T O M O R R O W S B U S I N E S S T O D AY AUGUST 2018
WWW.INDUSTRYAFRICA.NET
Wind power finally being realised
BMW SA THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE
SA SHIPYARDS ALL SHIPSHAPE IN DURBAN
SWAKOP URANIUM ELEVATING NAMIBIAN MINING
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Many children in our country are never diagnosed because their symptoms are not recognised, or they are diagnosed too late for effective treatment. To help solve this problem, the South African Children's Cancer Study Group has prepared this list of Warning Signs, for distribution to primary health care centres. CHOC has supported the printing and distribution of posters. They have been adopted by the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP), for distribution throughout developing countries. CHOC is a member of the International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parent Organisations www.icccpo.org
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EDITOR Gert le Roux SUB-EDITOR Ajuanne Payne WRITERS Colin Chinery Tim Hands Rebecca Bingley PROJECT MANAGER Jodie Rettie Richard Hadley Stephen Lewis Sarah Dickens ADVERTISING SALES SALES DIRECTOR Andy Williams SALES EXECUTIVE Holly Graham STUDIO STUDIO DIRECTOR Martyn Oakley ACCOUNTS Mike Molloy, Jane Reeder MAGAZINE MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS MANAGER Shaun Cousins BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Hal Hutchison
In this edition of Industry Africa we focus on companies that are innovating within their sector and striving for excellence within their field. Having recently rebranded from IndustrySA to IndustryAfrica due to our growing presence within the wider African marketplace. As always, we’ve been speaking with CEO’s and MD’s from industry leading companies and getting the inside scoop on their latest developments, investments & acquisitions. We speak with the team at FGG Architects, revisit The South African National Space Agency to see how South Africa is pioneering groundbreaking projects within the aerospace sector, and look at how lean manufacturing adaptation assists BMW to manufacture and retail top end automobiles across the globe. We take a look at DCD’s forging business and how they look to continue export 70% of their specialist products “As one of the largest forging companies in the southern hemisphere, we ensure our local and global reputation by applying our advanced technology in innovative ways, and also to fill niche requirements,” said Booyens. “Being approved by government agencies and railway authorities all over the world gives customers confidence in our expertise across many other sectors such as mining, petrochemical, nuclear, wind energy, civils and materials handling.” All of these businesses are helping to move business forward in Africa and boost the economy. Have you got a story of success? Get in touch with us and we can tell the world about your story.
Gert le Roux
editor@industryafrica.net
If you would like more information about ways in which Industry Africa or East Coast Promotions can promote your business please call +44 (0)20 32878 795 or email | editor@industryafrica.net East Coast Promotions 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. © East Coast Promotions Ltd 2018
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3 EDITOR’S PAGE Cementing the foundations of South Africa
6 NEWS All that’s happening in South Africa 12 LIFESTYLE SA Trendy Modern Jewelry
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14 DCD WIND TOWERS Wind power finally being realised
22 FGG ARCHITECTS Shaping the skyline
28 BMW SA The ultimate driving machine 32 SWAKOP URANIUM Elevating Namibian mining
38 SANSA Expanding horizons
44 SA SHIPYARDS All shipshape in Durban
COMPANY PROFILES
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NEWS A brief look at the issues making the news across South Africa. For more news stories visit industrysa.com
Falke South Africa Expands its Global Footprint
Legwear specialists FALKE South Africa will this month be expanding its global footprint, when they establish a retail presence in Australia. Falke South Africa Expands its Global Footprint Brothers Matt (left) and Brad Milne (right) with FALKE Group General Manager Martin Grobbelaar and Keaton Quarmby, Group Marketing Executive, during a recent visit to Sydney. Photo: Supplied Legwear specialists FALKE South Africa will this month be expanding its global footprint, when they establish a retail presence in Australia. According to Group Marketing Executive Keaton Quarmby, they have just returned from an extremely successful visit to Australia. “There are definitively great similarities between the target markets here in South Africa and in Australia. Our audiences share comparable lifestyles, which will provide a great fit for the FALKE brand. We are continuously
PAGE 6
investigating opportunities to extend our market share and are convinced that this partnership will assist us in creating a brand presence in Australia,� said Quarmby. The Australian endeavour will be spearheaded by former South Africans Matt and Brad Milne. The Sydney-based brothers have been running a successful distribution company in Australia for the past five years. The online shop will carry the Advance Performance range of sport-specific socks in the Run, Hike, Bike and Golf categories as well as a selection of everyday sports socks. FALKE South Africa is a subsidiary of the German textile giant, a fourth-generation family owned business that was founded in 1895. The South African operation was established in 1974 and is widely recognised as a local market leader. FALKE South Africa currently manufactures approximately 7 million pairs of socks per year for the domestic and export market.
NEWS
SAPPMA Welcomes Polyflo Piping As New Member The Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturer’s
for projects where SAPPMA membership is included in the
Association (SAPPMA) has welcomed Polyflo Piping (Pty)
specifications,” reports Charles Samuel, a Director at Polyflo
Ltd as a new member.
Piping.
Based in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, Polyflo’s primary area
Welcoming the new members, SAPPMA Chief Executive
of business is the extrusion of HDPE pipes which they supply
Officer, Jan Venter says: “It is our mission to create absolute
primarily to the civil and irrigation markets. The company
customer confidence in the Plastics Pipe Industry, thereby
opened its doors for the first time in 2016 and was awarded
ensuring long term sustainability and dynamic growth for
the SATAS mark last year.
our industry. In an era where pipe manufacturers are tempted
“It was important for us to join SAPPMA in light of the
to look for ways to cut corners and compromise on standards
fact that our customers were demanding it of us. They
and quality for the sake of making a bigger profit, is
recognise the SAPPMA brand is an assurance of quality and
heartening to see companies such as Polyflo who are willing
standards and it gives them peace of mind. Being able to
to agree to the SAPPMA Code of Conduct by only producing
display the Association’s logo on our products will also be
and marketing top quality products that are fully compliant
a major benefit to our company and will allow us to tender
to all relevant standards and specifications”.
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NEWS A brief look at the issues making the news across South Africa. For more news stories visit industrysa.com
Rand Merchant Bank cements its relationship with First Quantum Minerals
Inpit Crushing Facility which decreases haulages distances and
various maturities and was tailored to dovetail with the FQM
material handling costs
corporate facility provided in 2017. The facility provides the
By Sandile Mbulawa (Head: Resource Finance)
group with additional cash as it grows its business further, taking
The positive outlook for the copper sector bodes well for
into consideration the positive long-term growth outlook for the
Zambia and its copper mines with copper comprising around
copper market. RMB’s relationship with FQM began in 2012
60% of the country’s total exports, while the country is expected
when RMB was one of the lenders which provided one of FQM’s
to produce more than 1 million tonnes of the metal this year.
mines in Zambia, Kansanshi, with $1bn of debt funding for its
Mining companies such as Canadian-based First Quantum
expansion. Over the years, together with other banks, RMB has
Minerals (FQM) are expanding their copper mines to cater for
also provided various other debt facilities including a portion of
expected growing demand particularly from the Chinese market,
the $3bn corporate facility raised in 2014.
a major driver of consumption. The outlook for copper has not always been so positive
FQM is the largest company in Zambia operating two of Zambia’s largest copper mines, Kansanshi and Sentinel,
with the sector experiencing prices as low as US$2/lb in 2016,
with Kansanshi being the largest copper mine in Africa with
compared to a peak spot price of $3.30/lb in 2018 so far. The
production of around 240 000 tonnes/year. However, Sentinel,
copper price rose by 30% in 2017, however, the price has
which was developed by Kalumbila Minerals, is expected to ramp
softened somewhat of late alongside a strengthening US dollar.
up its production to 255 000 tonnes/year by 2020, overtaking
The longer-term outlook is buoyed by lower mining costs, and
Kansanshi as Africa’s largest copper mine. FQM’s $2.1bn
global undersupply caused to a large extent by demand from
investment in developing the Sentinel mine is the second largest
China’s power and infrastructure sectors and increasingly by
foreign investment in Zambia to date.
rising electric vehicle production globally. The engine used in
Sentinel, located in the north-west region of Zambia,
conventional cars usually contains about 20kg of copper while
utilises the world’s largest excavators, haul trucks and mills to
engines in an electric car contain copper weighing about 80kg.
economically mine the relatively low-grade copper resource in
Some forecasts expect refined copper to register a deficit of 251
the Kalumbila region. The mine development also entails the
000 tonnes in 2018 and remain undersupplied until 2023.
development of a purpose-built town of Kalumbila, which was
Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) identified an opportunity to offer
planned and funded by FQM. Kalumbila is not a typical mining
FQM debt funding by co-arranging a $400m term facility for its
town as it is designed to outlast the mine with sophisticated
subsidiary Kalumbila Minerals. RMB participated for $100m in
infrastructure and incentives to attract other businesses to the
the facility which is repayable over three years, with the option
region. So, while the mine may produce copper for 20 plus years,
to extend for another two years. The facility, finalised at the
the town is designed to continue for far longer.
beginning of this year, was structured to fit within the group’s corporate capital structure which includes $6.0bn of bonds with
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Sandile Mbulawa is Head of Resource Finance at Rand Merchant Bank.
