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2 | Endeavour Magazine

EDITORIAL Heads of Departments Editor in Chief Daemon Sands daemonsands@littlegatepublishing.com Head of Editorial Don Campbell doncampbell@littlegatepublishing.com Editorial Research Manager Alex Smith alexsmith@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Director James Martin jamesmartin@littlegatepublishing.com Corporate Director Anthony Letchumaman anthonyl@littlegatepublishing.com Lead Designer Alina Sandu studio@littlegatepublishing.com Publisher Stephen Warman stevewarman@littlegatepublishing.com 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.

Company Registration: 07657236 VAT registration number:116 776007 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 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 2013

There is a question I want to ask. As

means that we are not short of leaders

an online nation we have become

to take his place.

dependent on certain icons to be the

I

perpetual example of good. Nelson

politicians gunning to be the first

“Madiba” Mandela has been the

person to drop the Madiba Bomb in

protective shadow our humanity

their speeches to rally their followers

has been able to stand in away from

and gain additional supporters, nor

the garish sun. He has offered us

do I mean tyrannical dictators who

the perfect example of what it takes

claim to follow in the same footprints.

to be human and will leave a legacy

What I mean are people. People like

behind of the purest nature. When he

you and me who are not looking to

has gone the example he has left will

run a country or a national or a group,

outlive any of us reading this.

but are looking to only help. Only to

However, who will be the protective

support, only to do their civil service.

shadow now?

A gambling man may predict that such

Difficult to match he was a man who

a person will herald from the ranks

spent twenty seven years in prison

of celebrities across the First World

because he wanted freedom and

Nations, perhaps an actor or a singer

equality for all people in the world

who will rise up with the ability to help,

during a time when racism had become

whose famous face seen amongst

the characteristic of South Africa. Not

the poorest and most vulnerable

only did he lead the country through

people will inspire the rest of us to do

democratic elections, but he took

something more.

on the presidency with the aim to

However, there is no telling. This is

develop world freedom and equality

an unprecedented situation where

and became a symbol and an example

the internet has made it possible for

of tolerance, cooperation and peace.

one man’s message to be distributed

Winning the Nobel Peace Prize,

far and wide, reaching the minds of

setting an example the whole way

people across the planet. In a very real

we often forget that he did all of this

way, his spirit lives in all of our hearts

while being long in the years. And at

and this could be the spark that is

an age where most people are settling

needed to inspire you to take his place.

down for retirement he was dancing in

You could change the world.

do

not

mean

money-minded

parliament with his colourful African shirts.

We are fortunate that his message has reached the hearts of an entire globe, of an entire world and inspired so many people to be more because it

Endeavour Magazine | 3

CONTENTS

32 FEATURES

28

Ushaka Marine World

78

The Spirit Of Durban

32

Biomax Technologies Pte Ltd

Extensive Automotive Solutions

84

A Breakthrough Technology

36

West Africa Tire Services Ltd

Piotrans

94

Rift Valley Railway

102 Pan African Shopfitters Dynamic Dynasty

106 Atmei Construction Group

Reviving The Railways In Kenya & Uganda

54

Allied Caterers

Fuelling Up On Success

112

An Army Marches On Its Stomach

60

Nozala Health Partners

Assmang Manganese A Mine Is A Mine

4 | Endeavour Magazine

Salberg Concrete Products Time For A Turnaround

118

Looking After Number One

68

New Britain Palm Oil So Far Ahead Of The Game, What’s Now?

Catching Buses And Changing A Nation

48

PPC Zimbabwe Here’s To 100 More Years

When The Earth Moves

42

CMC Motor Group

Kuwait National Petroleum Company Mega Investment In Kuwait

124

Crown Paints Quality Commitment &Community Projects

48

64

100

20

ARTICLES

6

Tim Martin: Pubs And Football

20

VW CC: Corporate Edge Has Never Looked Sleeker

10

My Use Of Science

22

Gadgets

12

Space Travel Will Change The World

24

Business Headlines

14

Motivation And The Sith

128

12 Steps To Becoming A Youtube Sensation

16

An Ethical Question

130

Book Reviews

18

Is There Still An Argument Over GM Crops?

Endeavour Magazine | 5

TIM MARTIN JD Wetherspoon PUBS AND FOOTBALL

H

BY DONNIE RUST

ow do you build a brand? This is the key question that

they have also become a favoured hotspot for football fans looking to

entrepreneurs have to ask themselves and it is a question

gather to either celebrate or commiserate their teams.

that has to be asked throughout the lifetime of a business.

Timothy Randall Martin, born on 28 April 1955, in Northern

It’s a question that does not have one simple answer because the

Ireland, was educated at eleven different schools in Northern Ireland

defining quality has to be personality and character. I spoke with the

and New Zealand including Campbell College in Belfast. Known for

Founder and Chairman of JD Wetherspoon, Tim Martin.

his stature and his beaming smile he was quick to make an impression

To our British readers the JD Wetherspoon brand will be a

on everyone he met.

household name and a mainstay in the catalogue of destinations

“I was training to be a barrister at the University of Nottingham,”

visited throughout the week either for breakfast or dinner and

Tim explains, “But dropped out for a couple of years and did just about

everything in between. Notorious for not only being pubs filled with

every kind of job including working on a construction site and as a

architectural character but also being the most affordably priced and

sales rep for The Times. When I went back I started drinking at a pub

the most welcoming destination for food and drink, in many cities

while studying and became friendly with the manager. He told me he

6 | Endeavour Magazine

didn’t enjoy running the pub and

to open up a series of squash

name JD Wetherspoon comes

important is opportunism to

so I bought it from him.”

courts,” he reveals, tellingly,

from one of Martin’s teachers

the entrepreneur and business

That really was the turning

“But that didn’t work out and

in New Zealand who could not

owner?

point for this British businessman

I think that pubs are an easier

control his class and who told

“There is an opportunistic

and was not the direction he had

proposition anyway.”

Tim that he would never succeed

aspect of acquiring a business

It was 1979, and the pub

in business. Now known as one

by looking for an opening in the

booming

was the ‘Marler’s Bar’, at Colney

of the most influential people

business world, like a footballer

sport at the time and I was going

Hatch Lane in London. The

in the UK Pub industry how

looking for a break in the defence.

originally intended: “Squash

was

a

Endeavour Magazine | 7

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t but you have to go for it. You also need some luck.”

Luck, being in the right place at the right time, may have played a part at the start of the company but the real success of this company which runs JD Wetherspoon pubs that employs over 30 000 staff across the country comes down to a business philosophy that Tim firmly believes in, one of communication and trust.

“Early on it was perceived that in the 1970s when brewers refurbished pubs to upgrade them,

they

destroyed

the

character of the building but individual buildings have their own character which needs to

1000 components to a BMW. What makes a BMW different to a Ford? It’s the little parts.

be retained because it’s within the building of character that the to create a leisurely atmosphere

machines, upgrade the service

on the ground. With this Tim

that is comfortable and sociable

systems, but keep the building as

makes sure he spends time in the

location

during the day when people are

it is.”

pubs. But you wouldn’t believe it

into a pub and have done so,

eating and enjoying a leisurely

coffee

was him. He comes in and speaks

changing the faces of stores,

brew. Or in the evening when

machines is actually a great

with the customers, speaks with

banks and even cinemas to

they’re meeting their friends to

euphemism for the management

the staffs and most importantly

JD

have a drink and a laugh.

style that the company takes.

he listens.

place finds itself.”

With this in mind they will

convert

any

Wetherspoon.

Favouring

Changing

the

spacious environments, elevated

“Don’t change the character

After thirty years of growth and

“I’ve always known it was

flatscreen televisions for the

of a place. Improvements are

expansion, of providing so many

important to call on the pubs,”

sporting channel and wide bars

consistent with the retaining

staff with a secure and rewarding

he explains, “And I’ve done it

with a lot of standing space the

of the character that buildings

job there is an emphasis on the

since the start, looking not only

locations are carefully chosen

take; you can upgrade the coffee

importance of keeping your feet

at the floor but also the kitchens,

8 | Endeavour Magazine

Don’t change the character of a place. Improvements are consistent with the retaining of the character that buildings take; you can upgrade the coffee machines, upgrade the service systems, but keep the building as it is.”

speaking with staff, cooks, and

of staff logging in systems, an

motorway at a service station

customers. It’s important that

improvement in incentives for

which will initially be open from

This could very well be the

throughout

the staff it is the little things that

6am to 1am and eventually could

reason why a JD Wetherspoon

improve things.”

become 24 hours.

pub is always a busy pub, packed

the

organization

people know they have the ear of the Chairman, that their thoughts are heard.”

A central database allows staff

log

he has such a comfortable style

“1000 components to a

remotely to view schedules of

about him that it would be

BMW,” he says, “What makes a

running these pubs than the

shifts and also to give suggestions

easy to believe that running a

BMW different to a Ford? It’s the

people running them so who

and request repairs.

business comes easy for this 6

little parts.”

foot 6 inch giant and that success

JD

Many

companies

with

was a guarantee.

So humble

operates 883 JD Wetherspoon

says.

and quick to credit other people

UK wide and is the single largest

in his company for the success

supporter

CEOs and managers who make

staff has allowed Tim to keep

of the brand he is the sort of

worldwide.

sweeping changes without really

his business consistently ahead

down-to-earth

understanding their industry,

of the times, and generally what

that you simply can’t help but

these broad changes often cause

the JD Wetherspoon does other

like, and it has taken a great deal

more trouble than good. Tim’s

places tend to follow. An example

of consistent hard work to get

approach is one of small changes.

is the smoking and non-smoking

to this stage. A lifetime worth of

“The aggregation of marginal

areas brought in before the law

learning what it takes to offer the perfect pub experience.

accumulative

was changed in 2005 and since then have converted all of their

“For the customer the price

important than major shifts,” he

locations to non-smoking. They

has to be right,” he says, “Our

states, “An upgrade of the coffee

are also going to be the first to

prices are very affordable and

machine,

have a JD Wetherspoon on a

we make money by getting stock

improvement

of

microbreweries

entrepreneur

weight of small changes is more

the

now

fixed we fix it right away,” Tim The communication with his

the

Tim’s

Wetherspoon

have

advantage,

than

to

“If something needs to be

fewer employees and fewer successes

managers

with people.

“Ultimately I know less about

better to suggest changes?”

and

When speaking with Tim

moved off the shelf.”

Endeavour Magazine | 9

MY USE OF Science

SOME INTELLIGENT ADVICE FROM DONNIE RUST WRITTEN BY DONNIE RUST

I like science. I like that when most men say they want to change the world they don’t mean it literally but that scientists are paid to bend the rules of physics just to say, “Hey look what we did,” and then say, “Let’s find out how.”

Me, I’m a liberated consumer, I am not interested in how they made something just in what it can be used for, if I was a caveman I would have been the guy next to the dude who invented the plate who used it as a Frisbee before ever thinking about using it as a wheel!

W

ith this in mind, here are some examples of mankind’s resolute devotion to turning the laws of nature to suit ourselves

and probably proving that quantum immortality is a real thing because we should have killed ourselves a hundred times over, either through the invention of such awesome materials or that people like me want to use them: (Important Note: these are materials that prove we are living in our own science-fiction universe)

10 | Endeavour Magazine

AEROGEL This is solid smoke. It is 90% air, rigid and able to hold up to five thousand times its own weight, it is also the best insulator known to man.

Its impressive load bearing abilities are due to the dendritic microstructure,

in

which

spherical particles of average size (2–5 nm) are fused together into clusters. Each cluster is highly tensile but mostly empty and filled with air. Due to their structure they are fantastic insulators of heat be it convection or open flame.

What they use it for: All of this makes it one of the best insulator for the suits of astronauts,

and

non-Newtonian

What they use it for: You

manmade or nature (god) made I

fluids edible, which has to strike

wouldn’t believe the applications

would certainly use this to make

you as odd considering if they

for this. It allows them to actively

a sword. Just a sword. Since it

can change their state from liquid

control metal via magnetism to

is also the best conductor of

to solid you can imagine what

create just about any shape, the

electricity, heat and sonics that

it must be doing to the inside of

uses for this are so incredibly

we’ve ever known I would also

your belly.

makes

absolutely

any sort of insulation because

many

wide spread: NASA has uses

have that sword sparkle every

What they use it for:

for it on space shuttles, marine

time I cut something, burn with

Schizophrenic elements actually

engineering and deep sea cabling

a flaming radiance and of course

have quite a few uses. Ranging

make use of it due to its high

sing. Yes. I would have a sparking,

from shock absorbent harnesses

tolerance to extreme pressure.

flaming, singing sword.

for

and

It is even introduced into the

personnel armour instead of

drivers

and

pilots

household as home decoration

bullet proof vests.

and a plumbing tool!

What I would use it for: I

What I would use it for: To

would fill a pool with it and dare

convince everyone I’m Magneto.

my friends to cannon ball in and touch the bottom. Then I would post it online with the title BELLY FLOP.

discovered

ages, but as with most things in the background until the product that is spoken about

fire

and it changed the world, we

FERROFLUIDS

These have been around for scientific it’s been developed

CARBON NANOTUBES: Mankind

TRANSPARENT ALUMINUM

invented plastics and we changed

is just amazing. This is simply a transparent sheet of metal.

What they use it for:

metal.

the world, carbon nanotubes are

protection

is virtually impervious to heat

Nanoparticles of iron suspended

the next miracle material that is

military they’re using this for

(you could lie a flower or some

in a liquid mix, sounds simple

changing everything. Which is

everything from face masks to

crayons on a mattress of aerogel

enough until you see how they

ironic seeing as it was a left over

body armour and in the domestic

only a centimetre thick and a

can make metal dance and shape

from an arc-welder experiment. It

market they have windshields

Bunsen burner flame wouldn’t

itself like something out of a

is embarrassingly stronger than

and windows that don’t break

touch it).

Dean Koontz novel.

titanium, it’s a great conductor of

and glass houses that won’t break

electricity and heat and is, as of

no matter how many stones you

yet, unbreakable.

throw.

not only is it so lightweight it

What I would use it for:

Dancing

Ferrofluids

liquid

are

colloidal

mostly.

For

the

Create a house that I could

liquids made of Nano scale

carry above my head and name it

ferromagnetic, or ferrimagnetic

What they use it for: super-

What I would use it for: I

Donnie Rust’s Mobile Home.

particles suspended in a carrier

small computer processors and

would build the most wonderful,

fluid like water or organic solvent.

low-resistance circuitry, super-

most appealing and welcoming

NON-NEWTONIAN FLUIDS

Each tiny particle is thoroughly

efficient batteries with seemingly

pub in the world. Fill it with free

coated with a surfactant to

endless battery life, scratch proof

alcohol, buffet style luncheons

inhibit clumping and due to a

computer screens, crack proof

and naked Swedish models and

These are liquids that turn

toned down magnetism are often

windshields and fishing lines that

put a sheet of this stuff in every

to solids when you apply a force

known as “super paramagnets”

could cut oil tankers in half.

door just for the chance to

to them. You can make them out

rather than Ferro magnets.

of ingredients including custard and powdered puddings. Which

So basically something from a Dean Koontz novel.

What I would use it for: since this is the strongest material

known

to

revolutionize the “I walked into a bar joke”.

man,

Endeavour Magazine | 11

WRITTEN BY DAEMON SANDS

SPACE TRAVEL WILL CHANGE THE WORLD AND NOT HOW WE EXPECT IT TO I firmly advocate space tourism. I believe that getting people into space could be the most important thing that humanity could possibly do. If it seems that the cost is too high, siphon money from every military budget, drag it out of the monthly wages of politician, claw it from the talons of government funded projects that are redundant and serve no purpose.

T

here

is

argument

a

definite for

things makes mere advertising

the

redundant.

importance of humanity

However, this is not even the

pressing the boundaries placed

reason why I think space travel

on us by nature. The patents,

is the most important thing we

the discoveries, the research

could do as a species.

and the accomplishments of The

Quite simply, it would be a

International Space Programme

perspective changer.

have resulted in a long list of

When it comes to space

resources that we take for

travel all we have is secondary

granted. The challenges that

information. Pictures, videos and

putting a man in space and return

statements, nothing more and

him safely are so varied and

in the same way that if you’ve

daunting that there is a natural

never had the chance to see the

overflow of ingenious ideas and

Grand Canyon, Victoria Falls or

solutions that make their way into

walked across the sand dunes of

our daily lives. The importance

Namibia you cannot appreciate

of these was so notable that

the scope of what it means to do

the moment the government

so. There is no alternative to the

cut NASA’s funding, Redbull,

powerful educator and influence

a corporate entity, stepped in and took the bill. Yes it was the highest skydive in the world but

of experience. There is that.

