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EASTERN CAPE INDUSTRIAL & BUSINESS NEWS

YOUR LINK TO INDUSTRY THROUGHOUT THE EASTERN CAPE

issn NO: 1996-9708

May / June 2018

Twin boost for EC farmers R17,10 (VAT incl.)

Inside Home Affairs clamp down - page 3

Packaging - page 5

SMME Development & Support - page 6 Power Generation - page 7

Transport, Distribution & Warehousing - page 9

Environmental Management & Control - page 11

Construction, Civil & Structural Engineering - page 12 Company & Product News - page 13

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MERGING farmers in the Eastern Cape have received a welcome double boost in the form of major support to tobacco and sorghum growing in the region. The first big development is the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA) and the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) to support emerging farmers. It promises to pave the way for a comeback for tobacco farming in the province. BATSA will fund training in tobacco production and general mixed crop farming, as well as skills development, and will buy and process the tobacco produced by the farmers, while the ECDC will help to identify emerging farmers for inclusion in the programme, facilitate co-funding of co-operatives and programmes, and help to manage and monitor implementation. “This public-private partnership is aligned with our provincial development plan of revitalising the rural economy. It is a significant milestone in ensuring we realise the objective of not only positioning the province as a food growing area but also develop agro processing in the rural areas,” said ECDC CEO Ndzondelelo Dlulane. The development body will also assess the impact of the project on emerging farmers and local communities. “As the farmers realise income from tobacco farming, the programme also addresses the issue of food security and poverty alleviation because of rotational food crop farming,” said Dlulane. The Eastern Cape pilot project, which started in 2016 with consultations with the ECDC and the provincial Department of Agriculture, will be expanded in September 2018

Ndzondelelo Dlulane, CEO of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), and Soraya Benchikh, CEO of British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA) shake hands following the signing of the MoU to reinvigorate tobacco farming in the Eastern Cape with the planting of 10 hectares of tobacco and 10 hectares of alternate crops. “Our commitment to transformation has led us to expand our programme from 33 tobacco growers in 2016 to 155 tobacco growers in 2018. We are excited to bring the benefits of this programme to the Eastern Cape, to create jobs and opportunities for the people of the province,” said BATSA CEO Soraya Benchikh. “The Eastern Cape pilot project is very significant for BATSA because we are not only contributing to agricultural and rural development in the Balfour area, but kick-starting what will be the revival of Eastern Cape tobacco production in the Katriver region,” said Benchikh. The revival of tobacco production in the Eastern Cape builds on the success of BATSA’s Emerging

Farmers Initiative in the country’s northern tobacco-producing regions, which since launch in 2011 has facilitated the planting of over 800 ha of tobacco; planted over 1000 ha of vegetable crops; supported more than 3900 dependents, created over 2500 jobs, and invested over R70 million in the programme. Tobacco is currently produced mainly in Limpopo (37.2%), Mpumalanga (54.7%) and the NorthWest Province (8.1%). In a second shot in the arm for emerging farmers, the Diageo Empowerment Trust South Africa (DETSA) is extending opportunities to sorghum growers in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal who would like to supply the United National Breweries. The opportunity is open to farmers who qualify as Exempt Micro Enterprises (EMEs) or Qualifying

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Small Enterprises (QSEs) in terms of the official Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Codes. The areas being targeted in the Eastern Cape are Mqekwezeni, Ngendese, and Tabase, while in KZN they are Danhauzer, Umzimkhulu and Vryheid. “DETSA aims to stimulate community economies, create local jobs and grow the national economy. To do this, we aim to create a new cadre of successful black entrepreneurs and integrate them into the mainstream economy,” said Sinethemba Mafanya, Manager, Diageo Empowerment Trust SA. “Creating a vibrant and competitive sorghum-farming sector is one of our key initiatives because it has the potential to provide opportunities for rural businesses, many of which are headed by women.” “We are now looking for a second group of farmers who want to join this successful initiative and are eager to compete in bigger markets,” he says. “If you will commit to adhering to a precise growing programme, and can deliver as required, we would like to hear from you.” DETSA will provide successful applicants with both capital and mentoring in order to maximise their chances of success. It will also help them market themselves to new markets to ensure vital cash flow. Because the call is currently targeted at specific areas, DETSA will facilitate the applications for participation in this programme through its partner, Aurik Business Accelerator, and various channels will be used to reach interested farmers in those areas. “This is a great opportunity to leverage traditional skills that our communities already possess, and use them to create prosperity in our disadvantaged, rural areas,” Mafanya Enquiry No: 1 said.

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EC Industrial & Business News

Mantashe’s Mining Charter roadshow comes to EC

INISTER of Mineral Resources, Gwede Mantashe, visited the Eastern Cape recently to consult with various stakeholders for comments on the 2017 draft Mining Charter before it is finalised and gazetted. The consultation took place at the King Williams Town War Memorial. He said that one of the key elements in the new charter was black persons’ shareholding in prospecting and mining rights. “New holders of prospecting rights will be required to have 50% black persons’ shareholding and new mining rights must have 30% black persons’ shareholding to be divided among employees, communities and entrepreneurs,” said Mantashe. Mantashe emphasised that what is outlined in the charter will not happen automatically. “To ensure effectiveness, continuous engagements with relevant stakeholders will be mandatory and the Department of Mineral Resources

(DMR) will be using a more aggressive approach in ensuring compliance and implementation.” Mantashe described the inputs made during the consultative meeting as invaluable. “We wanted to get a sense of what the public views are in the Eastern Cape and we have received invaluable information that will be used in the final draft of the charter,” he said. Deputy Executive Mayor Zoliswa Matana said Buffalo City was pleased to have had the consultation in the region. “The City is happy to host this visit because Eastern Cape has the resource to become a key player in the mining sector as it is rich in dol-

erite and kaolin. We hope relevant stakeholders have been empowered to utilise this resource to boost economic and investment opportunities in the Province,” said Matana. Key issues raised by the public at the meeting were around lack of community benefit during the prospecting and mining activities. Ayanda Kota, representing Unemployed People’s Movement and Mining Affected Communities said he would be happy if the strategy focused more on encouraging cooperatives in the mining sector so that community members benefit directly from mining opportunities and not individuals. Kota added that the voice of the public should be respected. “If a community does not want mining activities to take place in their area, the DMR and mining companies should respect that and not disregard the public’s wishes for financial gain,” he said. The consultations are taking place in all nine provinces. The Eastern Enquiry No: 2 Cape was the 8th.

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Seized ship leaves PE after a year of legal wrangling

HE Cherry Blossom vessel, which was seized in South Africa on May 1, 2017, recently departed South African territorial waters, and its cargo has been restored to its original owner, the OCP Group. “Today, OCP is pleased that its rightful ownership has been restored. The refusal of all potential buyers to bid constitutes clear and irrefutable evidence of the illegitimacy of the ownership granted to the Polisario [Movement] by the court in Port Elizabeth,” said Otmane Bennani Smires, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the OCP Group. The vessel, carrying 50 000 tonnes of phosphate bound for New Zealand, was seized off Port Elizabeth after a complaint from the Western Sahara Polisario movement which claimed that it had been transported unlawfully from the disputed Moroccan territory. In a statement released on Wednesday, 8 May, the OCP Group said that the refusal of any potential buyers “to be complicit in this clear breach of basic principles of domestic and international law has demonstrated a unanimous rejection of this type

of abusive action that threatens the freedom and security of international commerce”. In July 2017, after the local court in Port Elizabeth rendered what the OCP Group described as a “flawed” decision asserting jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of international sovereignty claims involving a cargo lawfully sold by the OCP Group, OCP refused to participate in the subsequent legal proceedings on the merits. “Faced with the shipowners’ legitimate claims against the improper detention of the vessel for the past year, the South African court was forced to issue a pro forma and unreasoned default judgment in February 2018 attributing ownership of the cargo to the Polisario Front in order to finally free the vessel through a judicial sale of the seized cargo,” OCP said. In order to free their vessel, the ship operator covered the auctioneer’s costs and were awarded the cargo, which they then returned to the OCP Group, for a symbolic $1 USD. “This outcome was a result of the OCP Group’s refusal to participate in a trial on the merits before a local court flouting the limits of Enquiry No: 3 its competency.

Open a business bank account by taking a selfie

N innovation announced by A First National Bank (FNB) recently means small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can now completely switch or open a new bank account in less than five minutes through selfie authentication and digital KYC on the FNB App. This paperless cheque account opening process uses biometric technology to validate the business and its owner, allows the SME to order and courier new cards, switch debit orders and setup digital banking immediately. Mike Vacy-Lyle, CEO of FNB Business said the bank had worked hard to understand how SMEs operate and the day-to-day challenges they face, which are considerable. “We have coined the phrase ‘businessism’ inside FNB, driv-

ing our focus on solutions that remove those moments of angst that businesses face – from registering a company and opening a bank account, to applying for credit and managing the businesses daily affairs. “Our digital solutions now cater for the entire SME value chain via Online Banking Enterprise which is linked to the FNB App.” Vacy-Lyle said the focus on fintech had grown significantly on the African continent. “Although there are a number players who actively innovate in the SME market, they often lack scale and fail to deliver a single platform that is convenient and does not pose additional cost, security and administrative burdens,” he said. Enquiry No: 4

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May / June 2018

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Home Affairs clamping down on illegal immigrant employment

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T is now a matter of when and not if companies employing foreign nationals will be audited by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). The arrest of at least 25 illegal foreign nationals at the beginning of May by police in Cape Town, accompanied by officials from the DHA, sparked a scramble among the local business community who are concerned that they may unknowingly be employing foreigners who are working in the country illegally. Marisa Jacobs, Immigration Specialist at Xpatweb, said that considering recent arrests, HR professionals, managers, business owners and CEOs need to make sure that systems are in place to ensure that expatriates are legally employed within their business. “The Department of Home Affairs has warned that they will be increas-

ing the number of audits and investigations among South African companies that employ foreign nationals. “This isn’t an empty threat and they are clamping down on foreign nationals who contravene the act as well as employers who are illegally employing foreigners. Anyone who is deemed responsible for the appointment of the person could face repercussions which means that everyone from HR managers to CEOs could face fines or imprisonment,” said Jacobs. Making sure that an employee’s job title matches the title on their work visa is a vital step to ensuring that foreigners are complying with the Act. “It can happen that a company employs a foreign national and that the employee is promoted or moved within the business. When an

employee changes jobs and their job title or position changes, their work visa may no longer comply with the conditions thereof. The process to update the visa so that it is in line with the work contract is relatively simple and straightforward, but it’s a step that many

R1bn pharma facility for PE

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SPEN Pharmacare, South Africa’s largest pharmaceutical company, has officially opened its R1-billion Port Elizabeth-based high containment facility. Speaking at the launch recently, Group Chief Executive Stephen Saad said, “Aspen continues its evolution into a global specialty manufacturer of niche products requiring complex technologies. The high potency manufacturing facility we are opening… represents such complex technologies, providing Aspen with the opportunity to expand it exports with products which are used for rare indications”. He said that products planned for initial production in the were Alkeran, Leukeran and Purinethol (treatment of late stage cancers), Imuran (prevention of organ tissue rejection in liver and kidney transplants as well as treatment of certain autoimmune diseases) and Benztropine (treatment of Parkinson’s disease). Saad added, “The commissioning of this facility further cements Aspen’s position as the largest private investor in the South African pharmaceutical industry, with its current manufacturing operations constituting a significant portion of the installed pharmaceutical volume capacity in our country. Aspen’s ongoing investment in its South African manufacturing sites bolsters the introduction of new technologies, the addition of skilled employment opportunities and the enhancement of our country’s export capability.” Officiating at the opening, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said the investment would significantly strengthen our country’s capacity as a manufacturer of quality pharmaceutical products. “Aspen’s expansion into the High Potency Facility will enable the manufacture of prod-

T Minister Davies together with Aspen GCE Mr Stephen Saad and Aspen Capability Manager Mr Branson Bosman at the Aspen facility launch in Port Elizabeth ucts not previously produced locally and also add to the export capacity of Aspen contributing to the overall growth of the pharmaceutical sector and will potentially have a positive impact on lowering the current trade deficit within this sector,” said Davies. Minister Davies added that the facility would further enhance both South Africa and Aspen’s status in terms of regional and continental trade. “Aspen is a leading global producer of regulated hormonal products and a leader in infant nutrition products in select emerging markets. With this new facility, it is anticipated that around 95% of these new products are to be exported with target markets in Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa with the first exports expected to Europe as the first regulatory approvals were from Europe. “The new high potency manufacture facility will provide Aspen with niche-type capability to offer the market specialised therapeutics and increase its footprint within the global pharmaceutical environment,” said Davies. Aspen’s operations in the Eastern Cape employ over 2500 people of which 2000 are at the Port Elizabeth site with more than 90% of these employees being recruited from local Enquiry No: 6 communities.

