do, which is why for your convenience all our products are fully cooked and ready-to-eat.

International Meat Ingredients is part of the Dawn Farms family of companies.

To discover the ingredients that set us apart, visit www.dawnfarms.ie.

FOOD SAFETY + INNOVATION + SUSTAINABILITY

Endeavour Magazine | 17

TERANGA GOLD WWW.TERANGAGOLD.COM // 001 416 594 0000

A BRIGHT TOMORROW If you remember our last conversation with Teranga Gold Corporation, then you may remember the two core virtues that set them apart: an extremely healthy pipeline of assets, and truly innovative corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes.

This gold mining company operates out of French West Africa, with a presence in three countries but a current focus in Senegal.

WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

TERANGA GOLD

As gold continues on its dip before its predicted rise in value, we caught up with Richard Young, President and CEO of Teranga Gold, to get the latest news on the company’s growth pipeline and their hopes for the coming years.

I

t is always a pleasure to explore a company that is not only

undertakings must be matched by successful business practise, but

flourishing in its industry, but is making a genuine positive

neither receive attention at Teranga at the expense of the other.

impact on the world around it. These active contributions kept

“Through the cycle, we expect to generate very reasonable returns

Teranga on our radar and made us keen to keep in touch with the

for our shareholders.”

ambitious mining company. “Our vision is to become a multi-asset

French West Africa is outwardly friendly towards the mining

mid-tier gold producer in West Africa, and our mission is to share

industry; the countries have favourable and well-defined mining

the benefits of responsible mining with all of our stakeholders,”

codes put in place to both protect themselves and make themselves

Richard reminds us with pride. These twin goals define Teranga,

desirable for overseas mining interest. Their geographical location

with their ambition never coming at the expense of their ethical

facilitates shipping to both North America and Europe, but it is the

approach to the industry. “By the time we leave a region, they’re

support and cooperation of their governments, and of course their

better off than when we came. It’s the core of everything we do.”

rich natural resources, that appeal to companies like Teranga. This

Richard trained as an accountant before he became interested

level of outreach and support wouldn’t exist if these companies

in mining, an industry that he has now been with for almost 30

weren’t a boon to the country: “Mining is a cornerstone of the West

years. “As a Canadian, I was looking for an opportunity in an industry

African economy. We provide high-paying jobs; in Senegal, 95% of

that competed globally, and mining is one of them.” What started

our employees are Senegalese and we buy most of our goods and

as a way to do business on a global scale soon became a genuine

services in-country. We are also the second largest tax payer in

passion for Richard and it was this interest in and appreciation for

Senegal.” This immediate economic impact, while significant, wasn’t

the world that attracted him. “I love mining. When you think about

sufficient for Teranga: “We said that if we want to be successful

what our industry does, we often move into rural areas, areas which

in Senegal and in West Africa, we have to lead with our CSR

are often the poorest region in any country. What I love about our

programme.”

industry is that we have the power to make a significant difference

When Teranga Gold arrived in Senegal ten years ago, the area

to the local community and the national economies of the countries

surrounding its Sabodala mine was one of the poorest in the region,

we work in.” Of course, to be a successful business, all responsible

and ranked extremely low on the country’s health index. Today, it

20 | Endeavour Magazine

TERANGA GOLD is one of the healthiest regions in the country, thanks to the efforts

schools, either directly or through the vast contribution to the

empowered by Teranga’s input and support. “Not only have we

country’s taxes and economy. Most of Teranga’s direct involvement,

built medical centres, but we’ve set up a dozen market gardens.

however, does not come from management’s own initiatives for

Where we are, there is a distinct rainy season, meaning there is

the country, but those of the local people: “Rather than a top-down

a very small window for growing crops. We’ve created ‘market

approach where we’ve come in and determined what we think the

gardens’ with drip irrigation systems that run 12 months a year.”

community wants or needs, we’ve used a bottom-up approach,

From lacking sufficient food in the past to having a current surplus

working with local, regional and national authorities to put together

of crops, the communities around Sabodala now consume 20-30%

a development plan for this region. Over the years, we’ve probably

of what they produce, meaning the rest can be sold, both locally

put about $20 million into the local communities, and they make

and regionally. The women of these communities are the ones who

the decisions on where that money is spent.” These projects have

tend the market gardens, meaning that for many of them, they have

included the development of hotels (which also provide a source

a source of income for the first time. Teranga has also hired experts

of temporary housing for Teranga employees) and the purchase of

to advise locals to provide advice on nutrition and which crops to

buses to develop a local public transport system – both schemes

grow, introducing a healthier variety into the area at large. Each

are to provide new avenues for income and employment once

market garden costs between $40,000-$50,000 to put in place,

Teranga’s mine closes. Teranga provides the funds for this, and puts

but beyond this and the input of the hired experts, Teranga leaves

the power in the people’s hands: “They build the projects, they’re

these farms to be managed by the local people, empowering them

responsible for them, and I think that’s the best way to do it.”

to take these resources and make them their own.

The outlook for Senegal and wider French West Africa is strong

This is one of many changes that Teranga has made for the

and growth-focused but how about the outlook for the gold

areas it works in. The company has also installed medical centres,

market? As we all know, gold prices have been declining steadily

and has been involved in the improvement of roads, hospitals and

for the past 6 months, and with no major discoveries being made.

22 | Endeavour Magazine

Richard gave us his perspective: “Within the sector, we hit peak

a total of over $300 million in free cash flow. “It’s that free cash

discovery in 1995. Now, as an industry, we’ve got declining grades,

flow that we will use to help fund the development of the organic

which ultimately means declining production. Meanwhile, we’re

growth pipeline that we’ve got,” explained Richard.

seeing much stronger demand coming out of Asia than 20 years

Teranga’s second mine, Wahgnion, is currently under

ago. In the gold market, China and India used to represent about

construction in Burkina Faso. Between this new mine and

25% of the demand - now they’re 50%. As Asia sees 400-500

Sabodala, the company expects to boost its yearly output to

million people move into the middle class, we think that demand

350,000 ounces of gold, with a long 13-year mine life for each

will continue to grow.” With declining grades and rising demand,

operation. This projection reflects only the current proven and

there should a point of inflection where scarcity drives gold prices

probable gold reserves, without considering the expected growth

back up, and anyone sitting on a prospective pipeline could be set

from ongoing exploration drilling programs on both sites. “There’s

to profit greatly from the upswing.

a new discovery in Burkina Faso that we also think will be our third

Teranga Gold is extremely aware of this, and they’re ready.

mine.” This new discovery is known as Golden Hill. Still in the early

With its organic growth pipeline, Teranga could be producing half a

stages of exploration, Teranga has been exploring this land package

million ounces within five years and anywhere from 750,000 to one

for the past 24 months. “We’ve been drilling a 7.5-kilometre radius,

million ounces over the next decade.

along a belt that could extend 30 or 40 kilometres. We’ve just

The company’s current producing mine is in Senegal. Sabodala,

entered into a joint venture on a project about 20-25 km north,

an open-pit gold mine went into production in 2009, and is the

where there’s about half a dozen targets that look similar to the

largest producing mine in the country. For each of the past three

nine that we’ve drilled. So, we’re very bullish on the perspectivity

years, the mine has produced more than 200,000 ounces of gold

of this gold belt. Assuming that it moves forward, and we

annually, and over the next five years is projected to produce

anticipate that it will, this third mine should take us to half a

approximately 1.5 million ounces of gold, on top of generating

million ounces.”

Endeavour Magazine | 23

TERANGA GOLD what first attracted David to Teranga, apart from his presence in Finally, in addition to Sabodala, Wahgnion and Golden Hill,

the area. “First, he’s bullish on gold prices. He believes that we’re

the company has entered into two joint ventures in Côte d’Ivoire.

going to see higher gold prices in the future. But also, he really was

Success in this third jurisdiction, could potentially take company-

drawn to us because of our strong CSR programmes.”

wide annual production to 750,000 or a million ounces. It is a longterm plan, but that is how the mining game is played.

Once again, Teranga’s success comes back around to corporate social responsibility. The two are tightly linked, and both are close

A key supporter of Teranga’s ambition is David Mimran, the

to the company’s heart. So, what does the future look like for

company’s major shareholder and a vast commercial presence in

Teranga? We asked Richard what progress we can expect to see

French West Africa in his own right. Mr. Mimran currently owns

from their exciting pipeline a year from now: “First and foremost,

a 23% share of Teranga Gold and, at his request, has received

Wahgnion should be largely complete and starting operation.

board approval to increase to 29.9%. His company is the largest

Secondly, we expect to have our initial resource for Golden Hill

employer in two of the three countries in which Teranga operates.

and we would be moving through the feasibility study. Thirdly, we

Mr. Mimran is keen to see Teranga hit the million-ounce producer

would expect to have further exploration and development news

mark, and his support has been invaluable for the company; not

from Côte d’Ivoire.” Gambles and investments in mining can take a

only does he provide financial input, but his name builds bridges

long time to come to fruition, and yet every year includes exciting

and opens doors.

reveals and new results. We look forward to our next conversation

“In French West Africa, they’re really strong proponents of local ownership, and David Mimran is seen as a local. His family has been operating there successfully for 60 years, and that’s a real benefit to us. Understanding the way these countries work is important, and he gives us an additional degree of respect.” We asked Richard

24 | Endeavour Magazine

with Teranga Gold, and can’t wait to see this rich pipeline begin to pay off.

AMAZING WORLD THE SURPRISE AT ABRAHAM LAKE

A

mongst

BY JAMES LAPPING

the

Canadian

Rocky

Bighorn Dam, a hydroelectric plant made

lays bottom of the water. As glaciers move

in

Clearwater

County

by TransAlta Corporation in 1972, with the

through the mountains they grind down the

on the western edge of province

ability to generate 120 megawatts of energy.

sedimentary bedrock into a silty texture that

of Alberta, sits Abraham Lake. Canada is

The lake was made at a length of 20 miles,

enhances the colour of the water to make it

no stranger to natural lakes – in fact, the

and covers an area of 20.7 square miles.

look magical.

Mountains,

country holds more than 50% of the world’s

Similar to the natural lakes that surround

However, when winter comes calling,

lakes! However, on the North Saskatchewan

it, Abraham possesses an illuminating blue

the lake makes a miraculous transformation.

River, there is a natural phenomenon that

colour that looks idyllic with the snow-

In Alberta, the cold weather can bring

lays hidden in the depths, a secret wonder

capped mountains that rise above it. Just

temperatures that can reach lows of -25

that has remained unknown to many.

like glacial lakes that neighbour Abraham,

Celsius and wind speeds up to 48km/h.

this colour is caused by the rock flour that

This would certainly be a storm that you

Abraham Lake was created as part of the 26 | Endeavour Magazine

form, these bubbles of methane become

highly recommended to take a visit to one of

trapped and create pale orbs that are visible

these Lakes. To walk above the ice and see

below frozen surface. Some of these frozen

the columns of bubbles fall into the darkness

bubbles create almighty columns that can

below would be exhilarating. You could

be seen reaching right to the bottom of the

maybe even go for an ice skate too, and

lake, and because the ice is so clear, you

you don’t have to worry about falling into

can see these travelling far down into the

the icy water, as you can see how thick the

dark depths of Abraham Lake. Wonderful

ice is beneath you! My one word of caution

structures are formed within the ice and

would be to remind you that the bubbles

no two formations are the same, they have

are created from methane, and you certainly

been created in an immaculate fashion, they

wouldn’t want to light one up with a match

are visually similar to hundreds of pebbles

when it is about to burst…

that have been balanced upon one another,

This is a reason that the scientific field

however those with empty stomachs think

has also begun a strong interest in the lake’s

they take more of a likeness to a stack

icy orbs. Climate Change Scientists are giving

of pancakes!

a lot of attention to the phenomena as it is

Naturally, the lake and its unique

becoming increasing clear in recent years

phenomenon are now becoming more

that methane gas may be one of the most

and more popular with photographers and

potent greenhouse gasses. This contribution

tourists visiting the region. If the images

to climate change from lakes methane

included in this article aren’t enough for

may be minimal in comparison to the

you, I strongly advise you have search

livestock and agriculture industry, however,

wouldn’t want to be caught up in, and when

online. Photographers have created some

permafrost under the lake is believed to be

this weather front reaches Abraham Lake,

spectacular images of the superb gaseous

decreasing, and therefore increasing the

ice forms that is clear as a crystal. But that’s

ice structures that certainly capture the

release of methane from the lakes.

not all, something magnificent forms within

imagination.

the ice that has left visitors truly astonished.

This doesn’t stop Abraham Lakes frozen

It is not just Abraham Lake that

bubbles being a thing of beauty. Let’s hope

Lurking at the depths of most natural

possesses these frozen bubbles. Within

that not only can this phenomenon can be

lakes, bacteria eat dead plants and organic

the same region, Lake Minnewanka and

a nice post for your photography blog, but

matter. Just like us, they create a particular

Lake Vermillion also can produce these iced

something that also helps raise awareness to

byproduct after eating (farts). Usually these

gassy columns. This is still a site that you will

some of the serious climate issues that we

just pass to the surface when the lake is in

seldom see elsewhere in the world, though.

are facing in the 21st Century.

a liquid state, but when the ice begins to

So, if you wish to make the journey, it is Endeavour Magazine | 27

COPPER BRANCH WWW.EATCOPPERBRANCH.COM // 001 438 884 1494

SUPERFOODS AND POWER BOWLS Traditionally, fast food poses a dilemma: on the one hand, we are probably in a hurry, and want something quick, convenient and delicious, with that little bit of a ‘treat’ factor, but on the other hand, we are more conscious than ever about our diets and a desire to eat healthily. Surely, you can only have one or the other? We’re used to fast-casual dining holding a hint of guilt to it, but what if that doesn’t need to be the case?

WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

COPPER BRANCH

A few solutions have come along: in place of takeaway, companies such as Postmates and Deliveroo allow us to order restaurant-quality food to our doors, and there are some quick-service restaurants that are trying to use healthier ingredients. However, this market is still lacking, and within that space, the vegan and vegetarian market is still marginalised. Copper Branch are looking to change all of that, and they’ve already begun.

C

opper Branch is a chain of quick-service restaurants that

Branch concept. Taking the contacts and experience he gained

serve 100% plant-based fast casuals. We spoke with Andrew

from this time in the fast food industry, he sold all of his franchises

Infantino, the company’s Director of Marketing and Branch

and invested fully in his new company. “When I saw my father

Management, who has worked alongside his father Rio Infantino

start working on the concept, about a year and a half before we

to bring Rio’s vision and ambition to life. “Essentially, we’re a quick-

opened the first location, I was very interested in not only working

serve chain offering a chef-inspired, wholefood, plant-based menu.

and helping him, but also seeing this wonderful idea to fruition.”

