October2014

OCTOBER 2014

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2 | Endeavour Magazine

EDITORIAL Heads of Departments Editor in Chief Daemon Sands daemonsands@littlegatepublishing.com Director General Don Campbell doncampbell@littlegatepublishing.com Editorial Research Manager Alex Smith alexsmith@littlegatepublishing.com

A

word has been regularly cropping up recently, used by industry magnates and entrepreneurs who are topping the lists for the fastest growing franchises and most influential businesses in the

world. The word is “disruptive”. It would appear that now, today, is the right time to pick up your business in its entirety and give it a good old shake to see what rattles inside and eventually falls out.

Success is a flauncy word that has very little quantifiable presence,

Sales Director James Martin jamesmartin@littlegatepublishing.com

because “successful” is not a line to be crossed but an attitude to be

Sales Manager Tyler Harrison tylerharrison@littlegatepublishing.com

presence and if you’re not chasing them then you’re being left behind.

Corporate Director Anthony Letchumaman anthonyl@littlegatepublishing.com

wave running to be caught. Targets and goals are only achievable when

Lead Designer Alina Sandu studio@littlegatepublishing.com

or talk about it or blog about it you will never get it unless you take the

Publisher Stephen Warman stevewarman@littlegatepublishing.com Any enquiries or subscriptions can be sent to info@littlegatepublishing.com ENDEAVOUR MAGAZINE is published by Littlegate Publishing LTD which is a Registered Company in the United Kingdom.

Company Registration: 07657236 VAT registration number: 116 776007 343 City Road Kings Lane London Norwich EC1 V1LR NR1 3PS Littlegate Publishing Ltd does not accept responsibility for omissions or errors. The points of view expressed in articles by attributing writers and/or in advertisements included in this magazine do not necessarily represent those of the publisher. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within this magazine, no legal responsibility will be accepted by the publishers for loss arising from use of information published. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrievable system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher.

Copyright © Littlegate Publishing Ltd 2014

adopted. Progress and development, these have an actual calculable

Progress and development is not a field waiting to be ploughed but a you’re moving forward because no matter how much you may want it, steps towards it.

Which brings us back to this word, “Disruptive”.

Last month, Scotland almost voted itself out of the union that is the United Kingdom. This historic race was so close that right up to the last minute the entire island of Britain held its breath. This time the majority voted for No to independence so Scotland remains, however as far as disruptive goes they managed to shake the whole of Britain awake. It caused cracks to form along the borderlines of the British empire and people have started to realize that nothing is certain, things have to change and evolve if they are to develop.

The English realized that Scotland was not satisfied with the conduct of the union and Scotland realized that they will never be the country they could be if they stay under the frocks of others.

Like the Yes Campaigners in Scotland, managers and employees alike cannot be afraid to vote for what they want irrespective to whether they get it or not. They cannot be afraid to push for it, to raise their hand and say, “I would like a change,” Ultimately, like those who wanted Scottish independence you have the right to say that you want something better but we only get what we deserve in this world. If you don’t raise your hand, you won’t get it.

Endeavour Magazine | 3

CONTENTS

55 Alpine Lounge FEATURES 37 Protan 43 Banedanmark

High Speed Steel 49 Pemex Mexico

Billion Dollar Enterprise 55 Alpine Lounge

Luxuriously Comfortable 61 Omnicane

Nation With A Sweet Tooth 67 Cardio3 Biosciences

Hand On Your Heart 73 Asturi Metal Builders

The Steely Woman Of Asturi 79 Shanta Gold

Finding The Nuggets 85 Damus Group

Team Work Equals Quality 91 Datacentrix

Integration Made Easy

37 Protan 4 | Endeavour Magazine

67 Cardio3 Biosciences

91 Datacentrix

ARTICLES 6 Business Headlines 10 Chuck Runyon: Anytime Fitness

Being Number One 14 The Hogs Return 20 The Terror Of

A Forgotten Doll 22 Weapons Of Mass Distraction 24 VW Amarok

You’d Better Move Aside 28 Gadgets 30 Artlegarth Lodges

Can You Hear The Gear Change 34 Join The Sport Of Kings With

The Littlegate Racing Club 96 Richard Simmonds

The Importance Of Disruptive Thinking 100 Scaries 102 Balhiker: Paul Steele

The Spirit Of A Place 104 Book Interviews:

Best Selling Science Fiction Author

Alex Scarrow 106 Book Reviews

85 Damus Group

Endeavour Magazine | 5

BUSINESS HEADLINES Rosewood Abu Dhabi Produces Unrivaled Guest Service with Vocera

C

ommunications Solution Improves Response Time and Elevates Guest Experiences to Drive Loyalty

“At Rosewood, we are committed to creating emotional connections with our guests that drive lasting memories,” said

Vocera Communications, Inc. (NYSE: VCRA), the

Roberto Casanova, head butler of the Rosewood Abu Dhabi. “Vocera

leading provider of integrated, intelligent communication solutions

allows us to listen and respond to guest requests in record time,

for mission-critical mobile environments, today announced that the

leaving more time for staff to shape quality interactions with guests

Vocera Communication Solution has enabled the five-star Rosewood

that build reputation and loyalty.”

Abu Dhabi to deliver personalized guest experiences. The first

Since its opening, Rosewood Abu Dhabi has incorporated Vocera

Rosewood property in the United Arab Emirates, Rosewood Abu

into all guest-facing services, including engineering. For example, if

Dhabi opened its doors in May 2013. It has since been named to

a guest has a problem with the TV, he or she can send a request

the Conde Nast Traveler 2014 Hot List, an annual round-up of the

for service via an in-room iPad. The guest’s request is then routed

most exciting new hotels in the world.

through HotSOS and Vocera, prompting the engineering manager

Vocera seamlessly integrates with Rosewood Abu Dhabi’s Hotel

to respond to the guest within minutes. The simplicity of the

Service Optimization System (HotSOS) to guarantee that guest

communication and speed of service creates a memorable moment

requests are sent to the right staff member at the right time. Once

for the guest.

requests are routed, the Vocera Communication Solution, which

“The Rosewood Abu Dhabi is known for its supreme service

includes a lightweight, hands-free wireless badge, allows staff at

and attention to detail,” said Bob Flury, senior vice president of

the ultra-luxury hotel to instantly and discreetly communicate with

international sales, Vocera. “We are pleased to work with this

one another to provide faster service and better guest experiences.

luxury hotel to further improve guest satisfaction and loyalty by

Rosewood management can track how long it takes to respond to

streamlining communications.”

guest requests and locate staff efficiently where and when they are needed most. As a result, both guest loyalty and staff job satisfaction have increased.

6 | Endeavour Magazine

biz t

A good place to park your money?

Parking Management Market Worth $8630.76 Million by 2019

A

ccording to new market report “Parking Management

verticals (government, Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance

Market by Devices (Parking Meter, Ticketing, Occupancy

(BFSI), IT and telecommunication, healthcare, retail and others), and

Sensor, RFID, Automated Gates), by Solutions (Access

regions (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa,

Control, Security, Revenue, Reservation, Enforcement & Guidance

and Latin America).

Management), & by Services - Worldwide Forecast &

The advancements in the automotive technologies in the last

Analysis (2014 - 2019)”, published by

century have seen a massive rise in the number of vehicles on the

MarketsandMarkets,

report

roads leading to the increase in traffic and parking related problems.

segments the global market into

Urban and industrial areas have been facing a constant problem of

various

segments

the

with

in-depth

traffic congestion and lack of proper parking management due to

analysis and revenue forecasts. It also

inefficient parking facilities. These uses has given rise to the parking

identifies the drivers and restraints of

management system market which consists of players such as

this market with insights into trends,

Affiliated Computer Services, 3M, Siemens, HCL, Cubic Corporation,

opportunities, and challenges.

MarketsandMarkets

T2 Systems, SKIDATA, etc. which provide solutions, services and has

products for efficient management of parking systems.

segmented the global Parking

The major forces that are driving growth in this market are

Management Market based on

rapidly decreasing hardware and connectivity costs, rising need for

system

components,

services,

smoother and faster traffic flow, business benefits for parking site

parking site types and solutions

businesses as well as various other factors. The Parking Management

specific

to

the

parking

management market. The

Market has been analyzed to have a wide range of opportunities to be exercised for profit and growth in the coming years.

report also segments the market on the basis of industry

63% of Millennials Don’t Have a Credit Card Millennials Least Likely to Pay Balances in Full More

than

six

in

10

“Millennials

may

think

aversion to debt since they

millennials (63%) do not have a

they’re staying out of financial

grew up witnessing its effects

credit card, according to a new

trouble, but they’re actually

on the economy.

report. Comparatively, only 35

doing a disservice to themselves

percent of adults 30 and over

and their credit scores,” said

already battling with student

have zero credit cards in their

Jeanine Skowronski, credit card

loans, which likely makes them

wallets.

“Many

millennials

are

analyst. “The responsible use

even more wary of the potential

Millennials are the least

of credit cards is one of the

for debt,” said Skowronski.

likely of any age group to pay

easiest ways to build a strong

their balances in full each

credit score, which is essential

millennials don’t have wallets

month. Only 40% of millennials

for qualifying for insurance

full of plastic is simply because

pay their entire balance every

policies, auto and mortgage

it is harder for Americans under

month, compared to 53% of

loans, and even a job.”

21 years old to get a credit

Another

reason

why

adults 30 and older. Three

Recent polls suggest that

percent of millennials admit

more Americans are relying less

card because of new legislation such

to often missing payments

on credit cards since the Great

Accountability,

completely, more than any

Recession, but millennials in

and Disclosure Act of 2009

other age group.

particular may have a greater

(the CARD Act).

as

the

Credit

Card

Responsibility

Richard Simmonds The Importance Of Disruptive Thinking

Endeavour Magazine | 7

If At First You Don’t Succeed Try And Try Again Germany May Very Well Have Invaded England

W

hen it comes to searches on Auto Trader, the

Nick King, Auto Trader Market Research Director stated that,

country’s leading marketplace for new and used

“We shouldn’t be surprised that German brands dominate as there

cars, German brands dominate. In fact the lead is

are good reasons why the BMW 3 Series consistently tops the chart,

so significant that, collectively, the top four brands accounted for 34.2% of searches on the site, according to figures for August 2014 - released today.

Of these, cars made by BMW and Audi headed the list, making up one in five of all site searches. Volkswagen and Mercedes completed the top four August sweep, with a further 15% of search volumes between them.

with VW’s Golf and Audi’s A4 not far behind.”

He continues, “A combination of premium positioning, quality and regular model updates help keep these models at the front of mind for those looking for a new car – and for those who simply aspire to own a premium new or used car.”

In August, seven out of ten cars in the top ten model list were German. Of the remaining three models two are made in Germany,

German engineering has always been known for its superiority

Ford’s Cologne plant producing right-hand drive Fiestas and the

and reliability a fact that is marketed as much as its sleek design and

Ford Focus. That leaves the Vauxhall Astra, in ninth place with 2.4%

elegance.

of all searches, as the only British representative. The Astra is made at Ellesmere Port.

By brands the most searched during the period of August are as follows:

Historically, it seems that Germany actually succeeded in a British invasion.

BMW 10.3% Audi 9.1% Volkswagen 7.7% Mercedes Benz 7.1% Ford 6.8% Vauxhall 5.0% Toyota Land Rover Honda Nissan

8 | Endeavour Magazine

3.8% 3.4% 3.2% 3.1%

79% of parents globally seek ban against adrelated internet tracking and profiling in schools Surveys of nearly 5,500 parents in 11 countries around the world, including Europe, Asia and North America, show that parents have high hopes for the contribution that Internet applications can make to their children’s education, especially when it comes to acquiring skills relevant to the modern global economy. At the same time, the vast majority of parents worry that internet companies are tracking and profiling their children’s online activities at school for advertising purposes, and they want such practices banned. Specifically, parents want stronger government regulations against online data mining in schools that isn’t directly related to improving academic performance, and they want schools to forbid such practices.

The findings are based on a series of surveys conducted for SafeGov aimed at capturing global parents’ views on the benefits and risks of proliferating in-school access to internet applications such as email, document creation and group collaboration.

The surveys show that: Two-thirds of parents are aware that internet companies are tracking and profiling their children’s online behaviour and email habits at school for adrelated purposes – parents in Europe, Middle East and Africa are slightly more aware (66%) than inAsia (55%)

While 70% of parents say schools bear the most responsibility to deal with this issue, many also believe parents (31%), internet companies (29%) and the government (24%) have the primary role. Only 5% of parents globally place

or the U.S. (51%);

responsibility on the children themselves.

Concern about these practices grows as parents learn

commented: “The Internet is already

Jeff Gould, President of SafeGov,

more about them;

transforming the way schools operate in

74% of parents want the ability to opt-out of such

to a time in the not too distant future

nearly every country, and I look forward

practices on behalf of their children.

when every schoolchild will have a smart

Parents see outright bans against ad-related tracking

of recent revelations about massive

and profiling in schools as well as stronger government regulations as an indispensable requirement for safe in-

device on his or her desk. In the wake invasions of users’ online privacy by both intelligence agencies and internet

school access to internet applications:

advertising

88% say schools should require companies to offer

and Asia must take a closer look at the

a privacy policy with strict guarantees against user profiling that is not related to the delivery of education

companies,

regulators

in

the European Union, the United States practices of ad-driven businesses now present in schools all across the world.

services

Some of these companies maintain a tight

88% say schools should insist on contracts that

capabilities of their technology, and fail to

expressly ban the exploitation of children’s email for

cloak of secrecy around the data mining disclose the full scope of their activities to

non-education purposes

school officials, who often lack the time

79% support the school adopting rules of conduct

these offerings more carefully.”

forbidding outside companies to profile children 75% support governments passing much stricter laws giving parents complete control over what information, if any, can be collected about their children at school

or technological sophistication to examine SafeGov.org advocates that school administrators and procurement officials, policymakers and parents visit

edu.

safegov.org for practical guidance on how to increase privacy protections for schoolchildren.

Book Reviews

CHUCK RUNYON: ANYTIME FITNESS BEING NUMBER ONE

A

BY DONNIE RUST t the helm of a company that is driving the health and

“When we started Anytime Fitness we had experience in running

well-being revolution across the globe, Chuck Runyon,

a gym,” Chuck recalls, “But no real experience in the franchise

Chief Executive Office of Anytime Fitness has all of the

industry per se, what we had was a lot of industry experience pretty

attributes of a highly animated and enthusiastic pioneer. At the same

much inside and out.”

time knowledgeable and strangely humble considering the depth

Chuck, Dave and Jeff met in the early 90s while working for a

of his understanding and the success of his business brand, his joy

fitness club in St Paul Minnesota. A period where Chuck indicates

when speaking about the newest developments in the health and

that he learnt much of what it takes to run a successful club from the

well-being industry is utterly infectious. This is a man who clearly on

administrative and office point of view, the hidden gears that keep

his worst day, still loves what he does.

all successful business running smoothly. In 1995 the three of them

Anytime Fitness was founded in 2002 by Chuck Runyon, Dave

purchased the Southview Athletic Club and ran that for seven years.

Mortensen and Jeff Klinger since then their brand has been voted

“Over those seven years our membership of the club rose from

as the fastest growing franchise in the world by Forbes and in 2014,

five hundred members to two thousand,” he reveals, “It was such a

twelve years later Entrepreneur Magazine voted their Number One

success that during this time we also ran a consulting firm where

Franchise beating back the usual contenders such as McDonalds

we focussed on helping underperforming athletic clubs across the

and Subway.

United States to improve and gain more members.”

10 | Endeavour Magazine

This skill for identifying the secrets to running a successful gym/ athletics club and being able to impart this information to others set

and we are the first fitness brand to reach number one on Entrepreneur’s franchising lists.”

the ground work for a successful franchise. The Southview Athletic

According to Chuck, there isn’t just one single element to credit

Club was sold in 2001 and the three of them founded Anytime

for the success. Health, fitness and wellbeing are becoming more

Fitness in 2002. Eric Keller, a former employee of Southview athletic

important to everyone across the world as obesity, diabetes and

club was interested in their business concept and agreed to be the

heart disease are on the rise and the consumer pool is growing as

first franchise owner of Anytime Fitness.

more people are getting engaged and want to look and feel better.

“We helped Eric with regards to choosing the best location

“Medically and academically we know that we have to get people

which was an area with the right number of people but a lack of

more healthy but people are inherently lazy which is why they don’t

fitness clubs. We helped in selecting the equipment, marketing

necessarily exercise at home,” he explains, “Additionally, franchising

and membership sales and the first franchised location opened in

has also grown over the last decade and we provide a valuable

Cambridge, Minnesota later that year.”

proposition for potential franchisees. A business model with a great

What followed was an avalanche of expansion. In fact over twenty nine franchises were opened before the three founders

deal of purpose and we also give them the power of a globally recognized brand with an award winning approach to support.”

opened the doors to their own corporate-owned location in Bemidji,

Anytime Fitness, out of design also involves a high level of hands

Minnesota and by 2005 they had seventy seven franchises opened.

off activity. The premise for a popular gym relies on uniting people

“Today we have twenty six hundred locations across twenty

and equipment which means that franchisees are able to maintain

countries and five continents,” Chuck indicates, “We’ve also been

a balanced lifestyle, “Our gyms are open twenty four hours a day,

labelled as the most unprecedented franchise, the most successful

three hundred and sixty five days a year with automated entry which

Endeavour Magazine | 11

means that the gyms can run without staff so managers don’t have to be there all the time.”

Chuck

is

quite

adamant

about this side of the business, “I believe in leading from the front,” he says, “And this is an industry that revolves around healthy living so I need to set an example. I have four kids myself and am not willing to make the sacrifice of not being able to spend time with them.”

Since the company turnover recently topped $484 million, I’d say that this sort of approach is working very well and that all businesses should do their best to replicate it, “It’s important to have compelling value,” Chuck adds, “And it’s a give and take.

Yes I’ve had to work late and long hours or spend days travelling.

But then there have been days when I’ve been able to get off work early and spent time at my lake home in Northern Minnesota. I don’t mind because I really do love it,” After

twelve

years

of

continuous, sustainable growth, I asked Chuck if the company has changed since it first founded and he openly laughed, “Of

the things that has had the biggest affect is the development of wearable technology and the connectivity

course it has, many times. You

available, “Wearable technology has added a new element to training and exercise,” he says, “It provides

can’t be afraid to shake up and

essential information that makes it easy to quantify your workouts and improve results,”

even disrupt your own model

Irrespective of what you’re training for, competitive basketball players, power lifters and even people

sometimes,” he says, “Shake up

who have set themselves personal goals of weight loss all require information. The wearable tech of the

your business and let what you

old days was fairly unobstructive but the equipment required to monitor it was cumbersome or took

don’t need fall out.”

time to assess. Now, thanks to the copious number of iPhone apps a person on the treadmill can count

While have

different

different

countries

laws

about

franchising and branding, one of

12 | Endeavour Magazine

exactly how many steps they’ve taken in realtime, how many calories have been burned, heart rate and blood pressure. All valuable things to know when setting yourself goals.