NEWS
Polyflor SA helps take Lanseria departures lounge from drab to fab Polyflor SA has helped transform the Domestic Departure
to withstand heavy foot traffic and abuse by suitcases and trolley
Lounge of Lanseria International Airport into a modern-
wheels. It must able to reduce or dampen noise levels and
looking, yet warm and functional space that is in with leading
keep passengers on their feet by being slip-resistant. Because
airports around the world.
a flooring renovation can cause a lot of disruption to a busy
Preparing for growth
airport, the floor selected must be highly durable and able to
One of only two privately owned international airports in
look good for at least 20 years, yet be easy to maintain and keep
South Africa, Lanseria is located in the north of Johannesburg.
clean on a daily basis,” says Tandy Coleman, Chief Executive
This internationally accredited airport opened its doors for
Officer of Polyflor SA.
the first time in 1974 and has since then undergone numerous expansion and renovation projects.
Furthermore, owing to the fact that the terminal building is built around a steel structure, it was important to select a
More than 2 million passengers passed through the airport
floor that would allow for a degree of flexibility and allow for
in 2017, and this number is expected to grow to just over four
movement. Polyflor’s Expona Commercial Wood PUR LVT
million by 2022.
(950m2) in the vibrant wood effect Wild Teak (4102) ticked all
Transforming Domestic Departure Lounge “The decision was taken to revamp the Domestic Departure
the boxes. “We selected Polyflor to be our flooring partners in this
Lounge in order to enhance the comfort and experience of
renovation project because we were impressed with their
the airport’s growing number of passengers. We originally
product offering, expertise and track record of successful
had heavy-duty, commercial nylon carpet tiles installed in the
installations in similar high traffic areas and their willingness to
lounge area. However, with the increase in foot traffic, these
partner with us every step of the way,” Teeglar confirms.
carpet tiles soon began to look old and worn. Even with our
We have lift-off!
regular maintenance and cleaning efforts, the floors no longer
Renovating the 950 sqm began in January 2018 and was
matched the modern-looking, clean image we were introducing
completed in the following month. The installation team of Top
in the rest of the airport. It was time to literally rip up the old
Carpets Centurion was mindful of the fact that not being able
and bring in the new,” According to Trevor Teegler, Deputy
to use the Departure Lounge would be a major inconvenience
Executive Manager: Operations at Lanseria International
for the airport, and teams worked around the clock to ensure
Airport.
that the job was completed on time.
A floor that offers beauty, strength and easy maintenance for years to come Polyflor SA is a leading supplier of homogeneous, heterogeneous, safety, acoustic, rubber, woven vinyl and
As part of their PolyCare service offering, Polyflor has undertaken to do a quarterly maintenance inspection, alongside management and the maintenance teams at Lanseria International Airport.
designer luxury vinyl tile products and has a well-earned
“The client selected a floor and layout that is practical and
reputation for the best, high quality flooring suitable for
bends space from a psychological perspective. The end result
commercial purpose.
was a floor that is warm and welcoming, yet modern and
“When selecting a floor for a busy commercial area like an
upmarket. The feedback we have received from management
airport, there are a number of important aspects that need to be
and passengers alike is that they are extremely happy with the
taken into consideration. Aesthetics aside, a floor must be able
new look and performance of the floor,” Tandy concludes.
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NEWS A brief look at the issues making the news across South Africa. For more news stories visit industrysa.com
Copywriting for Business: 3 Things to Do toAvoid Losing Potential Customers
Whether it’s on a website, social media post or marketing material, businesses have the responsibility of portraying their brands in the best possible way.
When it comes to potential customers engaging with a brand for the first time, first impressions are everything. If they aren’t immediately impressed with the content on a website they’re checking out or a social media post they’ve just seen on their feed, they’re most likely to keep it moving. It becomes difficult to woo them back after that point. I can’t recall how many times I’ve left a website quicker than I loaded it due to poor quality copy. Yes, it’s rather off-putting. If your copy is of poor quality, you’re at risk of losing potential customers. “Copy is a direct conversation with the consumer.” – Shirley Polykoff That’s why it’s critical that businesses craft high-quality
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copy. Why would I trust a brand that doesn’t pay close attention to detail, after all? Quite frankly, there are no excuses. Here are 3 things businesses can start doing today to easily avoid losing potential customers: Hire a copywriter If you want something done right, hire the right person to do it. A copywriter will produce crisp, quality and professional content that’s in line with your brand. 2. Revisit old copy If your website has been around for some time or you’re using old marketing material, it’s time to comb through it with a fresh pair of (professional) eyes. Read more here: https://www. linkedin.com/pulse/copywriting-business-3-things-do-noweasily-avoid-losing-masango/
NEWS
The balancing act of being a forwardthinking woman in business Lesego Ngobeni: Pacinamix Managing Director Being a woman in business means I naturally come with certain spoken and unspoken tags. Although globally many of these have been dispelled and even openly called out in boardrooms, the biggest question and struggle remains how does a successful leading lady control her center and aspire to attain this magical realm of balance? Being labelled a forward-thinking woman in business can be seen as the ultimate professional balancing act. This comes with ‘all eyes on you’ watching every move of how you literally manage what I call two ‘households’ – my personal life versus my professional life. As the Managing Director of Pacinamix, rooted in the spirit of entrepreneurship, I have come through the rollercoaster of ‘building a new work family and work home’ while maintaining focus on my own personal goals. Has it been easy? Not in the least bit. Does it get better? Absolutely, with a few bruises and bumps that have helped me fine tune my perspective and journey. In the last two years I have come to appreciate what it actually means to align and find a working center, before one can balance. Be an innovative solution-implementor: I am constantly looking at what can make my environment and spaces better. To be forward-thinking, I have chosen to be innovative and think outside of the usual box. Growth does not come from comfort zones and innovation can be found in the simplest of tasks. From time management to smartly analysing and using the best skills from your team, being an innovative solutionimplementor does not have to break the work flow. I start with aligning myself first. Self-discipline is important, so I always start my day with being mentally and physical healthy. It is an early morning visit to
the gym followed by a healthy breakfast and a pack of nibbles to set me for the day. Music or motivational talks remind me on my drive to work of who I am, my responsibilities and achievements I need for the day. You will need to strategically burn certain bridges to build bridges: One of my biggest take-outs through my career has been training myself to choose my battles – on the professional and personal front. Choose what to stress about. With only 24 hours in a day, what are you going to bed thinking about? My experience across various work environments has taught me that there is not a single work place that does not have its ups and downs. When the negative does step in, I access my four- point system: 1) Does it make or break me? 2) What does it mean to the team member? 3) Does it affect business in any way? 4) Is there a solution to turn the problem into a positive? And it’s back to business thereafter! Continue to assess yourself, your environment and celebrate successes: Being able to step ahead of yourself and define or understand yourself and capabilities has been one of my biggest learnings. By doing so I have been able to step out of doing the norm and take calculated risks. Celebrating successes and being part of winning teams not only boosts morale, but also reminds you on the low days that it takes hard work and strong team motivation to raise the bar. I am also conscious of how detrimental toxic competition amongst team members can be and how it can affect personal spaces. The trick is to continue reminding yourself as a leader and your working teams of previous detrimental incidents which did not align with the company culture of teamwork. Always be the first example of what teamwork actually looks like.
PAGE 11
LIFESTYLE
Trendy Modern Jewelry at Kahns Jewellers
The journey of Kahns Jewellers started in 1980’s in Rondebosch in the hands of two brothers. Later, the company moved to Table View and continued to flourish. The speciality of Kahns Jewellers lies in manufacturing of unique jewellery pieces loved by everyone. Earrings: On the official website of Kahns Jewellers you will find images of beautiful, simple and magnificent rings displayed. Different
bracelet to give a personal touch to the piece. Cuff bracelets are another style you can try with different outfits. Neckwear: Pendants of different designs and styles are available at Kahns Jewellers and they are usually made from white gold, rose gold or yellow gold. Platinum and silver are also popular at the store. You can choose from hamsa sepia pendant, heart pendant, angel wing pendant, butterfly pendant, star pendant and many others at Kahns Jewellers. Rings: The portfolio of Kahns Jewellers also contains several
styles of earrings like hoop, dangler, drop, tear-drop, semi-hoop and
beautiful and unique designed rings that will capture your imagination.
studs all manufactured by the jewellery design company.