What really sets Copper Branch apart is that we take plant-based

Rio’s idea was inspired from his own journey from obesity to

foods, vegan foods, and tailor them for the mainstream. We’re

health, and the knowledge he gained about healthier eating and

hoping to attract a clientele that is simply looking to eat something

ingredients. Andrew describes his father as a chef, even though this

healthy and wholesome, and not necessarily only the vegan and

wasn’t his training, for his sheer creativity, knowledge and passion

vegetarian community.”

for cooking. With this and his fast food experience, he decided to

For the most part, vegan and vegetarian brands market

create something new, and needed.

specifically to this niche, but Andrew believes that everyone would

As well as providing a 100% vegan-friendly menu, Copper

enjoy Copper Branch’s healthy and flavourful menu. “We saw a need

Branch also use completely organic, non-GMO ingredients, with

in the fast-casual space. Obviously, there is a lot of competition in

nothing on the menu that has been either modified or exposed

the space, but we definitely saw a void, especially in that plant-

to preservations. “We don’t even use frying in our restaurants –

based area. We were continuously looking for a health-oriented

it’s only oven-baking or raw ingredients – so it is definitely a more

option that you can trust, and the options simply weren’t there.”

health-oriented fast-casual concept.” Their menu features many

The Infantinos don’t believe in limiting themselves to a niche, but

superfoods, and in every location, their fruits and vegetables are

aim to see their vegan, wholefoods menu go mainstream. “I believe

locally sourced as much as possible. At first, this level of care, quality

that around the globe, there’s been a shift in what people are

and variety did mean a higher price-point than their competitors,

demanding from food. There’s more scientific knowledge regarding

but as Copper Branch’s numbers have increased, this was able to

what food can do to our bodies and around the globe, more vegan

come down. “We try to be very price competitive, but we also hope

products are becoming available. There’s a growing demand, and

that our customers appreciate the value in the food, and be willing

we just hope to be one of the leading influencers in the space.”

to pay slightly more for a better-quality meal.”

Andrew’s father and Copper Branch’s CEO and Founder, Rio,

Copper Branch opened its first location in September 2014.

was a franchisee with Subway before he developed the Copper

Leading up to this, Rio worked with around ten different vegan

30 | Endeavour Magazine

COPPER BRANCH chefs to put together the first menu, but in the end, he worked

for now we are focusing on France.” Belgium and the UK are also

closely together with one chef in particular to devise the core

in the line-up, with locations set to open in these countries by late

dishes that Copper Branch is known for today. “It had to be a

2019/2020.

menu that would be easy to produce, and of course, duplicatable

The reception to Copper Branch has been warm, from customers

and consistent across a chain.” Whilst the entire menu had us

and franchisees alike. “There definitely is a lot of excitement. For the

feeling hungry, it certainly has some fan-favourites, particularly the

most part, we’ve been attracting franchisees who are passionate

Spicy Black Bean and the Shiitake burgers, and Copper Branch’s

about the ‘food revolution’, so there’s lots of enthusiasm. Of course,

creative Power Bowls – essentially elaborate salads brimming

there’s always a certain scepticism towards a new company, and

with ingredients and served with your choice of organic brown

people thinking this might be a niche, but they’ve seen that we

rice, organic quinoa, zero-calorie konjac noodles or mixed lettuce.

market to the mainstream.”

The rest of the menu is just as delicious, with a diverse offering

“I think people were waiting for a concept like this – especially

of creatively designed sandwiches, all-day breakfasts, fresh sides,

in that plant-based space. The name Copper Branch is getting more

soups, smoothies and organic coffees and teas. “Whilst the first

and more known, but even without that name, when we’re opening

menu was being developed, we also had to work on the business

in new markets, that plant-based aspect has been a wonderful

plan, the marketing strategy, the position strategy, and then pulling

attractor for a lot of customers to at least come and try the menu.”

together all of those contacts and finding the best suppliers.”

Of course, in offering vegan, organic food options, ethics are

After their first location opened, Copper Branch expanded

likely to be a high priority for many of Copper Branch’s customers.

this to seven in the following months. This base allowed them to

They are deeply important to Copper Branch as well – especially

finalise their concept and find a model that worked, and from there,

in the case of environmental responsibility. Andrew describes this

they’ve continued to franchise and expand to 80 locations. These

responsibility as one of their core values. As a part of their dedication

franchises are mostly in Canada and the United States, but they are

to this value, the company is partnered with an organisation called

also looking further afield. “We are definitely looking to Europe, but

Rainforest Trust. This Washington-based, international organisation

32 | Endeavour Magazine

A Great Name for a Great Coffee works with local governments around the world to purchase and protect areas of rainforest and other animal or land sanctuaries.

Through their partnership with Copper Branch, the charity receives donations whenever customers use the chain’s loyalty system and their mobile app.

Andrew also believes that the very act of being a vegan chain is kinder to the environment. “We have a direct effect on sustainability by not contributing to animal food production and the destruction of lands that are required to raise cattle. As we grow the chain, we’ll even be able to formulate some numbers in terms of how many animals we save per day, how many acres of land we save etc.”

Whether it is for these vegan or environmental ideologies, an interest in your health or even just a quest for a new and tasty quick meal, Copper Branch is full of reasons to give their menu a try. We look forward to the opening of their UK locations, and wouldn’t be surprised to see their global expansion continue. By appealing to an overlooked niche and still appealing to the mainstream, Copper Branch have claimed their position in the fast-casual food industry, and are an innovative answer to a yearning need from consumers.

Next time you pass one, try one of their Power Bowls for yourself, and see how good fast food can taste!

Endeavour Magazine | 33

PRIMAROSA FLOWERS LIMITED WWW.PRIMAROSAFLOWERS.COM // 00254 20 2088352

COMING UP ROSES As we explored last month, Floriculture is a relatively new, and yet definitive industry in Kenya. Until the mid-1980s, flowers were not considered an export, with no support or recognition from the government or any trade union bodies.

WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

PRIMAROSA FLOWERS LIMITED

In part, this was because decorative flowers are not culturally purchased in Kenya, or to a lesser degree, the rest of Africa. However, once land owners realised that it was a hungry market overseas, innovators began to lobby for this new trade to be recognised, and now, Kenya holds over 150 thriving flower farms.

One such farm is Primarosa Flowers Ltd.

PYRETONE 40EC EMULSIFIABLE CONCENTRATE

F

ocusing primarily on roses, Primarosa seek to offer a superior product to customers around the globe; something that will be cherished by the recipients of the flowers they

tend and supply. The company offers a range of rose products,

Natural organic insecticide extracted from pyrethrum flowers for the control of thrips, aphids and whiteflies on roses, french beans and herbs.

including intermediates, T-hybrids & spray roses, which they grow and supply to supermarkets, importers, wholesalers and RE-ENTRY INTERVAL: 6HRS

reliability and an elite quality, and to achieve all of this with

Crop

Pest

Roses

Thrips ,aphids & whiteflies

French beans

florists. For all of these markets, they aim to achieve consistency,

Rate/ha/ 1000lts 1 Litre

Rate/20lts of water

PHI

20ml

6 hrs

Herbs

what they call a “personal touch”. In their own words, “We aim to create landmarks in floricultural, legal, environmental and social standards, and to adapt to the upcoming state-of-the-art technologies in meeting the growing demands and expectations of our customers.”

Grown, Extracted, Manufactured and Formulated in Kenya.

Primarosa is relatively new to the flower market, founded in 2003. It was founded by the Kamani family following their purchase of Athiriver Farm. Now into its fifteenth year of operations, Primarosa Flowers Ltd. is flourishing, keeping its values at its core and through them, beating its competition to become one

PARTNERING WITH FARMERS

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36 | Endeavour Magazine

of the fastest growing flower farms in Kenya. To date, they have grown to over 100 hectares of farmland, all of which is covered by greenhouses. In these greenhouses, they carefully nurture and grow over 150 million roses per year, which are exported to the flower markets in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia and America, among others. Their key focus-areas for the future are to continue the expansion of their presence in North America, Japan and China,

PRIMAROSA FLOWERS LIMITED as well as to reach out to previously unconquered markets. As a

ways of shopping. The company used to sell its flowers at auction,

part of this aim, the company is also looking to purchase new farms

but in the search for a more stable, year-round price, it targeted

in the next three to five years to meet the rising demand as their

several unfulfilled markets to look for steady buyers. Since 2014,

reach spreads.

the business model has transitioned to 100% direct market sales,

The Kamanis are still closely involved in the running of

and no more involvement with auctions. However, the greatest

Primarosa, keeping the company and its developments closely

changes in keeping up with modern clients involve changes to

governed by the family. Whilst flowers are a traditional decoration

software. “Sensing global trends, we are adapting to new user-

or gift, trends in consumers’ tastes are subject to change. For

friendly software technologies and have introduced internet

example, the company noticed that the demand for ‘big head roses’

marketing initiatives to reach out to premium buyers across the

was on the rise, and so they added these to their portfolio. As Bobby

globe.” This software seeks to enable the b2b selling of their product

Kemani, Managing Director for Primarosa explained, “By offering a

with ease, allowing for easy inventory management for themselves

larger assortment of products, we have successfully managed to

and stockists.

increase the customer base.” They expand these products in two

In more physical terms, the company also invested over ten

ways - responding to visible demand, such as the addition of big

million Kenya shillings in banana trolley systems to transport flowers

head roses, and also trials of new varieties to predict and gauge

more efficiently between the greenhouses and packhouses across

future popularity and demand.

the 100-hectare land. This system not only improves process time,

Of course, responding to trends not only responds to people’s

but also protects flower quality and increases workforce efficiency.

reception of the product itself, but also Primarosa’s style of

Further investments have included Integrated Pest Management,

business practice. For example, the company’s farms must adapt

which allows the control of crop-threatening pests with the use of

to the latest eco-friendly practice standards, and as well as keeping

other, carefully raised insects that target the pests, thus reducing

up with these expectations, they must keep up with the latest

the use of chemical pesticides. Finally, perhaps their most crucial,

38 | Endeavour Magazine

and ongoing, investment is their staff, always looking to recruit and

all provided with access to medical services, as well as regular HIV/

train up young talent to their team.

AIDS awareness training sessions.

Primarosa Farm operates under an umbrella called Zuri Group

Since its inception, the floricultural industry has become a

Global. The Group is known for elegant hospitality services

significant export for Kenya. However, despite the government’s

and a premium hotel chain, as well as, of course, its floricultural

ongoing support of the sector since it became recognised, Primarosa

operations. In fact, the Group now has three farms, at 1600m &

told us that recent tax amendments and new, stricter import

2350m altitude, to allow for the growth of different flower varieties.

protocols have resulted in a rise in prices of the resources needed

Primarosa operates at 1600m; its sibling farms, Zuri Farm and Yakira

to grow flowers, which has increased a sense of competition from

Farm, are based in Ol Joro orok Nyahururu. At Yakira, the Group is

growers in countries like Ethiopia and Uganda.

focusing on producing a new, premium brand of flowers, which will

However, Primarosa continues to offer the same products at the

trade under the new brand, Prim Fleurs. In time, the Group seeks to

same quality as ever, and is determined to maintain its relationship

also relocate Primarosa from Athiriver to Ol Joro orok Nyahururu.

with its markets despite these new challenges. We will see how

All three farms are Fairtrade farms, meaning they match the

Kenyan flower growers respond to the current issue, but it seems

standards of safety, ethical operations, and fair treatment of staff.

unlikely that this iconic industry for the country is going to stop

This status makes Primarosa and its siblings preferred suppliers to

flourishing any time soon.

their key customers in Europe, especially in the Netherlands and Norway. Being Fairtrade certified also means the company has been recognised for its corporate social responsibility projects, including its energy and nature conservation efforts. It has also been recognised for the training and support it offers to its 1000 staff (soon to increase to 1500); for example, their workforce are

We are proud to be associated with PRIMAROSA FLOWERS LTD

Endeavour Magazine | 39

KEMPINSKI DOMINICA HTTPS://WWW.KEMPINSKI.COM/EN/DOMINICA/CABRITS-RESORT-KEMPINSKI-DOMINICA/

CABRITS RESORT & SPA The latest resort belonging to global hotelier Kempinski, the Cabrits Resort & Spa is designed to be a hideaway resort that is expected to rank amongst the best in its class in the Caribbean.

WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

KEMPINSKI DOMINICA

Opening in late 2019, the Cabrits Resort & Spa is being developed in the Cabrits National Park, allowing it to offer a truly picturesque, tucked-away setting for its visitors. Dominica Island is a perfect location for ecotourism, yet whilst its catering to this industry is strong, it is yet to be overrun by holiday makers.

I

n fact, it is considered by those ‘in the know’ to be one of the

the cost of quality, and the Kempinski experience is recognisable

Caribbean’s ‘best kept secrets’; waterfalls, boiling springs,

from its iconic breakfasts to its standard-setting Ladies in Red.

and literally as many rivers as days in the year, the area is

The Lady in Red is the face of Kempinski at every hotel.

breathtaking, and Kempinski’s latest resort is preparing to make all

Ambassadors of the brand and bastions of their guests’ visits, a

of this accessible in style.

Kempinski Lady is Red is easy to recognise around the hotel from,

According to Kempinski, Cabrits Resort & Spa has been designed

of course, her red attire, adapted to reflect the culture and style of

to “preserve a natural balance between the land and the sea, whilst

each hotel’s location. Working alongside the concierge, the Lady in

ensuring a modern contemporary guest experience.” The volcanic

Red of the hotel helps to make every guest’s stay as comfortable,

island features iconic black sand beaches and emerald pools, with

easy and unique as possible. She will be fluent in multiple languages,

the nature on the island remaining mostly untouched. Included in

will have a detailed knowledge of the local area, and takes her time

this are the island’s rainforests, which are home to over 160 species

to learn every individual guest’s needs. The concept of the Lady in

of bird and 55 species of butterfly. It is also home to the second

Red was introduced to Kempinski hotels in 2009, and they are now

largest natural hot spring in the world, known as “The Boiling Lake”.

the recognisable mark of the Kempinski brand.

Since it was founded in 1897, Kempinski has launched resort

Wherever in the world you’re visiting, Kempinski’s five-star

destinations in striking locations around the world, bringing a taste

hotels seek to provide everything their guests could need, be you

of its European routes wherever it goes, but always blending this

looking for a luxury holiday or a corporate trip. Golf courses, spas

with an authentic experience of the country they’re sharing with

and, where appropriate, skiing are some of the many facilities the

their guests. Its impressive collection now holds 76 five-star hotels

hotelier provides, as well as larger than average rooms with what

in 31 countries around the globe, with a presence in every continent,

the company calls “state of the art amenities”. You are even able to

and numerous venues in Germany and China in particular.

get married in their hotels!

