August2014

AUGUST 2014

www.endeavourmagazine.com

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2 | Endeavour Magazine

EDITORIAL Heads of Departments Editor in Chief Daemon Sands daemonsands@littlegatepublishing.com

S

o, no sooner has Britain clawed its way out of recession that we discover there may be an outbreak of Ebola heading to London.

According to Donnie Rust this will only be a problem only until Ebola

meets Boris and then we’ll see exactly which one is scarier.

Director General Don Campbell doncampbell@littlegatepublishing.com

On the plus side the metal strike that has brought the South African metal

Editorial Research Manager Alex Smith alexsmith@littlegatepublishing.com

as strikers lose interest or through text book diplomacy from the highly

Sales Director James Martin jamesmartin@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Manager Tyler Harrison tylerharrison@littlegatepublishing.com Corporate Director Anthony Letchumaman anthonyl@littlegatepublishing.com Lead Designer Alina Sandu studio@littlegatepublishing.com Publisher Stephen Warman stevewarman@littlegatepublishing.com

industry to a stand-still is coming to a close either through loss of momentum educated and vastly experienced politicians and ministers in charge of sorting out these kind of problems in the most southernly of African countries.

Meanwhile, Botswana is entering into a period of never seen before prosperity as the country invests millions into the development of infrastructure, hospitals and schools, creating an alluring location for foreign businesses seeking to establish a foothold in Africa. With this in mind Botswana could prove to be the target area for many businesses seeking an African presence as it shares borders with no less than five countries, South Africa being one of them. With the infrastructure developments raising the standards of commuting and commerce and with Botswana benefitting from some heft minerals she will develop quickly.

Looking across the seas at Mexico, America and Canada, the energy industry

Any enquiries or subscriptions can be sent to info@littlegatepublishing.com ENDEAVOUR MAGAZINE is published by Littlegate Publishing LTD which is a Registered Company in the United Kingdom.

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has stepped up its game spurned on by continued difficulties found in locating

343 City Road Kings Lane London Norwich EC1 V1LR NR1 3PS Littlegate Publishing Ltd does not accept responsibility for omissions or errors. The points of view expressed in articles by attributing writers and/or in advertisements included in this magazine do not necessarily represent those of the publisher. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within this magazine, no legal responsibility will be accepted by the publishers for loss arising from use of information published. All rights reserved. No part of this

Carolina we looked at the stunning and talented Hadleigh Painter, Youtube

publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrievable system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher.

Copyright © Littlegate Publishing Ltd 2014

Please, enjoy.

and reaching fossil fuels. Capitalizing on wind farms has never been such a breath of fresh air.

In Britain, we’ve looked at Luisa Zissman, the beautiful television and internet celebrity who has taken her passion for baking to new levels and built a business around helping others explore their own baking love. From North sensation and model who has already become a household name for young people around the world.

Speaking of young people. As part of Littlegate Publishing’s continuous efforts to facilitate the development of the next generation of talented writers, we sent an editor to East Point Academy in Lowestoft Britain to conduct a writer’s workshop with the thirteen and fourteen year old Year Nine (ninth grade) students who proved that talent can be found anywhere. By influencing young minds and shaping the journalists of the future, we believe we will help conduct the way our audience hear the most relevant stories in the future.

All to be found within August’s edition of Endeavour Magazine.

Endeavour Magazine | 3

CONTENTS

FEATURES 31 Fond Doux Resort & Plantation

Local Traditions And Workmanship 37 Analytical Technologies Ltd

The Science Behind Good Business 43 Miniveyor Products Ltd

Moving Mountains 49 Namdevco

Harvest The Best Rewards 55 Security Systems

Thirty Years Old 61 Fermaca Mexico

A Fresh Way Of

Doing Business In Mexico 67 Northern Petroleum

Independence And Reliability 73 EDF - Energy

No Shortage Of Windfall 79 Howden Group

The Final Word For Innovation 85 Kenya Power

Powering People For Better Lives 91 The Coleman Group

The World Is Not Enough 97 Steel Structures Ltd

We Don’t Talk About It, We Just Get It Done 103 Layne Drilling Tanzania

The Joys Of Working In Africa 109 Van And Truck Hire South Africa And

Truck Hire Botswana

The Go To Business 115 Parrogate Zimbabwe

Success, Growth And Family Values

35 Analytical Technologies Ltd 4 | Endeavour Magazine

47 Namdevco

53 Security Systems

ARTICLES 6 Business Headlines 7 Hadleigh Painter

Just A Teenager With Big Dreams 16 There Is No Stopping Point 20 Skills Pay The Bills 22 Audi Q3

Superiority Where It Counts 24 Gadgets 26 Travel

August’s Australia Adventure Guide 29 MindShift Gear’s 180 Panorama Backpack

Perfect For Photographers,

Journalists And Medical Backpackers 120 East Point Academy

Writers Workshop 124 Luisa Zissman

Queen Of Internet, Queen Of Baking 126 Book Reviews

65 Northern Petroleum

Endeavour Magazine | 5

BUSINESS HEADLINES New Route To Switzerland Announced

Bern Airportis just 10 km from the city center and easily accessible by train or by car - your ideal starting point for trips in the Swiss mountains.”

London Southend Airport Managing Director Roger Clements said “We are delighted that SkyWork has taken the decision to move its operations from City to London’s newest, simply easier airport. It is the unique customer service commitments that only we offer, along with unrivalled onward transport links, which have led to this move. We look forward to working with SkyWork and hope they are the first of many new partners we will be welcoming here at London Southend Airport.”

Bern has all the fantastic features of a capital city. Its unique cityscape – designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site – is an expression of the open-minded charm of this city. Alongside exceptional medieval buildings such as the Cathedral (Münster), the Clock Tower (Zytglogge) and 6km of arcades (Lauben) – the longest covered shopping promenade in Europe – the city is home to world-

SkyWork Airlines moves its London service from City to Southend Airport A new route from London Southend to Bern will be taking off twice daily* from 27 October 2014.

class examples of contemporary design and architecture. It is also the home of the legendary Swiss chocolate Toblerone and Emmental cheese.

Situated in the heart of Switzerland and Europe, Bern is the ideal

The SkyWork Airlines service is scheduled to easily allow

hub for trips throughout Switzerland. Bern airport is very popular

business and leisure travellers to make a swift and hassle free day

with skiers, being the closest (just 30 minutes by direct train) to

– or longer - trip to the capital city of Switzerland. Flights will leave

the Jungfrau Region with Gstaad and the iconic Eiger, Mönch and

London Southend each day at 8.15am (arrives Bern 10.55am), with

Jungfrau mountains.

the return flight taking off from Bern at 6.40pm (arriving back in Essex at 7.30pm).

SkyWork chose to move its UK service to London Southend due to its reputation for fantastic customer service – evidenced by the ‘Best Airport in Britain’ award from Which? magazine – along with its simply easier links to the heart of London.

The London Southend railway station is just 100 paces from the terminal building with up to eight trains per hour getting you direct to London Liverpool Street in just 53 minutes.

The airport also promises its customers that they will wait for a maximum of 4-minutes to go through security, and those arriving with hand-luggage only can expect to travel from plane to train in just 15 minutes of the aircraft doors opening (30 minutes maximum if collecting luggage).

SkyWork Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Maren Fides Schmelz said “We are pleased to be connected twice a day with London’s sixth airport, customer friendly London Southend Airport andwe are looking forward to an engaging and exciting collaboration. SkyWork Airlines fly passengers from London Southend directly to Bern.

6 | Endeavour Magazine

Noble Group And EIG Form New Energy Company Noble Group Limited (SGX: N21) (“Noble”) and EIG Global Energy Partners (“EIG”) today announced the formation and commitment to capitalize Harbour Energy, Ltd (“Harbour Energy”), a company that will own and operate upstream and midstream energy assets globally. Harbour Energy will seek to own high quality assets that provide exposure to key supply trends while capturing value up-lift associated with control of offtake, logistics and supply chain management. Noble will be preferred offtake and marketing partner of Harbour Energy, while EIG, together with the company’s internal management team, will serve as manager of the company and oversee the acquisition of assets. Harbour Energy’s capitalization will be funded solely through balance sheet capital of each of Noble and EIG. EIG also announced today that Linda Z. Cook has been appointed

New Hope For Treatment Of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Genetic Variant Conveys Significant Protection

important step forward in the understanding of Alzheimer’s disease neurobiology, and also the use of genetics to identify an interesting new molecular target that is amenable to therapeutic development” added Brigitte Kieffer, Scientific Director of the Research Centre of the Douglas Mental Health University

Judes Poirier, PhD, C.Q., from the Douglas Mental Health

Institute.”

Institute and McGill University in Montréal (Canada) and his team

Over the past two decades, research efforts around the

have discovered that a relatively frequent genetic variant actually

globe have focused on identifying genetic and environmental

conveys significant protection against the common form of

factors responsible for causing or accelerating the progression

Alzheimer’s disease and can delay the onset of the disease by as

of the common form of Alzheimer’s disease. However, little

much as 4 years. This discovery opens new avenues for treatment

was known about possible protective genetic factors that can

against this devastating disease.

delay or even prevent the disease onset in humans. It is well

Dr. Poirier announced his findings as the annual Alzheimer’s Association

International

Conference

was

taking

place

documented that a subset of older individuals who happen to

in

be carriers of predisposing genetic factors for the common form

Copenhagen. This large-scale study identified naturally occurring

of Alzheimer’s manage to escape the disease and live long and

genetic variants that provide protection against the common form

productive lives without any memory problems until their 90’s.

of Alzheimer’s disease, with the goal of identifying specific biological processes amenable to pharmaceutical interventions.

“We found that specific genetic variants in a gene called HMG CoA reductase which normally regulates cholesterol production and mobilization in the brain can interfere with, and delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease by nearly 4 years. This is an exciting breakthrough in a field where successes have been scarce these past few years” says Dr. Poirier, whose previous research led to the discovery that a genetic variant was formally associated with the common form of Alzheimer’s disease.

“These latest genetic results from Dr. Poirier’s team are an

a Managing Director of EIG,

Noble’s ‘asset light’ strategy,

from

a member of EIG’s Executive

exploiting our best in class

platforms of each of our firms

Committee and CEO of Harbour

expertise in logistics and supply

and capture value both through

Energy.

chain

the ownership and operational

“The creation of Harbour Energy gives us the exciting

management,

asset managers and owners.”

the flow business those assets

Blair

industry leader such as EIG

Executive

to

Thomas,

Officer

of

of

assets

global

improvement

R.

the

established

partnering with market leading

opportunity of joining with an exploit

while

the

and

Chief

generate. We couldn’t be more

EIG,

pleased that someone of the

tremendous

said, “New sources of supply,

caliber of Linda Cook has agreed

opportunities that the changing

together with demand growth

to join EIG and serve as CEO

global

are

in Asia, are driving fundamental

of Harbour Energy. She is an

presenting,” said Yusuf Alireza,

energy

markets

changes in the energy sector

extraordinarily

Chief Executive Officer of Noble.

and related trade flows. By

senior

“This

partnering

operating

transaction

represents

with

Noble,

we

executive and

accomplished with

deep

management

a significant milestone in the

believe Harbour Energy will be

expertise across all facets of the

continued implementation of

uniquely positioned to benefit

global energy industry.”

HADLEIGH PAINTER Just A Teenager With Big Dreams

Endeavour Magazine | 7

Frost & Sullivan: Platforms At The End Of Useful Life Stimulate Demand For Defense Equipment Globally

Commercial Airport Baggage Handling Systems Market Worth $37.86 Billion by 2020 According to new market research, “Commercial Airport Baggage Handling Systems Market by Sorting Systems (Barcode Systems, RFID Systems, and Vacuum Systems), by Belts (Flat,

The global defense market is gaining momentum as the near end

Angular, and Vertical), and by Geography (North America, Latin

of platform service life in several nations forces investment in new

America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) - Forecast Analysis

builds and the extensive use of maintenance, repair and overhaul,

to 2013 - 2020” by MarketsandMarkets, the global Baggage

logistics, and training services. Market participants should target countries such as India, Turkey, Poland, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and Brazil, which can now afford to routinely purchase and coproduce state-of-the-art platforms and replace older cold-war era equipment.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan’s Global Defense Outlook

Handling System Market size is expected to grow from $23.31 Billion in 2013 to $37.86 Billion by 2020, at a CAGR of 7.17% from 2013 to 2020.

Browse 70 market data Tables and 39 Figures spread through 172 Pages on “Commercial Airport Baggage Handling Systems Market”.

The report provides an in-depth analysis of the present

finds defense procurement spending stood at $600 billion in 2013 and is expected to reach $660 billion in 2018. Command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) contributed the most to market revenues in 2013 due to the high demand for radars, optical sensors, sonars, and secure flexible networks.

“Market participants have adequate opportunities for growth, with Saudi Arabia, Germany and other countries expanding and upgrading their military capabilities to counter the threat posed by the increased number, range, accuracy, and lethality of land-based missile systems, naval power projection, and basing in North Korea, China, Russia and Iran,” said Frost & Sullivan Aerospace & Defense Senior Industry Analyst Brad Curran.

However, economic uncertainty, particularly in Western nations, has lowered national budgets, causing intense competition for budget share between defense and domestic programs. This is suppressing the demand for military equipment.

$1 Billion Aero Engine and Landing Gear Agreement Signed Between Firth Rixson and United Technologies Firth Rixson has signed a 10-year agreement valued at more

“Not surprisingly, market participants are facing a situation of

than $1 billion with United Technologies Corporation (NYSE: UTX)

overcapacity, which is forcing the industry to consolidate or enter

to supply engine and system components for UTC Propulsion &

joint ventures and engage in technology transfer,” noted Curran.

Aerospace Systems’ businesses Pratt & Whitney and UTC Aerospace

“Market participants are also adopting a long-term perspective, maintaining smaller margins, and forging partnerships with commercial providers.”

To prevent further overcapacity, vendors must focus on unmet customer needs, which include submarines, unmanned vehicles, and networked sensors and communications. Strong customer relationships and robust support services are also necessary to strengthen presence in the market.

8 | Endeavour Magazine

Systems.

As UTC ramps up production of its commercial and military aircraft systems and engines, Firth Rixson will provide valuable parts for UTC’s legacy and next generation programs, including Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower® engine family, and UTC Aerospace Systems Boeing 787 and Airbus A320 programs. This reflects Firth Rixson’s advancements in next generation aircraft manufacturing.

“UTC demands high standards for quality, delivery, cost and performance and many of our sites have earned UTC Supplier

industry size and growth prospects during the forecast period, which includes highlights of key growth stimulators. It further benchmarks the industry against key global markets and provides a detailed understanding of the emerging opportunities in specific areas such as sorting systems and RFID technology.

The Asia-Pacific region during the last forecast period has shown improvement in mishandled baggage rates based upon the regional carriers, even as the passenger density continues to

Book Reviews

Bombay Bicycle Club Announce Earls Court Arena Show On December 13th 2014

soar. This trend is underpinned by an increase in investments in

Riding on the wave of a No.1

the BHS, which contributes to greater efficiency in the baggage

album, North London’s Bombay

handling process.

Bicycle Club today announce

Regions such as Africa and the Middle East have recorded

a huge live show at London’s

high success rates in BHS attributed to the continuous

Earls Court Arena, the capital’s

improvements by the airlines, which include investments in new

largest and most iconic venue,

baggage equipment, better technology, and training. The rate of

on December 13th 2014.

baggage mishandling has come down during the review period, benefitting both consumers and airlines alike.

The band are honoured to perform at the arena which, since its opening in 1937, has seen some of the biggest names in music grace its stage, such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Queen and David Bowie. Now, the diversely talented Bombay Bicycle Club will be written into history alongside these iconic artists for what is set to be one of their most exciting live performances to date.

The quartet recently released new single ‘Come To’, the fourth single taken from their No.1

Gold status. I am convinced this contributed to our ability to win new business. We are delighted to have gained their customer confidence and secured Firth Rixson as a leading supplier in this globally competitive market,” said David Mortimer, Chief Executive Officer of Firth Rixson.

“We are pleased to further expand our relationship with Firth Rixson, a supplier with several UTC Supplier Gold sites. This had significant influence on their selection for new business. Gold Suppliers perform better, which naturally makes them more competitive.”

selling album ‘So Long See You Tomorrow’. ‘Come To’ further cements an evolution in sound for the constant re-inventors who have secured their status as one of the UK’s most innovative and important bands, creating stunning

dance-inducing

tracks tied together with Jack Steadman’s signature vocals.

Currently in the midst of

This also enables them to meet our expectations for the

the UK summer festival circuit,

highest quality standards while also meeting our cost and delivery

Bombay Bicycle Club pulled in

requirements,” said Benoit Brossoit, Vice President, UTC Operations.

massive crowds performing an

The new business will considerably benefit eleven of Firth

electrifying set at Radio 1’s Big

Rixson’s twelve operating facilities worldwide, spanning North

Weekend in May and delighted

America, the UK, and China.

tens of thousands of fans.

Endeavour Magazine | 9

HADLEIGH PAINTER JUST A TEENAGER WITH BIG DREAMS

BY DONNIE RUST

A

lthough, Hadleigh Painter would describe herself as

past year and one of three female pole vaulters on the team, I’m

just an ordinary teenager most of us wouldn’t agree

also studying to get my Learners permit and I’m looking forward to

with that. It’s a rarity to find someone so young with

getting my drivers license,”

such dizzying scales of talent and focus. In fact when looking at the

As modest as she may be, Hadleigh has worked very hard, putting

catalogue of triumphs this fifteen year old has achieved it’s difficult

in the many diligent hours required to develop herself as a serious

to know where to start.

model and actress, “I would love to travel the world modelling and

Already highly influential on Twitter, this sophomore and honour

acting and using what I’ve developed on social media to help others.”

student from Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte, North Carolina

She goes on to explain that one of her greatest passions and

is followed by over a hundred thousand people worldwide and this

ambitions is to find ways to give back and help create and reinforce

number is growing fast so by the time of you reading this it probably

a positive self-image in tweens and teens, “Growing up is hard and I

would have doubled. There is no doubt that Hadleigh Painter, the

think we are all too hard on ourselves. You have to be proud of who

highschool student who along with finding fame and fortune on

you are and proud of your differences, those differences make you

screens large and small, also enjoys pole vaulting, track and studying,

what you are.”

is a name that will soon be a household name.

With such a vast and growing audience online, Hadleigh has had

“I would say I’m just a normal teenage girl with big dreams, just

to come to terms with a celebrity status that practically popped up

one who is fortunate enough to have a great following online,” she

out of nowhere, “I don’t really think of myself as a celebrity,” she

says, “I’m taking the usual honours classes at school as well as AP

says, “I’ve been on Twitter for about three years now, it’s only in

Psychology, I was one of the few Freshman to letter in Track this

the last year or so that my following has only really exploded. And

10 | Endeavour Magazine

I’m really happy about that, but it can be weird at times too. People

Paul Fisher, world-reknown modelling super-agent who was also

you’ve never actually met know your name and recognize you when

the host of the CWs series called “Remodelled,” and more recently

you’re out in public. Sometimes it can be scary.”

hosted another series in Holland called, “I Can Make You A Super

She goes on to point out, “I feel very blessed to have the

Model.”

amount of followers I do and I am appreciative of all their love and

“I also have had Awesomeness TV commenting and posting stuff

support, but you have to be careful though and make sure there

to me on Facebook,” she says, “Especially after I did an interview with

are boundaries in place to protect yourself. It’s not something I like

Andrea Russett and put it on my YouTube Channel,”

having to worry about, but it is something you have to remember, safety first.”

For the most part though, her following has been more fun with some interesting and unexpected surprises, “It is cool getting a

What Does It Take To Be Hadleigh Painter?

tweet sent out to you from the Red Carpet of the VMA’s from the

Luck has nothing to do with success. Consistent hard work is

Official Cover Girl Correspondent relaying a message to you from

Hadleigh’s only secret. Recognizing that the harder she works, the

your favourite boy band member, Mikey Fusco from the To Be One’-

more she directly impacts the number of doors that open for her,

he said, “What’s up pretty? (; “’

Hadleigh maintains several dedicated routines on a daily basis.

Additionally, being followed by and having tweets shared with

First thing I do is check my various social media feeds,” she

well known names like Chris Trondsen (@christrondsen) and the

points out, “A healthy breakfast and then depending on which day it

others from the band To Be One, and the guys from B-Brave who

is either cross fit, yoga, running, elliptical machine or an abdominal

were the third place finalists for X-Factor in Holland, not to mention

workout.”

When

speaking

with

Hadleigh I keep forgetting that I’m speaking with a fifteen year old girl and not a grown up professional. Along with the responsibilities of an adult that her career has placed upon her she still has the rigours of highschool to get through, “School

starts

early,”

she

begroans, “My bus comes in at 6.20am and it’s a full day of lessons and studying and then track practice either indoor or outdoor depending upon the season, and then after that comes homework, auditions and more social media.”

When Hadleigh was ten years old she was scouted by Carolina Talent and has been modelling and acting since then.

She has become a master of managing her time especially when she has to divide it up between auditions, call backs and

making

appearances

at

shows and while for most of us this could be enough time she reveals that, “I am also a counsellor at a horse camp near my house during the summer and help judge horse shows and help with kids parties on the weekends throughout the year,” This last one is very much a labour of love because Hadleigh reveals that she rode horses when she was younger and has competed for many years, happily admitting to being a barn

“Growing up is hard and I think we are all too hard on ourselves. You have to be proud of who you are and proud of your differences, those differences make you what you are.”

rat.