employers overlook, and this can put them at risk to non-compliance,” says Jacobs. If a company has employed a foreign national already in possession of a visa, the company may not know if the worker’s visa is legitimate, whether it was obtained in the correct manner or even if it was issued by the DHA. “In this case, we recommend that employers contact the DHA to check what information is on the system. This additional check beyond looking at a work visa is needed to ensure compliance with the Act,” says Jacobs. Another potential pitfall that companies should take note of is the condition relating to the transfer of skills. Certain categories of work visas for foreign nationals stipulate that the skill that is being imported

needs to be transferred to local citizens. If a company is audited by the DHA, the company may be asked to present their skills transfer plans. “One of the main reasons South African businesses employ foreign nationals is because we don’t have the skills, knowledge or expertise within our borders. Having a skills transfer plan in place is a great opportunity for local employers to upskill their employees and give them an opportunity to learn from foreigners so that they can cultivate the skills that are needed within their business as well as the country. “Besides requesting a copy of the company’s skills transfer plan, DHA may further request to interview people who have been earmarked to learn from the foreign nationals,” Jacobs said. Enquiry No: 5

R25bn gas to power plant for Coega

he Coega Development Corporation (CDC) has been singled out as one of two sites to benefit from the government’s gas to power programme. Jeff Radebe, in his recent maiden budget speech as Minister of Energy, highlighted the importance of the energy mix to enable economic growth. “No industrial power can exist without developing its energy apparatus, in general, and expanding its electrification program, in particular,” Radebe said. He went on to announce that the CDC had been allocated a 1000MW gas to power plant valued in excess of R25 billion. CDC’s Energy Sector Manager Sandisiwe Ncemane said the announcement was a testament to the Coega SEZ’s readiness for energy projects since the early 2000s and the “extensive work put in by the CDC over the years as well as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that’s drawing towards finalisation”. “The reflection by the Minister on the importance of gas, and the prioritisation of natural gas, whether imported via regional pipelines

or liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals which would integrate to indigenous natural sources, forms the basis of our gas approach,” Ncemane said, He added that the CDC would continue to collaborate with the Eastern Cape Province and various state organs as well as private sector to advance Coega’s readiness for a natural gas economy. The CDC recently marked the completion of the MM Engineering facility, a R350-million investment located in Zone 3 of the Coega SEZ. The MM Engineering plant, with a full production capacity of 3200 metal gas cylinders a day, will become an import substitute. Enquiry No: 7

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Conference to tackle Bay water issues

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OME 20 years ago, someone said to me that the next world war would be fought over water. I immediately dismissed the idea as far-fetched and melodramatic. Fast-forward to today, when the idea doesn’t seem so absurd. Recent events in other cities, notably Cape Town, were a stark reminder of this prophecy. As South Africa is a waterscarce country, it is imperative that strategies to conserve, recycle and re-use water are developed. Water is a critical resource. This relates to life in general, but also business life. For business sustainability into the future, the city needs to have security of supply. The Business Chamber has taken the long-term view when it comes to interventions it makes. It has identified a number of key areas that any city would need for long-term sustainability. It has also decided to create platforms for discourse on matters of regional

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importance. In this regard, the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber will be hosting its first-ever conference. The one-day event, called “BayH20 Conference and Exhibition” will be held on 24 July 2018 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. The philosophy of the Conference is based on three critical elements, viz: • Education • Infrastructural repairs • Innovative solutions and products • Education It is apparent that a certain level of education with regard to water usage is necessary. This cuts across all sectors of society: be it business or communities at large. A key focus is also on school children – as we believe the culture of water conservation should be inculcated at an early age. The objective is to create a society with a high level of consciousness about sustainable practices.

Infrastructure Repairs and Maintenance The Metro has gone on record that there is a high percentage of water which cannot be accounted for. Some of the water is lost through leaks – due to aging infrastructure and inadequate maintenan ce. We are aware that the Metro has a number of initiatives in place to deal with this matter. However, we are of the view that more can be done. Innovative solutions and products The Business Chamber is on the lookout for innovative solutions and products that could assist the city and the business sector at large. We need to look at solutions that could reduce the water usage of industries in the area. Within this element, we are looking at innovative products and solutions. The big question we need to ask is: “How long would this city survive with the current and projected water lev-


bay view Nomkhita Mona

els into the future?” The next questions would be: “What interventions would need to be made to obviate any risk of water scarcity?” “Are we likely to need desalination plants?” “Would the city consider sinking more boreholes?” “If so, to what extent?” We are cognizant of the impact all this would have on the environment – hence our focus is on sustainable solutions. This will be an exciting platform – which will ultimately inform the planning for the Nelson Mandela Metro going forward. This intervention will focus on the contribution that all stakeholders can make, through responsible water usage, product innovation and a clear and comprehensive understanding of water scarcity risk and mitigation strategies. Our goal is to be part of the solution. All information is on our website – www.nmbbusinesschamber.co.za - and our other communication platforms

New East London HQ for forklift company

OYOTA Industrial Equipment recently held the official opening its new East London premises. While the company, a division of the EIE Group, has been operat-

ing in the city since 1990, the new premises mark the launch of initiatives to enhance and streamline customer service. These include the new building offering workshop, service

and maintenance, and parts facilities. There are also plans to locate technicians in the outlying areas of the province, including Mthatha and Queenstown. Toyota Forklift delegates at the opening included global and local representation, with Yoichiro Yamazaki from Toyota Industrial Corporation (TICO), Hiroyoshi Yoshika from Toyota Tsusho Corporation (TTC) together with Gary Neubert and Shumani Tshifularo from Toyota Industrial Equipment, as well as Vuyo Bangazi,

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General Manager of the Eastern Cape region for Toyota Industrial Equipment. “Our exciting new plans for the East London region are an expression of our commitment to maintaining our position as a partner of choice in this region, by proactively servicing our customer’s evolving needs,” said Neubert, the EIE Group’s CEO. “The opening of these new premises is also an opportunity for us to express our deep appreciation for the loyalty that has been shown to

us by the customers in the Eastern Cape and to reconfirm our pledge to delivering optimal life-time value for our customers.” Toyota Industrial Equipment’s East London branch provides customers the full suite of the company’s best-in-class brands for materials handling and warehousing, container handling, industrial cleaning and industrial power, with support over the complete product lifecycle. Enquiry No: 8

Insurance heavyweight launches business offering

ISCOVERY has announced the launch of Discovery Business Insurance – a new type of shared value insurance focused on building better and “healthier” businesses. Discovery Chief Executive Adrian Gore said he was excited to be expanding the “Discovery for Business” product suite to provide a comprehensive set of employee benefits and risk solutions. Discovery Business Insurance will offer clients benefits across property, accident, motor and other business liability claims, through Discovery Insure. “We have used Discovery Insure’s insights to design a business insurance solution that looks at a business holistically, and the risks they face in the 21st century,” said Zuriel Naiker, Head of Discovery Business

Insurance. “Discovery Business Insurance comprehensively protects businesses through innovative technology-enabled solutions, underpinned by our shared value model of insurance.” The offering works on the premise that businesses that show good financial performance and have successful operations have a lower insurance risk. It offers incentives and benefits to businesses in order to help them grow, reduce their insurance costs and manage their risks. “Discovery Business Insurance has been designed to cater for small and medium businesses (SMEs), as these businesses are key to helping South Africa thrive. SMEs provide employment to 60% of the labour force, but are often unaware or underinsured for the liabilities they face,” the company said in a statement.

Clients will have access to a business diagnostic tool codeveloped by Discovery and Endeavor South Africa, a notfor-profit organisation. The diagnostic tool provides insights and recommendations for SMEs as well as access to preferential rates from a collection of leading service providers, such as Amazon Web Services for IT solutions and the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) to provide talent and skills development programmes. “Endeavor inherently aligns with Discovery’s shared value insurance model, which is focused on building better businesses. Better businesses drive economic growth and job creation,” said Catherine Townshend, Managing Director of Endeavor South Africa. Enquiry No: 9

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PACKAGING

Packaging paper sales keep New filling valve platform with innovative PD design paper group in the black G T HE recently released first quarter trading update from paper and packaging heavyweight Mondi reveals a mixed picture of the packaging industry. The unaudited results state that operating profit for the first quarter of 2018 of €295 million (R4.41 billion) was 15% above the comparable prior year period and 6% up on the fourth quarter of 2017. Higher average selling prices and profit improvement initiatives across the Group more than offset higher operating costs, the impact of maintenance shuts and negative currency effects. Like-for-like sales volumes were stable on the comparable prior year period, with growth in Packaging Paper offset by lower volumes in Uncoated Fine Paper due to the extended maintenance shut at Richards Bay. Selling prices for the Group’s key paper grades were, on average, above both the comparable prior year period and the previous quarter as the upward pricing momentum witnessed during 2017 continued.

“Costs were generally higher than the comparable prior year period and the previous quarter. Among key input costs, wood, energy and chemical costs were higher than the comparable prior year period,” the company said in a statement. The notable exception was paper for recycling costs, where average benchmark European prices were down 15% compared to the first quarter of 2017, and 16% lower sequentially, as the Chinese import ban continued to impact global trade. Cash fixed costs were higher, largely as a result of the impact of maintenance shuts. Currency movements had a net negative impact on operating profit versus the comparable priory e a r period, driven mainly by aw e a k e r US dollar and Russian roubler e l a t i v e to the euro, and a net negative impact when compared to the fourth quarter of 2017 mainly as a result of a stronger South African rand. The report also revealed the impact of the prolonged maintenance shut down at the Richards Bay mill.

“The estimated impact on operating profit of maintenance shuts completed during the period was around €35 million (2017: €10 million). Based on prevailing market prices, we estimate that the impact of maintenance shuts on operating profit for 2018 will be around €115 million (2017: €95 million), slightly above our previous estimate, of which around half will be incurred in the first half of the year (H1 2017: €40 million).” According to the group, the outlook for the business remains positive. “We continue to experience a strong pricing environment in a number of our key product segments, supported by good demand growth, although we do continue to see inflationary cost pressures across the Group and currencies are currently a headwind. “With our robust business model, clear customer focus and culture of driving performance, we remain confident of sustaining our track record of delivering value accretive growth.” Enquiry No: 10

New oil free compressor ideal for food and beverage packaging

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N what’s being billed as a first for South Africa’s compressor rental market, Rand-Air recently took delivery of an Atlas Copco DXT85VSD electrically-driven, oilfree air/nitrogen booster complete with high-pressure hoses. Coupled with their oil-free compressor and dryer, the compressor and generator rental company says this means it can now offer a total solution for 42 bar highpressure, oil-free compressed air. The 100kW DXT has a high outlet pressure range of 25 to 42 bars at volumes of 700 cubic feet a minute (cfm): which makes it suitable for a range of specialised industrial applications, including food and beverage packaging. “Previously, we offered diesel-driven oil injected ‘boosters’ or compressors; which we provided to our customers in response to demand from the drilling and geological exploration market sector,” said Rand-Air Fleet Manager Craig Swart. However, said Swart, enquiries for high-pressure oil-free compressed air from the local soft drink manufacturing and bottling industry highlighted the suitability of the Atlas Copco DXT compressor.

Diesel-driven oil-injected boosters were not suitable for this application as there was a certain amount of oil residue in the compressed air they supplied. Also, diesel-driven oilinjected boosters were not designed to provide a 24/7 compressed air supply to manufacturing facilities. “While in Europe, the DXT is mainly used in steam production applications, we anticipate that in South Africa - as industry sees the potential of this compressor - there could be demand for more units of this type from a number of other industry sectors,” he said. For ease of handling and deployment, the DXT has the same dimen-

sions and attaching points as a standard shipping container. Rand-Air Marketing and Communications Manager Byrone Thorne said, “This unit is obviously more suited to longterm rental applications. Should we receive more enquiries for machines of this nature, we can speedily supply additional units from Europe”. “We are pleased to have added the DXT to our compressor fleet, as it is operationally an expansion of our high-pressure oil-free solution offering,” Thorne added. The new DXT compressor beefs up the company’s current fleet of some 400 rental compressors, which make up part of a total fleet of 1,100 compressors, generators and related equipment. Swart said that with units of this nature, on a long-term rental, customers have the advantage of knowing exactly what their future compressed air costs will be over the next five years, for example. “This makes it much easier for our customers to project future input costs, total cost-ofownership (TCO) and overall returnEnquiry No: 11 on-investment (ROI).”