This wide spread is in part thanks to Kempinski Hotels’ long

One of the areas Kempinski is best known for, however, is the

history: with 120 years behind it, it is Europe’s oldest luxury hotel

food. The company describes its gourmet specialists as “cutting-

group. This legacy began with the opening of the ‘Hotelbetriebs-

edge leaders of our gastronomical culture and passion, and the

Aktiengesellschaft’ in Berlin, and at the same time, the development

guardians of our closest kept secrets!” The company traces its

of M. Kempinski & Co, which would later buy the hotel in 1953.

attention to gastronomic detail back to the early days of its

Offering a five-star stay in every venue, expansion did not come at

European heritage, with European tastes always blended in to

42 | Endeavour Magazine

KEMPINSKI DOMINICA the cuisine on offer, whilst at the same time, taking great pains to

chocolate from Madagascar, known for its hint of fruity sweetness.

present local cuisine to their guests at the highest standard. As the

Even more delicious is their hot chocolate: “We take our hot

company boasts, “From classic European flair to bold Asian fusions

chocolates very seriously. Our chocolate is not powdered - instead,

and exotic African delights, we offer our guests a remarkable

it is melted or stringed ensuring a high-quality hot chocolate. Here

journey through unique dining and tasting experiences at every

at Kempinski you can personalise your hot chocolate to your own

hotel, making the most of our experts’ creativity and the finest local

desired taste.” For example, you can choose your own chocolate

ingredients. Several of our hotels hand-pick fruit, vegetables and

- 85% Guanaja, or 64% Manjari, for example – and can infuse it

herbs from their own organic gardens, while another makes yoghurt

with caramel or assorted fruit coulis, and top it with whipped cream

and butter from its own herd of cows.” A guest at a Kempinski hotel

or marshmallows.”

can rely on European staples and truly unique local specialities

On the opposite end of the spectrum from these decadent

being on offer: for example, at their Seychelles Resort, you can give

and indulgent hot chocolates, the hotels also serve healthy treats

curried fruit bat a taste, and in China, you can try a variety of hand-

such as ‘Power Shots’ – shots prepared from super foods heavy in

made teas, including Maojian, a blend that is brewed in the shells of

nutrients such as pineapple, carrot, orange or ginger.

mountain snails.

Employing around 22,500 members of staff, Kempinski’s hotels

Despite this dedication to local cuisine, one area where the

receive an average of four million guests every year. The company

hotelier’s European roots truly shine through is at breakfast.

takes the wellbeing of both guests and staff seriously, as well as

Kempinski starts every day with a traditional continental, European

the impact that both groups have on the local communities around

breakfast spread – but this is no simple breakfast. Every detail is

their hotels. This both means that they take great care of their

lovingly made to the highest quality: the bread, croissants and

employees, and also that they have active CSR programmes that

pastries are freshly baked and served hot from the oven, and the

work in the areas where they are hiring and operating. The three

iconic European chocolate spread uses Valrhona Manjari dark

focus areas of these initiatives are health, arts and culture, and

44 | Endeavour Magazine

energy use. These initiatives start as small as encouraging guests to signal if they are happy for their beds to be remade with the same linens, to cut down on the energy use in laundry, to large initiatives that reach out to staff and local communities to promote the importance of health awareness and education, as well as awareness of eco-friendly practices.

From behind the scenes responsibility and quality assurance, to the five-star experiences enjoyed by guests, Kempinski hotels are maintaining and spreading their standard across their global empire. The latest addition, the Cabrits Resort & Spa in Kempinski Dominica, will bring this luxurious standard to the breathtaking, tucked-away island, letting you experience its sheltered natural beauty in inarguable style. Its doors open in late 2019, but they’re already accepting emails, so make a booking ahead of time to be in the first wave to enjoy this ‘secret’ getaway!

DO RIGHT AND PROSPER Contact our Marketing Coordinator

NH is the Caribbean’s most trusted construction and design/build company.

Driven by integrity, we deliver projects that transform businesses, shift landscapes and build nations.

We Design, Develop, Finance, and Build Projects: • Hotels & Resorts • Commercial • Industrial • Residential • Education • Aviation • Hospitals

Endeavour Magazine | 45

AMAZING WORLD CONUNDRUM OF THE AI WORKSHOPS

A

rt is a world generally acknowledged to be in a state of constant flux. In few other fields of human endeavour

is rapid, dramatic change expected and accepted as readily or sought after so constantly. From primitive man’s first murals of horses, bulls and bears from 31,000 BCE, to the painted pottery of Ancient Greece, to the sublime oil on canvas technique of Leonardo da Vinci and the visual revolution of Cubism lead by Pablo Picasso, the way our world has been continually represented in new ways is truly remarkable.

Michelangelo,

Vincent

van

Gogh,

Claude Monet, Rembrandt, Paul Cezanne…

Despite their differences in form, the aforementioned artists have two things in common: 1) Their work is exceptionally wellregarded and valuable; and 2) They were all human. The second point may seem obvious to the point of being bizarre, as many people would probably not consider anything other than a human being actively pursuing the arts - although there are certainly examples of animals taking up the brush (with varying degrees of success). However, a painting was recently sold at Christie’s in New York for an impressive $432,000; its creator wasn’t human, animal, or even alive: it was created by AI. Before we go any further, I implore you to first look at the picture adjacent. As you can see, the painting – entitled ‘Edmund de Belamy’ – was not painted by brush, but is rather a series of coloured ink-dots on a 27.5”x27.5” canvas set within a gilded frame.

Up close, the painting doesn’t look like much 46 | Endeavour Magazine

BY WILL GIRLING

else, but by stepping further away, it comes

years, both for their originality of vision and

together to form the mysterious image of its

for challenging the popular conventions for

subject. For the mathematically-minded, the

what constitutes ‘art’. Now, ironically, these

algorithm code that helped create the image

once-derided works are part of mainstream

is ‘signed’ at the bottom of the canvas, as a

culture.

kind of nom d’artiste for the AI.

So, can ‘Edmund de Belamy’ genuinely

Okay, okay; it’s not exactly the Mona

be considered a piece of art? The painting,

Lisa, but how did this come about? It all

originally appraised at only a few thousand

began with the French collective Obvious,

dollars, performed exceptionally well at

a group of artists/friends/researchers who

auction, indicating clearly that, at the very

discovered something called Generative

least, there is a paying market for such

Adversarial Networks (GANs); these are

works. Unusual form can hardly be a criticism

learning algorithms for machines that are

either, as the movements of Impressionism,

capable of generating unique images. The

Cubism, and Surrealism proved that life-

AI was given 15,000 examples of pre-20th

like accuracy should never interfere with

Century portraiture as a ‘stylistic baseline’

an interesting idea. Perhaps the more

and was then let loose to create its own

appropriate questions would be: is the AI

original image. As you can see, the AI

actually an artist? Is a machine creating

struggles with the finer details of the human

independently from a foundation of previous

face, and this is a recurrent flaw with its

works significantly different to the creations

process (as evidenced in other examples of

of any art student? Is the AI’s fulfilment of a

its work, which can also be found at obvious-

task at the behest of its programmer so far

art.com), but nevertheless, the AI’s concept/

removed from the archetypical ‘struggling

intent is arguably quite obvious.

artist’ painting for his/her patron?

Yet always the question lingers, like the

Hungarian painter Elmyr de Hory, one

poisonous whisper of Rudyard Kipling’s

of the most infamous art forgers in history,

devil in his poem Conundrum of the

had a philosophy: a fake piece of art can

Workshops, “It’s pretty, but is it art?” What

be as good or even better than the real

is and isn’t ‘art’ is a difficult question, and

thing, so long as it still ‘moves’ the viewer

one left largely to beholder. In 1917, Marcel

genuinely. Given that this picture has already

Duchamp exhibited a men’s lavatory urinal,

caused a stir in the art world, and that the

un-modified save for a pseudonym that

advancement of AI is less a question of ‘if’

Duchamp had signed it with. In the late

than ‘when’, we can surely look forward to

40’s, Jackson Pollock displayed paintings

an ongoing debate about whether machines

that had no conventional form at all, having

ever could be artists in their own right.

been composed by randomly dripping paint onto the canvas. These artists have

See the work here:

subsequently grown in renown over the

obvious-art.com/edmond-de-belamy.html Endeavour Magazine | 47

ESA COPERNICUS WWW.ESA.INT/OUR_ACTIVITIES/OBSERVING_THE_EARTH/COPERNICUS // 0039 06 94180659

EARTH’S ALL-SEEING EYE Since the dawn of time, man has wanted to dominate space, but in recent years, a desire to improve the quality of our existing planet has been evolving and now, thanks to the Copernicus Programme, we know more than ever what we need to focus on.

WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON

ESA COPERNICUS

Copernicus is a fascinating scientific programme that has been launched in order to observe Earth and its environment, in a bid to make decisions as to the best ways to improve the lives of European citizens.

I

f it sounds like a crucial initiative, it is, given that you can’t pick

Service – Mapping, in 2015 for the Atmosphere Monitoring

up a newspaper or watch the news without hearing about the

Service and the Marine Environment Monitoring Service) while

environmental impact we are having on the planet and even

others were declared operational more recently (in 2016 for the

more impressively, Copernicus services and data streams are

Border Surveillance and Maritime Surveillance components of

offered free of charge to approved users.

the Security service and in May 2017 for the Support to External Action component) or are still in their development phase (Climate

KEEPING AN EYE ON EVERYTHING

Change Service).”

This gives an insight into how the needs of the scientific

Copernicus offers information from two sources: satellite Earth

community have evolved and changed, as the Earth falls prey

Observation and in-situ data, which translates to non-space data.

to new environmental risks. Where land monitoring has been

To effectively manage the volumes of information being generated,

operational for a while, with satellites tracking land masses and so

six separate ‘thematic areas’ have been devised, allowing users

forth, now, climate change needs to be more effectively tracked

to pick and choose specific data results to read with just the click

and that’s why the newest division is being implemented as soon

of a button.

as possible. For up-to-the-minute data, direct access to satellite

The different focal areas include Atmosphere, Marine

findings is also possible,

Environment, Land, Climate Change, Emergency Management and

“Copernicus builds on a constellation of satellites making

Security. Seeing them split into these individual topic areas really

millions of daily observations, as well as on a global network of

highlights not only how important they all are, but also how much

thousands of land-, air- and marine-based sensors to create the

information there must be to sift through. Critically, each division is

most detailed pictures of Earth. The vast majority of data and

at a different level of usefulness,

information delivered by the Copernicus Space infrastructure and

“The services have reached different degrees of maturity. Some

the Copernicus services are made available and accessible to any

were already declared operational several years ago (in 2012 for

citizen and any organisation around the world on a free, full and

the Land Monitoring Service and the Emergency Management

open access basis.”

50 | Endeavour Magazine

ESA COPERNICUS As with any observation programme, a great deal of management

of how the environment, land, water and climate of Europe is

is needed, to ensure that findings are accurate and presented in

behaving, but what is done with the information collected? How is

the most transparent and ethical way possible and in the case of

it turned into a tangible and executable plan to improve the lives of

the Copernicus project, the responsibility falls to the European

European people? Well, that’s where things get interesting,

Commission. This makes sense, obviously, as all the information

“The main users of Copernicus services are policymakers

being collated is harvested in order to benefit European citizens,

and public authorities who need the information to develop

but a number of organisations have come together to properly plan

environmental legislation and policies or to take critical decisions

and oversee the efforts of the programme,

in the event of an emergency, such as a natural disaster or a

“The Programme is coordinated and managed by the

humanitarian crisis.”

European Commission. It is implemented in partnership with the

This can relate to a slew of different industries, including but

Member States, the European Space Agency (ESA), the European

not limited to urban area management, forestry and fisheries and

Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites

even tourism. Moreover, sustainable business opportunities can be

(EUMETSAT), the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather

quickly identified from data analysis as well.

Forecasts (ECMWF), EU Agencies and Mercator Océan. Vast

Naturally, the Copernicus Programme has drawn a huge amount

amounts of global data from satellites and from ground-based,

of attention, thanks to what it can offer, but the effectiveness of

airborne and seaborne measurement systems are being used to

the endeavour has also been scrutinised. A 2017 study, carried

provide information to help service providers, public authorities

out by the European Commission itself, “focussed on Europe only

and other international organisations improve the quality of life for

and covered the 2017 - 2035 period. It aimed at giving a monetary

the citizens of Europe.”

value to all the benefits generated by the Copernicus programme

So, in simple terms, the Copernicus Programme takes data from

for intermediate users and end-users, with the ultimate objective

both space satellites and in-situ equipment, to offer an overview

to provide the EU and national policy makers, with an estimate of

52 | Endeavour Magazine

the potential return on investment. The first Copernicus Market Report published in 2016 and several former economic studies had already demonstrated the huge potential of the programme for job creation, innovation and growth.”

The Copernicus Programme provides an essential flow of data for the continued improvement of European lives, but when you realise that it also has scope to create a multitude of extra employment opportunities and innovative environmental policies, it’s almost a wonder that it is still in its relative infancy. It’ll certainly be fascinating to see what policies and changes it leads to in the coming years and how they benefit the Earth.

Through 30+ years of close cooperation with scientists, governments, and private companies, CLS has developed a wide range of operational services to help solve key societal issues using satellite & in-situ data. Our focus is on the environment, and we build on Copernicus data to help decision-makers in finding the right answers to tomorrow’s sustainability challenges.

Learn more: WWW.CLS.FR/EN/

DESIGNING, PROCESSING AND OPERATING DATA COLLECTION PLATFORMS (SATELLITES & UAVS)

MONITORING WATER RESOURCES

PROVIDING GEOINTELLIGENCE IN SUPPORT OF FRAGILE STATES

PREPARING KEY OCEAN DATA SETS TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE

MONITORING STORMS AND MAPPING THE IMPACT OF NATURAL DISASTERS

MAPPING FOR URBAN MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT DATA TRANSMISSION SOLUTIONS WITH GLOBAL COVERAGE FOR OPERATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY

PROVISIONING OF EO DATA AND IN-SITU SOLUTIONS TO UNDERSTAND BIODIVERSITY, WILDLIFE AND ECOSYSTEMS

DETECTING & MONITORING MARINE POLLUTION

CLS, BUILDING ON COPERNICUS DATA TO IMPROVE THE LIFE OF CITIZENS European Commission is the programme manager of the Copernicus programme. All Copernicus Trade Marks are owned by the EU.

www.cls.fr/en/ Endeavour Magazine | 53

DAVIS & SHIRTLIFF WWW.DAVISANDSHIRTLIFF.COM // 254 020 6968 000

GOING WITH THE FLOW When it comes to water-related equipment in East Africa, there’s only one name that matters, thanks to over 70 years of high-quality provisions and customer-first service: Davis & Shirtliff.

WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON

DAVIS & SHIRTLIFF

Founded back in 1946, Davis & Shirtliff (D&S) was the result of an inspired partnership between E.C. Davis and F.R. Shirtliff. By acquiring a 50% stake in Davis’ existing company, RH Paige & Co, which was a small independent plumbing and water engineering firm, Shirtliff was able to facilitate the beginning of a new empire. Focussed initially on the designing and installing of water-related equipment, it quickly became apparent that small acorns would go on to yield mighty business oaks.

fter just one year of working together, the partners made

A

“Recognising that the provision of an efficient water supply is

a move to firmly assert the company’s place within the

essential for the region’s economic development, Davis & Shirtliff

burgeoning construction sector by securing its position as

is committed to playing a major role in this vital industry by offering

one of the founding organisations of KABCEC (Kenya Association

a comprehensive and competitive product range with regional

of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors). Thus started a

availability and unrivalled technical and service support.”

programme of growth and development, which would see new

Of course, this is a viable commercial enterprise, but note if you

premises, extra plots and fantastic professional relationships all

will the way that D&S is cognisant of the wider implications of what

being enjoyed.

the company does. Profit is one thing, but becoming an essential

The current day D&S is a far cry from the humble, small engineering and plumbing firm that it started out as and the reach has become incredibly impressive,

player in the stability of Africa? That’s quite another and takes time, skill and vision. D&S lacks none of these qualities.

With a huge responsibility to supply, manufacture and install

“The Davis & Shirtliff Group is the leading supplier of water

quality parts, in a timely fashion that will prevent reliable water

related equipment in the East African region. Founded in 1946,

supplies from being disrupted, it should come as little surprise

business activities are focused on six principal product sectors

that D&S has taken steps to ensure a market-leading portfolio of

- water pumps, boreholes, swimming pools, water treatment,

services and solutions,

generators, solar equipment and irrigation. The group is Kenyan-

“With a total complement of over 500 highly trained and

based and operates through a network of Kenyan branches, as

professional staff, particular emphasis has been placed on

well as regional subsidiaries in Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Rwanda,

infrastructure investment and the company is extremely well

South Sudan and a partnership in Ethiopia.”

resourced with modern office facilities, a fully integrated ICT

To say that this is a demonstration of serious growth would

network and large product and spare parts stocks. The Nairobi

be a dramatic understatement, but once the motivating factor

headquarters cover an area of 10,000m2 with extensive

for the diversification is understood, it makes perfect sense and

warehousing, manufacturing, training and administrative facilities

incorporates an element of CSR that is essential for the local

from where products are efficiently distributed by the company’s

communities being served,

own fleet of trucks.”

56 | Endeavour Magazine

DAVIS & SHIRTLIFF By integrating as much as possible into one seamless operation,

If more organisations embraced this mindset, perhaps they

the company has effectively minimised the risk of unforeseen

would be able to offer as diverse a range of products and services

errors and the chance of disappointing clients. Though a healthy

as D&S, but those that can, do and the rest simply look on, wishing

supply chain is in place, with some parts being supplied by globally

they could, or worse still, cutting corners to try and keep up. That’s

respected operations, D&S has remained as autonomous and self-

an approach that would never fly at D&S, as quality has always

sufficient as possible and it stands to reason that this is the basis of

been a top priority,

its many years of success.

“Davis & Shirtliff is committed to pursuing the highest quality

Having evolved into “the leader in water & energy solutions”,

standards in the provision of water and energy solutions. We

D&S recognised a need to define both the vision and mission that

consider quality to be a core value and objective that drives the

was guiding the company in this modern era, but there remains a

business and provides competitive advantage. We focus on

tangible nod to the past and more traditional values. Yes, D&S as

exceeding the expectations of our customers and all stakeholders,

it stands now is a large, multi-branch operation, but the guiding

including full compliance with regulatory requirements. Davis &

principles that were founded alongside the company itself, back in

Shirtliff sets quality objectives that are measureable and in line with

1946, have remained.

the framework laid down within ISO 9001:2015.”

Seeking to be a world-class organisation that sets the

More than simply paying lip service to high quality and

standard for indigenous African businesses, while pursuing market

measureable workmanship standards, D&S has taken the extra

leadership through excellence, quality control and staff retention,

step of bringing an integrity policy into play, which allows any

the management team is consistently working with a longstanding

stakeholder, be it a supplier, client or employee, to report any

message in its collective mind,

lapses in standards, free from consequences,

“One person working alone is limited in their endeavours. Many people working together have no limit to their achievement.”

58 | Endeavour Magazine

“It is sometimes difficult for people to know whether to speak up about something that concerns them. Often people are reluctant

to get involved but this could result in serious consequences for the company and its stakeholders. That is why D&S has put in place this Integrity Alerts Policy – so that stakeholders can talk to someone confidentially and assistance can be offered.”

Providing a full complement of both essential and luxury water solutions, D&S is a rare kind of company that genuinely always seeks to put clients and transparent operations first. Growing organically, yet never forgetting its humble beginnings, it’s little wonder that D&S has become a vital cog in the machine that seeks to create an economically stable Africa for everyone.

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Smart design, robust construction and minimum maintenance Endeavour Magazine | 59

SKYWARD EXPRESS LTD WWW.SKYWARDEXPRESS.CO.KE // 00254 709 786 000

RISING HIGH Skyward Express is a young aviation company that is fast on the rise. Founded in 2013 by two local pilots, the past five years has seen dreams and ambitions become reality. We took a look at the Kenyan airline to see how Skyward Express is competing and how much they have been able to achieve in this short amount of time.

WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

SKYWARD EXPRESS LTD

Like all airlines, Skyward Express’ vision is to be the preferred passenger and cargo airline in its country.

The Kenyan company aims to do this by developing an expansive network of coverage throughout the continent, particularly East Africa and the Horn of Africa. It’s the goal that any company in its position would share, but Skyward Express are focused on reaching it.

T

o do so, they have three priorities: offering competitive rates, maintaining a professional yet personal service, and constantly training and developing their staff. On top of these values and

goals, they also highly value team work, honesty and integrity, innovation, and an entrepreneurial spirit. This passion and these personal standards are what can separate the wheat from the chaff.

We took a look at the company to see how far this spirit has taken them so far.

Skyward Expression Limited was founded by two local pilots who chose to take their experience and invest in a new airline that would do things their way. These men were Capt. Mohammed Abdi, now the company Chairman, and Capt. Issack Somow, now the CEO. Their company was founded in January 2013, beginning with only one aircraft - a Fokker 5Y-SED. Every company needs to start small, and at first, Skyward’s operations were purely impromptu, as-and-when deliveries between Kenya, South Sudan and Somalia.

Since then, much has changed – for one thing, Skyward has grown to the extent that it established two subsidiary companies: Jetways Airlines and Airworks Limited. Skyward’s fleet of one has now grown to 11 aircraft, with a further six with Jetways and a further five with Airworks, totaling 22 overall. These aircraft include one Fokker 100, one Fokker 70, five Fokker 50s, three Dash-8-300s and a CRJ 200 with Skyward alone.

The creation of these subsidiaries allowed Skyward to focus in on local passenger flights, whilst Jetways takes on the cargo side of the business and Airworks is dedicated purely to the needs of NGOs connected with the United Nations, ICRC, WFP and government

62 | Endeavour Magazine

SKYWARD EXPRESS LTD institutions. This area of work is fascinating, and can involve both

words, “Our five-star air charter and scheduled passenger services

long-term contracts and emergency, unplanned flights, which is why

are distinguished by their unrivalled customer service, impeccable

Skyward created a wing to dedicate purely to the task. Whilst the

safety record, unmistakable quality and undeniable reliability. This

other two branches are purely business, Airworks allows the Group

unwavering commitment to high standards has firmly established

to apply their resources to the support of good works throughout

Skyward Express Ltd as one of the premier charter company in the

the continent, and they have been involved in some stand-out

aviation industry in Kenya and the Eastern Africa region.”

operations. For example, they were able to provide aircraft to the

To uphold this standard, the company is dedicated to its training

International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to assist with the

programmes, which are designed to make sure that the company’s

voluntary repatriation of South Sudanese refugees who wished to

staff possess not only the best skills and industry knowledge, but

return to safe locations in South Sudan. Meanwhile, Skyward has

also the right attitude to represent Skyward’s competitive spirit

also carried some notable passengers; in particular, His Holiness

and care for its customers. “Our staff possesses extensive industry

Mufaddal Saifuddin, the Da’i al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohras (a

experience and a profound command of pertinent methods and

sub group within the Mustaali, Ismaili Shia branch of Islam).

skills.” Whether flight crew, cabin crew or ground staff, Skyward

Skyward Express Ltd currently offers passenger services from Nairobi to Mombasa, Lamu, Eldoret, Lodwar, Wajir and Mandera.

makes sure that everyone in its employ is as highly trained as they can be; their team may be small, but it is perfectly formed.

Under wet lease arrangements, the company also offers scheduled

For flight crew, training of course involves flight simulations,

flights throughout Somalia. To live up to the long-term aim for

but it also involves training in routes, dangerous cargo, aerodrome

the company, the airline has stated that it “pledges to develop

familiarization, security, first aid and even firefighting. Likewise,

its network with expansion into local and regional flights, with

cabin crew are also trained in all of these areas, bar flight simulation,

the aim of opening up the East African region and linking it with

to make sure that passengers and staff are safe in any eventuality.

the rest of the world.“ Whilst expanding its reach, however, it is

Even ground crew are training in these safety procedures, as well as

careful to always maintain its standard: in the company’s own

of course learning how to use the support equipment that enables

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SKYWARD EXPRESS LTD operations of an airline to run smoothly for passengers from departure to arrival.

This commitment to safety, as well as an over-arching commitment to quality, has allowed Skyward Express Ltd to inspire

Whilst all areas of training are essential for a professional and

confidence in its passengers, be their individuals or organisations.

flawless service, Skyward Express had this to say on the importance

They are able to tailor charters to a client’s specific needs, with

of safety training in particular:

short or long-term contracts that will offer the exact end-to-end

“It is the Skyward Express’ firm belief that safety training makes

service that a customer requires. This level of bespoke service

all personnel aware of situations and matters that pose a risk to

distinguishes them from their competition and sets the bar on

flight safety by allowing them to easily identify hazards and their

private charter standards.

associated risks within their areas of operation. Once trained,

In the company’s words, “Our philosophy is simple. We aim to

personnel can then easily alert the Safety Department to identified

inspire confidence in our clients by making their journey as seamless

hazards, thus allowing the department to effectively mitigate and

and effortless as possible from the first call to Skywards Express Ltd

manage the risks associated with the hazard.

to the moment they step off our luxury charter turboprop aircraft.

“All company personnel undergo at least a basic Safety

We provide an experience like no other.”

Management Systems (SMS) course. This assists personnel in

Claims like that have to be seen to be believed, but Skyward’s

understanding the various components of SMS, how they function

steady growth and its high-profile customers imply that they must

and what role they play in the safety system. Department heads

be doing something right! Instead of turning to a larger airline, the

and other personnel deemed to have safety critical roles such as

next time you need to charter flights in this area give Skyward

engineers, pilots and dispatchers, are expected to attend more

Express and its subsidiaries a try. We hope to see their services

comprehensive training. The ultimate aim of the training is to make

continue to spread throughout Africa in the coming years.

all Skyward Express personnel safety aware and to engender a positive safety culture within the organization, which will translate into a safer operation companywide.”

66 | Endeavour Magazine

NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR CONSTRUCTION NCC WWW.NCC.ORG.ZM // 00260 96 8926795

INTEGRITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY When the economy sends you grey skies, the temptation can be to hunker down and protect your resources until they pass. However, in business, opportunities need to be seized upon fast, and this can’t be on done on a national scale unless the resources and personnel are already in place. We took at a look at Zambia’s National Council for Construction to see how they prepared the country for its industrial upswing, and how they continue to encourage and empower Zambia’s national development today.

WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR CONSTRUCTION NCC

In October 1964, Zambia achieved independence from the United Kingdom. Four years later, the Joint Liaison Council for the Construction Industry (JLC) was formed, with the goal of overseeing and streamlining the country’s construction efforts.

T

his would be the chrysalis within which National Council for Construction (NCC) would form, but it would not emerge and

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formally begin operations until 1998. This lengthy incubation

period was due, in part, to turbulent political changes for Zambia over these three decades, as we see time and again when a country embraces and finds its feet in a new era of independence.

Shortly after Zambia’s separation from the UK, it faced a serious blow to its economy. Copper had long been the country’s main export; in the mid-1970s, the price of copper took a drastic global plunge, threatening desperate ramifications for the Zambian

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people. Given these declined prices, the cost of transporting copper to its markets at all was a great strain on Zambia, further crippling the industry. The country turned to foreign lenders to get it through this dry patch, expecting the price to rise again in mining’s usual pattern of ups and downs. However, twenty years later, the situation had not improved, and Zambia could no longer handle its mounting debts. In fact, their per capita foreign debt became amongst the highest in the world.

Upon becoming independent in 1964, Zambian Prime Minister Kenneth Kaunda had become the country’s inaugural president.

However, the extent of the country’s debt put growing strain on the Kaunda administration’s popularity. Ruling the country as a oneparty state since he removed his rivals in 1972, Kaunda faced riots from Zambians demanding that he reinstate multi-party elections.

70 | Endeavour Magazine

Gripweld Structural Steel Works and designers Anti-Kaunda feeling was so strong that 1990 saw an attempted coup. Shortly after, Kaunda responded to and reinstated multiparty elections, which promptly resulted in his removal from power.

Under the new government, let by Frederick Chiluba, responses to Zambia’s economic difficulties needed to be found. The party, Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), prioritised private sector led policies; they knew that with its reliance on copper still in jeopardy, Zambia needed to make sure that it would keep growing and developing its business and infrastructure, instead

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of falling stagnant, if recovering were ever to be possible. It was further decided that for meaningful development to occur in the circumstances, the country needed an official body representing all issues related to the construction industry to give this growth direction. Without this organization, the sector had no easy channel through which to co-ordinate its efforts, nor personal reasons to do so – through an organizational body, business practices could be steered towards sustainability and cooperation, with the country’s needs in mind rather than simply individual profit.

Thus, the NCC was formed; the council’s mission was to promote and build the capacity of the Zambian construction industry by serving as a middleman between all trade organisations and

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Endeavour Magazine | 71

NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR CONSTRUCTION NCC professional bodies in the sector. Through encouraging the active

the NCC’s authority in line with the task it had been given. From

participation of its constituents in the planning and construction of

then, the NCC was able to register all contractors, affiliations of

infrastructure, it sought, and continues to seek to enhance, support

professional bodies or organizations involved in the construction

and facilitate national development in Zambia, despite the national

industry, and so make sure that these registered parties adhere

difficulties that existed on its inception.

to proper business standards. Through this authority, the NCC’s

By overseeing the industry and serving as a go-between, the

presence could now serve to make sure that smaller businesses

council is not only in a position to encourage communication and

are able to participate and compete, and work practices remain

collaboration between companies, but it is also able to ensure

accountable and above board.

that industrial practices remain open and fair. Following Zambia’s

The NCC does not just exist to police company practices,

issues with the previous government, integrity was a central tenet

however. As well as encouraging high working standards, it

of the NCC when it formed. Its core values are accountability,

make this more possible by providing and facilitating training

transparency and zero tolerance to corruption – values they are not

for employees across the sector. They are also able to guide

only committed to upholding in their own practices, but protecting

construction work to make sure that it does not only occur in the

and enforcing in the wider construction sector as well. Especially

most profitable, but the most needed areas. The NCC noticed that

in times of financial difficulty, corruption and backroom-dealing in

infrastructure development had previously largely been restricted

the industrial sector could further choke development by creating

to urban areas such as Lusaka and the Copperbelt, which left rural

closed doors and unofficial monopolies.

areas without access to vital services, and also made it difficult to

For almost four years, the NCC was following its charge to

access the natural resources in these areas.

regulate business practices, but had not been granted any actual

In the 2000s, Zambia’s economy stabilized, largely due to

legal and regulatory authority to do so! Finally, in 2003, the

a rise in investment within the mining sector and a recovery in

National Council for Construction Act No. 13 was passed, bringing

copper prices. This led to a rise in investor confidence in Zambia,

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72 | Endeavour Magazine

and thankfully, it now had the evenly-spread infrastructure and construction capabilities in place to seize this sudden opportunity.