Chuck also explains that wearable technology could spell an overall development of healthier

lifestyles for people who may not be interested in going to the gym

In 2012 they purchased Waxing the City in 2012. A small hair

and goes to explain NEAT, “Getting fitter is about being more active,”

removal chain to which they will apply the same template model

he says, “Non Exercise Activity Tracking is about getting more activity

used for Anytime Fitness, “It’s an applicable industry,” Chuck says,

into your day. Thanks to wearable technology like FITBIT which is a

“And can benefit from the same success as it requires a similar level

wristband that uses GPS to track the number of steps you’re taking

of input.”

throughout the day.”

With the surge of wearable tech that’s flooded the many

So, if you’re taking a thousand steps every day and wanted to

different facets of Anytime Fitness so too has the online footprint of

double your fitness level, you can aim to walk two thousand steps

the company and marketing the club has always been more than just

a day and measure your progress over a couple of days. For people

making people aware of what’s happening and more about making

who may be embarrassed to go to the gym this is a great opportunity

them want to join.

for them to see progress in their own time. They’ll feel and looked better.

Conversely, for those athletes who visit the gym with very specific goals they are now able to compare and assess their own

“As a community we’ve grown together and keep everyone abreast with the situation,” Chuck reveals, “When we discovered we had been named the Number One Franchise everyone celebrated.

But it couldn’t have brought us any closer than we already were,”

training techniques and results against other people in similar

In 2013 at an annual conference, the company hired a celebrity

training circles. This does pose an interesting situation where the

tattoo artist, Jimmy Hayden to tattoo the purple running man logo

training methods of competitive athletes, which used to be closely

on nearly two hundred franchisees, corporate employees, club

guarded coaching secrets, could become exposed to the public light

managers and personal trainers. Over 2200 people have the tattoo

which will encourage new and better training from coaches, “It’s all

including Chuck himself and there is a running theme that anyone

changing,” he says.

who can prove they got the tattoo and submit a reason why they got

Anytime Fitness launched their website, Anytime Health in

it will have the cost of the tattoo reimbursed.

2010 and the company developed an app for the website in 2011

And a list of awards decorate Chuck’s office, in 2010 the

which is available to members and serves as a platform to download

International Health, Racquet and Sports club Association named

workouts, track food, and interact with other users.

Anytime Fitness as the fastest growing fitness club, Franchise

“As a company we’re pretty much addicted to change,” Chuck

Chatter titled them as the best business model for 2011, the

says, “So we’re very keen to include wearable tech into our gyms.

Minnesota Business Magazine called them the top working place for

You have to adapt and improvise quickly to keep up with the light

2011, 2012 and 2013 and Forbes marked them as the 14th most

speed movement of the business world.”

promising company in America and all of this was before the recent

Chuck does admit that change is complicated to implement

Entrepreneur award as the number one franchise on their 500 list.

but it’s important to embrace it and have the attitude of embracing

Through this all, Chuck who insists on making time for his family,

change. It’s the only way to evolve and not be left behind and this

who enjoys playing basketball and being out of the office as much

is something else that Chuck is keen to exemplify. Even if this does

as being in strikes as a man who has won the lottery. The face of the

mean that sometimes change involves saying goodbye, as was the

business he appears humbled and grateful to those working with

case in 2009 when Jeff Klinger left Anytime Fitness to pursue other

him which is a rarity amongst highly successful entrepreneurs and a

interests.

sign of a great leader.

Their global growth which has seen locations opening in Canada,

“It’s more about what you do. You have to love it,” he wraps up.

Australia, Grand Cayman, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, New Zealand, Qatar and United Kingdom is filled with complexities where different laws govern different areas, “It’s very gratifying to learn how to be a global company and moving with the technology has made this easier than it would have been ten years ago. As an example we’re revaluating our consumer touch point and asking how we can employ the iPhone more,”

Endeavour Magazine | 13

THE HOGS RETURN WRITTEN BY MARK GALLANT

The story starts as my partner tells me her friend’s husband would like to know if I’m interested in a motorcycle trip to Germany; approximately a third of a nanosecond later I say “Yes” and get the message to choose my ride.

14 | Endeavour Magazine

I

have a Triumph Tiger 800 and a 1978 Triumph Tiger 750 so

Crosstourer Automatic waiting for us. A few minutes deciding upon

was thinking let’s try something different. Adventure? Been

which leather chaps to wear and what cowboy style luggage to take

there. Sport? Done that. Street? Still have the KTM tee

and we’re off into central London just after a recent monsoon. I’m

shirt. So how about a big tourer? A Goldwing? how about the F6B

aware of the huge torque of the F6 but it presents no problem just

Bagster? Say Honda? Yes that will do nicely. Then they release the

a breezy un-hurried float through the traffic. The riding position is

F6C, C for Cruiser, and tell us they would like us to take that, as it

low but not so low as to feel threatened, as this bike is as big as a

is new to the fleet. Now let’s be clear about this, I’m not a biker. I

small car when on the road. Only a few minutes later we arrive at our

have ridden bikes for the thick end of 35 years and haven’t been

overnight. First impressions very favourable.

without one for 33 years but I’m not a biker. I have raced motocross ridden the Nürbürgring and lapped Snetterton but I’m not a biker.

Day Two: Up at 05:00 en route to Portsmouth. The F6

In all those years I have ridden pretty much every make and style

is comfortable, not quick but quick enough and as smooth as silk.

of motorcycle known to man but I’m not a biker. So now we know

Arriving at the ferry I get my first taste of how impressive this machine

that I have no predisposed ideas of what a bike, or a biker should

is to the casual observer as everyone stops to stare as it passes. The

be, I find myself asking what didn’t I like about the Honda F6C? Was

fast ferry lives up to its name and delivers us into Cherbourg just

it the look? Was it the size, 1800cc, bigger than most hatchbacks?

three hours after leaving Blighty. Cherbourg to Pointe du Hoc via

Was it the leather chaps and waistcoat image? So it seems like a fait

Marie St. Eglise rolls by. Still only motorway miles though and no

accompli but I would be happy on a Honda 50 as long as I was riding

chance to look under the skin of the urban cowboys dream ride

in Europe. Steve, an ex-sports bike and current street rider, goes

but then things change rapidly. Turning off the main roads onto the

for the Crosstourer with full luggage, again something he wouldn’t

busy C roads the bike is once again capable and well poised. It slips

normally choose.

along quietly and quickly and draws only admiring glances. As we

Day one:

arrive in Port en Bessin we check into our hotel and take a ride out We arrive at Honda’s impressive press fleet

sans luggage. It makes no difference to the F6 as its wide and heavy

facility at a secret location, off junction 14 of the M25 down to a

anyway. The Crosstourer is much happier without the fixed panniers

roundabout, third exit and then second right, to find an F6C and a

on; we keep the topbox for convenience. The luggage is one area Endeavour Magazine | 15

which lets the bike down the topbox is only expandable by a zip and

place to be. We ride on now in the rear lines of the WW1 conflict

cloth panel which would be only too easy to cut and steal contents,

which again is celebrated by the French with bunting and plaques

the panniers are not adjustable at all and make the bike a good bit

everywhere. Towards the end of the afternoon we arrive in a lovely

wider than the bars when fitted. The automatic gearbox is great in

town square surrounded by lavender and boasting a classically built

use, smooth going up but a little clunky on the way down. Sport

Hotel de Ville. Great coffee too. All the time I have loved the big

mode is definitely the setting to use with manual being pointless

cruiser. Comfortable and quick but not without some low points. The

and drive getting you into top gear at about 50kph, which makes

low points in question being the footpegs. Every time I go through

for a chugging ride through towns. We cruise through Arromanche

a roundabout they drag on the floor. Not dangerous in itself but a

and up to Longue sur Mare to look at the long redundant big guns

reminder that there is no more to give in the clearance stakes, will

that ravaged the sea borne craft and troops 70 years ago. This is a

this be a problem in the Eiffel mountains? We will see. Conversely

sombre place and always makes me reflect on how lucky I am to

the Crosstourer has now earned the nickname “the giraffe” due to

have my freedom and receive a warm welcome across Europe. I have

its high (un-adjustable) seat and tall screen, not for the less of inside

been coming here for many years and my views never change, I am

leg this bike. The day nearly ends at our pre booked hotel in Epernay

indebted to all those young men that fought on our behalf and to

but as there is no on site parking and we love our bikes we decide to

the civilians that paid the highest price as well. I am always humbled

ride on. Now this is the biggest compliment I can pay the F6, we had

by the way the French hold their saviours in such high esteem and

ridden 500 kilometres in 10 hours but I was still happy to ride some

the way that they tend the graves and sites in memory of those

more. So off we went taking the Garmin’s suggestion of an auberge

battles. The evening is spent reflecting on all we have seen and the

30 kilometres away. Through, as it happens, the Móet vineyards

fact that these are probably the best mussels we have ever eaten,

which are a lovely site. Finally we arrive at our overnight. It’s rude

cooked as they are in a cider and cream sauce.

not to have a bottle of the local champagne and the local red and

Day Three: Up as the fishing fleet docks and the seagulls herald their return. This motorcycling lark is such great fun, never a dull moment, no need to consider a lie in or fear the 500+ kilometres

let’s not leave out the rabbit starter and guinea fowl main either or the massive selection of local cheese and the blackberry crumble. So that was a night spent on simple local fare then.

in the saddle we have set ourselves today. I set the Garmin Zumo

Day Four: Another early start and were on the road again.

satnav to avoid tolls, motorways and carshare lanes and off we go

Just as comfortable as the previous two days and the sound of

into the beautiful early morning Normandy sunlight. At first its C and

the flat six 1800cc engine is music to my ears now. It has so much

D roads then some RN’s with all thanks expressed to Boney and his

torque, Steve is meant to be on the automatic but the F6 is nearly as

need to move troops quickly. Rouen comes and goes and a chance

good. It will pull top, 5th, from 15mph and makes overtaking lines of

to express myself with the fabulously loud horn on the F6, I was

cars a breeze. We roll through Chalon, then Luxembourg, then Trier

looking around for a lorry sounding his when I realised it was mine.

and turn down to pick up the Mosel. This is motorcycling at its best

Then we swing our way through a long and glorious route taking in

fabulous roads, drivers who know how to use a mirror and scenery

Beauvais and all that the Paris plateau has to offer. On a windy day

to take your breath away. This is only a 450 kilometre day so no

this is the most desolate place on earth with the common agricultural

drama for the F6 although the footpegs are still committing hara kari

policy striping it of hedgerows, woods and field boundaries in every

on every corner, quite why they are set this low still puzzles me as

direction but today, wind free and sun shining, it’s a wonderous

the bike handles very well otherwise. In long turns its exaggerated

16 | Endeavour Magazine

wheelbase lends stability and in tight turns the large handlebars

and twisty road over the top and down in to Boppard on the Rhine.

provide good leverage. The tyres, although tiny, grip well and the

We ride down the western bank of the Rhine and stop to look at the

suspension does a good job of disguising the incredible weight it’s

Loreley, the rock above where legend says a siren lured sailors to

dealing with in every turn. Still no hairpins but the turns are getting

their doom. Continuing on past the dozens of castles built by princes

tighter and we are in sausage and schnitzel country so things are

in mediaeval times to exhort taxes and tolls from travellers along the

shaping up. We arrive at our hotel at the Nürburgring and get

Rhine. We get onto the ferry across to Rüdesheim and then start

acquainted with the view of the track from our balcony. Our friends

to ride up the East bank stopping in Kaub at Benno’s Truck Stop.

turn up on their sportsbikes and I settle in for the ribbing of my life

This is a great place often frequented by motorcyclists of all types

for the bike I’m on from this point forward to be known as “the hog”

and offers coffee and great tasting food all served by the enigmatic

my experience of this bike tells me I may have the last laugh.

Benno. Steve and I show no signs of flagging but all the guys on

Day Five: Frühstück over I offer to lead the six strong group

the other bikes are complaining of arm pump and sore bums, no such trouble on our bikes as they continue to carry us in comfort as

on a back roads trip over to Boppard on the Rhine via Cochem on

we lope into Köblenz. Back on the F6 we travel back up the Mosel

the Mosel, a trip I have done many times, before crossing the Rhine

and into Cochem where we take a fast sweeping road out of the

by ferry and motoring home via Koblenz. The first roads are C class

valley back towards Adenau whew we are staying, the F6 really let

and are narrow and bumpy no problem for the F6 or the Crosstourer

itself down here, cornering well and gripping hard at about 100kph

although the sportsbikes following us are still smiling at our choices

the footpegs hit the deck as the bend starts to tighten. So do my

of bike. Then come the hairpin descents into Cochem. When we

muscles. The Crosstourer however is always present in my mirrors

stop for coffee by the Mosel the smiles have been replaced by open

when it comes to the bends. The sportsbikes must have deliberately

mouths “that hog can go right down and looks great in the bends”

slowed down to save us embarrassment, as they are nowhere to be

“so that bike is fully automatic?” the incredulity keeps coming. These

seen. Back at our hotel we chat about the day’s ride and the guys are

really are two odd bikes but great fun to be on. I take the Crosstourer

beginning to warm to “the hog”.

and we head down the Mosel before turning off on another tight

F6C

Endeavour Magazine | 17

Day six: A day of follow the leader, this is the day when I realise that Garmin make a far superior product to Tom Tom when we set of and quickly settle into riding at and average of 30kph across rutted cart tracks strewn with the best manure the Eiffel herds have to throw at us, an excursion into a concrete plant is also blamed upon the less that capable satnav. We carry on into some threatening clouds as far as Belgium before we stop for fuel and a coffee. Whilst re-filling the bikes Steve and I realise that they are pretty much litre for litre consuming the same quantity of fuel, not what we expected at all from the 1800cc behemoth, and another point in its favour. As we ride off in search of less rural roads I am on the Crosstourer and yet again struggling to find any love for it. I’m six foot and this thing is too tall for me, the seat is angled to steeply towards the tank and the thing rattles like Douglas Bader running for a bus. The one saving grace is the automatic gearbox which is still like a shinny new toy; it really does work well in sport mode and gives a smooth ride. When we arrive at the Nurburgring GP track

the guys are “doing the ring”, not for the Honda’s though as the insurance won’t stretch to cover use on this circuit. The Nordschleife as it is known is a redundant Grand Prix track and the scene of the famous accident of Nikki Lauda where he was badly burned. Now it is no longer a GP track it is open to members of the public to drive as quickly as they can around its 20 kilometres. It’s not for the faint hearted and is regularly closed to sweep up the wreckage, both mechanical and human, of the frequent crashes. Two of our party, one for the first time, decide to pay their €27 and take their chances.

The rest of us retire to a safe spot and wait for them to ride by.

They arrive back at the start several minutes later and still sweating with fear. After all the excitement we decide we need a leisurely ride across the mountains for lunch alongside the Mosel. Relying on the Garmin once again we take some lovely unclassified roads across the plateau and then descend through the hairpins to the rivers edge. The way the F6 moves really lends itself to this unhurried progress, not slow by any means just not in a hurry. Lunch is taken in a fabulous bistro café and we have soup with mince and peaches in

one of the downsides of the auto box presents itself when Steve

which is wonderful, unfortunately for the less adventurous it is soon

blips the throttle before shutting down and the bike leaps forward

revealed that they don’t serve chips, not even with their homemade

into a fence post, he’d forgotten to take it out of drive.

bbq grilled burger. That was the last evening we would spend on this

Day Seven: The tension is rising as this is the day when

trip as the following day we would head for the channel tunnel. The weather report was foul and it was a 5-hour ride.

VFR

18 | Endeavour Magazine

Day Eight: Up early, quick breakfast and head off. The sun was breaking through a fine mist in the Eiffel Mountains and we made the most of the dry weather, we reckoned on an hour before we would be drenched. Sadly we said goodbye to the fine twisty A roads of the region and joined the de-restricted autobahn. These roads are just superb the have no special surface and no special safety measures but all the drivers are aware of each other and drive according to traffic and weather conditions. When I had picked up the F6 I thought we would struggle to cruise at much more than 100kph due to its naked front end. Imagine my surprise when we soon settled down at 150kph for a tank full of petrol lasting around 300 kilometres. This bike just gets better and better. The Crosstourer is made for this with long legs, lazy engine and tall top gear the big screen keeps most on the wind off too. Stopping for fuel and a rest on the Belgian border the heavens open, we’ve had it really lucky

complex. 30 minutes later and we are back on British soil. If possible it’s raining even harder here and the three-hour journey back to Norfolk seems to take forever.

On reflection: In a nutshell the only thing that should stop you buying an F6 is the price, the thick end of £20.000 and the way it looks. It’s either your tasse du thé or it isn’t. As a bike it’s superb, lovely smooth powerful engine, good frame, good brakes and handles really well. Yes the pegs are way too low but I’m guessing most of the people who ride this type of bike get that and make allowances. The Crosstourer is another thing all together in essence it’s attempting to be Honda’s version of a BMW GS. Take it from someone who’s owned GS’ it isn’t. The big difference here is that the GS was built from the ground up to be a GS the Honda was a VFR1200 which now has wide bars (and huge handlebar risers due to its low headstock) and some leaky cheap plastic panniers. Ok

so far but this is payback time. Tucking myself in on the Crosstourer

it rides well and the engine is a peach but in so many other ways it

I soon realise that the screen is a double-edged sword. Due to its

disappoints. Don’t believe me? Try one for a day, try a GS I’ll leave

height and lean the rain spills off the top and then swirls in a vortex

the decision to you. That said, the Crosstourer clocked up 4,000

on my visor, it just won’t blow away unless I stand up and get into

miles without breaking a sweat and Steve had a strange love affair

the wind not only this but the buffeting it gives my head makes it

with it. You pay your money and take your choice.

ache and blurs my vision. So back to the naked F6 then and plod on through the traffic jams of the Pas de Calais and into the Eurotunnel

GoPro footage: http://bit.ly/1seVvkb

Endeavour Magazine | 19

THE TERROR OF A FORGOTTEN

DOLL

WRITTEN BY DONNIE RUST

N

othing sours the soul like being forgotten.

A doll is created and becomes alive within the

imagination of the child playing with her. Given life-

like attributes she is the visage of an eternal youth, a baby to be cared for, looked after and loved. Given golden locks of hair to be brushed, clear soft skin to be stroked, pouted cherub lips to be nursed and a calm sleeping face when laid down that open to reveal clear, bright green eyes whenever sat up the doll is designed to be a loving companion completely dependent on the child who takes responsibility for caring for it. Even the way the baby doll looks, arms outstretched and permanently searching for the loving, warm embrace of its loving mother.

