COMPANY PROFILE
2013
FIRETECH PROJECTS
Technology at its best
company report
Technology
at its best Editorial: Joe Forshaw Production: Ben Martell
Firetech Projects have been installing and maintaining fire and security systems for clients since 1993. We speak to Sales Manager, Johann Blignaut, to find out what is driving the company’s success and how they plan to grow over the next few years.
Right now in South Africa phenomenal amounts of money are being pumped into construction, infrastructure and building projects. The country is developing and evidence of this is seen popping up every month as new buildings, small and large, and mega-structures spring into existence. Before a building project can be completed the issue of safety has to be addressed and the systems installed for safety purposes are becoming more and more advanced. At the same time as considering safety, other issues like security have to be addressed, especially in commercial structures such as banks or airports, and this can be a timely, costly and complicated process. One of the country’s leading specialist companies in the field of fire and security systems installation and maintenance is Firetech Projects, headquartered in Pretoria. The company has been installing and maintaining fire and security systems for clients for the last 20 years and they have seen exponential growth. With the South African economy remaining relatively healthy, despite the global economic slowdown, major construction projects and other investments continue to be commissioned and this presents many opportunities for
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companies like Firetech. IndustrySA recently spoke to Firetech’s Sales Manager, Johann Blignaut, and he explained more about how the business established itself and what plans they have to grow. “The business started in 1991. Our CEO, Steve Alberts, and two other directors saw a gap in the market where they would be able to offer service and maintenance of security systems to various clients. They had all been involved in the industry for some time. “The business quickly evolved and they realised they would need to install systems as well. Installations became necessary and so our business evolved and changed to a supply and installation company. We still have the maintenance department but the installation part became much more prevalent.”
FIRE AND SECURITY SPECIALISTS Firetech work with construction firms and expert consultants to understand exactly what clients require and Mr Blignaut explains that right now, security installations are probably the bigger part of the business.
FIRETECH PROJECTS
“Security is probably the bigger part of the business but not by much. It’s almost 50/50 between our fire and security services. With security, there is higher value equipment so that could be why that side of things is slightly bigger. “Most of our business comes from advertised tenders or from consultants. Electronic consultants will specify a product for a client and we are asked to tender for the projects. We also work closely with the building industry, tenders are put out for a complete project and we will tender for the areas that we can give expertise in. We also have direct clients; many of our clients know us directly and will ask for maintenance or installations.” Because the needs of clients vary so dramatically, Firetech has to ensure the correct products are installed. This, says Mr Blignaut, is made easier by the work of consultants who help to prepare detailed specifications for clients. “On many occasions, a consultant will have put out specifications for what they need for their client and we have to match that specification. They don’t always put a brand in but a lot of the time specifications are written around a certain product.
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“In the past we have done work in Angola, the Congo, Gambia, Egypt and as far away as Albania”
“Everything revolves around the requirement of the client and their specification.” Firetech installations use some of the most hightech products from some of the world’s most well respected brands. The company also frequently use local suppliers for equipment, especially in the market of access control. “We work with brands like, Samsung, Sanyo, Honeywell (ADI) Ziton and Fire and Security Techniques. “We install local products where we can. For access control, we often work with Impro Systems, Softcon or Saflec Systems,” says Mr Blignaut.
ECONOMIC PRESSURE? We have discussed the global economic slowdown on many occasions in the past and we have heard how it has affected South African businesses in many different ways with some being effected less than others. In the case of Firetech, Mr Blignaut suggests that the slowdown has had little, if any, impact on the business. “We have not seen a slowdown. Last year our business was fairly constant and this year it has picked up and we have started the year in a far better situation than last year but I don’t think business ever dipped.” Firetech has worked on government projects and has even undertaken projects in other countries, a strong indicator that the brand is trusted and respected. “At least 80% of our business is local in South
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Africa, but in the past we have done work in Angola, the Congo, Gambia, Egypt and as far away as Albania. “The government are fairly active, they have put out a lot of projects in the last two years and we do get a fair amount of business from them. “We are definitely looking to grow our business with government projects,” says Mr Blignaut. As one of the industry leaders for fire and security systems in South Africa, Firetech has recently entered a new market as part of a strategic growth plan. The company can now offer the full design and installation of sprinkler systems. “One of the areas we are expanding into is water extinguishing systems, for example, sprinkler systems,” says Mr Blignaut. “We’ve taken on a new manager for this department and we are quoting and have already taken on our first major project. We will fully design and install the sprinkler systems, this is a big growth area and we are hoping to expand on it in the next two years.”