It also had the capabilities in its construction personnel, which not only allowed Zambia to respond to this new business and foreign investment, but meant its workers were in a better position to compete with workers coming from overseas. The council is even beginning work in Zambia to participate in the sustainability race by going greener – an aim that not only benefits the planet, but

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will also save them substantial amounts of money when it comes to energy. This push is being promoted by the Zambia Green Jobs Program, who NCC recently committed to supporting in their efforts to future-proof their country ready for the next industrial game-changes, just as NCC managed before them.

CONTACT mukatimber@gmail.com 00260966535365 P.O.Box 20308 Zambia

Endeavour Magazine | 73

PRESTIGE GROUP HTTPS://WWW.PRESTIGECONSTRUCTIONS.COM/ // 91 80 2559 1080

DEVELOPED WITH LOVE Founded in 1986, the Prestige Group has climbed to the heights of being one of the top two developers in the whole of India. We spoke with Uzma Irfan, Prestige Group Director, about some of the company’s key projects, and how they achieved this incredible position in the market.

WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

PRESTIGE GROUP

One of India’s top property and landmark developers, the Prestige Group is headquartered in Bangalore, with additional offices across Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mangalore and Mysore, as well as a marketing office in Dubai. They also have a large NRI customer base and have developed a reputation for themselves overseas, including in the US, UK, Middle East, Singapore and Hong Kong.

I

n total, this prolific company has been behind the completion

from a different perspective, and we are now the only developers

of 212 development projects, with a further 57 underway. Their

in South India to boast of such a widely diverse portfolio covering

current portfolio covers a staggering 84 million square feet (sq

the residential, commercial, retail, leisure and hospitality segments.

ft), with their ongoing projects set to add a further 62 million sq ft.

We also intend to scale these segments over time.”

On top of all of this, their slate of future projects already accounts

It’s no empty boast: the Prestige Group has not only had a high

for an addition 44 million sq ft, and the company is even sitting

output, but has been involved in numerous innovative projects,

on 484 acres of land ready for potential, as yet undetermined,

with a long list of ‘firsts’ that they have created in South India. This

development.

list includes the Prestige Acropolis, a stunning tribute to classical

This output is vast. The majority of Prestige’s work has been

Greek architecture, and one of the first Premium residential

within Bangalore itself, with over 180 landmark developments

developments in Bangalore. They also created Prestige Ozone,

across the city, but following this success, they have branched

one of the city’s first gated communities; Prestige Golfshire, South

out across South India. They have certainly garnered attention,

India’s first golf villa; Prestige Shantiniketan, South India’s first

even catching the eye of clients such as Intel, Microsoft, Hewlett

wholly integrated township; and Prestige Lakeside Habitat, which

Packard, Oracle, IBM and Cisco. As well as extending their area of

is not only the company’s largest residential development to date,

operations, the company has also expanded its services, leading

but, at 102 acres and with 3,428 apartments and 271 villas, it is

to subsidiaries such as interior design company Morph Design

the biggest upcoming residential township development in all of

Company (MDC), and even formal gentleman’s fashion brand

India. The Group is also famous for its malls, including the The

Prestige Fashions (P) Ltd.

Collection – UB City, which is South India’s first luxury mall (built

However, it is their prevalent work in the development industry

as a partnered initiative with Vijay Mallya – UB Group), and on the

that we wanted to focus on. We spoke with Uzma Irfan, Prestige

other end of the scale, Forum Value Mall, South India’s first retail

Group Director, about how the company has expanded and grown

outlet mall featuring international and national brands. However,

on this front: “In April 2017, we restructured the company by

the most famous, and the one that set a standard for the rest, was

segregating the retail, residential, office and hospitality portfolios

Prestige’s original Forum Mall. As Uzma explained, “The Forum Mall

into four separate segments. This helped us look at the business

pioneered the retail revolution in Bangalore. The development was

76 | Endeavour Magazine

globally-recognised and probably the first successful retail mall in

for hotels; the Banyan Tree for resorts; and Oakwood for service

the country, which created new benchmarks in India for modern

apartments.” These credits have built up over the years, and the

day retailing.”

company is still applying itself passionately in this direction: “2018

This achievement is a huge credit to have to their name, and

has been a milestone year for the company as we opened two

Prestige Group took this success as a spring board to carry the

of our most ambitious hospitality projects – Conrad Bengaluru,

revolution forward. “Inspired by the unmatched success of The

Kensington Road and the Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield

Forum Mall, we are redefining the concept of shopping in malls by

Hotel, and the Convention Center in Prestige Shantiniketan.”

taking the ‘Forum’ brand to several cities across South India. The

In addition to these ambitious launches this year, the company

Forum Vijaya Mall, Chennai’s largest mall was unveiled in 2013,

has also launched two residential sites: Prestige Jindal City,

and Forum Mangalore and Forum Hyderabad were inaugurated in

Bangalore and Prestige Courtyards, Chennai. The Prestige Group

2014. Currently the company has 7 operational malls across South

really doesn’t rest, achieving benchmark developments in every

India, with 5 million sq ft of gross leasable area and 1500 stores,

area of operations, making sure that it is one of the go-to names

our four more Forum Malls are currently under construction across

no matter what manner of building or site one is looking to launch.

Bangalore, Kochi and Kakkanad.”

As well as all of this activity, the company is even expanding its

These achievements would be impressive enough, but as well as pioneering these malls, the Prestige Group are also applying the

reach, hoping to be present in West and North India by the end of the year.

same innovation, dedication and vision to the hospitality sector.

This level of distinction isn’t just our opinion – the Group has

“On the hospitality front, we have been credited with introducing

been recognised for it countless times. They are the only developer

some of the most reputed international brands in the world to

from Bangalore to receive the FIABCI award for their software

South India, such as the Hilton Group and Marriott International

and residential facilities, and they are the only CRISIL DA1-rated

Endeavour Magazine | 77

PRESTIGE GROUP developer in India. Earlier this year, the Asian Brand Conclave

part of making that happen. Coming in with high standards and

awarded Prestige Group the “Admired Brand of Asia” award in

strict ethics, they helped to redefine the industry by raising

the real estate category, and they have won a stream of awards

expectations and restoring people’s faith in what a development

both nationally and internationally in previous years, including

company could be. Between the Prestige Group and a few other

Asia Pacific Property Awards, Asia Pacific Hotel Awards, Cityscape

key names, this restored faith extended as far as the government:

Awards, Indian Realty Awards, Srishti Good Green Governance

“Today, the Government recognizes the fact that the real estate

Awards, Pevonia Asia Spa Awards, Builder’s Association of India

and construction sector can turn the uncertain economy around

(BAI) and Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations

and also contribute towards the GDP of the country. In addition,

of India (CREDAI) Awards, to name but a few! We could go on,

the real estate industry has grown to become one of the strongest

and if you want a full list, you can view it online, but to cut a long

drivers of employment in the country.” This new faith motivated

story short, they do what they do well, and they are continuously

stricter guidelines and regulations from the government over

recognised for it.

developers and contractors, which in turn further raised the bar;

The real estate industry used to be regarded with suspicion

this is now an industry that excites investors, not scares them off,

in India, due to too many corrupt companies cutting corners on

which has massive ongoing implications for the growing economy

regulations and creating below-standard buildings. “The industry

in the country.

was crying out for ethical, dependable and transparent developers

“The Prestige Group was one of the first developers in

and I am proud to say that Prestige was at the forefront of that

Bangalore, and can be credited as one of the main players to

revolution, and has set many benchmarks since.”

change the skyline of the city in the last three decades. Today, our

Over the years, real estate has grown into a successful and

esteemed patrons turn to the Prestige Group for their residential

accelerating industry in India, and the Prestige Group were a

and commercial needs with no hesitation or anxiety about whether

78 | Endeavour Magazine

BHUW

we will deliver on our promises. A home is one of the most precious

SOUTH I

assets that a person invests in, in their lifetime and today, homebuyers aspire to buy Prestige homes, given that brand ‘Prestige’

SINCE 30 YEARS

has gained the reputation of being one of the most trusted and

BHUWALKA PREMIER GROUP OF COMPANY has

aspirational brands in the country.”

We asked Uzma about her own philosophy on success, and her answer reflected the exact reason why Prestige has succeeded: passion. “Passion is the greatest driving force for any activity. If you do a job just for the sake of doing it, you will never really succeed in it or derive enjoyment from it. You need to be passionate about what you do.” This passion and genuine love for what they do drives Prestige to not only be ambitious, but to achieve their goals to a high standard, and most importantly, to achieve them ethically.

Genuine passion for a craft means seeing it through to the correct quality, and in such a way that it will better the lives of all involved.

A little passion can go a long way, and the Prestige Group’s love for development was such that it has spread throughout South India, and helped an entire country fall back in love with an industry it had

been one of the leading manufacturers of TMT Bars in South India since 1988. Our biggest strength is the relationship that we have developed over 25 years of experience working with the biggest and most reputed developers in the region. We have had a long-term relationship with Prestige Group and we consider them as one of our most genuine partners with very ethical practices.

turned away from.

BHUWALKA PREMIER TMT BARS SOUTH INDIA’S MOST REPUTED TMT MANUFACTURING COMPANY

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Contact : 080-22100900

Contact : 080-22100900

www.bhuwalka.co.in

bpg@bhuwalka.co.in Endeavour Magazine | 79

MANASEER OIL & GAS WWW.MGC-GAS.COM // 962 (6) 573 40 30/1/2

BUILDING FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS There’s so much more to Manaseer than meets the eye, from a global mindset through to environmental initiatives, which is why Endeavour Magazine wanted to place it under the microscope.

WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON

MANASEER OIL & GAS

Established in 2003, Manaseer has risen through the ranks of the oil and gas industry, within Jordan, at an impressive rate and all because there was a clear mission in place from the start; to offer more than just petrol stations, choosing instead to build ‘one-stop service station’ solutions.

L

ooking to adhere to global standards of not just health and

“To effectively manage our operations, we own a fleet of 200

safety, but also technology and, crucially, environmental

fuel tankers ranging in size from 77,000 to 32,000 litres that

initiatives, Manaseer is something of a pioneer in Jordan. Why,

distribute fuel all over Jordan. We also own and operate 35 smaller

you ask? Because the customer is absolutely and genuinely always

fuel tankers to distribute diesel to household and business bulk

at the forefront of every development and that’s not something

customers. We constantly maintain and replace tankers as needed,

that’s done just for show. Aside from the customer always being

to ensure a reliable and safe distribution of fuels in the country.”

right, Manaseer keeps convenience in mind at all times,

It takes a special team to not only account for what is happening,

“For the convenience of our customers, we use the latest

commercially, in the present, but also pre-empt needs and

technology in fuel pumps for faster and more efficient filling and

demands that will arise in the future, but that’s Manaseer through

payment systems using credit cards or our prepaid cards, eCash and

and through. Rather than being reactionary and looking to rise to

eFill. Our gas stations also offer other services for vehicles, such as

the challenges that customers elicit, priority is placed on providing

oil changes, tyres ervices, car maintenance facilities, and car washes.

such a comprehensive solution, in the first place, that customers

Our stations are truly a one-stop location as we additionally offer

wonder how they ever coped without the company. Now that is a

services that make other parts of your life easier, like supermarkets,

clever way to garner a very loyal clientele.

fast food restaurants, bakeries, pharmacies, ATMs, toilets, prayer rooms and coffee.”

Looking at the size of the Manaseer empire now, it would be so easy to assume that it has been sizeable since inception, but the

With a number of products being marketed, it was critical for Manaseer to home in on a comprehensive and clear vision for the way the company would operate and that’s exactly what the management team has crafted,

truth is actually very different. Starting with just two petrol stations,

“Manaseer Oil & Gas is committed to being a pioneering company

so as to prove the theory that customers wanted easy access to a

in the distribution of refined petroleum products (gasoline, diesel,

slew of services in one place, Manaseer has expanded significantly

kerosene, oil, grease, and jet fuel) and other alternative fuel options

and there are no plans to slow down. With an ultimate aim of

(electric car charging stations) in the Kingdom, in accordance with

having in the region of 100 perfectly positioned locations around

the highest international standards in relation to operations,

the country, steps have been put in place already, to account for

services, health, safety, and environment.”

not only an increase in customer demand, but also, to guarantee the same levels of reliability, 82 | Endeavour Magazine

Far from simply plumping for the products which offer the largest short-term profits, Manaseer is looking to the future and

BB ENERGY is among the world’s leading independent energy trading companies. After decades of trading, we have maintained our reputation as a trusted and reliable energy partner. We have achieved this by optimizing resources and providing our clients with uncompromising quality and innovative solutions. Adhering to the well-respected Eastern traditions of trust and loyalty, we foster strong relationships with all our trading partners.

Manaseer Gas & Oil is one of those partners with whom we look forward to continuing our successful and prosperous cooperation in the future.

Endeavour Magazine | 83

MANASEER OIL & GAS trying to not only pre-empt new developments, such as electric

taking the time to reward them for their hard work and dedication,

car charging, but also support any and all new initiatives that

by always looking for ways to improve their working experience,

promise to improve the green credentials of the company. This is

“We look to recruit a national workforce and set strategies to

an approach that makes perfect sense, given that environmental

develop and retain them, while providing a work environment that

concerns will impact every region in the world and, being proud to

incubates high calibre work and motivates creativity.”

be a Jordanian operation, Manaseer will want to contribute directly to the protection of the Kingdom, “We are one of only three providers of the petroleum products of gasoline, diesel, kerosene, greases, and oil, along with jet fuel.

Happy staff, plus great products and reliable services, equals satisfied, return customers and extensive commercial success. The equation is simple, but Manaseer seems to be in something of a minority, when it comes to organisations that have solved it.