But what if it doesn’t have that?

What if you were expecting such an existence, a life of being looked after and loved and are given to a family but instead of the caring, loving arms of a child you were shunted and stored in an attic. Tucked away out of sight of the people you wanted to be loved by, the people you yearned for. Imagine hearing day after day, night after night the voices of those you were supposed to belong to. The voices of those who were meant to give you love. Realizing that you had been forgotten, discarded, turned away. Imagine, while you’re stored in the dark with everything that is too valuable to throw away but not valuable enough to care about, that you can hear other toys being played with. Hear the laughter of children you would never know, the fun that you will never have.

Then, one day, decades after the initial betrayal you’re found.

Discovered by the owners of the house who’ve now grown old but with interest and even delight they pick you out of the box that has been your dungeon.

20 | Endeavour Magazine

Hope strikes you with the brightness of the light pooling out of the entrance to the attic from the warm, colourful world below but

love you. Meant to be the person to give you life - but he looks at you only in disgust.

before this warm spark of hope can grow inside you it is doused

That darkness deepens, and within the darkness something

by a cold realization that the person holding you cannot remember

stirs, something that whispers in the shadows and whose laugh is

who you are. You realize the only thing that had been keeping you

not pleasant but empty like gold glass in winter. Your intended, the

going over these long years was the blind reasoning that maybe, just

person who struck you with the ultimate betrayal puts you down for

maybe, you hadn’t been forgotten. Maybe you had been accidentally

the evening, leaving you yet again as they go and think about what

packaged and that if only they could find you that everything would

to do with you.

be okay. But now that hope curdles suddenly and something inside you snaps and blackens.

You’re removed from the attic but it’s all for nought, for the beautiful toy you were decades earlier has changed. Instead

The intended’s child, is terrified of you because it can see something the adults cannot, is tucked into bed and as the adults go to bed, holding each other and whispering words of, “I love you,” you feel that darkness inside freeze over.

of a spark, a darkness, a deep, curdling swirl of bitterness and

“I love you,” three words you’ll never hear.

disappointment forms inside you.

And your green eyes open.

You’re taken to your intended who was meant to be the one to

PHOTO CREDIT: CHRISTAYLORPHOTO.CO.UK

WEAPONS OF MASS DISTRACTION WRITTEN BY JOHN, LORD TAYLOR OF WARWICK,  @LORDJOHNTAYLOR

“S

corpion” was a 1997 episode of Star Trek, in

are the Peacemakers”. We ignore that at our peril.

which the alien race Borg possessed a “Weapon

There are still more questions than answers. The Government

of Mass Destruction”. That was fiction. In 2003

admits that sending a token 6 RAF Tornado planes to join the US

Saddam Hussein was also described as having Weapons of Mass

led bombing will not solve the problem. There are estimated to

Destruction, which left Britain with no option but to invade Iraq. This

be up to 30,000 IS soldiers spread throughout an area larger than

transpired also to be fiction. But unlike the Star Trek TV fantasy, the

Great Britain. They embed themselves into civilian communities,

invasion of Iraq led to the deaths of approximately 195,000 soldiers

using women and children as human “shields”. Bombing IS will

and civilians. Iraq remains in turmoil. On Friday 26 September, the

also inevitably cause the deaths of innocent, vulnerable people.

UK parliament voted to back air strikes against the terrorist Jihadist

The Governments admits that the war cannot be won from the

group IS (Islamic State) in Iraq. But are we just repeating the mistakes

air. So, after the air strikes, will parliament be recalled again to vote

of 2003? Will these air strikes turn out to be simply Weapons of

on whether ground troops should be sent? Friday’s vote ruled out

Mass Distraction?

any bombing in Syria. But what if IS moves into neighbouring Syria,

It is popular to portray Parliament as more “Westmonster” than

where it is said to have support and a headquarters? Will there be

Westminster. But Friday’s debate was far from war mongering in

the inevitable “Mission Creep”, resulting in hostilities being extended

its tone. There was a genuine desire to consider alternative options

there? I believe the Government has no long term plan. The decision

to more bombing in Iraq. Prime Minister Cameron described the

to send air strikes was a political gesture, primarily to appease our

“staggering brutality” of IS……beheadings, crucifixions, rape and the

allies.

slaughter of children. Gruesome videos of IS hostages, include British

How will we know when we have won? Even the Military accept

and Americans, provoked the recall of parliament for Friday’s debate.

that the ultimate solution has to be diplomatic and political. But how

It took 6 hours to debate a decision that Cameron has admitted

do we get round a table for discussions with barbaric killers like IS?

could lead to a war lasting at least 3 years, potentially costing billions

The former Foreign Secretary, William Hague, has now admitted that

of pounds.

bombing may make matters worse. Bombing could attract other militant

It is easier to enter a War than exit it. Let us not forget the Lebanon

groups in the Middle East to support the IS cause. Furthermore, an

war lasted 15 years and our troops have been in Afghanistan for 13

American led invasion has once again taken the responsibility away

years. Although we “won” the 2003 Iraq war by defeating Saddam,

from neighbouring states to own their problems. I wrote in a previous

we are losing the peace. The vacuum left after Hussein’s death has

article that countries like Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt,

been filled with terrorist groups like IS. Iraqi is killing Iraqi. Minority

Kuwait and indeed Iran have to be part of the solution. The ground

groups like Christians have been persecuted. Women are still treated

troops of the Iraq and Kurdish armies have to be strengthened to fight

as second class citizens. The bible has that telling phrase “Blessed

their own battles. I welcome the fact that Cameron met the Iran leader

22 | Endeavour Magazine

to discuss these matters. But that must be

including military components used in

followed by action, to bring an alliance of

machine guns, hand grenades and tear

Middle East nations against terrorism.

gas. It is crucial that more is done to cut

We

cannot

ignore

advice

from

off the funding and supply of weapons to

intelligence agencies like MI5 that our

IS.

Middle East policy, especially our bombing

The latest bombing campaign has

campaigns, have been a principal driver in

been “legitimised” by the fact that the Iraq

the recruitment of young British Muslims

Government asked Britain for help. But

to the terrorists cause.

We need to

the Iraq government could help itself by

engage more with organisations like the

involving more Sunnis in a previously Shia

Muslim Council of Great Britain and to

dominated political leadership. Western

encourage moderate Muslims around

meddling cannot solve the basic problem

the world to decry the actions of IS. We

of the Iraq sectarian divide. Continued

need to expand the Home Office Prevent Programme, which works with Muslim groups to help prevent angry young Muslims becoming terrorists. The very name Islamic State is a counterfeit. What they are doing is not Islamic and they are not a State.

But IS are not a bunch of poverty stricken amateurs. It has a fortune of

“

Although we «won» the 2003 Iraq war by defeating Saddam, we are losing the peace.”

sectarian instability is what IS depends on. In reality the West makes little effort to address the deep rooted ethnic and religious divisions in the Middle East.

We thought just imposing democracy in countries like Iraq was the answer. It took Britain centuries to establish a mature democracy. Why did we think Iraq could do it in only 11 years?

about £1 billion, partly from the sale of oil

Whilst I understand the reasons for

on the black market to countries like Syria.

Friday’s vote to bomb, I believe it will

It is alleged IS gets its supply of weapons

cause more harm than good in the short

mainly from Saudi Arabia. It is a chilling

term. There has to be a longer strategy,

fact that Britain’s biggest arms market

involving winning hearts and minds. You

in 2013 was indeed Saudi Arabia. We

can bomb terrorists, but you cannot bomb

approved £1.6 billion worth of exports,

terrorism.

Endeavour Magazine | 23

VW AMAROK

YOU’D BETTER MOVE ASIDE WRITTEN BY DONNIE RUST

Nothing says boss like a big car. Despite what sport car owners may think other drivers simply are not intimidated by a low profile speedsters with oversized engines and bucket seats.

They’re annoyed by them. In heavy traffic everyone will get too close to a sports car, they will not let you go at an intersection and everyone will try to bring the car to a standstill. It’s not jealousy. It’s justice. But when you’re in a pick-up truck of this sheer size and looking down at the rooftops of landrovers and range rovers you get respect in the same way an bison will get respect from a herd of sheep.

24 | Endeavour Magazine

T

he Volkswagen Amarok blurs the line between a builder’s

travelling with a full, heavy load although the engine can’t match

wagon and a family car, with off-road ability, a big load

the economy of the latest diesels you’ll find in modern SUVS which

bed and a spacious five-seater interior. They used to be

is mainly due to its size. Of course, if you’ve been driving an older

a rarity to see on UK roads, reserved for owners who needed them

pick-up you’ll be impressed by how far the Amarok can get on a tank.

for work duties rather than as an everyday car but pick-up trucks are

It’s also very stable. All of the Amarok family from the basic

becoming more common. They are just as popular in Britain as they

Startline, Trendline and the Canyon special edition come with four

are in South Africa and almost as popular as they are in America.

wheel drive that keeps the vehicle stable to the ground. As tall as

Day to day, the Amarok is probably even more usable than some

the car is it is just as wide and so on even the sharpest bends the

of the pick-ups toted out by manufacturer these days. A well built

tyres don’t leave the road. I didn’t get the chance to take this off-

and spacious interior, a huge load bed with a shutter cover which

road which I’m frankly a little saddened about because it would have

makes it useful not only to builders and sporty types but families

been a lot of fun. This car was made for offroading, while the height

as well. Also as a commercial vehicle it benefits from the usual tax

gives you fantastic view of the whole road over all the other cars,

breaks.

it’s design means that the chassis and mechanics are well above the

I was using it to move house, the second time this year and

reach of any roots, stones or rocks.

true to British weather there was sunshine throughout the packing procedure followed by torrential showers. If it weren’t for the shutter I would still be drying out my bedding and clothes.

How Does This Beast Perform?

With a 2.0 litre diesel engine, there is loads of power when

Running Costs, Miles Per Gallon With an economy of 35mpg and £210 road tax it’s not the most economical SUV on the roads today however the VW Amarok is more frugal than the Mitsubishi L200 and only slightly behind the Toyota Hilux while being able to carry more. The most economical Endeavour Magazine | 25

version of the Amarok can manage economy 36.2mpg and CO2

It is however a tall car, a very tall car, I’m six feet five inches tall

emissions of 205g/km, for road tax of £285 but bear in mind that if

and even I had a bit of a jump to get inside so I would definitely

you load it up with cargo, economy takes a bit of tumble.

suggest going for the optional grab handles and running boards to

The more powerful version costs the same to tax, and economy

make getting in and out less of a climb.

drops only slightly to 35.3mpg this is also the only engine that can be combined with an automatic gearbox which fortunately has no impact on economy.

Looking into things reveals that VW also offer a range of servicing packages to help save money on maintenance, while the warranty covers you for two years, with no mileage limit, and for a third year up to 100,000 miles. Which would suit me for another five thousand moves!

Inside And Driver Comfort For a car of this size you would be disappointed to find anything cramped on the interior. Designed, as it was for Americans, the

Fun Yes, Is It Safe?

Don’t forget this is a VW and may feel like a tank when you’re driving along the British countryside but it’s more car-like than many of its rivals. So it’s comfortable and very easy to drive but it’s still a tank. It’s solid on the inside and out and has been built with hard-work in mind. If you were involved in an accident with another vehicle there is a possibility you might not even feel it. The warranty applied by Volkswagen that covers the Amarok for the first 100k miles adds some peace of mind as well as a dual passanger and side airbags as well as ISOFIX children’s seat mounts and hill-hold assist (meaning no back roll.)

inside is vast with more than enough head space for you to wear a Stetson and the seats are widely adjustable for the bigger than average driver.

The engine is not quiet- at all- but again, I didn’t want a diesel of this size to be quiet. You don’t get into a bottle orange 4x4 that can be seen a mile away in traffic and expect to get a kitten of an engine.

Starting the engine gets birds flying from the trees and animals fleeing in panic however when cruising on the road at top gear it settles down considerably irrespective of the load. On the same note as the gruffness of the engine the suspension can be bouncy when the bed isn’t loaded up, however when considering that this is a bloody great big pick up that can carry 1,145kg of load if you’re not planning on making use of it properly you shouldn’t be driving it at all. You wouldn’t buy a work horse and put it in the Grand National.

Practical?

Assuming that you either work in an industry or have a lifestyle that demands a load bed the size of a pool while still offering room for the family you won’t find a more practical beast for the job. Working best when it has a load on this is the dream car for a managing director of a construction firm who wants to have the look of an impressive car with the style of something a bit more executive. Five people will fit comfortably inside with headroom and legroom to spare, even if they were all wearing cowboy hats and boots and assuming they don’t mind being under the shutter you could fit another four or five people in the 2.5 square metres of bed space. If this is the case and you find you have some luggage to carry the Amarok can tow up to 3000 kg. It would be a mission to overload the Amarok as even with a full cabin, a full bed and a trailer to tow its electronic stability control system has been fine tuned to keep the vehicle completely stable while pulling a trailer.

26 | Endeavour Magazine

Price More expensive than the Mitsubishi L200 and the Toyota Hilux the VW badge is packed with better features than the pair of them. The top spec Amarok comes with a number of gizmos and equipment including a climate control and heated leather seats.

Sat-Nav, electronic windows and 12v plug for charging electronic

hours I was grumpy, tired and grateful for the automatic gearbox and

devices are available in all models.

the volume of the CD player. On one of the narrow B roads leading

Prices start at £34,788 for the Canyon, representing a £626

off from the A47 to my new home I turned the corner and came face

saving if you were to buy a Trendline model and order the standard

to face with a BMW i8 a sports car that has no place being on a B

equipment on the Canyon as extras.

road at 3am in the morning.

Believing that he deserved the right of way he flashed his high

Cons And Conclusion I found the parking took some getting used to. Especially in Britain. The Amarok was not designed for British roads that were originally measured for cars the size of MINIs and VW Beetles and parking spaces designed for vehicles of less girth. Add this with the 360 degrees proximity alerts the car turns into a nervous, shrieking wreck the moment anything gets within an arm’s reach of it and with a bonnet as wide as a yacht everything on the road is within arm’s reach.

People may also make unfair comments about driving this in Britain because British drivers just aren’t ready for something of this size. I had an entire household to move and this took at least four

beams at me.

After this affront I first considered just driving forward and cleaning the remnants of the BMW from my grill in the morning but decided against it. Instead I calmly reached to the left of the steering wheel to my own high beans and unleashed the full strength of the Volkswagen Amarok’s highbeams and roof top spotlights that vaporized the BMW and the driver into dust. This could have been an error in judgment though as I had to wait for the road to stop spitting before I could drive across it.

NOTE: No actual BMWs or roads were damaged in the writing of this review and if they were there was nothing left of them to find.

trips to move everything from one house to the other and the final trip was at 3am on a Thursday morning. After driving backwards and forwards across a hundred and twenty odd miles after a full day’s work and knowing that I would be back at the office in under four

Endeavour Magazine | 27

GADGETS iWatch Understanding that without trying something new, technology will come to a complete standstill I can see why the I Watch has been invented. On paper it makes sense, it’ll mean you won’t lose your phone and its always handy. However, in practicality having a clunky phone on your wrist stands the chance of causing problems with the screen being damaged. Maybe it won’t be cracked but the touch screen will be sensitive and will only handle a certain number of knocks against car doors, walls, counter tops and desks before it starts developing faults. Additionally, even if the screen is impervious to harm the clasping mechanism isn’t going to be, and will, like any mechanism allow a certain number of clips on and clips off before they break. Is the phone waterproof? Also, in foreign countries there is a reason why phones are kept in pockets because it means they’re not stuck out on a limb that can be chopped off with a panga.

Besides, the people who are really going to geek out about having a watch-phone will find that it really slows up their sex lives before they get used to carrying the extra weight.

MOODinc Temporary, Non-Pain Tattoos $149.99 www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/41/moodinq-tattoo.shtml?srp=6 Okay, part of getting tattoos is being able to handle the pain of getting a tattoo and for many people this gadget will be akin to a person getting the physique of a star body builder without having to go to the gym. The difference being that this gadget does actually work. Sometimes you want a tattoo- sometimes you won’t- also imagine using this on one of your friends after a night out who’s passed out on the sofa. It’s quicker and easier than giving them the real thing and they’re less likely to actually shoot you afterwards.

Like spray tan and fake breasts this will become one of those gadgets many people will own but won’t admit to owning.

28 | Endeavour Magazine

Jumping Stilts £240.00 www.amazon.com/dp/B0081XMW22 I can think of many reasons why I would want to be able to jump ten feet into the air or run at twenty miles per hour. None of which can really justify buying one of these because aside from the option of being able to. Until they make a sport that can use these, hopefully along with the Unifed Weapons Master fighting suit and laser swords, this will purely be for the opportunity to say, “Yup, look what I’ve got.”

Drivemotion LED Sign Motion $30.00 www.thinkgeek.com/product/d138 Oh yes! Finally! Any and every driver in the world, everywhere will want this. Sixteen different messages are available or can be programmed into it. With the advent of autonomous, drive-less vehicles that can worry about the road you can spend your time doing what’s important and coming up with new and interesting ways to insult the boy racer behind you with his One Direction on full blast.

Endeavour Magazine | 29

TRAVEL

ARTLEGARTH LODGES CAN YOU HEAR THE GEAR CHANGE

BY DONNIE RUST

Y

ou hear that? That is the sound of no sky scrapers,

Luxury accommodation and the chance to be inspired by

no heavy traffic, no heavy industry and no unhappy,

nature’s splendour from the warmth of a hot tub? No wonder school

stressed people. That is the sound of a “gear change,” a

holidays during summer, Christmas and New Years are booked well

change in pace and this is exactly what husband and wife Neil and Jennie decided to do by exchanging the affluent city lifestyle with all of its hustle and bustle for the quiet Cumbrian countryside.

in advanced by repeat customers!

Customers stay for anywhere between three and seven nights and Neil and Jennie, who bought the lodges in May 2013, have

Offering peace and tranquillity for their guests, Artlegarth Lodges

allowed themselves the freedom to develop and change with the

comprises of three spacious real log cabin holiday homes set upon a

needs of their clients and customers, “The Lodges were first opened

seven acre landscape of private grounds with stunning fell views and

in 1986,” Jennie explains, “And when we took them over we wanted

luxurious hot tubs, “We offer our guests the opportunity to relax in

to make sure we were able to offer something special.”

ample space and total comfort,” Jennie says.