“I also volunteer at the Elevation Church on the Student

Food Bank I help support as many important causes as possible and I’m especially keen on anti-bullying

eTeam and have been a part of

campaigns.”

the Photography and Greeter

Giving back is important and Hadleigh goes on to explain that she has always enjoyed volunteering

eTeams,” she tells us, “Through

and is always happy to spend time giving back whenever she can. The Church has played a prominent

things

Feet,

role in her life, providing her many opportunities to volunteer and help others and she credits Elevation

Samaritans Purse, Loves and

Church and Paul Fisher for inspiring her to create her own campaign, ministry or charity #BeTheLight

Fishes, Second Harvest and

which is currently in the development stages.

like

Samaritans

12 | Endeavour Magazine

Accolades Last June, 2013, Hadleigh was one of three finalists worldwide for Romeo and Juliet Couture’s online modelling contest with over one hundred thousand views to her Youtube video entry and in the Shorty Award 2014 she received the most nominations for modelling and her school district also nominated her for an award and shared on their Facebook and Twitter profiles that Hadleigh Painter was “Not just a model but a role model,” “There is a rumour that I have the most Twitter followers in my school district,” she says humourously, “Although I have no idea how to confirm that one,” Hadleigh also recently appeared in a commercial with Kyle Larson in an Axe Body Spray commercial entitled, “Peace,” and as an extra on the television series, “It’s Supernatural,” “I take my school work very seriously,” she says, “Both in class and on track and I’ve always been able to make the A-Honor Roll,”

two hundred followers or two hundred thousand, these are people who are interested in what you’re doing and so she does her best to keep things interesting, funny and light-hearted, “You have to have good content. You have to give them a reason to want to follow you.”

In The Background Who are the people that Hadleigh Painter relies on? While she’s out inspiring her peers and supporting those who need it who does she rely on for support?

“Easy, the number one person I rely on is my mom,” Hadleigh declares, “She’s a main inspiration for me and helps me with everything.”

Pam Painter, Hadleigh’s mother, has always been a major inspiration and a strong supportive force behind the teenager’s success. Offering encouragement, words of wisdom and occasional

While not an award, one of the things that Hadleigh is most

discipline and focus, “She’s also taught me to treat others with

proud of are the DMs or direct messages and tweets that she

kindness and compassion and to remember that everyone has

receives from some of her fans and followers, personal messages

their own story and that no person’s story is more important than

from people thanking her for helping them their darkest times such

another’s.”

as depression, bullying and thoughts of self-harm, “It’s humbling to

Paul Fisher, one of her managers has shared in the above

have someone thank you for being you and to say that the only

endeavour, helping to develop Hadleigh into a person of

reason that they are here today is because of you,” she explains,

standards and good character. Instead of being just one of a million

“I think so many people don’t realize how important and healing

models and actresses out there, he wants her to be a person who

kindness and compassion can be,”

stands up for what she believes in, a young lady who zealously

high

pursues what she believes is right and fair.

The Social Side Of Things Social platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Youtube may have originally just been created to connect friends and family but have now become essential tools in developing brands and have redefined the purpose and position of fame into something that needs to be nurtured. Part of the age group of teens known as mellenials, the generation who have grown up with social media and developing an intuitive understanding of the internet Hadleigh approaches her social networking as a priority.

“I spend about two hours a day on Twitter alone and another one to three hours on Instagram, Vine, Gifboom, Facebook, Snapchat and Tumblr,” she says, “Honestly, five hours a day online managing social media is pretty common for me.”

Mikey, Madison and Jason from To Be One are also a big inspiration to Hadleigh (and also Louis who is no longer a part of the group.) This group of boys started as part of the dance group The ICONic Boyz that were featured in the TV series America’s Best Dance Crew (ABDC) and also enjoyed guest spots on several TV shows. Having endured bullying and teasing because they were pursuing their dream of dancing and singing, they learned how to stick with it and to work hard. They persevered, and now they are more successful than ever and they’re doing what they love, “I’m so proud of them and I am their BIGGEST fan!”

The Expected Image Vs Reality A number of expectations have befallen the younger generation

Hadleigh also explains that Twitter isn’t just about making a noise

to meet the standards set by a notoriously uncaring celebrity industry

but giving a part of yourself to your audience. Whether you have

however things are changing. Whereas models and actresses are Endeavour Magazine | 13

expected to conform to a purported body image that is dangerously

of Paul Fisher Management, says that’s the modelling industry has

skinny, thanks to a strong online presence and pressure the ideals

been a dark place filled with corruption and unattainable, unhealthy

of what it means to be beautiful are slowly moving towards being

body images for too long and he has set himself apart to try to be

healthy and happy. And Hadleigh is playing her part in this.

a light in that darkness to help change the industry standard and to

“Being a teen or a tween is tough,” she says, “It seems like

show that healthy IS beautiful.

everyone is always judging everyone else. And we’re the worst

“As I mentioned, Paul was the inspiration for my upcoming

culprits in how we view ourselves, thinking we’re not tall enough,

#BeTheLight campaign or charity,” Hadleigh says, “I adopted Paul’s

smart enough, skinny enough or athletic enough or pretty enough

mantra and made it my own. For me “Being The Light” is about

and these doubts can really hurt.

being a light in the world, about being a light in my generation. It’s

“And as much as we’re trying to move as a society towards

about trying to be an example for others, and always trying your

healthier living and healthier body images, the average fashion

best, and doing the right thing, even when that’s not always the

model is anything but. Currently, I’m actually short for a model and

easy or popular choice. We need to be thankful for what we have

hoping to grow a bit more but I’m only 5’8 right now and that’s short

and what we are and also strive to give back to the community

for a model. And I’m not a size 0 or size 2 either. I consider myself

and support others with kindness, understanding, compassion and

fit and healthy, my body is not that of a typical ‘hanger model’ and at

encouragement.”

times that limits my ability to get modelling jobs. Honestly, there’s an industry bias against anyone who’s not 5’11 and a size 0 or 2 at

Future

the most. And that’s really unhealthy for your average girl who sees

A number of exciting developments are populating the landscape

these glamorous pictures, ads or commercials out there and thinks

of Hadleigh Painter’s future, including serious considerations to

to themselves that they should look like that too.”

relocating to Athens, Greece for a couple of months during the

There’s a fight to be started here and Hadleigh is very proud of

upcoming Fashion Season but no decisions have been made yet.

the man who is keen to be the one throwing the punches. Paul Fisher

She is also stepping things up on her Youtube Channel with a new

14 | Endeavour Magazine

idea for a web series.

Upcoming photoshoots with her favourite photographer Jennie

www.facebook.com/Hadleigh.Painter.model www.hadleighpainter.com

from Shantay Ink coincides with an revamping her website as well as

twitter.com/HadleighPainter

working on her own clothing line and merchandise which will made

800casting.com/profile/42560

available through her site to her scores of fans and followers.

shortyawards.com/hadleighpainter

Finally, Hadleigh Painter’s success is a prime illustration on the

ink361.com/app/users/ig-16200361/hadleighpainter/photos

importance of taking control of your own brand and not being afraid

www.pinterest.com/hadleighpainter/

to show people who and what you are. A shining example of what

www.youtube.com/user/vintagemod99

it takes to not only be a success but a prominent feature in other people’s lives and this is what fame means to her.

“A lot of work goes into it,” she explains, “My mother has sunk

twitter.com/ChrisTrondsen www.nick.com/shows/awesomeness-tv/

thousands of dollars into my portfolio and my career but I have

twitter.com/AndreaRussett

spent countless hours working at it too. I’ve taken responsibility for

twitter.com/PaulICMYAS

building my following and developing my audience. I have spent

www.carolinatalent.us/

hours upon hours working on my Youtube Channel, being in front of

www.tobeonemusic.com/

the camera, going to auditions and making sure that I’m in front of

www.iconicboyz.com/

every important audition so that when people think of a name they

paulfishermanagement.com/

think of mine. It’s a lot of hard work.”

www.facebook.com/paulfishericmyas

And what does Hadleigh believe is the most important thing to remember?

“You were born to be an original, not a copy.”

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remodeled_(TV_series) www.fashion.net/influencers/paul-fisher/ www.voice-tribune.com/life-style-2/spotlight/ceo-of-thenetwork-talent-agency/

Endeavour Magazine | 15

THERE IS NO STOPPING POINT WRITTEN BY DONNIE RUST

O

verall, science is good. Science and the quest to fully

on a long enough timeline, we would see any sort of animal

understand the nature of the universe and expose

follow the same sort of structure as us. They would go from

every apparent answer to scientific reasoning to

running through the forest and swinging in trees, or digging in

determine its fact is the very cornerstone of civilization and

the ground, to developing tools, to developing better tools to

marks the transition from superstition to enlightenment. But

make even better tools to cooking food, to building farms and

this doesn’t mean that it is by any means safe. Indeed, while

before they realized it they’d start pumping all of their sewerage

religion may enslave the minds of the weak, meek and lowly it

into the oceans and take their kids to go swimming in it.

is by its very nature contained and restricted by its very own functioning laws and rules. Science is not.

And while religion may appear and disappear (there is no

While religious

reason to say that animals who exhibit similar emotions to us

people do not feel the need to explore the realms of possibilities

would not be able to develop superstition based religions),

scientists are driven to do just that. So while religion will make

science would eventually take hold. I believe then that on a long

life a perpetually boring place to live, science will undoubtedly

enough time line we’d see the point where any animal, be it a

be the reason we blow ourselves up or die in our sleep.

rodent or a dolphin, gets to the point where they start directing their own evolution around the tools they use to make their

Nature’s Lazy Winners People are greedy and lazy by nature. The greatest progresses in history have been created out of a necessity to

lives easier.

Then, like us, they would become addicted to scientific development.

make life easier. From the wheel to fire, to caravans, to office chairs, computers and eventually robots it’s all because we’re nature’s lazy winner. This is in no way isolated to just humanity

Where Does It Stop?

Today even religious people, unless you’re a nut, are addicted

as any animal will adopt new methods to accomplish a task if

to technology. Churches have websites like any other business,

it becomes easier and we see it in the wild all the time. In fact

religious prophecies and lessons flood across social networks, even

once an animal learns something new it will generally not go back to doing the same action it in a less economic fashion.

When animals begin trying to make their lives easier with the use of tools, it’s not long until they start using tools to sort out every problem or puzzle, until eventually they start using tools to make better tools. This marks the start of becoming physically lazy and intellectually busy.

This kind of development is almost addictive because for many humans we are totally hooked on it. Computers next year have to be ten times of not more advanced than the computers we have today, phones have to do more with less, we’re not even satisfied with fridges that keep food cool now we need them to log onto the internet! We want more of everything and we want it now because we’ve conditioned and evolved into being the ultimate consumers.

We’re Not That Special Systematically I reckon, if we could watch a species of animal 16 | Endeavour Magazine

God has a Facebook page. We’re all riding the wave of technological advancement together and there is no stopping point.

We would never get to the point where we say, “Enough is enough”, because that flies in the face of our nature but the more advanced a technology becomes the more dangerous it can become.

We are nearing the limits of our material technology, ie what we use to make the wonderful computers in our pockets.

You can only get so much electricity out of a battery, no matter how advanced and while scientists have pushed batteries to the point where they start facing problems involving quantum physics (that’s the stuff you’re not taught in your electronics class), materials have their limits.

But did this stop us?

Not a chance. Even when we’ve hit the boundary wall of the most advanced technology available our human natures to overcome obstacles and find a way around things has us scaling that wall by our finger nails to get over it.

Endeavour Magazine | 17

We’re straight up invented new magic materials that’ll prove to be hundreds, thousands and eventually millions of times superior

Imagine how things will look in twenty years, or a hundred years, or a thousand.

to what we have now. Consider, for a moment how far computers have come in the last twenty years. It’s difficult to imagine but twenty years ago the internet really wasn’t a real thing for most

The Knotted Shoelace

people, computers still ran on DOS and the idea of having a social

In an unbroken line of generation after generation for a

networking site was still a pipe dream lost in a chatroom and science

billion years our parents solved the problems that stumped our

fiction fantasy.

grandparents and then solved every problem facing them until they

18 | Endeavour Magazine

were stumped and passed their

of it having a lethal half-life of

more likely would be a bacteria

unsolvable problems onto us.

twenty five thousand years it

that

We are inherited problem solvers

will undoubtedly cause damage

through

and developers, innovators and

in the future. Judging by the

opportunistic. As an example,

inventors and we are driven to

accidents and fall outs that we

hospitals are so clean today

do better than our folks.

develops being

and

changes

evolutionary

have witnessed in recent years

that they can kill 99.9% of all

Like this you can plot a

in Japan and America this will be

viruses and bacteria, leaving

theoretical line into the future

a demonstrative way in which

the toughest 0.01% free to

marking

upon

we would blow ourselves up… or

grow and develop without any

the

blow part of ourselves up while

competition.

developments that are taking

just dooming the rest to dying in

place at the moment and the

the black rain.

generation

generation.

Judging

by

interests currently we can throw in some speculations as to

Except for the people stuck in their games.

what will happen. For example, technological advances are made through gaming now before military which is a complete

Not tampered at all by science this bacteria is merely following an instinctual process - like the MRSA bug in hospitals that is popping up all over the

The Third Option

place.

Religion is dangerous but all of its money is pumped into

reversal to what it was fifty years

Of course, there are more

keeping people ignorant and

ago, and gaming is becoming

than three options, thanks to

sheepish. Science has just as

more immersive so we can

our creativity we have an infinite

much money being pumped into

assume that some sort of total

potential to destroy ourselves

it to turn the cheesiest of 90’s

immersion will take place. This

but it will have to do with some

catastrophe films into a reality.

could almost be deemed as fact

sort of scientific development

But our end may be from

as it would serve purposes not

before it has anything to do with

something we just don’t see

only for gaming but for people

superstition. The third option

coming.

with spinal injuries or terminal

describes an eventuality that

diseases, people with locked in

would be neither from science

syndrome and people obsessed

or religion.

In the Third Option, while

with the Matrix.

Or maybe we’ll go the other way, with

the

development

of

Fossil

humanity is so consumed by the process of being human another

are

life form evolves concurrently

running out, green energy isn’t

to a point where they take over.

progressing nearly as fast as we

On the spectrum of intelligent

need and solar energy, although

life that ranges from the hive

abundant is still in its infancy.

intelligence of ants to the social

Nuclear power is available but

complexity of elephants there

is

Holy-God-Dangerous

are a lot of candidates that could

and with the worst material

immediately spring to mind but

energy.

like

fuels

Endeavour Magazine | 19

SKILLS PAY THE BILLS WRITTEN BY JOHN, LORD TAYLOR OF WARWICK

“Black people don’t become Barristers. Don’t you think you

was presenting my own programmes for BBC television and radio. It

should set your sights a little lower?” That was the less than inspiring

was the practical experience that persuaded me to make the switch

Careers Advice I was given at 16 years of age, when I told one of my

from law to journalism. The Government now seems to have grasped

teachers I wished to become a lawyer. Fortunately I did not listen

the importance of schools, colleges and universities engaging with

to him and achieved my goals. But decades later we are still failing

local employers and professional groups.

young people in preparing them for the world of work.

There has to be a planned programme of employer engagement

On 10 April, Matthew Hancock, the then Minister for Skills and

which gives students an opportunity to hear directly from

Enterprise made an announcement in the House of Commons which

professionals and be inspired by role models. Linking with different

was monumental and earth shattering, in the degree it was ignored by

sized companies or organisations will demonstrate the broad

virtually all media outlets. But unlike many Government statements,

range of careers available. Inviting employer representatives to

this was a pivotal one. It was an admission that education and

schools and colleges will help bring occupations to life. Inspirational

skills systems need reform, to better prepare our young people for

speakers can give young people who may not have role models in

jobs. As a former College lecturer and Chancellor of Bournemouth

their own families or networks, a chance to get more insight into

University, I am only too aware that far more needs to be done to

different careers. For example STEMNET creates opportunities to

bridge the existing gap between education and employers.

inspire young people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering

Over the past few decades, under Labour and Conservative administrations,

the

education

pathways

have

become

and Maths) by linking people in STEM careers with teachers and

so

lecturers. STEMNET’S network of STEM Ambassadors comprises

complicated that even Sherlock Holmes would struggle to discover

over 27,000 volunteers. 40% of STEM Ambassadors are women, 13

the clues to entangling them. For the first time in living memory, the

% are ethnic minority and 60% are under 35 years of age.

Government set out a clear framework for the provision of guidance

It is never too young to start the process of linking education to

to be given by our educators. The guidance actually emphasised

jobs. I was born and raised in Paradise…..Birmingham in the West

there should be a direct link between education and employment! It

Midlands. Small Heath School has been a member of the Greater

even went further, by stating that students need to be given direct

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce for 20 years and receives regular

experience of the world of work and a clear view of what the labour

invitations to networking events, organised by the Chamber and

market needs.

other business organisations. Through these meetings the school

I am the product of a Grammar School Education, which gave me

was introduced to Russell Jones, Director of Marketing at Aston Villa

a solid academic foundation. But at school and even at university, I

Football Club. As a staunch supporter of Villa since I was a child,

had little understanding of what real life careers were like. It was only

I perhaps am one of the few who recognises Aston Villa as truly

after some years as a lawyer that I decided to get some unpaid work

the greatest team in the world. But setting aside my partisanship,

experience at the BBC, just to feel for myself what daily life is like for

the school was given the opportunity to help market Villa’s Junior

a television journalist. It inspired me so much that within months I

Supporters scheme more effectively. This was not just a school

20 | Endeavour Magazine

project but Analysis directly linked to

the local business park, comprising

the exciting business world of Premier

250 businesses. Representatives from

Division Soccer. This sort of link is also

local companies delivered presentations

beneficial to the Business partners.

about their apprenticeship programmes

Aston Villa believe that as a result of the

to the students. The Workskills Project

students’ work, they saved in the region

specifically targets students in danger

of £200,000

of leaving college without the skills the

in consultancy fees.

Maybe they can now put that money towards buying a player who can score some goals!

Apprenticeships have been a part of British working life since the Middle Ages. But with the decline in the manufacturing industry, Apprenticeship schemes have become less prominent in employment training. This has been most unfortunate, especially for those who are less suited for academic studies and prefer practical training. I tried to raise the profile of Apprenticeship schemes in a debate in the House of Lords on Skills and Training. I am pleased that the government now appears

“

local employers are looking for.

As a nation we are in commercial competition with other countries like never before in our history.

In order to stay competitive, employers need people with the relevant training and qualifications.

The media got very excited recently when Michael Gove was replaced as Education Secretary by Nicky Morgan.

Many words were spoken and written about their respective personalities. He was seen by some as too aggressive with teachers, especially when he called the teaching profession, the “Blob”. The fact that Nicky Morgan is a woman fuelled the debate about the need for more female government ministers. But far more important than the gender and temperament of the minister, are the overall objectives of our Education policy. As a nation we are in commercial

to be listening and Apprenticeships

competition with other countries like

opportunities

increasing.

never before in our history. In order

In 2012-13 a pilot apprenticeship

to stay competitive, employers need

scheme

people with the relevant training and

was

are

now

launched

in

County

Durham, a region that has particularly

qualifications. Skills pay the Bills.

suffered following the closure of coal mines.

A successful example was

Woodham College, which is linked to

Endeavour Magazine | 21

AUDI Q3

SUPERIORITY WHERE IT COUNTS WRITTEN BY JACK SLATER

Sharing underpinnings with the last generation of Audi A3 hatchbacks, the Audi Q3 is a compact SUV that although smaller than the Audi Q5 still packs a punch in terms of speed and style and I would as far as saying that this is the city-centric answer to its bigger brothers aggressive, road dominating presence. The Q3 could be the best of both worlds as in city traffic it won’t leave you feeling like a gruff rhino surrounded by sheep while on the motorway you’ll be scraping Smart Cars and Mini Coupes off the roaring grille.

H

aving lost the chance to drive the Q7, (article available March 2014) to my Managing Director I initially didn’t know what to expect of the smaller Q3, but I think

that this gem of motoring engineering is in many superior in all the areas that count. Audi offers the Q3 in three trim-levels, the SE, S Liner and S Line Plus and they supplied us with the six geared Q3 1.4 TFSI S Line, a gleaming beauty of metallic black. Plus with all the trimmings and toys you could want for.

Now, all models come with plenty of space and a standardized kit and while optional extras can be on the pricey side depending on what you’re looking for this Audi to do the extras may very well add something special to the car that you’ll soon find yourself unable to go without. Nothing extra on this car will ever be superfluous.

Petrol Or Diesel Petrol buyers can elect the Q3 with either a 1.4 litre or a 2.0 litre engine, but those wanting diesel can only have their Q3 with Audi’s 2.0 litre TDI unit which comes with various power outputs.

The Audi Quattro four-wheel-drive-system is available on all the cars with 2.0-litre power and both diesel and petrol engines can be mated with Audi’s A Tronic automatic gearbox while those owners who aren’t looking to take the Q3 off road can select a more fuel efficient front-wheel drive system.