“Everything revolves around the requirement of the client and their specification”
Freedom of Movement, Uncompromised Security Alltech, member of the Gunnebo Security Group, is the world’s leading specialist in pedestrian and vehicle entrance control equipment. Alltech is able to draw upon years of experience in product development and technological advancement of entrance control solutions for any environment Whether there is a need for secure access, time and attendance or revenue collection, Alltech can provide the right entrance control solution that combines high efficiency operation with minimum serviceability and low running costs.
Secure pedestrian access
Alltech’s range of pedestrian entrance control equipment provides smooth and fast passage whilst preventing unauthorised access. It includes waist height turnstiles, entrance gates, pedestrian speed gates and full height turnstiles.
Secure vehicle access
The efficient design of Alltech’s vehicle access products allows for heavy and continuous use, provide an extremely effective means of vehicle defence and also ensures a high security deterrent. The range of products includes road blockers, spike barriers, rising bollards and vehicle speed gates.
Tel: +27 11 824 5780 Fax: +27 11 824 5766 E-mail: info@alltechsa.com www.alltechsa.com
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EMPLOYEES DRIVE GROWTH With complicated products and services that require an in-depth understanding of fire and security systems, the staff of Firetech has to undergo rigorous training programmes. The company manages its own installation teams and has a highly skilled technical division so, naturally, a large emphasis is placed on training and development. “One of the strong points of Firetech is that we have our own technical division and our own installation teams. Our employees constantly have to go on training courses for new products and new systems, we place a large emphasis on training. “All of employees are local, from South Africa. We create a lot of jobs because we have our own installation teams,” says Mr Blignaut. Having such a knowledgeable team has allowed Firetech to work on some of the country’s largest structures, as Mr Blignaut explains: “The OR Tambo Airport is complete but we have the maintenance contract there. We have on-going contracts with UNISA and we are doing a lot of work in FNB branches. We are
installing fire and security products - fire detection, audio evacuation systems, gas separation, access control, CCTV and intercom so we are offering a full package that is all integrated through a security management system.” As mentioned before, the growth of Firetech has been exponential and it is a testament to company that this growth looks set to continue. “We could certainly expand into other industries such as mining and transport but we do cover a vast range of sectors,” explains Mr Blignaut, “we are busy in the health sector with a large installation with the new hospital in East London.
Supporting the trade National Help : 0861-PTHELP
THE BIOMETRIC LEADER
“There is a lot of competition in this industry but we are one of the top five installation companies.” Firetech, and the entire fire and security installation industry, are regulated by external governing bodies and this ensures that organisations have the public and national interest at the forefront of their minds. “We belong to certain controlling bodies such as PSIRA (Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority) and the FDIA (Fire Detection Installers Association),” says Mr Blignaut. With major projects in the pipeline and continuing development, from the public and private sector, the future is bright for Firetech. Their expertise, knowledge and flexibility through managing their own installation teams, set them apart from the competition. Given the correct opportunities, there is no reason why Firetech Projects could not continue to grow and become one of the industry leaders not only in South Africa but Africa as a whole.
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Morpho Access Morpho offers a unique multibiometric product portfolio with fingerprint, multimodal and facial devices coming soon. Morpho biometric readers have been designed mainly for the purposes of access control and Time & Attendance clocking, since 1979.
E N Q U I R I E S We welcome all dealer/ installer enquiries. JHB +27 (0)11 234-6990
CT +27 (0)21 448-0156
DBN +27 (0)31 312-1405
PE +27 (0)41 364-2655
E-mail : marketing@powelltronics.com
National Distributor for Morpho Access
+27 12 667 2335 www.firetech.co.za
(0)1603 618 000 info@industrysa.com East Coast Promotions Ltd, Ferndale Business Centre, 1 Exeter Street. Norwich, Norfolk NR2 4QB