However, in line with our commitment for outstanding customer

By constantly striving to offer more, account for future

and environmental care, we enhance our diesel by using fuel

developments and always put the customer first, Manaseer is a

additives that produce less emissions and higher mileage as well

company with a difference. As more and more one-stop service

as keeping the motor clean. In addition to that, our stations are

stations appear across the stunning landscape of Jordan, you

equipped with advanced safety features to protect the public, the

have to wonder if there will be any need for separate retail outlets

environment and our employees.”

anymore. After all, with food, fuel, pharmaceuticals and faith all

Speaking of employees, it’s fascinating to note that there is a real sense of the Manaseer management team taking on a stewardship role, in terms of wanting to nurture, develop and support each and every member of staff to be the best version of themselves. With over 200 employees currently upholding the stellar reputation that Manaseer has craved for itself, it’s fantastic to see an employer

84 | Endeavour Magazine

taken care of on site, what more could anybody need?

ZAIN JORDAN, part of ZAIN GROUP, the leading mobile telecom innovator across the MENA region, revolutionized telecommunications in Jordan by providing a portfolio of integrated solutions and tailored services.

Since its inception in 1995, Zain Jordan has tallied subscriber growth at an exceptional rate, as it maintains its leading position in the market through a far sighted policy of investment in adopting cutting edge technology to provide state of the art solutions. Furthermore, Zain Jordan pioneered in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Corporate Entrepreneurship Responsibility (CER), by launching and supporting various national initiatives that go beyond developing the telecom sector.

Endeavour Magazine | 85

AUTOMOTIVES SKODA KODIAQ SPORTLINE 2.0 TDI 190 PS DSG 4X4

Kodiaq prices start from RRP £24,330.

Sportlines start from £37,590

I

t was a beautiful September morning when I grabbed a lift to work in my colleague’s Range Rover Vogue, as I was

having a Skoda Kodiaq delivered for a week of testing. There is no doubt that the Range Rover is a lovely car, but I was shocked that when I immediately jumped into the Skoda, it didn’t feel too different.

The Kodiaq is Skoda’s latest gamechanging SUV model, released in 2017. It looks cool and fresh, oozing personality: who would have thought that Skoda would shake off its old image to be labelled as cool and fresh?

I love everything about Skoda, from the company’s humble beginnings to how it has pulled its name from the skip to produce some of the best cars that your hard-earned money can buy. The Skoda brand has skyrocketed to being one of the most desired and innovative brands on the market. Drive any one of their range, and you will see why; even their most modest models have a reassuring quality feel about them.

The Kodiaq’s cabin is smart and made with high-quality materials. The 9.2-inch touchscreen information centre with sat nav is obvious and easy to navigate. In the Sportline, the cabin contains one-piece bucket seats that are incredibly comfortable and supportive. In all Kodiaqs, the chairs 86 | Endeavour Magazine

come in two arrangements - five or seven

when it’s not needed, can be conveniently

- that each provide plenty of leg and head

stored underneath the false floor. This

room. The two back fold-down seats are

design is a solution to an ongoing parcel

tight but usable, and even when all seven

shelf problem in most cars!

seats are up, the boot is still a fair size. The

The Kodaiq has a good high driving

rear seats also slide to give the back two

position with light steering that is solid and

more room and make all passengers more

grippy. For a big car, it’s incredibly quiet,

comfortable. When they are tucked away,

and you should get around 50 MPG. It

the luggage area is vast.

has very clever door protectors that pop

The Kodiaq‘s rear load cover is simply

out and wrap round the edges when your

brilliant: a blind pulls across the boot and,

doors open and retract back when the doors

are shut. The boot light is, conveniently, a

a lift home in my mate’s Range Rover. The

take any new Skoda out for a test drive and

removable magnetic torch, and there are

ride was smoother in the big Vogue, but not

not be impressed.

even umbrellas in the front doors - what a

massively different. We chatted about the

When I next saw my mate with the

lovely touch!

Skoda on the journey home and he said that

Range Rover, he looked blue. I asked why,

Dare I say that this is the perfect all-

he would much rather driver his four-year-

and he said that the car had sprouted an

round SUV within this price bracket? Or

old Range Rover as it’s all about the badge

oil leek and he had been quoted ÂŁ1,500

even compared to cars in much higher price

and image for him. The biggest challenge

to sort it out. For the price he paid for the

brackets? It is just a fantastic car, and with

Skoda has is not its competition, but its

older Range Rover, he could have had two

a very reasonable price tag. All round, it is a

history. People have long memories, but if

Kodaiqs, both with three-year trouble-free

top of the class, lovely car.

you can see past this and give these cars a

warrantees. You pay you money and make

chance, you will not look back: I dare you to

your choice, but I know which camp I sit in.

When the Skoda was collected, I grabbed

Endeavour Magazine | 87

LOTUSHALL MINING & CONSTRUCTION WWW.LOTUSHALL.COM // 0066 5432 1511-3

HEAVY LIFTING Mining doesn’t begin and end with exploration and waiting to see whether exciting prospective gambles pay off – they are also about hard work. LotusHall Mining works to support the mining industry throughout South East Asia, providing solutions in both drilling and civil construction as it seeks to help both small and major mining companies alike with the essential hard graft needed to dig up those yearly returns. However, they also have exciting projects of their own on the horizon...

WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

LOTUSHALL MINING & CONSTRUCTION

Heavy engineering construction company, LotusHall Mining, has operated in Thailand since 1996. The company offers essential support to the mining industry, in the form of both equipment and specialist mining and construction services, their operations reaching throughout South East Asia, and well as Indochina and the Pacific Rim.

W

e spoke with Nucharee Brown, Managing Director of

and the North mine; the main mine, LotusHall has supported since

LotusHall Mining, to get a better idea of what services

its commencement in 1999, and it expanded these services to the

they offer:

North mine in 2010, two years after it went live. At the Chatree

“We are a ‘One Stop Mining Service’,” she explained. “We

Gold Mine Project, LotusHall are contracted to carry out drilling,

specialize in mine exploration, drilling, blasting, haul-road, land

blasting, the loading and hauling of ore and waste, stockpiling,

moving, tailing dam and crushing plant business. In particular,

handling ROM crusher feed, waste dump rehabilitation, TSF

we specialize in open pit mining ores such as gold, copper, silver,

construction and associated general earthworks, road building and

limestone, kaolin and lignite, and our staff is full of engineers and

other civil works. Aka, they carry out pretty much all of the heavy

expertise who have over 20-30 years of experience in the mining

labour required to both support and run the mine. On average, the

business.”

product around 12 million tonnes of gold per year from the main

With a range of services that they can provide, LotusHall

mine alone. They carry out similar operations at the North mine,

approach each new project with a fresh eye, tailoring their offerings

and have recently successfully retendered to keep on with Akara

to fit their client’s specific needs. In total, the company has a fleet of

Mining in this second position.

413 units, made up of both vehicles and machinery. This impressive

Meanwhile, at the Sepon Gold and Copper Mine in Lao P.D.R,

collection includes 114 off-highway trucks, 53 excavators, 23 track

the company is working with the Mineral and Metals Group (MMG),

dozers, 16 front-end loaders, 10 motor graders, 18 compactors,

one of the worrdl’s largest producers of zinc, gold, copper, lead and

four water UD trucks, 22 hydraulic drills, two bobcats, 67 tricks,

silver. This mine, located in the Savannakhét Province, was the first

55 light vehicles and 29 light towers. With all of this and a highly

to be developed in Laos. It is now eight years old, and LotusHall

trained team of staff ready to take on any challenge, the company

have worked to support it since the very beginning, with a fleet that

is currently involved in several long-term mining operations around

currently totals at 166 pieces of equipment. The site is undergoing

Asia; specifically, they are currently working in Thailand and Laos,

expansion, so these numbers are likely to climb as the mine grows.

but they have also been consulting with new potential contracts in

As well as these key projects, LotusHall is and has also been

Myanmar, Indonesia, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. Their

involved in several more sites around both Laos and Thailand.

vision is to one day become the foremost mining contractors in the

In Thailand, there was their work with the Siam Cement Group

South East Asia, Indochina and Pacific Rim area, but for now, their

Company (SCG) at Lampang. LotusHall provided a small fleet

two key focuses are the Chatree Gold Mine Project in Thailand and

of equipment consisting of 30 tonne excavators and 35 tonne

the Sepon Gold and Copper Mine in Lao P.D.R.

articulated mining trucks for site development works at the SCG

Under contract with Akara Mining, LotusHall are engaged in two

Factory in the Chaeorm a working relationship with the SCG group,

separate locations connected with the Chatree Gold Mine Project.

opening the door to future potential work opportunities. Currently,

Located in Pichit, Thailand, the project is split into the main mine

LotusHall is working on the Ranong Project, where the company

90 | Endeavour Magazine

LOTUSHALL MINING & CONSTRUCTION operates the Kaolin quarry for IMERYS. IMERYS have contracted

Laos Company Limited (LHL). The company was established

the company to construct, maintain and repair their haulage roads,

in 2011 within in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ), located

to establish hillside benches, and to stockpile kaolin, rock and

in Savannakhét, Lao PDR, connected. The SEZ is connected

gravel that is then fed to a hopper for a refining.

with Thailand’s border in the Mukdahan province, making it a

However, the largest project, second to Chatree, that LotusHall

very useful location for industry looking to export to Thailand.

are participating in within Thailand is their work on the EGAT

LotusHall Laos was established to provide a working base

Limestone Quarry Project in the Mea Moh district, Lampang. This

for the company’s fleet to ease their reach to projects in

long-term contract, which began in 2014 and will last until 2026,

Lao PDR.

was awarded to LotusHall by the Electricity Generator Authority of

Currently, LotusHall has 400 permanent members of staff, but

Thailand (EGAT) in 2013. The company has been contracted to mine

when its contracts are at their highest, this can expand to 1,500.

an open-pit limestone quarry, from which they have so far mined

The company hires 90% of their staff locally, making sure that they

12.9 million tonnes in total. This limestone is sent to two crushing

are trained to the required level of expertise: “LotusHall Mining

plants capable of crushing 250 tonnes per hour, in order to supply

mainly focuses on locally hired and trained employees from the

power plants, in the aim of working towards the desulfurization

community around the mines we are supporting. This allows us to

process at Mae Moh District.

support them with improved prosperity and a better quality of life,

Moving over to Laos, between the years 2005-2007, LoptusHall

which consequently contributes toward a better local community,

Mining was the main mining contractor at the Phubia Gold &

providing improvements such as education, health care and local

Copper Mine Project for Pan Australian. Following Sepon, this

business around the mine site.”

was the second mine to be developed in Laos, and was is in the Xaisomboun Province north from Vientiane.

As for Nucharee, she has been with the company since the very beginning: “I have been with the company for 21 years, since

As well as these operations in the area, LotusHall even

LotusHall was established. I was a co-founder of the company

established its own subsidiary company in Laos: the LotusHall

along with Max Brown; I worked beside him as Deputy Managing

92 | Endeavour Magazine

Director until 2004, when he passed away. After that, I became

relationships between them and their communities, and improve

Managing Director.”

lives as they do.

This family company views its close relationship with the local

Through its contentious local efforts, as well as its shrewd

area as important, both so that LotusHall can best conduct its

business sense, LotusHall has become a successful company, but

business and support its clients, and also so that it can contribute to

its ambition extends further than its current operations. As well as

its clients’ efforts in the area. As well as supporting its employees,

the various new contracts it is looking into, including a new coal

it also forms close bonds with its suppliers, as Nucharee told us:

mining contract and two new rail projects in Thailand, the company

“A good relationship with our business partners and suppliers is

also has an independent project of its own in the works: “Currently,

our primary objective. Over 20 years in mining business, LotusHall

we are exploring a gold mine project in Mozambique, which will be

mining has established a strong relationship through all of our

our first own gold mine. We are also looking at another two gold

business partners, suppliers, the local community and even the

mines in Laos and Myanmar, which are under exploration.”

government of every country we are doing business with.”

On top of this exciting new direction for LotusHall, the company

On top of this direct involvement through their business,

is also actively seeking partnership opportunities in order to sign

LotusHall also go above and beyond their operations to frequently

on to more ’Mega Projects’ like their work with EGAT. In particular,

involve themselves in charitable works in their local communities;

they are looking to become involved in more work on railways,

for example, in 2016, Nucharee oversaw a fundraising event

airports, seaports and other construction opportunities. However,

alongside Lenso Corportation’s Executive Chairman Khun Jesada

it is their potential branching into mine ownership that is the most

Viraporn, to gather funds to build accommodation and support

dramatic change, and one that may come in time for a dramatic

facilities at the Monkachao Temple in Kiewlom Dam, Lampang.

upswing in gold prices. The move could eventually redefine who

More recently, this year, the company’s top management and

LotusHall are as a company, and as we watch their progress over

staff donated 5,000 Baht for schools that support blind children.

the next few years, we look forward to seeing how this venture into

These sorts of initiatives help to spread LotusHall’s name and build

gold pans out.

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Endeavour Magazine | 93

OBEIKAN PAPER INDUSTRIES WWW.OBEIKAN.COM.SA // 00966 1 2839400

MAKING THE PAPERS The largest paper mill in the region, Saudi Arabia’s Obeikan Paper Industries is still growing.

We took a look at the Obeikan Investment Group to see how the mill’s parent company has achieved such success, and to see what expansions on are on the horizon for their paper mill subsidiary.

WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

OBEIKAN PAPER INDUSTRIES

Obeikan Paper Industries’ (OPI) paper mill is vast. Covering an area of 156,000 m2, the initial construction of this facility cost an impressive $160,000,000. This sizable investment from Obeikan Investment Group (OIG) allowed the mill to be fit with all of the latest technology available to the industry, manned by highly trained and expert engineers in the paper board making field.

O

PI currently produces 250,000 tonnes of duplex carton board

for the country at large. Amongst the various subsidiary companies

every year, which it supplies to 20 countries as well as the

that support this focus, including OIG’s Rifal Binding Company, one

local market. Now, Obeikan are looking to expand their brand

of the key names is of course Obeikan Paper Industries. Established

and reach even more clients, which means upping their output still

in 2006, OPI’s mill is not only the largest paper mill in Saudi Arabia,

further. This ambition is all in character for Obeikan Investment

but in all of the Middle East and North Africa - if you stop and think

Group, who started with a printing business and soon grew into a

about how many countries that represents, it’s a huge statement.

formidable umbrella company within Saudi Arabia.

Covering around 156,000 square meters, the mill produces duplex

OIG’s story began in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, in 1982. The

board of weights between 250 to 450 GSM at a current capacity is

Group began with a simple company, the Obeikan Printing Press; as

250,000 tonnes per year; this was 180,000 tonnes when the mill

the Group grew and diversified around it, this first seed stayed the

was built, and OPI are still looking to push it further.

course, still operating after 30 years, at the centre of the booming

We spoke with Mohamed Fouad, the Production Manager at

network of businesses it helped to birth. Overall, the Group now

OPI, about the company’s current status within the industry, given

strives to provide technical and practical solutions across the

their superior size and output in the region: “Our current status is

packing and packaging industries, as well as “presenting the finest

buoyant, but we have a lot of competition from India, China and

scientific standards in education and curriculum development.”