Now, you can choose a wedding ring, love bands or a ring for all
Armwear: Charm bracelets, slap bracelets, cuff bracelets, beaded
occasions from Kahns Jewellers from anywhere provided you have an
bracelets, link bracelets, multi-strand bracelets. All this you will find
internet connection. Sapphire and diamond rings, onyx rings as well as
at Kahns Jewellers. You can add a charm to your silver or gold chain
Mokume Gane rings are wildly popular at the jewellery designing and
PAGE 12
KAHNS JEWELLERS
manufacturing company. Mokume Range: The Mokume Gane range at Kahns Jewellers will simply fascinate you. All the Mokume Gane rings are unique in design and are quite affordable. Silver/gold and copper alloy, and even palladium are the main constituents of these types of rings. Gold Range: You can change your appearance by simply wearing a simple yet elegant gold chain from Kahns Jewellers for an office party. Other than this, a wide range of gold jewellery like rings, bracelets, bangles and pendants are available at Kahns Jewellers. Kahns Jewellers gives you a wonderful opportunity to design your own jewellery, be it earrings, bracelets or pendants. The craftsmen at the jewellery store will help with your designs and manufacture them just the way you imagined.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Wind power is finally being realised
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As the 23,000m2, R300 million DCD Wind Towers manufacturing facility nears completion, excitement in the renewables industry is growing and many people in the Eastern Cape are hailing the project as the start of triumph for local manufacturing. All this and the factory is still two months away from fabricating its first product…
After years of planning and development, it seems that the true potential of wind power in South Africa is now starting to be realised. The country’s
industry and the Eastern Cape.
first commercial wind farm, The Van Stadens Wind Farm near
Fitchards Corner substation which will then feed, via the Nelson
Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, started supplying power to the
Mandela Bay municipality, into the national grid.
The electricity that is generated by the wind farm will feed into a new substation on the site. This substation will then feed into the
national grid at the end of November. This is of course hugely exciting for the renewable industry in
LOCAL IMPACT
South Africa, an industry which has faced its fair share of challenges
This is great news for the Eastern Cape, and especially the Blue
while getting off the ground.
Horizon Bay and surrounding areas, but there is one company who
Initially, just one of the Metrowind Sinovel turbines has supplied electricity but the other eight will come online over the next two months in the run up to the original target date for full commission, February 1st 2014.
will have kept a closer eye on this news than most and that is DCD Wind Towers. DCD Wind Towers is a subsidiary of DCD’s Mining and Energy division (featured in IndustrySA December 2012 and July 2013)
Eskom will assist in getting the power onto the national grid and
and the company is very active in the renewable industry. This was
so far, the consensus is that this is a huge step forward for the wind
demonstrated back in March when construction on a R300 million
PAGE 14
wind tower manufacturing facility began. In July, DCD Mining and Energy Marketing Manager, Henk
projections suggested. “It is important for the Eastern Cape as it will create around 600
Schoeman, told IndustrySA that the company was investigating the
jobs during construction and we will employ 150 operational staff
possibility of amending original designs to raise the potential output
when the factory is up and running,” Schoeman said.
levels for the facility. “The factory has been designed to manufacture around 120 towers
He also said that the effect would be felt throughout the supply chain, with local businesses benefitting too, “In the future we will
each year. We are investigating whether or not we can increase
create a supply chain and support smaller local companies to assist
capacity and it looks as though we will be able to increase to around
with supply of components for the factory. It is without a doubt a
180-200 towers per year,” he said.
great injection of work and opportunity for the local community.”
“The wind turbine towers will vary in size, ranging between 80
Many of the people who have benefitted from the project
and 120 meters, with individual sections weighing between 40-60
have been from the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality and
tons.”
Ayanda Vilakazi, Coega Development Corporation (CDC) Head
Since we spoke to Schoeman, work has moved at a dramatic
of Marketing and Communications says that the pace of the
pace and now the facility is close to completion but the impact on
development is down to the skill of the local infrastructure and
the local economy has proven to be more valuable than original
construction specialists.
PAGE 15
COMPANY PROFILE
“Investors are given a choice whether or not to use Coega’s
from Aspirata, earned more than 20,000 injury free hours, assisted
infrastructure and construction services when they decide to set
SMMEs and sub-contractors with approval of their environmental
up shop in the Coega IDZ,” he said in a statement.
health and safety files and has had minimal detrimental impact on
“The pace at which DCD is going up is an indication of the quality and speed of Coega’s expert team. In addition, we are able
the local environment. CDC Infrastructure Project Manager, Bruno Ponzo, said that the
to ensure that on projects such as these that small construction
goal was still to get the factory ready for February so that DCD
firms also gain a share of the work. The aim is for SMMEs (small,
could begin supplying to its first two customers. He also explained
micro, medium-sized enterprises) to benefit from 35% of CDC’s
that the facility would not drain the national grid of all of the
procurement.”
valuable electricity that its products will help to create as it has
The CDC is proud to state that so far, the materials used in the construction process amount to 236 tonnes of reinforcement,
been put together with ‘green objectives’ in mind. “An example of such is the introduction of natural light shafts in
1896 tonnes of structural steel and 8440m 3 of concrete and, of
the façade walls and the use of passive natural ventilation elements.
course, when the facility is fully operational, it will contribute
The on-site offices will also make use of solar control devices
further to the provision of local content for the wind energy
and performance glazing to reinforce the aesthetic aspects of the
industry in South Africa.
structure,” he said. The CDC has long been keen to position the IDZ as a centre
HIGH-SPEC FACILITY
for renewable energy projects in the Eastern Cape and hope that
You may think that the company has fast-tracked construction to
DCD’s investment will provide a boost in this regard.
get the factory from nothing to working in just over 11 months but
“With DCD located in the Coega IDZ, we add impetus to moves
you would be wrong. Obviously, safety and quality remain some of
to position the Coega IDZ as the green energy hub of the Eastern
the top priorities and a number of achievements have already been
Cape. This action also enables local renewable energy component
gained as the factory nears completion.
manufacturing growth in tandem with the major wind projects on
During construction, the factory has gained compliance orders
PAGE 16
track in the province and country,” Vilakazi said in a statement.
SWAKOP URANIUM
Innovations for a global market Fall arresters redefined: Hailo PARTNER Hailo fall arrester systems are designed to prevent service staff from falling when using ladders and manhole steps, both above and below ground. Tracks or a steel rope used to guide the fall arrester are mounted to ladders and manhole steps (to one side or centrally) connected to the installation.
Hailo TOPlift LX for pylon structures Hailo service lifts have been especially developed for use in wind power systems. By deploying high-quality materials and components, the systems are suitable for long-term, safe use in virtually all wind power systems, as all fixing elements are designed and manufactured so that the Hailo TOPlift can be used for internal access in tubular towers and for external access in the case of pylon structures.
Hailo BLADElift S: rotor blade lift system for small wind power systems The rotor blades in a wind power system must be regularly accessed for cleaning, repair and servicing purposes. With the Hailo BLADElift, the company has developed a system that – as a result of its modular construction – can be customised allowing for easy inspection of both smaller rotors in 0.5-MW systems and in 6-MW systems. Whether high up or deep down: wherever safety and professionalism are required, Hailo Professional is always the perfect solution. Hailo is the market leader in climbing equipment and has – under the Hailo Professional brand – developed a tailored program for commercial climbing equipment and shaft equipment technology.
Tel. +49 2773 82-0 info@hailo-windsystems.de www. hailo-windsystems.com
PAGE 17
COMPANY PROFILE
Schoeman added that as well as providing the boost for the
Koudia Al Baida Farm, and more commercial farms are planned
local market, the factory would be completed with international
or online in countries including Kenya (Lake Turkana Wind
specifications in mind so that products can also be competitive in
Power), The Gambia (Batokunku), Ethiopia (Ashegoda Wind
international markets.
Farm) and Egypt (Zaafarana Farm).
“A substantial amount of research and development work has
Although DCD’s Wind Towers subsidiary is a fairly new part of
already been undertaken, and the DCD Wind Towers team is
the business, the company has vast experience in the wider energy
benchmarking its facility on a number of similar facilities visited in
sector and Schoeman told IndustrySA that it’s not just wind
Europe and Asia and, with the help of its technology partner, has
power that DCD specialises in.
designed the layout of a factory that is internationally competitive in terms of production, quality and pricing,” he said. It is hoped that the factory will have a wide-reaching impact on the energy industry in South Africa and as the government continues its drive towards changing the energy mix, with
“We manufactured products for the Ingla Hydro Power Station and in the past we have manufactured penstocks for other hydro stations. As a company and a group we have great experience in this sector. “The manufacture of products for all the power stations; coal,
renewables playing an ever increasing role, the hope is that
nuclear and hydro is our focus, we’ve manufactured products for
manufacturing things like wind towers, from a local base, will keep
every power station in South Africa.
ideas, skills and money within the SA economy as well as attracting foreign investment.