Given that many of their guests make future bookings ahead of

Neil and Jennie explain that year round the area is busy with

time, I’d say that they have definitely hit the nail on the head, which

people thanks to the high interest in walking, hiking and cycling

is impressive considering that neither of them have any background

along roads and paths famous for the picturesque beauty of the

in the hospitality industry at all.

scenery. Artlegarth Lodges also enjoys a handy proximity to the Lake District National Park and the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Neil explains that their background lies in the Waste Chemical Industry in the realms of transport, recovery, treatment and disposal

Definitely a place to chill out and relax and there are few better

in two very different roles, “Jenny has a law degree and before we

ways than to relax in the hot tubs where you can sit and enjoy

left, was Operations Director of a busy site and in charge of over

the great outdoors all year round, “The stars on a clear night are

fifty men,” he explains, “I’m a qualified chemist and worked my way

stunning,” Neil describes.

up from the yard into management. So we’re both accustomed to

30 | Endeavour Magazine

working hard to get what we want.”

Indeed, the pair of them did have the lifestyle that many people

rice paddies, whilst we volunteered at the school building bike sheds and teaching English to the children.”

would envy, great jobs, luxury cars in the garage and a penthouse

Following this, another highlight was touring through Mongolia

apartment but something was missing in their lives that took an

which was when the pair realised just how much they loved the

abrupt gear change to bring to their attention.

countryside.

“The company we worked for sold out to a large American

“During our time away we stayed in hostels, tents, campervans,

company,” Neil says, “And as the new owners began to shape the

cabins, guesthouses, B & Bs, hotels, the occasional five star hotel- as

business we found we didn’t enjoy the corporate environment that

a special treat- and even a converted train carriage,” she says, “The

was developing after we had worked for so long in a family business

more we travelled the more we learnt what inspired us and by the

where decisions are able to be made a lot faster.”

time we came home the damage had been done and we had decided

Suddenly, they were unfulfilled, working long hours and dealing

to live in the countryside and work in holiday accommodation.”

with unfamiliar office politics and the decision was made that, having

Half a year of travelling, revealed itself to have been six months

received some money from the sale for the minor shareholding, that

of research and both Neil and Jennie admit that it may sound a bit

they should give everything up and go travelling for six months. Of

clichéd that they found themselves whilst travelling, but this does

course there was no way to know the consequences this decision

beg the question why few people give themselves the chance to

would make.

experience the world in such a fashion.

“We toured New Zealand in a campervan, visited family and

“We found out what we wanted from life and having spent every

relaxed in Australia but it was once we got to Asia that we found the

single day together over six months of travelling, including some

adventure really began,” Jennie explains, “We spent some time in a

tiring and stressful days, we had no reservations about working side

small village in Vietnam, living in a bamboo stilt house surrounded by

by side too,” Jennie adds.

Endeavour Magazine | 31

It took the couple a full year to find the right place to buy and another eight months for the sale to go through. When the business

taking on three unloved cabins and for ongoing maintenance now they are in good order,”

was officially acquired there was the added challenge of having a

“And Jennie has an attention to detail bordering on OCD,”

little baby on the way. Also, the lodges had fallen to neglect and

Neil adds, “We’re both perfectionists but she prepares the cabins

were very outdated so there was a dire need to update them to their

to an nth degree. Cushions plumped, towels folded to perfection,

particular vision and what followed was an extensive renovation and

spotlessly clean, even the wooden hangers in the wardrobe have to

upgrading.

be facing the same way. We both get huge satisfaction from a job

“Even though it was a new industry to us we had extensive

well done.”

experience of being the customer from our travels,” Neil explains,

They say that they couldn’t introduce just one set way of ensuring

“And we used that to shape and enhance the guest experience from

customer satisfaction, because that is the same approach that drove

the first contact through to check out. We get such a thrill when a

them out of the big corporate world in the first place. Instead, it is

guest enthuses about their stay- we know we have done our job

a flexibility and understanding to what a guest wants, “Some guests

properly. Jennie is a romantic and loves the thought of the lodges

want privacy and to be left alone, others have ambitious hiking

providing the backdrop for treasured happy memories.”

plans and we can offer them an ordanance survey map, families with

At its core, Neil says, hospitality runs on the same methodology

bored teenagers are given golf clubs to try out the local pitch and

as any other industry. Good customer service and that the hospitality

putt. Sweets at Halloween, chocolate eggs at Easter and everyone is

and particularly the self-catering industry has survived the recession

given some Kendal mint cake to enjoy in the car on the way home,”

very well and is in a good position for the future, “Jennie had worked

Jennie says, “More often than not it’s the little things that count the

in catering kitchens in different roles during her studies which gave

most to guests.”

her a closer perspective than my own, but whether hotel, lodges or

She continues, “To make sure we are getting it right we have

waste management it’s all about being customer-centrific to deliver

customer feedback forms and Guest comment books plus numerous

the highest level or customer satisfaction possible.”

ways people can leave feedback via the internet. Our rising return

And after having worked in a large company with management systems they have been able to scale these down and implement

customer rate suggests that this individual response is ensuring a level satisfaction at least for some.”

a good system for booking, and sorting stock and consumables,

Communication with each guest at the end of their stay is

“We would say it’s our inherent personalities rather than previous

important to gauge feedback and highlight areas where they’re

employment that has really translated to our move in to the hospitality

going right and areas that can improve. Making it sound like the

industry,” Jennie says, “Neil is very handy which was very useful in

self-catering hospitality industry is less of a machine and more of an

32 | Endeavour Magazine

animal that grows and changes.

Location has also played a significant role in the success of their

If we find a real gem then we come straight back and add it to our information book so our guests know about it too.”

lodges, the beauty and magic of which keeps them ahead of their

He also adds that Jennie loves running, often entering local 10K

competition. With this in mind Neil and Jennie are dedicated to

and half marathon events but she is yet to build up the stamina to

maintain and enhance the beauty of their little patch of heaven, “A

tackle the fells whilst he much prefers the sedentary sport of coarse

key strategy is to grow the business through recommendation and

fishing.

referral rather than expensive marketing campaigns,” Jennie explains.

Landscaping of the grounds, interior décor, equipment and

Of course, moving from one industry into another as far removed

furnishings have all been improved throughout 2014 and the exterior

as chemical removal to hospitality does not come without its

woodwork is currently being refurbished but the new lodges are

obstacles and hurdles, fortunately however they have the support

going to be the focus for 2015. Completing the renovation works

of family and friends. Jennie reveals a little guiltily that in the early

on the existing lodges and building three new cabins will mean that

days when friends or family came to stay they would rarely manage

2015 will get off to a very busy start. Build time for log cabins is very

to do so without being assigned some sort of task.

quick to ensure that peace and tranquillity will soon be restored to

Neil adds, “Jennie’s parents have been an inexhaustible source of support from providing business advice, babysitting,

the site and that everyone can spend the rest of the year focusing on making happy holidays for more guests

accounting tuition, furniture upholstering and providing rent free

Currently, the investment stands at £75k that has gone into the

accommodation in their holiday cottage amongst many of things-

refurbishments and a further £350k allocated for the new lodges

we are not sure how we will ever repay them.”

and landscaping. Time is of short supply, not only with running the

Considering that it was a holiday break that was the cause of all

business and also raising a child so a lot of outsourcing has been

of this and that now their careers revolve around furnishing travellers

allocated and has proven to be a key part in ensuring the work/life

and holiday makers, families, couples and international tourists, with

balance is achieved. Neil says that the investment will bring much

the best methods of enjoying the Cumbria, how does the young

needed money into the area and create jobs for local tradesmen

family approach time off and relaxing?

and women and the long term staff for the day-to-day running of

“When we get time to relax we become tourists ourselves,” Neil reveals, “There are so many places to explore and enjoy in Cumbria that we think it will keep us going for a good while yet. We love

the site.

“We want to enjoy being here as much as anyone else,” they conclude.

trying new walks, visiting attractions and exploring villages and towns followed by sampling some of the local fare in a café or pub.

Endeavour Magazine | 33

JOIN THE SPORT OF KINGS WITH THE LITTLEGATE RACING CLUB We are proud to introduce you to The Littlegate Racing Club

L

ittleGate Publishing are the proud Title sponsor of the Littlegate Racing Club, taking the opportunity to reach out further afield, making their publications that much

more unique, connecting with their readers and networks in a unique setting – as a King in the sport of Kings!

34 | Endeavour Magazine

What are the benefits?

1. Hospitality

the early morning and discover every tiny details of the work which goes into preparing these athletes for the competition, finally we

By becoming a member of the Littlegate Racing Club, we are invited to the best race meetings worldwide as well as visiting private studs. These great moments are each an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the world of racing and as a result experience even more pleasure from your new life as an owner and perhaps expand your network in the surroundings of the Sport of

look forward to experiencing the thrill of her first race and most importantly hopefully her first win!

3. Prize money We chose to have our first horse Baroness Courbertain train and race in France, the decision wasn’t only made because of the

Kings as a King.

amazing food and wine we will be having in Bordeaux but also

2. Living the excitement of owning a horse

the world; the average purse in a flat race in France is €20,800,

because the prize money in French racing is among the highest in

In the first instance, we are discovering the fascinating universe of racing thoroughbreds we are meeting other like minded people whom are members, we can visit the training centre at anytime where Baroness Dreams is training to see her being exercised in

compared with €17,750 in Britain and €13,750 in the United States.

Training costs in France are less than half the average in Britain and are comparable to costs in the United States.

The club only has 10 shares and it’s by invitation only, we are very keen on keeping the access to only likeminded people.

For more information, visit www.agelouhorseracing.com/littlegate.html Endeavour Magazine | 35

36 | Endeavour Magazine

PROTAN 0047 3222 1600 WWW.PROTAN.NO

QUALITY IN EVERYTHING WRITTEN BY DON CAMPBELL

Appreciating the range of companies and businesses that need to be involved in mining to keep things progressing safely is a hefty task. It is easier, instead, to look at which companies are involved in keeping people alive. Endeavour Magazine was keen to speak with the minds behind Protan, the company responsible for bringing clean breathable air to people working kilometres underground.

Endeavour Magazine | 37

PROTAN

Protan is a company with a complex and varied history. What is now the leading supplier of single ply PVC roofing, technical textiles and ventilation ducts for underground tunnelling and mines started life in 1939 as a producer of additives for seaweed based food products, “The transition from one to the other was based on organic development and change,” says Erik Oyno CEO of Protan, “As markets changed we changed with them. The denominator has always been quality though.”

uality is a defining characteristic of Protan as a business,

Q

A word that both Eric and Pal use is “obsessed,” to describe the

which employs over seven hundred people across three

level of attention the technicians and highly trained production

main divisions comprising of two production plants in

staff have towards developing their products and it isn’t just in

Norway and one in Poland. In Norway they produce roofing for the

the ventilation ducting, “All of our products are made to last,” Eric

real estate market and ventilation for tunnelling and mining while

explains, “For example our roofing products are made to last longer

in Poland they produce technical textiles for larger PVC and flood

than three decades.”

control systems.

Quality In Product From Quality In Staff Ventiflex, Protan’s flexible ventilation systems are the most

The reason for this, he continues quite simply, is that when you’re building a house you build it to last. A house’s worth is determined by its ability to last through the environmental and living conditions that all homes are exposed to. With this in mind, their products last a long time because their customers expect them to.

innovative in the world and crucial for the ongoing productivity of

Eric goes on to say that their quality has given them a reputation

the mining industry. This product, hundreds of kilometres of which

that often precedes them and that potential customers who may

can be found in Scandinavia, Europe, South America and Africa,

choose another company who perhaps offer a lower price for

is necessary to provide miners with the air they need to breathe.

their products, almost inevitably find their way to Protan when

When the product you’re supplying is responsible for the very lives

the quality of the other company lets them down, “It is because

of people there is only one standard of quality that will do and Protan

of this that we aim for the business to business market, targeting

is fairly obsessed with making sure that their product is as reliable as

the real-estate companies and the business owners who would be

humanly possible.

able to understand the importance of quality over price. It’s always

Uniquely durable, agile and low weight the ventilation products

worthwhile to find the customers who would focus on this.”

falling under the brand of Ventiflex are designed to last decades,

This is not to say that Protan’s prices are unreasonable or non-

allowing for reuse and require very little maintenance, “All of our

negotiable, on the contrary they are purely as affordable as they

products are fire retardant, fire proof and resistant to chemicals,”

can be given the superior material methods that they use for their

Ventiflex Sales Director Pal Fossum explains, “We test everything at

production and the lengths at which they have gone to ensure that

home and expose the products to a barrage of tests to see if there

the product will last. They are often able to match the prices but

are any issues,”

exceed expectations on quality. As an example of the outstanding

38 | Endeavour Magazine

protan.com

Providing fresh air into mountains

PROTAN

quality is the multi layered textile within the ventilation ducts which

which each individual participates in,” he says, “All seven hundred

Pal was kind enough to explain, “There is a textile inside the duct

employees in all levels participate and this is aimed at dealing with

that limits tearing,” he says, “It isn’t woven but knitted inside which

any issues affected the employees before they become problems.”

limits the tearing and prevents leakages or internal friction which

He goes on to reveal that five weeks ago the mayor of the city

in turn saves energy and money. We also custom design all of the

in Poland where one of the production plants is located wrote to

products to the needs of each tunnel or mine.”

them and congratulated them on their philosophy and the manner in

As careful as their customers may be in installing the vents,

which they look after and develop their staff. Adding that he wished

mines are crude places with hundreds of people and large equipment

other businesses in Poland operated with such an open level of

moving in and out through the course of the day and accidents as

communication between management and employees.

well as expected wear and tear take place so steps like the above were taken to make the Ventiflex hardier, “We communicate openly

2015

and regularly with our customers and keep ontop of the maintenance

Being highly invested in Norway, with it comprising of 20% of

of the ducts by this we’re able to highlight any areas where we can

their market, Erik says that the market was buoyant until recently

improve.”

where it has slowed down a little, “Norway is typically counter

Erik says that twenty percent of their business is found local in

cyclical,” he explains, “We’re fuelled by the north-sea oil and we

the Norway market and the rest is made up of exporting products

are only now experiencing the financial crisis that had hit the rest

which has given Protan an extensive global footprint but little of this

of the world a couple of years ago. We’ve regained the focus on

would be possible if not for their focus on their own staff.

the Norweigian market and were able to regain our profits and our

The development of their seven hundred staff is something

market share,”

that CEO Erik Oyno takes very seriously, “We have an ongoing

2015 is looking promising too, “We’re highly export driven,” he

employment survey and development programme called Pro-Active

adds, “And there are many European markets for the roofing industry

40 | Endeavour Magazine

that we have not entered into. Specifically the German market,” The Germans have a very high quality requirement, he reveals, “So they appreciate our product and our standards. They do have a strong- labour union and strong ties between the roof contractors and the suppliers of roof material but we are overcoming this hurdle by selling to end user. To real-estate owners or main contractors.”

As far as ventilation is concerned, the mining industry around the world is having to push harder and dig deeper than ever before.

More tunnels, more mines, more work underground is good news for Ventiflex who will continue bringing air underground.

“Our product is probably the best there is at the moment,” Pal explains, “At least by official standards, we’re ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 approved and externally scrutinized so when we say that we’re the best we mean it officially.”

Also as far as development is concerned, Ventiflex is probably at the best it’s going to be for a moment, “New materials will determine the changes,” he says, “And we’re always on the look out for those opportunities. I’m very excited about the possibilities of new hightech ideas entering the mines and interfacing with our own.”

“

Our product is probably the best there is at the moment” Erik Oyno CEO of Protan

Endeavour Magazine | 41

42 | Endeavour Magazine

BANEDANMARK 0045 8234 0000 WWW.BANE.DK

HIGH SPEED STEEL WRITTEN BY AMY TOCKNELL

Taking charge of the prestigious, eight-year, Copenhagen to Ringsted rail line project, Banedanmark is innovating at every turn in order to provide Denmark with its first ever high-speed railway.

Endeavour Magazine | 43

BANEDANMARK

As Denmark moves into the technological age its 5.6 million strong population can look forward to increased departures, shorter travelling times and a far more reliable service. With such a huge responsibility to live up to, the project had to be awarded to a company that not only understood the importance of the endeavour, but also the significant impact it will have on the passengers using the service.

W

could offer and meet an impressive completion

accordance with the Danish Ministry of Transport and Energy, with

time, within budget and with minimal disruption

a team of 2,500 staff based throughout the country, but all working

to the existing service was vital, leading to Banedanmark being

together in strict accordance with the company values and visions.

awarded the contract. This was not a huge surprise as they pride

The Copenhagen-Ringsted project has necessitated an even more

themselves on ‘providing the foundation that makes it possible for

cohesive working style, overseen by Project Director Jan Schneider-

trains to run in Denmark’.

Tilli who looked for inspiration from previous successes throughout

ith such elements firmly in mind, a company that

Despite the gravity of the project, Banedanmark are at home working under pressure and being,

A

state-owned

organisation,

Banedanmark

operates

in

Europe, “The new railway will achieve a doubling of passenger and freight

“…responsible for 2,323 km of railway tracks. Approximately

transport and provide the potential for optimising capacity and usage

3,000 trains run on the rail network every day, which adds up to

on adjacent lines. Because no similar tracks have been constructed

almost 1 million trains a year. On a daily basis, we are responsible

in Denmark in recent times we will place emphasis on learning

for 40,000 arrivals and departures at stations all over Denmark.

from comparable projects abroad. Holland, Belgium and France are

More than 170 million passengers and 15 million tons freight are

among the countries from where we will acquire knowledge and

transported annually on our network.”

experience with regard to high-speed railways. This applies both to

With such impressive figures in mind, it seems only natural that the company would seek to provide Denmark with its first high-speed line, geared towards reliable commuter services and commercial freight travel.

44 | Endeavour Magazine

procurement of materials and hire of employees as well as when we exploit economies of scale and technological opportunities.”

The 10.4 billion Danish Krone budget may spark queries as to how necessary the new dual track line is, but Banedanmark, along

BANEDANMARK

with the Ministry of Transport, have identified a clear need.

‘merely’ building a brand new dual track, stretching 60km, new

“The current line has become a bottleneck when working at

platforms, stations, connections and renovations would also be

full capacity. The new track will result in a significantly improved

vital. No problem for the team at Banedanmark who are ambitious,

timetable with more departures, shorter travel time and fewer delays.

qualified and visionary in equal measure and recognise that,

As Denmark’s first high speed rail line it will contribute significantly to meeting the transport requirements of the future.”

The need is clear and incorporates a nod to the organisation’s mission of, “Towards 2020, we create the Railway of Tomorrow, that makes it possible to double the rail transport of passengers and freight.”

With the necessity justified, what exactly will Banedanmark need to do in order to provide Denmark with its first passenger trains

“Improved rail connections are imperative if the railway is to be an attractive option for passengers and freight transport in the future.

More efficient train services contribute significantly to increased mobility and development of society on a sustainable basis.”