ERMAN valve specialist Gemü is laying what it describes as the cornerstone for the latest generation of filling valves with its F40 and F60 valve types. “Thanks to close contact and communication with plant engineers and operators working in the area of filling processes, Gemü has been able to build up considerable expertise in this field over time,” the company said in a statement. “This has meant that we have been able to develop solutions to the widest variety of challenges relating to this area in years gone by. Gemü is continuing this tradition with the introduction of a new filling valve platform.” The use of the Gemü PD design has made it possible to securely isolate the moving parts of the actuator hermetically from the product area while simultaneously achieving a high number of

switching cycles. This means that what has become known as the lift effect, in which the remains of the product are transported through the inserted spindle into areas in the actuator which are not to be cleaned, is excluded. “In addition to the improved ease of cleaning of the media-wetted area, the valve stands out thanks to its extremely compact design and the ability to quickly and easily replace worn parts. Besides the conventional pneumatic variants, a motorized version with an innovative generation of drives is also available.” Both the Gemü F40 and Gemü F60 valves have a number of areas of application in virtually all filling processes in the hygienic and aseptic sector. Due to the one-piece PTFE seal that is used, the two valve types are also suitable for media conEnquiry No: 12 taining oil or fat.

Getting the hang of in-store promotion RABBING shoppers’ G attention in the grocery aisle on a crowded super-

market shelf or at the point of purchase is becoming much more challenging, especially when competing against brands with bigger marketing budgets. Against this background, Pyrotec PackMedia is positioning its Do-It range of hang tabs and display strips as ideal for brand owners who are looking for smart and affordable ways to increase the shelf appeal of their products in the retail space. “With our range of merchandising solutions, brand owners can enhance brand presence in-store and make their products stand out from the crowd without having to invest heavily in new packaging or costly marketing campaigns,” the company said in a statement. It lists the following benefits of

its hang tabs and display strips: • Boost shelf appeal - Displaying products vertically and face-forward in-store increases brand visibility and awareness. • Maximise display options - Crossmerchandise products within the same aisle. • Maintain product quality - Hang tabs can be used to repair damaged packaging in the store. This reduces waste and increases the likelihood of more products being sold. • Reduce packaging - Hang tabs allow more products to be displayed in the same retail space. • Durable materials - Do-It hang tabs are clear and have various adhesive options available to suit performance requirements. Enquiry No: 13

Achieve flexible production with integrated robotics solutions

Air Products South Africa (Pty) Limited manufactures, supplies and distributes a diverse portfolio of atmospheric gases, specialty gases, performance materials, equipment and services to the Southern African region. Air Products touches the lives of consumers in positive ways every day, and serves customers across a wide range of industries from food and beverage, mining and petrochemicals, primary metal and steel manufacturers, chemical applications, welding and cutting applications to laboratory applications. Founded in 1969, Air Products South Africa has built a reputation for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety, quality and the environment. In addition the company aims to continue its growth and market leadership position in the Southern African region.

Service that delivers the

Difference

www.airproducts.co.za

Delta Parallel robot Quattro and Hornet

Articulated robot Viper

SCARA robot eCobra

Mobile robot LD Series

The new Omron Robotic Automation enhances the most demanding manufacturing lines. Realize faster line start-up & change-over, implement easier to use technology & vertical line integration, and facilitate faster data capture & analysis to increase your in-line efficiency. Our industrial robotics range from articulated, SCARA, and DELTA to collaborative (mobile) robots that optimize the handling of varying lot sizes and diverse products, formats and qualities. Achieve flexible production with integrated robotics solutions that give you a competitive edge!

Discover how to improve your flexible production, contact us: +27 (0)11 579 2600 [email protected] industrial.omron.co.za

May / June 2018

6


smme devELOPMENT

‘Network-in-a-Box’ enables businesses to instantly open new branches

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OCAL businesses expanding operations in new locations, franchise sites, pop-up stores, short term leases and other inbranch opportunities can now instantly connect to their broader corporate infrastructure and to the external Internet while maintaining compliance to corporate and other legal policies. That’s according to T-Systems South Africa which claims this is now possible thanks to its “Network-in-a-Box” solution. Network-in-a-Box connects businesses in a matter of hours, carrying through all of the organisation’s network and user identity policies, and enabling secure access to company systems. “We’re dramatically simplifying and accelerating the process of setting up shop in a new

location,” said T-Systems’ Portfolio Manager for Connectivity and Networks, Louis Kirstein. “Everything is immediately available – from your active directory, to your security protocols, IP telephony systems, payment platforms, guest access policies, Cloud business services, and any other systems available on the corporate network.” By removing configuration and setup hassles, Network-in-a-Box enables businesses to open their doors and begin trading far quicker than before, he add. Previously, businesses would often have to wait for connectivity to be made available, and then painstakingly integrate network policies into the new site, delaying the opening of the new branch.

As successful South African businesses expand into new regions across different provinces, Kirstein said, internet access is often a challenge. Network-in-a-Box leverages whatever connection is available – from fixed-line options like fibre and DSL, to wireless services like 3G and LTE, private networks like MPLS, and even satellite. “We’re able to use and to consolidate connectivity from any of these sources, to ensure sufficient throughput and ultimately the smooth delivery of business and transactional services.” As new infrastructure becomes available, Network-in-a-Box easily accommodates the increased bandwidth. With low upfront costs, and no ongoing

High data costs hampering SME

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South Africa is the most expensive out of the continent’s six leading economies.” Data connectivity and digitization are vital in levelling the playing field for SMEs, allowing them to compete with larger, more established companies in their industry, he adds. “Depending on the nature of the business, online digital technology has a role in increasing turnover, reducing operating costs, increasing turnaround times, increasing capacity, increasing scalability and keeping the company relevant among its competitors.” Among the vital benefits that data connectivity and digitization offer SMEs are improved accessibility. Lang said that an online presence greatly advances the way in which businesses interact with their customers. SMEs are also capable of marketing to much larger audiences. “It is definitely not like the old days when the business with the biggest marketing budget also had the largest audience. Social media especially has become an invaluable and affordable mass marketing tool Enquiry No: 15 for SMEs.”

Enquiry No: 14

Five tips for start-up success

growth in SA

T is imperative to reduce the cost of data in South Africa to contribute to minimising the cost of running a small and medium enterprise (SME) and improve their growth. This is according to Jeremy Lang, Regional General Manager at Business Partners Limited, who says that internet connectivity has become an indispensable business tool for most entrepreneurs and business owners. “However, the high cost of data in the country is severely impacting the profitability and productivity of many SMEs and startup businesses and can be a notable prohibitor when it comes to accelerating SME growth.” Lang said that the cost of data in South Africa had been the source of much debate in recent years, with a new survey by research consultancy - BDRC Continental- on the competitiveness of broadband data costs1, ranking South Africa at 97th place on a list of 196 countries. “In terms of competitive pricing, South Africa ranks below a number of other emerging economies, including Guatemala (72), Morocco (59), and Tunisia (15). Furthermore, mobile data in

longer-term commitment, many organisations may deploy Network in a Box for a limited period – as they get up and running – before replacing it with more permanent networking solutions later on. Kirsten cited certain key sectors, such as retail, automotive and manufacturing that are becoming more dynamic in their approach to rolling out new points-of-presence as well as new points of production, especially for small crews. Locations are becoming less static and permanent. Network-in-a-Box is aimed at serving this need for increased agility, he said.

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VERY entrepreneur who begins a business wants it to be successful. But how? Which factors are critical to making your start-up a success and not becoming a statistic after five years? The National Small Business Chamber offers these pointers to making your start-up a success. • The idea You need to have an idea you believe in wholeheartedly. The idea is where your business grows from. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a new and innovative idea, but you need to have an idea. You should also test your idea and adapt it according to results of your tests. By listening to what your customers say about your product you can grow your product into something that people want to buy. • The team Who is on your team? The people you hire and who are part of the founders is important. You need to hire people who adopt your company’s culture and want to grow your company with you. Your founders should be positive and solution-focused people. You don’t want negative or problem-focused individuals working for you. You also need to have the right attitude towards your work. Do you see it as a success or failure? This will have an effect on how your business does. You need to ensure that the leaders on your team see failure as a way to learn and grow. There are many successful entrepreneurs who account their failures as the reason for the business being great and better now. • The business plan A plan is important so that when you hit a slump and wonder why you are doing this you

can be inspired again. The business plan lays out your goals and aspirations for growth. It will help you to know what you should be doing each day and help you to work towards your business goals each day. Remember a business plan is not static, you need to review it monthly and adapt it to how your business is growing. By having a business plan, you will be able to take advantage of growth opportunities when they come across your path. • The funding You can fund your business in a number of different ways. You need to make sure that you speak to investors before you need the money so that you can suss out who will be a good fit for your business. By building relationships with potential investors, you will know who to contact should you need the money to grow. • The timing This is one of the most important aspects of your business. If you launch to early people may not be ready for your product. You can counteract this with educating your potential clients about what you do and how they will benefit from this new technology or product. You could be too late. The market could be saturated and you will not be able to find a way to get in. You could counteract this by packaging your product in a new way that would bring new appeal to your offering. Then you could also have the perfect timing when people have been primed for your product and you are able to give it to them when they need it. This is the ideal time and you should be aiming for this timing. There is no one factor which is responsible for the success of a start-up. If you feel you are lacking in on aspect, then it is time to work on it. This will ensure you are moving towards start-up success for your small business. Enquiry No: 16

Why construction companies are losing their B-BBEE status

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snap survey conducted by TaranisCo Advisory has revealed that a large number of construction companies are in danger of having their B-BBEE status downgraded due to a failure to implement the Preferential Procurement and Supplier Development element (PPSD), which collectively affords companies the most points on the Scorecard. Companies surveyed reported that the Construction Sector Code was released rather late in 2017, and for those having February as their financial year-end, it came too late for them to make any meaningful interventions to optimise their scores before the next B-BBEE audit. Gerrit Davids, Lead-Advisor of TaranisCo Advisory said, “construction companies must firstly be aware that the PPSD carries the mandatory Priority Element status wherein a

minimum of 40% must be scored for all three applicable sub-elements”. “Irrespective of what the company scores for ‘PPSD’, if they don’t achieve the 40% subminimum, their points will be downgraded to zero”. Davids said, “a company could be downgraded from Level One to Level Six status should it score zero for this element and it will not do them any good when it tenders for government contracts”. The Sector Code also now instructs companies to appoint people from senior management to coordinate the implementation of the ‘PPSD’ and it excludes the sub-element of Enterprise Development and it only allows for Supplier Development, with the effect, that it could only support those qualifying small-contractors doing business with it. Enquiry No: 17

May / June 2018

7


power generation

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Global power grid giants tackle future challenges and opportunities

HE world’s largest power grid operating countries, known collectively as the GO15, used the recent Africa Utility Week conference in Cape Town to announce a study of three key areas to ensure future operational and economic sustainability for the transmission and system operator industry. These are reliability and resiliency, addressing the integration of renewable generation and distributed resources, and exploring a new utility business model and market design. “It is imperative that the energy industry worldwide explore how new ideas can be born through collaborative networks of research institutions that bring business, utilities, and countries together,” said GO15 President, Thava Govender. “In this way, we can define a research agenda to address our specific industry needs, to build infrastructure, local skills, and capa-

bility, and to develop appropriate intellectual property.” The three workgroups, comprised of a volunteer network of experts from GO15 member companies, will research their respective key areas and present recommendations by 2020. The workgroup on reliability and resiliency is currently exploring the effects of, and solutions to, climate change, cyber-security, and grid reliability services for system operators worldwide. Group 2 is examining the integration of renewable generation and distributed energy resources and the advanced technologies and tools that are required for optimal operations and management. Understanding the realities of the utility death spiral, Group 3 is studying opportunities for, and the evolution of, a new business model and market design for economic and opera-

tional sustainability. “We look forward to discovering new thinking from these groups as they move forward with their research,” said Govender. GO15 acknowledged the unprecedented evolution of the power supply system and the substantial investments required, not only in transmission infrastructure, but also in the increasingly sophisticated IT technologies required for their management. “This evolution requires in-depth cooperation among the main actors of the electricity domain, including regulators, transmission and distribution system operators, and generation suppliers of critical technologies and equipment, while continuing to deliver at a reasonable cost reliable and green electricity to customers, in line with clean energy policies,” Govender said. In an increasingly complex world, grid opera-

tors must deal with uncertainty and volatility and need new tools and a new market model to accomplish their mission. Moreover, reliability impacts of a changing power generation mix require that special emphasis be placed on further development and adoption of the regulatory framework in order for power grid operations to define technical specifications and to ensure grid sustainability and resource efficiency. GO15, founded in 2004, comprises 19 of the largest grid operators around the world. These include operators from six continents and countries such as Asia, Mexico, Russia, Brazil, Africa, the UK, the USA, the Middle East, and Australia, as well as from the European Union. The 19 GO15 power grid operators deliver electricity to over half the world’s population, accounting for more than two-thirds of global Enquiry No: 18 electricity consumption.