“DCD as a company has already manufactured the first 80 meter tower for the Aerodyne turbine which was the first locally manufactured and assembled 2.5MW turbine as a prototype in
INDUSTRY LEADERS When complete, the factory will cover 23,000m² of zone 3 of the
South Africa.” Such a large build in such a short period of time has been
Coega IDZ and produce some of the highest spec wind towers for
a challenge and this was summed up by the CDC’s business
commercial wind farms that are popping up all over the Eastern
development manager for the energy sector, Sandisiwe
Cape and throughout the rest of the country.
Ncemane, who said: “We have worked long and hard to create
In July, Schoeman told us that DCD would like to supply wind farms on the African continent, especially in the south as
an environment in which renewable energy - from end to end could both flourish at and be facilitated by Coega.
the logistics are easier to manage. If DCD can supply into other
“This is becoming a hard-won reality, as investment in this
African nations it will prove extremely lucrative for the company
sector grows not only within the boundaries of the Coega IDZ
as the renewable energy industry begins to blossom. Morocco is
but throughout the province.”
currently home to one of the biggest wind farms in Africa, the
PAGE 18
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PAGE 19
COMPANY PROFILE
Copyright reference of the picture: Shutterstock – majeczka
ArcelorMittal South Africa, a supplier of steel solutions for the wind energy industry ArcelorMittal South Africa is part of the global ArcelorMittal group that makes renewable energy more sustainable. PAGE 20
www.arcelormittal.com/southafrica
ArcelorMittal is constantly developing new technologies which improve the sustainability of our products and business practices. We work in close partnership with our customers and suppliers to help them achieve their environmental goals through innovation in steel solutions. As an international company with industrial operations in more than 20 countries, ArcelorMittal recognises the impact that climate change will have on many regions in which we work. That is why we are fully engaged in global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate their impact.
Steel, the green choice for wind energy As a natural, permanent material, steel is the ideal material to support the industry in supplying material to meet the ever increasing demands for energy. Steel can already be used to create more than 80% of the components required to build a wind turbine. Valued for its strength, flexibility and durability in the field, steel is also 100% recyclable, making wind energy truly renewable. Within its first year of operation, a steel wind turbine will pay back the energy required for its production.
Wind Energy South Africa According to the Government’s Integrated Resource Plan some 17 800 MW of renewable energy is planned until 2030 of which 8400MW will be wind energy. For rounds 1 and 2, projects for 634MW and 565MW have already been allocated. This is part of the drive towards green energy and will reduce the carbon emission extensively.
Steels for every part of your wind tower ArcelorMittal produces steels which are suitable for all major parts of a wind turbine. Around 85% of all wind turbine towers are built with quarto plate steel, also known as heavy plate. ArcelorMittal is a highly respected supplier of quarto plate. One of our mills ArcelorMittal Asturias in Gijón (Spain) has supplied quarto plate for more than 3,000 wind towers since 2005. We are contemplating to upgrade our plate mill as the aim is to produce all the plates locally in South Africa, but in cases where dimensions or specifications cannot be achieved, this could be provided from within the group. The rebar required for tower foundations as well as other long products will be supplied from our mills in Newcastle and Vereeniging
Plate specifications Plates from ArcelorMittal South Africa will be supplied in accordance with the EN 10025 standard using structural steel grades including S275, S355 (including JR, J0 & J2) plate can be supplied with the following dimensions: Thickness: Up to 80 mm Width: Up to 3,000 mm Length: Up to 13,000 mm (15000 mm after the proposed upgrade)
ArcelorMittal’s support adds value at all stages ArcelorMittal’s experience in the wind power sector has enabled us to develop a service programme which is specifically oriented to meet the needs of the industry. That experience enables us to add significant value for our wind energy customer. ArcelorMittal’s global customer teams work closely with our customers to respond quickly to new and changing requirements. The teams include technical experts, mills, marketing and sales personnel in order to ensure every possible eventuality is covered – something which is imperative in such a challenging supply chain. While our efforts have concentrated on reducing lead times between customer order and final delivery, ArcelorMittal also undertakes R&D activities in order to maximise cost savings for our customers. We can help wind energy suppliers develop and implement entirely new supply chains if required.
Creating the wind power solutions of tomorrow ArcelorMittal’s global R&D team includes more than 1,300 world-class researchers located in 11 laboratories around the world. Their experience and knowledge of steel and the wind power industry enables ArcelorMittal to support our customers and develop new solutions to meet the challenges they face. ArcelorMittal is actively working with wind power suppliers to develop the next generation of multi-megawatt tower designs using our high added value steels. With our global presence, ArcelorMittal is uniquely positioned to supply the wind industry with the steel solutions they require.
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Plate Mill at ArcelorMittal South Africa
Rebar produced by ArcelorMittal South Africa
PAGE 21
COMPANY PROFILE
Shaping the skyline
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Shaping the skyline of Durban since 1960, FGG Architects has built the foundations of a successful and reliable company manufactured solidly from expertise and industry knowledge. IndustrySA speaks with co-director, Kevin Bingham, who explains that with a change in architectural practises in recent years, the company is looking to concentrate on securing provincial projects and retaining its fundamental ethos, making it an enduring success for many more decades.
The subject of architecture can be traced back through the centuries to the early 1st Century AD to Roman architect, Vitruvius, who recognised in his
highlighted all those years ago.
works of De Architectura, the three fundamental principles
implications must also be carefully considered before the
which still stand in modern architecture today: durability,
scheduling, cost estimations and construction administrations
utility and beauty.
can be implemented.
While the aesthetic values of an architectural design holds much weight; the social, environmental and functional
Of course, with two millenniums passing, the process and designs used to construct so many of the historic
AN ARCHITECT’S PROCESS
and influential landmarks located across the world today
The official process of the architect’s role, from the initial
demonstrate these changing times with huge advancements
design brief to sketching the rendered drawings of a proposal
in labour, construction and technology. But the majestic
and the final ‘close out’ phase, can be divided into six stages.
build of Notre Dame in the heart of Paris, the uniform
Naturally, the first stage welcomes the approach from
design of one of London’s biggest tourist attractions – the
the design client to discuss what it is the client wants done
Houses of Parliament – or the magnificent pose of the Taj
and to assess the project budget. Conversations with local
Mahal in India, all firmly showcase these fundamental values
municipalities follow and a contextual review of where the
PAGE 22
site is to establish whether the building can be constructed
the final stage. The architects will go on site and manage the
taking legal issues and building restrictions into consideration.
project accordingly before a ‘close out’ with the municipality
Following this approval, the architect reverts back to the
and building sign off is settled.
client with both the fee proposal and a local agreement (client architect agreement) to sign. The next stage involves
STRONG FOUNDATIONS
the rendered drawings which highlight the intention of the
Initially started by two architects in 1960 - Deryk Franklin
building design, between both the client and architect and
and Patrick Garland - Patrick Gibson joined four years
from there, the commission and planning approval drawings
later following a stint working with the firm as a student,
are completed. Further approval is then needed from the local
and so formed the well-established Durban company, FGG
authority before converting the commission drawings into
Architects. Following its inception, the firm established its
working drawings – the latter are what both the builders and
second office in Pietermaritzburg in 1969 and was joined by
contractors will work from. At this stage, the architects assist
many more associates and partners over the years, growing
with recommendations for building contractors, playing the
extensively in the early 1990’s and building a team of 40-plus
role of Principle Agent and working with the Structural and
staff working across both offices.
Electrical Engineers and Quantity surveyors, before reaching
FGG Architect’s stature over the years has grown
PAGE 23
COMPANY PROFILE
tremendously following many notable and landmark
and Kevin Bingham proudly at the helm, the company has
buildings, shaping the skyline of Durban city. From the
continued to establish a hugely successful history. Speaking
Durban Sugar Terminal, recently voted in the top five
to IndustrySA this month, Kevin Bingham explains that
regional landmark buildings in an architect’s vote held in
although both he and Jeremy initially joined the company in
KwaZulu-Natal to the former Head Office of Standard Bank
1980, their paths took a rather different route:
in Durban. The firm’s first hospital - Greys Hospital in
“Jeremy started with FGG on gradation from university in
Pietermaritzburg – was built in the 1970s, and stands as the
1980 and I also joined as a student in 1980 for holiday work
first of 20 medical facilities FGG Architects has since built
at the company. Jeremy has been with the company ever since
globally.
and soon became a partner. I however took a different career
More than five decades on and with Jeremy Hathorn
PAGE 24
path.