Korea.” OPI describes paper as “a mirror that reflects our thoughts”,

OIG represents many companies, plants, centers and strategic

and like every company under OIG, takes the quality of its products

partnerships, with a number of major and significant international

extremely seriously. The Group’s vision is to be “the leading

companies in the fields of bottling and packaging, printing and

provider of fully integrated education and packaging solutions in

binding, publishing, curriculum development and e-learning. As well

the Middle East and Africa,” and likewise, OPI employs high quality

as succeeding in their separate arenas, these companies also work

technicians and engineers trained in production continuity to

together, forming an integrated and interlinked system that saves

ensure their quality standards. They share not only a passion for

the Group money and ups efficiency throughout their connected

their product, but for ethical practice, holding the same values as

operations. Through these combined efforts from over 20 ecialized

their parent company: “We respect our clients, employees, partners

companies, OIG was able to rise up to its enviable position in its

and suppliers”; “We respect the environment, our duty to society

local, regional and international markets.

and the law”; “We treat all our employees equally and develop

Obeikan’s success in the printing industry has been credited as a catalyst for growing investment in the field of printing and packaging 96 | Endeavour Magazine

and promote them with fairness,” and “We believe in integrity in business and trust that our employees are ethical and honest.”

Connecting partners of the Paper & Board business worldwide based on relationships, fairness, openness and reliability Roxcel Trading is a worldwide highly appreciated company with many years of experience in paper, board and pulp trading. We supply raw material solutions for the printing and packaging industry. Our strengths are in the following categories: Graphical (wood free coated + uncoated), Publishing / Mechanical, Packaging Board, Corrugated and Kraft Paper, Fibers and Specialties.

Our worldwide network means that we are able to bring suppliers and customers into contact with each other. We are the ideal business partner for wholesalers, printers, publishers and merchants.

We offer services and know-how in the paper, board and pulp industries. Our focus is on providing the service suppliers and customers demand to guarantee long standing working relationships. We are interested in both strengthening existing contacts, and acquiring new business.

Thurngasse10, A-1090 Vienna +43 1 401 560

www.roxcel.com roxcel@roxcel.com Endeavour Magazine | 97

OBEIKAN PAPER INDUSTRIES However, given their vast operations, and also their high

sectors that it now holds a leading position over. Lastly, it applies

standards of excellence, Fouad tells us that hiring staff and training

its belief in respect and guidance to its clients:“Obeikan Group has

them to the appropriate standard is a challenge for the company, as

proudly become a strategic partner for its customers due to the

it is a need with such a high demand. “The Obeikan Group believes

mutual respect and high ability of meeting their needs worldwide,

that ‘the best asset you invest in is your employee’. We strongly

as well as its experience, planning and commitment in providing

support this.”

practical solutions that cope with the developments of local and

Another challenge facing the company is a lack of their

global markets.”

raw material: “The raw material for our coated duplex board is

As well as this, the Group is dedicated to care for the environment;

100% recycled waste paper. This paper is pulped using high and

as a part of this, it founded the Rifal Environmental Services

low consistency pulpers, and is then cleaned to remove solid

Company, which specialises in collecting and sorting waste paper

particles like stones and bolts etc. After that, it will go through a

from both Saudi Arabia and the surrounding region, to be supplied

screening process to remove non-fiberous material like plastics

to the paper factory as raw materials that can be recycled and used

and lamination, and it is then diluted with water to a consistency

again. This both aids the environment and their own business. As

of 1% and passed through a low-density cleaner to remove fine

the company proudly states, “OIG has dedicated a great deal of

sand particles. Finally, it is passed to the thickener to increase

special care to its social and environmental responsibilities and has

consistency to 5% and pump it to the machine that will form the

interacted with great care utilizing its powers and potential for the

sheet of board. However, there is currently a shorted of good

betterment of the Kingdom.”

quality waste paper, which creates a major challenge.”

To maintain their standards despite this challenge, the company believes in leading their staff by example, and had this to say on the matter of good leadership: “Leadership has no limits. It has to be developed, maintained and preserved.” The company applies this attitude both towards its employees and towards the industry

Manufacturing & distributing printing inks: Sheetfed Offset Printing Ink Flexo Solvent Base Ink Rotogravure Solvent Base Ink for both surface and reverse printing for lamination application.

Flexo Water Base Ink for Corrugated Printing.

Offset Printing other chemicals, Fountain Solution, Plate Cleaner, Gum Solution.

UV Ink IPA / Solvents http://unitedinksa.com | info@unitedinksa.com Tel: 00966 12 6080723 | Fax: 00966126080717

98 | Endeavour Magazine

United Ink Production Co., Ltd. ‘UIPC’ is a Japanese joint venture company with Al Murjan Group for manufacturing and supply of printing inks and having a factory based in Jeddah – Saudi Arabia to cover the local market and the neighboring Middle East Market.

MOTISUN MM INTEGRATED STEEL MILLS WWW.MOTISUNGROUP.COM // 00255 22 2139158

RISING ACROSS AFRICA Widely heralded as an African business group that has enjoyed fast and exponential growth, there is barely an industry that the Motisun Group isn’t involved in, but that’s not to say that the quality of services provided has suffered.

WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON

MOTISUN MM INTEGRATED STEEL MILLS

If there’s one question that people ask, in regards to the Motisun Group, it’s how has it grown so quickly?

he answer is simple, in that a keen eye for entrepreneurial

T

“Having over two decades of experience in the hospitality

opportunities, within emerging African regions, has led to fast,

industry, we aim to lead and provide a true and rich experience to

and yet sustained, evolution. Add in defined values and a deep-

the most discerning travellers in East Africa through our various

rooted commitment to never allowing customer service standards

brands of Hotels, Resorts and Service Suites. With four Hotels,

to fall and you have a winning formula for an incredibly successful

Resorts and Service Suites in Tanzania and Zanzibar and upcoming

organization. The management team agrees, having stated that,

hotels projects in the world famous ‘Ngorongoro’ conservation

“The Motisun Group places high importance on long-term focus and its commitment to deliver to end customers at the grassroots

area and the bustling coastal city of Mtwara, Pearlsun Hotels is spreading its operation across East Africa.”

level. It is driven by professionals with a high work ethic and the

The secret, which is applied to every industry that the Group

success of the Motisun Group, as a business conglomerate, is in no

operates within, is that the management teams can see past what

small part thanks to its vision, mission and values, all of which bind

people want in order to give them what they need, even if they

the employees together and gives them a direction towards which

don’t realise what that is yet. Taking a pre-emptive approach to

they channel their daily efforts. Quality, service and value is the

a variety of business interests is exactly why the portfolio of the

bedrock on which the Group seeks to build its future.”

Motisun Group looks phenomenally diversified, but there is a link,

You’ll have no doubt heard the term ‘having fingers in many pies’ and it has rarely been more apt than when discussing the

even between say paints and beverages; the fact that there is a demand for new and innovative offerings.

Motisun Group. With interests in a staggering array of industries,

With such a wide variety of business focal areas, not to mention

including real estate, hospitality, plastics, paints, beverages, mining,

countless products to keep track of and endless development to

steel and cement, to name a few, the levels of expertise needed in

oversee, it must take a firm and experienced hand to steady the

each segment are intense, but the Group has never struggled to

wheel, which is exactly what the Motisun Group benefits from,

find the perfect people to fulfil demanding customer-facing roles.

“Under the able leadership, guidance and vision of Mr. Subhash

Looking at the hospitality arm of the Motisun interests, as a

M. Patel, Group CMD, the Motisun Group has become one of the

key example of how quality needs to be at the forefront of every

most successful business brands in Africa. The group’s investment

endeavour, it becomes clear that in order to enjoy expansion, there

in Africa, while fostering economic growth and development,

must have been a lot of happy guests walking through the doors of

provides ample employment opportunities to the local youth. To

the various hotels already owned, 102 | Endeavour Magazine

date, the Motisun Group directly or indirectly provides employment to over 10,000 people.”

This succinct appraisal of the team in place at the Motisun Group directly relates to the mantra of the organisation; ‘rising

Being able to shoulder the responsibility of identifying viable

across Africa’. At first glance, this could have referred to the sheer

new opportunities takes courage and strength of character, two

number of operations, businesses and brands that fall under the

characteristics that Subhash does not lack at all. Making great

Group’s umbrella, but there is another meaning as well. Clearly

strides in terms of introducing new product lines, branching out

committed to improving the lives of customers, as well as Africans

into different industries and embracing modern innovations,

as a whole, the Group is trying to help everybody to rise across

Subhash has set an incredible precedent for the continued success

Africa. From the young people who need healthy drinks and snacks,

of the Motisun Group that is focused around trust, both in terms

not to mention promising employment opportunities, through to

of having faith in one’s own instincts and those of the people that

the paying guests who visit the country on holiday. When one

help to keep the organisation on track,

person benefits, everybody should and while this is a business

“Our management is made up of a team of professionals with an exemplary track record, all of who have held senior management

stance that is not as widely adopted as it once was, the Motisun Group is keeping it well and truly alive.

positions within organisations of repute, both locally and

Currently operating in Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda, Mozambique

internationally. They have the rare ability of being able to identify

and Ghana, the Motisun Group enjoys a significant presence

key strategies and implement them effectively. We are perfectly

throughout Africa, but it can’t be long before it expands even more.

placed, in the understanding of our people, the communities we

With a plethora of desirable products and services to choose from,

serve and the governments we work with to combine our expertise

every household in Africa could feasibly become a loyal customer

with aspirations of all those who wish to profitably invest in Africa’s

of one brand or another and if that isn’t the best business case

bright future.”

you’ve ever heard of, we don’t know what is.

Endeavour Magazine | 103

Steel Resources is committed to strengthening its trading activities in East and West Africa through extensive product knowledge, close attention to client requirements, innovative logistics and creative financial solutions.

With the support of our main suppliers JFE Holdings Inc, Rizhao Steel Holding Group and Baosteel Group we have successfully developed powerful, long standing and mutually beneficial relationships for more than twenty years of trading in the area. We will continue to develop new and strategically important alliances that will give SRI and its customers a significant

financial and tactical advantage allowing all of us to prosper in a highly competitive global environment. One of these customers has been Motisun’s Group Steel sector, which has counted on us confidently and incontestably for their steel needs. We are proud to be part of the growth and achievements of M.M. Integrated Steel Mills Ltd in East Africa, providing top quality steel and competitive advantages for the group’s facilities in Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique, on the Roofing and Construction industry. We congratulate Mr. Subhash Patel, Chairman of the group, for his constant innovative and leadership skills, and thank him deeply for the trust he demonstrates in Steel Resources.

Web: www.steelresources.com Email: sales@steelresources.com Phone: + 1 (305) 459-4000

Address: 9155 South Dadeland Blvd, Suite 1800 Miami, Florida 33156 USA Fax: + 1 (305) 592-8725

AMAZING WORLD

BY DAVID KIMBERLEY

THE GHOST FLEET OF TRUK LAGOON

I

n 1969, renowned French oceanographer

Federated States of Micronesia and consists

during Operation Hailstone, which lasted for

Jacques Cousteau explored a sheltered

of a protected reef some 140 miles around,

three days as American planes relentlessly

body of water in the Central Pacific with a

with a natural harbour.

bombed the unsuspecting Japanese fleet. In

fascinating history. What he found beneath

In World War II, Truk Lagoon was the

those three days, twelve warships and thirty-

the crystal waters would bring adventurers

Empire of Japan’s main base in the South

two merchant vessels were sunk, along with

and treasure seekers from all over the world

Pacific, with a heavily fortified headquarters

275 aircraft. The Japanese submarine I-169

to this isolated lagoon.

on the island of Truk itself that had come

Shinohara was also lost, having taken part in

to be known by the Allied forces as the

the battle of Pearl Harbor just three years

‘Gibraltar of the Pacific’.

previous.

Approximately a thousand miles north east of New Guinea, Truk Lagoon (also known as Chuuk) is found within the 106 | Endeavour Magazine

In 1944, the naval base was destroyed

When Cousteau dived into the now-

including such shy creatures as turtles, sharks and manta rays. In 2007, 266 different species of reef fish were identified amongst the slowly-decaying ships, as well as the very rare coral Acropora pichoni.

The tourism trade around Truk Lagoon is now the nearby island’s main industry, continuing to offer scuba diving excursions in and around the many wrecks. However, there have been calls from various sources for the lagoon to be ‘cleaned up’ due to the amount of oil that was leaking from the ship carcasses into the coral reef. Others have noted though that the Japanese fleet was not carrying much fuel due to difficult times during the war. The research into possible pollution within the lagoon continues to this day with the help of the Japanese government.

As we hurtle towards 2019, Truk Lagoon remains a popular destination for many thrill-seekers. Those who visited just after Cousteau’s discovery were able to take smaller artefacts away from their dives, but the ships and their contents are now classified as a Japanese war grave and as such, it is illegal to remove any part of them. There is also an operation underway by the Japanese government to retrieve serene depths of the lagoon over two

the Japanese fleet were found to contain

all items of worth, whilst ensuring there is

decades later, he discovered the world’s

aircraft, tanks, bulldozers, railroad cars,

no contamination of the otherwise pristine

largest

motorcycles,

waters.

ship

graveyard.

Following

his

torpedoes,

mines,

bombs,

documentary broadcast in 1971, Truk

radios, plus thousands of other weapons and

Needless to say, Truk Lagoon is now

Lagoon became a popular destination for

artefacts. Disturbingly, the remains of their

a location that provokes mixed feelings

scuba divers and explorers alike, who all

crews were also discovered below deck,

amongst its visitors. A paradise with its own

wanted to experience the ghostly remains

their watery graves disturbed for the first

amazing ecosystem that takes the breath

for themselves.

time in three decades.

away, and yet, just below the surface,

Less than fifteen metres below the calm

The coral-encrusted wrecks became

surface, the well-preserved remnants of

home to a fantastic array of marine life,

haunting images of war and lost lives that are both intriguing and tragic in equal measure.

Endeavour Magazine | 107

SWAKOP URANIUM WWW.SWAKOPURANIUM.COM // 00264 64 410 9000

HUSAB MINE – THE NEXT BIG THING Namibia, with its rich uranium heritage stretching back to the 1920’s, and as the home to the Rossing, Langer Heinrich, and Trekkkopje uranium mines, is one of the world’s few uranium producing nations that can legitimately claim world-class status. Only Kazakhstan, Canada, and Australia boast a greater production capacity.

WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

SWAKOP URANIUM

Uranium is big business in these parts; the numbers speak for themselves. In total, the sector accounts for close to 10% of GDP alone, and employs tens of thousands; at maximum capacity, its mines produce 12% of the world’s total uranium supply, 10% of which is mined from the below the earth at the Rossing and Langer Heinrich sites, alone. In this context, it is understandable that all eyes have closely followed construction work at the site of what will be the world’s largest uranium mines in recent years.