PE port green energy pilot project paves the way

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HE success of a pilot green energy initiative in the Port of PE has opened the door for larger projects in future. “This sustainable and environmentally friendly project will also save cost significantly. The return on investment is an absolute bonus,”

said Port Manager Rajesh Dana. Capable of generating 1 800 kWh per month, it is the equivalent of energy consumed by six small households. Based at the Civil Engineering Depot and connected to its distribution board, it is supplying the depot with energy primarily consumed by light equipment, appliances and lighting. Dana said there would be definite financial

returns. “Although the energy generated is consumed internally, it will reduce our external electricity cost to the municipality. The return on investment period is about seven years – it will thus take seven years for the savings to cover the initial infrastructure investment of R240 000. After this, we will generate pure savings.” The project entailed the installation of a 13.5 kWp grid tied static solar photovoltaic system. It comprises of 42 280W PV panels and a 20 kWp 3-phase inverter. The project

was completed within four months at the end of last year. After three months of operation the installation has exceeded the benchmarks set and paved the way for larger installations. “We’ll soon be going out to market for a much larger installation, exceeding 500 kWp of renewable energy generation,” said Dana. The Port Engineers department and renewable energy service provider, Out the Green Box, were responsible for the implementation. Enquiry No: 19

Securing the utility’s most valuable resources

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Alessandro Postiglioni

ANAGING crises when they hit is something that all utility companies have to deal with. Adverse weather, natural disaster or vandalism etc. can all wreak havoc. How a power company or utility responds and recovers is critical to their business continuity and reputation management. However, as utilities – like other companies across industries – look to adopt leading digital technologies such as cloud, mobility, data analysis, Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI), threats to business continuity have become compounded by cyberattacks and cybercriminal acts. From people, assets and data, security is a top priority for utilities and an increasing challenge with the growing risks. The risks remain rife as many boards still struggle to set the challenge in a business context, demystify the complexities and, move beyond the jargon, to understand the real risks of IT security in the digital and ‘totally connected’ world. And, utilities need to have a game plan. Integrated security strategy In this digital era, with global and dispersed offices, and mobile workers, all connecting to the business networks – security can no longer only focus on protecting physical and virtual assets within the confines of the brick and mortar office or onsite. Rather, a comprehensive security strategy needs to reflect the interdependence of physical and virtual security – and the importance of this. Typically, one department or outsourced contractor will provide services to shield the IT systems, and another will guard physical assets. However, in today’s increasingly connected world, the physical and virtual assets are interdependent – making a co-ordinated security approach ever more important, bringing information technology (IT) security together under one management umbrella. The best practice is to have an integrated security model that unites IT and physical security for ultimate assurance. By having a single view of cyber and physical security operations, physical security can be handled through field-based IT staff, a

central control centre and an access control team, while cyber defence operations act as the front-line against IT threats using a security operations centre, a computer emergency response team and a unit dealing with abuse over the network. Meanwhile, specialist cyber operations can act as a nerve centre for proactive network defence, monitoring incoming threats and devising strategies to stop information assets from being compromised. Securing every endpoint Once an integrated security strategy is in place, the utility should have a better understanding of both the potential imminent threats - as well as any threats the it may only be faced with in a few years’ time. Attention should then be turned to protecting each layer of the network and every endpoint. In the past, it was simple to protect the business networks and devices within the work space. However, when mapping out a security strategy today, the first thing utilities need to understand is that the scope of security needs to stretch to cover a far wider range of devices and access points. In fact, for any business offering cloud and IoT-based or driven services to customers - and with the proliferation of devices - this has not only added layers of complexity to protecting the business network, but has also made endpoint security more critical than ever. A proactive approach to endpoint security would include the network, applications, critical data and identity security, where the utility can then build this out across all their endpoints and business sites. For an endpoint driven security strategy to be truly effective the following needs to be top-of-mind. Endpoint security must be fully integrated into an overall cloud computing/security strategy. The security strategy must ‘bring together’ the beginning, middle and endpoint under a single, central endpoint-protection infrastructure and policy-enforcement mechanism that does not hamper users, or impact the performance of their machines. Alessandro Postiglioni is Head of IT Security Sales BT in Africa

Easigas, It’s Guaranteed

Easigas has been a leading supplier and distributor of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to the Southern African market for over 30 years offering enhanced efficiency and reliability of supply to it’s customer base through a comprehensive LPG supply and distribution infrastructure. The recent merger between Easigas and Reatile Gaz enhanced transformation in South Africa’s energy sector and has positioned a black empowered company as a key player in the Southern African LPG market. We are currently distributing over 150,000 MT in Southern Africa. The company also specialises in the supply of Bulk LPG to cater for any demand, using our fleet of bulk tankers which are strategically placed around the country. In addition to having allocations at all key refineries within South Africa, Easigas also has strategic storage facilities in every major business hub in South Africa amounting to 3000mt capacity. These storage facilities, coupled with Easigas’ fullyowned and managed import facility in Port Elizabeth, assists us in keeping our customers supplied during refinery shutdowns a nd during periods of peak demand.

Easigas’ vision is to be the leader in the LPG business by concentrating on our target markets, by adjusting to the customer demand and by being profitable in the countries where we choose to operate. It’s mission is to consolidate it’s position in the LPG market and commitment to forging long term partnerships with it’s customers, ensuring quality service is delivered efficiently and consistently. To provide an entrepreneurial environment where employees can reach their full potential whilst delivering on the company’s objectives. Easigas is 60% owned by the Rubis Group, French listed company specialized in storage terminals and distribution of petroleum products and 40% owned by Reatile Gaz a South African company ultimately controlled by the Reatile Group, a black owned and managed company with diverse interests in the Southern African energy sector.

Thomas Bierschenk (RSM – EC) | 041 451 1775/6 | 0800 001 504 | www.easigas.com

May / June 2018

pumps, powervalves, generation pipes

8


Why nuclear power for Africa doesn’t make sense

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Hartmut Winkler

VER the last few years reports have surfaced of a range of African countries planning nuclear power plants. At the moment, the only nuclear plant in operation in Africa is South Africa’s Koeberg, producing 1.86GW of power. This, according to some African leaders, is about to change. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni recently made the astonishing statement that his country is planning 30GW of nuclear power by 2026. That equates to 16 times the current total of nuclear energy on the entire African continent. Uganda’s is only one of a number of countries interested in nuclear power. Russia’s nuclear agency Rosatom has boasted that it’s concluded nuclear power memoranda of understanding with Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan and Zambia. Uganda is also on the list. Most African countries suffer from severe electricity shortages. The majority need to double their generating capacity to meet current needs. According to International Energy Agency figures, Kenya, Sudan and Zambia are primarily dependent on hydroelectric power. A 2.4GW nuclear plant would double their electricity production. Nigeria’s dominant energy source is gas, and here it would take a 4.8GW nuclear plant to double its capacity. Of the countries with Rosatom agreements, only Egypt has any concrete plans in place. A site for a 4.8GW nuclear plant has been identi-

fied at El Dabaa, on the Mediterranean Sea, and building is understood to be imminent. In the other countries, the location and scale of the projects have yet to be determined. Elsewhere in the world countries like Germany, Belgium and the US are downscaling their nuclear plans or exiting it altogether. The reasons include perceptions of increased risk following the Fukushima disaster in Japan as well as economic factors. The cost of electricity generation from solar photovoltaic and wind technologies has come down dramatically. It already costs less than power produced by nuclear plants and renewable energy is set to become even cheaper. Given that South Africa has shelved its nuclear plans on affordability grounds, surely less resourced African countries would find investments like this even more difficult?

The loan agreements Nuclear power agreements are notoriously shrouded in secrecy. But it’s possible to get a sense of Rosatom’s plans for African nuclear contracts by examining recent examples where details of mutual commitments have become public. A deal struck with Bangladesh provides a useful benchmark against which to understand other deals that have been done with Russia. In the case of the 2.4GW Rooppur nuclear plant, Rosatom is providing most of a US$ 12.65 billion loan. This only covers the estimated construction costs. Interest accrual,

possible cost overruns, operations and decommissioning are likely to amount to more than double of this initial outlay. That makes a total cost of roughly US$ 30 billion likely. Egypt’s earlier mentioned El Dabaa project has a similar funding arrangement. Here Rosatom has given a loan of US$ 25 billion, which again is projected to only cover construction. For both Rooppur and El Dabaa, the annual interest for their loan is around 3%. In addition, the loan is structured in a way that ensures repayments only start 10-13 years after the loan is made, to continue in annual instalments for 22-28 years thereafter. The country receiving the nuclear plant initially pays very little, but when the repayments kick in, the country’s fiscus and electricity consumers are suddenly faced with a massive burden that most African economies will never be able to meet. By then the 3% annual interest could have increased the amount owed by as much as 40%. The nuclear industry also has a history of cost overruns and construction delays. A country may therefore face a situation where it needs to service a higher-than-expected debt while being unable to recoup funds from electricity sales. What is equally concerning is that the debt then places Russia in a position where it is able to exert disproportionate influence over a country’s affairs. Zambia is eyeing a nuclear plant on the scale of Bangladesh’s Rooppur. The plant is expect-

Demand more from low voltage systems

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CHNEIDER Electric’s Compact NSX range of moulded case circuit breakers (MCCBs), offeres users more from their LV infrastructure and a cost-effective alternative to fuses over the long term. “Companies involved in the exploration, extraction and processing of natural resources look for the smartest, safest, most cost-effective way to run their operations. Opportunities to lower capital costs and operating expenses are often buried within a site’s low voltage (LV) power distribution networks,” the company said in a statement. It added that the high breaking capacity of the Compact NSX circuit breakers will withstand demanding fault conditions, staying reli-

ably in service after three faults. After a fault is cleared, remote control reclosing functionality puts circuits back into operation quickly, enabling maximum operational continuity. Discrimination and coordination will isolate faults, to avoid system-wide outages. “Over the long term, this reduces the cost impacts of downtime and avoids the labour and parts costs associated with fuse replacement, giving users a total-cost-of-ownership advantage.” Critical, high demand power distribution systems, operating at 440/480 V or lower, need protection against extreme short-circuit fault currents. Such faults occur in systems with multiple paralleled power sources or large

numbers of motor loads. Schneider Electric said the higher breaking capacity of its Compact NSX range can be used to provide better protection and higher continuity. “Class-leading performance enables the entire Compact NSX range to meet the requirements of applications that once mandated costlier, bulkier protection devices. Users can realise significant cost savings by safely running higher power densities on LV platforms or benefitting from the higher energy efficiency and reduced space requirements of a 690 V system.”

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process which is engineered to produce a truly flat top surface,” Quinlan says. “What is important is that our Mentis Flat Top floor grating has a non-slip surface as a result of this manufacturing process and this significantly enhances the safety of our product.”

Cheaper options Are there cheaper alternatives to nuclear power to alleviate energy shortages in Africa? A great deal of hope was placed on the 40GW Grand Inga hydroelectric scheme on the Congo river. But the project isn’t going to come to fruition soon due to funding challenges. The most promising solution seems to be through multiple small-scale power production initiatives, typically in bio-energy, solar heaters and photovoltaic modules. These provide cheaper electricity than nuclear and are in addition good job creators. With its extensive agricultural sector, all of Africa has great biowaste energy potential. Kenya has shown that there are excellent geothermal energy extraction possibilities along the Rift Valley. Many countries, including Egypt and Kenya, enjoy ample sunshine, making them ideal for solar power generation. With the right incentives, these could drive an African energy generation boom. Hartmut Winkler is Professor of Physics, University of Johannesburg. This article first appeared in TheConversation.com

Secure smart grids improve sustainability and reduce threats

Enquiry No: 20

Floor grating: How to tell the good from the not so grate

OT all floor gratings that claim to have a flat top surface actually do, something that can lead industry users to buy a product that falls short of the standards required for a project. That’s according to Lance Quinlan, national technical sales consultant at Andrew Mentis, who said that the company was the only producer of floor grating able to supply a product that has a true flat top surface, So, what’s the difference between “true” flat top and “pretend” flat top? Quinlan said grating made from flatbar (not slit strip) has a rounded or mill-edge. “This is a significant differentiator in the floor grating market and is something that should be factored in when making the decision to specify or purchase flat top floor grating. If it isn’t then specifiers and buyers are comparing apples with pears,” he said. “We are the only facility that purchases coiled steel and makes use of our own slitting

ed to cost US$ 30 billion. Given Zambia’s total annual budget is US$ 7.2 billion this is clearly unaffordable. If one were to scale the Rooppur cost from 2.4GW to the 30GW nuclear power plants proposed by Museveni, the figure would be 15 times Uganda’s annual GDP of US$ 24 billion.