“I had been an architectural technologist and decided to go
yesterday we had a request from a technician to come and
to university to become a professional Architect. I worked in
do his in-service training with us for six months, so we have
the UK during the late 1980s and returned to South Africa
accepted him. There’s a big push on our side to encourage
in 1990. I returned to working with FGG in 1993 before I
local students, both at the technician level and professional
was approached by the local university to consider a full time
architect level.”
academic post. Accepting this, I lectured at the architectural school of the Natal University / University of KwaZulu-
A CHANGE IN DEMAND
Natal for a decade. On leaving the university in 2008, I was
Inevitably, over the last 55 years and with the current
approached and decided to merge with FGG. I re-joined as an
and enduring state of the world economy, the industry
associate and have been a director now since 2012,” Bingham
has seen a shift with larger architectural practises not
explains.
as much in demand today as perhaps they were ten years ago. Despite this change, Bingham explains the
STUDENT SUPPORT
firm is managing a comfortable work load and has
As with so many successful and long-serving companies,
the advantage of a strong network of expertise and a
the employees remain integral to the success and day to day
sterling reputation within the industry, provincially and
running. Joining himself as a student back in 1980, Bingham
internationally.
explains he is very passionate about the company’s intake of
“We now have a team of 15 which we find to be an ideal
students, providing opportunities and education. A dedicated
number, allowing us to comfortably manage the work load
advisor for the local university’s architectural department,
we have,” he explains. “Having purposefully come down from
Bingham explains FGG Architects takes on between two and
a team of more than 40, it is now more fitting and an ideal
three students every year: “With a team of only 15, this is a
number for a smaller practice.”
relatively large percentage for the company. We take them mainly on their year out, after their third year of study –
Exercising its expertise within the medical industry – Bingham explains FGG Architects has worked on many local
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COMPANY PROFILE
“I believe we have made a mark provincially and internationally, and we have a number of landmark buildings we are proud of� PAGE 26
Kevin Bingham
and international hospitals. Completing the Inkosi Albert
jobs done for much less these days in trying to save money,”
Luthuli Central hospital during the 1990s, commendations
explains Bingham.
on its design are still received today. “This is a landmark
While Architects rely on a guideline to set their fees –
building and I believe a good example of how hospitals
“this used to be 6% of the contract value but it’s now open
should be laid out and planned,” adds Bingham.
season,” explains Bingham – companies are now bidding on
Completing a number of medical projects internationally
projects at unviable rates, inevitably raising the competition
in Mauritius with hopefully another on the horizon,
and the danger of companies not breaking even month to
Bingham explains the company continues to build on its
month.
medical building research skills whilst currently focusing on residential and shopping mall projects.
However, Bingham has a refreshing take on this and on the competition the company will unavoidably meet, and that is to continue to build upon the respectable name FGG
“There’s a big push on our side to encourage local students, both at the technician level and professional architect level”
Architects has assembled for itself over the decades and through its many expert consultants that have graced its walls. “I believe we have made a mark largely provincially, and we have a lot of landmark buildings here. The Hilton Hotel, The Sugar Terminal and many residential blocks on the Umhlanga coastline,” explains Bingham.
SHAPING SUCCESS Responsible for so many of Durban’s landmark buildings and provincial projects, FGG Architects certainly has no plans to slow down. “Jeremy and I are well into our careers and we will no doubt look to bring on associates over the coming years. The hope would be that FGG could continue forever, but looking at the history of many companies globally, they only last for a few generations; I see FGG going from strength to strength.” Despite changes in the industry, with fewer people looking to remain with a company for the entirety of their careers, Bingham has unwavering faith in this company that was started over five decades ago by three young architects and has little doubt that FGG Architects will continue to shape the skyline of Durban and beyond for many more generations yet. “We have such strong support and a good name, I think having a strong background and ongoing mentorship from
“In any field of business there will always be competition.
our past partners is key, and I hope Jeremy and I will continue
.
I think one’s expertise and skills should be the defining
that ethos going forward. I think FGG will continue far into
factors but it’s becoming apparent that clients want their
the future,” concludes Bingham
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PAGE 27
COMPANY PROFILE
Yes, we make great cars...
But we are, first and foremost, a committed and engaged corporate citizen
BMW’s are often described as ‘the ultimate driving machine’ and it is said they are ‘designed for driving pleasure’ but what is it that gains the brand these tags? It is, of course, the people that put these cars together. BMW South Africa invests heavily in its people and their families and Managing Director, Bodo Donauer says that this has been the way for the past four decades.
When BMW chose South Africa as the base for its first factory outside Germany, only the most
Rosslyn, where there are three shifts that keep the plant running and cars
optimistic of the company’s managers could have predicted what huge
rolling off the line 24 hours-a-day.
success that decision would bring for the firm – and its new host. The move to create BMW South Africa was made in 1973 when the
BMW South Africa now employs some 3,500 people, 2,400 of them at
The market coverage achieved by BMW South Africa is clear testimony to the skills and dedication of its huge and multi-cultural workforce in
firm took over the Rosslyn vehicle assembly plant of Praetor Monterdeers
creating BMW’s market-leading products, and the expertise and vision of
in Pretoria.
its management.
Within just three years, with demand soon outstripping supply for its
But there is another factor crucial to BMW’s success in South Africa.
vehicles, BMW had staked its claim as the leading manufacturer of high-
The company has totally immersed itself in the country, its communities,
performance luxury passenger cars in the country.
their culture and their values and BMW is now seen as a major investor in
And the success has continued apace. The Rosslyn plant now produces more than 80,000 BMW 3 -Series sedans every year and South African-built cars are exported
its people. The BMW Group was one of the pioneers during the politically instable years of the slow break-up of apartheid. It took specific measures
to some of the largest markets in the world, including the USA, Canada,
against racial segregation, job discrimination, and unjust compensation.
Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia.
Despite the occasionally precarious situation, BMW was always able to
PAGE 28
provide jobs. Now BMW’s social commitment in schools and high-schools, co-
engaged corporate citizen.” This manifests itself in a variety of Corporate Social Responsibility
operation with local governments and government agencies have become a
programmes that are deliberately focused away from marketing and brand
permanent part of daily operations.
building and towards the sustainable development of communities and the
It’s an ethos that Bodo Donauer, BMW South Africa Managing Director, is rightly proud of. He says: “For the past 40 years, BMW South Africa has been a major investor in South Africa and its people. The company ensures through its first and second tier suppliers, and its dealer network, that thousands of South Africans are employed and can provide for their families. “Given the length of time we have been engaged in South Africa, we have certainly employed grandfathers, fathers and sons of the same family! “This sort of long-term investment leads to real community upliftment
people of South Africa. Mr Donauer adds: “BMW believes in the long-term development and future of the South African economy, and supports more than100 individual Corporate Social Investment projects across the country. “The company’s CSR projects are rooted in three key areas: HIV and AIDS, Local Community Development and Education, particularly in maths, science, technology and the environment. “Importantly, the emphasis is placed on social investment; not charity. BMW South Africa does not adopt a cheque book approach.
in the process. Our success in this regard has made BMW an integral part
“Instead it contributes to sustainable development, working with
of this country’s social fabric; we are first and foremost, a committed and
employees, their families, the local community and society at large to
PAGE 29
COMPANY PROFILE
improve quality of life. “As one example, the BMW Maths Science and Technology Excellence Project encourages learners to pursue careers in the field of science and technology, while at the same time addressing the skills gap that exists in the country in this critical field.” Certainly, no way can this project be seen as tokenism from a global corporation towards its host country. The results speak volumes for the validity and value of BMW’s approach. Donauer says: “Last year the performances of schools in this
One of the most exciting community projects is the multi-purpose community centre at Soshanguve, known as the Soshanguve Health and Wellness Centre, which is near the Rosslyn plant and opened in 2005. Here the residents of Soshanguve receive medical and psychological assistance and are offered continuing education programs. The centre offers a health service, a computer and technology centre, a training centre and a community garden for growing vegetables. For the 700,000 residents of Soshanguve, the centre has developed into a counselling centre for all questions relating to HIV / AIDS. One of long-
programme exceeded our expectations once again and have improved on
term goals of the project is to further reduce the rate of HIV infection
the pass rate from 2012 by more than 13% and 25% for physical science
among young people.
and mathematics respectively. “More significantly, physical science pass rate was 11% higher than the national average. At the same time, the mathematics pass rate 19% higher than the national average.”