This notion of the sustainable development of society is particularly interesting and sets the company apart from many of its competitors., something Banedanmark must be aware of as it is proud to highlight its ongoing ‘dialogue with citizens’,

capable of speeds up to 250km/h? The preparatory work alone

“Banedanmark maintains close contacts with citizens, particularly

took close to three years, due to the size of the project, but did

landowners affected by the project. In part this is in relation to

enable the organisation to initiate relationships with a number of

temporary or permanent expropriations but it is also with regard to

native and international consultants. These experts were brought

measuring and drilling, nature studies, archaeological excavations

on board from 2010 in order to assist with drillings, archaeological

and so on. This is achieved through meetings, phone calls and

investigations and even formed part of the decision making team

correspondence.”

which finalised the route of the new line.

With preparations complete, the first phase of construction began in 2012, revealing the enormity of the task at hand. Far from

FOR ARKIL’S CUSTOMERS QUALITY IS CRUCIAL

... THIS IS WHY WE DO OUR JOB PROPERLY As a contractor, we provide solutions that must last for generations.

This is why Arkil’s customers can count on us to carry out our work properly and completely. This is also the case when we build railways.

46 | Endeavour Magazine

But it is not just those directly affected by construction works that are being considered. In an unprecedented move for construction organisations,

“Banedanmark

take

on a large scale is progressing

nature and cultural heritage

the project entirely on schedule.

along the line into consideration.

Currently in the third year

The project will be administered

of construction works, 2016

according

Museum

promises to be an exciting year

Act at construction locations

in the project with the erection

and will work closely with the

of the new Køge Nord Station

Danish Agency of Culture. It

widely anticipated ahead of

will also comply with the Nature

railway technology completion.

Conservation Act and do so in

One thing is for certain, 2018,

collaboration with the Nature

the

Agency.

Construction

year, is set to be the dawning

Minister

of a new age for Denmark,

Act

and

to

will

The the

the

of

projected

Transport give the authority

both

for Banedanmark to administer

domestic commuters, thanks to

these two acts.”

Banedanmark.

Given a stringent eight-year timeframe, it is unsurprising that an organisation so adept at

providing

infrastructure,

management and information

commercially

completion

and

for

“

Improved rail connections are imperative if the railway is to be an attractive option for passengers and freight transport in the future. More efficient train services contribute significantly to increased mobility and development of society on a sustainable basis.”

Endeavour Magazine | 47

48 | Endeavour Magazine

PEMEX MEXICO 0052 55 1944 2500 WWW.PEMEX.COM

BILLION DOLLAR ENTERPRISE WRITTEN BY KATIE RICHARDSON

As the world’s eighth largest petroleum producer generating annual revenues of £9bn, Pemex Mexico is a strategic corporation, always looking to expand its ever growing empire and explore lucrative ventures. Endeavour Magazine explores its latest and most ambitious project to date; the Tsimin Xux Petroleum Subsea Pipeline Scheme

Endeavour Magazine | 49

PEMEX MEXICO

The biggest enterprise in Mexico and one of the largest companies in Latin America, Pemex, established in 1938, is one of the few oil companies in the world that develops all the productive chain of the industry, from exploration to distribution and commercialise end products, including petrochemicals. Ranking 13th in crude oil reserves, according to the US Energy Information Administration, US Crude Oil Imports by Country 2011, a subsidiary of Pemex, PemexRefinación (Pemex-Refining) processes, transports and markets a wide range of products derived from crude oil.

T

hese include gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, fuel oil, asphalts, liquid petroleum gas (LPG), lubricants and other refined oil products. In 2007, Pemex-Refinación produced

1.312m barrels per day of refined products (including dry gas byproducts of the refining process).

As of the end of 2007, Pemex-Refinación owned and operated six refineries: Cadereyta, Madero, Minatitlán, Salamanca, Salina Cruz and Tula, three of which have deep conversion processes available.

The refineries comprise of atmospheric and vacuum distillation units where the bulk of crude oil input is processed. Secondary processing facilities include desulphurisation units and facilities for catalytic cracking, reforming and hydro-treating.

During 2007, these refineries processed 1.27m barrels per day of crude oil (210,000 barrels at Cadereyta, 141,000 barrels at Madero, 170,000 barrels at Minatitlán, 188,000 barrels at Salamanca, 272,000 barrels at Salina Cruz and 289 thousand barrels at Tula), which consisted of 742,000 barrels per day of Olmeca and Isthmus crude oil and 528,000 barrels per day of Maya crude oil. Figures from 2012 show total revenue from Pemex amounted to MEX $1,647,000,000,000 (one trillion 647 billion), earned an income of MEX $905bn, and investment reached MEX $311bn.

Crude history Fuel oil, automotive gasoline and diesels represent the bulk of Pemex-Refinación’s production. In 2007, fuel oil represented 23%, gasoline represented 35% and diesels represented 25% of total refined product production. Jet fuel represented 5% and 50 | Endeavour Magazine

LPG represented 2% of total production of refined products. The remainder of Pemex- Refinación’s production consisted of a variety of other refined products. As a result of the strategy of investing in technology to improve the quality of fuels, over the past several years Pemex-Refinación has increased its production of unleaded gasoline and all of the company’s automotive gasoline production now consists of unleaded gasoline. In addition, the subsidiary has introduced new environmentally sound products such as Pemex Diesel, with 0.05% sulphur content. The share of Pemex Diesel as a percentage of total diesel produced by Pemex-Refinción increased from 94% in 2003 to 98% in 2007.

Project plans The £1.8bn Tsimin Xux Petroleum Subsea Pipeline Scheme is one of the most substantial endeavours from the venerated company to date. An ambitious project, it aims to compete in the above-average of “discovery to production in only two years.” Comprising of ten contracts in three sets, the enterprise aims to be one-of-a-kind and will take shape through a number of stages.

Integrated Drilling Services include drilling rigs and their operation, drilling and completion materials (drill bits, fluids, etc.) and

Endeavour Magazine | 51

PEMEX MEXICO

services (logging, cementing, perforating, installation of artificial lift

compression and other onshore facilities (infrastructure, processing

systems, etc.), all well components, except tubing. All of these goods

equipment and accessories; electrical, safety, instrumentation and

and services will be bundled together in an integrated contract of

control systems), pipelines, and connections, among others and a

USD $10.5bn. Well intervention services include rigs and their

USD $1.4bn contract. Onshore pipelines include procurement of the

operation, drilling fluids, coiled tubing operations, stimulation and

required pipe, trenching, pipe laying, special crossings, hydrostatic

hydraulic fracturing, and perforations, among other services at a

tests, connections, and start-up of the built lines at a cost of USD

cost of USD $7.4bn.

$0.3bn.

According to preliminary estimates in 2013 for contracting

Platform transport and installation include the transportation of

processes; SSAP/ A.T. Kearney, there are growing needs for nitrogen

Jacket and Deck structures; and their hoisting and installation, using

in the Southern Region 2013-18. Therefore, it is Pemex’s intention

crane barges or by float-over method. Contracts for transporting and

to promote competition and diversify sources and a new long term

installing structures are currently under construction at a cost of USD

contracting strategy is in process. There will be the procurement of

$0.3bn. Technical consulting and engineering service plans include

specialised materials and equipment needed for well interventions

technical, operational and administrative support by specialised

(trees, mud line suspension, accessories, etc. for both onshore and

firms, who provide designed services for structures, pipes and

offshore) at a cost of USD $0.5bn.

facilities, technical advice, and on-site support in specific projects.

Subsea pipelines include pipe procurement, transport, pipeline

Processing equipment contracts will include the procurement of

laying, connections, and hydrostatic tests, and will be grouped into

specialised process equipment, such as burners, measurement

24 contracts with a total estimated value of USD $1.9bn from 2013-

equipment, and separators, among others, costing USD $0.4bn.

2015. The platforms construction contracting strategy will include

In September 2014, it was reported that PEMEX has “expressed

material and equipment procurement, structure manufacturing,

interest” in trading deals with the US, concerning imports of its lighter

transporting and installing, and systems connection and testing, with

crude, in exchange for the heavier Mexican variety. This drive would

a contract of USD $1.8bn. The Hook Up and Modernisation Works;

be a way around a 40-year old prohibition on export, currently in

offshore platforms’ contract will include procurement of pipeline

place in response to the Arab oil embargo in 1973, to reach overseas

connection materials and platform modernisation, including safety,

markets. With crude oil production remaining stable in recent years,

instrumentation, and control systems, among others, at a contract

the decision rests with President Obama’s administration. With the

of USD $1.1bn.

Tsimin Xux scheme behind it, the argument for potential global trade

Onshore facilities includes the modernisation of separation, gas

interest with Pemex could be very strong indeed.

McDermott offers a unique combination of project excellence driven by international standards, a leading safety culture, and structured approach to talent management and career development. With established operations in Mexico supporting the country’s expansion into deepwater and complex projects, we offer a full suite of engineering solutions from global engineering offices, including Mexico City, a proven fabrication facility within Altamira Port, and specialized vessels to support shallow and deepwater projects. Our culture is characterized by people with high integrity, delivering high performance, who are committed to improving the quality of life within the communities in which we live and work.

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52 | Endeavour Magazine

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© 2014 McDermott Internacional, Inc. Derechos Reservados.

54 | Endeavour Magazine

ALPINE LOUNGE 0027 21 9517150 WWW.ALPINELOUNGE.CO.ZA

LUXURIOUSLY COMFORTABLE WRITTEN BY JACK SLATER

South Africa’s factories are locked in an increasingly daunting struggle in the teeth of Chinese import penetration, says an executive of the country’s premium and longest surviving furniture manufacturer.

And in a call for a hard line shift away from the country’s open door trade policies, he warns that a strong, large manufacturing sector is essential if South Africa is to make inroads into its massive jobless issue.

Endeavour Magazine | 55

ALPINE LOUNGE

“We have a huge unemployment problem in South Africa, probably 30% to 35% at least, and it’s absolutely essential for us to maintain some sort of stability to get these people into jobs,” says Lawrence Van Der Merwe of Alpine Lounge, Cape Town. “Only the large employers can do this on the necessary scale. It’s our duty, but we are finding it increasingly difficult to do this, bombarded as we are with imports from the East.”

H

is analysis is backed by a report this month from a British university which says in the ten years up to 2010, 77, 000 South African jobs and $900m in

revenue from trade were lost to the influx of Chinese products into Africa. Chinese competition says Professor Rhys Jenkins from the School of Development Studies at the University of East Anglia,

Vitafoam SA is the largest producer of Flexible Polyurethane Foam in South Africa and has been in existence for over 35 years. Its range of products is comprehensive and offers solutions to a multitude of technical problems in a variety of markets.

negatively impacts South Africa’s manufacturing sector, crowds out exports to other African countries and aggravates unemployment.

Van Der Merwe is unsurprised. Operations and Technical Director at Alpine Lounge which is part of the Bravo manufacturing Group – the company he joined as a trainee 38 years ago – he has seen the domestic furniture-making sector reel under the impact of Chinese imports whose overall local market share he puts at over 50%.

“The Chinese have been active in South Africa since 2003-2004.

In the early period what was coming in was a relatively inferior product – local manufacturers were not too concerned – but over the following years the improvement in product quality has been phenomenal. That competition is hitting us hard and we are facing an enormous challenge.

“Loyal customers we had had for so many years now import freely, and we are finding it increasingly difficult to stay afloat.

56 | Endeavour Magazine

You just have to try all avenues to available markets – we’ve tried most – and it’s becoming more and more difficult to survive as a manufacturer.”

As Van Der Merwe says, adaptability in the face of constant market challenge is reflex strategy for Alpine Lounge. From modest beginnings in 1969, its impressive growth and reputation has been driven by flexible response as well as design, high product quality and innovation. A specialist supplier to the retail sector, it long ago switched away from entry and middle market lounge furniture into the niche, premium quality high-end sector, focussing since 1996 on leather upholstered lounge products.

Alpine Lounge’s Cape Town facility is world class, with sustained investment in computer-aided design and cutting equipment delivering predictable quality and minimal cutting waste. “You could take our factory and put it anywhere in today’s technologically advanced manufacturing environment. Technologically we are proud to be in line with what is happening in the most modern of factories, and we manufacture as cost-effectively as possible while at the same time employing a large workforce of 650 people.”

With Chinese products now competing at the highest level of quality and innovation, Alpine Lounge is focussing on motion furniture – reclining chairs – and Africa-specific leathers. “What differentiates us is that as far as possible we concentrate on using

Endeavour Magazine | 57

ALPINE LOUNGE

local African bovine leathers, whereas most of those used on

taken the direct route to market, selling to the end consumer. We

imports, are developed from India’s water buffalo. Our leather range

haven’t done this and our brand is still with the retailer. But it is a

is uniquely African, a rustic-type, full aniline range which bears all

key challenge going forward and we believe that La-Z-Boy is going

the scars and marks, and so in a sense tell a story about the animal

to give us the momentum to expand the brand as we move into the

and it’s habitat.

future”

“The hides used are predominantly from free-ranging sustained

Up until three years ago Alpine Lounge’s market was principally

cattle herds. We also use game skin namely Oryx Gazella, which is

South Africa and Namibia. Since then it has moved into Mozambique,

a Namibian desert antelope. Quantities are limited due to a strict

Angola and Zimbabwe, and is now looking at Zambia and Ghana.

controlled culling program which is necessary and in keeping with

“We are pushing northwards but it’s not an easy market; you’ve

our country’s wild life policies.

got to get your connections right to be able to trade successfully in

Britain’s commercial lounge market took 40% of the Alpine

Africa. But so far so good.”

Lounge output until ten years ago – “when we got blown out by the

Meantime, with this month’s figures showing another rise in

Chinese”-this is one export market showing early growth. “Discerning

manufacturing job losses, and Professor Rhys Jenkins report on

lounge customers want something different, natural and good.”

South Africa and the China Factor, Lawrence van der Merwe says

Alpine Lounge entered the motion or reclining furniture niche in

enough is enough.

early 2000, buying in mechanisms from a US manufacturer which

““Where do we go from here? We have to realise the Chinese are

itself became victim of Far East imports, with job losses running into

here to stay. They are now mass-manufacturing products as good

thousands. Now in a recent move Alpine has won the all-Africa

as – if not better than – any Western company, and their quality is

manufacturing and distribution licence with the US global name,

steadily improving… and the reason is simple: they employ the Best

La-Z-boy “Most of the larger international manufacturers

in the West to guide them in development and design.

have

“The Chinese have grown on the back of western imports. The West has fuelled the Chinese economy by sending in the latest techniques and best expertise available and instructing them. They have capitalised out of the Chinese imports – the USA has been the main instigator here – and of course now it’s turned around and bitten them.”

Does he see a contradiction between the Government’s job creation priority and its open door import policy? “Yes I do. Take Brazil as an example of a country on the same level as us, a country with a major unemployment problem. Over the past four years they have seen a major improvement in their economy. And to get more Brazilians into work they have simply banned the importation of products which they themselves can manufacture. As a result they’ve got the juices flowing, their shoe and clothing industry is back on track, and the economy is on the road to recovery.

“South Africa should copy the example of Brazil and other countries with a similar approach. As it is we have very free trading rules in place – the Government is very pro-China in this respect – and all in all I think it’s too free. We could do with a more stable currency to encourage exports, and import duties on furniture should be in line with clothing and shoes which have recently been increased to revive local manufacturing. When you create jobs people have a bit of dignity. They can feed their families, put a roof over their heads, and ultimately contribute to the tax burden borne by so few tax payers. If we want to employ people in this country we will have to take the hard line.”

58 | Endeavour Magazine

60 | Endeavour Magazine

OMNICANE 00230 212 3251 WWW.OMNICANE.COM

NATION

WITH A

SWEET TOOTH WRITTEN BY JACK SLATER

Sugar says Jacques M. d’Unienville, Chief Executive Officer of its largest producer, Omnicane, “is the history of Mauritius. The nation was built around sugar.”

Endeavour Magazine | 61

OMNICANE

But what is built can fall. And this volcanic island of lagoons and palm-fringed beaches in the Indian Ocean has a fabled mascot - and legendary victim of ill fate - the dodo.

S

o when in 2009 the EU removed trade preferences underpinning quality and export price, it might have been wondered whether Mauritius’ sugar industry would

follow the fate of that flightless, once indigenous bird, now extinct for 300 years.

“You’re right. The Mauritius sugar industry could have gone along that way,” laughs d’Unienville. “At Omnicane we had a choice

Going the extra smile with you.

of phasing out of sugar or to survive and remain competitive. This last option is the one we took.”

Mauritius itself diversified into textiles, upmarket tourism, banking and business process outsourcing, while the sugar industry was forced to cut costs and add value to survive.

And no company has taken this pathway more successfully than Omnicane. Traditionally a major sugar mill organisation with origins reaching back to the 1850s, its current offering is significantly more diverse, reaching out from sugarcane, refined sugar and bio ethanol, to power plants and most recently, the hospitality business.

Launched in July 2009 through a strategic re-branding of MonTrésor-MonDésert, Omnicane has been proactive in its approach to stabilise not only its own operations, but also the island’s economy. And as a result the future now looks brighter both in terms of further expansion and development into Africa.

“What we did was necessary, with vision from the private sector, government and workforce making it possible to survive

Tel 405 6400 www.toyotamauritius.com

62 | Endeavour Magazine

and hopefully a very successful reconversion,” says Jacques M. d’Unienville

OMNICANE

For cost cutting, Omnicane took a centralisation route, closing

expansionary agenda, with a 25% share in the construction of a 200

seven of the eight factories it was operating ten years ago, and

million dollar sugar complex in Kenya, south of Mombasa. Production

focussing operations on one unit, at the flexi-factory at La Baraque,

of both sugar and electricity is scheduled to start there next June.

with a crushing capacity of 9,000 metric tonnes of cane per day.

With a capacity of 3,000 tonnes of cane per day, it will include

Being the only one to have adopted the diffuser technology on the

an 18 megawatt power plant running on bagasse, and is expected

island, it is one of the most modern and energy efficient sugar cane

to boost competition in the sugar industry where manufacturers

mill in the region.

continue to be bogged down by high production costs due to use of

Simultaneously thermal energy operations at La Baraque and

old technology. Other African projects include the development of a

Saint Aubin are now generating some 28 percent of exported

5 MW hydroelectric power plant in Rwanda, due to be operational

electricity to the national grid.

in 18 months.

“Before, we produced raw sugar and molasses that were both

“Our vision is to be a significant regional sugar and electricity

exported wWe have now moved up the value chain, investing in

producer and develop further value-added activities,” says

the cane cluster at La Baraque moving up the value chain by

d’Unienville. The recent strategic alliance with a British company,

producing direct consumption refined sugar for Europe, bio ethanol

Liverpool-based The Real Good Food Company plc, and its sugar

from molasses, bio fertilisers from vinasseand with the bagasse -

division Napier Brown - Europe’s leading independent non-refining

the fibres of the sugar cane - we are generating electricity for the

sugar distributor - is a striking example. “We want to have more

national grid in a substantial way.”

integration into our products and make the most of value-addidition.”