If you’re looking for something that could offer an extra growl to this beast, Audi offers a powerful RS Q3, which has a 306bhp 2.5 litre five-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. While it does cost a hefty £43,000 the RS Q3 is one of the fastest compact SUVs on sale today and there is little as joyous as feeling that extra, startling thrust when you put your food down.

Yes, out of all the cars, this could very well have been my favourite and it is no surprise that the Audi Q3 has been an instant 22 | Endeavour Magazine

If you’re looking to buy an Audi Q3, it isn’t to have a simple day to day city car, it’s to get stuck into having some fun while you’re driving.

hit. Compact enough to fit in a city centre parking space but mean

suspensions’ and the offer of a no cost option of S line sports

enough to leave other off road vehicles plastered with your mud this

suspension with a 20mm lower setting if that’s what blows your hair

is a blend of handsome metrosexual good looks, upmarket appeal

back.

and rough and tumble grunt.

Front wheel drive and with a choice of six speed manual or six speed S Tronic transmissions you’ll get 0-62mph in 9.2 seconds and with a top speed of 124mph. Audi Q3 is the latest beneficiary in the Vorsprung durch Technik brand’s drive to increase efficiency by resizing the car without hampering performance. Combined fuel economy stands at 47.9mpg and CO2 emissions match the efficiency focused 140PS version of the 2.0 TDI engine which means that the Q3 1.4 TFSI stands in very good stead as a good company car as its 19% BIK figure equates to a tax liability for a 40% taxpayer accounting to £1,800 per annum (for the first year).

Good Looks Inside And Out

Driving There are enough roundabouts in Britain to make the roads as streamlined as shoelaces with knots tied into them which can make for frustrating driving when you’re in a rush. In no way am I saying that I took the roundabouts at a dangerous speed but I will say that if I had done so the Q3 would have taken this departure from road safety with grace and confidence. A car of this size has no right sticking to the road so strongly and driving something so mechanically sound gives you an inflated sense of your own driving ability.

As a very taller than average driver, the only quirk I found with the Q3 is that despite its size (in comparison with other road cars)

Big brothers Q5 and Q7 were very successful and so Q3 borrows

there wouldn’t be much room for someone sitting behind me, also

many of the styling cues such as the brand’s trademark grille and

the seats are quite high so long distance journeys with a car full of

swept back headlamps, the flanks lead into a clamshell tailgate with

adults may feel a bit cramped overall.

rugged looking plastic wheel arches and sills. But beauty is not just skin deep and inside the Q3 the standard S Line cloth and leather

Economy

combination upholstery has been replaced by a perforated leather

Today fuel economy is one of the major key points that many

and Alcantara mix in S Line Plus Models. And accessing cruise

owners look to when selecting a vehicle and the Q3 may be thirstier

control, the Audi parking system plus and the SD card-based satellite

than some of the smaller, family orientated, less fun, less impressive

navigation is all via the 6.5 inch colour display.

cars that you’ll find on the road but at about 500 miles on a tank

The list of S line equipment that is integrated into the new top specification is extensive, including Xenon Plus headlights with LED

of petrol while using all of the extras available is nothing to quibble with.

daytime running lights, exclusive S line body styling, light and rain

Besides, if you’re looking to buy an Audi Q3, it isn’t to have a

sensors, four sports seats with power fed lumbar support, the Audi

simple day to day city car, it’s to get stuck into having some fun while

Music Interface, Bluetooth interface and voice control system for

you’re driving.

many infotainment functions. Default comfort-orientated ‘dynamic Endeavour Magazine | 23

GADGETS

My Fingers Are So Smart, They Measure!

WWW.YANKODESIGN.COM Go back into the history of measurements

and we know

that in the ancient times, body parts used to be the standard for measurements; hence ‘a foot’. The need for uniformity paved way for the metric and imperial systems that are now commonly used.

However our basic instincts still make us want to use ‘a span’, ‘two finger spaces’ or ‘an arm’s length’; old habits die hard I guess! To resolve this and bridge the gap between digital accuracy and human approximations is the Smart Finger. It is a device that caps your thumb and forefinger (or any 2 fingers) and uses the signals relayed between the two finger points to calculate the measurement.

The Smart Finger is made from silicon to offer a comfortable fit

Ninja Shoes AMZN.TO/1NYE7T2

to any finger size.

It can help measure length, breadth, and volume in a very intuitive way through simple button operations.

I want one of these not so much so I can run, but so I can finally

The distance (measurement) is calculated on the basis of the

complete my ninja outfit and sneak up on my neighbour’s cat with a

time taken by the signal to beam from one finger tip to the other

foghorn and a paintball gun… revenge has been long overdue.

and back.

For the more mature of us, going near barefoot is the rage in

The measured distance is displayed through LED.

running gear these past few years, and the Zemgear 360 Ninja Split-

The device sports 2 buttons that help display the measurements

Toe Running Shoes has added to this testament. Sporting a split-toe

in different units, record and store the measurement, calculate

design, inspired by those stealthy ninjas, it has a pylon outsole, tech

volume and area plus view the information in text format (details on

bands for stability and Gecko-Grip rubber pods for traction.

how to operate are explained in the images).

Prices range from $50 to $60 24 | Endeavour Magazine

Designers: Choi Hyong-Suk, Jung Ji-hye & Yoo-Jin Park

Back to Basics Egg N’ Muffin Toaster TGT.BIZ/UIVZQ6 The biggest problem about having eggs and toast in the morning is the difficult and inefficiency of having to fry an egg and toast the bread in two separate locations in two separate mediums. I’m all about morning efficiency, all about cutting down the unimportant things. So having to coordinate the morning schedule around toast and eggs always resulted in me having cereal.

Thankfully some geniuses had the same problem…. $29.99

Shreddies Flatulence Filtering Underwear BIT.LY/1CUTWOH In every office there’s a member of staff with an acute case of flatulence and in small offices this can become very tedious with pungent methane odours constantly circling the room. In our case this was Jonny, no one is quite sure how he produces such odours and so frequently.

We came across shreddies the flatulence filtering underwear and realised we had the perfect candidate to test run them. This was the first time we were excited about the prospect of Jonny letting rip.

I must say I was sceptical at first thinking that they wouldn’t work, however, I was proved wrong immediately.

Jonny did mention that they are a tight fit but they need to be tight so that gas doesn’t escape. Shreedies feature a layer of active carbon cloth in the seat of the underwear that absorbs odours, traps and neutralises the vapours within the cloth. These have totally changed the environment in our office and we are considering buying Jonny a month’s supply.

On a serious note, this revolutionary underwear is great for sufferers of IBS, Crohn’s Disease and other digestive disorder as flatulence can cause serious embarrassment.

In order to remain effective Shreddies must be washed with soda crystals at 40° C without conditioners and dried on a medium heat in a tumble drier. In order to be sure all the moisture is removed from the carbon it’s recommended to dry them in a tumble drier. They come in a wide range of styles and sizes and cater for all the family.

Endeavour Magazine | 25

TRAVEL

BY SHANNAH LAUREN

AUGUST’S AUSTRALIA ADVENTURE GUIDE

T

he sun is shining, the breeze is flowing alongside the

because some of the best surfers in the world are participating, and

drinks, but you still have that itch. You need some

it’s completely free to watch. After watching the surfers do their

change of scenery; that bit of excitement in your bones.

magic, you will probably think to yourself “Easy enough right? I will

You want to feel that summer romance, and we’ve got just the spot.

get a board and give this a go!”

A place full of adventure, full of spontaneity, full of extraordinary

Go for it!

views and animals, a place we like to call Australia.

It’s not easy; however surfing is such a euphoric experience that

It’s become a traveler’s favorite destination spot, which could be

it is highly advised to try it at the very least once. You can get a

because of the mix of gorgeous weather and people. Time of year

board second hand from surf shops (particularly on the Gold Coast),

does play a massive role on Australia, because you can also make your

and make sure you steer away from bright colored foam boards. You

way to some of the large events going on such as professional surf

may be a tourist and a bit of a kook when it comes to surfing, but

competitions, and music festivals. Some of the pro surf competitions

you don’t want to make it that obvious. Remember to wear your

are the Quicksilver Gold Coast Pro (February-March), or the Rip Curl

sunscreen and respect the water, as there are the dangers in the

Pro Competition (March-April). These competitions are a real treat

ocean that you must understand before entering. If you are not a

26 | Endeavour Magazine

good swimmer, make sure whatever beach you go to has a lifeguard

up (patience is key). Once you’ve mastered standing, you will be able

and always swim between the red and yellow flags.

to go out towards the bigger waves but do it gradually; the waves

If you are afraid of sharks; take off any jewelry, do not draw

always look a lot bigger when you are out there rather than how

attention to yourself and do not splash in the water like a fish. If

they look on the beach, the last thing we need is for you to have a

you get caught into a rip current, don’t swim against the current but

panic attack. Some of the best surf sports in Australia include Noosa

instead aim sideways, as it’s only a period of length, which you can

– Point Break, Manly Beach and Crescent Head.

swim away from and escape. Swimming against a rip current can

Another big event that you don’t want to miss in Australia is

cause you to become exhausted, run out of energy and potentially

Mardi Gras in Sydney. This colorful and lovely event is also around

drown if you are not in the sight of a lifeguard.

the time of March. Whilst in Sydney it’s absolutely necessary to

Also, when you are trying out surfing, stay close to the shore

visit the Sydney Opera House in which are able to walk around the

while you are learning. Catch a few waves like you are body boarding,

outside completely free. If you would like to book an hour tour, we

and get used to the feel. Following, you will stay closer to shore, and

would suggest you to book online and save yourself some money.

try to learn your balance by catching small waves and trying to stand

Australia uses the currency of Australian dollars, which 0.55 British

Endeavour Magazine | 27

Pound Sterling is the equivalent to 1 Australian dollar.

you that will make this trip safer, cheaper and well enjoyed. You

It is advised when traveling to Australia, that you plan out your

should divide your money into cash, and put your cards into a safe

trip completely. Although it’s a country with very little crime, it’s also

place. Even though it’s safe here in Australia, you need to take the

home to natural disasters and dangerous animals. It’s always smart

precautions as people still rob (and tourists are the easiest targets).

to be fully prepared before entering the country.

Instead of using the ATM, we advice you to find a bank to get money

If you are feeling like a good coffee, some live music, bookshops

out from encase of ATM hackers. Secondly, when flying to Australia,

or some visiting an art gallery, we suggest that you get over to

make sure you wear comfortable clothes and shoes! It’s a mighty

Melbourne to enjoy all it’s got to offer. You may not be a coffee

long journey, so you will want to feel as eased as you possibly can.

drinker, but a wine enthusiast in which we would suggest that South

Thirdly, instead of getting the hotel to do your laundry, bring your

Australia is for you! Some of the best places would be the Barossa

laundry to a local Laundromat and save yourself a ton of money.

Valley and McLaren Vale (Shiraz), and Clare Valley (Riesling).

Fourth, aim to keep away from making international calls with the

When you are in Australia, I think it’s safe to say that you have to

hotel phone; expensive doesn’t even give the bill justice! And lastly,

see those incredible animals that you can only find in such country

sun protection; killer sunburns could ruin your trip while your stuck

right? Answer is, absolutely! Photographing a kangaroo and koala

on the bed unable move and looking like a lobster so wear sunscreen,

may be the only way you can prove to your friends that you in fact

buy a hat and a comfortable summer shirt.

did go to Australia. One of the best places to see such beautiful creates and up close is at the Featherdale Wildlife Park in New South Wales.

As if you were traveling to any other city, we have tips for

28 | Endeavour Magazine

Kick the blues out the window, and fly on over to Australia. You deserve a spectacular surfing summer trip, don’t you think!?

But seriously, take the sunscreen.

THE AWARD WINNING MINDSHIFT GEAR’S ROTATION 180 PANORAMA BACKPACK Perfect for photographers, journalists and medical backpackers.

M

indShift Gear’s rotation180 Panorama backpack

MindShift Gear convinced the

was named a winner of the prestigious OutDoor

40-member expert panel for the

Industry Award 2014. The OutDoor Industry Award

Red Dot Award: Product Design

is one of the highest design prizes available to companies in the

2014 with the high design quality

outdoor industry. This year the expert panel of judges reviewed 361

of its rotation180 Panorama

products; 35 were selected to receive an award.

backpack. In that competition,

In

selecting

the

rotation180 Panorama as a winner, the Jury stated: “This daypack is a smart solution for photographers. It allows rapid access to equipment thanks

to

its

integrated

‘rotating’ camera bag. The beltpack is on a sliding

The beltpack is on a sliding waist belt and stows away inside the main rucksackcompartment. In addition, the design of the shoulder straps makes it possible to distribute the weight of photo equipment evenly.

the international experts discussed and evaluated 4,815 entries from 53 countries.

But

only

designs which won over the jury with quality and innovative strength won an award.

“Winning two such

waist belt and stows away inside the main rucksack-compartment.

prestigious design and outdoor

In addition, the design of the shoulder straps makes it possible to

industry awards confirms for

distribute the weight of photo equipment evenly.”

us the historical significance

“The OutDoor Industry Award honors innovative products that

of

rotating

backpacks,”

said

represent an exceptional achievement. They have the potential to

MindShift Gear’s president and

become future trendsetters in the outdoor industry,” said Stefan

lead designer Doug Murdoch.

Reisinger, Head of OutDoor.

“Just as reservoir technology

The OutDoor Industry Award was held by Messe Friedrichshafen

revolutionized the concept of

this year for the first time in association with the German Designer

staying hydrated in the out-of-

Club (DDC). “The OutDoor Industry Award is proof of the high

doors, rotation has the potential

level of design, sustainability and above all technical innovation of

to revolutionize how to gain

the products in this industry. For us at the DDC, it was an exciting

quick access to gear of all kinds

challenge to organize the award and accompany the expert panel

without first having to take off

during the decision making process,” said Michael Eibes, designer

your backpack. We believe our

and DDC president.

patented concept is one of the

The OutDoor Industry Award 2014 is the second significant design award earned by the rotation180 Panorama backpack.

most significant breakthroughs in backpack design.”

Endeavour Magazine | 29

30 | Endeavour Magazine

FOND DOUX RESORT & PLANTATION 001 758 459 7545 WWW.FONDDOUXESTATE.COM

IN TUNE WITH LOCAL TRADITIONS AND WORKMANSHIP WRITTEN BY DONNIE RUST

There is something beautiful in the diversification and development of a business that you’ve built up with your bare hands and Fond Doux Resort & Plantation has seen this kind of growth and popularity and it was a pleasure to speak with owners Eroline and Lynton Lamontagne regards to their success.

Endeavour Magazine | 31

FOND DOUX RESORT & PLANTATION

Based in St Lucia, their story began in 1999 with humble and honest beginnings which were initially opened as a heritage site for day tours providing snacks and lunches to the various visiting tour operators.

W

ith their ongoing quest to grow one of the things

are then sold to local producers and used to make cocoa sticks. The

they did was to provide accommodation at the

cocoa sticks are sold in their gift shop and are also used to prepare

property, “It was always our intention to stay in

their signature chocolate tea which is served at breakfast every

tune with local traditions and workmanship,” Eroline explains, “So

morning. The fruits and vegetables the couple harvest are used

all our cottages were built with eco-building practices and natural

in their restaurants and are also sold to their associate company,

preservation in mind.”

Eroline Foods Supermarket where they have employed an additional

Their Angelina Cottage for example, is a hundred and sixty year

forty or so staff.

old St. Lucia colonial house that was slated for demolition in the city

“We have two restaurants in operation,” Eroline points out, “The

of Castries. This two story cottage was purchased from the original

Jardin Cocoa Restaurant where we serve our A La Carte meals and

owner, dismantled and trucked to Fond Doux Resort & Plantation,

the Cocoa Pod Restaurant where we serve breakfast and lunches to

where it was then rebuilt and restored by artisans who specialize in

our day tours, it is also sometimes used to host various functions,”

St. Lucia’s traditional building techniques.

Additionally, Eroline and Lynton encourage their guests to

“We currently have twelve cottages in operation, and three new

explore the UNESCO heritage sites of Soufriere, which offers a

cottages under construction,” Lynton tells us, explaining that today,

variety of tours, hikes, and health and wellness activities to both

Fond Doux Resort and Plantation is the only true organic estate in

locals and foreigners to extend their pallet for the local culture and

St. Lucia where they have combined agriculture and eco-building

variety.

practices to develop an eco-resort which has become green globe

Presently, forty eight staff work for Fond Doux Resort &

certified over the years, “We have also added more flower gardens,

Plantation, and in keeping with their margin of excellence they are

food crops, and fruit trees that are becoming extinct in St. Lucia to

all certified in HACCP, Food Safety and

the resort over the years,” he adds, “ All of these developments have

with regular training in customer service at the St. Lucia Hotel and

awarded us with the Certificate of Excellence from Tripadvisor

Tourism Association staff training.

for the last three consecutive years, the Silver Magellan Award in 2013 and a Green Globe Certification.”

What Does It Take?

Presently, the core activities of the Fond Doux Resort &

Health and Safety

Both Lynton and Eroline are quick to make clear just how important staff development is to not only their business but themselves, “We have a genuine interest in the future of our employees and this genuine interest in their development does not only help them, but it builds loyalty.”

Plantation include guest accommodations, food and beverage, tours

This loyalty can in turn breed an increase in productivity which

and lunches, spa services and the hosting of various functions such

is important in all businesses and as studies have shown, capable

as weddings, seminars, and private parties.

ambitious young employees want training, mentoring, and coaching.

“We have a gift shop on property where we source items locally

They want to gain skills, to become versatile and valuable to a

to sell to our guests,” Eroline says, “We also harvest cocoa beans,

company, “We understand that if we develop our staff properly,

green bananas, mangos, and other fruits from our 100% certified

the payoff can in turn be substantial to us,” they say, “Because it is

organic soil.”

translated onto our guests who return because of the experience of

Each cocoa bean harvest yields about 1000 lbs of beans which 32 | Endeavour Magazine

an authentic St Lucian service which is top class.”

P. O. Box GM699, Castries, St. Lucia, W.I., Tel: 758-452-5558, 758-453-2746, 758-452-5595, Fax: 758-452-5585 sterlingservices@candw.lc stluciainsurancebroker.com

FOND DOUX RESORT & PLANTATION

To monitor standards, Lynton and Eroline meet with each guest for introductions and to chat about their stay, they also have Guest Liaison Officer who meets with each guest to plan the activities that the guest is able to partake in during their stay. This officer is also responsible for finding out whether any of their guests are celebrating any special occasions such as a birthday or anniversary, so that they can help make the day more special for them.

“We do our best to ensure that our guests are happy at all times and that they receive the best service from every employee,” Eroline explains, “We solve problems quickly and efficiently and always go above and beyond to satisfy our guests.”

Each guest is asked to fill out a comment card upon departure.

This card is used to find out how their stay was, whether they had any issues and if these issues were solved in an efficient manner. It is also useful to determine if there are any areas that could improve.

Considering this, the after sales and customer commitment is extremely important to them as they look to establish long term relationships, the happier they are the more they will recommend and this is why at every point Lynton and Eroline aim to give an exceptional level of service and an authentic experience.

“We send thank you letters to all our guests, to let them to know that we appreciated them choosing Fond Doux Resort & Plantation as their vacation destination to celebrate their anniversary, birthday or special occasion,” Eroline reveals, “We also do a quarterly newsletter to provide our market with information of interest.”

St Lucia is a prime destination for tourism and Fond Doux Resort & Plantation has its fair share of competition, it falls down to the owners to produce something that is unique and special, that will make the guest feel privileged for the opportunity to visit. Eroline explains that to keep ahead, their main and primary focus as always been on ensuring the guest the most comfortable cottages, beautiful surroundings at the most competitive prices possible.

“We also close annually for three weeks to renovate,” she explains, “By doing this we ensure that we never slip up on the standard of comfort our guests have begun associating us with.”

A lot research into new trends is made and as a result they now have a wedding gazebo and an organic spa on the property and work closely alongside Mr. Sean Compton who is an up and coming architect, “We offer battering arrangements with travel writers, journalists and other media personnel in exchange for coverage with their newspaper or magazine,” Lynton adds, “As building our marketing exposure is just as important.”

Furthermore, they take it as their duty to update their social networking pages on a weekly basis (Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn).

Facebook is updated by our PR team, Seasmoke

PR and they input print advertisements in local and international magazines and attend a local yearly trade show with the St. Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association.

“We know that we offer an authentic product and people pay for quality,” Eroline says, “We believe that the authenticity of our 34 | Endeavour Magazine

product is what has given us that competitive edge above other small resorts in St. Lucia and we plan to maintain it. In all things, we always aspire to be better, to be greater, and we instil that in all of our employees,” In relation to the yearly upgrades to the property and the product offering, a number of projects are currently in the works including the construction of three additional honeymoon suites to feature outdoor rainforest showers and plunge pools, the relocation and expansion of the Reception/Front Office to offer a personalized experience for our guests and construction of a gym.

“Chocolate making is in its final stages,” she says, “And we are working alongside a restaurant in the north of the island to provide training for our chefs and to bring our restaurants up a notch. We are also working with Nina Compton, the 1st runner up of Top Chef 2014 to offer consultation and advice to our chefs and restaurant staff.”

These additions, for example the three suites will allow Fond Doux to be able to cater more to the honeymoon market, whereas the relocation of the reception will create a more relaxing and comfortable atmosphere for both employees and guests, “It is our belief that this will result in a boost in productivity by our employees as well.”