PAGE 30
Then there’s the Baan Gerda children’s village, home to HIV-infected orphans, giving them the opportunity to lead a normal life. Here, they live together with HIV-positive foster parents and other children in a house and visit pre-school and school – a prerequisite for
their integration into society later on. The BMW Group has been supporting the project since 2002. Internally, the company’s Employment Equity Programme supports South African transformation and democracy with its objective to achieve an equitable representation in all occupation levels and categories. The
cause to a business operating and competing globally. Asked if he had seen signs of stability, Donauer says: “It’s far too early to tell. South Africa, unfortunately, has a history of a high number of strike days regardless of long-term wage agreements. “With concerted commitment from all parties we’re sure that
company is BBBEE Level 4 accredited – the highest rating of all OEMs in
this will change in the future. It needs to because South African
the local industry.
manufacturing is struggling to compete with the productivity offerings
Furthermore, the company’s remuneration strategy compares competitively with the best remuneration practices on offer in the automotive industry, the national market and the BMW Group internationally. It’s an impressive list of projects and initiatives that clearly benefits BMW workers and the wider community, but employee/employer relations are not always smooth in South Africa, as was seen in a crippling four-week strike that hit the sector last year. A three-year wage agreement eventually ended the walk-out and it is hoped that this will bring long-term stability to the South African motor manufacturing industry. During the strike, and the subsequent three-week strike in the supplier industry, which lost the company around 13,000 cars, Donauer said BMW would ‘not panic’ and remained committed to the company’s existing long-term investments in South Africa. But he says all sides must be aware of the damage such action can
of Eastern Europe and China.” It’s a crucial message to get out there, because it seems there is no stopping the demand for South African-built BMWs. In 2009, BMW invested R2.2 billion in Plant Rosslyn, allowing it to compete for the production of future models and continue to expand its production capacity to satisfy an eager export market. As well as this, the company has initiated a dual port export model, using the port of Maputo in Mozambique in conjunction with traditional outlet of Durban to get cars to their overseas customers. “As the number of BMW vehicles exported from South Africa increases, we have had to look carefully at our export logistics and using Maputo in conjunction with our export supply chain in Durban makes sound business sense,” Donauer says. “To play on a world stage we need to ensure we are competitive in
.
all elements of the manufacturing process, including supply chain and logistics,” he adds.
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PAGE 31
COMPANY PROFILE
Elevating Namibian mining
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Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Windhoek, Namibia, Swakop Uranium operates as a subsidiary of CGNPC Uranium Resources Co. Ltd, and focuses on the exploration and development of the Husab uranium mine, located in the country’s western-central Erongo region.
The Husab Uranium Project comprises a uranium mine currently under development near the town of Swakopmund, located around 60 kilometres from Walvis Bay. A 2.5 billion dollar project, it has been in development since the signing in Beijing of an EPCM contract in November of 2012, following the granting of a license to Swakop Uranium in late December 2011 by the Namibian Ministry of Mines and Energy. Studies show that the mine reserves contain the highest grade, granite hosted uranium deposit in the whole of Namibia, with the potential here for 15 million pounds - 6800 tonnes - of uranium oxide per annum. Once placed into production, this figure will make it the second-largest uranium mine in the world, and elevate Namibia’s total production capacity, “past Niger, PAGE 32
Australia and Canada to the second rung on the world ladder of uranium producers,” states Swakop Uranium’s CEO, Zheng Keping. The Husab mine The Husab mine is estimated to contain approximately 280 million tonnes of uranium ore, a quantity that will take close to 20 years to mine. Around 4,000 construction jobs are expected to result from this colossal project, of which 1,200 will remain permanent, while the extracted uranium is eventually expected to contribute 5% of the country’s gross domestic product. According to Percy McCallum, Swakop Uranium’s Director Human Resources, the thinking behind such a concerted recruitment drive is to ensure operational
readiness, through focussing on building the strength of the team. “Our aim is to attract and retain skilled individuals and to coach and mentor emerging talent, so that the company can ensure it has a world-class pool of Namibian employees,” he explained. Until April 2012, Swakop Uranium was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Australian company Extract Resources, until Taurus Minerals Limited of Hong Kong – itself a subsidiary of CGNPC - became the new owners, following a successful takeover of Extract Resources. CGNPC’s investment in Swakop Uranium marked not only the biggest in Namibia since the country’s independence, but also, significantly, by far the single biggest investment by China in Africa to date. While the Erongo region contains many mines
similar to Husab, with its high grade of uranium hosted in a type of granites called alaskites, it is set apart by its being the largest and highest grade uranium-only deposit in Namibia. The mineralisation stretches along approximately 8km, and when fully operational this project is anticipated to produce some 7000t of uranium each year, placing it behind only the MacArthur River mine in Canada in production terms. Husab is to be developed as an open-pit mining operation using a conventional truck and shovel method, and will require loading and hauling equipment on a huge scale for its mining to be carried out. As well as the drill rigs which will be used to create the pits for mining, excavation will be carried out using diesel and electric shovels, alongside a vast range of other PAGE 33
COMPANY PROFILE
equipment to include excavators, rock breakers and dozers. Once extracted from the mine, the ore will then be fed to the processing plant, which will produce the high grade uranium, via a conventional acid leach plant designed for a capacity of 15mlbs per year. A complex process, this involves leaching the uranium using sulphuric acid, which should enable approximately 88% of the uranium to be recovered. A mine residue facility is also to be built at the site, in which the waste rock and tailings will be disposed of, while a programme to optimise and extend the mining resources has already been set in motion, geared toward increasing the mine’s lifespan and improving the processes taking place at Husab. Heavy Haulage Playing a significant role in achieving these goals at the mine will be the massive Komatsu haul trucks, assembly of which began in August 2013. These trucks each have a payload of 327 tonnes, are in fact delivered to the site in the form of a kit at, and while 26 of these trucks will be received, at a rate of two per month, during the project phase, in total 39 of them will be operating
on the mine when production begins at its nameplate capacity of 15 million pounds of uranium oxide per annum. As might be expected, merely transporting the first two dump bodies along the 2,250 kilometres from Johannesburg to the site was a major logistical operation. These bodies measure 14.6 metres long, 10.7 metres wide and 5.4 metres high and are the last part of the truck to be fitted, necessitating two cranes to lift them. Komatsu’s Gerhard Klopper said of the undertaking: “Every step of the journey had to be carefully measured and investigated before the 50-tonne load could be granted permission to travel. Even then, strict conditions were applied and the vehicles needed to be accompanied by at least two escorts from the transportation company Transcor, as well as two South African road authorities.” Construction of the Husab mine is reported to be progressing extremely well, with the majority of the main contracts having been awarded and both bulk earthworks and construction of the permanent road and bridge to the mine site well under way. Namibia’s state energy supply company, Nampower,
100
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PAGE 34
Industry Mining_Namibia_300415 30 April 2015 02:03:24 PM
SWAKOP URANIUM
Marsh leads the Pan African pack Three years on from the Alexander Forbes Risk Services acquisition, Marsh Africa’s strong capabilities servicing the African continent have seen our growth ambitions as a pan-African leader come to fruition. “They say it’s the journey, not the destination that matters and our journey over the past three years has seen the business flourish to exceed expectations,” says Debbie Geraghty who heads up Mining, Metals and Minerals at Marsh Africa. Marsh has the strongest mining practice in the industry, with over 200 risk and insurance colleagues specializing in mining, metals and minerals, with more than 10% of that expertise based in Africa. Geraghty goes on to say that the South African market had a good year in 2013 for mining risks, with more Insurers now willing to write mining business due to the higher rates than non-mining business. “While traditionally, asset rates for mines have been maintained, even in a soft market, the ample capacity available in the international markets is forcing the price down and we are seeing insurers providing higher limits at the same price in order to keep their revenue,” she says. Mining companies are facing greater challenges as they are progressively moving into more remote areas as they expand into geographies with regulatory regimes that are changing and can vary widely from one country to the next. This challenge not only requires that companies take a more strategic and customized approach to risk transfer, but also brings to light the need to deliver local expertise wherever our clients do business. “We’re in a fortunate position as the strength of our business and the way we work makes it easy to attract the best talent in the industry. Since the acquisition, we have had an excellent retention rate for existing clients and in 2013 we had our best year ever for new business,” she says. Marsh provides risk and insurance advisory & placement services to 87% of the Fortune Global 500 companies and the majority of the world’s major mining operations. This global expertise along with our ability to deliver economies of scale and international best practice ensure the delivery of consistent quality solutions to our clients. Key challenges faced by mining companies range from property challenges to casualty and terrorism and political violence. Marsh provides structured programmes to our clients to deliver policy limit options to reflect our clients’ event risk exposures when dealing with risks such as natural catastrophes. With mining activity spread extending to geographies prone to changing seasonal weather patterns this type of cover has become vital for client consideration. Companies also need to assess operational challenges associated with more difficult mining environments such as deep underground, under water or high altitude mining and ensure they mitigate this risk effectively. Such risks include sudden and accidental pollution, which can have considerable environmental impacts and affect local populations. Other risks include employee exposure to pollution associated with mineral extraction. Marsh is the pre-eminent provider of Mining Sector business to the international insurance and reinsurance market. Our client base ranges from small single site operations to some of the world’s leading multi-national corporations and covers virtually every form of mining in all corners of the world. This diversity gives our highly experienced team a broad based knowledge of the exposures and requirements of clients within this very specific and challenging sector. With the size of our portfolio and our global network, we offer a real advantage to clients who are in need of an Insurance Solution. PAGE 35