“Quite simply, it would be a perspective changer.”

Also, we live in secular bubbles

where

the

small,

this was not just a publicity stunt,

purile and silly problems of our

the money required to do these

everyday lives tend to take up

12 | Endeavour Magazine

precedence

everything.

of the Universe, let them see the solar system without the gazebo

Even as expensive as it

Take someone out of their

over

of pollution, let them see the storm of colours and lights that is the

may seem now, as long as we

stressful job in the city and put

universe. Let them see all of this, let them dangle above their home

don’t give up on it, commercial

them in the middle of a warzone

and realize how tiny and insignificant it all is and they will return to

space

or a famine and see how their

earth as a changed person.

become more affordable until

perspective changes. See what a

How could they not?

eventually everyone will have the

sublime shift in character would

Donnie Rust calls this the Superman World View and as much as it

opportunity to get into space.

occur. Like the Dalai Lama says, “Experience is death and rebirth of the human soul.�

pains me to admit it, this is a brilliant analogy.

travel

will

eventually

And if Redbull wants to take

Although Superman testifies to believing in the American way

the bill and label everything with

which is Truth, Justice and Freedom, it is actually a world view not

stickers, so be it. At any and all

The noise and chaos of the

caged in by the borderlines of the States. He floats in space, looking

costs we need to put people into

world has reached the point

down at the world and he does not see countries or states separated

space because a perspective

where we are in a storm of

by imaginary lines of ownership, kingdoms nor nations, races,

changer is what is needed, a shift

activity. Politics, religion, social

genders, orientations, cultures nor religions, he looks and sees the

in our thinking is needed and we

ideas and the moans and groans

world as a whole that needs to be protected, guided. He sees himself

are not getting it down on Earth.

of everybody online are so quickly

as responsible for the planet. From his point of view, so many miles

and inescapably communicated

above the Earth in the silence of space everyone looks the same. And

that

everything that the world is, is there and not endless but rather fragile.

taking

a

simple

step

backwards is no longer enough to change opinions.

Put a politician into space,

Imagine how petty religious arguments must seem, how unnecessarily and complicated politics must appear and how foolish the actions of evil people must be.

let them see the curvature of

Nor is this hyperbole, astronauts have often described themselves

the Earth, let them experience

as fundamentally changed after seeing their planet from the outside.

the tiny pinprick of the world in

Irrevocably altered on a deep psychological level after turning away

comparison to the endlessness

from the world and seeing the rest of everything staring back at them.

Endeavour Magazine | 13

MOTIVATION AND The Sith I WRITTEN BY JIM BLYTHE

’m going to level with you;

you gain in time to outweigh what you spent in money. If you do care

I don’t write full time for

then bless you; you are truly a prince among man. Or a princess among

Endeavour

women. Or whatever other combination you may wish to draw from

Magazine.

It’s

why I only occupy a maximum

14 | Endeavour Magazine

those four options.

of a paltry four pages and I don’t

One thing I do when not writing for Endeavour is Training. I’ve

even manage that some issues.

worked in Learning and Development for a lot of years now, most

So what, you might reasonably

recently in a freelance capacity. So with that bit of free advertising out

wonder, do I do with the rest of

of the way let me start to head towards some sort of a point to this

my time? Or you might not care.

article. I was recently looking through my courses and doing a bit of

If you don’t care you might want

updating and revising when I stumbled across a Project Management

to stop reading now – you will

course which I designed and delivered a good few years back now. I

at worst miss only a paltry two

based the whole thing on the Star Wars films making it a whole load

pages and may consider what

more fun than most Project management courses you could attend

whilst creating sustainability to the

yet Darth is unhappy that Ozzel came out

learning (this course is still available if

of light speed too early. So what happens?

your interest has been piqued!). And it

A performance conversation? A spot of

got me thinking about what else we can

in-the-moment coaching? Of course not.

learn from the Star Wars films that’s

He throttles the poor guy.

applicable in the workplace.

And then there’s Captain Needa. OK

Well, the big one for me is the man

he’s not the high-flyer that Ozzel was

management style of the series main

but he suffers the same fate. And why?

villain, Darth Vader. Let’s go right back to

Because Han Solo manages the most

the original Star Wars film (A New Hope)

daring, skilful and, let’s be honest here,

when Darth finds himself in a conference

unlikely trick of landing the Millennium

with what we assume are the rest of the

Falcon on the side of Needa’s Star

senior management team of the Death

Destroyer whilst in flight. Needa believes

Star. When Admiral Motti tries to indulge

they’ve lost the Falcon and goes and

in a bit of harmless office banter about

apologises. Not only has he not really

the force Darth doesn’t retort, doesn’t

done much wrong but Needa is man

ask him to stop or cite his behaviour as

enough to go and take responsibility for

inappropriate being as how the man is

what happened. With this sort on man-

openly mocking Darth’s religion which

management policy its little wonder

is after all an HR matter. No. Darth

that the Empire falls in the very next

throttles him. And he only stops when

film with Darth throwing his boss to

ordered to by his boss. Now I realise this

his death. If only he’d worked harder

all happened a long, long time ago and

on his performance management and

employment law has come a long way

motivational skills. Once in a while he

since but surely we can all see that this

might have tried dropping the impassive

is no way to build team spirit and create

stare and menacing stance and smiled.

a co-operative working environment on

OK, the mask would obscure it but his

the Death Star. We should therefore not

men would have heard the smile in his

be all that surprised when the Rebels,

voice. And what about an occasional

working as a team, blow the Death Star

well done – those little bits of praise

up.

take no time at all but can mean a lot to We can then fast forward to The

a highly stressed fleet commander. Staff

Empire Strikes Back and Darth’s at it

incentives always go down well and how

again with the throttling. In this film

about a little gift or some flowers on their

we see Darth kill not one but two of his

birthday? They might not say much at the

Admirals. These are presumably two

time but the results would have come.

high performing staff members who have

In summary, a happy Empire would have

progressed up the Empire’s corporate

been a successful Empire but that temper

hierarchy to reach the level of Admiral

for which Darth was renowned might just

and what happens? Well first we have

have been its undoing.

Admiral Ozzel who is leading an entire fleet at the attack on Hoth. This is a pretty

And I think there’s a lesson in there for us all, don’t you?

responsible job – if nothing else the logistics must have been a nightmare and

Endeavour Magazine | 15

WRITTEN BY SIMON TAM

AN ETHICAL QUESTION:

“Because We Could, Does It Mean We Should?”

A “heat ray” that manipulates the nervous system and creates instant debilitating physical agony but leaves no sign of injury has been invented.

An invisible beam that causes a level of pain that simply cannot be ignored.

I

magine a weapon that makes you feel like you’ve been absolutely engulfed in flame with the intensity of napalm but without causing any lasting physical damage. As a weapon the benefits and

drawbacks are very clear. As always, it just depends who is holding the weapon.

This is the ammunition of The Active Denial System (ADS) which has had a fair amount of popularity online through Youtube, but has been developed in secret by the US Military since 1980. Out of all non-lethal research none of them have had as much money funding, with $120 million pumped into this weapon it’s no surprise that they’ve completed a design that works.

Tracing the initial interest to the 1940s to research the effects of microwaves generated by radar devices on biological devices, it wasn’t until the 1980s that proper research and funding was put into development of a non-lethal weapon and only three decades later they’ve produced a device. Instead of using microwaves that actually cause a great deal of physical damage by destroying cells the device actually makes use of millimetre waves, very short wave microwaves with the frequency of about 95 gigahertz. These ways when condensed will penetrate only 0.4 millimetre of skin.

At this depth the millimetre waves are absorbed by liquids and fats and as long as the temperature is capped at 55 degrees Celsius it’s just below the threshold for damaging tissue. However the effect is exponentially worse. Bypassing the outer layer of skin (which is thicker and more resilient to damage) it hits the still developing and nerve-packed layers of skin with a sensation that is akin to holding a

16 | Endeavour Magazine

burning fluorescent lightbulb.

It is a physical attack that overwhelms

the

mind

by

triggering the body to believe it has indeed been set alight.

Since

it

makes

the

unfortunate victim feel as if they have literally been engulfed in flame there are a few people who wisely want to put this weapon on the shelf, however now that it is in the public eye it wouldn’t be able to stay there for long. In human nature defensive is offensive and when your neighbour develops a weapon superior to yours, your first step is to make one even better and now that everyone knows that

The spectrum of just-causes is wide with highly armed, highly

ago I may have debated the

one can be made, it will be made.

resourceful fanatics on either end with the remainder of us spread

ethical policies behind owning

along the middle.

a gun but at that time you could

Developed

under

the

While it was withdrawn from Afganistan with, reportedly, not

use it for hunting, the ADS would

Program

seeing any actual combat and while they are overcoming issues

only be useful for hunting if you

with the Air Force Research

with humidity, dust and frost all of which can disrupt the beam, in its

wanted your food to be cooked

Laboratory as the lead agency,

development it doesn’t ignore the fact that the military of one of the

by the time you caught it.

behind the pain ray claim that it

biggest powers in the world is pumping millions into the perfection of

will save lives and this could be

this weapon.

sponsorship of the DoD NonLethal

Weapons

a valid point, as an alternative to tear gas, pellets and armed men

At the moment it is vehicle mounted but development is being put into turning it into a hand held weapon.

Any concern I have may be

unfounded,

perhaps

I’m

just reacting negatively to a new technology that I do not

with batons and riot gear this

Russia is reportedly investing into generating their own Active

understand but as long as it’s

could save lives and in the long

Denial System, which means that if they are doing it despite their

being developed by the same

term prevent injury and act as

tenuous alliance with America, you know that all of America’s enemies

people who have developed

a reasonable means to disperse

(and allies) are probably developing something similar, or worse,

pilot-less bomber drones I feel

riots.

to safeguard themselves. A good offensive is a good defensive and

it’s valid.

Do rioters really need such

prevention is better than cure and all that.

In conclusion, this is one of

motivation? And wouldn’t that

But this paints a picture of a world in a highly publicized arms

the problems we have about the

offer a totalitarian power to

race where the developers are responsible for making a weapon as

world we live in, there are no

whoever owns it? And, such

efficient as possible, while covering it under the guise of a non-lethal

perfect puzzle pieces to solve

power, to create such pain in

weapon to be used for crowd dispersal… they used to say the same

the issues in our society. No

a human being while leaving

thing about tear gas with assurances it would be used as a last resort

recommendations that would

no trace except for the clear

but put that into the hands of a skittish police officer or a soldier who

save the lives that need to be

psychological

is being shot at and he’ll see the weapon as simple a magical source of

saved. The world we live in works

pain that leaves no trace behind.

on a system that is broken but is

damage,

would

surely prove advantageous to those seeking to side step the

Guns, leave bullets and damage- which is traceable and when they

the only one we have and instead

Humane Treatment of Prisoners

are misused there is a good chance that those guilty of said misuse

of solutions we have problems

Act, or those wanting to get

will be made to find justice. But this is a designer weapon created to

that

information out of terrorists. Or,

leave no evidence and, if allowed to be taken forward will be misused.

beaten and forced into shape to

those wanting an untraceable

Do we need another weapon? Is a question best asked when I

method of creating terror.

have

been

battered,

accommodate.

know which side of it I’m standing on, if I was alive hundreds of years Endeavour Magazine | 17

IS THERE STILL AN ARGUMENT OVER GM Crops?

WRITTEN BY TRAY CRAYSMAN

T

he

argument

has

Like anything produced by

their tight restrictions on growing GM plants. By making Britain a

been raging for years,

science progress is carefully

centre for GM research and development, it could potentially become

but when the British

monitored and results carefully

a multi-billion pound industry. His speech, targeted at inspiring action,

Environment Secretary, Owen

judged

had a strong moral inditiv:

Paterson categorically states in

go through the most rigorous

a Hertfordshire campaign that

system

It’s

international development benefits to GM but I am conscious of the

“Genetically

crops

extraordinarily closely regulated

views of those who have concerns and who need reassurance on this

than

at a national level and at a

matter.”

are

modified

categorically

safer

conventional crops”, you have

Genetically Modified plants can be adapted to provide

these

products

imaginable.

European level.

to ask if there is any sway in this tired and redundant argument.

and

“I believe there are significant economic, environmental and

“I recognise that we - government, industry, the scientific

“We have not come up with

community and others - owe a duty to the British public to reassure

any evidence of human health

them that GM is a safe, proven and beneficial innovation,” he explains.

being

threatened

by

these

products.” Mr. Paterson insists.

“Used properly, GM promises effective ways to protect or increase crop yields. It can also combat the damaging effects of unpredictable

necessary crops in areas that

He was adamanent and very

weather and disease on crops. It has the potential to reduce fertiliser

usually do not grow them. For

specific in answering questions

and chemical use, improve the efficiency of agricultural production

example, corn and maize can

on how underlined was the

and reduce post-harvest losses,” he will say.

be adapted to grow in areas

safety of GM crops compared

usually too dry for them, through

to

“This

(BBSRC) were very gracious about Mr Paterson’s endorsement of

GM. Mr. Paterson called for

isn’t speculation. We have had

GM, however were also sure to point out that GM is not a turn-key

the government, industry and

a categoric statement from the

solution and will not solve the food crisis by itself.

scientists to join forces to

European Commission’s chief

“GM is one tool in a range of options that can help us tackle

convert the public in the face of

scientific officer and you have

complex problems, such as the need to produce enough food for a

widespread fear and scepticism.

conventional

ones:

The Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council

the biggest field trial in human

growing population,” said Douglas Kell, chief executive of the council,

“Genetically modified crops

history when you think of the

which funds research and training projects.

are safer than conventional ones,”

colossal volume of GM material

The process of genetically modifying crops is less to do with

Mr Paterson says, “Because

that has been eaten in all those

laboratories and more to do with fields, cross pollination was a start

as a precise technology they

countries growing GM food.”

but science has taken it a step further. GM crops are created by taking

come under greater regulatory scrutiny” 18 | Endeavour Magazine

The goal, for Mr Paterson, is

genes with beneficial qualities from other organisms and injecting

for the European Union to relax

them into the plant. They can be engineered to grow faster, increase

their resistance to weeds, pests and pesticides, produce extra nutrients or survive harsher weather conditions.

It is sad however, that while many scientists strongly advocate GM crops, opposition remains widespread, both among scientists but mostly the general public.

Typically the sort of arguments proposed against them is the speculative fear that the GM crops, first produced in the USA in 1994, could result in super pests, super weeds and super parasites that would grow stronger and more powerful. It reads like a story of a bad science fiction novel, assuming that science is an evil thing that makes monsters.

Mike Childs, head of policy, research and science at Friends of the Earth, said: “There is no evidence GM crops will deliver for farmers or food security. Despite decades of research, there is still no miracle crop to tackle the challenges agriculture faces, such as climate change, soil degradation, water shortages and growing demand.”

GM should not be cited as an answer to the problems we’re facing on a global basis, but it is a scientific breakthrough and the majority of opposition comes from a pool of ignorance to science and a lack of understanding of what is being done.

In the most comprehensive analysis of the risks of GM foods, the European Commission examined 130 research projects carried out by 500 groups over 25 years. In December 2010, the EC concluded there is “no scientific evidence associating genetically modified organisms with higher risks for the environment or food and feed safety than conventional plants or organisms”.

Ignorance abounds, but let us not forget that at the end of the day GM Crops is still healthier than eating at a fast food restaurant.

“Used properly, GM promises effective ways to protect or increase crop yields. It can also combat the damaging effects of unpredictable weather and disease on crops.”

Endeavour Magazine | 19

VW CC CORPORATE EDGE HAS

NEVER LOOKED SLEEKER

A

s sleek as a shark swimming in a bay, the Volkswagen CC

design as well. For example the lumbar massaging seat was a simple

has distanced itself from its conservative sibling the Passat

joy to discover.

by enhancing the user features and its overall refinement.