This product is produced at Andrew Mentis’ ISO-accredited facility at Elandsfontein, Johannesburg, and is manufactured using a pressure locking system pioneered by the company. The transversals on the floor grating are positively and permanently locked to the bearer bars and the locking method at the intersections is designed to use the full depth of the bearer bar when calculating loads. Mentis Flat Top floor grating is available ex-stock in open ended systems 2 400 mm by 1 200 mm with bearer bar sizes of 25 mm by 4.5 mm, 30 mm by 4.5 mm and 40 mm by 4.5mm. Various apertures are available including Mentis RS40 (40/40mm), RS40 (45/40mm) and RS40 (45/50mm) in unpainted mild steel, bitumen painted mild steel and galvanised. Andrew Mentis also carries certain quantities of RS40 (40/40mm) in stainless steel, 3CR12 Enquiry No: 21 and 304.

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ODAY’S successful smart grids have become comprehensive internet of things (IoT) networks with millions of connected meters that share massive real time data about people, businesses and energy consumption. The valuable insight they provide enables consumers to save on energy bills and utilities and energy players to better balance supply and demand. It is also crucial information to help integrate renewable energy sources, helping to improve sustainability. As the marketplace and number of connections continues to expand by an estimated 30% each year, so does the potential for cyberattacks. The motivations for hacking this critical infrastructure include energy consumption fraud, insight into households’ activity, grid instability, pressure on governments and ID theft. This makes digital security more important than ever to an efficient grid´s success. Against this background, Gemalto claims that its dedicated cybersecurity solution for electric utilities establishes end-to-end security between energy meters, data concentrators and energy companies’ back-end systems. “Rugged and reliable IoT connectivity modules ensure 24/7 data availability. A strong and unique digital identity system is implemented at the manufacturing stage to ensure devices and applications can strongly authenticate themselves, proving their legitimacy to access sensitive data. Leadingedge encryption technology safeguards against data tampering and strong security lifecycle management enables remote security and data access updates, without costly truck rolls,” the company said in a statement. “The smart energy ecosystem is one of the most advanced in terms of security requirements because of the potentially disastrous consequences of malicious hacking,” said Sherry Zameer, the company’s Senior Vice President: IoT Solutions, CIS, Middle East and Africa region. “The Gemalto cybersecurity solution for Utilities ensures the integrity and confidentiality of smart meter data while defending against hacking and emerging threats that are typical to this business.” Enquiry No: 22

May / June 2018

9


TRANSPORT, DISTRIBUTION & WAREHOUSING

Lifting giant’s PE partnership paves way for SA expansion growth

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LOBAL lifting heavyweight Michielotto is expanding its footprint into South Africa, thanks to a parnership with Port Elizabeth-based Carl Stahl. According to Carl Stahl, their core business is the engineering design, construction and installation of lifting systems in general, made according to client requirements in technical specifications. “The company is particularly specialized in the manufacturing of overhead travelling cranes, gantry cranes, travel lifts and dock arms, of every kind and capacity,” it said in a statement. “With cut-to-size, tailor-made service, Carl Stahl Michielotto assists clients to realise their perfect handling requirements. From the outset of a project, Carl Stahl Michielotto proposes solutions for any of their needs in lifting operations,

from budgeting for a crane, to monitoring the running cost of an old crane.” The steel fabrication is done in South Africa, based on the engineering and using the electrical kit of Michielotto, something the company says helps to significantly reduce transportation and manufacturing costs. Michielotto produces a wide variety of cranes, from few tons up to 1000 tons and over. These include standard and custom EOT, gantry and Goliath cranes. Italy-based Michielotto is also a world leader in dock arm manufacturing, specialised lifting devices installed at dry docks and floating docks. Other cranes made by the company include travel lifts, rubber tyred gantry cranes, transporter trolleys, and explosion proof cranes and hoists. “Carl Stahl Michielotto cranes are operating in all kind of industries world-

wide, with a special glance to key sectors servicing the most important groups worldwide. The Company boast references in several industrial fields, from main construction and the energy and metallurgical fields, to oil and gas, shipyards, the stone industry and paper.” Some of the companies using Michielotto cranes include Arcelor Mittal, Lucchini/ Aferpi, Salini Impregilo, Paul Wurth, Bechtel Corporation, Fives Solios, Toshiba Corporation, Hitachi Zosen Corporation, Saint Gobain, Fata Group, SMS Group, NLMK, Qatar Aluminium Limited, ILVA, Ma’aden Aluminium, Riva Acciaio, GE Oil&Gas, Shell, ENI, Esso, Fincantieri, Antolini, International Marble Company, Keppel, Hud Group, Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries and Saudi Aramco. Enquiry No: 23

Further expansion for Coega cold storage facility

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HE Port Elizabeth (PE) Cold Storage plant located in the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ), one of the very first exports orientated investors to locate their facility at the SEZ, is once again expanding its facility. The investment worth R10 million is the second expansion within a space of two years following the R100 million investment by the company in 2017. “We doubled our capacity of 7 500 pallets to around 15 000 pallets storage. The expansion complemented our modern storage facility and accommodated greater volumes for the increasing citrus production in the Eastern Cape,” said Co-Director George Efstratiou. The current project, set for completion this month, will see the company play a critical role in the refrigeration and short-term storage of citrus products before distribution to markets around the

world. The new building will comprise of a new workshop, facilitate the servicing of forklifts and vehicles of the company. “We are very excited with the project and the vast opportunities it brings for the company. Currently we have over 100 people employed at the PE Cold Storage facilities. As a result of the expansion, we have managed to create an additional five permanent jobs and a further 25 construction jobs.” Highlighting the importance of locating in an enabling environment, Efstratiou said, “The Coega SEZ has been the ideal investment destination for our company. I would definitely encourage more investors to come and invest at Coega due to the clean and secure environment as well as the good services and facilities provided and being situated near the Port of Ngqura.” These sentiments support a recent independent study conducted on the impact of the SEZ in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and Eastern Cape. Among its findings was that more than 80% of the companies that have invested in the Coega SEZ have seen an increase in their

profits since starting operations in the zone. These include Coega Dairy and PE Cold Storage, among others with the benefits felt throughout the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and the rest of the province, according to the research

conducted by Muffin Consulting. In addition, 85% of investors have increased their workforce, 62% have expanded their factories, and more than 90% described the Coega SEZ and its Logistics Park in Uitenhage

as the ideal location for small and big industries. Private sector investment accounts for approximately 70% of the total investment value at Coega, with more than 78% of suppliers to those Enquiry No: 24 investors being local.

May / June 2018

transport, pumps, distribution valves, & pipes warehousing

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Robust intermodal side tipper bin

PECIALISED Container Agencies (SCA) - suppliers of niche market container products - has developed an intermodal side tipper bin, that provides efficient bulk handling rail solutions, encouraging greater utilisation of rail wagon container haulage. “SCA’s intermodal tipper bins ensure quick, safe and cost-efficient bulk handling in rail and road applications. What’s notable is this intermodal side tipper bin system increases payload on rail wagons from 54 metric tons to 60 metric tons. A single tipper bin is able to hold 30 metric tons for road transport,” said SCA Director Ken Mouritzen. The side tipper bins are easily handled onto container rail wagons and road trucks by a container handler. They have been designed for rapid and efficient off-loading of materials

from both rail wagons and road trucks, using specially designed hydraulic tipping cylinders. “An important feature of these intermodal side tipper bins - which are able to be stacked two-high for storage - is they can be used across different modes of transport, including road and rail, without the need for investment in double handling cargo. This system is boosting the utilisation of rail infrastructure, which significantly reduces transport costs, decreases national road congestion and minimises product damage,” Mouritzen said. In areas that are not fully serviced by rail, the intermodal side tipper can be loaded onto road transport, for closed loop, short-haul operations. Road vehicles are then used to carry the tipper bin containing bulk material to the railhead.

“This means cargo can be received at nonrail serviced facilities, for example on mines, terminals and ports.” For the transporter, benefits of using robust intermodal side tipper bins are lower operating costs, minimal cargo loss and weatherproof tarpaulins ensure product integrity during transport. Advantages also include cost-efficient, easy handling of bulk, improved safety for drivers, vehicles and cargo, as well as reduced insurance premiums. Road infrastructure benefits include less long-haul bulk traffic on national roads, resulting in reduced congestion, greater safety and decreased wear of road surfaces. SCA provides a technical advisory and support service throughout the African continent. Enquiry No: 25

Manufacturer expects refrigeration expo to open new doors

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OOR and loading dock systems provider Maxiflex will showcase high-speed freezer doors as well as insulated sectional doors from the Assa Abloy Entrance Systems product portfolio at the upcoming Frigair Expo in Johannesburg. That’s according to Managing Director Bram Janssen. “With cold chain forming the biggest part of our industry, Frigair presents us with the perfect platform to showcase our range of product solutions specifically tailored to freezer and cold storage environments,” he said. The Frigair Expo is held every three years in Johannesburg and is the only international trade fair for air conditioning and refrigeration in South Africa. It takes place from 6 to 8 June this year at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. In addition to working door models, the Maxiflex stand (C4) in Hall 5 will also display a complete loading bay that will include a

dock leveler, shelter and sectional door. Alongside Maxiflex’s locally designed and manufactured PVC strip curtain range, visitors to Frigair will also have the opportunity to view one of the latest offerings from Maxiflex, the RR3000ISO thermal insulated highspeed door. Janssen said that maintaining temperatures in the refrigeration and cold storage environments was particularly challenging in South Africa given its extreme climate variations. Product spoilage caused by large temperature variations is extremely costly for end-users. “Our door solutions which are specifically designed for cold rooms, cold storage and logistics, play an integral role.” Maxiflex’s range of doors adhere to all international specifications. “We are front runners in the local strip Enquiry No: 26 curtain industry,” Janssen said.

TOUGH TRUCK. GREAT PRICE.

Blockchain to shape next generation healthcare supply chains

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LOCKCHAIN technology will play a key role in supporting supply chain transformation in the healthcare sector by helping to reduce fraud and better manage quality in the manufacturing and distribution of pharmaceutical products, according to leading data and analytics company GlobalData. Counterfeiting is a significant problem within the pharmaceutical industry, with the World Health Organisation estimating the cost to the industry of counterfeit drugs at over $30bn. “This isn’t just a financial loss; it also reflects the fact that in some markets, notably emerging economies, relying on ineffective medicines represents a risk to public health,” said Bonnie Bain, Global Head of Pharma at GlobalData. “The challenge of tracking pharmaceutical products from lab to patient is a significant one, with multiple opportunities for external parties to introduce counterfeit products. The ability to trace the journey of an individual dose of medicine from the time of manufacture to the time it is administered could have a significant impact on patient safety and could dramatically reduce the financial losses associated with counterfeiting.” A number of technology and pharmaceutical companies are working on innovative solutions that combine digital marking of pharmaceuti-

cal products with secure distributed ledger technology (blockchain) to provide a means to securely and reliably track products throughout their entire lifecycle. Gary Barnett, Technology Analyst at GlobalData, said: “While the pharma industry is awash with blockchain hype, there are a number of segments where blockchain has the potential to play a transformational role, notably in managing the provenance of pharmaceutical products as they pass through the supply chain. “Blockchain is particularly interesting where a network of different players in different geographies have to coordinate their actions. The supply chain for pharmaceuticals is long, complex and very prone to abuse, so any technology that helps assure the provenance and quality of drugs will bring benefits to the industry and society at large,” Barnett said. Companies like IBM are working on blockchain-based platforms that can securely track and trace products from the procurement of the raw materials, through to manufacture and consumption. Innovative new approaches to marking products like pharmaceuticals offer the potential to track the lifecycle of pharmaceutical products down to a single dose. Enquiry No: 27

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MART Process Gating, introduced by Leuze, has made muting processes more economical as well as simpler and safer. That’s according to sensor solutions specialist, Countapulse Controls, which is offering the technology in southern African. Countapulse Controls MD Gerry Bryant said that in intralogistics as well as in the automotive and packaging industries, material locks often need to be safeguarded against unauthorised access by means of safety sensors. Previously, muting processes with muting sensors were required to clearly identify when transported goods were approaching a protective field. These muting sensors were then to bridge the passing of these goods through the protective field at the correct moment. The Leuze Smart Process Gating method, by contrast, has completely eliminated the

need for signal-emitting sensors making this a far simpler and more reliable solution in these applications. This solution is based on the Leuze MLC safety light curtains and this means that conveyor systems can be made more compact. “This configuration of the sensing solution has eliminated the risk of misalignment or damage to the sensors, and in addition because it is so simple to install there is a reduction in capital input costs. There is also a considerable reduction in maintenance and servicing requirements which also reduces costs,” the company said in a statement. Increased reliability and sensing accuracy is another major claimed advantage. “This will increase not only productivity but also safety in an operation. In the case of typical intralogistics applications, the height of the protective device is entirely dependent on the safety-related requirements and this sensing methodology does not require synchronisation beams to be taken into consideration, again saving on cost and increasing reliability.” With the Leuze Smart Process Gating solution, the first muting signal comes from the process controller (PLC), while the second muting signal is generated by the protective field itself. Enquiry No: 28

May / June 2018

11


environmental management & control

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Early detection of contamination

OLLUTION monitoring is key to the early detection of contamination on industrial sites. That’s according to Gert Nel, principal geohydrologist and Partner in SRK’s East London office, who added that early detection will help companies avoid costly remediation. “Over the past 20 years, we have seen the value of detecting pollution incidents early – preventing environmental damage and reducing the clean-up cost. Groundwater monitoring networks therefore need to be in place as early as possible; and most importantly in the correct or ideal location,” he said. According to Nel, contamination usually

migrates along natural preferential flow paths like weathered or fractured geological zones or along artificial flow paths e.g. underground utilities. “If monitoring wells are not correctly located, they will not detect contamination, and will only give companies a false sense of security. In our experience, wells are often incorrectly placed because a conventional drill rig cannot access the desired location on site.” To address this, SRK has a small drill rig ideal for drilling monitoring holes in constrained spaces – with the advantage of being able to get between buildings, for example, or even under roof.