Quality products for all your construction needs.

The Wilrock team is dedicated to providing the best quality materials to customers through use of the latest technology to international standards.

Because we value the relationship we have with our customers we ensure that the best service is provided. We are also socially conscious and ethically responsible as is continuously demonstrated through our business practices and philanthropic efforts.

Saphyr Estate, Laborie, Vieux Fort, St. Lucia. W.I. Tel: +1-758 -455-9999 p Fax: +1-758-454-9000

www.wilrock.com

Endeavour Magazine | 35

36 | Endeavour Magazine

ANALYTICAL TECHNOLOGIES LTD +1 868 679 8378 WWW.ATLTT.COM

THE SCIENCE BEHIND GOOD BUSINESS WRITTEN BY AMY TOCKNELL

Offering specialist scientific testing services for business clients throughout Trinidad and Tobago, Analytical Technologies Limited retains quality at the forefront of every procedure.

Endeavour Magazine | 37

ANALYTICAL TECHNOLOGIES LTD

To the uninformed, scientific testing services may not appear to be a hugely vital enterprise but businesses within Trinidad and Tobago are frequently coming to understand the value of such procedures. Offering clients reliable and trustworthy results from its state of the art laboratory facilities, Analytical Technologies Limited (ATL) prides itself on the expertise of its staff and the utilisation of advanced equipment.

ATL

has been created with a striking

practice and technical knowledge, it comes as no surprise that ATL

motto at its core; “Your quality

looks to complete fast processing of all collected samples in order to

is our business”. A reassuring

prevent loss of quality or a compromise of sample integrity. All results

mantra for its customers, but this is not merely a clever marketing

are made available to clients immediately, allowing for adherence to

slogan as the foundations of the company are quality, accuracy and

exceptionally tight timeframes.

excellence. Working in accordance with these guiding principles, ATL seeks to guarantee not only a meeting of clients’ expectations, but also a dramatic surpassing of them.

The ATL quality policy statement is explicit in its explanation of expected and implemented standards; “We value our customers’ opinions and strive to anticipate and

Keen to demonstrate a commitment to the upholding of exemplar

surpass their needs and expectations, while responding to their

quality standards, ATL has achieved the ISO 17025 Accreditation

quality, statutory, legal and regulatory requirements. We use the

in Analytical Testing Services. Particular procedures covered by the

information obtained from our customers for continual improvement.

qualification include environmental testing, inspection testing, raw

We are committed to good, professional and ethical practice

materials and product testing. Awarded only to those companies

and to the quality of our testing to our clients and we strive for a

that demonstrate a clear understanding of the importance of best

high standard of service. Results will be reported accurately, clearly,

38 | Endeavour Magazine

ANALYTICAL TECHNOLOGIES LTD

unambiguously, objectively and in accordance with any specific

ATL is able to provide business-

integrity. A fully trained and

instructions contained within the test method.

critical findings to a wide range

qualified team of staff is assigned

We will actively support and encourage the development of each

of industries but it is the offer of

on a contractual basis, allowing

individual of the company while pursuing continuous improvements

remote services that truly sets it

for total client flexibility and

in the quality of our services. We require all personnel concerned

apart from competitors.

fast, comprehensively explained

with testing activities in the laboratory to be familiar with the quality

ATL is in a unique position

documentation and implement all policies and procedures in their

to be able to offer in-house

work.�

testing facilities with trained and

Covering all bases Maintaining exemplar standards of quality, clients can employ

experienced

technicians

findings.

Branching out

performing all analytical duties.

Moving forward, ATL is able

The benefits of this are clear,

to provide clients with more

but

than

crucially,

can

ensure

just

testing

that

polyol, gas and petroleum. Microbiological and toxicity investigations

processed

quickly,

Bioremediation services are now

can also be initiated, with food testing due to complete the already

thus minimising the risk of

being offered, with the company

impressive repertoire. This extensive list of specialties means that

contamination or compromised

being perfectly equipped to

40 | Endeavour Magazine

all

samples

taken

extremely

are

Comprehensive

packages.

ATL to carry out a vast number of investigative tests on water, soil,

In-situ

offer this and conform to all legislation, with safety devices builtin. Taking this new responsibility extremely seriously, ATL comments that, “Our modern equipment is backed and operated exclusively by highly trained, skilled and experienced staff who provides a prompt 24hr service to our multitude of valuable clients located, primarily, in the industrial sector.”

Committed to the provision of procedures that are driven entirely by client needs, ATL will doubtless continue to grow by offering businesses throughout Trinidad and Tobago a wide variety of analytical services, all completed to the highest standards.

“

This modern equipment is backed and operated exclusively by highly trained, skilled and experienced staff who provides a prompt 24hr service to our multitude of valuable clients located, primarily, in the industrial sector.”

Endeavour Magazine | 41

42 | Endeavour Magazine

MINIVEYOR PRODUCTS LTD +44(0) 8450 942 140 WWW.MINIVEYOR.COM

MOVING MOUNTAINS WRITTEN BY AMY TOCKNELL

Miniveyor Products Ltd is operational proof that the adage ‘good things come in small packages’ is not just a cliché.

Darracq Shawe spoke to Endeavour about his passion for the company and exciting times on the horizon.

Endeavour Magazine | 43

MINIVEYOR PRODUCTS LTD

Formed in 2009, Miniveyor Products Ltd (MPL) was the result of an effective post-purchase rebranding of RAKO Products Ltd. With the existing team remaining in place, the new look company set out to offer innovative and customer-driven solutions to confined-space working issues, under the already recognised name of Miniveyor. A natural fit for the construction and mining industries, the portable conveyor system has gained an impressive reputation for offering viable solutions to previously difficult to navigate locations.

D

arracq Shawe, Director and owner of MPL, neatly sums

being able to lift it, the Miniveyor has been used in a number of

up the essence of the company,

rescue operations worldwide. The recent earthquake in Chile is

“Anything that goes in, or comes out, of the ground,

we can normally handle it.”

This is no small claim and yet is entirely substantiated thanks

one example, where our product was used to remove rubble while searching for trapped survivors. The armed forces and police teams have also used the system.”

entirely to the unique design of the product range, which has

It is at this point, listening to Shawe extol the virtues of the

user safety at its core. With no finger traps or snag points and a

company, that his clear and genuine passion for the products they

24v safety circuit in place, users can operate the Miniveyor with

create becomes undeniable. He is not just a businessman at the

confidence. Aimed, in the most part, at the construction industry,

helm of a successful company, he is someone who firmly believes in

the Miniveyor has allowed for improvements to small space projects,

and stands behind the systems that he offers. With this in mind, it

such as basement and cellar conversions in residential buildings

comes as no surprise that the qualities he looks for in his colleagues

and has even been used to complete vital projects on the London

include a demonstrable understanding of the products and a vested

Underground.

interest in continually improving them.

Though the company has branched out into the provision of

“We have a core staff of ten in the UK and we really are the

ventilation products, another vital step forward for those involved

nucleus of the organisation. We have had more staff in the past

with confined space or below ground working, the main focus still

but following the most recent recession we chose to scale back our

remains the Miniveyor system, which far from only being utilised by

operations in 2008 for the good of company sustainability. We have

the construction industry, has also been embraced by emergency

not compromised on quality however, keeping all of our production

services and used in some surprising circumstances,

processes with in the UK.”

“Because the system is so lightweight, with two people easily

44 | Endeavour Magazine

Asking Shawe to expand a little on what he expects from his

MINIVEYOR PRODUCTS LTD

employees, he has a unique perspective, “Technical skills can be taught but what has to be integral is passion for the company and what we are aiming to do. MPL is filled

happy, an unwavering focus on quality is maintained, ensuring that all products are fit for long-term use. A clear champion of quality, Shawe explained further,

with long-standing, committed people, all of who have stepped up

“Quality and easy functionality is key to our products and we

and achieved the high standards of expertise needed. Our systems

are keen for them to do exactly what is expected of them. Each

are deliberately very easy to use and maintain, once commensurate

motor that we fit, for example, undergoes rigorous testing to ensure

training has been given, which in turn has made our manufacturing

optimum reliability. Of course any electrical item can be subject to

system simple, allowing core staff to run operations easily. For an

unexpected problems but by completing as much testing as possible,

influx of work, part time or short term contracts would be an option

we ensure that mechanically, every Miniveyor system leaves us in

for us, but at present, we have no plans to expand our team as we

A1 condition and is extremely unlikely to fail.”

have streamlined our processes specifically to fit the team in situ.”

This being said, Shawe affirms that there is room for progression and development of roles for the fortunate few that enjoy employment at MPL,

This declaration may raise an eyebrow to the unconverted but with a less than 1% warranty claims rate, the statistics speak for themselves.

In addition to extensive testing, MPL looks to continue the

“The company feels like a family organisation. The team that

theme of quality within all areas of production and operation by only

works here have all known each other for a long time and we are all

using reputable distribution channels in overseas markets. Vetted in

equally as passionate about what we do. Where possible, we always

accordance with standard issues such as related products already

look to progress people that have been with us for a long time.”

offered and sales figures, individual distributors are required to

With such a dedicated team behind an invaluable product, client satisfaction must be a given, but MPL does not sit back and rely on it’s reputation to secure rave reviews. To keep customers

46 | Endeavour Magazine

demonstrate, you guessed it, passion for the company and its items, effectively becoming ‘product champions’.

As 2014 continues to disappear at an exponential rate, what

plans does Shawe have for MPL in the coming months and years?

“We managed to break into the mining industry in 2005, despite it being considered to be a potentially difficult market to crack due to the diminutive nature of our equipment. Since then we have been working with Vale Mining in Brazil and are now looking to definitively move into Latin America, by agreeing big contracts within Chile. The Miniveyor is fast becoming recognised as a valuable asset for spillage control and clean transportation of materials excavated.”

“We are also keen to break into the African market as our system has vast potential as a production tool. Most mines are still using conventional Load-Haul-Dump or scraper equipment that is costly and dangerous to operate. Mining needs to progress in order to survive and our flexible system can be used to replace these outdated techniques.”

Offering a well-developed and unique product that is a solution to costly construction and mining issues, while being backed by a team that passionately believes in it, there is no doubt the MPL is going to go from strength to strength. Proving that small does not equate to ineffectual, the Goliath that is the mining industry should look out, because David is coming to get it.

“

Quality and easy functionality is key to our products and we are keen for them to do exactly what is expected of them. Each motor that we fit, for example, undergoes rigorous testing to ensure optimum reliability.”

Endeavour Magazine | 47

48 | Endeavour Magazine

NAMDEVCO 001 868 647 3218 WWW.NAMDEVCO.COM

HARVEST THE BEST REWARDS WRITTEN BY CHATUM O’BRIAN

NAMDEVCO (The National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation), founded in 1991, is an organization forever committed to the growth and sustainability of the Trinidad and Tobago agricultural sector by offering agribusiness and marketing solutions through commercial partnerships and linkages with key stakeholders so to facilitate the highest quality of produce and products that will add value to the businesses while remaining at the prices available.

Endeavour Magazine | 49

NAMDEVCO

Through marketing and innovation the organization has shaped much of what we see in the agricultural sector of this region, working with Chief Executive Officer, Ganish Gangapersad we delved into some of the methodologies and developments that will help them accomplish this target.

P

rimarily, Namdevco’s role is to foster the development of a sustainable and competitive sector, this is achieved by the provision of programs that provide safe and most

importantly healthy foods to the local and international markets and expanding the capacity of the farmers toiling in Trinidad and Tobago while at the same time administering them with market information so that they can make timely decisions and make use of various, important marketing services.

Each of the programmes used are carefully designed to enhance the competitiveness and value of the sector as a whole. When an opportunity presents itself either in the domestic or international market a thorough process of identification, development and promotion is undertaken to ensure that the best results can be found.

Leading consulting firm in the Caribbean Best known for: Architectural designs  Detailed civil/structural/mechanical/ electrical engineering designs  Quantity surveying services  Construction supervision and contract administration  Project appraisal

Namdevco, as the leading organization offering these kinds of services, has a long catalogue of diversified solutions and key benefits that can be offered to get the best out of their sector. For example they take charge of identifying local and export market opportunities through which they can spot potential buyers and provision the best export or local prices. Locating these opportunities for growth is a credit to their marketing intelligence and the established relationships shared with a number of influential investment profiles.

Establishing links with service providers and facilitating

introductions with their companies offers a recommendation service PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com #5 Deane Street Phone: 662-0793 / 645-1440 PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com St. Augustine Fax: 662-0824 Email: vikab@tstt.net.tt

50 | Endeavour Magazine

that brings that all important face-to-face approach that has always been a preferred method of working in Trinidad and Tobago into the mix. They also have some serious weight when it comes to

historic reputation and as well as relationships in all major food sectors including fresh produce, sea food, grocery items meat and fruit markets.

Certification, qualification and the completion of all administrative paperwork is something that is often taken for granted, however the surreptitious completion of these parts are important to keep companies and the industries running smoothly. This is possibly one of the most crucial and yet undervalued services that Namdevco offer.

Value Chain Improving the competitiveness of non-traditional agricultural products produced on the islands is quite important and as these products are destined for both local and export markets, NAMDEVCO is currently collaborating with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation (IICA) in a plan to develop specific commodity value chains that could help identify and remove all major constraints to achieving this competitiveness. It will also ensure favourable and fair returns for producers and those businesses that operate with the local and export food distribution systems.

This plan covers two main phases, first there is a technical

The focus was once purely on agricultural production but this has shifted to consumer demand, marketing and the coordination of production flow from producer to consumer. The Value Chain concept acknowledges that production must be linked to demand and the critical role of organising the flow from farmer to consumer opportunities which is what NAMDEVCO stands for.

Endeavour Magazine | 51

NAMDEVCO

analysis of specific agricultural commodities and secondly an action-

project to increase the amount produced by local farmers to meet

orientated dialogue phase where the involved parties seek to arrive

the local demand. Therefore it was NAMDEVCO who were tasked

at agreed implementation strategies.

with forming a core committee to develop strategies to increase the

Ultimately, value chains reside at the core of high-impact and sustainable initiatives that focuss on improving productivity,

use of Cassava nationwide through alliances with the private sector and its farmers.

competitiveness, entrepreneurship, and Small-Medium Enterprise

According to the press release, these Alliances began seeing

growth. Having implemented an attitude of value chain thinking,

key partnerships form with the National Schools dietary services

they are revolutionizing the agriculture and food industry.

for increased usage of cassava in the school feeding programmes,

The focus was once purely on agricultural production but this

the innovative use of cassava in cereal flakes by Universal Foods,

has shifted to consumer demand, marketing and the coordination

Cassava flour production for use in feeds by Nutrimix and National

of production flow from producer to consumer. The Value Chain

Flour mills and even moving further along the process chain into

concept acknowledges that production must be linked to demand

cassava bread by manufacturers like ‘El’s Bakery’ and ‘Trini style’

and the critical role of organising the flow from farmer to consumer

products which include a cassava bake and roti mix. These outcomes

opportunities which is what NAMDEVCO stands for.

were the successes both NAMDEVCO and the Ministry of Food

A Perfect Example

Production hoped to achieve from inception and represent the cusp of flourishing local cassava usage nationwide.

Illustrating the corporation’s approach was the recent move to

What the ceremony and signing signifies is the increased

increase the utilization of Cassava. On Friday the 11th July 2014,

production of Cassava by farmers, improved value added Cassava

NAMDEVCO signed a trio of memorandums of understanding

products and a shift in nationwide preference toward using locally

between itself and a number of companies including Caroni Green

grown commodities. This is a shared success between NAMDEVCO

Limited, Nutrimix Limited and the National Schools Dietary Services

and the Ministry of Food Production that will continue to grow as

Limited. IN a press release published last week it was made clear that

NAMDEVCO continues to maximize the potential of private and

these MOU agreements highlight NAMDEVCO’s ongoing dedication

public sector collaborations toward the end of a food secure nation

to increase the utilization of locally grown Cassava nationwide.

and a sustainable Agriculture sector.

This falls into a Ministry of Food Production’s Action Plan 2012-

Projects like this are ongoing and very diversified and over the

2015 which outlines the need to increase the production of staples

past eighteen months there have been a number of key upgrades at

in Trinidad, namely in the areas of progenous root crops like sweet

their packing houses and other assets across Trinidad and Tobago.

potato and cassava. When the plan was written Trinidad and Tobago

With their four hundred and fifty staff members working hard to

produced only 8% of the overall demand for this particular staple,

further facilitate the growth of this sector in an island nation.

the remainder being imported.

Clearly, the demand for this produce justifies a focused agricultural

52 | Endeavour Magazine

It’s all about laying the right seeds so you can collect the best harvest.

54 | Endeavour Magazine

SECURITY SYSTEMS 00267 391 4868 WWW.SECURITYSYSTEMS.CO.BW

THIRTY YEARS OLD WRITTEN BY DON CAMPBELL

For the most part, Botswana is well known for having managed her diamond wealth very well and laying the foundations for the country’s economic growth.

In light of this the businesses responsible for her future prosperity will stand on this same foundation and minimalizing the cost and wastage associated with businesses is going to take priority.

Endeavour Magazine | 55

SECURITY SYSTEMS

Loss of assets cause problems, not only by short-falling the processes but also by accruing new costs to purchase assets. It has been noted internationally that business premises, commercial or institutional properties must show a physical presence and be secured by personnel.

The physical presence and attentiveness of guards is a sure way of securing premises and establishing confidence.

A

long with the human touch, the appropriate application of modern technology ensures a high degree of detection to be used as surveillance and preemptive

warnings to break ins and malpractice. Prevention is better than a cure but sometimes all is not well and business or homes suffer losses despite all of the precautions taken.

Security Systems is proving that success is tied intrinsically with customer and client trust and that reputations are reflections of the standard of work done. Speaking with Mr G.M Nkgetse Managing Director we found out how they’re eyes open.

The Start Established over twenty eight years ago by Gabriel Mkgetse and Michael Reay, Security Systems is now a household name. And, guided by a passion to succeed and an understanding of the need for personal and personnel security of both property and oneself they have created a rare commodity in Botswana. A security company that is one hundred percent trustworthy.

After almost three decades the company has changed and evolved but its focus and its intention has stayed the same. What began with only twelve people has grown to over three and a half thousand permanent employees. These employees are highly trained, responsive, capable and equipped with the latest mannedsecurity technology. With a service that is beyond reproach Security Systems have been the recipients of many awards for the best and most reliable track records in the industry.

Action Over Reaction Security Systems was created to protect their customers and their properties and from the start they took the approach of being active instead of reactive. It is not enough to merely respond to alarms and monitoring systems and Security Systems take the initiative to act. The personnel are trained with this mindset, it is 56 | Endeavour Magazine

this attitude of seeing the danger or the risks before they become problems that have made Security Services Botswana so capable as guards, cash transit personnel and transit services.

Full training is provided for all staff, the majority of which are youngsters entering into the industry seeking gainful employment.

The turnover of staff at Security Systems is not only low but the rates of promotion within the company are high, with careers instead of jobs being created. Training is regularly revisited individually to ensure that everyone is up to speed with the latest technology and developments.

At Security Systems, Mr. Mkgetse has been quoted on stating that he considers his staff to be his kin and has long known the only way to expect an employee to look after a client’s property or self is to treat that employee as if they are part of a family.

As the leading security provider in Botswana the company are constantly processing requests from interested clients and their services cut across the whole section of Botswana’s society rendering services to commercial institutions such as banks, mall businesses, educational institutions and the premises housing members of the diplomatic missions accredited to Botswana and the SADC family.

Pertaining with thirteen branches nationally and a fair number of sub-branches this thirty year old company has now become a

It is not enough to merely respond to alarms and monitoring systems and Security Systems take the initiative to act. The personnel are trained with this mindset, it is this attitude of seeing the danger or the risks before they become problems that have made Security Services Botswana so capable as guards, cash transit personnel and transit services.

Endeavour Magazine | 57

SECURITY SYSTEMS

house hold name and the go-to company for any form of security

embracing new thinking and

continent given investors very

requirement. Specializing in electronic applications in safety, security

evolving is how, as a company

attractive

and surveillance maintenance, alarm installations and monitoring

they have stayed ahead of

investing their resources. To

access control, CCTV installation and monitoring, electric fence

their competition- which in this

give business institutions and

and telephone monitoring, guard supervision, physical/personnel

industry does not come from

individuals a solid surety to their

guarding, and Assets in transit. The deciding factor through it all is

another company.

assets and personal safety all

the quality of their employees.

Recruited in reaction to a client’s needs, Security Systems is well

The

industry

is

highly

environment

for

security services are encouraged

regulated, laying the ground

and

known for their training and differential programs for their staff.

rules

Systems has always been at the

Expected to offer a touch of integrity and trust through their staff

creating

they are careful with who they employ and offer residential training

which the voices of the industry

for a period not less than two weeks in which time they impart both

can address necessary issues.

equally as important and the

theory and physical training to their people. Regular evaluations

Botswana

registered

company has adopted a school

of the security officers allows Security Systems to quickly establish

impressive

economic

in

if any of their personnel are not towing the line and can either be

transformation

the

past

opportunity to children who

reprimanded, retrained or replaced.

thirty years since she became

must realize that education is a

An open door policy exists whereas staff are able to express their

independent and is regarded a

right in its own way and Security

opinions and suggestions in an open manner. This is important in

middle income economy with an

Systems

an industry where the personnel sometimes have the best insights.

average growth exceeding 5%

equipment and hopefully set a

With this in mind the management of the company do not shy away

per annum. She has the most

very good example.

from change, on the contrary they embrace it. Learning new skills,

stable democracy on the African

for

the a

industry

channel

has in

and

through

promoted

and

Security

forefront of this legacy.