The engine options include a 158bhp 1.8 TSI and a 207bhp 2.0

With looks that are up to date with VW’s new trademark headlight

TSI on the petrol side, with a 2.0 TDI with either 138bhp or 168bhp

and bumper arrangement there is an improvement in the amount of

offered for diesel buyers. The main advantage of the 168bhp diesel

equipment fitted as standard, most noticeably a three-seat bench,

over the more popular 138bhp version is the addition of the XDS

rather than two individual seats.

electronic differential, which is now a standard fit to 207bhp TSI

I found the CC to be a smooth, quiet ride that makes the longest

and 168bhp TDI CCs. It aims to provide greater traction for more

journey a pleasure. Driver comfort is developed to its peak including

engaging handling when cornering, thus addressing one of the Passat

the clever arrangement of all mirrors to suit the driver’s overall field

CC’s main criticisms, its lack of driver involvement, to a certain extent.

of vision. Not only is the VW CC highly refined it is a highly intelligent

The diesel engines are well suited to motorway, and a tall sixth

20 | Endeavour Magazine

“A smooth, quiet ride that makes the longest journey a pleasure.”

gear aids economy, with the official

economy

figure

While the interior is largely

featuring Bi-xenon headlights and full-colour touchscreen sat-nav.

of

unchanged from the old Passat

Top-of-the-range GT models come with adaptive cruise control,

57.6mpg well within reach for

CC, it retains that model’s

leather trim, cruise control and front and rear park sensors.

the high-power diesel. The low-

sophistication. The CC’s dash

Without failing, VW has always been the definition of reliability

power diesel, predictably, is the

is based on that of the standard

and longevity, but the CC model offers something else with its

running cost champion, with a

Passat, but all of the touch-

style. Sleek yet unbrash it professes its own unique identity having

claimed 60.1mpg possible on the

points are bespoke. Equipment

outgrown its adolescence and becoming something of a phoenix.

combined cycle.

levels are good, with all models Endeavour Magazine | 21

AUGMENTED REALITY MOTORCYCLE HELMET

A

ugmented

RRP: £2,000 igg.me/at/livemaphelmet

reality

helmet, and can even let you know when you’re passing a cafe or other

to get used to it so you don’t get

comes to motorcycle

place of interest. It is a way to keep your eyes always on the road while

distracted. That aside, the sheer

helmets in the form of

getting help navigating to your destination. Thanks to the Android-

possibilities presented by this

LiveMap, a helmet that gives you

based software and Google maps, it lets you know things like what

piece of kit shows us the future

navigation information and travel

street you’re traveling on, when turns are coming up, travel speed and

of the transport experience.

statistics within the visor of your

more. Although the manufacturers do recommend a training course

PIVO APP. AN APP THE TRANSLATES YOUR BEER ORDER

Price: £0.69 pivoapp.com

T

his has a Donnie Rust approval, although we never asked him

Albanian, Arabic, Basque, Belarusian, Bosnian, Breton, Bulgarian,

for it. Perfect for the travelling executive, and provided by

Catalan, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Esperanto,

Pivo’s beer ordering app, which can translate a beer request

Estonian, Finnish, Flemish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi,

into 59 different languages to account for the primary languages

Hungarian, Icelandic, Irish, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean,

spoken in most of the countries. Swipe through the options to select

Latin, Latvian, Lithuanian, Malay, Maltese, Mongolian, Norwegian,

your language and you’ll receive the phrase in the required tongue,

Occitan, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Romansch Ladina,

in addition to a helpful phonetic pronunciation. Pivo also provides

Russian, Sardinian, Scots Gaelic, Serbian, Slovene, Spanish, Swedish,

a “video tutorial” for each translation from a native speaker to help

Tagalog, Twi, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese, Welsh, Yiddish and Zulu.

you nail the accent.The languages covered by Pivo include: Afrikaans,

Which are all the languages Donnie Rust can speak, apparently.

Price: £9,354 (including legs) www.jigsaw24.com

SAMSUNG SUR40

S

traight out of a spy

touchscreen floating on top,

10 times tougher than standard glass so you can still use it as a desk,

movie, this “Part giant

this device aims to replace the

although that would be a bit of a waste.

iPad, part boardroom

traditional office desk/PC set-up.

Like a bit of technology from the urban fantasy Godhunter (www.

table” , Samsung SUR40 is the

Functionally, it can do everything

books.littlegatepublishing.com)the display is no ordinary touchscreen

future of the boardroom.

a PC can, but with no need for a

the pixels emit an infrared beam — meaning it can ‘see’ and react to

mouse or keyboard.

objects, in addition to reading text placed face-down.

Comprising

a

powerful

4in-thick PC with a 40in HD 22 | Endeavour Magazine

The 40in

Gorilla Glass HD touchscreen is

RRP: £29.99 Available from: Amazon & Menkind

TOUCH SPEAKER FROM THUMBS UP UK

T

he Touch Speaker is a

terms, allows mobile devices to

that the majority of these

is not a problem. Overall I am

revolutionary

sound

transmit sound to an amplifying

rely on Bluetooth technology,

extremely impressed with the

amplification

device

speaker within a short distance.

with very few manufacturers

Touch Speaker it’s lightweight,

from gadget innovators Thumbs

To get started all you need to do

currently adopting this new

compact, and provides enough

UP UK. This portable speaker is

is load up the Touch Speaker with

NFA technology. As a result of

amplification to fill my reasonably

completely wireless and doesn’t

some batteries, (not included)

this, I would certainly expect

sized office. I’ll be sure to take this

rely on Bluetooth or any smart

press play on your music, rest

to see the big audio brands

little beauty with me on my next

phone applications, yet it can

your device directly on top of the

implementing NFA technology

holiday or outing to the beach,

magically amplify the sound from

Touch Speaker, then stand back

very soon, and I’m certain that

and I’ll definitely be keeping a

virtually any mobile device which

and enjoy the ‘punchy’ 2.5 watts

its ease of use will be a big hit

keen eye on how the remarkable

has an external speaker.

of sound re-production.

with

NFA technology advances over

consumers.

Having

an

The Touch Speaker is one

Whilst the wattage doesn’t

if the first devices to take

compete with some of the higher

Speaker

advantage of Near Field Audio

end speakers currently on the

save on battery costs but for me

Technology

market, you must remember

personally, carrying batteries

which

in

simple

SURVIVOR MILITARY-DUTY CASE iPhone 4s and iPhone

S

internal battery within the Touch would

the next few years.

undoubtedly

Price: £11.46 www.amazon.co.uk

imply put, the Griffin

Case is designed from the inside

screen protector seals your Multi-Touch display from the outside

Extreme Duty Case is

out to protect your iPhone from

environment, with hinged plugs that seal the dock connector,

the most protective case

extreme conditions ... dirt, sand,

headphone port, hold switch and volume controls. A detachable

rain, shock, vibration and a host

heavy-duty clip secures your iPhone to a belt or bag strap.

we’ve ever built.

Tested to meet or exceed US

Survivor is independently tested and verified to meet or exceed

of other environmental factors. a

environmental testing standards for blown rain, blown dust & grit,

Department

shatter-resistant polycarbonate

vibration, shock, temperature and humidity. You can view videos and

of Defense Standard 00-35,

frame clad in rugged, shock

test results online at www.griffintechnology.com/survivor.

Griffin’s Survivor Extreme-Duty

absorbing silicone. A built-in

Department of Defense Standard 810F

and

UK

Survivor

is

built

on

Endeavour Magazine | 23

AFRICAN POLITICS

Angola announced it will give $10 million to the new Africa

Solidarity Trust Fund administered by FAO, to be invested in promoting food security in Africa. The announcement, made

by Afonso Pedro Canga, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Angola, came at the official launch of the fund at a side event during the 38th FAO Conference, the Organization’s highest governing body.

In announcing the contribution, Canga congratulated FAO for this initiative and said that the donation was a demonstration of solidarity from Angola and the fulfilment of a commitment made

by President Eduardo dos Santos during an official visit by FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva in January.

The fund became a reality in February with a first donation of $30 million by Equatorial Guinea.

Speaking at the official launch of the fund in FAO, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of Equatorial Guinea, said “Africa is a continent abounding with agricultural potential, including forests, land - 60 percent of which is not farmed.”

Furthermore: “There are sufficient conditions for producing enough food for the people of Africa ... yet we are a net importer of food,” he said. “We all have to do what has to be done to turn this trend around.”

Developing Vital Energy Resources At Chevron, we are relentlessly focused on producing safe, reliable energy now and for the future. How are we doing it? By applying the energy we have most in abundance: Human Energy.

www.chevron.com 24 | Endeavour Magazine

AMERICA. NEURO-SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY.

AN IMPLANT FOR MEMORY TOTAL RECALL? a

eventually be used to treat

Congress. Working with the

memory prosthetic that could

Neuroscientists

Alzheimer’s Disease and other

brain’s hippocampus which is

be available within ten years

forms of mental illness. A huge

where the ability to remember is

that could teach the brain how

potential exists for computer-

held, this can be used in the area

to remember again, epileptic

brain interfacing which could

of the brain where short term

patients are to be the first

include advanced gaming making

memory is turned into long term

to benefit. Human trials are

use of neuro-manipulation and

recall.

underway to test an implant

uploading terra-bytes worth of

It works by observing a

designed to restore memories

memories into portable discs for

memory being formed in one part

in patients with brain diseases.

sharing.

of the brain and then stimulating

Successful

been

Professor Berger Theodore

conducted on rats and monkeys

Berger, professor of biomedical

further

and

the

engineering at the University

stream’ to replicate the process.

preliminary stages of human

of Southern California in Los

The memory device has already

testing.

Angeles, described the memory

been hailed as one of the top ten

has

tests

testing

have

moved

onto

another part of the hippocampus down

the

‘memory

Cited as a first port of

prosthetic in New York earlier

scientific breakthroughs of 2013

call for epilepsy sufferers it is

this month when he spoke at the

and could be on the market in five

believed that this implant will

Global Future 2045 International

to ten years, researchers believe.

ONLINE PRIVACY

July’s Book Reviews

MOZILLA PROTECTS PRIVACY Consumer Watchdog today praised Mozilla as

The online ad industry

the non-profit foundation announced it would move

expressed outrage at the

forward with addition of a setting in its popular Firefox

earlier

browser to block the most intrusive tracking “cookies”

with one trade association

by default.

executive calling the move

announcement,

Cookies are little bits of computer code that can be

a “nuclear first-strike,” even

placed on a browser so that your activity can be tracked

though Apple’s Safari has

as you surf across the web. The most invasive tracking

used the setting for over a

is done by sites the user hasn’t even visited -- so-called

decade.

“Mozilla

3rd-party sites, Consumer Watchdog said.

“Most people don’t want to be spied on when they

should

congratulated

for

their

go online,” said John M. Simpson, Consumer Watchdog’s

dedication

to

Privacy Director. “Mozilla is now making privacy

consumer

privacy

protection the default. You can’t get any more user-

the

friendly than that.”

industry

face

of

be

protect in

extreme

pressure,”

said

Earlier this year Mozilla said Firefox -- like Apple’s

Simpson. “They have also

Safari – would block cookies from sites not actually

demonstrated a justifiable

visited by the user. The blocking patch that was added

concern about getting this

to a trial version of Firefox was developed by Stanford

right from a technical point

graduate student and researcher Jonathan Mayer.

of view and Stanford’s

However, Mozilla delayed implementation after it

Cookie Clearinghouse was

expressed technical concerns about false positives and

key to solving those issues.

false negatives and to date has continued their internal

Kudos to both.”

Turn to page 122.

testing.

Endeavour Magazine | 25

COMPLETE RENOVATION FOR THE CLUBHOTEL RIU GRAN CANARIA

The ClubHotel Riu Gran Canaria is one of the hotels of choice for families in the south of the island thanks to its 24 hour all inclusive service, vast range of activities and a more than 30,000 square metre pool and garden area. RIU has decided to fully renovate its facilities, with an investment of 20 million euros and open the doors in July to a hotel with a brand new image, which is more fresh and modern, as well as a wider range of services, including a children’s pool with water games and also new bars and restaurants.

The ClubHotel Riu Gran Canaria, which enjoys a fantastic seafront location in Maspalomas, boasts 642 rooms which will be completely refurbished, in keeping with the style which RIU is rolling out in all its new projects. Key features are the light colours and simple lines which bring brightness to the space. They will be equipped with flatscreen TVs, electronic safes and fully renovated bathrooms.

In terms of dining options, the hotel will introduce many innovative improvements. As well as the buffet restaurant, it will offer three speciality restaurants for evening meals: an Asian option, a grill and a restaurant serving up Canarian delicacies. The lounge bar terrace will

26 | Endeavour Magazine

be the new meeting point in the

games and slides. The RiuLand

hotel with its enlargement and

club, with activities suited to

new modern and relaxed design

different age groups, will offer

which is reminiscent of the island

fun options every day of the

of Ibiza’s ‘chill out’ style.

week. For adults, RIU also offers

The hotel will offer two big

RiuFit, a programme of sporting

central swimming pools and next

activities run by specialised

to them, clients will enjoy snacks

trainers, as well as RiuArt, a fun

and drinks in the modern ‘Liquid’

workshop for developing guests’

bar. The new spectacular infinity

creativity

pool will also have the vibrant

materials

‘Purple’ new bar close to it. Both

And, for the first time, RIU

bars offer relaxing sea views.

is introducing RIU4U, a new

through and

different techniques.

Children will enjoy the new

activity program for adolescents.

attractions as the kids’ pool will

The ClubHotel Riu Gran

include a large space ship with

Canaria will also incorporate a

Endeavour Magazine | 27

USHAKA MARINE WORLD 0027 31 328 8000 USHAKAMARINEWORLD.CO.ZA

28 | Endeavour Magazine

THE SPIRIT OF Durban WRITTEN BY DONNIE RUST

eThekweni, Durban City the major focal point of South Africa’s east coast has been labelled South Africa’s Playground and for good reason. Offered up to the Indian Ocean by the Drakensburg Mountain range the city swelters in a subtropical belt that gives it the lush, tropical vegetation that seems always on the very verge of overflowing.

Endeavour Magazine | 29

USHAKA MARINE WORLD

The destination of choice for international surfers seeking out the six footer swells that frequently stir up the bath-warm waters of the seas and for holiday makers wanting to enjoy the “fun-funfun” approach Durban takes to anything and everything that is a celebration of the natural heritage of the country.

N

othing embraces this

years the popularity of the site

more

Ushaka

has grown in leaps and bounds.

Marine World and I

than

So the adage of ‘if it’s not broke

caught up with Chief Executive

don’t fix it’ applies. But Shawn,

officer,

typically, is coolly confident.

Shawn

Thompson

regarding the resorts latest

“There are pros and cons to

developments and the plans for

every kind of change,” Shawn

the future.

reveals, “The only real concern recent

is the network of international

development has been a change

“The

most

linkages that we’ve established

in the managerial positioning,”

over the last decade. I want to

Shawn reveals, “Not the style

make sure that we keep these

or the players. Ushaka Marine

as solid as possible and to help

World’s

this, the City has guaranteed

management

was

us

“We’re launching a new Seaworld experience called Animal Encounter Island which is all about interaction.”

30 | Endeavour Magazine

that

we

will

remain a commercial operation.”

In essence this means that as long as they can keep the tourists

flooding

previously outsourced on a ten

through the doors that they can

year contract which has finally

control their own decisions as far

run out. Durban City has always

as spending and developments

owned the park, but now the

are concerned. It has been a

team of staff work for a city

triumph to keep the standards

owned entity.”

of the resort as high as they

Ushaka Marine World has

can be and to not just become

become one of the must see

another pen in the pocket of city

attractions

bureaucrats.

in

South

Africa,

bringing millions of tourists

“It does mean the emphasis

through its gates every year from

is now on us,” Shawn says, “Of

around the world. For the last ten

course we’re starting on a good

note because with the management being brought in house, its saved

a new Seaworld experience called Animal Encounter Island which is

a bill of R8 million rand per year. I have also been asked to provide a

all about interaction.”

five and a fifteen year plan to present to the City’s officials regarding

“Additionally to the current snorkelling and shark dive we offer.

the resort’s direction and further development. The City sees us as a

Here he could have a shark encounter, with nurse sharks so they’re

vital strategic tourist asset.”

safe,” he adds, “We are also planning an adventure trail that will include

One of the main approaches is by introducing new tourist

ziplines over the top of the resort. Further down the line a major new

attractions while at the same maintaining the current ones because

Seaworld exhibit around the R20 million mark will be added and this

the attractions here are not just rides but living animals that require a

will an entirely new concept.”

special kind of attention.

