4 minute read
New sales manager joins Rosenbauer South Africa
Morné Seyfferdt recently joined Rosenbauer South Africa as sales manager. Seyfferdt will be based at Unit 10, 997 Richards Drive in Midrand, Gauteng. He will be responsible for South Africa and all other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries for all municipal, petrochemical, industrial, aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) and mining firefighting, rescue and emergency apparatus and equipment.
Fire and Rescue International had a chance to talk to Seyfferdt regarding his background and his decision for joining Rosenbauer South Africa.
Prior to joining the Rosenbauer South Africa team, Seyfferdt worked at Anglo American Platinum for 28 years. “I started as a junior firefighter and went through the ranks until I became the chief fire officer in 2005. In 2016, I was promoted to become the emergency coordinator for the whole Anglo American Platinum Process Division with 200 members reporting to me. I have experience in all fields of the emergency services including municipal, industrial and aviation,” said Seyfferdt.
Seyfferdt’s qualifications and training include fire investigator, rope rescue technician, industrial firefighting, incident commander, hazmat operational, vehicle extrication, aviation firefighting involving helicopters and risk management.
Achievement“When I took the position as Emergency Coordinator in 2016, there was no real emergency services department for the Process Division. I started everything from scratch. Firstly, I ensured that I had all my policies and procedures in place. I had to create all of this, as it was a first for many mining companies. Not to get confused with Mines Rescue Services, who services conventional mines and is well established, this was all surface operations. Procedures included recruitment, medical and physical assessments, training and development, confined and height rescue etc. I am quite proud of that”, said Seyfferdt.
He added, “My current job entails for me to advise and sell the best products on offer to the emergency market, focusing primarily on firefighting. As this occupation is extremely dangerous and we lose a lot of brothers and sisters every year to this chosen profession, it is my mission to make sure that I can at least try to make it a little bit safer for them”.
“This position is all new to me, as I have always been the end user. The person that picks up the phone and says, I want this and this and then expect the person on the other side of the line to make it happen. Now I am that other person and it is thrilling because it is totally out of my comfort zone and I love challenges.”
Hobbies“Because of my busy lifestyle, when I have free time I love to spend it with my friends and family. Having a nice South African “braai” and a couple of drinks around the fire is what makes life worthwhile. I also love computer games and play whenever my wife allows me too (joking)!” concluded Seyfferdt.
Rosenbauer is the world’s leading manufacturer of systems for firefighting and disaster protection. The company develops and produces vehicles, fire extinguishing systems, equipment and digital solutions for professional, industrial, plant and volunteer fire services and systems for preventive firefighting.
With revenues of €1 064.5 million and around 4 300 employees, as of 31 December 2023, the Group is the world's largest firefighting technology provider.
All of the main sets of standards are covered by products manufactured in Europe, the US and Asia.
The Group has an active service and sales network in over 120 countries. The listed family company is in its sixth generation and has served fire departments for more than 150 years. A strong customer focus, innovative strength and reliability are Rosenbauer’s key assets.
Fire and Rescue International welcomes Seyfferdt to the Rosenbauer South Africa team and wish him all the best on the new career!
Contact Morné SeyfferdtMobile: + 27 76 232 2939Email: rosenbauer.za@ rosenbauer.com