COMPANY PROFILE
has approved a guaranteed power supply of 50 MW for the mine, while the first water at the site was delivered near two years ago via a temporary pipeline from the Rössing reservoir, feeding into a newly-built pond on the Husab mine. Permanent water will be supplied either by a newly built desalination plant near Swakopmund, or from the existing large-scale plant built by Areva, constructed to supply all the water to its own Trekkopje mine. This was the first seawater desalination plant to be constructed in southern Africa, located 30 km north of Swakopmund at Wlotzkasbaken, a site about 40 km further into the desert, with the plant eliminating the need to pump water from the aquifers and thus helping significantly to preserve the country’s groundwater reserves. Furthering the significant progress underway at the mine, the end of 2014 brought an important development in Swakop’s work, seeing the company sign an agreement with Metal and Allied Workers Union of Namibia, with the purpose of ensuring the health and safety of employees and contract workers. PAGE 36
This also comprised plans to intensify safety efforts and minimise the negative impact mining activities have on the environment, outlining the principles and procedures which will govern the relationship between Swakop Uranium, the contractors, MANWU and its members in relation to health, safety and environment at the mine site. Zheng Keping, chief executive officer of Swakop Uranium, was keen to clarify how the agreement will ensure that all stakeholders are committed to observing risk assessment, standard operating procedures and relevant legislation to ensure that all potential incidents, are fully prevented, and reported when they occur: “We all have a mutual interest in the occupational safety and health of employees and the protection of the environment and thus undertake to cooperate in an effort to eliminate occupational HSE hazards and conduct all operations with due consideration for the protection of the environment. All companies contracted by Swakop Uranium shall comply with policies and procedures and applicable
legislation and promote commitment and teamwork to ensure zero harm to workers and protection of the environment.” Operating to such a strict and tightly planned schedule as that adopted by Swakop means that the plant is scheduled to be fully and sustainably operational in 2016. A ceremony in May last year, attended by various dignitaries including Namibian president Hifikepunye Pohamba, China’s ambassador to Namibia Xin Shun Kang, and CGN chairman Ho Yu, marked the official start of mining operations at the Husab project. To commemorate such a significant landmark, the first heavy-duty mining equipment at Husab was started up, and acted as a precursor to the extraction of the measured and indicated uranium reserves of about 140,000 tonnes. The mine itself will comprise two pits: the Zone 1 pit will be some 3km long, 1km wide and 412m deep, while the Zone 2 pit will be 2km in length, 1.3 km wide and 377m deep. With the mine due to start uranium production early in 2016, commissioning of the site’s processing plant
is expected to take place later this year, while the mine recently also acquired the biggest crushing plant in Southern Africa. Husab expects to move 150 million tonnes of rock per annum and 15 million tonnes of processed ore annually, as Deon Garbers, senior vicepresident of operations, added, “The mine’s life-span is 20 years plus. New deposits have already been discovered as well which will expand the lifespan of the mine further.” This year alone, Swakop Uranium will spend more than N$1,5 million on projects linked to social responsibility, with the aim of benefitting previously disadvantaged communities, alongside which several hundred Namibian artisans and operators are currently receiving the relevant training to allow them to join Husab mine’s permanent staff as mining processing operators. Husab mine has recently introduced a High Performance Culture programme for all its employees, in order to strengthen their work performance and introduce standards to compete with the very best in the world
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Expanding horizons It has been two years since we last spoke to SANSA here at IndustrySA, and a lot has been happening at the national space agency in its voyage towards a further developed South African space science and technology arena. So far this year the agency has been hard at work promoting education in space science to the youth of South Africa and with its EOSAT1 satellite project proceeding nicely, SANSA is taking the steps necessary to ensure the future of the Rainbow Nation’s in this industry…
Today, collaboration and innovation in the field of space technologies has become integral to addressing the needs of humankind’s existence and some of the challenges facing us globally. The, quite literally, expanding horizons that come with advancements within the space industry contribute to advanced knowledge across various arenas with wide ranging benefits. South Africa’s history of space investment dates back to the 1950s and the Rainbow Nation continues to take an active role in contributing to the global space industry today, with programs and partnerships promoting projects, research and education both locally and internationally within the arena. As part of the country’s Ten-Year Innovation Plan, PAGE 38
the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) was established in December 2009, through the national Department of Science and Technology. The purpose of the plan is to help drive South Africa’s transformation towards a knowledge-based economy, in which the production and distribution of knowledge leads to economic benefits and ‘enriches all fields of human endeavour’. Created to promote and provide support for the space industry in South Africa, SANSA endorses cooperation in space-related activities and helps to develop research in space science, while providing support to industrial and manufacturing developments in space technologies. Operating within a technologically advancing country, SANSA is at the forefront of developments in the
industry there and is responsible for South Africa’s role in the wider African ‘space race’. Marketing and Communications Manager for SANSA, Vaneshree Maharaj, commented on the organisation’s role further, explaining how “SANSA brings the benefits of space science research and technology back to South Africa. Through space science research and technology we seek to create societal capital, intellectual capital, human capital, economic capital and global capital. “We have to ensure that whatever benefits we bring back create a positive impact on society,” Vaneshree explains. “We’ve got to ensure that we are building human capital by developing the necessary skills of which we currently have a shortage of in this industry. We’ve also got to ensure that we are stimulating the
economy, so creating business opportunities with local companies and selling services to international companies. “We also provide new innovations and technology to drive us towards a knowledge economy, and we’ve also got to ensure that we’re a global space player, those are the five goals.” THE SANSA MISSION In order to reach the goal of achieving greater value from space science to benefit the South African people, SANSA’s motto ‘in service of humanity’ is enacted through five strategic programmes aimed at providing a complete umbrella of services: Corporate Support, Earth Observation, Space Operations, Space Science and Space Engineering. PAGE 39
COMPANY PROFILE
The first of these programmes, the SANSA Corporate Support Programme, overseas the smooth operation of the whole organisation and ensures that it runs optimally with effective operational efficiency and corporate governance within the agency. The four other arms of the organisation are focused on executing specific areas of research within SANSA. The Earth Observation Programme focuses on the utilisation of space and space technologies to address the day-to-day needs of society, for example; resource and environmental management; disaster management; food security; global change monitoring; health, safety and security; planning, development and service delivery monitoring. The Space Science Programme is aimed at driving scientific enquiry, knowledge creation, technology development and innovation and the Space Operations Programme is the vehicle through which SANSA interfaces with space assets and supports the international space industry. This aspect of operation contributes to elevating the country in the community of space faring nations and promotes collaboration between different international agencies and
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institutions and SANSA. “SANSA Space Operations provides launch support to many international clients,” explains Vaneshree, “when they launch their launch vehicles and satellites in the Northern Hemisphere, they aren’t able to see it in the Southern Hemisphere, so if separation happens over Africa and South Africa then we relay data back to the guys. “If their satellites that orbit around the Southern Hemisphere are not responding or are going in an incorrect orbit, we talk to these satellites and re-align them so we provide support for orbiting satellites.” Lastly, the Space Engineering Programme drives the maintenance of SANSA’s satellite manufacturing capability to ensure a level of self-reliance and develop local technologies and skills – a precursor to a potentially lucrative niche manufacturing industry sector for the future. STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS As part of its ongoing commitment to education around the space industry, one of SANSA’s most recent strategic partnerships is with the Africa2Moon Mission
SWAKOP URANIUM
SPACETEO Your African Aerospace Ally Denel as a State Owned Entity, through its Denel Spaceteq Business Unit, focusses on the development of Satellites and related Space Systems. Denel Spaceteq is currently busy executing a contract for a new generation EO-Satellite with the primary local client and partner, the South African National Space Agency (SANSA).
including a substantial BBBEE component. This includes organisations like Space Advisory Company, NewSpace Sytems, Group6TI and the CSIR all with a rich heritage of space related capabilities and technologies. It also includes the wider industry with both Academia and Manufacturing playing significant roles.
The development builds on the relationship between the Departments of Science and Technology (DST) and Public Enterprises (DPE) together with the underlying SANSA-Denel relationship for progressing the RSA satellite design, manufacturing and data utilization partnership.
The Next Generation of EO-satellite family (generically designated as EO-Sat NG) is based on the robust and modular architecture of Sumbandila, with further upscaling of redundancy and reliability measures in order to conform to the operational requirements of the EO-Sat NG programme. The engineers and technicians from the RSA Industry working on the programme have a rich and proven heritage of successful space programmes, including SUNSAT, SumbandilaSat and an Export Satellite with a proven five-year operational life as well as various international cooperation agreements such as the Korean Institute of Technology Satellite (KITSAT) with South Korea, and Multi-Sensor Micro-satellite Imager (MSMI) multispectral payload with Belgium.