As far as rides are concerned:

Already boasting a restaurant styled as a sunken ship where you

“We’ve already invested R2million in the Body Tornado for our

can enjoy a gourmet meal while watching sharks swim passed, grinning

Wet and Wild rides and a new generation ride which I can’t reveal too

as if they know something you don’t, water rides that have you sliding

much will be added in the coming years”.

alongside and under the open top aquariums, bridge walks that give

There are a lot of significant ideas that are fitting into Shawn’s

you the chance to see the wonderous sea life including all the natural

plans for the resort but at the same time he has a meticulous attention

beauty of the South African coast. High intelligent dolphins and seals,

to detail. For a visitor, a guest, to be truly impressed they have to be

birds, fish, amphibians- they are all there in the resort. With the sound

given nothing to dislike. So, not only are the habitats for the animals

of the Indian Ocean only a stone’s throw away and the endlessly blue

cleaned and maintained on a daily basis but the cleaners work

sky overhead it’s difficult to spend any time at Ushaka Marine World

tirelessly to get into every nook and cranny throughout the resort.

and actually have an answer for “How could I make this better?”

Entertainment also forms a vital part of the guest experience and

That’s where Shawn comes into it.

uShaka is becoming known for its fun vibe and support for live music

“There’s a lot that we’re planning and not all of it I’m able to speak

– especially at the popular Wahooz venue on Durban’s magnificent

about,” he reveals coyly, “But what I can tell you is that we’re launching

promenade. “Everything counts,” Shawn concludes.

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Endeavour Magazine | 31

BIOMAX TECHNOLOGIES PTE LTD +65 6274 8606 ENQUIRY@BIOMAXTECH.COM WWW.BIOMAXTECH.COM

32 | Endeavour Magazine

A BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGY CAPABLE OF

Changing The Way We Recycle WRITTEN BY DON CAMPBELL

A young company in Singapore has pioneered a new organic waste treatment technology that can convert food waste into the highest grade of fertilizer within 24 hours and through nothing more than a belief in their product and strong leadership that have created a marketplace for themselves. I was fortunate enough to speak with their intrepid CEO Mr Sim Eng Tong.

Endeavour Magazine | 33

BIOMAX TECHNOLOGIES PTE LTD

After thirty years working in food industry, Mr. Sim saw how much food waste was generated on a day to day basis by the industry and knew there was a niche opportunity to be found within discovering a solution.

I

t took five years of research

enzyme.

and development with their

Digestion Technology, it is an

Thermophilic

research Doctor to develop

automated system that uses

a unique formula of enzymes

an enclosed system to treat

and Biomax Technologies was

the

founded in April 2009 and

temperature of 80°C to provide

officially launched in August of

a resulting fertilizer that is

the same year. The triumph was

odourless, rich in organic matter

the enzyme, which was able to

and pathogen free.

convert organic waste, whatever

organic

This

waste

system

at

high

provides

a

the form may be into usable

solution that does not involve

fertilizer with no pathogens and

incineration or landfills which

a very small carbon footprint.

add to the surmounting carbon

“The reception we had for the

footprint

and

remove

any

product has been very positive,”

positive fertiliser from the life

Mr. Sim reveals, “With clients

cycle where it’s needed.

coming from USA, Australia

Applications

for

this

Africa and Asia, including the

technology appear to be almost

palm oil producers because we

endless.

can treat palm oil waste such as

that is organic in nature. In the

Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) fibre,

agricultural fields it has been

fruit fibres and sludge..”

used successful for sugarcane,

Basically

anything

palm oil, grain husks and fruit

The Digestor

pulp. In livestock it’s worked well

The product, The Digestor

34 | Endeavour Magazine

Using

with animal manure, slaughtering

is designed to be an optimum

and

environment

processing and hatchery waste.

for

the

BM1

processing

waste,

egg

In the municipal sector food waste, horticulture waste, waste water

the future. As Biomax Technologies has now set the standard for this

sludge, biogas sludge and even human waste have been successfully

industry and proved that twenty four hours is all it takes for their

converted into fertilizer that can be reintroduced to the food cycle.

technology to create fertilizer from waste, completing the food cycle,

The Driving Force

other companies will be following closely behind.

“For the moment our main focus is on the recycling companies,

The research and development of this product is important,

the agricultural and food companies that use our technology simply

however it is the driving force of Mr. Sim that has made Biomax

because there is a huge demand for organic waste treatment,” he

Tech into the success story that it is today. Drawing on his years of

reveals, “But of course we are looking to become established in the

experience in sales and marketing, he has been able to identify the

home base market. But there has to be an organic movement here

key areas required to provide for the company with the substantial

first.”

growth he wanted.

At the moment the biggest challenge is the mass, currently one

“We started out four years ago in 2009 in an office that was two

unit of their largest machine is able to convert 50 tonnes a day and

thousand square feet with three staff,” Mr. Sim reveals, “Now we’re

additional modules are added for higher scale projects. But the next

in an office of ten thousand square feet and employ thirty three staff

step would be to increase per unit capacity to 100 tonnes a day. This

members. The success is less about the finance or the project and

is the natural progression of scale and ability that all companies need

more about the market that we have opened up.”

to address.

“Also I was 56 when I first started Biomax Technologies and now

“The aim is to increase the speed and the strength of the enzyme,”

four years on I’m looking at turning 60,” he says, “And I’m running a

Mr. Sim explains in conclusion, “BM1 is where the strength of the

very successful biotechnology company.”

product comes and to continue pioneering this industry we will have

Strong character and a firm leader Mr. Sim is always looking to

to continue developing it and ourselves.”

Endeavour Magazine | 35

WEST AFRICA TIRE SERVICES LTD 00233 277 311 266 WWW.RAMAMOTORS.COM

36 | Endeavour Magazine

WHEN THE EARTH MOVES WRITTEN BY COLIN GIBSON

Earthmoving equipment requires specialist tyres, and in the growing West African mining sector, a specialist supplier is expanding to fulfil these needs.

Endeavour Magazine | 37

WEST AFRICA TIRE SERVICES LTD

In 1980, Rana Motors & Metal Works the automotive arm of a large business group in Ghana was first incorporated by Chairman Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Odaymat in Accra, Ghana. Since then they have become a household name in Ghana as the country’s prime distributor of Kia motors and Goodyear Tyres. The company is also an authorized distributor for Isuzu SML Ashok Leyland Trucks, Buses & Gensets from India as well as being a supplier of Industrial products such as Conveyor belts, Hoses, & Cranes.

“The future political and eco-

“We already had the distributor-

nomic future of Ghana is very

ship for Goodyear, and Goodyear

promising,” General Manager Mr.

is one of the world’s top three in

Vinay Kapoor, who has been es-

tyres for earthmoving equip-

sential in the growth of the com-

ment, so we decided we should

pany tells us, “We are one of the

try to build something very pro-

most stable in our area and are

fessional in this market with the

benefiting from the strength of

association of Goodyear.

external investments coming in.”

“Until we came onto the scene,

With the objective and plan to ex-

the entire earthmoving tyre sec-

plore and capitalize on the busi-

tor in West Africa consisted of

ness opportunities offered by the

overseas supplier and service

market in Ghana the group has a

provider who took care of the

keen interest into Franchises and

whole business. So we inves-

Manufacturing alike.

ted quite heavily into the whole

More

38 | Endeavour Magazine

as

range of tyres that are used

Ghana has evolved from its early

recently,

however,

within the mining sector and in

dependency on timber and co-

parallel to support the field we

coa to a mining-dominated eco-

invested in service provision,

nomy, Rana Motors has used its

too. We started off in a small way,

Goodyear connections to good

supplying just one mine, but now

effect and has evolved itself into

we have reached a stage where

a highclass supplier of tyres and

we are supplying most of the

services for earthmoving equip-

mining companies within West

ment.

Africa. Professionals from the

“Following the vision of our

tyre industry were hired, stra-

young & dynamic CEO Mr. Essam

tegic tie-ups with Tyre Repair

Odaymat, about ten years ago

specialists such as REMA Tip Top

we ventured into being the first

of Germany were forged , all with

indigenous Ghanian company to

an intention to provide the in-

service the Mining industry in

dustry with just in Time Stocks &

Ghana,” says Vibi Chandra, re-

value added services ”

gional manager for West Africa.

The company now supplies tyres

and services from Ghana all the way up to Mauritania, with established offices in Burkina Faso and Mali with another about to open in Sierra Leone over the next two or three months. But although the name Rana is well known in Ghana it is not known in other countries in West Africa. “So we took the decision to rename the operations West Africa Tire Services,” explains Chandra. “And today West Africa Tire Services is the general distributor for Goodyear earthmoving tyres all over West Africa.”

GOOD TEAM WORK EQUALS RESULTS In 2012, West African Tires Services were ranked the second largest distributor in the Middle East & Africa (MEA) region and won the Best Distributor award for achieving the highest turn-over for Goodyear tires. Since then they have more than doubled their turn-over.

Great success like this does not happen overnight but develops over time with consistent effort and working with the right partners. Customer service is crucial and Vulco has been established to specifically support customers and keep their service at the top of standard.

Tip Top Tire repair products is their latest acquisition and came with the investment into a mobile tire repair system that is capable of repairs all the way upto the 51” earth-moving tires.

“Relationship building is very important,” Vinay tells us, “Speaking with them face to face to discuss to ideas and solutions. Either we meet them in Ghana or we visit them at their offices and their facilities.”

The distribution rights for “GS –Caltex” brand of lubricants rests with them and promoting the whole range of lubricants has been a key-focus area.

Rana has taken on the responsibility of providing an upgraded world class tyre retailing facility in West Africa , a one stop shop ; through its Retail “VULCO” outlets & in promoting the Safety First concept by promoting Standard Brands of tyres/automotive products and quality services . The Concept shop would soon be found all along the length & breadth of West Africa in times to come & would be responsible in educating customers on the features and benefits of a tyre, its safety features and most importantly offering a range of tyres which would suit Endeavour Magazine | 39

WEST AFRICA TIRE SERVICES LTD

the needs & budgets as per the

“On average we stock roughly 70

needs of the clients . Vulco has

to 80 lines of tyre sizes, and each

established a tie-up with TOTAL

of those sizes may have two or

to establish the VULCO tyre con-

three different types of tyres, so

venience facilities in their pet-

effectively we would have some-

roleum retail oulets all around

thing like 200 or 300 different

Ghana. This would be a boon to

tyre types in stock.” At an average

the many motorists plying the

cost of $15,000 to $20,000 per

roads of Ghana, wherein a solu-

tyre, that’s a sizeable investment

tion to challenges faced on the

in anyone’s book.

roads of West Africa would just be at a calls distance.

“In order to give a complete package to a client we try and work from a solution providing

Investments

angle,” he explains. The original model in the mining industry

40 | Endeavour Magazine

Investment in tyres for earth-

was for the mining companies

moving equipment is not for

to fit their own tyres, but it takes

the faint-hearted, however. As a

special knowledge and expertise

composite tyre distributor West

to identify the best suited tyres,

Africa Tire Services carries stock

fitting them right and maintain

all the way from forklift tyres to

these kinds of tyres, and that’s

those fitted to the biggest mining

how the company got into the

trucks.

business of tyre management

services. “It’s essential that these

strongly emphasizes, “There are

tyres are looked after from the

a number of different segments

time they are fitted until they

that we work in and each of them

are ready for the scrap yard. We

receive up to three training ses-

undertake

sions a year.”

this

responsibility

through our tyre management

Africa is full of challenges and an-

units. They fit the tyres, keep the

other one is logistics. Sometimes

rims clean, maintain the right

there are delays getting goods

inflation pressures, monitor the

moving out of the ports, and that

tyres for pressure fluctuations

has a knock-on effect on the level

and check for abnormalities

of stock that has to be kept. Sup-

within the operational areas,

plying tyres from Ghana to other

salvage tyres that have damages

countries in West Africa is not

from destruction by undertaking

always straightforward either.

repairs , so the tyre management

“There’s no standardisation of

units take care of the tyre from

customs

the cradle to the grave.”

countries in West Africa,” says

formalities

between

Chandra,“and that causes probRana has invested in West

lems too.”

Africa’s largest Truck Tyre Drive

In terms of the company’s future

in and a Service centre in West

development, however, Vinay

Africa’s premium port City of

is in no doubt that earthmoving

Tema with the latest machineries

tyres are the way forward. “There

& equipments which facilitate a

are a lot of new developments

quick turn-around for trucks that

take place and a lot of growth.

come to meet their tyre needs.

Aiming to supply services to the

Professional & quick services on

mining industry is going to be an

Commercial Trucks are offered

intensive part of our business for

to truckers and Commercial

the next 5-10 years.”

Truck accounts located & fre-

Within a decade of operations

quenting the port city. In addi-

in the Earthmoving tyres, Rana

tion Tyre consultancy services

has turned out to be a preferred

offered by Rana aids commercial

choice & destination for meeting

Truck accounts to narrow down

the demands of the Mining &

on the best suited tyres for their

Construction industry in West

operations, maximizing tyre lives,

Africa. They are associated with

Value Realization & performance

major players in the region such

related reports to fleet owners/

as Gold fields Ghana, Anglogold

managers and in training oper-

Ashanti, Golden Star Resources,

ational staff of the clients with

Ghana Manganese, Nord Gold,

best maintenance practices have

PW mining International.

benefitted the Commercial Truck

Innovation to improve tyre per-

account immensely.

formances that play a positive

Despite a strong staff contingent

role in improving the productiv-

of over 500 staff, and the various

ity of commercial businesses &

business lines being managed by

mines operating within West

the most ambitious profession-

Africa is next on agenda as Rana

als, drawn from amongst the best

steps in the another decade.

in the industry there is a continu-

“It is a very exciting time,” Vinay

ous drive for finding skilled em-

concludes.

ployees.

“The most important people in the business are our staff,” Vinay Endeavour Magazine | 41

PIOTRANS 0027 11 988 6558 WWW.PIOTRANS.CO.ZA

42 | Endeavour Magazine

CATCHING BUSES AND CHANGING A NATION WRITTEN BY JACK SLATER

IN 2006 Johannesburg City took the decision to become a fully-fledge Bus Rapid Transit system called Rea Vaya.

Endeavour Magazine | 43

PIOTRANS

Benefitting from high level buy ins and partnerships especially from the historically violent and turbulent mini-bus taxi industry, it made its implementation possible and began as a starter service with 40 buses on 30 August 2009.

Since then things have improved significantly and been well received by commuters.

R when

ea

Vaya

major

February

the

reached

milestone Taxi

this

a

switched to the bus.

in

Something only a South African would appreciate, having a safe

year

public transport system that everyone can use has made a significant

Operators

change for every road user.

Investment Companies formally

The main challenges for public transport in Johannesburg was

took control of the BRTs Bus

that the poor lived far away from work and had to spend more money

Operating Company- PioTrans

on transport, congestion and roads resulted in longer travel time,

(PTY) LTD. It was another first

congestion in the inner, lack of access for disabled commuters that

in this landmark project. Rea

the government historically had put very little money towards public

Vaya is the first BRT system in

transport, and problems with regulation of the large and broad based

South Africa, in the beginning

taxi industry.

taxi operators, Metrobus and

Rea Vaya changed all of that.

other public transport operators

It has been a huge transformation and has triggered a massive shift

worked alongside each other

among the members of the informal transport sector by developing

in a congested, mostly informal

and providing viable, practical and above all safer solutions.

landscape.

Vaya

Taxi related deaths as recently as the last decade had peaked

many private vehicle users and

With

Rea

with thousands of people being killed either through gun violence

The main challenges for public transport in Johannesburg was that the poor lived far away from work and had to spend more money on transport, congestion and roads resulted in longer travel time, congestion in the inner city, lack of access for disabled commuters that the government historically had put very little money towards public transport, and problems with regulation of the large and broad based taxi industry.