Community

Majwaneng

action

to

provides

give

+27 11 367 5525 helpdesk@oryxsystems.co.za www.oryxsystems.co.za 58 | Endeavour Magazine

an

schooling

Oryx Systems would like to thank Security Systems for their support and congratulate them on their 30th anniversary.

We trust that the next 30 years will be as successful.

is

60 | Endeavour Magazine

FERMACA MEXICO 0052 55 5148 6700 WWW.FERMACA.COM.MX

A FRESH WAY OF DOING BUSINESS IN MEXICO WRITTEN BY JACK SLATER

As the second largest oil and gas company in Mexico, Fermaca consists of a large group of multidisciplinary professionals dedicated to the development of new projects in the energy sector and as a purely, one hundred percent Mexican company they represent a fresh way of doing business in the country. This new approach impacts not only the industry they’re in but the hundreds of thousands of people working within and upon its periphery.

Endeavour Magazine | 61

FERMACA MEXICO

Leading this business and therefore in charge of the interest of Fermaca’s twelve hundred employees and countless customers is Chief Executive Officer, Fernando Calvillo Alvarez.

“F

ermaca is a highly active company dealing within the energy sector providing solutions predominately for natural gas,” Alvarez explains.

Along with this they also provide for other traditional hydrocarbon fuels and by leveraging the experience from their plethora of professionals working within their country they are able to develop projects from conception all the way through to construction.

A pioneer in the energy sector, Alvarez explains that Fermaca have established themselves as the leaders in the private market transportation of natural gas, “We currently own and operate a pipeline in the Palmillas-Toluca region, in central México and are finalising construction of another pipeline in the Chihuahua corridor,” he says.

Their position ahead of their competition in the private market has come about through an ongoing focus to respond adequately to the demands of their clients and the challenges presented to them with each new project.

An important thing to keep in mind with pipeline activities is that problems and issues can soon escalate from a small issue to a major catastrophe at a startling rate and this is why Alvarez insists on working with only the best. The Pipeline in Palmillas-Toluca and the currently developing pipeline in the Chihuahua corridor are safeguarded by a team of highly specialized personnel with extensive experience in operating the finest in automated control systems known as SCADA, Supervisory, Control and Data Acquisition.

62 | Endeavour Magazine

Terminals As important as the pipelines are the terminals are equally as crucial. In response to the demands of the Mexican energy sector Fermaca has undertaken a number of strategic joint ventures and partnerships with international market leaders in the construction and operation of terminals. Alvarez tells us that these terminals play an important role in fuel management with their fuel storage facilities and that, “Such endeavours are in keeping with our vision and the company ethos of providing innovating solutions to further enhance the Mexican energy sector,” He also adds that Fermaca is developing an LPG transport system to supply the Mexican market through an extensive business network with gas from the United States that is transported by sea to the end client. This adds credence to Mexico’s overall move towards a more sustainable and eco-aware energy provision.

Engineering Having been founded in 1962 the scope of Fermaca’s expertise goes far beyond merely facilitating piping projects and engineering has become a mainstay of their business offerings. Now, their current objectives is specifically to design, plan and manage engineering projects in Mexico, “We have participated in great infrastructure dedicated projects in our country that have offered essential services in real estate, LPG storage plants, electric power generation, compression stations and pipelines for natural gas,” As with all aspects of his company Avalrez is adamant and resolute on ensuring a total cohesion when it relates to their engineering projects, as an integral part of the business they combine a number of standalone services including conclusive feasibility studies, surveying, environmental impact and risk analysis and the full management, procurement and maintenance of Rights of Way. The Right of Way is a legal permit that allows a portion of land which is owned privately, communally or publicly, which, in usual circumstances, has limited rights, to be used temporarily so that infrastructure can be built. It also involves the fair compensation of the land owners and furthermore, specifies the rights and obligations of the owners of the land to protect the future integrity of the project.

Through Fermaca’s broad experience in the field of energy, we are able to acquire the Right of Way (ROW) for any project and have a team of specialised personnel dedicated to ROW acquisition.

“Land ownership is often very difficult to establish in remote regions,” Alvarez says, “Our highly experienced ROW [Right of Way] team plays a fundamental role in identifying owners and subsequently setting into motion the legal processes, which include, acquisition, registration and the Integration and Management of Licenses and Permits,” The extensive experience with local and federal regulations have Endeavour Magazine | 63

FERMACA MEXICO

ensured Fermaca’s success in obtaining the necessary permits from

construction projects,” Alvarez

negotiations with clients and the

the various regulatory agencies and it must be remembered these

points out, “And Fermaca has

importation and inspection of

are in the benefits of the land owners. The ROW parameters cover

developed

supplies.

the legal rights of construction, the laying and maintenance of all

in all states of the Mexican

types of communication channels, as well as any electrical lines that

Republic and the infrastructure

proven of great benefit to the

are within the area of the project. This being said, the paperwork

has improved numerous lives.”

company over the years and

and legal permits need to be completed by a competent team which is something that Fermaca focusses on.

multiple

projects

Procurement

Project

experience

has

allows them to devise effective and

successful

systems

based

procurement

The first step includes reviewing governmental documents and

Projects of the scale that

on

supplier

environmental regulations. It also involves reviewing completed

Fermaca undertakes, are no small

selection, assurance of timely

studies on multiple aspects of nature, for instance, wildlife, soil,

affair and reliable procurement

delivery and administration of

water, geology, climate and so on.

is a fundamental step in the

key processes.

Socio-economic aspects like population and their activities

implementation of any project.

One of the key suppliers

are also evaluated and Fermaca makes use of official documents

This includes the management

that have worked with Fermaca

produced by certified agencies. Once all the documents and studies

of supply processes of the

for many years and share in

have been reviewed, the project is analysed and an assessment

requirement materials, as well as

their attention to quality and

on feasibility is made. If any aspects of the project are unfeasible,

the acquisition of construction

accountability is family owned

alternatives are sought.

and maintenance services.

company

Grupo Desarrollo

The second step is to produce a manifest of the environmental

The quality and efficiency of

Infraestructura S.A. de C.V. who

impact, this detailed document follows a strict format and outlines

Fermaca’s services have once

provide construction services,

all the impact a project will have on the environment. The third and

again put the company on a

products

final step is to determine mitigating measures and to establish a

pedestal within their industry

materials to business owners,

monitoring program which ensures that damage to the environment

and the activities range from

general contractors, government

is kept to a minimum.

detailed engineering, analysis

agencies

of records, cost and projections,

developers .

“The Right of Way is an essential step in engineering and

64 | Endeavour Magazine

and

and

aggregate

real

estate

New Developments All of this comes together to paint a current picture of what Fermaca is up to for the future and currently there is a focus on the £150 million Compression Station at Soto La Marina Project which is in construction phase and due to be completed in December this year, also the initiative to explore further the recently completed Palamara Pipeline Project and the upcoming 3rd Generation Gas Pipeline projects which could involve a potential $1 billion dollar US investment.

“To coin a phrase, the pipeline is looking very good,” Alvarez concludes.

Safety

Grupo Desarollo Infraestructura is a 100% Mexican company with more than 11 years experience in engineering, procurement, construction, transport and the production of aggregates at both national and international levels, under the highest standards and certifications - ISO 9001, ISO 14000 and OSHAS 18000.

GDI contributes to creating opportunities for growth in the areas where it operates, involving local communities through consultation.

Performance

Innovation

More than 11 years of experience

Construction Oil & Gas Mining Blasting Sustainability Raiseboring

Endeavour Magazine | 65

66 | Endeavour Magazine

NORTHERN PETROLEUM 0207 469 2900 WWW.NORTHPET.COM

INDEPENDENCE AND RELIABILITY WRITTEN BY DON CAMPBELL

2013 proved to be a busy year for Northern Petroleum, filled with corporate changes and developments including the appointment of Keith Bush as Chief Executive Officer in July last year and the appointment of Jon Murphy as Chairman later in the year. A restructuring of the board and appointments of two new non-executive directors marked the significant changes that have turned the company into a more streamlined and efficient business focussed on production and development activities.

Endeavour Magazine | 67

NORTHERN PETROLEUM

With key assets in Canada where they have an onshore production redevelopment plan with impressive potential for growth and in Italy where an offshore group of permits and applications containing exploration prospects and discovered oil fields, CEO Keith Bush expands upon the story of Northern Petroleum and the plans for the future.

orthern Petroleum owns the interests in

“N

“Northern Petroleum hold thirty thousand acres of mineral leases

operated and non-operated equities in the oil

in North West Alberta in the Virgo area,” Keith tells us, “This forms

and gas industry all around the world,” Keith

the core production and development activity for the company and

begins, “Our strategic focus is at both ends of the exploration and

contains previously produced pinnacle carbonate reefs in the Keg

production spectrum working with higher risk explorations that

River formation that we believe can be redeveloped to increase oil

could yield higher rewards, early stage appraisal projects and lower

recovery.”

risk production and development opportunities.”

The land position contains approximately 100 million barrels of

He goes on to explain that the approach aims to produce

oil originally in place, with a recovery factor to date of 18%. The

a business benefitting from continued growth spurred on by

initial aim of the redevelopment is to increase that recovery factor

sustainable and ever increasing production levels, while at the same

by 5% through the drilling of additional wells but for projects such

time exposing opportunities to their shareholders.

as this there is always the opportunity for secondary recovery which

Seamlessly delivering the right personnel for every project.

Pajak Engineering has been providing engineering expertise, project management services, well-site supervision and peace of mind for our clients since 1966.

We are committed to the training and qualification of the skilled consultants we represent, and are proud to work with many of Canada’s most respected operators.

Visit www.pajakeng.com to learn more.

68 | Endeavour Magazine

Providing the Experience and Equipment for Exceptional Well Servicing Since 2006, Global Well Servicing Ltd. has been a leading well-servicing contractor in the oil & gas industry, providing innovative design and an emphasis on getting the right people to make it work. With over 25 vertical rigs and exceptional well service and workover teams, you can trust Global Well Servicing Ltd. to deliver exceptional results to your operation.

Global Well Servicing Ltd. Box 7745, Drayton Valley, Alberta, T7A 1S8 Office: 1-780-515-9885 Fax: 1-780-621-3988 www.globalwellservicing.com

NORTHERN PETROLEUM

would further increase the amount of oil produced. Such potential

production led growth where employees and encouraged to

will be evaluated during the initial production period and will depend

develop and grow along with Northern Petroleum. The substantial

on the results of intimate research.

advancements of the company are reliant on the collaborative

In order to test the redevelopment concept, a three well

growth of each and every person involved with the company itself.

programme was conducted in the first half of 2014. This involved

“The company is looking to pursue two key areas in 2014,” Keith

the re-entry of an existing well, the twinning of a new well with an

informs us, “Namely the redevelopment of the Keg River formation

existing one into a reef with a long production history and the drilling

of the Virgo area, Alberta and the acquisition of two exploration

of a new well into a virgin reef. Keith reveals that the programme

permits in the Italian southern Adriatic.”

was concluded successfully with approximately 200bopd being produced from two of the wells.

Production from the wells is currently produced through a well test package and being transported to the local pipeline transport

Redeveloping the Keg River will consist of drilling three further wells and the tie-in of a total of six wells to the existing infrastructure.

This should allow Northern Petrolem to exit 2014 with a production rate around 500 bopd.

network by truck. Further development of the Virgo area will

After this work programme is complete the redevelopment will

continue and include an additional three well drilling programme in

be continued with additional wells from 2016-2018 and possibly

the summer of 2014, “All six wells will then be tied into the existing

longer, Keith explains that various different scenarios are being

local infrastructure in the winter of 2014 for long term production,”

evaluated for the area which include up to sixty more wells being

he reveals, “A future plan of redevelopment across the fields is

drilled, “In conjunction with this we have the option of installing

currently being worked on with the possibility for new tie-in to the

additional facilities to connect these wells and this would enable

local infrastructure and the construction of a new facility.”

Northern Petroleum to process our own liquids for onward pipeline

As far as exploration and appraisal is concerned, the core area for Northern Petroleum lies in the Italian Southern Adriatic where they own permits and applications which include the likes of the virgin fields of Rovesti and Giove and the Cygnus exploration prospect that has the potential to be transformational. Sitting next to the company’s catalogue of bountiful areas include a 1.4 million acre exploration onshore license in Otway Basin South Australia, a small share of a large exploration offshore license and assets in French Guiana and a small but important amount of onshore production in the Weald Basin in the UK.

Growing The Company Growing The Staff Keith is quick to mention the people behind the work of his company and how ensuring that all costs go towards adding value to their shareholders is important however recruitment and retention of the right kind of people is even more so, “The Group has twenty seven staff and consultants spanning across the four country locations and the success of the company is entirely dependent on us holding onto the right people.”

Independence and reliability are important to Northern Petroleum and Keith believes in empowering his staff with responsibility and trusting them to complete every task thoroughly, “We employ individuals on the basis of their ability to work with limited supervision on relatively complex projects,” he says, “To support this and ensure that all staff are equipped to do so training programmes are adapted with the individual to allow focused development in the areas that will provide the most benefit to the Company and the employee.”

A higher strategy is being employed here with a focus on

70 | Endeavour Magazine

transportation and reducing our reliance on other companies.”

Concurrently, the acquisition of the 3D seismic in the Italian

southern Adriatic will allow the progression with exploration and appraisal assets to commence, “The 3D is likely to be a precursor to drilling wells on both the Cygnus prospect and Giove discovery,” he highlights, “Should these wells be successful, the options for development will then be assessed.”

This development does have a longer timeframe than the Canadian development work as the initial wells are not likely to be drilled earlier than 2017. Despite this, Northern Petroleum currently has one hundred percent of these permits and will look to bring in partners, possibly prior to acquiring the seismic and certainly before the wells are drilled.

In conjunction with these two objectives, Keith reveals that the Company will be looking closely at the possibility of a large 100% owned licence in the Otway basin of South Australia. The work programme involves the reprocessing and interpretation of some 2D seismic with a view to establishing the next step required to move forward to a drilling opportunity.

“Again, the Company would look to bring in partners to establish a joint venture and potentially hand the operatorship to another company,” Keith concludes.

The Company will be looking closely at the possibility of a large 100% owned licence in the Otway basin of South Australia. The work programme involves the reprocessing and interpretation of some 2D seismic with a view to establishing the next step required to move forward to a drilling opportunity.

Endeavour Magazine | 71

72 | Endeavour Magazine

EDF - ENERGY 001 514 397 9997 WWW.EDF-EN.CA

NO SHORTAGE OF WINDFALL WRITTEN BY KATIE RICHARDSON

As one of the fastest growing sources of new-electricity in the world, wind farms have gained significant leverage in the alternative energy market in the last decade. Endeavour Magazine discovers the latest groundbreaking project from one of Canada’s leading energy providers, EDF-EN Endeavour Magazine | 73

EDF - ENERGY

Standing erect and proud across ridgelines of the great rolling landscapes of Canada’s rich prairies and green countryside, hundreds of giant wind turbines stretch out across the horizon, an imprint of the steely triumph of human engineering.

P

owered by a fuel that never gives out, wind farm technology has advanced considerably in the last few decades. These impressive instruments can tell it when

it’s windy, when a grid is connected and will automatically look to find the optimum angles to get the most power. On average, a single turbine is able to power 600 homes, without omitting any greenhouse gases, and remains the cheapest form of renewable energy. There are now around 150,000 wind turbines operating globally today, situated in more than 90 countries and in 2012, global wind energy capacity grew by 19%, with the industry installing a record level of 44,711MW of new clean, reliable wind power.

Last year, the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) held up Canada as having “an exceptionally strong year” in the sector. While the country is a relatively new contributor to this alternative energy source, it is enjoying significant success from its early investments.

There is a wind energy boom here, and the government is rushing to reduce its dependency on coal with aims to become the next global wind energy super power.

In January, EDF EN Canada announced that the Quebec government had authorised the construction and operation of the 350MW Rivière-du-Moulin Wind Farm, an ambitious renewable energy project that will see the region become one of the most sustainable in the new-electricity movement. Located in the territories of Lac-Pikauba and Lac-Ministuk, north of the City of Quebec, the development will be the single largest alternative wind energy facility in Canada upon completion, with 175 turbines for an overall installed capacity of 350MW. Project leaders and administers believe it confirms the government’s recognition of the significance of clean energy, and what it can mean in the marketplace: “Obtaining the decree is of great importance as it marks the confirmation from the government to move forward with the project and provides the confidence to place a major procurement contract,” said Al Kurzenhauser, chief operating officer of EDF EN Canada, upon the announcement.

74 | Endeavour Magazine

EDF - ENERGY

General contractor Construction Energie Renouvelable (CER) has

profitable for Canada. Wind power remains the alternative energy

been hired for the $800m development at Rivière-du-Moulin. The

source most likely to gain public support for future Canadian

company specialises in industrial, commercial, civil and institutional

development; according to another 2007 survey from Saint

projects, and with almost 40 years’ experience in the sector and

Consulting, a significant 84% support this kind of energy. Several

several wind farm projects to its name, it has cemented its status

wind farms in Canada have also, rather surprisingly, become

as one of the leading firms in the eastern Quebec province. CER

tourist attractions. With its grandiose status as one of the biggest

secured the contract for the project in 2011, and started the build of

sustainable energy projects in the country, it is likely Rivière-du-

the foundations for the wind turbines in the spring of 2012.

Moulin will attract all walks of curious life.

Project development director for EDF EN Canada, Alex Couture

Only a tiny margin of 4% considered renewable energy as a

said: “With an investment of close to $800m, the project will create

negative, citing it as unreliable and expensive. A little opposition

about 300 jobs during the construction phase, and 20 permanent

also exists in the form of ‘NIMBY-ism’, the often-quoted: ‘Not in my

operation and maintenance jobs.”

back yard’, where local populations project concerns about noise, their property values, and construction creating ‘eyesores’ on the

Breaking ground Construction has begun in two phases: a first tranche of 150MW will be completed in December, and the second of 200MW scheduled a year later in December 2015. The venture aims to provide informed new electricity supply choices for Quebec for the next decade. Crews started mobilising at the Rivière-duMoulin site in early May, with road production scheduled over the summer months. The initial work includes the building of 86km of new roads in the site’s immediate area and improvements to 68km of pre-existing roads under a consortium between Construction LFG, Transelec-Common and EBC experts, as well as tree clearing by the Ferland-Boilleau Forestry Cooperative. This spring saw the initial turbine erection with the aim to finish between 70 and 100 foundations this year. Turbines will be supplied by Senvion Canada, previously REpower Canada, and LM Wind Power will provide the blades from their Gaspé plant.

Rivière-du-Moulin is the fourth and certainly the largest of seven projects awarded to EDF Energy in 2008 and 2010 through HydroQuebec Distribution. By the end of 2015, EDF EN projects a total build of 1,003.2MW in the Canadian province, as well as creating additional employment opportunities in the Quebec wind industry.

Notably, the implementation of the project is likely to generate significant economic and environmental solutions to the contentious topic of clean energy. In June, acclaimed American website ‘Science Daily’ published environmental lifecycle research from the US that concluded a wind turbine with a working life of 20 years will offer a net benefit within five to eight months of being brought online.

These key findings promote wind energy further; turbines are able to accrue production of sustainable and vitally, clean energy for the entirety of its working life.

Energy advocates Public support is also notably strong for these kinds of ambitious projects. In a 2007 survey from Canadian research firm Angus Reid Strategies, 89% of respondents said alternative fuel sources were better for the environment and therefore, financially and ethically 76 | Endeavour Magazine

landscape. Resistance here can be fierce; some people have cited nausea, ear and head pressure, and later migraines and vertigo as a direct result of having wind turbines on or near their land. However, in 2010, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, Dr Arlene King stated: “There is no scientific evidence to date that between wind turbine noise and adverse health effects.”

It is clear that wind energy will see steady growth throughout Canada in the years ahead. The investments into projects like

Rivière-du-Moulin are being seen as not only profitable and marketready ventures, but also that they offer a whole variety of options for the country’s population and its future. In July, the Quebec government further recognised the potential and announced it is administering a task force to assess the future development of wind energy in the province, and strengthen it considerably. JeanFrédérick Legendre, Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) Quebec regional director, said: “The province is well positioned for the next development phase of the wind energy sector to generate

..................................................................................

new investments and to further attract component manufacturing.

EXPERTISE. INNOVATION. SOLUTIONS.

We are determined to work with the government to allow the industry to grow in a favourable and predictable context, which is necessary in order for new wind projects to materialise.”

As the availability of fossil fuels decreases, and the cost to procure them increases exponentially, there are fewer options that match wind energy’s potential. Environmental sustainability, reliability, affordability, diversification and rate base value are all boxes that can be enthusiastically ticked by wind farming, and EDF

BBA has been providing leading-edge engineering services to clients in the energy, mining and metals, and oil and gas sectors for more than 35 years.

Our expertise centres serve BBA clients across Canada by providing sustainable and innovative solutions, from project definition to commissioning and operational support.