“Another common problem is that older sites often do not have reliable drawings of all underground services,” said Brent Cock, principal engineering geologist in SRK’s Port Elizabeth office. “This makes it unsafe to drill, as there might be cables or pipelines which could be damaged.” To manage this risk, SRK employs a state-of-the-art ground penetrating radar and cable locater, and has a dedicated team who are proficient in the use of this detection equipment for underground utilities.

The equipment allows reliable mapping of underground services across the site, so that environmental managers can design effective Enquiry No: 28 monitoring programmes.

Record 2.15 billion PET plastic bottles recycled in SA

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record 2.15 billion plastic bottles, weighing in at 93 235 tonnes, were recycled by the South African PET plastic industry in 2017 – saving 578 000m3 of landfill and creating 64 000 income-generating opportunities in the process. This is according to national industry body PETCO, which is responsible for fulfilling the sector’s mandate of extended producer responsibility (EPR). The figures equate to a post-consumer bottle recycling rate of 65%, representing a 3% yearon-year increase in tonnage despite tough trading conditions and a 13% fall in the total PET market, which was affected by economic volatility and industrial strike action in 2017. PETCO chief executive officer Cheri Scholtz said the organisation was thrilled with the latest figures, which puts South Africa on par with international recycling rates. “Our partnerships with industry players, who demonstrate a keen and genuine commitment

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to recycling, is what makes results like these possible,” said Scholtz. “Through the remarkable network of people, companies and organisations we work with, 5.9 million PET bottles were collected for

recycling across South Africa every day during the course of 2017, creating thousands of income-generating opportunities for small and micro-collectors, and changing their lives and those of their families in immeasurable ways.” Scholtz said PETCO members paid a voluntary recycling fee on every tonne of raw material purchased, which funds their efforts and supports a sustainable recycling industry. Since the organisation’s incorporation in 2004, a total of R2.3 billion has been paid by contracted recyclers to collectors for baled bottles, with a total of 609 306 tonnes of PET recycled to date. This has saved more than 900 000 tonnes of carbon and almost four million cubic metres of landfill space. Nokubonga Mnyango, who owns Uthando Solutions and Trading in Empangeni, KwaZuluNatal, is one of the many PET collectors who have contributed to these figures because of the PETCO-sponsored training and equipment, such as vehicle trailers and protective clothing,

The EVOlution of processing equipment

NEW range of small, mobile crushers and screens is about to represent a big opportunity for businesses to explore new opportunities in processing, especially in the areas of recycling and waste management. The EvoQuip brand also represents a unique hire opportunity for entrepreneurs and plant hire companies where the machine may either become part of an existing fleet or provide owneroperators with an opportunity to undertake smaller-scale crushing and screening operations on customers’ own sites. Distributed by ELB Equipment, the EvoQuip range is part of the Terex brand and extends from 3to 19-ton screens, complemented by crushers that range from 3.5- to 29-tons. With the emphasis on mobility the concept is to bring efficient crushing and screening operations to wherever they are needed. According to Martin Conway, Terex international sales manager for EvoQuip, the company was established, and machines developed within the space of the last decade making them compliant with emerging trends in numerous industries. “For example, in the existing processing market the trend is for crushing operations to become smaller and operate on a just-in-time (JIT) principal where just enough is produced for

immediate needs rather than stockpiling materials for future use. All too often big crushers and screens stand idle waiting for materials with obvi-

cessing of demolition waste for reuse or processing of manure, compost, fertilizers or soils for agriculture In addition, said Conway, the relatively low overall cost of the equipment lowers the entry level into a host of new industries and makes these more feasible for startups to process smaller quantities of materials profitably. Examples could include waste concrete recycling at precast and readymix concrete yards, processing of illegally dumped building materials on behalf of municipalities, and supporting construction operations in remote areas using available resources. In Europe and elsewhere abroad, EvoQuip’s machines are being used in just this type of ous negative cost implications,” said application. They have established a Conway. foothold among small-scale aggregate “By comparison the small EvoQuip producers, recyclers of materials at machines are less expensive to buy dumpsites, demolition experts, agriand to operate making many lower- cultural co-ops and building contracyield types of operations feasible by tors who make use of onsite spoils to considerably bringing down operat- produce building materials. ing costs. That means it can give old Conway said the machines are paroperations a new lease of life or may ticularly useful in shared-type applicaeven be feasible to be brought onto tions where a co-op of farmers or rural quarries to produce saleable products municipalities may purchase one and Offices in Port Elizabeth and East from by-products.” share it among themselves. This also Perhaps the most exciting opportumakes the machines ideal for the plant London nities, however, is to take processing hire industry where they can be used plants to customer’s sites. Whether it to open new avenues of business for be processing of rocks at 9000:2015 the site of certified hire companies. ISO Enquiry No: 30 road construction projects, the pro-

Water use licensing Groundwater monitoring Network design and implementation Routine monitoring service Specialised technology Dedicated drill rig for wells in confined spaces State-of-the-art Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Cable Locator ISO 9000:2015 certified

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aimed at increasing their collection volumes. Her business employs six permanent staff, who collected over a tonne of PET per month during 2017. “We really appreciate all the support PETCO has given us as collectors because it’s not easy but there are many opportunities in this business,” said Mnyango, who was named a PET-trepreneur at the 2017 PETCO Awards. PETCO chairman Casper Durandt, who is also head of technical for Coca-Cola’s South African franchise, said the organisation’s accomplishment could not have been achieved without its dedicated partners. “They have made extraordinary contributions to the recycling of post-consumer PET in South Africa, thereby enabling PETCO to expand our collection network, build relationships with recyclers, seek new opportunities to develop and support entrepreneurs, and ultimately grow our recycling tonnages.” Enquiry No: 29

Making a concrete contribution to biodiversity

ONCRETE materials group AfriSam has announced its sponsorship of the Biodiversity Category in the 2018 Enviropaedia Eco-Logic Awards. The awards, introduced in 2011, aim to recognise individuals, organisations and communities that positively contribute towards a sustainable world. The 2018 awards gala event will be held on 5 June. Prior to the event, all projects entered into the competition will be evaluated by a panel of judges who are experts on environmental matters. From these assessments, winners will be chosen for each category and this will culminate in the announcement of the Lifetime Achievement Award winner. The award in the Biodiversity Category, sponsored by AfriSam, recognises an organisation’s success in a protection, rehabilitation and mitigation programme and applauds the work in contributing positively to the environment. It is closely linked to the organisation’s own in-house efforts and the work it has done over the years. Richard Tomes (pictured), Sales and Marketing Executive at AfriSam, said that as a leading supplier of construction materials, the company recognised the importance of a focused approach

in conservation efforts and its role in leading key initiatives in the industry. He said the company published its first environmental policy in 1994; an industry first at the time and since then has made significant strides towards environmental sustainability. Much effort had gone into initiatives in the areas of energy optimisation, emission reduction, a clear focus on the optimal use of resources as well as the rehabilitation of its old mining sites to a self-sustaining state. “This event is perfectly aligned to our value of ‘Planet’ that defines who we are and what we are passionate about as a business. Recognising the importance of all role players in creating an environment in which we can all make a difference on the environmental front is key to our success. The awards give us a platform from which we can showcase our efforts, learn from each other and encourage more action from all stakeholders,” said Tomes. “There is no denying that we are in a global warming crisis and we need to intensify our efforts to address issues of climate change. As custodians of this earth and we need to advance this cause and mitigate the damage already Enquiry No: 31 done.”

UPGRADE TO SUSTAINABILITY Offices in Port Elizabeth & East London Call SRK on +27 41 509 4800 (PE) | +27 43 748 6292 (EL)

www.srk.co.za

ENVIRONMENT | WATER | ENERGY | INFRASTRUCTURE | MINING

May / June 2018

12


construction, civil & structural engineering

New crawlers smarter and safer H PE Africa recently launched the Hyundai R210 crawler excavator line which, it says, offer improved productivity and safety, easy maintenance and the latest computer aided telematics analytical capabilities. “The first batch of R210 Smart units we imported at the end of 2017 have already been sold and delivered,” said Alex Ackron, managing director, HPE Africa. “Exceptional fuel efficiency of these machines due to the upgraded circuit design - will exceed all performance expectations.” He added that the new excavators are fitted with high power turbocharged engines that can withstand difficult operating conditions, including heat, humidity and dust, with no compromise on productivity. Additional reinforcement of the bucket link supports greater bucket dig and arm crowd forces and added reinforcement of the idler area track enables dependable operation in

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tough conditions. HPE Africa - exclusive distributors in Southern Africa for Hyundai Construction Equipment – also distributes Soosan hydraulic hammers and McCloskey crushing and screening units. The company operates a countrywide network of spares and workshop outlets.

According to the company, Hyundai’s advanced computer aided power optimisation CAPO technology, plus hydraulic flow summation and the new arm regeneration system, ensure faster cycle times, for greater output and improved performance. The CAPO system allows the operator to select preferences for boom or swing priority, power mode and optional work tools.

This technology also provides complete selfdiagnostic features and digital gauges for important information, like water and hydraulic oil temperature and fuel levels. Critical safety features of Hyundai R210 Smart excavators include an anti-restart system, new cabin roof lights to enable work at night and an auto engine overheat protection function, which monitors and controls coolant temperature. Safety levers guard against unintentional machine movements and counterbalance to protect against accidental roll down of the machine in steep gradients. Holding valves prevent attachments from drifting against gravity, as a result of prolonged overhanging. The smart instrument panel makes it easy for the operator to check all critical systems. A one touch deceleration switch and auto idle function reduce fuel consumption, enhancing operational efficiency. A new air pre-cleaner, that extends filter servicing requirements, is enhanced by Hyundai’s design for easy access to components for quick maintenance procedures. Enquiry No: 32

Efficient surface drainage blocks

NEFFECTIVE drainage is at the heart of many of issues when areas such as roadways, parking lots, walkways and areas around buildings become swamped with large volumes of non-dispersing water. Technicrete is positioning its Beany Block as an efficient and practical solution for effective drainage due to its large flow capacity/ unit weight ratio, something the company says makes it more cost-effective than conventional kerbing and drainage offerings. The Beany Block system comprises a series of Base Blocks of standard channel section and Top Blocks of inverted channel section with an opening in one side face. When laid end to end they form a combined kerb and surface water drainage unit that is strong enough to withstand normal traffic loading. Each standard Top and Base Block is 500mm in length and weighs approximately 85kg. They have also been designed to withstand accidental 80KN axle loading. The Top Block oval openings provide for greater inlet capacities compared to conventional kerb inlets. Standard blocks can be used for curve radii of 30mm or more. ‘Splay’ blocks are available

to meet specific requirements with a radius of between 6m and 30m. When the Beany Block system is utilised, no long drainage sections are required to be specified in contractual documents. The system can be substituted for kerbs, stormwater pipework, kerb inlets and parts of footways. Damaged services are less likely to occur when installing the Beany Block due to its simple and practical design and installation.