While Mauritius is close to optimizing its full biomass energy

And while Omnicane continues to roll out its diversification

potential, on the African continent there remains much to do, says

strategies, the main challenges says d’Unienville are the careful

d’Unienville.

monitoring of growth and matching expansion with financial

Unsurprisingly, Africa holds a central position on Omnicane’s

64 | Endeavour Magazine

resources.

“This is why last year we went through a 100 million US dollars

The prospects for developing sugar clusters in Africa are, says

bond issue with a multi-currency facility. So far, we have raised two

Omnicane’s CEO, “fantastic. First of all, it is a food industry, and

tranches out of the three and each has been oversubscribed.”

secondly it provides energy, which in terms of electricity many

Omnicane’s most radical diversification - into the hospitality sector - is flag shipped by a 140 room business hotel – Holiday Inn Mauritius Airport close to the fast-expanding airport.

regions desperately need.

Sugar plantations are very environmentally-friendly, one of the best carbon converters and with substantial social benefits.”

Scheduled to open in December, the hotel is part of a 25-30

The challenge for Mauritius, says d’Unienville, is to be a hub

year development plan that includes office parks and residential

provding services for the development of Africa and acting as a link

properties.

between Asia and Africa.

Social and environmental responsibilities are core to the

“Mauritius is in a very privileged position between two extremely

company’s culture and philosophy. “We strive to be an inspiration

dynamic zones; Asia - with China and India the economic engines -

for sustainable development in all our activities. We have a long

and Africa with vibrant economies and healthy growth rates.

term vision, and to be sustainable we have to care for the social and environmental needs,” says Jacques M. d’Unienville

“The cane industry is at the centre of three very important elements; food, energy, and environment. Six years ago we took the

Through its corporate social responsibility initiatives, Omnicane

option of rising to a great challenge: there was no mid-way option.

has established real partnerships for sustainable human and

Now we are into a very dynamic operational field and very much

community development in the vicinity of its main operating

right with our timing.

locations.

“In all our activities we are concerned to be environmentally

“I am very passionate about what we are doing and very excited about it.”

friendly aiming towardswith zero waste and generating as much renewable energy as is achievable.”

Endeavour Magazine | 65

66 | Endeavour Magazine

CARDIO3 BIOSCIENCES 0032 1039 4100 WWW.C3BS.COM

HAND ON YOUR HEART WRITTEN BY JACK SLATER

Here is a frankly, terrifying statistic. A person living to the age of forty has a one in five risk of developing heart failure and once the disorder is apparent a one in three chance of dying within a year of diagnosis. In light of this, we took a look at the Belgian company that is making real headway into the treatment and the development of treatments of this disease. Cardio 3 Biosciences.

Endeavour Magazine | 67

CARDIO3 BIOSCIENCES

Headquartered in Mont-Saint-Guibert in Belgium, Cardio 3 Biosciences is a biopharmaceutical company, that was founded in 2007 to focus on the discovery, development and commercialization of regenerative and protective therapies for cardiovascular diseases. Captained by Christian Homsy who, in the role of Chief Executive Officer has been leading the company since its inception seven years ago Cardio 3 Biosciences stands a beacon of hope for millions of people across the globe.

P

revious to his current role, Christian worked for at the Guidant Corporation, a leading medical device company that is highly active in the treatment of cardiovascular

disease. While there he gained invaluable experience in senior research and development, marketing, business development and sales and even founded the Guidant Institute for Therapy Development. The institute has become a landmark facility for the education of physician and healthcare professionals and has gained international recognition and praise.

While there Christian excelled in building businesses with wellrespected teams and is responsible for many of the standards that are used inside and outside of the organization. Just before he joined Cardio 3 Biosciences he was general manager of Medpole, a European incubator dedicated to initiating the European operations for startup businesses in the fields of medical devices and biotechnology. A physician by training he received an MBA from the IMV in Lausanne, Switzerland and holds a director mandate in Medpole SA. “The aim of our therapies is to protect the heart during myocardial injury,” Christian reveals, “To reduce the volume of the scarring and to reconstruct damaged heart tissue,” The issue faced is that current therapies palliate symptoms rather than address the loss of a viable functional myocardium which is, ultimately, the root of heart failure, “Our aim is to develop novel regenerative therapies to treat illnesses where cardiac tissue is lost due to a chronic or acute injury,” Cardio3

BioSciences’

product

candidates

and

research

programmes are based on the breakthrough proprietary Cardiopoiesis 68 | Endeavour Magazine

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technology platform, which is in turn based upon fundamental

Unfortunately, currently HF cannot be cured or repaired and

research conducted at Mayo Clinic. There are three realms in total

most of the current therapies can only reduce the severity of the

where the company work and this include tackling cardiovascular

symptoms and little more. There are drug therapies that can be

diseases, heart failure and acute myocardial infarction.

used to relieve suffering and improve the quality of life and medical devices such as pace makers and heart pumps that have improved

Cardiovascular Diseases

the function of a damaged heart but so far no treatment has been

Christian explains that cardiovascular diseases generally comprise conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels in the body that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain or stroke.

There are a variety of cardiovascular issues such as coronary artery disease, heartbeat rhythm problems and heart and valve defects that people are born with. The largest cause of mortality in the world cardiovascular diseases claim more lives than cancer and

developed that can demonstratively regenerate or generate new muscle tissue within the scarred regions of a heart.

“It’s because of this that regenerative therapies, with the goals of rebuilding a non-functional organ is so important,” Christian says, “As it would offer new hope to patients who otherwise have limited choices as well as lead the way to curing a disease so many of us could be facing.”

infectious diseases. World Health Organisation statistics for 2008 show that close to one in three deaths (31%) in the world are due to cardiovascular diseases, representing more than 17 million lives per year and yet this particular disease receives some of the lowest public funding.

“Cardiac

diseases

represent

around

sixty

percent

of

cardiovascular diseases and are the single largest cause of death in the cardiovascular disease population,” Christian says, “If it is left untreated, cardiac diseases can lead to the heart getting exhausted and becoming unable to pump enough blood flow to meet the body’s needs. This condition is known simply as heart failure.”

Heart Failure One of the major conditions, heart failure occurs when the heart has been damaged and cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s metabolic needs. As it is the natural evolution and the most common ending result of most cardiac diseases HF is very common.

According to Cardio 3 Bioscience’s website, it is estimated that out of a world population of 5.2 billion people living in areas that are traditionally targeted by pharmaceutical and medical device companies, currently over 117 million people are suffering from HF worldwide and this number is believed to be destined to double over the next decade as there are many contributing factors.

Lifestyle factors such as some people not getting enough exercise and having poor diets coupled with people generally living longer thanks to improved medical care means that more people who are living longer are also going to be suffering from heart failure at some point in their lives.

“In Europe alone over three and a half million people are diagnosed every year with HF and out of those patients who are diagnosed one in three will die within a year of diagnosis,” Christian explains, “The symptoms vary from the very mild to the extreme.

Sometimes it’s just a shortness of breath during moderate exercise and others there are people who can’t manage even light exercise.

In the most severe stages where patients feel exhausted even while resting.”

70 | Endeavour Magazine

Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) This leads us to the big one, the Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) which happens where impaired blood flow to the heart muscle causes a lack of oxygen supply to the heart. When the oxygen supply is acutely missing through the blockage of an artery the muscle that depends on that artery dies.

Known as a heart attack, an acute myocardial infarction, is the

worldwide and commercial use outside of the U.S, with this Cardio3

most recognized. After the initial injury occurs, inflammation follows

BioSciences aims to become the first company with an approved

and finally a scar replaces the healthy contractile tissue. This scar is

regenerative product for congestive Heart failure.

non-functional in that it does not contract. At first, the rest of the

Having received authorization to begin World’s First Phase III

heart beats more vigorously to compensate for this loss of function

Clinical trial in Regenerative medicine for its therapy targeting heart

but over time the patient suffers heart failure (HF) as the heart loses

failure C-Cure®(C3BS-CQR-1). It is the first and only stem cell

its ability to respond to increased metabolic demand such as during

therapeutic using guided stem cells for the condition of congestive

intense exercise. Eventually the heart cannot pump enough blood to

heart failure currently designated by the EMA

meet the body’s needs even at rest.

“C-Cure® is an intramyocardial administered formulation of

More aggressive treatments of AMI exist to combat it in the

cardiopoietic stem cells,” Christian explains, “It involves taking stem

initial stages with therapies that were not available in the past. These

cells from a patient’s own bone marrow and through a proprietary

include clot dissolution agents, angioplasties and stents that have

process called Cardiopoiesis, re-programming those cells so that they

led to an increase in patients surviving the initial injury, “Patients

go onto becoming heart cells. The cells, known as cardiopoietic cells,

with severe injury now have a much improved survival rate but

are then injected back into the patient’s heart through a minimally

progress more or less rapidly towards HF,” he says, “It is important

invasive procedure using a catheter called C-Cathez®, with the

with these three diseases that have such limited treatments that we

aim of repairing damaged tissue and improving heart function and

are able to discover, develop and commercialize regenerative and

patient clinical outcomes.”

protective therapies,”

Hope A giant step in the right direction is the Development of C-Cure, and the success of C-CATHez that is available for clinical use

Stem cell research has proven to be an incredibly powerful field and has revolutionized the medical industry, if it can be used to treat or even cure cardiovascular diseases then it is a development that will no doubt make the history books and be yet another feather in Christian’s cap.

Endeavour Magazine | 71

72 | Endeavour Magazine

ASTURI METAL BUILDERS 0060 9-583 3888 WWW.ASTURI.COM.MY

THE STEELY WOMAN OF ASTURI WRITTEN BY JACK SLATER

A meteoric rise to being the head of a company is always a good motivator and Fatiha Sharif is a great example of this. A journey that began as the assistant marketing manager and assistant director in 2007 has reached a new level as CEO of one of the most thriving businesses in the area. I spoke with Fatiha Sharif to capture her incredible story.

Endeavour Magazine | 73

ASTURI METAL BUILDERS

“Asturi Metal Builders was established in 1994,” she says, “And we focus on oil and gas, subbication, subicate process equipment, process kits, heat exchange and deep water precious metals.”

A

n ongoing expansion has been shaping the company as they further ingratiate themselves into the oil and gas industry as well as into offering other products, “We

have a well division, design, blasting, painting, plumb maintenance and heavy transport,” Fatiha goes on to explain that they realized early on that by supplying products they were able to direct themselves as necessary throughout the industry as they wanted to create a one stop shop for the industry, “Asturi is an umbrella company and we gain an extension of the business through our ten subsidiaries throughout Malaysia.”

For a company of this size with such a prominent position in the Malaysian area Fatima is ideally placed to comment on the current state of the industry there, “The biggest challenge this year, has its origins in 2013,” she says, “One of our major customers is Petronas and now that the market and available tenders have been made available to international bidders, they have changed their policy and now projects are handed out through top level management,” this has created a situation where it is no longer purely down to the efficiency and reputation of a contractor but especially in the local market with local companies it’s created a price war.

As an example of this Asturi can’t get all of their raw materials from Malaysia so they need to import from Europe and America but at the same time are competing against the likes of Samsung who are able to get all their materials from native suppliers and thereby

FATIHA WITH BELOVED FATHER, DATO SHARIF (MD) 74 | Endeavour Magazine

keep their prices low.

But where Asturi does stand out is the strength of its experience

and the keenness of over four hundred staff members working with them. Fatiha was particularly keen to speak about the training and development of her staff, something she is very passionate about, “We have a great deal of training,” she says, “Inductions, exposure of the employees to all facets of the business and on the job training for the engineers. We work Saturdays which is a casual dress day

Pre-bending of plate

PLATE PLATE ROLLING ROLLING

and we only work half day,” She goes on to detail that each department conducts its own training and each staff member does on average around fifty hours of training a year. If there are specific topics that need to be addressed or retrained Fatiha will pay for an on the spot lecturer/

Rolling of plate

tutor to ensure that any production problems can be sorted as soon as possible.

“We also have an attitude of learning from our mistakes,” she says, “One of the things we do a lot of is process kits and this is the item we’ve been fabricating for the past five years and have produced a huge number of them. A lot of this involves electric, engineering and structural experience and understanding and the quality of our process kits affect the productivity of our clients. So it’s important to keep everyone well trained.”

Fatiha has seen a lot of movement within the country, their

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THICKEST PRESSURE VESSEL WITH 200MM Endeavour Magazine | 75

ASTURI METAL BUILDERS

methodology is project based and this is why individual skills are able

The future for Asturi Metal

services and specifally the rental

to add to a team’s progression. People move from one job to another

Workers is bright, “This year is

of the slick line, “This is being

both lending and learning new skills to gain new experiences. On

already over,” Fatiha says, “We’re

used on the drilling part of the

average an employee gets about six months experience for each

already looking at the future

industry and has no fabrication,”

project and each project usually takes a year so there is the

and have purchased a rolling

she reveals, “We rent out the

opportunity for a great deal of on-the-job training.

machine for 150mm thickness of

product and it’s an immediate

Customer relations in Malaysia is all about efficiency and total

plate. In all of Malaysia there are

profit.

satisfaction. The managing director of each branch spends time

only two other companies with

With such growth making

with the client/customer to communicate the details and expected

a similar machine and this puts

the future very bright. We can

requirements for the job and once the job is completed they discuss

us in the top three, our quality

only imagine where Fatiha will

again. Communication is always open but it’s more efficient to

and customer satisfaction is also

be in a further seven years.

introduce and sum up, “Aftersales is important in order to improve

better than the other two.”

for the next projects. We need to know the score on the satisfaction.

They are also looking at a

“Also we are very project based so we strive to enhance our skills

heavy transport and logistics

on each project,” she says, “Every project has a different challenge

avenue, “We want to give

needing a different approach and it’s when we look back at it and

clients the option of having their

take a post mortem that we can determine if we could have feasibly

finished products delivered as

done any more.”

well,”

Delivery and execution is more important than mere price. Long

By far the most exciting is

term standing relationships are better investments over the long

their offshore division, which

term.

is concentrating on slick line

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SHANTA GOLD 00255 22 2601 829 WWW.SHANTAGOLD.COM

GOING FOR GOLD WRITTEN BY AMY TOCKNELL

A market leader in the competitive fields of gold mining, development and exploration, Shanta Gold has carved itself a premier reputation that spans wider afield than its locality of Tanzania.

Endeavour Magazine | 79

SHANTA GOLD

Founded in 2001, Shanta Gold was accepted onto the London Stock Exchange ‘s Alternative Investment Market just four short years later, alongside inclusion in the FTSE Gold Mining category.

oncerned with mining and site development and

C

Discussing other markets that the company is involved with, it

exploration, the company has always focused its efforts

becomes clear that focusing on one specialty is considered to be of

within Tanzania, a country located within Africa that is

the utmost importance,

renowned for its gold-yielding potential. Of course, breaking into

“Shanta Gold is an East Africa focused gold production company,

the gold mining industry was never going to be a small investment

nothing else. The operations are located in Tanzania where investor-

endeavour, as Michael Houston, CEO of Shanta Gold, explains,

friendly mining laws and favourable tax rules have enabled the

“At its creation in 2001, Shanta spent over US$ 4.5 million

industry to become one of the fastest growing sectors. Tanzania

acquiring gold properties in Tanzania. Its principal focus was the

has developed a solid, sophisticated infrastructure system of

Mgusu and Simba Nguru projects, in the northern and central parts

roads, rail networks, ports, two international airports and good

of Tanzania respectively, as well as three projects in the country’s

telecommunications.”

Musoma district.”

With the company’s focus clearly established, would they be

Getting the company off to a fantastic start, these locations

looking to relocate at any point?

provided Shanta with opportunities to generate significant interest

“Despite having become Africa’s third largest gold producing

as well as contributing to the accruing of an impressive reputation

country, Tanzania remains under-explored in comparison with other

within the industry. However, as with all forward thinking and

gold producers of its size and there has therefore a high potential for

progressive organisations, these locations were gradually phased

future discoveries.”

out in favour of a new mine,

With a direction and location firmly in place, Shanta Gold is in a

“Shanta Gold’s focus has shifted, over the years, to the New Luika

privileged position whereby it can concentrate solely on its current

Gold Mine located in the Lupa Goldfields district in South Western

operations and upgrading systems for higher yields at lower cost. A

Tanzania and the Singida mine (currently in the development stage)

natural concern for any organisation, this might seem like a logical

located in Central Tanzania. In addition to this, we are examining

process but it becomes a necessity when an understanding of the

properties covering over 1300 km2 in the underexplored ex-colonial

gold industry is acquired. Having suffered a dramatic cut in value

mining areas of the geologically rich Lupa Goldfields surrounding the

(reportedly the worst for 30 years), gold, and subsequently the gold

New Luika Gold Mine.”

industry as a whole, is only now beginning to recover. In a bid to

Having bought the New Luika mine, Shanta effeciently pushed it

further aid the sector, unprofitable mines have been eliminated and

into production in 2012 and it is now considered to be the flagship

mergers put in place to help investors see a return on their financial

mine of the entire organisation. Unwilling to merely continue at the

injections.

same production levels however, Shanta is currently undertaking

Turning the interview to the topic of staff, Houston was keen

steps to upgrade the mine’s production capacity to an impressive

to highlight the underlying theme of sustainability that permeates

83,000 ounces a year.

every facet of personell accruement and development,

Bamboo Rock Limited has ably supported the BC Mining Management Team at New Luika by delivering on the required monthly production targets, since February 2013.

The equipment used by Bamboo Rock Limited, as primary movers on the New Luika Contract, includes 5 x 70 ton Excavators, 80 | Endeavour Magazine

18 x 40 ton ADTs and 4 x D8 size Dozers. An average production volume of 280,000 bcms has been consistently achieved with a 90% equipment availability during this period.

Bamboo Rock Drilling started the production drilling on Shanta Gold in April 2012. We pride ourselves in delivering a client centric, first class drilling service with attention to detail. We are running a fleet of DP1500s and DP1500i’s to maintain consistent production targets at cost effective rates on a monthly basis.

Bamboo Rock Drilling is also carrying out geotechnical drilling for future developments on the mine.

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SHANTA GOLD

“Shanta Gold has an objective to train and employ local residents,

in Tanzania. We maintain a policy of zero tolerance to negligence of

thereby yielding direct and sustainable benefits to the local

health and safety best practices. Education, training and on-going

communities as well as the company. Over 90% of the organisation,

communication is key to ensuring an injury-free workplace and the

and all major contractor’s employees, are Tanzanian nationals, half of

promotion of safety. Beyond preventative measures, we have also

which are permanent residents of the local villages.”

built an onsite health clinic at the New Luika Gold Mine, lead by a

Despite already aligning with these impressively conscientious principles, Shanta goes one step further by acknowledging the importance of effective training and development, “The company has instituted various training and development programs in an effort to upgrade the skill level of all employees.

physician with international medical training.”