Congratulations to EDF-EN and Construction Energie Renouvelable (C.E.R) for wrapping up the Rivière-du-Moulin Wind Farm project!

EN and its construction partner CEN are incredibly well positioned to build upon the market in their respected provinces. The newelectricity generation in Canada seems set to flourish.

bba.ca

Endeavour Magazine | 77

78 | Endeavour Magazine

HOWDEN GROUP 0027 11 240 4000 WWW.HOWDEN.CO.ZA

THE FINAL WORD FOR

INNOVATION WRITTEN BY JACK SLATER

Despite the steel worker strike in South Africa that has come just short of bringing the metal working industry in the country to its knees, Howden Africa’s foundation is far too deep for them to suffer the same fate as many of their competition in the industry.

Endeavour Magazine | 79

HOWDEN GROUP

Established in 1952 with the aim of supplying fans for the mining and power generation industries they still maintain the same core values that their founder, Scotsman James Howden based his company upon setting himself as an innovative inventor and creating a forced draught system that dramatically improved the performance of steam boilers over five decades earlier.

O

ver sixty years later, Howden and its many subsidiaries have set themselves as the final word in innovations within the air and gas handling field. The South African

branch of a worldwide organization with over four thousand employees with branches in a further seventeen countries it’s position is backed with centuries worth of experience and development particularly in power generation, petrochemicals, mining, cement manufacturing and steel making. Their products have been used in a much wider variety of industries than Howden could have possibly imagined.

The company may have been in the country since 1952, but the products have been here for far longer and the move over to the southern tip of Africa was a decision based more on organic growth than adventure. Since as early as 1925 Howden, in its various guises, were supplying main surface faces to mines in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambian mines. And the development and changes have continued since. As recently as 2012, the Howden Global holding company Charter International was acquired by the global manufacturing group Colfax Corporation of the United States.

It is a mark of the synergy between the two companies and a credit to their mutually beneficial approach to business that the customers did not sense any change in service but rather an enhancement of service offerings. Colfax’s existing experience and products within the fluid handling sector helped both companies focus on a range of market-leading products that raised the profile and value of the business.

80 | Endeavour Magazine

In Africa The operations in Africa include a range of industry leading companies like Howden Power, Howden Fan Equipment, Howden Projects and Donkin Fans. Supported by two devoted high-level manufacturing centres both located in South Africa, these business units are set apart in the industry by their use of innovative technologies. Mining ventilation and mine cooling were first conceptualized by Howden itself and it’s such innovations that continue to set them apart.

Their Johannesburg operation handles a range of large scale engineered plant and products, including the design and fabrication of turnkey projects. Fans, heat exchangers, furnaces and cooling systems, gas cleaning solutions and dust scrubbers are all manufactured here and sent out to the necessary depots to send out to the clients.

At the Port Elizabeth centre the design and manufacture of the comprehensive range of Donkin pre-engineered fans and accessories takes place which thus enables Howden to offer customers the benefits of a personalized service and the advantage of an international network of world-class technologies and engineering

Endeavour Magazine | 81

HOWDEN GROUP

skill. A customer is not just the customer of one branch of Howden,

impressive reputation, Donkin offered a modern, state of the art

but rather becomes a client of the whole company as a whole.

manufacturing facility with full performance and noise level testing

Some Of Their Clients

capabilities in Port Elizabeth, and sales offices in three main cities in South Africa Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.

Being the first port of call for so many industries, Howden Power

Demonstrating the diversity of their offering, Donkin Fans

has supplied equipment to a number of international customers well

supplied a variety of fan types for installation in the soccer stadiums

known in their own industries. Working for Eskom they supplied

constructed for the 2010 World Cup, such as the Nelson Mandela

Forced Draught, Induced Draught and Primary Air fans to be installed

Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth as well as projects in Dubai and other

into the fossil fired fleet of thirteen power stations and have done

international territories.

since the 1960s.

From this collaboration emerged Howden Projects, which

Diversity is definitely one of Howden’s hooks and the company

immediately provided cost effective turnkey solutions to a variety

is known as Africa’s leading supplier of boiler fan and pre-heater

of industries ranging from mining, manufacturing and power

technology into the petrochemical, paper and sugar industries to

generation. Basically, wherever air cleaning is a problem, a system

name a few.

can be designed to keep particulate levels within statutory standards.

While not something that will ever be complained about, keeping

Able to design and supply single units, that are able to integrate

up with the demands of so many companies, in such a variety of

with and improve a customer’s existing plant, or become totally

industries is something that has required action. Maintaining a

involved with the development of new projects from feasibility

comprehensive inventory of parts and recording, in detail, every

studies and consultancy right through to a full design Howden has

major installation they undertake, has put them in the position of

once again placed itself beyond the reach of its competition. This

being able to surreptitiously undertake and complete all projects

was easily illustrated with their work at Eskom’s Majuba power

presented to them.

station in Mpumalanga which boasts the world’s largest fabric filter

Nam

plant that was designed, manufactured and installed by none other

Deep Challenges One of the ways to make a name for yourself is to do what others can’t and Howden has built a reputation on finding and providing

than Howden Gas Cleaning.

Employees

Add

solutions to some of the most challenging and demanding situations

Known as one of the best places to work and acquire engineering

that the African deep mines can offer. Often tackling problems

experience and skills, Howden Africa relies on being part of the

thousands of metres underground and pushing their own equipment

global family to influence the development of their employees. The

to the limit, their development has been intrinsically tied to take on

skills developed in one location can be applied in another and this

projects that would prove challenging.

has formed an essential part of keeping Howden at the forefront of

Focusing on finding a solution, even if this entails developing a new product from scratch Howden have manufactured such

technology, a position that is reliant on the ongoing focus of their employees.

things as underground boosters and surface ventilation units that

Howden Academy, a movement to directly enhance the employee

have introduced Howden products into other facets of the mining

training was set up in 2008, a residential training course where

industries such as dust scrubbing and temperature control, designing

engineers from all Howden business units are brought together

and manufacturing a range of process compressors to cool deep-

for an introduction to the technologies and business practices it

level gold mines.

employs this is a perfect opportunity to set the grounding for a

As South Africa mines get deeper, conventional air cooling

Tele

future in the company.

methods are proving inadequate and expensive. At a kilometre and

It also has the added benefit of enhancing friendships, team

a half underground the rock surface can reach 57 Degrees and hard

work and a spirit of collaboration and sharing. An adherence to

ice plants, which Howden provide an economical method of cooling.

Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment is something that has

Pleas

exemplified the company in South Africa, a country which is striving

Diversification Is Key

constantly towards economic equilibrium of the races.

In 1988, the acquisition of Donkin Manufacturing strengthened Howden’s position with medium and smaller fans, that could shift on average 13,000 cubic metres per hour. Having developed an 82 | Endeavour Magazine

Q

DELIVERY NOTE NO.

ROLLFAB

(Pty) Ltd

Reg. No. 2005/010882/07

ROLLFAB

(Pty) Ltd

Tel: (011) 626-1914/15 Fax: (011) 626-1916 E-mail: rollfab@icon.co.za Website: www.rollfab.co.za

P.O. Box 38025 Booysens 2016 Stand 46 Rosherville Industrial Park Roshland Road Rosherville

Reg. No. 2005/010882/07

DELIVERY NOTE Customer Name Address

P.O. Box 38025 Booysens 2016 Stand 46 RoshervilleDate Order No. Road Industrial Park Roshland Our Ref. No. Rosherville VAT No. 4070210739

Telephone Please receive in good order and condition the following: Quantity

Description

Price/Each

Customer

me

dress

Specialist Plate Fabricators & Service Centre

ephone

Established in 1993, Rollfab is a medium to heavy engineering fabrication facility located in Rosherville, Gauteng, South Africa.

Rollfab fabricates a large variety of equipment for the coal, gold, platinum, diamond, steel, gas and cement industries for both the local and export markets.

Rollfab order boasts one of thecondition best equipped facilities in our industry – Including bending se receive in good and the following: up to 7m long & Rolling up to 100mm thick.

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84 | Endeavour Magazine

KENYA POWER 00254 711 031 000 WWW.KPLC.CO.KE

POWERING PEOPLE FOR BETTER LIVES WRITTEN BY JACK SLATER

Power does come at a cost of time and effort, the electricity that we take for granted is sourced through the hard work of the professionals working tirelessly in this industry. Kenya has faced many issues in the quest to develop its power generation and the future is heady with potential. The future of Kenya Power is one filled with light. We liaised with Ben Chumo regarding what his company is doing.

Endeavour Magazine | 85

KENYA POWER

Supply and demand are key words in power generation and knowing how much power can be generated safely and efficiently is very important. In addition, a power system requires sufficient reserve capacity to cover planned and unplanned outages with part of this reserve being online as in active which is referred to as spinning reserve, so as to be able to cover up for any sudden loss of generation capacity due to a machine or a transmission outage.

“I

t’s easy to forget that power generation relies on

shedding instituted in order to avoid associated system collapse and

working machinery,” Ben indicates, “People take their

poor quality of power to customers,”

power for granted but the machinery needs to be

updated and maintained.”

This has become the main hurdle to overcome as the system is experiencing a capacity deficit of up to 35MW during the evening

The current interconnected system installed capacity stands at

peak due to the low hydrology and also intermittent supply from

1,764 MW which includes 821 MW of hydro, 565 MW of medium

Mumias Sugar cogeneration plant which is has shortages in bagasse

speed diesel plants, 54 MW Gas Turbine, 293 MW of geothermal,

fuel.

26 MW cogeneration and 5.1 MW of wind, and 30 MW of rental

There are a few possible initiatives that could help. For example,

diesel power. The effective interconnected capacity under normal

to alleviate the impact of the capacity shortfalls in the interim, Kenya

hydrology is 1,707 MW. The Interconnected system peak demand is

Power has engaged Uganda Electricity Transmission Company

1,468 MW as recorded on 10th June 2014.

Limited and has solicited power support of 50MW (up from the

What this means is that hydropower provides close to half of the

previous 30 MW support).

generation capacity. However, the catchment areas for 7-forks have

“This has significantly reduced the shortfall by twenty megawatt

continued to receive depressed rainfall since June 2013 which has

leaving a net shortfall of only fifteen megawatt during the evening

had a detrimental effect on the amount of hydropower generated.

peak,” Ben says, “This shortfall necessitates load management during

Ben reveals that comparing the rainfall received at Masinga

the peak in order to maintain the rest of the system in a stable

during the months of January to April, 513.00mm and 309.20mm

condition and the area affected by the load management due to

were received in total during 2013 and 2014 respectively translating

the fifteen megawatt deficit is Nairobi industrial area. Some areas

to 142% and 86% of long term average (360.11mm). The latter

in West Kenya are also affected by the load management measures

was poorly distributed and this resulted into poor inflows in

instituted to cater for the low voltages during peak hours.”

the hydropower dams. Turkwel and Sondu catchments received

Now, ongoing capacity addition projects are to be commissioned

normal rainfall up to October 2013 after which the rainfall became

between June and September 2014 that will mitigate the current

depressed and has remained as such.

shortfall, while the committed generation projects will ensure

“Reduced rainfall across the country means that the system has

sufficient system capacity is sustained in the future. The Kenyan

had reduced hydropower capacity in the Seven forks and western

Government has also initiated a plan for 5,098 MW of new power

Kenya,” Ben explains. Meanwhile, power demand from a burgeoning

generation capacity to be developed in a 40 month period between

country has been on the rise, “Growth of eight and a half percent

2013 and 2017.

peak demand and over nine percent energy demand was recorded just last year. The unavailability of adequate reserve capacity has therefore made the system vulnerable such that any sudden loss of generation capacity results in adverse system instability and consequent loss of load affecting our electricity customers.”

Location is also an issue. When the generators are too far from load centres this can severely affect the available voltages and this is why Nairobi and West Kenya experience poor voltages as they are supplied from distant locations, “The low voltages lead to load 86 | Endeavour Magazine

The Plans To find a solution first Kenya Power had to fully understand the magnitude of the problem. The Kenyan power transmission system is made up of four main electrical areas Nairobi, Mount Kenya, Coastal and Westerly regions.

Of these four Nairobi is the main load centre making up approximately 55% of the demand and all the regions are weakly connected with 220/132 kV lines which were sufficient when they

KENYA POWER

were first installed fifty years ago but have been almost redundant and inefficient since the nineties.

installed in Embakasi, Juja Road, Ruaraka and Nairobi North.

The distribution system is also being restored having deteriorated

According to Ben, in the existing power system many of the

as a result of historical challenges dating back to the period when

substations are supplied through single radial 220 kV and 132kV

the country experienced funding challenges under donor embargos.

circuits, thus breaching the N-1 system security criteria which

This lack of financing led to underinvestment in the distribution

requires an alternative line for every existing one, capable of taking

system which ordinarily requires replacement of the aging parts

up the entire load carried by the initial line, in order to avoid system

and continual expansion to meet demand and also have in place

instability.

adequate system redundancies for improved security and reliability.

With this in mind, the system faces challenges whenever lines

“Major rehabilitation and refurbishment works on distribution

carrying considerable generation suffer unplanned outage and

substations are underway in the country to reduce supply

no alternative lines are available to take up the lost transmission

interruptions and to provide contingencies,” Ben highlights, “Several

capacity.

projects have been completed in the recent past across the country

Such situations easily lead to partial or total system

collapse which may seem like a mere irksome inconvenience for people at home and in the office but can spell disaster for hospitals and businesses relying on power to manufacture.

to address the problem.”

Planned across the system they include a range of development and repair projects such as the strengthening of the low, medium

A number of projects are being implemented to address these

and high voltage lines, the introduction of a smart grid to improve

transmission constraints which include such things as the formation

transmission and sub-transmission substations and a replacement

of 220 kV Nairobi Ring and NairobiCoast 400/220 kV ring at Mt.

of ordinary (air break) switches with High capacity (Load break)

Kenya, a series of new substations being planned, a Mombasa-

switches which is currently in progress as is the automation of

Nairobi Coast 400 kV transmission line, Suswa-Nairobi 400 kV

equipment at primary substations for faster supply restoration.

transmission line and reactive power compensation equipment

“Some of the disruption experience comes in the form of theft,”

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88 | Endeavour Magazine

Ben explains, “People steal the wiring to resell the metal and to stop this we’re instigating a project to underground the overhead HV, MV + LV network to eliminate third party interference with the lines.”

This will coincide with a refurbishment of substations and enhancement of capacity, reactive power compensation in West, Coast and Mt. Kenya regions and the trace Clearance both on MV and LV Lines that will increase the total cover to 45700km.

“Not all the projects are glamourous or seemingly technical,” Ben says, “We can’t overlook anything when it comes to the distribution of power and some of the projects are more a case of maintenance such as the replacement of seventy four thousand wooden poles with concrete main lines and refurbishing the LV lines, correcting lines that may have sagged and load balancing in 6,415 substations!”

Kenya Power has identified 100 installations and the process of designing alternative supplies is in progress to come up with dedicated feeders that will create redundancy and hence minimize interruptions.

“Presently sixty six designs estimated at 1,116M have been completed,” Ben tells us, “Twenty four of them are already worth three hundred and ninety two million that are ready for construction.”

While

present

distribution

transformation

capacity

has

“

Major rehabilitation and refurbishment works on distribution substations are underway in the country to reduce supply interruptions and to provide contingencies. Several projects have been completed in the recent past across the country to address the problem.”

about 1,500Mva spare capacity, this capacity will be upgraded in anticipation of the additional 5000MW and ongoing schemes presently being executed by Kenya Power will bridge this gap, while at the same time creating shorter feeders and de-loading lines that are presently overloaded Some of the projects are focussed externally for example targeting the one hundred top and essential customers to be focussed on during outages, this triage approach has been taken so that important customers such as hospitals, schools, municipal buildings and the largest manufacturers can be given priority over those customers that can realistically do without for a period.

“This is obviously not a preferred situation,” Bob emphases, “But it is necessary.”

In addition to all the above which is ongoing and intensive, Kenya Power has initiated a specific project named Operation Boresha Stima Viwandani for industrial customers.

BORESHA

STIMA

VIWANDANI

involves

the

intensive

maintenance that is presently in progress and has involved focused shutdowns such as the ones recently done in industrial areas in Nairobi and then employing all teams to work on that area that has been shut down for the day to optimize the time and ensure all works are completed.

Finally, while it cannot be argued that there are obstacles ahead the future is still bright for Kenya Power and with such focusses being placed on the development and refurbishment of baseline features that have been neglected in the past the scale of future projects can only grow.

“It’s good to be the light at the end of the tunnel,” Ben concludes.

Endeavour Magazine | 89

90 | Endeavour Magazine

THE COLEMAN GROUP 001 868 653 5160 WWW.COLEMANGROUPTT.COM

THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH WRITTEN BY AMY TOCKNELL

Ravi Surjan, Group President of Technical and Operations, Hubert Phillips Group President of Finance and Human Resource, Allan Julien Group President of Marketing and Business Development at the Coleman Group, tells Endeavour Magazine how their organisation plans to accommodate an ever changing and challenging market place by embracing diversification.

Endeavour Magazine | 91

THE COLEMAN GROUP

“The Coleman Group offers expertise for Changing Times. It is innovative, customer-centric and has the ability to skillfully adapt to changing times to continue to meet and exceed the demands of an evolving clientele.”

F

or many companies such an unabashed account of an

pavements and road paving, the group had yet again found success

organisation would be an impossibly high mantle to live

through diversification of specialisms and interests. The final addition

up to consistently, but the Coleman Group is not like

to the group came in 2010 in the form of Coleman Supplies and

other companies. Where most would seek to scale back operations

Services, which Surjan describes as being,

during a period of worldwide economic turbulence, identifying

“…formed specifically to be a major player in the import and

niche markets to dominate, Ravi Surjan and his colleagues chose to

distribution of residential air-conditioning within the local market.

diversify, branching out into new and exciting areas.

The company has quickly become one of the top three players in

Founded in 2005, the Coleman Group began with the creation

residential AC distribution.”

of a small-scale air conditioning distribution firm, with a second

What is the secret to the seemingly unending success of the

company quickly joining the ranks. Pan West Indian Insurance

Coleman Group? Every endeavour appears to be rewarded with

Brokers Ltd proved to be an enormous success, securing new local

profitability and fast growth, including the most recent foray into

and international clients at an exponential rate and demonstrating

supply, despite being implemented during a financial crisis. Surjan

impressive growth, even in 2008 when the economic crisis hit,

expanded further on the unprecedented success,

allowing for a third enterprise to be added to the group.

“Coleman Supplies and Services has entered into the

Having identified a gap in the market, Coleman Engineering was

competitive commercial and industrial air-conditioning market

started, in 2008, as a construction company that was specifically

and has quickly come to be recognised and respected supplier

geared towards the undertaking of government contract work.

and installer of packaged units such as DX split, Chill Water and

Winning numerous tenders for the creation of drainage systems,

VRF systems. Coleman Engineering is also moving forward, having

92 | Endeavour Magazine

THE COLEMAN GROUP

been involved in the research and introduction of new innovations

addition to these locations the

broking arm of the company, staff

within the construction industry. One such project, presented to the

company has separate storage

are encouraged to undertake

Government of Trinidad & Tobago, is a new product called Concrete

facilities for scaffolding and

a formal qualification which

Canvas, which originates from the UK, and we have already begun

heavy commercial equipment.”

results in a diploma, as well

working on projects where this innovation naturally supersedes

It almost feels as though

as progressing to the relevant

conventional construction methods. Coleman Engineering is pleased

the Coleman Group has set

degree course offered by the

to have become the exclusive distributor of this product regionally.”

onlookers

of

University of the West Indies.

the

challenge

With so many strings to its bow, the Coleman Group could be

finding a chink in its armour,

Workshops conducted by local,

at risk of diluting its expertise and yet this is demonstrably not the

but the task is fruitless. With

recognised insurance companies

case. Surjan acknowledges that the group is involved in a number

exemplar customer service, a

are regularly attended by our

of highly competitive markets and as such, needs to remain vigilant

reliable supply chain and an

staff, so that they may expand

as to the quality of its services. He cites the maintaining of strong

impressively diverse portfolio of

their knowledge and gain a

relationships and honest, regular communication with distributors

services and products, its staffing

better understanding of the

and installers as being of the utmost importance and one of the keys

policies are also, unsurprisingly,

industry as a whole, not just how

to continued success. In addition, a commitment to customers is

inclusive and forward thinking.

our company operates. In-house,

always at the front of the group’s operations,

The group operates with

we offer extensive training that

a core staff of approximately

is tailored and focussed around

ensure timely supply and availability of the full range of its products

35,

certain areas of each company

for all customers and associated companies. In order to support this,

offered access to impressive

all locations with distribution offices have warehouse facilities which

development opportunities,

“The Coleman Group has invested time and significant funds to

are capable of holding impressive levels of stock at all times. In

94 | Endeavour Magazine

with

everyone

being

“In the case of the insurance-

sub-section.

Training and development is of the utmost importance to us

as we need to be sure that our staff are up to date on new products, the special needs of our clients and are able to offer not only our products but also informed, tailored solutions.”