44 | Endeavour Magazine

A Daimler Brand MBSA/137/BUS001

For more information, specifications and option details on Mercedes-Benz BRT Buses, contact your nearest Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle dealer at 0800 133 355 today or simply visit www.mercedes-benz.co.za/buses

Endeavour Magazine | 45

PIOTRANS

between drivers and gangs or

Investment Companies, owned by over 300 taxi operators are

through accidents caused by

now in charge of PioTrans LTD and have a 12 year Bus Operating

Marcopolo South Africa will

vehicles that were not road-

Contract- they also scrapped 585 taxis in order to be able to become

supply the bus bodies. Local

worthy. For South Africans this

shareholders of the company.

content on the bus bodies is

had become an unfortunate way of life. “Taxi Violence” became the dirty secret of the SA roads

manager Dr Dirk Ansorge.

expected to exceed 80%.

Big Developments

MBSA

bus

and

coach

national sales manager Shane

that very few people outside of

134 buses have been sourced from Mercedes-Benz South Africa’s

Henry notes that South African

the country knew about or could

(MBSA’s) Sandown Motor Holdings who won the tender earlier this

content on the bus chassis will

believe. It had reached a point

year. This is to supply the necessary size for the roll-out of the 18 km

reach around 30% by volume,

where dozens of people dying in

Phase 1B of Johannesburg’s Rea Vaya bus rapid transit (BRT) system.

and include local components

a taxi crash, due to the taxi having

Valued at more than R300-million the Rea Vaya phase 1B covers

such as tyres, wiring looms and

folded cardboard as brakepads

ten stations, passing through Noordgesig, New Canada, Pennyville,

or being overloaded with up

Bosmont, Coronationville, Newclare, Westbury, Westdene, Melville,

to thirty people crammed into

Auckland Park and Parktown.

fuel tanks.

The bus chassis and power trains come from Brazil, with

one mini-bus, no longer made it

“MBSA’s bus and coach unit will supply the bus chassis for the

local completely knocked-down

to the news. A solution was in

134-unit requirement, divided into ninety-three 12 m feeder buses,

assembly taking place at MBSA’s

desperate need.

and forty-one 18 m raised floor, articulated buses to be used on the

East London plant.

Nine

Taxi

Operators

46 | Endeavour Magazine

trunk routes,” says MBSA commercial vehicles bus and coach brand

Rea Vaya will create 40

additional jobs on the bus line and the– all of them wheelchair friendly – will use clean-burning Euro 5 engines and feature fully automatic Voith transmissions. The first Rea Vaya Phase-1B unit is expected to be completed this month.

“We will start assembling the chassis and releasing them to the body builder from the first week in June through to the second half of October,” says Ansorge. “The plan is to assemble up to ten chassis per week.”

The vehicles are expected to have a life cycle of 12 years.

Sandown Motor Holdings has also offered the City of Johannesburg a maintenance, driver training and fleet management proposal, which

Valued at more than R300-million the Rea Vaya phase 1B covers ten stations, passing through Noordgesig, New Canada, Pennyville, Bosmont, Coronationville, Newclare, Westbury, Westdene, Melville, Auckland Park and Parktown.

is still under discussion.

Henry believes Sandown Motor Holdings won the contract to supply the buses as it offered a “good price and a very attractive delivery schedule”. Sandown is also a Level 2 black economicempowered company.

By providing traffic solutions within the major cities of South Africa Rea Vaya have opened up the gates to a new level of economic prosperity.

Endeavour Magazine | 47

RIFT VALLEY RAILWAY 00254 20 2044476/80 WWW.RIFTVALLEYRAIL.COM

48 | Endeavour Magazine

REVIVING THE RAILWAYS IN

Kenya & Uganda WRITTEN BY CHARLES ROBERTS

After receiving funding from development finance institutions, Rift Valley Railways’ renovation program is well underway.

Endeavour Magazine | 49

RIFT VALLEY RAILWAY

Founded in 2006, Rift Valley Railways (RVR) is an operator of freight and passenger train services in Kenya and Uganda. With a 25-year commission that covers more than 2,000 kilometres of track, RVR’s purpose is to “transform lives in Africa with every move.”

Quote

T

he company says: “We ensure that our customers’ needs for transport and logistical solutions will be met in a sustainably efficient and safe manner and with the utmost with respect

to our employees, the environment and communities that live around our operations, and that we will do so profitably to guarantee a healthy return on investment for our shareholders.”

RVR provides intermodal

Railway Equipment | Building Material | Construction Equipment |Lifting Equipment | Car Accessories | Adhesives & Sealants | Agriculture Tools & Equipment | Masonary Tools | Relief Supplies | Fabrication Work Safety Work Wear And PPE | Engineering Tools | General Hardware

“Once the planned rehabilitation is completed, it will be possible to raise line speeds on the re-laid sections from the current restriction of between 25kmh and 30kmh to 70kmh.”

logistical

solutions,

distance

and

long-

commuter

passenger transport as well as freight delivery, which includes marine services. Its strategic objectives

are

to

improve

business efficiency, standardise operations, increase its rail traffic

market

strengthen

the

share

and

northern

corridors’ competitiveness.

Freight services and passenger travel DAR-ES-SALAAM ROAD P.O.BOX 18233-00500, NAIROBI, KENYA T: 00-254-20-6531392/3/4 F: 00-254-20-6531396 E: uesl@form-net.com & unitedesl@hotmail.com Website: www.uesl.net 50 | Endeavour Magazine

Accounting for 95 per cent of all volume and revenue, freight transportation is RVR’s major concern. The organisation’s main customers include logistics service providers, cargo owners and shipping companies. With purpose-designed cars, flat wagons and storage tanks, RVR is able to handle specialised freight, bulk materials, fuel and lubricants as well as intermodal containers.

Over the past few years, RVR has strived to improve this lucrative area of the business, increasing consignments to over 250,000 tonnes in 2012. “RVR Freight Services is your flexible partner for overland transport by rail,” boasts the enterprise. “We run freight trains or goods trains on a regular schedule to various destinations in Kenya and Uganda.”

Although passenger travel is only a minor aspect of the business in terms of numbers, RVR is committed to providing the best possible service to all travellers.

Daily routes are in operation between Kenya’s main cities while several commuter trains run in the Greater Nairobi area, with approximately 500,000 people taking advantage of these transportation services per month.

Kenya-Uganda Railway Recognised as one of the region’s oldest assets that brings communities together and encourages business, this railway line runs from the shores of the Indian Ocean, through Kenya’s rich agricultural

Endeavour Magazine | 51

RIFT VALLEY RAILWAY

landscape, into the Ugandan capital Kampala on the edge of Lake Victoria.

With road transport prices in East Africa escalating, RVR and the government recognises the potential a comprehensive and reliable rail network has for local people, tourists and indeed the economy.

“We see RVR as an important partner in the economic growth of our country and the region where a well performing railway is an imperative as it is an important link from the port of Mombasa into the Eastern Africa Market,” says Dr Eng. Cyrus Njiru, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Transport.

Renovation program In August 2011, RVR received a financial package to fund part of a

Syokimau, the first new station to

US$287 million five-year capital expenditure program to rehabilitate

be established in the country for

infrastructure and rolling stock. The project aimed to tackle the

80 years. Both RVR and Kenya

problem of derailments by replacing worn out track, refurbish

Railways completed the track

old locomotives and integrate information technology systems to

work, while El Noor Construction

improve operations and reduce costs.

built the station.

“Once the planned rehabilitation exercise is completed, it will be

In June 2013, RVR said

possible to raise line speeds on the re-laid sections from the current

a renovation project on its

restriction of between 25kmh and 30kmh to 70kmh,” RVR revealed.

northern Uganda branch from

“This will significantly improve the reliability and efficiency of the

Tororo, near the Kenyan border,

railway operations and it will enable RVR to operate bigger capacity

to Pakwach on Lake Albert’s

trains, thereby, improving the companies loading capacity and

northern

reducing travel hours for trains.”

completion and test operations

shore,

was

near

By the end of 2012, more than US$100 million had been invested

would begin shortly. With the

in the turnaround program, with RVR proud to announce that half of

line out of operation for 18 years,

the dilapidated track had been repaired, over 350 wagons had been

work included the removal of

refurbished and a new ERP system had been installed.

anthills, restoration of washed-

Recent developments Late last year, Kenya’s president Mwai Kibaki opened an extension

52 | Endeavour Magazine

of the Nairobi - Embakasi line to

out sections damaged by floods and new culverts installation.

Darlan De David, CEO, RVR,

said that following the installation of five level crossings, trial runs would begin on 31 July. The route will increase the amount of cargo entering Kenya from the Democratic Republic of Congo and South

Produits Ferroviaires et Moteurs Diesel Rail and Diesel Power Products

Sudan.

Future plans Looking ahead, RVR’s vision is “to be the leading transport and logistics solutions provider in Africa by year 2020.” Once the KenyaUganda railway rejuvenation project is complete, the company hopes the numerous upgrades will translate into “the provision of quality and reliable services to RVR’s customers.

“Overtime, the improved rail service should play a critical role in bringing down the cost of goods and services in the region.”

In the near future, RVR plans to increase the life cycle of its locomotives by changing engines, traction motors and compressors, install automated track warrant software and on-board computer systems, and continue to rehabilitate lines, wagons and culverts.

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Endeavour Magazine | 53

ALLIED CATERERS 001 868669 4213 WWW.ALLIEDCATERERS.COM

54 | Endeavour Magazine

WRITTEN BY DON CAMPBELL

AN ARMY MARCHES ON ITS STOMACH

It has been said that “An army marches on its stomach,� and has always been a fundamental truth of war and, today, business. Dealing with the long hours offshore or in the air, the physical and indeed psychological wellbeing of any staff member begins with a healthy and well balanced diet. There is one company in Trinidad and Tobago who has garnered this niche industry and provided an peerless level of quality and service. Don Campbell had the chance to speak with General Manager Trinidad Gillian Huggins.

Endeavour Magazine | 55

ALLIED CATERERS

Gillian Huggins, General Manager of Trinidad comes with twenty three years-experience in progressively challenging positions in Administration, Organisational and Business Development, Finance and Accounting, in Commercial, Industrial and State Enterprise. Her specific areas of expertise are: Operations Review and Analysis, Review and Analysis of Work Flows and Procedures and Development of Business and Strategic Plans.

Quote

A

pproaching her work with keen strategic mind set she has experience in three main areas of the food industry, Flavour manufacturing, snack manufacturing and

catering services.

“I have a passion for catering and event management,” she reveals, “Over the years I’ve been blessed to be able to work in varied and diverse scenarios and have learned a great deal.”

Holding a BSC in Industrial Management (Hons) from the university of the West Indies, St. Augustine Gillian, who is also a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is a woman with a determination to lead by example.

In India she underwent intensive training at the Entrepreneurship Development Institute in India, both on a Macro and Micro scale and joined Allied Caterers TT in 2008 as Financial Controller but was promoted to General manager in 2011. A valuable asset with a reputation of getting results that not only meet the high standards of the company but surpass them.

“I have a passion for giving back,” Gillian reveals, “If you’re going to succeed you have to exceed the expectations.”

The State Of The Industry “The industry is competitive at the moment,” Gillian tells us, “But we do have the edge. It takes a great deal of coordination, planning and logistical activity. We ensure a high quality of service by adhering to our strict policies and standards that permeate all sectors of our 56 | Endeavour Magazine

business

including

the airlines and the offshore business.

“Two

provided them that.”

A training matrix has been put in place to keep the staff up to scratch and as Allied Caterers is part of the, Goddard Catering Group,

primary

and by extension, Goddard Enterprises Ltd., employees benefit from

examples if we were

promotion, career development and mobility not only within Allied

to look at the airline

Caterers LTD but also within the group.

industry - the menu is cycled every three months and the food

“We place a high value on experience,” Gillian Huggins.

Accountability

has to be of a high

Everything that Allied Caterers LTD does is audited and

standard while still

thoroughly checked over, unlike many companies they are entirely

falling within the load

focused on the quality and standard of their products and would

(weight/specification)

rather have a reputation for that than a reputation for omnipotence.

required

for

the

“Nothing is perfect,” Gillian reminds us, “But if even little accidents

aircraft.

United

are allowed then they can quickly accumulate into major issues, if

Airlines

audits

you’re not accountable enough to fix it at the start. Our quality and

us

every

month

safety managers work closely not only with our customers but also

to

ensure

strict

with our staff to see how things can be improved, and if accidents

adherence to every step of the food preparation, through to delivery on board the aircraft.

“Offshore is a completely different scenario, as with offshore,

have happened how best to safeguard against them.”

New developments 2013

we’re not catering for passengers but for people who live there. Their

Customers demand high quality at the best rates and Allied

needs are completely different. They need healthy, well balanced

Caterers plans to further meet this conundrum through business

meals. So we consistently provide them with a menu, submitted a month in advance to be approved by the Offshore Installation managers.”

Allied Caterers also offer hospitality services to the offshore industry. Keeping the rooms, bed sheets and furnishings clean for those living there. Offshore work has the reputation for involving long gruelling hours in often unsavoury conditions and a price cannot be put on the psychological impact of coming to a clean room with fresh bed sheets.

The continuous push to establish footholds on applicable areas of their industry, ie. catering, hospitality, event management has benefitted Allied Caterers greatly. They have an established monopoly on the flights coming in to Trinidad and are the preferred service provider for offshore oil production platforms in their region.

With clients including BPTT, Repsol YPF, BHP Billiton, British Gas Trinidad and the National Gas Company.

Staff The impressive and flawless reputation of Allied Caterers and the strength of their name would not be possible if not for their staff.

Of the four hundred plus employees who work with Gillian, at their plant in Trinidad or in the kitchens on the offshore rigs, each one is provided with all the tools they need to develop themselves professionally.

“We see employees as our most valuable asset,” Gillian explains, “I work with people. I’ve seen how so many people, be them entrepreneurs or our staff, possess the diligence, the drive and ambition to succeed but lack the guidance. I wanted to ensure we Endeavour Magazine | 57

ALLIED CATERERS

expansions and strategic alliances that will increase not only their

fresh and we have a particular

footprint on the market but also their service abilities.

brand of oven that we utilise to

“Business expansion is priority for 2013,” Gillian affirms, “We have

reheat the food on the platform.

a good position on the offshore oil production platforms but we are

This is all in aid of serving safe

aiming to get into drilling because it would be a plug and play scenario.

meals. Development in this area

We believe we can offer a farther reach for this industry and would

would be a major factor in the

like to have a solid hold on it as we have on the airlines.”

upcoming year.”

Innovations within the food business is also a focus for Gillian this year as one of the mechanisms for expansion.

“Whenever there is a shutdown at a platform for maintenance we

“At the core of everything are our quality and standards,” Gillian concludes.

fly food in on a daily basis,” she explains, “This is refrigerated to keep

Since 1993 Sea Foods Enterprises Limited has been actively trading in chilled and frozen seafood products. In addition to local sales in our home country of Trinidad and Tobago, we routinely export to clients in Canada, the Caribbean and the United States of America.

We carry a wide range of seafood products and other wholesome foods.

Visit any of our three retail outlets for excellent prices & quality products.

58 | Endeavour Magazine

Main Facility / Head Office 12-13 Industrial Estate Frederick Settlement, Caroni, Trinidad Telephone, Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m: (868) 645 0601/6883/4973 (868) 663 5848 Fax: (868) 645 9025 Sales/Purchasing/Personnel Email: kalar@seafoodstt.com

Endeavour Magazine | 59

NOZALA HEALTH PARTNERS 002711 786 9771 WWW.HEALTHPARTNERSUK.COM

60 | Endeavour Magazine

LOOKING AFTER

Number One

NOZALA HEALTH PARTNERS’ QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE

WRITTEN BY CHRISTOPHER DAVIES

Nobody enjoys going in to hospital for treatment, but Nozala Health Partners’ commitment to patient satisfaction means there is no cause for concern

Endeavour Magazine | 61

NOZALA HEALTH PARTNERS

In spite of all the trials and tribulations life throws at us, staying fit and healthy remains society’s main concern. However, having appropriate medical cover can often be expensive or out-of-reach, with several individuals forced to ignore their problems and carry on regardless. This can lead to long-term illnesses and all manner of damaging consequences.