With fantastic locations, a clear focus and a healthy, committed workforce in place, the future must promise even more success for Shanta Gold and sure enough, there are plans for exciting new projects,

The goal is to have a workforce where each individual takes full

“An underground study is underway at the New Luika mine and

accountability for his/her and work colleagues’ safety and the

its initial findings indicate underground mining, in conjunction with

critical role he/she plays in the success of the company. We also

plant expansion, will be viable. With the Life-of-Mine and plant

recognise that staff development is critical in assuring the company’s

extension plans at New Luika due to be published in the late part

in-country, long-term development strategy and that individuals are

of 2014, Shanta Gold has the potential to grow to a 140,000oz

empowered to develop their skills in relation to the requirements of

producer in the short to medium term.”

their roles.”

With demonstrable growth and development potential within its

Unsurprisingly, this enlightened attitude towards staff is accompanied by a stringent welfare policy,

grasp, Shanta does not neglect its other sites, “With confidence levels at an all time high, thanks to the

“We are committed to the safety, health, and welfare of our

underground study, the transition depth from open cast to

employees, contractors, management and visitors to our worksites

underground at Bauhinia Creek has been established, allowing the

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new pit design to be completed. This will ensure continued access to high-grade resource. Additionally, the Singida project continues to focus on resource evaluation and relocation.”

Despite exciting prospects ahead of it, Shanta Gold is not a company to risk its viability and hard-earned reputation chasing potential endeavours and continues to primarily focus on the New Luika’s life-of-mine extension and expansion project. With the livelihood of a large workforce and the sustainability of the locality in mind, the company is considering alternative funding options for the Singida Project in order to not place undue stress on the company’s financials. Combined, these elements paint the picture of a highly successful, responsible and longterm

operational

organisation,

making Shanta Gold a glittering example of business acumen and adaptability in an uncertain financial market. A rarity indeed.

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Endeavour Magazine | 83

84 | Endeavour Magazine

DAMUS GROUP 001 868 657 7351 WWW.DAMUSGROUP.COM

TEAM WORK EQUALS QUALITY WRITTEN BY CHATUM O’BRIAN

It is no secret that the oil and gas industry is currently facing a tight demand and supply condition, this has had an impact on all contractors involved in the sector, even with mature industries as found in Trinidad and Tobago. Part of the reason has been attributed towards a lack of investment prior to 2010 which has left the sector in a lull.

Endeavour Magazine | 85

DAMUS GROUP

Damus is one of the industry leaders from the islands, last year they completed one of the largest power stations, at La Brea Industrial Estate which became a defining benchmark project for the company, and represented one of their most ambitious endeavours. Speaking with company president Dwight Mahabir it was established that the only way to keep the industry going is through continued investment.

“C

urrently we have a tight demand/supply relationship,” he explains, “Whenever there are interruptions upstream for maintenance or

otherwise, there is an immediate knock on effect downstream as there is no longer any cushion gas as had existed in past years.”

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‘Cushion gas’ (or gas behind pipe) refers to excess production capacity available in wells over and above the industry baseline demand which replace or ‘cushion’ any shortfalls in production such as would occur during maintenance activities or rig moves. The lack of availability of such gas is directly attributable to insufficient investment in the upstream energy sector during the first decade of the 21st century. Since 2010, the industry has seen a significant turnaround with rig counts and investments returning to more acceptable levels.

“We view the return of significant investments in the upstream with optimism as such investments are necessary to assure the viability and growth of the local energy sector sector”.

Formed in 1973, DamusGroup,is the

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.

foremost Mechanical

Maintenance, Fabrication and Construction Contractor in Trinidad and Tobago and the English Speaking Caribbean. The company, since inception, has been providing diversified mechanical services to the oil and gas, petrochemical, manufacturing and marketing sectors.

The services offered by Damus Group are highly diversified, representing a clear approach of “taking up the challenge” and applying themselves to successfully securing and performing whatever projects they target and execute.

86 | Endeavour Magazine

They include the

engineering and fabrication of pipe spools, structural fabrication,

course, nobody is perfect so we employ quality inspectors to ensure

pressure vessels and flue ducts, field installation of piping and

everything is up to standard.”

process equipment and new construction, maintenance, integration

Since Damus is responsible for putting together complex projects

and repair for offshore and onshore projects. Design and fabrication

requiring exacting methods of assemblage quality assurance is crucial

of storage tanks and the blasting and coating of pipes which include

and as a policy they perform regular internal quality audits with spot

fibreglass wraps, asphalt coats and concrete coats.

checks throughout the project. Damus Group operates a Quality

“We also offer offshore services,” Dwight Mahabir explains, “Including the laying of subsea pipelines of 2” -30” diameter with above the water tie-in technique for calm and shallow water and this is providing a number of possible projects for us in the future.”

Management System (QMS) that is certified to ISO 9001:2000 by the British Standards Institution (BSI Inc.).

“This is important to our Quality Management Programme since it is a formal symbol of our commitment to the provision of quality

Their position has been well earned. Staff at Damus has to be

products and services and ensures that we have the necessary

trained as a high level of hands-on attention must be appropriated

infrastructure to improve and develop our QMS to better serve our

for the safe and efficient production. Over the last two decades,

customers.”

there has been a paradigm shift with clients requiring the practice

Their approach to work safety is highly regarded in Trinidad and

of safety standards to the highest levels for which Damus have

Tobago where environmental management has become a mandated

adopted as part of their culture.

institution for industries.

“The culture that we try to instil into our workers,” Mr. Mahabir

“It is one of our key visions as a group to bring forward

explains, “is that quality and safety must occur in tandem. These are

the standards of contractors that serve the market,” – Dwight

not things that can be managed but must be felt, there has to be

emphasises, “This will have a substantial ripple effect throughout.”

pride in your work. We don’t micromanage but empower our staff

The company is a privately owned family business, with Dwight’s

and employees to develop the highest level of professionalism. Of

father managing the company prior to him, and is managed by a

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DAMUS GROUP

team of experienced employees. It is very much a situation where

has

left

Dwight

with

an

doing.”

recruitment is aimed at bringing in career minded individuals and not

endearing sense of optimism

The game changer is due,

just people seeking a job.

with the future. He explains

since volumes have shrunk the

“A mix of very experienced professionals and younger well-

that there are a lot of projects

competition

qualified individuals with proven ability is key,” he explains, “Our

still happening upstream where

Damus’ clever positioning during

people are dedicated and bring a sense of urgency to every project.”

renewed investment has created

the good times has put them

Over the years, projects of varying sizes, some very complex were

a swing towards exploration and

into a sturdy position during the

undertaken on behalf of most of the major Trans-national industrial

field developments, it is during

scarce.

construction firms contracted for Projects in Trinidad and Tobago.

these brown field projects off-

“What companies like ours

shore and regionally that Damus

need to do is look regionally,” he

are looking at for work.

says, “Not over extend ourselves

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

has

grown

but

“We’re biding our time until

and perhaps look into the deep

a game changer comes,” he

water where I reckon the game

Dwight Mahabir’s father who took over the company in 1981,

says, “Downstream there are no

changer is going to come from.”

was a singular man with excellent leadership qualities, technically

longer the sort of projects that

and in terms of people relations. He was able to direct the company

we enjoyed during the 90s and

to the fine position it was in when Dwight eventually took over.

the early 2000s where there

The company now employs 250 permanent staff with the

were plant after plant being

capacity to engage upwards of 2000 sub contracted workers by

constructed. But businesses still

project and still attributes its success to its human capital.

need maintenance to improve

The important sense of family that has encapsulated Damus

88 | Endeavour Magazine

efficiency and that’s what we’re

90 | Endeavour Magazine

DATACENTRIX 0027 87 741 5000 WWW.DATACENTRIX.CO.ZA

INTEGRATION MADE EASY WRITTEN BY AMY TOCKNELL

A provider of ICT integration solutions on a global scale, Datacentrix is being recognised, by industry experts, as one of the foremost organisations within its field, a position that it is keen to reinforce.

Endeavour Magazine | 91

DATACENTRIX

Registered on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange for close to 20 years, Datacentrix has not rested on its laurels, choosing instead to show consistent desire for growth, development and innovative solution identification. In a bid to demonstrate a deep felt commitment to these issues, the company strap line of ‘serious about performance, passionate about value’ offers both existing and new clients peace of mind that opting for good value does not mean a predestined acceptance of poor quality.

But what is it that Datacentrix offers its valued clients?

“W

e focus on improving business processes and systems, enabling customers to make timeous

and

meaningful

management

decisions. Above all, our business is about valuing relationships. We are committed to our stakeholders, our clients and our technology partners so that we can deliver ongoing value and industry leadership.

Our engagement approach results in solutions that respond directly to immediate customer requirements and has proven its success and value across our respected customer base.”

Essentially, the organisation offers its client base streamlined procedures, optimised practices and fully responsive IT solutions, all for an extremely competitive cost. With this in mind it makes perfect sense that Datacentrix is enjoying recognition from international companies that they have partnered with.

A global leader in corporate networking and communication systems, Cisco has accepted Datacentrix as a Gold Channel Partner and an Advanced Technology partner. Offering clients exemplar network systems, this collaboration also benefits Datacentrix, who have been recognised by Cisco’s Customer Service Excellence scheme for the third year running. Not an impressive feat? Think again. Chris Pretorius, the Cisco business unit manager at Datacentrix commented that, “Considering that the Datacentrix Cisco business unit only came into being three years ago, this is an excellent track record.

Cisco Customer Satisfaction Excellence is the highest distinction a partner can achieve within the Cisco Channel Partner Programme and sets Datacentrix apart as having achieved outstanding customer

92 | Endeavour Magazine

satisfaction as part of a worldwide assessment process.”

Not satisfied with one accolade that propels it to the top of its field, Datacentrix has also received high praise from another partner, Hewlett Packard (HP), “We have received the highest HP accreditation. As an HP Platinum Partner, the company offers the broadest portfolio of endto-end HP solutions, including being able to build complex server, storage, networking, virtualisation and application infrastructures, all the way up to the cloud.”

The company goes on to clarify other elements of its partnership with HP, “Datacentrix is also an Authorised Select HP Value Added Reseller, HP Elite StorageWorks Partner, fully certified Authorised Support Provider, HP Cloud Builder and Converged Infrastructure Specialist. Datacentrix is an HP Gold Partner in various specialist areas including client virtualisation, document solutions, managed print, networking, retail solutions, ServiceOne enterprise, ServiceOne printing and computing, server, storage, and workstation; and a Silver TippingPoint Specialist.”

Furthermore, entirely external recognition was given in July of this year when, “The company was recognised in July 2014 as the most

Endeavour Magazine | 93

DATACENTRIX

empowered IT company in the Mail and Guardian’s “Most

and core component of IT business activities. The Service Desk

empowered companies” study conducted by Empowerdex on all

offers a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, professional

Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed companies. Datacentrix ranked

managed services solution for both enterprise-level and small to

14th overall. The company also took the number one spot in two

medium enterprises (SMEs). The always-available Service Desk

categories within the survey, namely socio-economic development,

provides Datacentrix’ customers with the ability to rapidly report any

and management control. “

IT problems and solve ongoing issues.”

In addition to tailored ICT solutions and complex network

Designed to streamline the problem resolution process, the

integration, designed to simplify and optimise communication and

Service Desk allows Datacentrix to reinstate client control over their

operation procedures for clients, Datacentrix also offers Human

end-user support systems, reducing the likelihood of noticeable

Resources assistance, thanks to its specialist recruitment function,

disruption. With end-user satisfaction at risk, it is vital that expert

known as ‘Managed Talent Solutions’. This facet of the organisation

team members are in position and to that end,

specialises in the placement of highly qualified ICT, SAP, engineering

“First-line support staff are all highly-qualified in a bid to ensure

and finance staff and does so in accordance with all legislation thanks

a high first-call resolution rate. Should the incident not be resolved

to being an accredited member of the Association of Personnel

it will be escalated, and allocated to the next level of support where

Service organisations.

the overall management of the call will still remain with the Service

Experienced in corporate recruitment, it is not a huge leap to

Desk.”

assume that Datacentrix is fully staffed by a competent team of

It is clear that Datacentrix is the exception to every rule

experts, all of which are equally dedicated to providing the high

concerning ICT solutions and integration organisations. Far from

quality service that the organisation prides itself on. Naturally,

relying solely on the technology that it supports, the organisation

this is the case, as the functionality of the company depends on a

holds a deep and honest respect for the human element, recognising

committed and experienced team that can quickly identify requisite

the importance of employing and developing a committed team of

solutions to clients needs, both in the field and from a corporate

experts, all geared toward client satisfaction. Add to this an ongoing

base. Offering clients round the clock peace of mind is of the utmost

desire to offer incredible value and Datacentrix is the clear choice for

importance, which has lead to the creation of a Service desk.

any company with networking or integration needs that is unwilling

“The Datacentrix Service Desk is a hub that provides a single point of contact for its customers’ IT departments and is an integral

94 | Endeavour Magazine

to choose between cost and quality.

RICHARD SIMMONDS THE IMPORTANCE OF DISRUPTIVE THINKING

BY DONNIE RUST

I

was fortunate enough to have the chance to speak with entrepreneurial guru, corporate speaker and author Richard Simmonds. It is a sad reality that we live in a world where

doubt springs from the same ground that offers all the opportunities in the world and it takes someone with a clear mind and a solid approach to help us find our way. Even leaders require navigation.

Could you tell our readers a little bit about yourself, how long have you been in business?

Richard: I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit, so it is safe to say that I have been in business for myself all of my working life.

And what are the key areas you focus on?

Richard: Communication and Leadership Development are now my key areas of focus, building relationships and developing leaders

96 | Endeavour Magazine

futuristic outlook for the possibilities. You could say I am renewing or sharpening their vision as leaders. I use a disruptive approach to ensure that it is their own ideas and not my ideas that I am transferring to them. A good portion of my time is spent speaking at conferences and facilitating workshops to enable many of the abovementioned processes. Yes I do believe in a hands on approach and delegate tasks according to people’s strengths, that way I know that whoever I have delegated the task to will always do it far better than I could of ever done.

What about the menial tasks?

Richard: Admin is not part of my strengths set, I need executive summaries / overviews. I never waste my time with unnecessary admin. But physical and mental fitness are paramount, I am not a gym bunny but do believe in keeping healthy and my mental fitness is something I am constantly working on to continuously transform my life.

How is your industry at the moment?

Bouyant?

Richard: The world is buoyant and we as people need to get used to the shifting centre of gravity. I love Leonard Cohen’s quote “If you don’t become the ocean you will be seasick every day.” I get worried when I don’t feel the buoyancy and the movement. That should be the way we all live if we wish to be relevant. In terms of obstacles the main one I experience is an apathy to change, an incredibly slow evolvment and a hoping for the status-quo to be restored, that is wishful thinking to put it mildly. No think of the possibilities and not trying to get back to the stable past, the stable past has not served anyone so get used to the turbulent future – the ride is far more exciting. Leadership training is taking place, but the development focuses around the easier side of training and not the important issues – that of creativity and ‘understanding of self’. that understand themselves so that they may be more effective and resilient in our ever changing world.

Are there any other markets you are involved in?

Who do you rely on the most and how do you know you’re on point?

Richard: I have two ladies I consistently work with, they have strengths that I don’t have and I have my full trust in Izanne and

Richard: I still have a few interests in my original area of

Lisa. My standard is to constantly evolve, challenge and disrupt my

photography and video production. My original business; before

thoughts. Coupled to that I believe Emotional Intelligence is the

I discovered the new me at the end of 2010. This new me was

real key to success, it remains my everyday challenge to my staff

discovered when I took the strengths test. I then realised that I had

and myself. You can never say that you are emotionally intelligent,

not been playing to my 5 top strengths; the transformational process

because if you do you have not adhered to the very basic rule of

started and my life is vastly different after 3 years.

emotional intelligence and that is ‘giving up the need to be right!’

What are you core activities throughout the day? Do you believe in a hands on approach?

So development is important to you?

Richard: My core activities these days are engaging with corporate leaders, enabling new competitive thinking and having a

Richard: Ongoing development is as important as breathing to me, if I am not learning and observing what’s happening in the world, I will never see the opportunities for my clients and my life. I strive to continuously be relevant to the people I am and can affect.

Endeavour Magazine | 97

You’re known for relationships, how do you create such strong relationships?

Finally, what is exciting you about the future?

Richard: My preferred role is to be a thinking partner for my

Richard: 2014 has been an exciting year, with two books

customers, I am constantly observing, questioning and challenging

published already this year. ‘5 Night Plan’ and ‘Mug and Tweet’, a

the intention of the company, the brand and the individuals alike,

new book under the Mug and Tweet brand will be launched later this

they need to understand their intention behind the decisions they

year. The book is unique and I believe it is an angle of communication

make. If they don’t understand this, no one else will. Maintaining

that is unique, simple and effective, as so many ideas are far too

relationships and nurturing new relationships, giving people what

academic to be effectively scaled.

they need and following through is so important.

Sounds exciting. What about the new training programme I’ve been hearing about?

Do you have any strategies to keep ahead of the competition?

Richard: I believe that the concept of competition is skewed.

Richard: The development of my new leadership training

I know that if you continue to innovate, use creativity and your

programme is titled ‘EQUINElibrium’ where I use qualified

emotional skillset, that you will be different and unique. Most of the

Equine Psychotherapists to assist in the leaders understanding of

time your competition will not consider themselves as competition,

themselves. Combine this with effective emotional understanding,

because competition is about ‘similar’ and I certainly have no desire

strengths and training. The leader is more secure and ready for the

to be similar to others.

challenges of the tumultuous world. The programme is aimed at

98 | Endeavour Magazine

senior executives, yet it is suitable for all levels of management and key individuals of teams in organisations.

How are things in South Africa?

And what did it take to get here?

Richard: The greatest investment has been that of consistency, this builds the spectacularity. The time spent on this consistency has

Richard: On a social responsibility front I am involved in the

been enormous. I focus on consistency but at the same time I look

Advocacy for Breast Cancer project in South Africa, a campaign that

for the trends that will disrupt my thoughts, I look for challenges

unites SA’s active breast cancer organizations with the driving goal of

and opportunities to do things that are different, sometimes that is

lobbying government to develop and implement an effective Breast

a subtle intentional difference in the beginning that I know will have

Health Policy. The long term after this policy is implemented, will be

a vastly different effect at the end. ‘Similar’ is a difficult enemy who

that we can change the whole face of healthcare in South Africa.

is constantly attacking us and striving to bring us into the status-

How is this going to change things?

quo. We cannot and will not survive if we are doing similar, we need

Richard: I have found that the books have opened doors for me all over the world, I am getting enquiries from all over the world asking me to speak at conferences, talk to executives and strategize the way forward. I am on South African radio almost weekly and I

to collaborate and constantly innovate. This of course will make us vulnerable and that is why I have developed ‘EQUINElibrium’ to better understand yourself as a person, because you can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can never fool a horse.

am interviewed and featured in Magazines like yours. My life has honestly turned around in 3 years and I am extremely humbled by the experience.