Moving forward, the group has made a considerable investment in order to partner with an international HVAC manufacturer to supply a new line of commercial products. The commercial division of the group has also been developed, with staffing levels being increased to ensure that key project coordinators are free to focus on implementing and managing all commercial projects, of which there are a number already in progress, “Having been awarded exclusive distributorship, within the Caribbean region for ‘Concrete Canvas’, key government projects have recently been completed for slope stabilisation in Blanchisseuse and Diego Martin. The expansion of our commercial HVAC division has also lead to new projects such as a multi-cineplex in San Fernando, a mega mall in Gasparillo and Nagico’s new south office.”

With new customers and projects continually flooding in, the Coleman Group has, in just nine short years, set itself apart as an immovable force within Trinidad and Tobago. With multiple industry leadership already in the pipeline, world domination cannot be too far behind.

“

Training and development is of the utmost importance to us as we need to be sure that our staff are up to date on new products, the special needs of our clients and are able to offer not only our products but also informed, tailored solutions.”

Endeavour Magazine | 95

96 | Endeavour Magazine

STEEL STRUCTURES LTD 001 868 642-3442 WWW.STEELSTRUCTURESLTD.COM

WE DON’T TALK ABOUT IT, WE JUST GET IT DONE WRITTEN BY JACK SLATER

Businesses are thick with talk. Too many people who talk but don’t have the mettle to back up what they say. When Fazal Tom Ali bought the company in 1988 this was something that he decided was going to be a defining factor of his business and has maintained a philosophy and attitude of action since then.

Endeavour Magazine | 97

STEEL STRUCTURES LTD

Originally named Saunders and Fosters Limited, a member of the Chamberlain Group of Companies of Great Britain, the company was first established in 1959 and was involved in the design, fabrication and erection of buildings from the foundations up. Although owned by the British the entire technical staff comprised of Trinidadians or which their present owner and Managing Director Mr. Fazal Tom Ali held the post of Chief Design Engineer and with their client base being sourced locally their conduct from the start was of a Trinidad company.

“W

e changed hands a couple of times,” Ali explains, “The company was acquired by a group of businessmen in 1975 and

operated under the name of Steel Fabricators and in 1986 due to a local recession the company went into receivership.”

During both of these changes Ali was retained, firstly in 1975 where he was appointed General Manager before rising through to Managing Director and then when things fell apart in 1986 he was retained by the receivers in an effort to continue operations. In 1988, in what would prove to be an astute and prestigious move, Fazal Tom Ali bought the company under the new and current name of Steel Structures T & T Limited (SSLTD) and continued in the business of design, fabrication and erection of structural steel buildings.

“At this time though,” Ali explains, “The Trinidad and Tobago construction industry was at its lowest point and our efforts to survive necessitated concentration in the Caribbean Islands.”

These included St Martin, Antigua, Grenada, St Vincent, St Kitts, Nevis and Barbados and their activity included the kind of buildings used and relied upon by professional industries such as hospitals, schools, shopping malls, stadiums, warehouses, factories and churches. The kind of buildings that people expect to not only be trustworthy but long lived and their expertise and success in this manner has not gone unrecognized by either those professionals using the buildings of the people inspecting them.

98 | Endeavour Magazine

“Our work was recognized in 2004 with the Prime Minister’s Award for Export in 2004,” Ali relates, “Which was presented personally by the Prime Minister.”

Currently, the company occupies a large and fully eqiuipped fabricating plant and workshop facility in the O’Meara Industrial Estate that also holds all administration offices. Sixty of the highest trained and best skilled people work with SSLTD, and Ali reveals that the secret of a successful business has always come from the quality of your employees.

“Our employees are all highly trained with regular retraining programmes to keep everyone up to date with new developments,” Ali tells us. He goes on to explain that there are two main categories of employees working for SSLTD namely monthly staff and daily paid workers. Monthly staff consists of structural and civil engineers, land surveyors, technicians, supervsors and clerical personnel whereas the daily workers consist of fabricators, welders, riggers, mechanics, labourers and drivers.

With the steel construction industry in Trinidad and Tobago fluxing greatly with highs and lows, having the resource of daily paid workers, or casual labour is a useful contingent for when the work load supercedes the number of available hands. Additionally, SSLTD’s

Today’s Business clients want excellent service, competitive products and convenient access. At RBC, our Business Banking team is geared to deliver on these needs and more, not only through our comprehensive range of products and services, but through our talented and experienced team of Relationship Managers and support staff.

“It’s important to our clients that we come up with the best financial and business solutions for our clients and to work with them as their businesses grow,” said Jesus Pazos, Market Head, Business Banking, RBC.

Endeavour Magazine | 99

STEEL STRUCTURES LTD

line of business involves the execution of “one off” projects while

diversified source for potential contracts and their clientele cover

the operations therein remain constant, “Targets change and new

a broad spectrum of the economy including private, industrial,

products/services are developed and introduced but the essential

commercial, municipal and petrochemical sectors, “Client’s needs

nature of the operations stays the same,” Ali says.

differ with respect to structural design and aesthetic value, project

Contract completion not only in a timely manner but with a

budget and specifications of steelwork desired,”

satisfied customer is what has made SSLTD’s reputation and there

There is a vision at play with Steel Structures Limited, a simple

are four main aspects that govern the overseeing of operations.

but effective one, “Our vision is a company that holds quality

Construction Planning, Project Scheduling, Work Control and

service above all else, a company that is specifically client oriented,

Performance Evaluation. These four piers in the approach of SSLTD

innovative and market responsive. A company that relies on the

allows them to approach their trade in a one-stop-shop manner.

latest information and the most reliable technology, a company

By simplifying the approach to building it opens up a far wider and

that is a driven yet caring and progressive employer of the best

“

trained people,” Ali relates, “Only like this can we create a dynamic, vibrant and diversified steel engineering enterprise fully capable of

Our vision is a company that holds quality service above all else, a company that is specifically client oriented, innovative and market responsive.”

100 | Endeavour Magazine

meeting the challenges of the global construction industry of the 21st century.”

And with their full in-house steel engineering experts benefitting from decades of advanced expertise in computer aided design and the hands-on knowledge of traditional technologies, who else could be in a better position to take a client’s project from concept to reality.

102 | Endeavour Magazine

LAYNE DRILLING TANZANIA 00255 7845 29634 WWW.LAYNE.COM

LONG SLEEVED SHIRTS, BIG PLANS AND AMBITIONS THE JOYS OF WORKING IN AFRICA WRITTEN BY DON CAMPBELL

What a place to work. In the looming presence of Mount Kilimanjaro, where the clouds are high in the sky and the sunshine makes steering wheels too hot to touch and transforms seat belt buckles into branding irons.

Endeavour Magazine | 103

LAYNE DRILLING TANZANIA

Tanzania is synonymous with Africa and holds much of the continent’s bounty. Regular readers will recognize Layne Drilling as the adventurous water management, drilling and construction company Layne Christensen a company that has developed a reputation as a stalwart organization with a knack for sure footedness where others have only stumbled. We spoke with General Manager Noel McGinniss regarding the company’s position in this country and how Layne Drilling Tanzania is going to be making their presence known. ayne Drilling has always embraced diversification,”

“L

Tanzania is rich in gold, diamonds, coal, graphite and a range of

Noel reveals, “Layne Christensen Company was

other precious metals and rare earth minerals but despite this the

founded in 1882 and has survived because it’s

mining industry only contributes to 3% of the country’s economy

adapted, grown regularly and never been afraid of stepping into the

and one of the reasons for this is the state of the infrastructure

unknown,”

of the country, “The roads in Tanzania are simply hazardous,” Noel

Indeed, what started as a small company in South Dakota, has grown to a massive organization with rigs all over the world, and

describes, “And the railway systems is plagued by irregularities and cancellations.”

several in Africa, “I’m based in Zambia,” he tells us, “And although I go

While, the infrastructure in Tanzania has improved dramatically

to Tanzania as often as I can when I’m not there Mal Edmonds, Tim

over the last ten years, road and rail improvements are on a long

Owen and Seef Wolmarans run the business. Mal is the Business

lists of things to be addressed that include an electricity grid that

Development Manager, Tim is Operations Manager, and Seef is the

suffers rolling blackouts due to a reliance on hydroelectricity and

Financial Manager.

intermittent droughts and internet broadband that is only available

He goes on to explain that Layne Tanzania was originally based

to 12% of the nation according to recent surveys. So it falls largely to

in Mwanza but in October 2011 they moved to Morogoro in the

the companies working within the country to offer what provisions

South to be more central to the drilling area, a location that had

they can to further develop the scale of things. Layne Tanzania does

the added benefit of being close to Dar es Salaam where essential

so by recruiting locally:

machine parts etc were available, “The move was one of necessity,” Noel reflects.

“Our drillers live on site,” he explains, “While the office staff and admin live in Morogoro, this requires a contingent of staff that may

Necessity aside, it is revealing of the relationship that exists

not appear on the books as they are not directly employed by Layne

between Layne Drilling and their staff that when the company shifted

but over and about the hundred or so people we have working

headquarters to Morogoro which is over nine hundred kilometres

directly we employ a further seventy or so in terms of cleaning and

south of Mwanza, most of their staff were happy to move with them.

cooking in the camps.”

“We took all of our office staff, our fitters and drillers and helped

Furthermore, Layne has always demonstrated strong employee

relocate them,” Noel says, “Out of our staff about ninety five percent

commitment as when during harsh economic times, as for an example

thought the move was a good idea. It was purely a financial move

eighteen months to two years previously when the economy was

that made the company more favourable.”

suffering and a number of staff had to be unfortunately laid off. As

104 | Endeavour Magazine

Christensen surface core drilling rigs

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Christensen core drilling rigs are dedicated to efficient, safe and service friendly exploration drilling, contributing to sustainable productivity. www.atlascopcoexploration.com/christensen

Atlas Copco Tanzania Ltd Plot 75B, Julius Nyerere Rd, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Phone: +255 22 2861570/1 Plot 35, Nyakato Industrial Area, Mwanza, Tanzania, Phone: +255 28 2570289 E-mail: evans.mabeya@tz.atlascopco.com www.atlascopco.com/christensen

LAYNE DRILLING TANZANIA

soon as things improved the same staff were reoffered their positions

Malaria

is

a

treatable

for Uranex and one at Singida

as soon as they were available, “We always protect our staff because

disease as long as you can get

for Lion Town, Noel elaborates,

good quality employees are rare in this industry and when you invest

the medicine, Noel goes on

“Shanta, MMG and Singida are

in the training and development of a person it’s important that you

to explain, “But many people

gold rigs while the two rigs at

value them appropriately.”

simply can’t afford it or if they

Uranex are graphite,”

Tanzania is a country of interesting depths, the infrastructure

can afford they can’t afford to

Noel points out that right

may not be what one would expect but the government have

travel to the hospitals to get it

from the start they strategically

focussed much time and investment in the construction and staffing

because of the roads.”

placed themselves in locations

of schools to ensure that the children, even in the most rural of areas

A lot of work needs to be

where the offices, stores and

have access to education and schooling, “It’s good to see,” Noel

done to increase the reliability

workshops can provide quick

relates, “Even in the middle of nowhere you’ll find a school house.”

of the commuting routes in

and efficient support to their

Curtailing the rise of malaria in the region has become a major

Tanzania and Layne Drilling

staff and machines. Despite,

concern. Noel explains that this is more so because malaria is

may just be the value source to

this comprehensive set up, Noel

dangerous for adults but deadly to children and while the particular

encourage such developments.

reminded us that the industry

strain in Tanzania is less virulent than in other parts of Africa with

With twelve rigs on the

has experienced difficulties over

some natives giving a casual shrug to having the virus as if it were

books, a number that will soon

the past year which are only

the flu of a bad cold and Noel himself has contracted it three times,

soon to be reduced to seven for

starting to come around now. A

he says, “Companies and the government bring in lots of mosquito

economic reasons, the scale of

drop in copper prices impacted a

nets but they only work to certain point. We’re meant to wear long

the camp at Tanzania includes,

number of African Layne Drilling

sleeved shirts when at work and I don’t take off my shoes until I’m

as at time of printing, three

operations.

ready for bed at night,”

rigs at Shanta, two at Ruanga

106 | Endeavour Magazine

In charge of two of Layne

African operations, Zambia and Tanzania, Noel explained what he believed was the most important factor for running the company.

“A strong and unifying corporate culture is the cornerstone of our success,” he says, “Living by our Core Values and beliefs has given us the foundation that we have been able to build on to date and it is these values and beliefs that define us as an organization.”

He goes on to relate how these values define them not only with what they believe in, but also how they act and improve every day, “Collaborating together as one we can offer clients an integrated approach to solving their problems that allows us to offer a more individualized services. Ensuring streamlined communications, expedited time lines and a constant focus on our overriding values of safety, sustainability, integrity and excellence.”

In no small fashion, Layne Drilling are securing their place in Africa. Collaborating with the experts and offering such a powerfully motivating dedication to employees and clients. Layne Drilling Tanzania have set their eyes on developing themselves and those working with them to strengthen their foothold in their area, “It takes passion and drive,” Noel explains, “Sometimes you just have to dig deep.”

“

A strong and unifying corporate culture is the cornerstone of our success. Living by our Core Values and beliefs has given us the foundation that we have been able to build on to date and it is these values and beliefs that define us as an organization.”

Endeavour Magazine | 107

108 | Endeavour Magazine

VAN AND TRUCK HIRE SOUTH AFRICA AND TRUCK HIRE BOTSWANA 00267 3932117 WWW.TRUCKHIREBOTS.COM

THE GO TO BUSINESS WRITTEN BY DON CAMPBELL

For almost forty years Van and Truck Hire Botswana has served the civil plant hire and abnormal sized load transport industries. Founded by entrepreneur Rory Bennett in 1975 the business as it stands today may, on the surface be unrecognizable thanks to the advancement of equipment and the growth of employee numbers but at its core the principles guiding the company have not changed. We spoke with managing director of Truck Hire South Africa Kevin Lees regards to this inspiring company.

Endeavour Magazine | 109

VAN AND TRUCK HIRE SOUTH AFRICA AND TRUCK HIRE BOTSWANA

One of the traits immediately apparent with Van and Truck Hire Botswana and the breakaway business Truck Hire South Africa that was set up in 2006 to operate across borders, is the keen approach to capitalizing on niche industries and opportunities.

“T

he companies are very much organically driven,” Kevin reveals, “Our growth has been in tandem with the specific contracts we have secured

and the reputation for adaptation and diversification that we have developed.”

This reputation is in no small way a credit to Rory Bennett who still plays an integral, hands on role in his businesses and has helped direct them to the position they’re in now. Kevin explains that his entrepreneurial expertise and spirit is something that has set an example for the staff, installing within them a fierce sense of competition and a hunger for growth which is rewarded via bonuses and commissions.

“We actively encourage an aggressive sense of entrepreneurialism amongst our workforce,” Kevin specifies, and goes on to explain that it’s a mind-set that is valued across all the departments, “Of course such competition is expected amongst the sales departments who source the contracts that help determine our direction and developments but we like to know that everyone working for us is actively pursuing the continued growth of the company.”

Truck Hire South Africa offers a range of services from road freight, nationally and cross borders to Botswana, Angola, DRC, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Lesotho through to sea and airfreight export and import. Along with this a range of administrative services to ensure that all the necessary documentation is fully compiled and even secure warehousing and storage. Operationally, it is more than capable of working as a standalone business.

110 | Endeavour Magazine

Still, there is a common driving initiative that it shares with parent company Truck Hire Botswana in the drive to find new opportunities, to say yes to projects even if they have to develop new business actions to get the job done. This is why both are known as the go-to businesses for the more difficult jobs and enjoy such loyal customers from such a wide field.

Two hundred and fifty employees work across the two companies, two hundred and seventy if civil contractors are included and the company strength is borne through the experience and talent of these men and women.

Training is ongoing and regularly updated and Kevin reminds us that staying ahead of the competition relies on being the most up to date and cutting edge, “To achieve this standard the employee training is regularly updated with required courses and seminars,” he says, “We also provide other inhouse training, but headhunting does have to occur as experience is essential especially for specialized transport operations involving abnormal loads.”

Civil contracting, engineering and on managing a site all require expertise and qualifications and working with the best person for the job is the only way to ensure continued expansion and development. And while training on how to drive the vehicles like

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Endeavour Magazine | 111

VAN AND TRUCK HIRE SOUTH AFRICA AND TRUCK HIRE BOTSWANA

Bulk Transport (Tippers), Truck and Front-End Loaders Hire can be

developments and they’ve invested millions into the development

given, qualifications are often what distinguishes someone. Taking

of roads, schools and hospitals in accordance with their Vision 2016,

another leaf out of Rory Bennett’s book the managerial roles in the

an inspiring strategy to propel its socio-economic and political

business are filled with people who are, in some ways a reflection of

development into a competitive, winning and prosperous nation.

the founding member as in possessing the right qualifications, mind

New Developments

set and work ethic.

With the changes in the country there will no doubt be more

Botswana

challenges for Van and Truck Hire Botswana and Truck Hire South

Having set up the company during Botswana’s burgeoning

Africa to take advantage of. As an example, they’re looking into

mining boom, VTH Botswana has grown with the country and in

focusing upon the burgeoning mining industry in Botswana in the

comparing the two businesses of VTH Botswana and Truck Hire

development of new mines. This would involve providing the goods,

South Africa there are several factors that come into play.

materials and engineering equipment, basically going in and helping

“The Botswanan economy is not an easy one to work with,” Kevin

establishing the shafts.

points out, “It’s highly driven by commodity prices and diamonds

“Experience is so important in all of these sectors,” Kevin

with construction enjoying similar highs and lows but it is getting

elaborates, “In transport different handling methods are associated

there.”

with different cargo. You have to learn how to handle a customer’s

SA is a larger market with a larger pool of skills than Botswana with an industry that is more mature which creates more competition

goods, you get a feel for it and while it can be trained it is something learned through experience.”

amongst better established businesses. With a population of 48

Another important development is a unity in the classification of

million to Botswana’s 2 million the differences are clear to see. Also

the businesses. The wish is to start classifying themselves as a group

civil and industrial action in Botswana is much less aggressive to

instead of a selection of independent companies, “A group with the

what has been seen recently in South Africa with the metal worker

capabilities of focusing in different areas is good for the business,”

strikes.

he explains, “This will create a unity that will help the company’s

This being said, although still not strong in their manufacturing

strength and international footprint. Because the divisions have

sector, a state that requires them to still import a number of materials

established and developed their own client basis within their

and products, which suits VTH just fine, Botswana does have a very

countries and sectors they have learnt and diversified.”

well established business sector and additionally the government has

Unified into a group, Truck Hire would be able to offer a range of

made concerted efforts to improve the infrastructure of the country

services from civil contracts and heavy, abnormal haulage all the way

further. A move that will set the ground work for future economic

through to food transport across borders in a truly African company.

Fresh Thinking. Smart Banking.

112 | Endeavour Magazine

“Van and Truck Hire has been a client of BancABC since 1993, the loyalty they have afforded us is admirable and we will continue to service them with excellence.”

114 | Endeavour Magazine

PARROGATE ZIMBABWE 00263 - 4 - 667608 WWW.PARROGATE.COM

SUCCESS, GROWTH AND FAMILY VALUES WRITTEN BY AMY TOCKNELL

With in excess of 200 full time and a further 1000 seasonal staff members, Parrogate Zimbabwe have built on a family business legacy to become an international company with a keen eye for diversification.

Endeavour Magazine | 115

PARROGATE ZIMBABWE

Initially established in 1896, the Ganediwal family cotton ginning business has shown considerable growth, due to the continued commitment from younger generations, culminating in the founding of Parrogate Zimbabwe in 2004.

B

eginning in Zimbabwe, Pradyumm Ganediwal, alongside his older brother Pradeep, focused on cotton ginning, the core strength of the family business legacy, but growth

and diversification would not be far away. 2006 bore witness to the first expansion program with the opening of a second ginnery, as well as furnishing both the new and existing facility with oil expelling technology. With expansion success already firmly under their belt, Parrogate Zimbabwe went on to take over Continental Ginneries Limited, based in Zambia, in 2007. The Continental acquisition ensured that there was a solid basis for significant growth within Zambia with a total of 3 ginneries, as well as oil expelling facilities, now being present.

With the cotton ginning arm of the business in full operation, diversification into Zimbabwe grain milling began in earnest in 2009 with a modest daily capacity of twenty tons, which has since grown to 120 tons a day. The success of the operation quickly led to plans for an equivalent capacity plant in Kadoma. Edible oil extraction also became another string to the highly expansive bow of Parrogate, in conjunction with the Export Trading Group, in Harare, Zimbabwe.

With a wide reaching presence felt in India, Zambia and Malawi, though not known by the Parrogate name in all of them, and with a diverse portfolio that incudes Manganese mining, Ferro-alloys processing, real estate development, grains trading, farming, cotton ginning and cooking oil production, the company looks set for widespread market domination.

116 | Endeavour Magazine

With a large number of specialties, it stands to reason that there must be a comprehensive staff training program in place, so what is provided?

“We have to train our staff on imported equipment, for this we have specialists coming to our facilities, from our suppliers, to train our staff. We also have highly qualified staff, with different origins, who have experience of working for some of the big multinationals and in multiple countries, whose valuable contribution becomes very necessary in emerging markets” explains Anirudh Ganediwal, son of Pradyumm.

With this in mind, developing individuals that have demonstrated aptitude and ability is an important value, with Anirudh commenting that,

“

“It is very important, as we believe in developing local skills. We support our well performing and committed members with necessary training, putting them through training on specialist courses which will help them learn, understand, get exposure and in turn, it will also help the company in terms of efficiency, and productivity in respective fields.”

