COMPANY PROFILE
2013
BEKA
Let there be light
CompANY PROFILE
Let there be light Editorial: Lauren Grey Production: James Clark
Thirty-five years since its inception, South African lighting specialist BEKA (Pty) Ltd demonstrates that success is driven by innovation, quality and leadership. IndustrySA speaks to Regional Manager, Derek Watson to find out how the company is once again leading the way, with the introduction of its new range of LED products.
Over the past decade, the words preserve and protect have left a resounding ringing in our ears, as we are constantly reminded of the battle we face with safeguarding our planets natural resources. Recycling initiatives and switching off lights are simple ways in which we can help to reduce the effect we are having on the planet, but without the provision of energy saving technology and recyclable materials, it can be difficult to implement such initiatives in our everyday lives. Luckily, many manufacturing companies across the globe are fully embracing the challenge of producing equipment and materials that adhere to our energy and planet saving initiatives. One company at the forefront of lowering energy
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consumption in the lighting industry is BEKA, a South African manufacturer of luminaires and glass fibre reinforced polyester (GRP) poles. Through its new range of LED products, BEKA is able to offer customers intelligent and sustainable lighting solutions in order to reduce energy consumption, as well as the overall cost of ownership. “During the last year we have been really successful in new markets such as LED street lighting, industrial lighting and solar technologies, together with maintaining our standard product supply,� explains Regional Manager, Derek Watson.
LIGHTING SA Established in 1978, BEKA has been designing and
BEKA
manufacturing luminaire products in South Africa for thirty five years, with exports into almost all African countries, as well as the Middle East, South East Asia, Europe and Australia. “BEKA is Africa’s largest lighting manufacturer,” explains Watson, “and one of the world’s largest manufacturers of glass fibre reinforced polyester (GRP) poles. BEKA is one of the largest, if not the largest, employer in the local lighting industry. We remain committed to local job creation and employment within South Africa. “We are always thankful for the trust and support afforded us by our many customers. We focus on quality, performance and service, with a commitment to be accepted as a local manufacturer with world class products,
which are accepted not only on the African continent but many countries elsewhere in the world.” In order to service the South African market efficiently, BEKA’s head office and manufacturing plants are located in Olifantsfontein, a strategically positioned industrial area situated between Johannesburg and Pretoria. Furthermore, the company has branches in all of the country’s major hubs. Testament to its achievements, in 1989 BEKA became South Africa’s first lighting company to be awarded ISO 9000 certification. This commitment to quality became the company’s hallmark and has enabled BEKA to become Africa’s largest lighting manufacturer and market leader in amenity, functional, flood, industrial, commercial, emergency lighting, as well as sports and stadium lighting.
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CompANY PROFILE SUSTAINABLE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS For BEKA, continuous research and development is vital in order to meet changing consumer demand and to ensure that it is using the most up-to-date technologies in the development of its products. Whilst the company’s primary objective is to provide the correct lighting solutions, it is also extremely sensitive to the sustainability of the planet and understands the importance of renewable energy solutions; it has therefore been a mission of BEKA’s to produce sustainable lighting solutions as well as various solar-powered indoor and outdoor lighting products. “The last year has been excellent for us; we have fully embraced the new LED technology through designing and manufacturing many new product ranges,” says Watson. LED is renowned for being energy efficient, longer lasting and more responsive in low temperatures, and the company’s LED lighting range covers a wide variety of markets from within its existing product portfolio such as amenity, industrial and commercial. BEKA’s focus within the LED market is on designing sustainable, future proof products, most of which are locally designed and manufactured in South Africa, making them the best suited for African conditions. In order to maintain its leading position in the market, BEKA made a strategic decision in 2002 to become a member of Belgium company, Schréder Group, and
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through this association the company has been able to utilise Schréder’s leading technology of which it is world renowned. “We aim to become one of the leading international lighting companies within the Schréder Group,” says Watson, “One of our targets is to be recognised as an international provider of lighting solutions at very competitive prices.”