W

ith a commitment to providing quality and affordable healthcare in South Africa and the rest of the African Continent, Nozala Health Partners hopes this never

becomes an issue for the patients of its network of private hospitals and medical professionals.

“From our perspective, we want to work alongside the local people with an objective of taking healthcare to the wider communities of

mGEH025 Count on, executive GE Healthcare_A4 ad_2013 South Africa,” asserts- Tony Lundin director, Nozala Health Partners. “We are moving into areas where there are no hospitals or access to private healthcare is limited.”

For Tony, the organisation’s cohesive and comprehensive approach to providing dedicated healthcare solutions across the country is what makes Nozala Health Partners so successful.

“What principally differentiates us is that we have a fully

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Today, GE is proud to offer a range of integrated healthcare systems, medical diagnostics, performance and healthcare IT solutions, to support partners in providing better clinical outcomes, operational effectiveness and improved patient safety. With the patient at the heart of what we do, our offerings include those designed to translate in both high and low resource areas and throughout the hospital setting.

At GE we believe that a better model of healthcare can be achieved with collaboration and dialogue. In 2013 and beyond, we remain focused on nurturing sustainable partnerships and solutions for a healthier Africa.

62 | Endeavour Magazine

06

NOZALA HEALTH PARTNERS

integrated business model where we will provide equally for both

the expansion, development and modernisation of private hospitals in

primary and acute health services in each of our facilities going

Southern Africa.

forward,” he says.

History and operations

The company itself is a joint venture between Nozala Investments, a broad based women’s empowerment group, and Health Partners, a South African and UK healthcare company with over 40 years

Having been involved in the medical industry for over 15 years,

experience in managing both public and private sector hospitals. But

with previous projects extending across Europe, the Middle East and

just over two years after inception, Nozala Health Partners’ strength

Africa, Tony is vastly experienced when it comes to providing specialist

in the market grew after the Government Employees Pension Fund

healthcare and consultancy solutions. Previously, Tony worked in

(GEPF), administered by the Public Investment Corporation (PIC),

the UK as financial director of Netcare’s hospital division and was

decided to take up a 30% share in the organisation.

instrumental in the company’s acquisition of General Healthcare

Since then the company has gone from strength to strength, but

Group, also known as BMI. When his tenure came to an end, Tony

still remains firmly committed to its objective of providing superior

called upon previous contacts and networks to meet the demand for

healthcare to every individual that passes through a hospital’s doors.

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64 | Endeavour Magazine

Nozala Health Partners is also dedicated to long-term solutions, with

cites Tony. “We have all the controls to ensure there is no over-

projects generally lasting a minimum of 10 years. From the beginning

servicing and that a patients care is not compromised. We find this to

of a project and opening of a hospital, right through to the ongoing

be very beneficial to every one of the investments and developments

management of a facility, Nozala Health Partners remains loyal and

we are busy with.”

steadfast.

Nozala Health Partners also recognises that working in a hospital,

With such expertise in the market, the company is frequently

particular when it comes nursing, is very labour intensive and requires

required by other professional organisations for assistance as Tony

skilled employees. With this in mind, the company is actively looking

reveals: “We undertake a fair amount of transaction advisory services

to recruit, train and up-skill native nurses who have moved away in

across Africa on behalf of the public sector, government, and even

search of work.

private equity firms. We advise clients on the viability, feasibility, implementation and roll out of healthcare projects.”

People power Nozala Health Partners truly believes in the power of people

“We are encouraging the medical fraternity to come back to South Africa,” says Tony. “This includes partnering with an extensive program in the UK called the Homecoming Revolution, which already has a long list of personnel who want to return. This program will include upskilling, on the job and external training for nurses in South Africa.”

and encourages medicall practitioners, dentists and allied medical

Continually looking to improve the capabilities of its staff, Nozala

professionals and healthcare specialists to invest in hospital

Health Partners has teamed-up with education institutions for the

ownership for the benefit of the company and the individual. For far

workforce’s benefit. “Through the University of Pretoria, we have

too long healthcare professionals have been strategic slaves to the

an affiliated Hospital Management Training Program to make sure

local hospital groups in SA and it is about time that they now start to

employees are capable of taking on the responsibility of running a

focus on themselves and their patients.

hospital,” cites Tony.”

“They are able to drive primary healthcare and footfall into a hospital, which ultimately is converted into acute services over time,”

Endeavour Magazine | 65

NOZALA HEALTH PARTNERS

Ongoing developments Pushing forward with the development of new facilities, Tony has adopted practices leant in Europe to help Nozala Health Partners run as smoothly as possible while ensuring patients receive straightforward and hassle free treatment.

“We invest in new technology so patients receive the same standards of care they would previously, but don’t have to be in hospital for a long period of time,” notes Tony. “We rely extensively on same day surgeries, which is becoming the preferred norm in the world of modern medicine. With new equipment and drug treatments, we can ensure a patient does not have to lie in a hospital bed longer than necessary.”

As concerns over the standard of public healthcare continue to rise, more and more people are beginning to plan for the future, with Nozala Health Partners well positioned to capitalise on this emerging private cover market. “A considerable percentage of the employed population does not have easy access to healthcare, so this is a market we are focusing on,” reveals Tony.

In October this year, Nozala Health Partners will open the 52 bed Mthatha hospital located on the Eastern Cape around 200km outside of East London. “It is in a densely populated area with the majority of the workforce employed by the government and local administration

66 | Endeavour Magazine

services, but there is only one private hospital in the area with people having to travel 200km for alternative healthcare,” cites Tony.

Next year, Nozala Health Partners will open yet another facility, a larger 125 bed hospital in Nelspruit, the capital of Mpumalanga. “It provides general healthcare services, but will also cater for our target market and compete with other private hospitals where we believe there is huge potential for success,” adds Tony.

Looking forward Although Tony believes the future will be full of challenges, he remains adamant that Nozala Health Partners won’t lose its primary focus: “It is a hard slog, but we are building a healthcare group.”

“Whether this is for ourselves or clients it does not matter.

Ultimately, we are in the business of developing private healthcare facilities. In five years, we envisage that we will open or have in construction at least half a dozen hospitals.”

However, Nozala Health Partners is also looking at expansion opportunities beyond the private sector as Tony reveals: “We embrace the local government with the roll out of the national health insurance plans where patients will have a choice of the hospital they’d like to be treated in. It is important for us that we are accredited and become one of the preferred providers of choice.”

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68 | Endeavour Magazine

A MINE IS

A Mine

WRITTEN BY DAEMON SANDS

Endeavour readers will recognize Assmang’s story of flexibility, strong belief and dedication to staff. Established in 1934 by Bob Hersov and Slip Menell, Anglovaal (Anglo Transvaal Consolidated Investment Company Limited) initially worked alongside Guido Sacco, who owned Gloucester Manganese. In 1935 the interest in manganese deposits began with the newly registered company Associated Manganese Mines of South Africa Limited, AMMOSAL, now called Assmang Limited.

Endeavour Magazine | 69

ASSMANG MANGANESE

Sharing an equal share with African Rainbow Minerals they would consider themselves to be an employee focussed company. A lot of time and funds are invested into their staff and the training of local people, “We bring in people from outside the locale but we find that they don’t always stay while local people do,” Willem told us, “The industry standard on spend per employee training is about 4%, Assmang maintains 8% spend on their employees, over twice that of our competitors.”

S

taff, are the foundation of any business and historically the focus a company places on their people is directly proportionate to their success. It directly relates to how their

clients are looked after.

Focus On Staff Assmang is also a leader in housing, with a personal endeavour to ensure every employee has their own house, “We subsidize housing for our employees, allowing them to purchase their own properties

A great deal has been written regarding the reasons pertaining

for themselves and their families. This contributes well to the success

to the skill shortage in South Africa and it is a testament to the

of each of the mines because we build houses for employees in the

philosophy of Assmang that they are not interested in the reasons,

nearest towns to the mines.”

looking instead to the solutions. They focus on where people are

When asked about employment and looking for new staff, Willem

going and not where they have been, “For whatever reason there is

told us, “Yes, we do look further afield for specific staffing positions,

a skill shortage in South Africa,” Willem has said, “As a company we

however we much prefer to look internally. We’ve found the benefits

ensure that employee renumeration makes us a company to work for,

of internal promotion and development of our own staff far out

a company where people do not have jobs to perform but careers to

weight those of merely headhunting,” this is something he feels very

develop”.

strongly about, “We take people from school level, offering bursaries

70 | Endeavour Magazine

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ASSMANG MANGANESE

and training people up. Develop your staff and you’re company will

South Africa where several large properties underlain by ore were

grow.”

subsequently found and acquired.

Assmang is a one stop shop of iron ore, manganese and chrome

“Black Rock is considered to be the largest and richest manganese

striving to continuously improve efficiency and productivity through

deposit in the world,” Willem explain last we spoke, “Manganese ore

an approach strengthened with a scientific strategy involving long

operations have been extended and today include the Gloria and

term planning and day-to-day execution.

Nchwaning underground mines. Manganese ore is supplied locally

Having spoken with Willem Grobbelaar regarding Assmang there is a clear sense of loyalty and pride felt for the company. It is not

to Assmang-owned smelters, but is mainly exported through Port Elizabeth to Japanese and German customers.”

just a business but a legacy that has outlived competitors for many

The manganese ores of the Kalahari Manganese field are contained

years. To cover all the aspects of Assmang we have touched on three

within sediments of the Hotazel Formation of the Griqualand West

different mines to represent their major sectors of iron, manganese

Sequence, a subdivision of the Proterozoic Transvaal Supergroup.

and chrome mining.

At Black Rock, Belgravia and Nchwaning, the Hotazel, Mapedi and

Manganese At Black Rock In 1940, Assmang acquired a manganese ore outcrop on a small hillock known as Black Rock in the Northern Cape province of

Lucknow Formations have been duplicated by thrusting. The thrusted ore bodies comprising Black Rock (Koppie), Belgravia 1 and Belgravia 2 are collectively known as Black Rock the ore bodies. The average thickness of the Hotazel Formation is approximately 490 metres.

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services to companies such as Anglo American, PPC, BHP Billiton

Services rendered to Assmang include: Blasthole Drilling, Crushing

and Assmang.

Our drilling capacity is currently 230 000 to 250 000 metres per month for 8 blasthole drilling sites, we’re able to drill individual

& Screening and Loading & Hauling (Khumani site); Blasthole Drilling (Beeshoek site); and Exploration Drilling (Blackrock site).

hole-diameters according to drilling requirements.

Our mechanical staff and fully equipped engineering workshop 72 | Endeavour Magazine

Visit www.bcms.co.za or contact us +27 53 712 2858

ASSMANG MANGANESE

The geological uniqueness of this area is a source of the success of the area and plays a prominent role in the industry.

With such a rich abundance of kutnohorite and braunite and high-grade

hausmannite

ore.

Intermediate areas exhibit a complex mineralogy of bixbyite, braunite and jacobsite amongst a host of other manganesebearing minerals.

Two manganese seams are present. The No 1 seam is up to

Iron Ore at Khumani Mine Khumani, the San people of the region literally means, “The people of the Southern Kalahari ” and specularite associated with the iron ore deposits in the area was actually used by the people as a cosmetic thousands of years ago. They would mix the specularite (a kind of iron ore) and mix it with fat in order to make a glittery makeup. The rest of the world didn’t even know that the birth of the cosmetic industry could have happened there.

Khumani Mine, replaced the older Beeshoek Iron Ore Mine as the main iron ore producer for Assmang Limited and has been designed to produce 10 million tons of export quality iron ore each year.

“This figure will eventually rise to 16 million tons upon completion of phase 2 of the Khumani Expansion Project” said Willem.

Manganore iron formation and conglomerate ore belonging to the Doornfontein Conglomerate Member at the base of the Gamagara Formation.

Due to the larger stratiform bodies and prominent hanging wall outcrops at the Khumani mine, the erosion there is less than some of its counterparts.

The down-dip portions are well preserved and developed while in the outcrop the deposits are thin

6 metres in thickness, of which

The Phase 2 expansion includes development of the mining

and isolated. A prominent north-

3,5 – 4,5 metres are mined,

platform on the King property, chrushers, material handling systems,

south strike of the ore is visible.

using a manganese marker zone

stockpiles, stackers & reclaimers, a local railway siding, an additional

Hematite is the predominant

for control. There is, therefore,

rapid load-out station, a paste disposal facility, haul roads and other

ore mineral, but limonite and

minimum dilution. No mining is

supporting facilities.

specularite also occur.

presently undertaken on No 2

The iron ore deposits are contained within a sequence of early

seam at Nchwaning or Gloria,

Proterozoic sediments of the Transvaal Supergroup deposited

however it is due to commence

between 2 500 and 2 200 million years ago. In general, two ore types

on Nchwaning shortly.

are present, namely laminated hematite ore forming part of the

74 | Endeavour Magazine

Chrome From Dwarsrivier Mine Chromite production from

ASSMANG MANGANESE

Dwarsrivier Mine is sourced

In addition the plant has been designed to produce chemical grade

appearance of chromitite layers

from underground. Chromite

products but due to market dynamics the smelters are converted to

marks the start of the Critical

used to be obtained from the

the production of ferromanganese.

Zone, economically the most

open-cast mining areas at a rate

Chromite operations at the Dwarsrivier Mine form part of the

important zone. The layers are

of approximately 0.9 million

Chrome Ores & Alloys operations of Assmang Limited. The mine is

grouped into three sets termed

tons per year; however these

situated on the farm Dwarsrivier, in the Mpumalanga province in

the Lower, Middle and Upper

reserves were exhausted in

South Africa. Assmang purchased the farm from Gold Fields Limited,

groups. The sixth chromitite

2005.

together with all surface and mineral rights in October 1998.

seam

Underground

mining

in

the

Lower

Group

commenced in 2005 at a rate

The Dwarsrivier Mine is situated in the eastern limb of the

(LG6), is an important source of

of 1.2 million tons Run of

Bushveld Complex, which comprises persistent layers of mafic and

chromite ore and is the orebody

Mine (ROM) per year. Current

ultramafic rocks, containing the world’s largest known resources of

being mined at the Dwarsrivier

underground design capacity

platinum group metals, chromium and vanadium. The mafic rocks

Mine. In the Eastern Lobe, in

is 120,000 tons per month

termed the Rustenburg Layered Suite, are approximately 8 kilometres

the vicinity of Dwarsrivier, the

ROM. The Dwarsrivier Mine

thick in the Eastern Lobe, and are divided formally into five zones.

strike is nearly north-south,

is specifically geared to deliver

The rocks of the Marginal Zone at the base of the succession consist

with a dip of approximately

high quality metallurgical grade

mainly of pyroxenites with some dunites and harzburgites. Above

10 degrees towards the west.

chromite to the Machadodorp

the Marginal Zone, the Lower Zone comprises mainly pyroxenites,

Average thickness of the LG6

Works, but lately the focus

harzburgites and dunite, and is present only in the northern part

seam is about 1,86 metres in

shifted to the export market.

of the Eastern Lobe, and only as far south as Steelpoort. The

the Dwarsrivier area. Pipe-like

76 | Endeavour Magazine

dunite intrusions are evident in

developed

the area, as well as dolerite dykes

hardship in difficult operating

that on average strike northeast-

conditions they are entering

southwest. No significant grade

a new phase in its challenging

variation is evident, especially

but distinguished history with

not vertically in the ore seam.

confidence, even in the face of

Small,

tough global market conditions

insignificant

regional

variations do, however, exist.

Assmang

bears

over

decades

of

and challenges.

little

“As long as we keep looking to

resemblance to the fledgling

protect what is important we will

company that started work on

be here for the long run,” Willem

the Northern Cape’s manganese

concludes.

fields in 1935. Today, they benefit from the modern mining infrastructure and technologies.

Their

“we

do

it

better”

philosophy has helped to ensure low operating costs and high employee buy-in. With flexibility,

Endeavour Magazine | 77

CMC MOTOR GROUP 00254 20 554 111 WWW.CMCMOTORS.COM

78 | Endeavour Magazine

EXTENSIVE AUTOMOTIVE SOLUTIONS ACROSS EAST AFRICA

WRITTEN BY CHRISTOPHER DAVIES

With a footprint that extends through Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, CMC Holdings Ltd (CMC Group) is able to deliver comprehensive automotive solutions and after sales support.