Denel Spaceteq will utilize and support development of the wider RSA Space Industry with a substantial local spend destined for the wider industry,
www.spaceteq.co.za Electron House,15 Electron Street, Techno Park, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa PAGE 41 T: +27(0) 21 880 8100, F: +27(0) 21 880 1703 info@spaceteq.co.za
COMPANY PROFILE
Program - the agency became an official supporter of Phase I earlier this year. The Africa2Moon program is an initiative designed to inspire the youth of Africa to believe that ‘they can reach for the moon’ - by quite literally reaching for the moon through education and science. The program’s main aim is to provide a number of public participation and scientific missions over several years, culminating in a penultimate mission to the moon. The mission will make all its information accessible, transmitting video and images from the surface of the moon that can be relayed back and viewed in classrooms across Africa, with the goal of inspiring Africa’s youth to believe in their own potential, while also advancing their education. This project is very much in line with SANSA’s own mission of promoting the space arena for future generations of South Africans. Dr. Sandile Malinga, CEO of SANSA, says “we hope that this programme garners enough support to accomplish the mission objectives and get our citizens excited about opportunities in space.” During this first phase the team involved in Africa2Moon will prepare a feasibility study based on scientific objectives chosen from those submitted in a forthcoming call for scientific proposals. Additionally to this, Dr Sandile’s team will be involved in inspiring potential future engineers and
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scientists across the continent through the series of outreach projects planned. Crucial to achieving the goals laid out in the Ten-Year Innovation Plan is getting more young people on the path of a career in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). EO-SAT1 Focusing more on the direct economic advantages SANSA’s work will have for the South Africa nation is its EO-SAT1 project. Due to be launched in 2019, the EO-SAT1 is an earth observation satellite that aims to monitor resources on the African Continent and is currently being finalised in design and system configuration phase. EO-Sat1’s primary objective is to ‘characterise the state and evolution of vegetation over selected land areas’, with secondary objectives to monitor air and water quality, survey built environments and support the management of man-made or natural hazards/ disasters. The project will reduce South Africa’s reliance on foreign satellites for this type of information and will contribute to further collaboration in the development of a manufacturing and knowledge base for the technology locally. To put the potential benefits into perspective –
currently the space agency buys the Spot-6 and Spot-7 (Système Pour l’Observation de la Terre) data, used by government entities such as the Department of Human Settlements, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Statistics South Africa, for an expensive R35 million a year. The EO-Sat1 will cost around R292 million to design, manufacture and launch and is also an example of SANSA’s commitment to collaboration for a better future – the project will benefit not just South Africa, but the Southern African community as a whole and forms part of SANSA’s commitment to the African Resource Constellation (ARMC). The ARMC is a group of African countries, consisting of South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria and Kenya in the process of launching and operating a network of earth observation satellites. The constellation will support activities spanning urban development, land use monitoring, and mapping for the surveillance of climate change effects. Although the EO-Sat1’s primary goals are those listed above, Malinga says: “The key thing we want to achieve, aside from the applications [of the satellite’s data], is to stimulate our industry. We are working with Denel [South Africa’s stateowned aerospace and defence manufacturer] to ensure that they outsource work to our private industry. In terms of local content, we want a
minimum threshold of 50%.” This secondary aim bleeds into SANSA’s Space Engineering Programme and, if successful, the EO-Sat1 project will boost the technical manufacturing capabilities of the space industry in SA, bringing SANSA further in line with its international counterparts and adding to the potential creation of a niche industry sector. Specifically within the space agency, SANSA plans on the EO-Sat1 being just the first in a number of satellites the organisation will build and launch. “If you have a steady national pipeline of satellites that allows manufacturers to outsource contracts … a national programme cannot sustain a commercial build of satellites alone.” With barely six years under its belt, South Africa’s space agency is achieving a significant amount in furthering the country’s space industry, opening the door to a consolidated national space program in the future. Not only is the work of the agency inspirational and economically beneficial to the country, the expertise and skills developed through missions such as the EO-Sat1 position it firmly on an equal footing with its counterparts on the world stage and, perhaps most importantly, advances South Africa further towards its transformation into a more knowledge-based economy
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COMPANY PROFILE
Shipshape In Durban
Navy contract underlines South African Shipyards’ reputation as a world leader in the marine industry
Southern African Shipyards is putting the finishing touches to the state-of-the-art refurbishment of the South African Navy’s only surviving strike craft at its yard in the Port of Durban. The renovations are being carried out on the SAS Isaac Dyobha, the SAS Galashewe and the SAS Makhonda - and the job represents something of a homecoming for all three vessels. They were first built in the yard around 30 years ago and a number of senior staff at South African Shipyards have said they remember the ships taking shape back then. The strike craft were part of a fleet of nine such ships which were busy in South African waters during the years of sanctions and isolation, but are being PAGE 44
converted into offshore patrol boats as the Navy moves to meet the needs of the country’s 21st Century requirements, which involves defence but increasingly also elements of environmentalism and fisheries protection. The vessels were transferred to South African Shipyards’ 100m x 30m floating dock and then secured on specially built cradles before being moved to the yard’s huge 320m x 42m maintenance hall. The ships have been worked on, one by one, since the Isaac Dyobha was the first to arrive in October. The refurbishments include new electrics and mechanics and fresh paint jobs for the hulls. The trio of ships will undergo full sea trials before being handed back to the Navy, with the handover due
to take place in March. “At the end of the programme the Navy will have three serviceable, reliable vessels that it will be able to use for its relevant missions,” a spokesman said. The contract underlines how South African Shipyards continues to be regarded as a world class operator in the marine industry. It’s a reputation garnered over decades of leadingedge commercial and naval shipbuilding and ship repairing to the worldwide marine industry from the bustling yard in Durban, South Africa’s busiest port. South African Shipyards is already recognised as one of the industry leaders when it comes to building world-class tug boats and one of the firm’s targets for the future is to create a niche market for the Voith Schneider-type tug – a harbour workhorse famed
for its high manouverability - and so dominate the international market. But the company is also hoping to attract more orders from the military and wants to work closely with the Navy again soon. A spokesman said: ‘The South African Navy has made known their intention to build naval vessels in the not too distant future for which we will definitely make a very serious bid.’ The experts at South African Shipyards have already designed a unique, low-cost 45m patrol vessel to help combat piracy in Africa and protect the continent’s marine resources. And the company sponsors and takes part in the annual Sea Power for Africa Symposium that brings together all Africa’s navy chiefs, with the objective to ensure a secure marine environment so that Africa can continue to do business with the rest of the world. But in shipbuilding there are no guarantees – and to protect the interests of the African industry as a whole South African Shipyards is a major player in the South African Shipbuildng Defence Industry. This is a forum involving some 16 companies and the aim is to encourage the industry in Africa to talk with one voice and to each other to try to ensure that future orders from the African military stay in Africa rather than going to Europe, or more likely these days, to China or India. The concerns are real – at the most recent Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition, representatives came from numerous yards in China, India and Europe, and even from Turkey. For now, at least in South Africa, the shipbuilding industry is enjoying a renaissance after a number of difficult years when new work was hard to come by and South African Shipyards is playing a leading role in the rejuvenation. Shipbuilding in the Durban yard dates back to 1961 when it was developed out of mangrove swamps. In 1964 the government released funds to promote the industry and several yards were soon busy in the area. The company was created in 1996 to build tugs. In the following years the company built superstructures and hulls for luxury motor yachts and in the late 1990s was hailed as the largest producer of such hulls. There followed a temporary two-year closure but the yard reopened in 2006 and an order for seven 70-tonne tugs gave the revitalised company a sound foundation for growth and it is now the largest shipbuilder in the country. Diversification is, these days, the key to success. For example, South African Shipyards has built pontoons and structures for a river mining project in Mozambique, and the company hopes to lend its PAGE 45
COMPANY PROFILE expertise to oil and gas exploration projects. There is also the rest of Africa to consider as the continent continues its rapid industrial development. The company is confident that its successful blueprint can be replicated elsewhere. There are real possibilities for partnerships with other shipyards where the industry is less developed South African Shipyards is expecting a major market in offshore vessels to emerge in West Africa and Angola because of the region’s growing energy sector. Closer to home, the success of the yard is crucial to the success of Durban and its people as it employs up to 500 mostly locally-based workers, including the highly-trained craftsmen that the company is famed for, and a new breed of shipbuilders.An innovative apprenticeship scheme has been introduced which will see dozens of new mechanical engineers introduced into the industry over the next few years, with a number of them being black females.The company’s managing director Louis Gontier has stressed that training is an enormous priority and fundamental to the future of the South African shipbuilding industry.
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And his firm is determined to make their prized apprenticeships the best in the business. There will be no short cuts - candidates will have to go through a five-to-seven year programme before they can be considered master shipbuilders. Such schemes make South African Shipyards a big part of the Durban community - a position the firm is proud of. It has worked with the Durban Children’s Home as its charity and, as well as giving donations and sponsorships, has offered to employ as many of the children from the home as possible when they finish their education. Back in the yard, the firm has a clinic that services not only employees from South African Shipyards but also from neighbouring companies. With national and international orders, a philosophy of building in South Africa for South Africa, and a strong foothold in its local community, all in all, it seems that South African Shipyards is a company on the crest of a wave .
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