URBAN RENEWAL Over the years, BEKA has been involved in designing and manufacturing luminaire products for use in many South African infrastructure developments, such as roads and highways, residential and commercial areas, and town centres as an integral part of urban renewal programmes. Earlier this year, the company was selected by JSE listed mining group, Anglo American to provide lighting at two of its mines; the Kolomela project in Postmastburg and also the Sishen Life of Mine project in Kathu. BEKA was chosen as the preferred supplier as a result of extensive tests conducted by the project engineering team of Anglo American’s Kumba Iron Ore; these tests were done to ascertain the most efficient luminaire which would be required for their projects. To achieve the criteria set out by Anglo American, all luminaires had to incorporate high efficient reflector
BEKA
systems with light output ratios in excess of 82%. These high luminaire light output ratios were achieved with BEKA’s range of BEKA SUPRANOVA bulkhead luminaires, BEKABAY Techno Highbay luminaires, BEKA PROJECTOLUX floodlights and the BEKA VAPOURLINE IP 66 enclosed fluorescent luminaires. Aside from industrial lighting solutions, BEKA has also been involved in a number of renewal programmes to assist in the safety and upliftment of South African communities; the company’s most recent project, which took place earlier this year, was at Kaalfontein Park in Midrand. In a bid to make the park accessible and safer for the community at night, Johannesburg City Parks sought after a lighting solution that suited the new image of the park, incorporating an aesthetically pleasing design, so as to conceal the solar elements to reduce the risk of theft. Together with Blueprint Landscape Architecture, BEKA assisted in achieving Johannesburg City Park’s vision and manufactured “The Leaf Tree”, an idea designed by Blueprint whereby the solar panels were hidden in the leaves. A 10m high pole was transformed to look like a tree,
whilst the large leaves, made of powder coated steel, were designed to take into account the weight of the solar panels, as well as the wind factor. Two BEKA LEDlume-midi 62W luminaires at 24V, installed at a height of eight metres, provided the security lighting in the park; this specific range of LED’s are designed and manufactured in South Africa, thus taking Africa’s environments and conditions into account, for example a unique thermal sensor technique monitors the temperature of the LED’s on the printed circuit boards (PCBs). Once a critical temperature is reached, which could harm the lifetime of the LEDs, the current is reduced to ensure safe operating temperatures of the LEDs. This safeguards the LEDs and ensures that the long lifetime of 15-25 years, as envisaged by the LED manufacturer Osram, is achieved. Kaalfontein Park has since been transformed from a rundown park into a meeting point for the community; it now has a play area for the younger children, as well as a picnic area where adults can get together and have community meetings. A gym area has also been built for all ages to enjoy.
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CompANY PROFILE FUTURE PLANS Since its inception, BEKA has achieved exponential growth in local, international and emerging product markets, and Watson says that the company’s vision still has the potential to grow, “We would like to be seen as a partner in providing quality lighting products and solutions to the local and various international markets. “We all keep a close watch on the economy, remaining hopeful and optimistic. There are many opportunities to achieve growth both locally and internationally if we face up to the challenge and continue to explore the potential.” The company’s immediate plan for expansion lies in research and development, particularly in the development of new products, as Watson explains, “We will continue to invest capital into the design and development of new products, for example we have invested in newly appointed engineers and production managers to oversee the LED and other factory expansions.” In order to accommodate its expanding product range,
BEKA are currently in the process of upgrading and expanding its Research and Development department to international standards, which will provide the company with the facilities to test and certify products. However, Watson reiterates that with any past, present or future expansion, the company will never lose its customerfocus, “Our aim is to satisfy the needs of our customers with high performance products made to high quality standards, delivered on time and supported with technical advice.”
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“The last year has been excellent for us; we have fully embraced the new LED technology through designing and manufacturing many new product ranges”
“a building is more than just a place where people work, it has to fulfil other important functions; it needs to communicate who the company is and what they are about right from the offset.” PAGE 6 OCT 13
ESTMARK cc beka
Estmark is proud to be the preferred supplier of steel poles and brackets to Beka (Pty) Ltd. Estmark’s products, affordable pricing and commitment to personalized service delivery have rendered Estmark a loyal and growing client base with a worldwide reach. At Estmark good service is good business. We never compromise on quality! Our products include, but are not limited to:
• Steel poles and accessories • Solar poles • Wooden and concrete pole outreaches (curved, straight or decorative) • Floodlight mounting brackets • Spigots of all shapes and sizes • Decorative and functional brackets
Ivan Olivier
Office Tel: 011 609 8774 Cell: 082 373 6310 Email: pressfab1@iafrica.com
Candice Mizon
Cell: 079 584 6529 Email: estmark1@iafrica.com Address: 13 Buwbes Street Sebenza Edenvale Fax: 086 232 5366
www.estmark.co.za OCT 13 PAGE 7
+27 11 238 0000 www.beka.co.za
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