Endeavour Magazine | 79

CMC MOTOR GROUP

Established in 1948, CMC Holdings Ltd is one of the most dominant figures in the East African automotive industry. Listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange in 1956, the company remains public to this day, serving a wide range of customers across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

W

ith brands including Ford, Volkswagen, Maruti, and Suzuki, CMC Motors Group has a plethora of cars to choose from. However, the organisation also caters

for niche markets as well, with commercial and agricultural vehicle solutions from MAN, , UD, Case New Holland Agriculture and Case construction on offer.

CMC Motors Group’s services portfolio doesn’t end there, as CMC Engineering manufactures and assembles an array of products such high speed and agricultural trailers, body fabrications, water tanks and truck bodies.

The organisation also has a 33 per cent shareholding in Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers Limited an assembler and body builder.

Differentiating from competitors In a highly competitive environment, the acting Group Managing Director Mary Ngige recognises the importance of standing out from the crowd. Thankfully, CMC Motors Group has numerous assets and strengths it can call upon.

“The unique thing for us is that we are a one-stop-shop,” notes Ngige. “All of our customer’s automotive needs can be met by the group, from commercial vehicles and passenger cars, to agricultural solutions, construction equipment and other equipment like water tanks and trailers.

80 | Endeavour Magazine

“Our extensive network provides a complete range of automotive solutions not only in Kenya, but also Uganda and Tanzania.”

Customer service Supplying any product or service is important, but assuring standards remain high is another crucial part of CMC Motors Group’s vision.

“The franchises we have are renowned for their quality, efficiency and value for money,” boasts Ngige. “We stock high end vehicles like Volkswagen, Ford and others such Maruti, which represent different segments in the market.”

For Ngige, providing the customer with a product is only one half of the story, as CMC Motors Group is on hand to deliver a dedicated

We offer individual and corporate customers a wide range of

after-sales service thanks to long-standing relationships with some of

insurance products to help soften the blow when unforeseen

the world’s top automakers.

circumstances arise. We take pride in an efficient claims

“Due to our knowledge and experience in the industry, we are

settlement procedure, knowing that our clients deserve the

also able to provide quality service and the parts required for all our

highest standards of service not only when we are receiving

brands,” she says. “For example, we have been with Volkswagen for

their premiums, but also, and more importantly, when they

over 60 years and have a good relationship with our suppliers who

need us the most.

provide support. Our staff know the products inside out too, which helps us to serve the customer.”

Endeavour Magazine | 81

CMC MOTOR GROUP

Recent developments Following the election in Kenya this year, the World Bank predicted the country’s economy would surge by almost 6 per cent thanks to greater capital flow and low interest rates, with CMC Motors Group looking to take advantage of this good news.

Ngige explains: “The industry is looking up for us. There are a lot of opportunities to provide automotive solutions in the region. We also have a lot more investors coming into the country who need automotive solutions such as the construction and mining industries.

In June 2013, CMC Motors Group held its Annual General Meeting, issuing financial statements for the past two years.

Regardless of past hardships, Ngige was pleased to announce the company was back on the right track.

“In 2011 we made a loss, but despite everything that has happened, the company is profitable once again and we expect to post even better results in September this year,” she reveals.

Ford Ranger Odyssey Africa 2013 Having won the International Pickup Award 2013, the Ford Ranger “is taking the market by storm thanks to its quality and performance,”

according to Ngige. As the official

Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania,”

Ford dealers in Kenya, CMC

cites Solomon Muturi, Managing

Motors Group is promoting this

Director, CMC Motors Group,

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Kenyan subsidiary.

road challenge.

Kennedy Ouko, CMC Ford

Starting in Nairobi on 23

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Looking ahead Although CMC Motors Group is targeting growth and greater levels of profitability, Ngige says the company will stay focused on what has made it successful thus far.

“In the next five years, I see a very customer focused organisation providing value for money automotive solutions,” she notes. “The total cost of ownership of vehicles and equipment will be kept to a minimum, but customers will receive the best support possible.

“I also predict profits of more than one Kshs 1 billion, with shareholders seeing the return they deserve.”

To achieve these aims, CMC Motors Group will reorganise the structure of the business and concentrate on increasing operational efficiency.

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Endeavour Magazine | 83

PPC ZIMBABWE 00263 979 241 WWW.PPC.CO.ZA/ZIMBABWE

84 | Endeavour Magazine

HERE’S TO 100 MORE YEARS PPC ZIMBABWE HAS REASON TO CELEBRATE WRITTEN BY CHRISTOPHER DAVIES

With PPC Zimbabwe having celebrated its centenary in 2013, director of business development and corporate strategy Gavin Stephens sees no reason why the company can’t keep trading for another 100 years.

Endeavour Magazine | 85

PPC ZIMBABWE

“We are a Zimbabwean company, we have been here 100 years, we know our market, our production facilities are the most modern in Africa and we continue to invest in them,” Stephens proudly boasts. “We will be here for another 100 years with confidence.”

I

n a rapidly changing world that is constantly evolving, just how has PPC Zimbabwe managed to prolong and maintain its success throughout the years?

“I would say it is our consistency and quality,” says Stephens. “We

are a recognised brand, known for being the best in the country and conforming to various international standards.”

However, there is no room for complacency at PPC Zimbabwe, as evaluating processes and continuous improvement are of the utmost importance.

“We have a system which is aimed at involving employees at all levels of the company. This includes assessing their performance, learning from mistakes, how to move forward and suggesting ways to improve in the future,” asserts Stephens.

Njombo Lekula 86 | Endeavour Magazine

Iain Sheasby

Gavin Stephens

B.H.E. TECHNICAL SERVICES 8 Rubin Masions, 14th Av/ Corner E: bheinfo@iwayafrica.co.zw R. Mugabe Way, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe W: www.bheinfo.co.zw +263 9 880170, 886611

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15:08 Endeavour10/07/2013 Magazine | 87

PPC ZIMBABWE

History

commitment to quality.

PPC Zimbabwe traces its roots back to a factory 15km east of Bulawayo that was established in 1913. Known as Premier Portland Cement, the company’s product went on sale a year later and before long it was exporting goods to Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) and the Belgian Congo.

Sales figures of 3,000 tonnes a year early on began to increase thanks to a rise in the construction of dams and a demand for cement during the Second World War. Even though more facilities were

confidence in Zimbabwe. Since

“We have celebrated our

1913, we have come through

centenary year with customers,

recessions as well as ups and

service providers and staff at

downs, but we are still here.”

events in Bulawayo and Harare,”

At the end of last year,

cites Stephens. “Next month

PPC Zimbabwe also received

is the 50th anniversary of our

its

brand name Unicem too, so

complying

this celebration will reflect our

law that requires 51% of a

indigenisation with

certificate, government

established to meet capacity requirements, a dip in sales during the sixties forced PPC to become more efficient. A joint-holding company between Premier Portland and Rhocem rationalised production and United Portland Cement (Unichem) was born in 1965.

As the years rolled by, so did sales figures, with capacity increasing throughout decades of successful operation. Like any other company, PPC Zimbabwe has experienced numerous triumphs and times of hardship, but its position in the market 100 years after inception is testament to the organisation’s

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Tatanga has the experience, expertise, plant and equipment to provide first rate construction, civil & structural engineering and equipment hire services. It is ideally placed to participate in a wide range of planned infrastructure projects as Zimbabwe’s economy re-ignites, particularly in the mining sector where Duration Gold, another Clarity company, will provide a secure flow of underpinning contracts.

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Laymack Investments (Pvt) Ltd prides itself to be associated with such a giant and dynamic conglomerate like Portland Holdings-Zimbabwe Ltd. Our symbiotic and cordial business relationship with PPC spans for more than seven years.

These years of efficient and effective business extention under the PPC flagship has seen both entities not only growing in leaps and bounds, but moreso, constantly being reborn.

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In this context, Laymack Investments (Pvt) Ltd takes this opportunity to congratulate Portland Holdings (Pvt) Ltd on the achievement of 100 years of quality cement production.

Endeavour Magazine | 89

PPC ZIMBABWE

company to be given to native shareholders. “We are in the process

help enhance income and improve health as well as several sports

of implementing this ahead of the competition. It will give the

activities. CSR is nothing new to us as a company.”

community and employees shares in the company,” says Stephens.

Employees Even though PPC Zimbabwe recognises the importance of employee satisfaction, with remuneration above the national

Developments for the industry and PPC Zimbabwe Since Zimbabwe adopted the dollar, the cement industry has

average for the industry, the company’s workforce receives several

enjoyed a solid recovery and good growth. During the country’s

additional benefits.

hyper inflation period, cement sales dropped to 400,000 tonnes a

“Staff on-site are provided with housing, clinics and free medical

year compared to an industry high of 1.1 million in 1999. But with

schooling,” reveals Stephens. “We also offer a comprehensive HIV

numbers now back on track, Stephens believes PPC Zimbabwe is

program that guarantees access to antiretroviral drugs to any

well-positioned to take advantage of future expansion.

employee and his or her family.”

Although Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become big business for corporations around the world, Stephens says reaching out to the local people and wider community has always been of great significance to PPC Zimbabwe.

“We have quite a long history over the past 100 years of being involved in our community which has seen us take part in a number of activities,” he says. “We have various agricultural projects that

“Looking at our competition, they are reaching their capacity constraints.” he notes. “While we have enjoyed a growth in market share, we still have an extensive capacity.”

The ability to maximise volume has been made possible by a recent investment at the company’s Bulawayo plant, with capacity growing from 650,000 to 1.1 million tonnes. Loading and dispatch operations have also been improved thanks to a $6 million injection of funds.

Three years ago, PPC Zimabwe spent $20 million at its Colleen

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90 | Endeavour Magazine

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PPC ZIMBABWE

Bawn factory and is planning on

During the cement industry’s

confident it can carry on its

increasing volume further still

difficult period when shortages

success in the future. “We

with a $3 million project in 2013.

were

see

The

possibilities

common,

consumers

continued

growth

and

for

were forced to buy whatever

demand for cement and are well

expansion do not stop there,

they could find. However, since

positioned to take advantage of

as Stephens explains: “We are

its recovery, PPC Zimbabwe

this ahead of the competition.

in the process of exploring the

recognises the importance of

We are bullish about the future,

possibility of a new plant and this

customer service.

regardless of circumstances out

is quite advanced. We would hope

“We need to change the

to see progress on the ground

previous mindset and become

by next year. Looking ahead, we

more customer focused,” notes

see demand for cement growing

Stephens. “We are engaged in

and outstripping the installed

extensive market surveys, we

capacity, hence the decision to

try to understand our clientele

look at a new facilities.

better and want to become

“We are also looking at North

more customer orientated. This

East Zimbabwe because we want

project is well underway and is

to be closer to the Harare market

being conducted by our sales

and spreading our operations

department.”

across the country more evenly.”

The future

of our control,” Stephens signs off.

Looking ahead, despite an uncertain political and economic outlook,

PPC

Zimbabwe

is

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Endeavour Magazine | 93

NEW BRITAIN PALM OIL 0065 6227 6247 WWW.NBPOL.COM.PG

94 | Endeavour Magazine

SO FAR AHEAD OF THE GAME, WHAT’S NOW? WRITTEN BY JACK SLATER

Last year we looked at New Britain Palm Oil’s (NBPOL) significant steps towards sustainability.

Now in 2013, the company has become totally 100% sustainable and certified and having achieved this highest echelon of standard we have revisited the company to highlight the new steps and to find out how a company, who is so far ahead of their competition, maintains such an impressive lead. It all comes down to focussing on the staff.

Endeavour Magazine | 95

NEW BRITAIN PALM OIL

You may need a reminder of the name New Britain Palm Oil but not the product as palm oil is an ingredient that is heavily used in food products and preparation world over. One of the major exports of the equatorial belt New Britain Palm Oil has been cultivating and harvesting palm oil since before the onset of the Second World War when an agricultural officer named Frank Henderson based at Talasea recognised the potential of an area of land known as the “Mosa block” for agricultural development.

T

his area of land is on the northern coast of West New Britain Province, an island lying to the east of the Papua New Guinea mainland and situated in the Bismarck Archipelago.

“We are the world’s leading producer of sustainable palm oil,”

Simon told us, “Certified in accordance with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil Principles and Criteria.”

Fully vertically integrated, producing their own seed for planting, processing from cultivating through to harvesting its own land and refining the palm oil NBPOL are also the largest domestic sugar and beef producers in Papua New Guinea. Maintaining contact directly with their end customers in the EU, managing the freight and shipping of their products the strength of the company has always been found in something else.

“Our plantation operations are in Papua New Guinea and in the Solomon Islands, where we also have a refinery and a bulking terminal,” Simon explains, “Our newly built UK refinery – New Britain Oils – delivers segregated, traceable and certified sustainable food ingredients to our customers. But the strength of our offering is

“Palm oil is in one in ten items on a supermarket shelf,” Simon reveals, “That places a huge demand on it as a product and a resource.”

96 | Endeavour Magazine

Endeavour Magazine | 97

PLUMBING - HARDWARE

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NEW BRITAIN PALM OIL

found in our employees. They are

oil palm is ten times more productive than soya oil in terms of yields.

In keeping with a policy of

the most important commodity.”

Meaning that a hectare planted with palm oil provides the same

support and career development,

employees

quantity of oil as ten hectares planted with soya. This saves forests

in addition to being listed on the

and the environment are two

whilst at the same time provides a cheaper commodity to a world

London Stock Exchange NBPOL

of the impressive pillars that

requiring more and more food. When you add this to the lengths at

is also listed on the Port Moresby

New Britain Palm Oil has built

which New Britain Palm Oil goes to ensure sustainable production it

Stock Exchange to give the

their foundation on. As one of

gives a fresh edge to what this PNG Company is doing from a global

opportunity for local staff and

the world’s leading producer of

perspective.

people to invest and purchase

Safeguarding

sustainable palm oil they have

To remain ahead of the competition NBPOL have to excel in

made a reputation for setting

keeping up with this demand and part of their method if the full

industry benchmarks, a tactic

support and reinvestment of their staff.

shares in the company.

By doing this not only does NBPOL guarantee themselves

that has consistently put them

NBPOL operates exclusively in the Asia Pacific region but requires

a loyal pool of employees but a

ahead of all of their competition.

a diverse catalogue of individual expertise and skillsets that have

strong handle on shareholders

“Palm oil is in one in ten items

them often recruiting from abroad and bringing them into the country

for the future. As it is the

providing housing and security.

provincial Government of West

on a supermarket shelf,” Simon reveals, “That places a huge

“Our company headquarters are in West New Britain Province,

New Britain is the second largest

demand on it as a product and a

Papua New Guinea where we have a refinery and the main bulking

shareholder in the company

resource.”

terminal,” Dr. Simon Lord tells us “and our plantation operations are

and ensures that the people of

Palm oil competes with other

in 5 other provinces in Papua New Guinea and also in the Solomon

this provinces share in NBPOL’s

world oil and is often maligned

Islands. On each site we have estates and smallholder as well as mills,

prosperity.

but a bit of research reveals that

storage facilities and accommodation.”

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100 | Endeavour Magazine

“Despite this drop in oil

prices and the turbulent global economic environment we are still on the growth path,” Simon reveals.

44 Achievement Crescent, Acacia Ridge, Qld 4110

Part of NBPOL’s success can be attributed to the productivity of their own plantations which cover 78,000 hectares of oil palm but also to that hard work of its 15,000 smallholders who supply over a quarter of the fruit. The company now operates a total of 11 crude palm oil mills, and employs over 25,000 people in West New Britain, Ramu Valley, Milne Bay, Poliamba and Higaturu in Papua New Guinea and the Guadalcanal Province of the Solomon Islands.

“Our main refinery, New Britain Oils, is based in Liverpool, UK,” Simon explains, “Where the focus is on delivering segregated, traceable and certified sustainable food ingredients to end customers based in the EU.” It is the vertical integration of operations, from plantation to refinery, that has enabled this PNG company to present an unbroken chain of custody for its fully certified sustainable palm right into the heart of Europe.

“As a major employer there is a clear link between sustainable palm oil and well looked after staff,” he concludes.