C

onstruction of Swakop Uranium’s Husab project, a US$2.5

agitated acid lead process plant, incorporating ion exchange and

billion facility located near the Swakupmund region, has been

solvent extraction circuits – processes which are necessary in order

ongoing since work began in the sweltering Namib Desert

to obtain the optimum amount of uranium from the ore, and then

4-years ago. Make no mistake about it, development of the Husab Mine has been a truly colossal undertaking, which is to be expected for a build of this scale.

concentrate it.

With final completion only a matter of months away, virtually all facets of the facility are already operational. Construction of the

Upon its completion later in 2016, the Husab facility will be

permanent road and bridge to the mine site has been completed,

the world’s second-largest uranium producing facility, behind only

which includes 50km of access and service road linking the mine to

Saskatchewan’s McArthur River site in Canada. It is undoubtedly the

the main B2 transport route leading to Swakupmund, and a 160m

most significant uranium discovery in recent years, if not decades,

bridge over the Khan River; the longest bridge built in Namibia since

and in terms of the impact it will have when it enters production,

its independence in 1990. All required energy infrastructure is in

Husab will be a game-changer. “It will elevate Namibia past Niger,

place for Namibia’s state energy supplier, Nampower, to provide the

Australia and Canada to the second rung on the world ladder of

50 MW needed to operate the mine. Water for the Husab project

uranium producers,” said Swakop Uranium CEO, Zheng Keping.

will be delivered to the site, courtesy of a water supply system which

“The 8-kilometre uranium mineralisation has been confirmed as

transfers water via ductile iron pipe from a newly built desalination

the highest grade, granite-hosted uranium deposit in Namibia.” The

plant that has been built near Swakupmund.

remarkably high-quality of Husab’s yellowcake which, alongside

The assembly of the giant Komatsu haul trucks that will be used

its vast 280 million tonnes of resource, is unparalleled by existing

as the primary means of moving ore and waste on is now on the

mines in the region. Such will the impact of Husab on the Namibian

verge of completion, after having initially been moved to Husab in

economy over the course of its 20-year lifespan that, on its own,

kit form. At least 39 of the trucks, each with a payload of 327 tonnes,

the mine will single-handedly account for 5% of Namibia’s US$13.1

will be needed when the mine starts producing at its full capacity

billion GDP.

of 15 million pounds of uranium oxide per annum. Actually getting

The mine has been developed as a conventional, large-scale

them to Husab from Johannesburg in the first place, however,

load-and-haul opencast mine, feeding directly into a conventional

was no mean feat. The bodies are 14.6 metres long, 10.7 metres

110 | Endeavour Magazine

wide and 5.4 metres high, which meant every step of the journey

slump is transient. Prices will increase markedly over the medium to

had to be planned meticulously. “Every step of the journey had to

long-term; what goes down, must go up.

be carefully measured and investigated before the 50-tonne load could be granted permission to travel.

According to a report published by the World Nuclear Association, it is expected that uranium demand will have increased

Even then, strict conditions were applied and the vehicles

by close to 50% by 2023, making investment in a facility of Husab’s

needed to be accompanied by at least two escorts from the

stature the only available logical business decision. “Each gigawatt

transportation company Transcor, as well as two South African

of increased new capacity will require about 150 tpa of extra

road authorities,” said Komatsu’s Gerhard Klopper. The huge dump

uranium mine production routinely, and about 300 to 450 tonnes

bodies are the last part of the truck to be fitted: it takes two cranes

of uranium for the first fuel load,” Marais said.

He continued: “About 435 reactors with a combined capacity

to lift them.

Taking into account the retreat of Germany from nuclear energy,

of over 370 GWe, require some 78,000 tonnes of uranium oxide

the well-documented Fukushima crisis, the booming growth of the

concentrate, containing 66,000 tonnes of uranium from mines, or

wider renewables sector, and the persistent commodities price

the equivalent from stockpiles or secondary sources, each year.

slump that has devastated miners, there might perhaps be one big

This includes initial cores for new reactors coming on line.” Uranium

question in mind over this entire endeavour: why now, and why so

mines worldwide currently supply some 68,800 tonnes of uranium

big? A fair and legitimate question, and one that is easily explained.

oxide, containing 58,344 tonnes of uranium. That’s about 86 percent

Nuclear, for all its flaws, remains the leading, most developed

of utilities’ annual requirements and it leaves a significant shortfall.”

source of green power, and continues to be enthusiastically pursued

It’s boom-time for Namibia, in other words, and especially

by rising powers, China and India, and even the UK. In the view

Swakop Uranium. In a matter of months, Husab and its parent

of Swakop Uranium’s Director of Communications & Stakeholder

company will justifiably take a place at the mining sector’s top table.

Involvement, Grant Marais, whilst the price of uranium remains

Exciting times lie ahead.

low, and will continue to remain low in the short-term, the current

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Endeavour Magazine | 111 Endeavour Mag_Swakop Uranium_091018

REFRALINE WWW.REFRALINE.COM // 27 11 392 0700

THREE DECADES OF SUCCESS For over 30 years, Refraline Pty Ltd has played an important role as a leading supplier of refractory ceramics and services. It is for good reason that it is now one of the most recognisable names in its field across sub-Saharan Africa.

WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

REFRALINE

As with all things subtle and yet essential, the importance of the refractory ceramic ‘fire bricks’ and the other heat-resistant materials that Refraline Pty Ltd manufactures is difficult to overstate. Consider this; across South Africa’s vast heavy industries sectors, on which the national economy relies so heavily, you’d be hard pressed to find a company which doesn’t require some form of heat-resistant materials to go about its business.

S

ince it was established in 1981, Germiston-based Refraline Pty Ltd has enjoyed steady and consistent growth over the

Ceramite

®

shapes up to the extreme

years to become one of the market leaders in its field. As one

of the principal providers of refractory solutions, the company serves a hugely important role in sub-Saharan Africa – just ask any company operating within an industry which relies on the refractory ceramic ‘fire bricks’ and other heat resistant materials that Refraline supplies.

“We are installers, manufacturers, and suppliers of refractory and corrosion materials and linings,” Rosch stated. “Essentially our customers are everybody with heat processes and the need for protection in certain environments, which in South Africa can be glass companies, petrochemicals, steel, foundries, and mining companies. While we operate in South Africa, we also do business in our neighbouring sub-Saharan countries like Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana. Refraline also has international clients in the Middle East and as far afield as the Middle East, although these are not our regular territories.”

We have orders that vary from R5,000 up to R10 million projects, and the duration can be one day or one year. No job is too

Richland Trading 038 (PTY) LTD T/A Process Consultants Manufacturing and Distribution Licensee Visit www.refraline.com for more information or contact us on 011 392-0700, 0826009715, alann@mweb.co.za 114 | Endeavour Magazine

large or small for us.”

And make no mistake about it, Refraline’s order book is full.

Over the 32 years that have passed since it first opened its doors for business, the company has grown in stature and reputation, to the extent that it has become the go-to refractory solutions provider in sub-Saharan Africa. Undoubtedly, this can be attributed

REFRALINE to the company’s success over three decades – an impressive feat

“It is a market which is not really growing, which means we really

indeed. Few companies have the staying power to keep their doors

have to fight. Simply, we must be better than our competitors. The

open for business for so long in any industry, after all.

fact that we have continued growing into a company which today

So, what is the key to this remarkable longevity? Well, granted,

has a 300 million Rand turnover and more than 500 permanent

Refraline provides a specialist service which few others can, but

staff is a real sign that our customers appreciate the service we

this alone doesn’t explain fully the company’s staying power. No,

offer to them.”

the key to Refraline’s success is its experience and know-how

Whilst, as Rosch himself admitted, demand for refractories is

gained over three decades and superior reputation, of course, but

not growing, the anatomy of the South African economy means

more than this is its understanding of client needs, and ability to

that demand for the materials needed to line furnaces, kilns,

deliver beyond the client’s expectations.

incinerators, and reactors is high, and will remain so for the

The importance of forging strong and enduring relationships

foreseeable future.

with clients, and its emphasis on gaining an intimate understanding

Take the steel industry, for example. Just ask any C-level

of their individual internal processes and nuances, has set Refraline

executive plying their trade in the steel industry of the importance

in good stead. Through this above and beyond approach to offering

of refractory materials to their trade. As one might expect, the range

an unrivalled customer experience, Refraline can deliver a tailored

of refractories that exist to serve the steel industry is as diverse as

service in line with the needs of each client, and therefore ensure

the number of different types and grades of steel manufactured.

that the service delivered is exactly what they need and sometimes

Magnesite refractories, a chemically basic material containing

under budget.

at least 85% magnesium oxide, are the most important group of

Such an approach is vital because of the competitive state of

refractories for basic steelmaking. A Basic Oxygen Furnace, for

the industry. There are a number of rivals in South Africa alone

example - the function of which is to decarburise hot metal using

which given the chance would be more than willing to boost their

pure oxygen gas – uses a specially selected high-performance

market share. This is a threat that Rosch is only too aware of:

seawater magnesite carbon brick lining, which, thanks to its

116 | Endeavour Magazine

additional carbon content, improves slag resistance, particularly to lime and iron-rich slags.

Zirconia refractories, on the other hand, are used in different applications altogether. Able to maintain their extraordinarily high strength at temperatures as high as 15,000C and with low levels of thermal conductivity, zirconia-based materials are used as construction materials for various high-temperature metallurgical and glass furnaces.

Taking into account the nature of the industry and the inevitable exposure to furnace-hot temperatures that employees who work with refractories face, understandably, safety and good working practice is paramount. Employee safety is ingrained in the culture of Refraline, and as such the company can proudly point to a safety record which is astonishing, bearing in mind how fraught with hazard the environments are in which Refraline does business. “We are very proud of our safety record, and we subscribe to the DIFR (Disabling Injury Frequency Rate), which shows that we have had zero accidents for over 12-months. Many years ago we introduced our own in-house safety management processes that have helped us to get to that standard. This is an important consideration for prospective clients and is very important to us when we are working on a client’s premises.�

Endeavour Magazine | 117

KUWAIT OIL COMPANY WWW.KOCKW.COM // 00965 23989111

IN THE BLACK With plans to invest a colossal US$40.45bn into energy projects within Kuwait and an ambitious growth plan, Kuwait Oil Company is determined to continue to make great strides within its industry.

Endeavour Magazine spoke to Sami Al Juhaim, Public Relations Director, about the exciting developments that are underway.

WRITTEN BY DYLAN DIXON

KUWAIT OIL COMPANY

Founded in 1934, Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) was originally established by British Petroleum (formerly Anglo-Persian Oil) and the Chevron Corporation (formerly Gulf Oil). With respected ‘founding fathers’ at the helm, KOC was born into assumed greatness and wasted no time in living up to the expectations placed upon it.

F

ocused on exploration activities, on and off-shore surveys,

“Every one of my people and my friends will rejoice with me

drilling of test wells and the careful development of producing

in this happy event, which by the Grace of God is for our future

fields, in addition to the more standard tasks of crude and

and welfare. I thank God for such an opportunity as this, that will

natural gas exploration, the company hit the ground running and

help us carry on with the various improvements which we desire

have not slowed the pace in the 81 years that have followed

for the happiness and welfare of the Kuwaiti people. I would like to

its inception.

further mention the assistance offered by the Company during their

KOC came about as a direct result of the vision and leadership

operations in our country. My thanks are also due to Her Majesty’s

of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. A resourceful and courageous

Government for their help in making such operations a success,

ruler of Kuwait, he seized the opportunity to move from the

and to my personal friends the British and American members of

cultured pearl industry into oil production following a technical

the Board as well as to all the Company’s staff for their valuable

report alluding to the possibilities at hand. By signing a document

assistance. I am sure the friendship relation existing between us

on December 23rd 1934, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah opened

and the Company will continue to exist in a spirit of cordiality and

his country up to new wealth and international presence by granting

good will.”

KOC the very first Kuwaiti oil concession agreement.

1975 saw the nationalisation of Kuwait’s oil industry.

Years of steady oil discoveries followed, in some cases of

Implemented to assure control over the region’s natural oil

such quantities and pressure that it proved difficult to contain

resources, State shareholding in KOC was gradually increased

effectively. Unbelievably, a well that was first discovered in 1938 is

until total control was assumed. By taking a proactive approach to

still producing today; such is the power of the supply.

industry development, Kuwait has risen to undeniable prominence

1946 played host to another landmark moment for the

within the global oil market, demonstrating the incredible

dedicated team at KOC. In a ceremony befitting such a forward

business acumen and wise guidance of the country’s people and

thinking and progressive company, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

leaders alike.

participated in Kuwait’s first ever crude oil export programme by

Celebrating 75 years of operation in 2009, KOC put

turning a silver wheel to allow oil to fill the British Fusilier tanker.

on an enormous three-day celebration, which saw the city

Depositing 10,567 tons in little over 11 hours, the event was a

of Ahmadi transformed with light shows and displays and

significant milestone in the history of the company, with Sheikh

welcomed highly esteemed guests including the Amir of Kuwait.

Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah commenting at the time,

Making a clear statement as to the continued success of the

120 | Endeavour Magazine

KUWAIT OIL COMPANY company, KOC began to look forward and plan astounding new

continues to perform to expected standards. Operating in a

initiatives.

performance-related environment, staff members are offered

Having released plans to invest US$40.45bn into new directives,

motivation and support to develop their leadership skills and

diversification seems imminent and inevitable as KOC seeks to

technical know-how within an organisation that takes Health,

remain not only at the forefront of their industry, but ahead of the

Security, Safety and Environment exceptionally seriously.

curve in regards to future technologies and directives.

A major development is the KPC Upstream Mission, which seeks to,

Consistently operating with world-class standards in mind, KOC continues to move forward, despite industry difficulties. So firmfooted is the company that in addition to the large-scale investment

“Explore, develop and produce hydrocarbons within the State

plan being put into place, it has also committed to increasing its oil

of Kuwait, the Divided Zone and internationally and so be a secure

and gas rig numbers by an enormous 50% by early 2016. Existing

and reliable supplier to our customers, promote the care and

fields will not be left in the wake of progress however, as they will

development of our people and deliver on our commitments to our

be developed to increase their output and continue to contribute

stakeholders in a compliant, profitable, safe and environmentally

to the success of KOC.

responsible manner.”

Forever modest and respectful, KOC acknowledge that it is by

If successful, this mission will lead to KOC achieving a leading

the Grace of God that they continue to enjoy success, which allows

position in the global industry of upstream oil and gas as an

the country to enjoy continued affluence and sustainability – but

integrated enterprise. Increasing supply reliability and moving

let’s not overlook the dedication and endeavours of the human

towards a more sustainable future, this has been heralded as an

guiding hands that keep KOC firmly in the black.

incredibly important development.

KOC recognise and acknowledge that hiring and retaining talented people is the only way to ensure that the company

122 | Endeavour Magazine

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SoluForce was installed in Kuwait for the first time in 2003, for high pressure effluent water. Since then, SoluForce has established itself as a reliable partner in Kuwait.

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Advanced Flexible Composite Pipeline systems for oil, gas and water Endeavour Magazine | 123