Customer satisfaction is, of course, at the forefront of any commercially successful business, but how does Parrogate set itself apart in terms of client services?

We believe in developing local skills. We support our well performing and committed members with necessary training, putting them through training on specialist courses which will help them learn, understand, get exposure and in turn, it will also help the company in terms of efficiency, and productivity in respective fields.”

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Endeavour Magazine | 117

PARROGATE ZIMBABWE

“We believe in keeping a more personal touch with our customers

financial, marketing and sales strategies that are vital but also the

and living up to the commitments we make to keep them happy and

development and maintenance of all the verticals in the business in

satisfied in order to ensure they come back to us. Interacting like

order to stay ahead of the competition.”

this, we have developed business relationships lasting decades with many companies.”

“Our strength has always been that we grow together, from the time of owning just one cotton gin in Zimbabwe, to several across

Casting an eye to the future, what plans do Parrogate have for progressing? Three of the most eagerly anticipated developments are; •

The oil extraction facility being completed in Harare,

the continent. We have also seen our customers and suppliers

Zimbabwe, and equipped with state of the art equipment

grow with us. We have always been a faithful business partner and

to process oilseeds efficiently. The facility is equipped with

flexible in difficult times. This helps us keep healthy ties with all our

railway sidings for better logistics and will also be linked to

customers, and shows the importance of after-sales and customer

a silo facility. This project has been the dream of Pradyumn

commitment at Parrogate.”

Ganediwal for a long time, and he has studied accordingly

A diverse portfolio, an exemplar customer service ethos and

for the past five years, which is why it is very detailed and

strong family values are the backbone of this successful company, and working alongside these elements is a cleat strategy for keeping

has been designed to prevent becoming dated too quickly.

•

ahead of the competition;

Silo facilities across the three African nations to capitalize on possible trading opportunities in grains by out growing

“We are constantly striving to grow in all fields, giving exposure

crops. Parrogate are also striving towards efficiency in order

to staff members, learning and enhancing with ever-changing

to avoid spillages, loss and infestation by pests, which will

technology, maintaining a lean management structure, upgrading

in turn contribute towards food security of the respective

facilities and trying to go that extra mile to reach out to our customers where our competitors cannot. I think it is not only

118 | Endeavour Magazine

nations.

•

The Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) market in Africa

is still developing and Parrogate plans to launch different food consumer goods lines in Zimbabwe and Zambia which will aid employment, value addition to local raw materials, contribute in GDP and reduce dependence on imported products.

Anirudh Ganediwal explains that; “The new projects will be a compliment to the existing businesses and will help Parrogate realise better returns as we will have more products in our portfolio, making the ‘Super Power’ brand a household name which is highly reputable, offering high quality at the right price.“ “The projects will also help us secure our raw materials and help with logistics, as storage and transport are both expensive and not readily available in these countries.”

Endeavour Magazine | 119

EAST POINT ACADEMY WRITERS WORK SHOP

120 | Endeavour Magazine

S

chool goers represent the main investment of our future and I went to East Point Academy to conduct a Writer’s Workshop with the Year Nines (grade nines)

to seed an interest in writing not only as an important means of communication but as a career. To do this we had to develop an interest and understanding in the importance of literacy. This is something that East Point Academy has taken the initiative to impress upon their pupils to ensure that, when entering the job market, these young adults are equipped with the tools necessary to capitalize on the best opportunities.

Attending the workshop in their own time after school, the Year Nines in attendance took it upon themselves to attend each of the six provided sessions to learn the ins-and-outs of a basic editorial process. They learnt how to develop their words, the structure of their sentences and the expression of their senses in such a way as to capture the reader and even though they only had a total of six hours in total to do develop their skills the results were impressive.

East Point Academy are blessed with such talented writers and such inventive minds.

Thanks go to Mr. Weare and Miss Ward for giving me the opportunity to lead such a rewarding workshop and to Miss Ashleigh Ward for the use of her classroom. And thanks go to the pupils who stuck with it.

Endeavour Magazine | 121

My Day At Corby Skate Park

BY HARRISON BLOWERS

It was a long car journey down to Corby, about two and a half hours and as we arrived I saw the three massive buildings where the skate park was.

Tall and wide it was as big as a football stadium and there was a pretty long queue of people waiting but we were able to go to the front because we had pre booked our tickets.

As my friend Will and I walked through the doors we saw the big skate hut shop in the corner and rushed over to have a look whilst my mum got us the wrist bands which we had to wear to show which time slot we had paid for. The shop was like scooter heaven there were so many scooter parts everywhere. You could have bought a whole new scooter with them. They even had some blunt AOS v3 decks which had only just come out. These decks are amazing because they are in the new neo chrome finish. They are also a lot lighter and stronger so this make the manoeuvrability a bit easier.

I knew the decks were new because I had seen them on a website called skatehut.co.uk which sells everything you need for a scooter.

Scootering is different to skateboarding because you have handle bars to hold onto so this makes lots of different tricks possible. Will then saw on the shelf a pair of apex bars and rushed over to have a closer look. He then decided to buy them because they were on offer and were not cheaper any where else. We then scooted down the corridor to the scooter room while my dad was recording us on my camera so when we got home we could make a scooter edit. Turning the corner we saw the ramps and they

Lost In The Jungle

BY CALLUM SWATMAN

I awoke in pain and disorientated, it took me a few minutes to take in what had happened. The plane had crashed. I found myself hanging upside down held up only by my seatbelt. It was uncomfortable and tight across my stomach, I was restricted from doing anything but struggle and it felt like I was being cut by a burning rope.

The smell of burning fuel filled the air and my snout.

Rapidly I unbuckled my seatbelt not thinking of the height between me and the ground; and landed painfully against my side. I took a moment to assess my own injuries while ignoring the searing pain and the surreal scenes of the obliteration around me. My toes were numb and cold, it must be pins and needles. I was bleeding across my stomach and on my head, it hurt but I had to ignore the pain and the bleeding. I will sort the wounds out later, I thought to myself. If I survive.

I was stumbling through the vegetation to escape to a safe distance in fear that the plane would blow up. I realised that I was in a jungle, Lost in this hell hole.

The devastation that surrounded me struck me like a bullet.

were the biggest I had ever seen.

We ran straight up the stairs to get to the top of the ramp and started to ride. It was like a scooters paradise some of the ramps I had never seen before.

After riding for about two hours we went to explore all the other rooms. Some of the ramps had a gigantic skate hut logo on them which looked really cool. We then went into the event area where they have a massive foam pit and resi. I thought I must try a front flip because I had seen them in scooter edits on youtube and Jake Taylor was doing them who is sponsored and it looked amazing. Jake was also doing footless on the big resi and nearly hitting the roof with so much height. I thought I might get close because I can do flips already which

of itself as it cut a path through the trees.

Scared, worried and mystified, I screamed out for help but there was no answer. Just complete and utter silence. I stood and listened but there was no sign of human life.

I ran deeper into the thick, humid and dark jungle. It was then I saw the beauty around me, many different species of animals in this jungle. They looked like they were mutations. A turtle with wings, snakes with shells on their backs, monkeys with beaks and baby elephants that could jump. There were plants, trees and I even found a river. The plants were tangled in a big mess and trees twined around each other. Foliage covered the jungle floors, I had to carefully hop over the roots and vines with every step I took. The plants must have been mutations as well because there were roses and venous fly traps conjoined together.

I was relieved because I could survive in this place now I have water and food. I could hunt the animals and kill them for meat and warmth. I used to watch a programme which would show how to survive in the wild and how to make weapons like spears and bow and arrows. I could use sinew, tree husk and cut the end of sticks to make them sharp enough to kill. Now

There was so much debris around me. Scraps of metal, seats

it was all real, but with my knowledge I could survive in this

and baggage all in line with the wreckage. I concluded that the

jungle. But, at the end of the day, I was lost. Lost in the jungle.

plane must of cartwheeled through the jungle, discarding parts

122 | Endeavour Magazine

I learnt at parkour. I landed it well

3 Days Of Misery

BY AIDAN WATLING

but only in the foam pit and did not

The first day in the jungle is like a living nightmare. At the start you have everything you need

want to try it on wood or concrete

but at the end you realize you have nothing. Not to mention all of your friends and your family

because I know how much it hurts

that were in the plane all died in the crash. But I am hoping I can find my way out of the jungle

from previous falls. Will tried a back

and head home.

flip but he didn’t really land it but he

Second day in hell. My journey towards civilization began but first I was hungry, sadly I could

said it was worth a try. The foam pit is

not go back to search the wreckage because I was already behind time so I kept to my rule of

amazing because it is good to try new

“don’t eat anything brightly colured because it could give you a type of illness.” A couple minutes

tricks and just land on a really soft

later I came by a peculiar tree, at that time I realized that I was in luck for finding food I had

landing. We then went through to

come across a coconut tree which was what I needed to keep me going so after five minutes of

the last room to see if there were any

repeatedly throwing stones to try to knock one down from the tree one eventually fell by itself. I

other ramps to ride. We then spotted

was so happy and after devouring that coconut I had the strength to carry on.

the insanely big 14.5ft half pipe and

Day Three of misery in the jungle. Three days ago I might have told you that I was in a plane

decided to learn some new air tricks.

crash with a couple of my friends but I never told you why. I was coming out here three days ago

We then realised it was the

because my mate Alex told me and some other of our friends that he had won a free trip to the

end of our session and decided to

Amazon for a tour and he had been told that he could bring three friends along immediately. This

look around the shop one more time

shocked some excitement into the three of us and there we were so excited to go on a trip just

before we left for home both buying

the four of us what could possibly go wrong until that’s when the pilot started losing control of

some stickers before leaving.

his own aircraft and shortly after we had hit the canopy floor but just after that brief explanation I court glimpse of something amazing a road so I followed it to a nearby town and then got shipped off to my home thanks for reading.

Lost In The Jungle

BY BENJAMIN HEAD

How did I end up here?

I don’t recall it’s all a blur...

A plane crash? No there would be a fire or at least another person. But if not a crash, then what? Well I won’t figure it out standing here. I stand and take a tentative step; it’s nice to discover there are no bones broken.

Yeah that’s comforting.

I shout for others but I hear nothing.

Huh, looks like no one’s here, wherever here is. If I keep walking, however, I might see someone... maybe? This feels exactly like getting lost in London. The giant buildings, the dark sky, the never ending roads and the noise, ah that’s the worst.

Everyone feels the need to honk their horns in traffic, does it help? No. If they didn’t have so many cars there wouldn’t be traffic at all. Just the same here but instead of car horns there’s the never ending screeching of birds which for all I know could be planning to eat me.

I’d give anything to hear a seagull.

I walk faster or at least try to, with so many roots and tree branches tripping me and hitting me in the face you would think I was boxing, I’m sweating enough. Kind of dark down here too but at least it’s not raining. Oh wait. No wonder they call it a rainforest, I wonder who came up with such an ingenious name.

Great now I ’m talking to myself.

As mother would say ‘first sign of madness’ oh well anyone would go mad when everything is so dark and wet. I would climb a tree only I can’t climb trees. I’m going to hate it here aren’t I? Now only two questions come to mind. One, where is some food and two, where do I sleep? I wish I was home right now, no matter how small my room is, I would trade anything for it right now but then I’d trade that for a burger.

I take a quick turn hoping to see something different but it’s all the same down here, just dirt and dark tall trees as far as the eye can see, if I could see that is then it would be the case.

It’s easier to breathe though since there’s no smog from cars, maybe I could get used to this if I can get up there. I look up; it’s like a paradise up there with fruit, flowers, beautiful animals like cockatoos and parrots also the sun for that matter I just need to get up there.

Yeah I could definitely get used to that I think I’ll try.

Wouldn’t it be great for everyone to be here to enjoy it up there with the animals, the plants, the heat, the fruit and let’s not forget the mosquitoes. But hey, I could get used to that. Only I don’t and nobody else does either, because the rainforest I’m talking about is already gone, destroyed by humans because most of us no longer care for the beauties of the natural world but rather the beauty of money.

So remember to enjoy the rainforest while you can, dear reader, for soon there won’t be one to enjoy for anyone.

Endeavour Magazine | 123

LUISA ZISSMAN QUEEN OF INTERNET QUEEN OF BAKING

BY DONNIE RUST

W

hen millions of people know your name, recognise

money and two that she would not spend her life working for

your face and the various reality television shows

someone else.

you’ve featured on, including the likes of Big Brother

Headstrong and confident at the age of twenty Luisa started

and The Apprentice it’s all too easy for the public to accept these

her first company, Consumer Electronics which basically revolved

things at face value. But when it comes to Luisa Zissman, her beauty

around buying and selling MP3s and Nintendo DSs, all graded stock

and her enthusiasm for being in front of the camera and the vast

used by the high street chains.

army of her undying fans who populate the internet dwarf when

“Retail,” she explains, “Is the easiest way to make money and

compared to her intelligence and her work ethic. To coin the phrase,

revenue is quite instant, you buy in goods that people want and sell

“Brains and beauty,” may sound clichéd, but it has never been more

them off for a profit.”

apt.

Luisa Zissman is accustomed by now with appearing on the cover of magazines, she’s used to being asked to provide interviews

Needless to say retail came naturally to Luisa as did running a business, “It’s about speaking and working with people,” she says, “Profit is much easier when people want to work with you.”

and frankly I felt very privileged that she took the time to speak

Today, her main business is the Baker Shop, “This is the main

with me because you’re unlikely to find someone as hard working

earner and is all online and we provide baking products and supplies

or as focussed. She called me from her mobile phone while driving

to over 92 different countries,” she says, “It’s all online but we offer

between two other meetings.

the full range of customer service that you’d expect from a highstreet

Having survived the ordeal of the Big Brother House and having the very rare and mind blowing accolade of being told by Lord Alan

shop. You have to look after your customer,” “You also have to make your products easy to buy,” she adds.

Sugar himself that she simply didn’t need his help with her business

Her product has been particularly popular in countries like

Luisa has demonstrated many times that she is someone to keep an

Germany that has proved to be the source of their biggest clients

eye on. Currently at the healm of The Baker Shop, a company of her

and they are looking at further development into the European

own creation bringing the cottage industry of baking goods into the

countries, a focus and mission driven on by the thirty staff that she

mainstream she’s on the path to change an industry and set herself

works with.

up as its queen.

When it comes to working with her staff Luisa has long since

From a young age Luisa recognized two important facts. One

established that for an employee to hit their targets and be relied

that retail was one of the purest and most logical methods of making

upon to continue to do so for the long term that they have to be in

124 | Endeavour Magazine

an office environment that encourages it.

“It’s all about atmosphere,” she attests, “The people I work with need to feel motivated, inspired and have a reason to hit their targets that’s more than just ‘what the job is for’,” She goes on to explain that when the atmosphere is right there doesn’t need to be a hierarchy of management, “Everyone knows

statuses. Revealing that, in an online universe of people known to be flippant, superficial and shallow when it comes to who they follow, Luisa benefits from devoted fans and not just casual followers.

“I Tweet about once every hour on average,” she speculates, “Although I could be off by a lot. You have to stoke that fire to keep it going,”

their roles and gets on with it. Teamwork is important when you’re

“I’m actually not that much of a glory hound,” she adds, “And I

developing a business and it’s easy to encourage that when we’re all

don’t ever see anything about my business in the media so it will be

regularly rewarded for achieving our targets.”

interesting to see how we will be using the social media to benefit

From go-carting to bonus incentives, “I’m eager to reward good

the business though.”

work because I’ve always found that’s how things work in business;

This is only one of the marketing strategies that are being taking

you work hard, produce results and get rewarded. It’s a law of

into account to push the business of The Baker Shop forward,

nature, you have to work harder to earn more and you have to be

because Luisa has some serious plans in mind for her business,

accountable for your time.”

“Baking products is a bit of a cottage industry,” she explains, “And

In leading a business that has been growing steadily since its inception

Luisa

heavily

on

has

currently we’re one of the leaders in the industry but there is a gap

leaned

experience.

Preferring to beg forgiveness rather than ask permission, Luisa has always been one to run with an idea and although she does claim to have become more cautious as she grows older she considers the hard lessons learnt as the most important, “I’ve lost

at the top for an icon,”

“It’s all about atmosphere.

The people I work with need to feel motivated, inspired and have a reason to hit their targets that’s more than just ‘what the job is for’.

money on ventures I was sure

Like Mackintosh for reliable computers and Virgin for good deals, Luisa has a plan to make The Baker Shop the household name for baking goods, “We’re developing a full social network foundation for the business that goes beyond simply Twitter. The Baker Shop has a lot of pretty products, we’re in the business

were going to thrive and made money on others I didn’t expect,” she

of pretty and there is a constant develop of new products so we’re

explains, “But I’ve always followed my passions and that leaves me

getting onto Pinterest, Facebook and Tumblr so people can look at

with no regrets.”

what we do and see it.”

One of her key philosophies that stands out when speaking with

As mentioned already The Baker Shop is looking to expand its

Luisa is her approach to working. Putting in seven day weeks across

reaches throughout Europe making use of their German footprint

running The Baker Shop and what has become a full time media

to launch this. IN addition to a recently built two thousand square

career she has to manage her time very careful and has learnt the

foot warehouse, they also employ two full time German speakers

essential importance of delegation. This gets an added importance

and are looking to expand that area of the business. To do this more

when it comes to spending time with her family which Luisa is

stimulating material needs to be brought in for the marketing to make

adamant about managing.

people aware of the brand and this is where television advertising is going to play a big part.

Queen of Social Media It was a conscious decision for Luisa to keep a firm line between

“There just isn’t a lot of television advertising in this industry,” she says, “So we’re going to be filling that niche and that’s one of the things I’m filming for at the moment.”

the image she has cultivated on social media and her business. This

Poised to become the very face of baking, alongside a prominent

means, firstly, that the strength and growth of The Baker Shop, the

media career it’s amazing that Luisa manages any downtime at all but

humbling opinion of business moguls such as Lord Alan Sugar and

she reveals that she’s involved in a number of children orientated

the loyalty of her employees have come about on the strength of

charities, “I actively participate in Shooting Stars Chase, which

the business itself and Luisa’ leadership. Secondly, it also means that

provide care for terminally ill children and Outreach Moldova which

there is an untapped resource to further enhance the exposure of

works with disabled children in the region,”

The Baker Shop to a much wider audience. With a Twitter following that currently stands at over half a million Luisa is considered by many to be one of the most popular people on Twitter. Although she may not have as many followers as some people, she does enjoy

“I also have a four year old daughter, Dixie, who I spend as much time with as possible and three horses that I ride whenever I can,” “Baking is about giving everything time. You have to manage it all,” she concludes.

a higher rate of retweets and favourites for each of her Twitter

Endeavour Magazine | 125

BOOK REVIEWS

In his classic and beloved novel, E. B. White tells the memorable story of Wilbur, a little pig who becomes famous with the help of his clever friend Charlotte and their chatty animal neighbors. As the runt of the litter, Wilbur struggles to survive from the very beginning. Fern begs her father, Mr. Arable, to raise Wilbur and nurse him to health. Fern succeeds and Wilbur

Charlotte’s Web

by E.B WHITE amzn.to/1oG0AAn

moves to Zuckerman Farm, where he learns the true meaning of friendship from the wise gray spider Charlotte. When it becomes apparent that Wilbur is being well fed for a reason, Charlotte and Wilbur are determined to foil Mr. Zuckerman’s plans. With the help of Charlotte and her “terrific” webs, Templeton the rat, and other barnyard friends, Wilbur becomes the prize-winning pig of the County Fair and the most famous pig ever.

Lessons of friendship, loyalty, and truth bind this story together and show readers that friends come in all shapes and sizes.

126 | Endeavour Magazine

A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS

by Khaled Hosseini amzn.to/1rMQ0Kf

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a 2007 novel by AfghanAmerican author Khaled Hosseini. It is his second, following his bestselling2003 debut, The Kite Runner. The book, which spans a period of over 50 years, from the 1960s to 2003, focuses on the tumultuous lives and relationship of Mariam and Laila, two Afghan women. Mariam, an illegitimate child, suffers from the stigma surrounding her birth and the abuse she faces throughout her marriage. Laila, born a generation later, is comparatively privileged during her youth until their lives intersect and she is also forced to accept a marriage proposal from Rasheed, Mariam’s husband.

Hosseini has remarked that he regards the novel as a “mother-daughter story” in contrast to The Kite Runner, which he considered a “father-son story”. It continues some of the themes used in his previous work, such as the familial aspects, but focuses more on female characters and their role in Afghan society.

PAY IT FORWARD

by Catherine Ryan Hyde amzn.to/1tWowQg

It all started with the social

Trevor thought he would start by

a long chain of human kindness.

extra-credit

doing something good for three

Sound unlikely to you? Well

project: Think of an idea for

people. But instead of paying

a lot of other people had their

world change, and put it into

him back, he would ask them

doubts too – Trevor’s teacher,

action.

to “pay it forward” by doing a

his

studies

teacher’s

Whilst this proved a little ambitious classmates,

for

classmates,

his

mother,

favour for three more people.

in fact everyone in his small

his

If it all went to plan, Trevor

California town. It could never

twelve-year-old

thought, it would be the start of

really work. . . could it?

most

of

Endeavour Magazine | 127