Endeavour Magazine | 99

SCARIES I woke up to hear knocking on glass. At first, I thought it was the window until I heard it come from the mirror again.

The last thing I saw was my alarm clock flashing 12:07 before she pushed her long rotting nails through my chest, her other hand muffling my screams. I sat bolt upright, relieved it was only a dream, but as I saw my alarm clock read 12:06, I heard my closet door creak open.

Growing up with cats and dogs, I got used to the sounds of scratching at my door while I slept. Now that I live alone, it is much more unsettling.

In all of the time that I’ve lived alone in this house, I swear to God I’ve closed more doors than I’ve opened.

She asked why I was breathing so heavily. I wasn’t.

My wife woke me up last night to tell me there was an intruder in our house. She was murdered by an intruder 2 years ago.

I awoke to the sound of the baby monitor crackling with a voice comforting my firstborn child. As I adjusted to a new position, my arm brushed against my wife, sleeping next to me.

100 | Endeavour Magazine

I can’t move, breathe, speak or hear and it’s so dark all the time. If I knew it would be this lonely, I would have been cremated instead.

I always thought my cat had a staring problem - she always seemed fixated on my face. Until one day, when I realized that she was always looking just behind me.

There’s nothing like the laughter of a baby. Unless it’s 1 a.m. and you’re home alone.

I was having a pleasant dream when what sounded like hammering woke me. After that, I could barely hear the muffled sound of dirt covering the coffin over my own screams.

“I can’t sleep,” she whispered, crawling into bed with me. I woke up cold, clutching the dress she was buried in.

A girl heard her mom yell her name from downstairs, so she got up and started to head down. As she got to the stairs, her mom pulled her into her room and said “I heard that, too.”

You get home, tired after a long day’s work and ready for a relaxing night alone. You reach for the light switch, but another hand is already there.

She went upstairs to check on her sleeping toddler.

The window was open and the bed was empty.

Don’t be scared of the monsters, just look for them.

Look to your left, to your right, under your bed, behind your dresser, in your closet but never look up, she hates being seen.

There was a picture in my phone of me sleeping. I live alone.

My daughter won’t stop crying and screaming in the middle of the night. I visit her grave and ask her to stop, but it doesn’t help.

I begin tucking him into bed and he tells me, “Daddy, check for monsters under my bed.” I look underneath for his amusement and see him, another him, under the bed, staring back at me quivering and whispering, “Daddy, there’s somebody on my bed.”

After working a hard day, I came home to see my girlfriend cradling our child. I didn’t know which was more frightening, seeing my dead girlfriend and stillborn child, or knowing that someone broke into my apartment to place them there.

Endeavour Magazine | 101

BALDHIKER: PAUL STEELE

The Spirit Of A Place

H

e has been voted “The World’s Most Influential Travel Writer”. He has changed millions of people’s perceptions of the world by see-

ing it and photographing it from the most sublime and impressive locations, including the highest mountains and the most docile courtyard statues. It is his ability to capture an energy of a place, the spirit of a place and communicate that through to us what has made Paul Steele one of the most important people you can possibly connect with.. I spoke with him and found this man who has inspired and motivated so many people to be humble, friendly and very easy to speak to.

Paul Steele is known as the Bald Hiker and despite his impressive following online is not a media hound or a celebrity by choice. Very simply, Paul is a hiker. At forty two, originally from Oldham and now living in Eden Valley, Cumbria he attests to leading a very nomadic life. Perhaps it was this nomad manner in which he grew up that has led to his blog becoming one of the

“I suppose you could say my fulltime job is a great bucket of allsorts. The tweeting is just a part, the blogging is just a part and the photography is just a part.

most popular sites on the internet?

“I haven’t been travel blogging too long really,” Paul opens up, “It is all a bit topsy-turvy to the norm. I joined Twitter and was ‘live tweeting’ my hikes and travels before it went mainstream.

The blog came later so I could expand my thoughts and pictures.

So essentially I blogged because of Social Media not that I social media because I blog.”

In hindsight, seeing as I spend most of my day behind a desk, asking Paul about some of the places he’s been was a mistake because it resulted in me taking long deep thoughts about my direction in life.

“Hiking and trekking was my background so highlights have been to climb the likes of Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua in the Andes and Mount Toubkal in Morocco for example,” he explained, “I am lucky enough to have hiked through Iceland, seen the northern lights in Norway, paraglided over Maui and much much more.”

I asked Paul how it worked, if there was much planning beforehand or does he have a “throw a dart at the map” approach?

“For the past few years I have been simply playing catch-up with places I have always wanted to go in life. Working hard in

102 | Endeavour Magazine

many fields of work (as I will mention) behind the scenes to enable

every day so I learn as I go too.

much to see and do rather than

me to get around the world and more of Britain. Some small parts

If one person reads a post I

sit on the sand for two weeks,

of it is PR or tourist board driven,” he reveals, “I get asked to go,

have done of a popular spot

which really is not my thing.

see and do occasionally. One thing I always want to stick to even

and at some point says ‘Well! I

In fact I could name another

on the few sponsored press trips though is keeping it personal

never knew that’ then that is a

five or six countries here that

and my own views. I wouldn’t get any enjoyment out of going to a

good thing to me.

warrant equal attention as a

place just to be spoon fed what to write, I would rather not go for

“But as for a favourite

that. It really is nice to get on those trips we do ourselves or with

destination? You know this

favourite.”

On the same note are there

our open minds. Go to a place,

any places Paul would

in our own time, have fun, enjoy

never go again?

the moments and take some

“Not really. I used to

photographic memories….”

say that I wasn’t a city

Is this Paul’s fulltime job?

person so avoided big

“I suppose you could say my

cities for the open air and

fulltime job is a great bucket

landscapes etc. I have

of allsorts. The tweeting is just

slowly changed my mind

a part, the blogging is just a

on a few. Delving deeper

part and the photography is

into a city can open eyes

just a part. I am involved with

culture and history. “

speaking engagements, social media

workshops,

So where is Paul going

freelance

in the future? What’s the

biz ta

copywriting, consultancy for various

companies’

next destination we can

social

expect from him?

media and lots more behind the

“Over the past year

scenes.”

we have been making

He adds, “I can never sit still.

some BaldHiker videos

Even on a quiet day I end up

so we are looking at

putting my hiking boots on and

doing

hiking which normally leads to

them soon. A couple of

content and thus it carries on.

countries on the radar.

some

more

of

Also I have been enjoying taking some novices and social media

is the number one question I

However, I am feeling that

friends hiking, I get a real buzz getting people out of the city and

get asked and I have never yet

although I have seen a lot of the

doing something for the first time. You will be amazed how many

been able to answer with one

world over the last few years I

there are whom have not experienced it.”

word or place. Experiences

want to see more of Britain too.

Paul has visited some beautiful places and has a knack for

are amazing in different ways.

Maybe a little tour of Britain is

picking out the little things as well as the big things that people

Iceland is an incredible place

in order,” he concludes.

will like, but does he have a favourite location or destination?

to hike. Azerbaijan is a big

“It is just a personal thing that I have gotten more and more as

favourite for me, so different,

time as progressed,” he says, “In this global world the iconic views

historic and filled with the most

have been shared and seen countless times. I now love to research

wonderful people. Maui is a

as I blog where I have been. I end up giving myself a history lesson

paradise, but a paradise with so

Endeavour Magazine | 103

BOOK INTERVIEWS

DONNIE RUST SPEAKS WITH

BEST SELLING SCIENCE FICTION AUTHOR ALEX SCARROW With fourteen novels under his belt Alex Scarrow is a prominent novelist and regular feature in schools across the country where he speaks to his reading audience, not only creating interest and signing books for his popular series TimeRiders but also encouraging young writers to fulfil their potential and stretch their minds. I caught up with Alex while we were both invited to judge at the stage-writer centred Comedy Shorts run by the Norwich production company Spooky Kid. I was quick to confirm an interview. We spoke about his background in writing and what he feels lies in store for fiction writers.

“I’ve been a published writer since 2006,” Scarrow says, “A Thousand Suns, Last Light, October Skies, Afterlight, The Candle Man and the nine book teen sci-fi series under the title Timeriders.”

He goes on to explain that his adult themed books are usually found in the category of Crime or Thriller, whereas his TIMERIDERS series is found under Teen or Young Adult and that previous to becoming a published writer he worked in the computer games business as a designer for twelve years and even before that he had been in various rockbands unsuccessfully chasing a record deal!

“I’ve always been a science fiction fan,” he goes on, explaining his motivations behind his choice of genre, “Not so much for the “soft scifi” of the likes of Star Wars. My tastes are more to the harder science stuff by writers like Arthur C Clarke and Greg Bear.”

How Do You Plan Your Day? Scarrow approaches his writing in a strict structure, “I usually write for about three hours every morning,” he explains, “The rest of the day is taken up by the usual chores of life such as emails and bills.

In the evening I will then tidy up what I wrote that morning.”

This gives Scarrow about 1500 words a day although during school term times his schedule of touring around schools where he talks about his books and writing can have a slightly disruptive influence on his writing structure but it’s very much worth it.

“I tour schools almost constantly,” he adds, “You can’t beat speaking to an audience of three hundred to six hundred kids for an 104 | Endeavour Magazine

hour then getting the chance to

published these days, “Mainly

have a book signed.”

because the publishing world

This is the best kind of

as a whole is struggling to stay

marketing, Alex explains, “I don’t

afloat. When I first got published

do as much social media as I

in 2006, things were a tad easier.

probably should but I’m just not

My first book, A THOUSAND

entirely convinced that it delivers

SUNS, went out to half a dozen

the publicity and sales that social

publishers and the first one to

media gurus say it does.”

come back was a ‘yes’ but I think I was very lucky.”

Current State Of Writing

This

being

said

Scarrow

is not letting that stop him, a

A lot has changed over the

writer writes first and foremost

last decade with regards to

because he needs to write and

writing and the fiction industry,

create.

the print industry has taken a big

“I am writing a new adult

hit such that many UK high street

thriller called ICARUS and the

brands like Borders, Ottakers have shut their doors and boarded up

film rights for this story have already been optioned by a South

their windows. The future of print looks shaky. Scarrow continues

African film company,” he reveals, “I have also been self-publishing a

with a ray of hope.

scifi series on the kindle called THE LEGEND OF ELLIE QUIN, which

“I’m rather pessimistic for the book industry as it stands,” he says,

I’d describe as ‘Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy’ meets ‘Bridget

“we’ve allowed the perceived value of the good ol’ paperback to

Jones’! It’s fun, quirky, colourful science fiction. It’s an experiment...

diminish to the point where people see them as having less value

to see whether I can build a fan base entirely on my own.”

than a burger,” Which is a sad because penny-for-penny, pound-

He is also working on several new teen series and looking for

for-pound, the book represents the BEST value for money product

publishers for them in the UK and overseas and training himself to

that you can spend your money on. When you think an xBox game

develop for the IOS platform, “I used to code and I’ve become a bit

costs $50 and lasts six hours, or a trip to the cinema costs $30 and

rusty but I’d like to take the TIMERIDERS and ELLIE QUIN series and

lasts two hours, a novel can cost you $10 and last you several days

develop some games/apps based on them.”

or weeks, “Unless our industry does something radical I fear in a

The publishing and writing industry may be changing and entering

few years time the book industry will have shrunk down to an even

a period of flux, but writers have always adapted with changes

fewer publishers, and they’ll be smaller, publishing picture books, gift

and been the voice of their time. Story telling is a fundamental

and ‘coffee table’ books, celebrity memoirs and novelty books with

ingredient of the social glue holding us together and offers us a deep

titles like “1000 Best Paintings of Historic Manchester,”

perspective on the human condition that is unique to our species.

“And those will be the books you’ll see in whatever book shops are left standing. Meanwhile paperback fiction will have vanished.”

Scarrow goes on to predict that the majority of fiction will be published in digital format only and be read on the Kindle. Following a similar path taken by the yellow pages took when faced with the looming shadow of Google search engines, “Amazon will basically end up OWNING the fiction market and with no competitors left, I could imagine it driving down the royalty share the writers get until there are no more professional writers left. Thus, the only fiction readers will be left to enjoy will be the ocean of freebie ‘amateur’ fiction, which, if I’m honest, I find a terribly frightening scenario. This is what we’ll get if we allow novels to become digital-only products.”

Compounding this, he adds, is that it’s incredibly difficult to be

Finishing Quote I think there is some sort of future for GOOD writers out there.

But it’s not going to be a lucrative one. The days of millionaire authors are probably gone. The best writers will be able to earn a solid income, although…there won’t be any more JK Rowlings. But... only if writers and publishers work together to try and get the point across to the public...that, the humble paperback book, remains the best value-for-money portable entertainment platform ever invented in the history of mankind. (What’s more you can drop a book in the bath...and it’ll still work. Which is more than can be said for my now-buggered iPhone 5.)

Endeavour Magazine | 105

BOOK REVIEWS

#1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz brings his fertile imagination

Frankenstein Lost Souls

By Dean Koontz

Victor is certain that this time, nothing and no one can stop him.

and unparalleled storytelling abilities to

It is up to five people to prove him

one of the most timeless—and terrifying—

wrong. In their hands rests nothing less

creations in all of fiction: the legend of

than the survival of humanity itself.

Frankenstein. In Lost Souls, Koontz puts a

They are drawn together in different

singular twist on this classic tale of ambition

ways, by omens sinister and wondrous,

and science gone wrong and forges a new

to the same shattering conclusion: Two

legend uniquely suited to our times—a

years after they saw him die, the man they

story of revenge, redemption, and a new

knew as Victor Helios lives on. Detectives

invitation to apocalypse.

Carson O’Connor and Michael Maddison;

The war against humanity has begun.

Victor’s engineered wife, Erika 5, and her

Only now things will be different. Victor

companion Jocko; and the original Victor’s

Leben, once Frankenstein, has not only

first creation, the tormented Deucalion,

seen the future—he’s ready to populate it.

have all arrived at a small Montana town

Using stem cells, “organic” silicon circuitry,

where their old alliance will be renewed—

and nanotechnology, he will engender

and tested—by forces from within and

a race of superhumans—the perfect

without, and where the dangers they face

melding of flesh and machine. With

will eclipse any they have yet encountered.

a powerful, enigmatic backer

Yet in the midst of their peril, love will

eager to see his dream

blossom, and joy, and they will discover

come to fruition and a

sources of strength and perseverance they

secret location where the

enemies

could not have imagined.

of

They will need all these resources, and

progress can’t

more. For a monumental battle is about

find

him,

to commence that will require all their ingenuity and courage, as it defines what we are to be . . . and if we are to be at all.

106 | Endeavour Magazine

The Shining

By Stephen King

The Shining is a horror novel by American author

them snowbound, the supernatural forces

Stephen King. Published in 1977, it is King’s third

inhabiting the hotel influence Jack’s sanity,

published novel and first hardback bestseller, and

leaving his wife and son in incredible danger.

the success of the book firmly established King as a

The Shining was adapted into a feature

preeminent author in the horror genre. The setting

film in 1980 by director Stanley Kubrick,

and characters are influenced by King’s personal

with a screenplay co-written with Diane

experiences, including both his visit to The Stanley

Johnson, which is regarded by some as one

Hotel in 1974 and his recovery from alcoholism. The

of the greatest films of all time. King himself

novel was followed by a sequel, Doctor Sleep, which

was disappointed with the film, stating it had

was published in 2013.

abandoned several of his book’s major themes.

The Shining centers on the life of Jack Torrance, an

The Shining was later adapted into a television

aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic who accepts

mini-series in 1997, closely monitored by King

a position as the off-season caretaker of the historic

to ensure it followed the book. King wrote the

Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies. His family

series himself and was reportedly unable to

accompanies him on this job, including his young son

criticize the Kubrick version due to his contract.

Danny. Danny possesses “the shining,” an array of psychic abilities that allow Danny to see the horrific

However, as scary as the film may be, the book was terrifying.

past of the hotel. Soon, after a winter storm leaves

The Replacement

By Brenna Yovanoff Review by Tilaney Khosi

Gentry, or to embrace his nature and win the girl back.

This debut novel from Brenna Yovanoff has a great deal of promise and the concept is delightfully unique. I loved the idea of the insular town of Gentry, with its secrets and

singled out because of their otherness, and are the

death things writhing beneath the surface, with

types of changelings that attract mobs, puritanical

a history of sacrifice and payments in blood.

anger, and are burned.

That said, while I felt the writing was

Mackie Doyle has had to follow strict rules his

beautiful and the idea of the book solid, the

entire life in order to avoid unwanted attention.

execution of the novel was a bit lacking, with

Although deathly allergic to iron (even the smell of it in

a patchwork plot and uneven storytelling.

spilled blood) and unable to set foot on unconsecrated

The pacing felt off, too, as I found my interest

The town of Gentry is a quiet,

ground, Mackie is a changeling that has, by the love

waning by the midway point of the book. More

insular place. Isolated from the

of his family, managed to pass for human. But Mackie

than anything else, The Replacement felt more

woes that seem to befall other

knows that something has changed for the worse, as

like a vignette of striking scenes and ideas, but

small towns, such as recessions,

he grows weaker and increasingly sensitive to the iron

lacked the cohesion that could have made the

droughts

Gentry

around him. Mackie is dying, and when his sister Emma

book truly excellent.

thrives. But prosperity comes at

barters for medicine that could save her brother’s life,

The saving grace for The Replacement

a price, and those in the town

Mackie discovers that there is a hidden world beneath

lies with its characters. I absolutely loved

all abide by the same unspoken

Gentry, filled with rotting, living dead creatures with

the dynamic between Mackie and his sister

rules; every few years, children

jagged teeth and cruel beauty. This world has been

Emma. Mackie’s narration is resonant, as a teen

disappear and are replaced.

taking children from the town for decades, and when

struggling for normalcy, but deciding to risk it

Most times, these replacements

one last little girl is taken, the baby sister of a girl in

all for those he cares for. I wasn’t crazy about

are weak and strange, and die

Mackie’s class, he must decide whether or not he

Tate, and was disappointed that best friend

quickly. Those that remain are

will continue in the silent tradition of the people of

Roswell didn’t get more of a role.

or

floods,

Endeavour Magazine | 107