Some of the traditional problems experienced with conventional drainage that the Beany Block system eliminates include: insufficient fall; conflicting levels of service mains and cables; ponding adjacent to low points; traffic safety and control on existing freeways. Additional cost savings can be achieved on projects that have wide freeways and footways; freeways that have ‘flat’ longitudinal falls; rock in sub-grade; shallow outfall and existing services or foul drainage at conflicting levels. The Beany Block has been designed for use in conjunction with SABS Fig. 3 and Fig.4 Barrier Kerbs. The Beany produces 400mm length of inlet opening for every 1m of kerb. The system can be used in any application where high inlet capacity is required; wide freeways; parking areas; taxi ranks and bus depots; wash bays and vehicle service areas; median islands; industrial areas; drainage around buildings and walkways and toll plazas. Technicrete is part of the IS Group of companies which includes Ocon Brick and Rocla. Enquiry No: 33

DELIVERY

New precast admixture range

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HRYSO Southern Africa has released a new end-to-end range of concrete admixtures specifically for dry and semidry precast applications. “Each product in this range meets high performance levels in terms of concrete compaction, mechanical strength and aesthetic quality,” said Hannes Engelbrecht, general manager inland sales at Chryso Southern Africa. The range includes Chryso Alpha for all dry and semi-dry precast applications, as well as specific admixtures for blocks (Chryso Alpha Block), paving stones (Chryso Alpha Pave), kerbs (Chryso Alpha K), and pipes and hollow slabs (Chryso Alpha T). For even higher performance ratios, the company has developed Chryso Alpha Block L540, Chryso Alpha K216 and Chryso Alpha Pave 305. The company has also introduced a new range of efflorescence reducers called Chryso Alpha Color 600, 300 and 100. Additionally, Chryso has pioneered a dedicated array of immediate mould-release products and services in its Chryso Dem range, which is designed to meet any precast and construction requirements. “The new range allows manufacturers to reduce total cost of ownership. For example, precast paving manufacturers are able to optimise total cementitious contents, while reducing pigment dosages and still produce quality paving blocks. “Further advantages producers can expect are improved aesthetics better colour stability, colour intensities and swipe and increased output in production as well as reduced energy consumption,” said Engelbrecht. He added that a team of technical experts was on hand to offer advice, as well as provide formulations that integrate into customers’ manufacturing processes. Backing up this service is in-house laboratory support to meet specific requirements. There is also a colour lab to assist with tailored colour requirements. “Our innovative, hi-tech approach includes the conducting of material diagnostics for the customer, analysing their requirements to find the right products in our dry-cast concrete range that will best suit their process and provide the optimal performance,” he said. Enquiry No: 34

Precision pressure

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tor with dual isolated sensors for gas custody transfer applications for pressure calibration and temperature measurement. It allows for simultaneous static and differential pressure measurement within a single tool. The Fluke 700G31 precision pressure gauge calibrator – a rugged pressure gauge calibrator – delivers fast and accurate test results. It’s easy-to-use and reliable construction allows for precision pressure measurement from 15psi/1 bar to 10,000 psi/690 bar with an impressive 0.05% accuracy. It is compatible with most h y d r a u lic and pneumatic test pumps and can be combined with one of the Fluke test pump kits (700PTPK or 700HTPK) for a complete pressure testing and calibration solution. The 700G/TRACK Software allows for the upload over 8,000 pressure measurements which are logged in the field to a table or PC. Comtest Group is Fluke’s authorised Test and Measurement Distributor for South and Enquiry No: 35 southern Africa.

May / June 2018

13


COMPANY & PRODUCT NEWS

New R150-million plant geared for EC fruit sector growth M PACT, one of the largest paper and plastic packaging manufacturers in southern Africa, has officially opening its new corrugated factory in Port Elizabeth. The company held an on-site ribbon-cutting ceremony recently, with customers, directors and employees in attendance. “The expansion extends Mpact Corrugated’s national manufacturing footprint which enables us to consistently offer the highest levels of quality and service to our customers, many of whom are here to celebrate this milestone with us today,” said Managing Director Johan Stumpf. “I am pleased we were able to deliver a complex project of this nature on time and within budget. The Mpact employees and our partners on the project worked hard to ensure this achievement,” Stumpf added. Victor Korsten, CEO of Coega Dairy, a long standing customer of Mpact, attended the

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AST London real estate entrepreneur Xoliswa Tini is to expand her 15-yearold business to other provinces later this month and become the first black 100% owned female franchise in South Africa. The University of Cape Town graduate said that key role players like investors and developers are excited about the development and see opportunity for a strong black African brand with a nationwide presence. The teacher-supermarket owner-turned-real estate entrepreneur started Xoliswa Tini Properties (XTP) in 2003 after a successful two-year career with leading national estate agency brands. “Fifteen years later Xoliswa Tini Properties

opening. “Coega Dairy has been associated with Mpact in Port Elizabeth since its inception. Over the years Mpact has supported us with product development, innovation and supply chain management. So today it’s a great pleasure to congratulate Mpact with its new facility and we look forward to a long relationship with the company,” Korsten said. Mpact’s R150 million investment in Port Elizabeth is centered on a modern new corrugator supplied by leading German machine supplier BHS. The new machine more than doubles the factory’s capacity while also improving quality, production efficiencies and key sustainability metrics such as energy usage. This is geared towards growth in demand for citrus packaging in the Eastern Cape on the back of substantial investments by Mpact’s customers in the sector. Gustav Bell, Packhouse Operations

Manager of Endulini Fruit, one of Mpact’s largest citrus customers said, “On behalf of the Endulini Group of Companies we want to congratulate you with the opening of your new upgraded state-of-the-art carton manufacturing facility. We trust this will contribute to the success and productivity of your business. Be assured that we highly value our relationship and foresee this for many years to come.” In the final phase of the project, Mpact will install a fully-integrated printing and converting machine as well as a flat-bed die-cutter. “This work is progressing well and is on schedule for completion during the second half of 2018,” Stumpf said. Mpact Group CEO Bruce Strong said that in the recent past the group had invested extensively in customer aligned strategic projects that position it well for growth. “Our capital investments across the group such as the

one here in Port Elizabeth, the recently commissioned R765 million Felixon paper mill project and the new R100 million jumbo bin injection-moulding machine are all geared towards ensuring our customers get the best quality products that are worth their price,” he said. Mpact is also the largest recycler in South Africa. “Besides these projects we opened a new facility last year for recycling paperboardbased milk and juice cartons, an investment of R50 million. This goes hand-in-hand with our extensive paper recycling business and our PET bottle recycling plant which was commissioned in 2015 and today supplies recycled PET for use in new beverage bottles,” Strong said. The expansion of the Port Elizabeth plant is part of Mpact Corrugated’s extensive modernisation programme which has included investments of more than R800 million over the past six years. “As a true measure of sustainability it is worth noting that Mpact’s Port Elizabeth factory has been in business for nearly 100 years. This investment demonstrates that we remain deeply committed to serving our customers in the Eastern Cape for many years to come,” Strong said. Enquiry No: 36

First black real estate firm to franchise

is a tried and tested brand, with massive possibilities of growth and this, in turn, means opportunities for black entrepreneurs,” said Burgersdorp-born Tini. The business has had a good run and now has footprint in East London, King William’s Town and Gauteng with over 70 agents and 12 permanent employees. But it is the difficulties that she faced as one of the first black agents in the city that has helped Tini create a compelling vision for the business and the drive to leave legacy for other black

entrepreneurs and address the market schism in the industry. She said that only eight per cent of the more than 50 000 registered estate agents in South Africa are black, an improvement on the four per cent in 2007 but nowhere close to the target of 35% that was meant to be achieved by 2012. This doesn’t come as news to Tini who understands the challenges for new entrants. “This is a commission-based business, so entrants need to be financially-sufficient for anything around six months. In addition, they need workplace experience and a supportive mentoring and training system,” she said.

“That’s why we established an accredited black academy in the Eastern Cape which provides NQF 4, NQF 5 and RPL training and workplace experience.” “We need to find ways to address ownership and for me, this means franchising. Franchising does make a business more accessible for others – so too the chances of its sustainability – particularly if it is a successful brand,” she said. “For me, franchising means those who are coming behind me will more easily be able to overcome the difficulties of the industry. I don’t want others to experience what I did.” Enquiry No:37

May / June 2018


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Small customers welcome, says lifting heavyweight M ARCH was a busy month for Goscor Lift Truck Company (GLTC), with the delivery to customers more than 30 machines including Doosan diesel and electric forklifts, Bendi articulated forklifts and a range of specialised Crown Materials Handling Equipment (MHE).

MD, Darryl Shafto, said that while many think that a large business like theirs turns mainly on big orders from big clients, “Nothing can be further from the truth”. “So much of our business comprises small orders from small and big customers, and our

philosophy is simple – each order is appreciated to the fullest extent and our service infrastructure is geared up to handle any fleet size. Large fleets are obviously beautiful but, in our world, so are small fleets.” Shafto said that small operations should not hesitate to see what they have to offer. “Sometimes smaller operations are loath to approach large suppliers like ourselves but they shouldn’t be. We have the experience, knowledge and products to make a real difference to your bottom line.” According to Shafto, GLTC’s success is founded on three principles: Firstly, Goscor is grateful for every customer and every order no matter the size. Secondly, the integration of the management, sales and service functions create a “well-oiled” team able to provide its customers with

the correct solutions in double-quick time and, thirdly, the belief that “the foundation of world-class service is world class product”. Goscor is the sole distributor of some of the leading brands in the industry including Crown, Doosan, Bendi, Hubtex, and Taylor Dunn. Shafto said such was its reputation, that many of the company’s customers today virtually “outsource” the MHE function to it. “Our recently restructured service department is one of the most experienced ‘skills upliftment

and service training’ facilities in the country. National Training Manager Lex Winson, keeps service staff up to date with ever-changing technology. “To this end we provide throughout the country special cut-away machines for ‘touch, feel and see training’ and special bays for ‘direct participation training’. New or current machines are pulled into these bays so that our technicians, new or experienced, can be instructed - or refreshed - on the machines’ service requirements,” Shafto said. Enquiry No: 39

New HMI software features improve operator efficiency

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OCKWELL Automation has updated its human-machine interface (HMI) software to equip industrial workers with better information to run and maintain their systems. New features in the FactoryTalk View software version 10.0 include greater access to information, new mobile device support and better cross-software integration to improve productivity. Operators can now use the TrendPro tool in FactoryTalk View Site Edition (SE) software to overlay alarm information on trend data. This feature can help them connect alarm occurrences with data-point values to speed up troubleshooting. They can also use the tool to save and share ad hoc trends with other workers. “This version also adds support in the HMI for flexible alarming with the Allen-Bradley Logix line of controllers,” said Christo Buys, Business Manager – Control Systems Rockwell Automation Sub-Saharan Africa. “Previously, users had to manually create alarm conditions in both the controller and the HMI. With tag-

based alarming, operators can now create the alarm configuration in Logix and the HMI will process it automatically, which saves time by reducing the need for programming.” FactoryTalk View SE v10.0 also integrates the ThinManager software login into the FactoryTalk View platform. In the past, users had to separately log in to both systems. Now, they can bypass the second security point with an automatic login passthrough for easier and faster operations. For process industries, the FactoryTalk View SE software introduces an abnormal situation management (ASM) multi-monitor framework. This feature allows operators to see different levels of data across multiple screens in accordance with standards-based ASM guidelines. It can also provide operators with more viewable information, helping them more efficiently run and maintain their systems. The updated FactoryTalk ViewPoint software, which extends the FactoryTalk View SE software to

mobile devices, now supports recipe management. This update allows workers to view and download recipes on the device of their choice. And now, with ViewPoint v10.0 software, FactoryTalk Alarms and Events alarm history is also available on their mobile devices. The FactoryTalk View Machine Edition (ME) software v10.0 adds design-time and run-time enhancements to improve user efficiency and productivity. The HMI software now better supports restoring and upgrading legacy projects and improves usability when editing displays. “Prior to this release, operator actions could be logged to an audit trail, but there was no guarantee that the system would capture them,” said Buys. “Now with onboard audit trails, this information is captured locally on the terminal, and audit data is securely stored there until it can be backed up. For highly regulated industries, like pharma production, this supports requirements such as US 21CFR Part Enquiry No: 40 11 or EU Annex 11.”

Non-contact temperature measurement

EXELTOP

HE TW2000 range of process senT sors from IFM offers precise temperature measurement, particularly of

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hot objects or objects which are difficult to access, for example in the steel, plastics or glass industries. The measured value is provided via the analogue output. In addition, a switching output and an IO-Link interface are provided. An integrated LED pilot light shows the user the exact position and size of the measuring segment. The green light is visible very well even on glowing surfaces. Besides a low current consumption, the LED is distinguished by a virtually unlimited lifetime. Batch-related programming is another benefit. Thanks to the integrated IO-Link communication interface, the parameters can be dynamically adjusted to the application from Enquiry No: 41 the control room.

Lever-action grease coupler KF recently released their lever-action S coupler. Developed to optimise grease gun lubricant delivery, this coupler is available

Air Liquide Southern Africa Tel: +27 87 288 1100, Rolf Schluep (Welding & Cutting Manager) +27 87 288 1332 Or contact us online at www.airliquide.co.za

in two versions – one for battery-powered grease guns and one for manual grease guns. According to the company, the new leveraction coupler tool improves safety and simplifies the manual lubrication process. Featuring one-handed operation, the easyto-use coupler remains attached to the fitting without being held in place. In addition, its reverse-jaw design holds the fitting securely to the seat for less grease spillEnquiry No: 42 age.

May / June 2018



Scanner tech protects world’s longest railway tunnel

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FTER 17 years of construction, the Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT) finally opened to passenger and cargo traffic on 11 December 2016. Deployed as a sensor solution for protection of the overhead line, LMS511PRO laser scanners from Sick help ensure that the trains operate on schedule through the 57 km railway tunnel, the longest in the world. The scanners are incorporated into technical monitoring systems for protecting electrical section breaks along the overhead line in the tunnel. It’s necessary to separate the overhead line into sections due to operational and safety reasons. “To ensure continuity of normal rail service, sections of the overhead line must be isolated from the grid for maintenance and in the evident of an incident,” explained Patrick Hayoz, electrical engineer and Project Manager System Design Traction Current in the infrastructure department of SBB, the Swiss National Railway. Additional requirements apply in relation to tunnel capacity – up to 260 passenger and cargo trains on

peak days – as well as the short train headways. “To ensure high availability of the infrastructure, all fault risks should be eliminated, whenever possible,” adds Hayoz. The GBT is constructed for speeds up to 250 km/h, which results in correspondingly high wind speeds and wind loads up to 10 kPa. Accordingly, the overhead line is constructed to sufficiently durable standards over its entire length: more than 100 km. Aside from the maximum train speeds, however, potential effects of an unscheduled stop in the tunnel also had to be considered. “In electrical section breaks, two contact wires extend in parallel for almost twenty metres. If a pantograph remains stationary in such a position, the compensating current through the pantograph can cause the two contact wires to overheat at the contact point,” said Hayoz. “In turn, this can cause the contact wire to break, which usually means a track closure of several hours.” Together with a committee of subject matter experts, he tested and validated

a series of risk minimisation solutions to prevent contact wire breakage. Of these, pantograph detection using LMS511PRO laser scanners from Sick proved to be the ideal solution – based on technical, cost-effectiveness and time considerations. Suitable for outdoor use, the LMS511PRO laser scanner from Sick is a 2D detecting and measuring sensor with a scanning angle of 190° and an operating range up to 80 metres; it offers adjustable angular resolutions between 0.167° and 1°. “The system measures the pulse travel time of a diversified laser beam to an object – in this application, the pantograph – and the remission time from the object surface,” said Mark Madeley, National Product Manager Identification, Vision, Distance & Ranging, Sick Automation Southern Africa. Along with adaptable software filter algorithms, the laser scanner’s 5-echo evaluation technology ensures extremely dependable return pulse detection; it therefore produces highly reliable data regarding the presence, distance and position of the pantograph.

metal spray coating solution A has extended the life span of a Labyrinth casing, thereby avoiding the

need for costly replacement, leading to significant cost savings for Eskom, at its Palmiet Hydro installation. The power station is located near Grabouw in the Western Cape on the Palmiet River, 2km upstream of the Kogelberg Dam wall. The Palmiet Pumped Storage Scheme is part of a water transfer system. For generating purposes, water is released from the upper Rockview Dam to the two reversible pump turbines located 60 metres below ground level. Surcotec was requested by Eskom to submit a recommendation and procedure to prepare and coat the top runner Labyrinth on unit 1 of the Turbine at Palmiet. “The casing base material in the Labyrinth area of the turbine which is approximately three metres

in diameter, was showing signs of accelerated erosion due to a design issue,” said Ian Walsh, Sales and Marketing Manager at Surcotec, a surface coating technology specialist based in the Western Cape. “Consequently, the customer was experiencing severe material losses in the Labyrinth area and was forced to consider a complete and costly casing replacement.” The Labyrinth area of the casing is an integral part and could therefore not be removed for repair without dismantling the complete unit which would have been both a costprohibitive and logistically impractical exercise. Walsh added that an in-situ weld repair was not a viable option either due to the possibility of distortion. Surcotec recommended metal spray as the most practical and costeffective solution. “With the correct

Upcoming features in July/ August 2018 • Automotive Industry • Chemical & Allied Industries • Coega Development Zone • Materials Handling, Bulk Handling & Logistics • Plastics & Rubber • Water & Effluent Management

Booking Deadline: 6 July 2018 For all editorial contributions contact Chantal Haines For advertising Cheryl Murphy Tel: 031 266 7511 Email: [email protected]

Tool in cut

Enquiry No: 43

Coating extends casing life span

Vibration and surface roughness

alloy being applied the coating would not only be an ideal repair solution but will also be an improvement on the original part,” noted Walsh. With only a short window of opportunity during the plant’s scheduled outage, the Surcotec site team was mobilised and established a contained work area. With limited access and given that the work area is 70 metres below ground level, several logistical challenges had to be overcome prior to commencing with the repair. Due to the possibility of the blast process interfering with adjacent parts, Surcotec utilised a blasting process known as ‘sponge blasting’ to contain the media and stop any ingress to sensitive areas of the turbine whilst still ensuring that the correct preparation and blast profile was obtained.

Enquiry No: 44

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For more information on product or service news please circle the number relevant to the article then return fax this coupon to enquiries at (031) 266 7514 / 086 656 7452 or email: [email protected] Name: _______________________________________________ Surname: ____________________________________________ Company: ____________________________________________ Designation: __________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________ _________________________________ Postal Code:________ Tel:________________________Fax:_______________________ Email: ________________________________________________ Nature of business: _____________________________________

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Damper temperature

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May / June 2018


16


New battery lifter sucks – in the best way A

NEW vacuum tube battery lifter distributed in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa by Tectra Automation, provides a complete solution for the ergonomic and safe handling of starter batteries. According to the company, the Schmalz JumboFlex Battery vacuum handling system helps ensure the reliable commissioning of starter batteries for system suppliers and distributors. Batteries that are commissioned edge-to-edge on a pallet are difficult to remove, especially for models without handles. These batteries, weighing up to almost 30kgs each, have to be manually removed and transferred because they cannot be mechanically gripped. The system grips, lifts and transports starter batteries of different shapes, sizes and weights without any physical exertion for the user.

It consists of a lifting unit, operator handle and gripper. “The gripper is the extraordinary feature of this system and is equipped with a special sealing gasket and suction resistances. This enables the system to retrieve batteries from above, regardless of whether they have different cover geometries and whether or not they have handles,” the company said in a statement.

“There is no need for tool conversion between different battery sizes and geometries. The ergonomic operator handle is designed to be operated with one hand and is easy to use.” The lifting unit consists of a flexible hose that provides the required suction flow to securely hold the batteries and the system is completed with a responsive aluminium crane used as a jib crane or as an overhead crane system. In addition to commissioning starter batteries for system suppliers and distributors, JumboFlex Battery ensures they are supplied to automotive manufacturers in the correct sequence. Tectra Automation, a Hytec Group company, is a single source supplier of the entire Schmalz vacuum handling solution for South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. Enquiry No: 45

Fire suppression system takes the heat in the forestry industry

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ITH the forestry industry in the summer rainfall areas nearing the fire season, forestry machinery not fitted with a fire suppression system will be at high risk. That’s the warning from John Russell, General Manager of Fogmaker South Africa, a leading supplier of high pressure, water mist fire suppression systems. All diesel engine-operated machinery presents a fire risk and forestry equipment is certainly no exception. The accumulation of organic material within the hot engine compartment,hydraulic pipe failure and electrical faults are the most common causes of fire in these machines, putting billions of Rands of forests at risk. “Unsurprisingly, there is a growing demand for automatic fire detection and fire suppression systems within the forestry industry,” said Russell. “Driven by a proactive stance taken by two of South Africa’s leading forest owners, it will soon become compulsory for all new forest machines of a certain criteria to be fitted with a fire suppression system.” Russell added that the retrofitting of fire suppression systems to used machinery is also expected to become a prerequisite in the not-too-distant future. Many Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and forestry contractors have already equipped their forestry machines

with the Fogmaker high-pressure water mist fire suppression system. Designed specifically for engine compartments, Fogmaker can be installed on virtually all forestry machines including hybrid harvesters, skidders, haulers, loaders, as well as hauler loaders and can even be fitted to bakkies. “We work closely with OEM suppliers and integrators and we are proud to announce that Fogmaker is the standard OEM fire suppression system on the AHWI mulcher,” said Russell. Equipped with automatic hydropneumatic fire detection, which is totally independent of any power source, both the detection and suppression system work even when the electricity supply is disconnected. The low-weight, low-maintenance Fogmaker system makes use of water, combined with 3% Aqueus Film Forming Foam (AFF), to attack all three components in the fire

triangle, heat, oxygen and fuel. Using high-pressure (100 bar) water mist, the system effectively suppresses the fire and cools down the compartment to prevent re-ignition, “The use of water in the form of mist (50-micron droplets) presents an additional firefighting benefit that no other fire-fighting agent has,” said Russell. “The significant number of droplets together with the large combined surface area effectively blocks radiant heat by absorbing and scattering of heat radiation and reducing damage within the engine compartment.” High-pressure and consequently high discharge speed is required to ensure that the mist reaches the flames and pene¬trates the outward flows induced by the fire. The system is fitted with special high-pressure nozzles to ensure good penetration of droplets into the fire as well as efficient cooling and oxygen depletion due to the respective fast vaporisation and the expansion of vaporised droplets. Fogmaker SA is responsible for inspection and servicing of the fire suppression systems. Within the foresty industry inspections are performed at six monthly intervals at the customer’s site and are simple requiring approximately an hour and can be done at shift change. Servicing is required only every Enquiry No: 46 three years.

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Convenience chain pegs growth strategy on food lines

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EADING convenience retail chain FreshStop has introduced two new branded food lines to their food stable. Hot Dog Bar and Africaz, join the existing food lines, Crispy Chicken, Grill to Go, Hooked On Fish, Doughnut Delite and Biltong Bars. “Convenience retail brands must have a solid food strategy to be successful and our selection of fast food concepts with low costs of entry and shared operational expenses form part of the future view of our business,” said Michael Joubert, APC Brand Manager at FreshStop. The company launched its first in-house fast food brand, Crispy Chicken, in 2014 and it quickly gained brand traction and customer support. “Chicken is still the biggest food driver in SA and our Crispy Chicken brand has proved how popular this protein is and what a difference it can make to a business’ bottom line,” said Joubert. “We currently have 41 Crispy Chicken outlets nationally and we plan to roll-out an additional 8 to 10 outlets this year. We have recently revitalised the menu to offer our

customers the most popular and best value lines. At the recent store opening at FreshStop Cookhouse in the Eastern Cape where a Crispy Chicken outlet was introduced, the store experienced a 250% increase in turnover.” FreshStop’s second most popular food line, Grill to Go, has 10 outlets nationally with eight more planned this year. Doughnut Delite complements FreshStop’s Seattle and Lavazza coffee offering and fills the confectionary gap. According to Joe Boyle, Director at FreshStop, “Our Store Retailers want to be in a position to offer their customers new local brands and food lines to attract further shoppers and drive sales. Retailers can select various concepts that complement one another, such as a Seattle Coffee and Doughnut Delite; or a selection of two proteins such as Crispy Chicken and Hooked On Fish to cover various target markets”. He said the two new food lines, Hot Dog Bar and Africaz, add new interest and themes to the food offering as well as appeal to new Enquiry No: 47 customers.

Retailer brings fight against hunger to its doorstep

OMMUNITY food gardens got C the opportunity to sell their vegetables at selected Checkers stores

to raise awareness ahead of World Hunger Day on 28 May. It was the second time that smallscale growers sold their excess crops at the retailer’s stores across South Africa. In the Eastern Cape the Empumelelweni project in the Amothole District’s Goshen Village participated for the first time, selling their vegetables at the Checkers in Queenstown. “We are so excited. Our vegetables are delicious and of the highest quality,” said the project’s Mxolisi Mankunti. Lydia Hlophe from Yenzanathi Community Upliftment Programme in Pinetown, Durban welcomed the interaction with a broader customer base. “The customers were so happy to see us and some even took pictures with us. We were able to share our organisation’s story and talk to them about how they can

help. Afterwards many even took the time to visit us at our garden’s monthly market day,” she said. The money generated by sales will go towards supporting the children who normally benefit from the Yenzanathi programme, which was taking part for the second time this year. “Many of the children we work with live in child-headed homes and all the money raised through this initiative will go towards helping them. Every customer can help and their support will be greatly appreciated,” Enquiry No: 48 Hlope said.