Endeavour Magazine | 101

PAN AFRICAN SHOPFITTERS 0027 11 825 1234 WWW.PANAFIC.COM

102 | Endeavour Magazine

DYNAMIC Dynasty WRITTEN BY COLIN GIBSON

After 65 years in business, and now under the management of the third generation of the Blumenthal family, Pan African Shopfitters is an agile and energetic business, as directors Michael Blumenthal and Charles Jankelow explain to Colin Gibson.

Endeavour Magazine | 103

PAN AFRICAN SHOPFITTERS

Wherever you are in the world, retail shopfitting is a fast moving business. The world is a much smaller place now than it was in 1948 when Gunther Blumenthal founded Pan African Shopfitters in Johannesburg with six employees, but the family business has kept pace with a changing marketplace.

T

he third generation of family directors, comprising Michael,

“Our business has changed as a result of changes in demand in the

Lance, David and Keith Blumenthal have since grown Pan

marketplace,” says Michael Blumenthal. “A lot of international brands

African into the largest shopfitting organisation in Africa,

have been coming into South Africa; a lot of value engineering has

and an industry leader in custom and bespoke retail shopfitting serving major national and international retail brands.

been going on, and a lot of space planning has been happening.”

Being a family business has obviously helped in keeping up with

The family has witnessed a great deal of change over the

a changing marketplace. “We live it,” says Blumenthal. “We’re fairly

years, largely driven by customers and by advances in technology.

young guys; we’re all in our forties, but we’ve lived through the changes and we accommodate the market as changes occur.

“We obviously look to modernise our systems and our machinery,” he continues. “We look at that all the time to keep up with international standards. We have an in-house software development program and we use it to our advantage. We are able to change and adapt, we are aware of new products that come online and new ways of merchandising; it’s an evolution. We look at what the international guys are doing and what retailers are doing and we make it all available if our clients want to use it or improve on it.”

“We also go every three years to EuroShop in Germany and to various other trade shows all over the world,” says Charles Jankelow, a director since 2008. “If there’s something new we’ll implement it.

You can always find new products and new technologies and you have to develop the skills to work with them.”

From technical design to in-house manufacturing to complete installation, Pan African’s large portfolio of services and capabilities allows it to deliver a full turnkey solution with extensive in-house experience and expertise in all the disciplines involved, from joinery to metalwork, electro-plating to powder coating and anodising, from

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www.segalsmetals.co.za 104 | Endeavour Magazine

design to transportation.

Although Pan African has a concept design capability, its growing number of international clients means that a project is more likely to begin with concept drawings and materials specifications, from which technical drawings are made in-house. Depending on the size of the project, it typically takes six to eight weeks from the concept stage, through manufacture and fitting until the shop is ready for opening.

This is a highly vertically integrated business, with many aspects to it. “Each one of these disciplines is a business on its own,” says

Blumenthal. “Because of the demand and the lack of supply of

A service provider like Pan African Shopfitters has limited ability

materials and expertise over the last 65 years, we’ve adopted these

to influence its own growth because it is dependent on market

businesses in-house and we do it all internally.”

demand, so it makes sure it is fit enough to take advantage of growing

Nevertheless, it must be very complex to manage, I suggest.

demand when it occurs. “We absolutely depend on market demand,”

“It might seem challenging to the untrained eye,” says Blumenthal

says Jankelow. “If the demand is there we will grow, which we have

modestly, “but when you’ve grown up with it, it’s not as difficult as

been doing. We have somewhere between 45 to 50 thousand square

it seems. We have excellent systems, managers and department

metres under roof now and we have between 800 and 1000 staff,

workers. Everyone’s in sync and everyone works together to

depending on demand. There are periods when we run night shifts

streamline the process. A lot of our staff have been in the business

and there are periods when we run seven days a week. It’s all based

for 40 years, so they have grown with the business and have become

on demand. If the demand’s there, we will supply.”

a very valuable part of it.”

Rather than complexity, time is the hardest thing to manage

This is where a family business scores again—not only in terms

because it’s always in short supply, says Blumenthal. “I would say

of staff longevity, but also in management expertise. It has to be a

that for any retailer anywhere in the world, lead time is probably the

complex business, but when you’ve grown up with it, it’s a way of life.

greatest challenge. There’s never enough time to do a project.”

“We could have anywhere between 40 and 80 projects on the go at any

With all the resources at its disposal, Pan African Shopfitters

one time,” says Jankelow, “all over the country, all over the continent,

can manufacture whatever it needs, but when the customer wants

and further afield. We work quite a lot in other African countries. We

to open a new shop on a particular day, it has to find a way to make

have also been working in the United Arab Emirates and we were

time, too. The company’s greatest asset and the source of its major

one of the biggest suppliers to BHS (British Home Stores) a couple of

achievements is its ability to manage time, says Jankelow. “You get the

years ago in the UK. The rand is fairly volatile. If it’s a strong rand we’ll

best feeling when you have a twelve week job, only seven weeks to do

import and if it’s a weak rand we’ll export. We move with the trends.

it, and you pull it off.”

We are able to adapt.”

Endeavour Magazine | 105

ATMEI CONSTRUCTION GROUP 0027 11 7691764 WWW.ATMEI.CO.ZA

106 | Endeavour Magazine

FUELLING UP ON Atmei Construction’s

Success

comprehensive petrochemical solutions

WRITTEN BY CHARLES ROBERTS

The preferred company of choice for the mining and petrochemical industries, Atmei Construction believes continued success is down to its dedicated and passionate workforce

Endeavour Magazine | 107

ATMEI CONSTRUCTION GROUP

If you ask Kimraj Ishwarlall, director at Atmei Construction, what makes the company so unique and successful, he has no shortage of answers in response. “The quality of products we supply, the longevity of the company itself, stability in the sector we operate in and our recognition in the market place,” he confidently asserts.

“W

e are without doubt the market leaders. Our staff has the industry expertise and the commitment we make to our customers is for the long haul.”

Atmei Construction’s CEO Jacques Petrie is also proud of the

company’s prosperity. “If you look at Atmei since the mid-nineties, we have achieved around 25 per cent growth per annum,” he discloses.

“This is just our South African market. If you include other countries it would be over 30 per cent. We are a small company, but have shown great potential.”

Overview Having been established in 1970, Atmei Construction is extremely experienced, with a workforce boasting in-depth knowledge of the mining and petrochemical industries. Specialising in the design of bulk fuel and lubricant installations, the company’s wide range of services includes project management, filtration systems, waste oil recovery, spillage clean-ups as well as civil, structural, electrical and mechanical work.

Operating in potentially dangerous industries with hazardous materials requires Atmei Construction to abide by various regulations. However, the company prides itself on strong health, safety and environmental principles, which Ishwarlall regards as one Atmei’s most notable characteristics.

“As part of our day to day operations, we are committed to ensuring air and water pollution prevention, sustainable land management, the management of unique flora, forests, water and wildlife, a clean and 108 | Endeavour Magazine

healthy environment for all employees, shareholders, customers, contractors, suppliers, the community and other interested parties.”

Unique Selling Point Even with a comprehensive list of services available, Ishwarlall believes Atmei Construction’s niche approach is what differentiates the company from competitors. “We are a specialist petrochemical company and this is what makes us unique,” he notes. “Whereas competitors try to do a bit of everything, we have a sole focus.”

From the first point of contact to a dedicated after-sales service, Atmei offers its customers extensive, far-reaching construction solutions. “We are not limited to one field of expertise,” reveals Petrie. “We operate from a bankable feasibility study right through to construction, procurement and facilities management. We have knowledge in-house and limit the use of sub-contractors.”

Ishwarlall adds: “While our rivals sell components or only do part of the process, we go from design to turnkey.”

Employees “We are very passionate about our people,” notes Ishwarlall. “We try and create a very diverse working environment as the growth of

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Endeavour Magazine | 109

ATMEI CONSTRUCTION GROUP

the company comes from our

the need for staff to be trained in a variety of roles. Rather than having

a dependable fleet of vehicles to

people.”

numerous people for numerous jobs, Ishwarlall believes in educating

rely on is crucial.

With certain members of

his employees in multiple disciplines.

Ishwarlall cites: “We always

staff at the company for over

“On site, we have anything from safety officers to mechanical

try to be ahead of our competitors

30 years, Atmei Construction

engineers,” he notes. “But we can train people in different skills, like a

when it comes to technology

has become an employer of

qualified welder who is also trained in First Aid and HSE. We give them

because we do a lot of electrical

choice for the local community.

a broad knowledge of responsibility, which makes them attractive for

installations. For instance, a mine

Empowering the workforce and

the mining companies.”

will want to know how many

giving personnel the opportunity to improve is a continual process for the company as Petrie reveals: “A lot of the training is inhouse and expertise are passed

Current developments Even though Atmei Construction is based in South Africa, the company is actively looking at growth and expansion opportunities in neighbouring countries. This also enables Atmei to collaborate and work closely with other organisations in the area.

on through mentorships. This is

“If you look at the continent, mining is a very big industry and as

where we uplift our employees

such we have moved into Mozambique, Zambia and are looking at

and give staff the opportunity to

other regions. ,” says Ishwarlall. “If we can’t do it ourselves, we create

grow in company.”

joint-ventures with already established companies in the area.”

litres of fuel a truck uses over a certain distance or time. So we collect this information and pass it on to the customer.

“We currently have a fleet of 90 vehicles, and we always make sure that each one is no more than four years old.”

The future

As an organisation heavily

In terms of capital investments, on-going areas of the business that

involved in the mining industry,

constantly need monitoring are technology and transport. Staying

Ishwarlall predicts that Atmei

Atmei Construction recognises

up-to-date with the latest advancements is imperative, while having

Construction will move forward

110 | Endeavour Magazine

In

the

next

five

years,

with an increase in orders in

not stagnant when it comes to

addition to strategic takeovers of

operations,” he reveals. “We

industry-related organisations.

continually look at where the

“We are putting a plan together to grow organically, as this is a solid investment and

market is and try to increase our field of expertise.”

Predicting

the

future

is

will guarantee business,” he says.

always difficult, but whatever lies

“We are also looking at acquiring

ahead for Atmei Construction,

companies that claim the same

you can be sure that the company

mining and petrochemical space.

will continue to operate with its

“These do not have to be

employees and customer’s best

directly related to Atmei, but

interests at heart.

should be complemented by us.

For example we are looking at fuel transportation and electrical installation

companies.

Why

not attract customers wearing different hats?”

Petrie also remains adamant that

the

organisation

will

continue to progress. “We are

Endeavour Magazine | 111

SALBERG CONCRETE PRODUCTS 0027 11 357 7600 WWW.SALBERG.CO.ZA

112 | Endeavour Magazine

TIME FOR A TURNAROUND SALBERG EMBRACES CHANGE TO REAP REWARDS WRITTEN BY JOHN HARVEY

Following a sea of change in the wake of economic hardship, Salberg is enjoying record levels of success in a booming era for the company.

Endeavour Magazine | 113

SALBERG CONCRETE PRODUCTS

Established over 40 years ago, Salberg has been a precast concrete industry stalwart with a wide range of specialist products and a diverse customer base. However, since founder Dave Salberg passed away seven years ago, the company struggled in the face of the global economic crisis and desperately needed a new and innovative approach to business in the 21st century.

T

o this end Dr Rudy Absil, one of the country’s top turnaround

month on month, to date. “It’s been an impressive four quarters

specialist, was brought in as CEO by the newly appointed

and the outstanding performance is continuing. May has once again

Chairman of the Salberg Group, Barbara Parker. Twelve

broken all sales records and we are currently managing our biggest

months later Salberg is closing its financial year with the best results in recent years.

According to Absil the new team broke company records in the first six months and has subsequently broken their own records

back order book ever”.

Absil attributes successful turn-arounds to five key elements: • Appointment of competent business leaders • Effective cost and cash flow management (Rightsizing ) • KPI based performance management and clear role definition • Culture of learning • Effective and efficient communication channels

Implementing the five key drivers “When I arrived the key executives had already been removed and mind-set of change introduced but it was a long way from a sustainable turn around”.

“The first order of the day was to surround myself with competent decision makers in all the key business areas, namely Operations, Engineering, Finance and Human Resources”.

“Secondly, we had to rightsize – as oppose to downsize, the staff and in so doing we were able to streamline processes and develop more effective and efficient channels of communication”.

Thirdly, we had to develop a culture of continued competency. This was achieved through, among others, the introduction of participative performance management, targeted training and ongoing process analysis and improvement by both managers and workers.

“Creating visual indications of how the business is doing to make staff constantly aware of performance has been critical. Performance targets all for divisions are monitored at all levels throughout the organisations at meeting and/or forums daily, weekly and monthly.”

“We applied a lot of the consultancy principles including short interval controls, visual measurement and balanced scorecards so people can see where we are, how much we make, how much we sell, the cost of production and cost of maintenance, among others, on a daily basis. Making people aware of how they’re doing makes it easier to improve performance.”

114 | Endeavour Magazine

Company culture In addition to developments relating to operations and production, Absil also identified the need to change the company culture and reward employees for good performance.

“Prior to the change problems were handling through aggressive and counterproductive warnings and dismissals. A culture of low C

team work, covering-ones-back and grapevine gossip emerged in an M

environment where an average of 120-150 warnings were issued a month. In a medium size company this is excessive”.

Y

CM

“Pivotal to change”, suggested Absil, “was the shift to recognition MY

and reward”. “Giving the workforce incentives and providing CY

opportunities for further training has been crucial in the company’s CMY

success. A competent, motivated and enthusiastic staff are central to a thriving business.”

K

“We have a monthly incentive for the best employee and a quarterly incentive for the best production team. Every 2 nd week we select the best performing team and on a Friday afternoon they have a BBQ. The sales team now work on commission and we are seeing the obvious results.”

“We have developed extensive training, not only on-the-job and technical, but teaching supervisors the principals of business management and the all-important leadership and management of people. We achieve this through regular formal and informal educational sessions during lunch breaks, after work and Saturdays.

The staff are beginning to experience the tangibly value of knowledge and skills”.

“Living in a country where people have no had little or no access to this makes a great change. We found many supervisors, irrespective of race or gender, had technical knowledge and understood the finer details of the job. But there was a big gap in business and leadership knowledge especially around the management, motivation and coaching of people.”

Recent developments With banks and borrowers reluctant to lend money in today’s climate, Absil admits Salberg’s biggest challenge relates to recapitalisation. “To date we have financed our own recapitalization and, despite the pressure, evidence of capacity through the performance of the past 12 months is a keen indicator of our future growth potential,” states Absil.

“We have revived two key value propositions over the past 12 months. ‘Seize-the-Moment’ in Sales and ‘No-Compromise’ in product quality and reliable delivery. We are winning over customers from our rivals because of our ability to live our commitments”.

According to Absil electronic are always ditched in favour of a faceto-face engagement where necessary. “Our sales team are trained to not only sell but to service our clients. The complexity of our industry demands a heightened awareness and understanding of the client’s requirements, project to project. We specialise in delivering efficient and cost saving solutions to our clients and in return our client’s retain a deep and abiding appreciation of us. We are winning market share Endeavour Magazine | 115

SALBERG CONCRETE PRODUCTS

one satisfied customer at a time”.

Absil has also revived the company’s unique and original

to

their

current

business

development plan,” states Absil. “The first step is to make the current business highly profitable and the second is to expand our production

requirements”.

With global economies in

capacity with modern technology”.

Innovations Division which up

recession

international

“We have recently returned from a trip to Europe where we

until the loss of its founder, had

companies reeling from the

investigated new technologies and necessary contacts made to

been core to the company’s

punch

domestic

manage the planned road to long term profits. We are excited about

brand. As a very proud CEO,

recessions, Salberg is capitalising

the possibilities new technologies open up for us and we intend

Absil highlighted the recent

on the strength of their product

winning of the 2012 Concrete Manufacturer (CMA)

Association’s

Innovation

Category

Award for the company’s ATM blast proof housing unit.

“Providing cost effective and

and of

their

& services market and the wins from the turn-around to generate turnover.

There are no plans to slow

solutions is central to our growth

down in the next five years with

plan for both our local and

Salberg keen to continue and

international clients who find our

build on recent successes.

pre-cast

services and the rand favourable

“I’m excited to find that we’ve evolved a team that is forward looking while being able to deliver in the moment. Business and markets are more sophisticated and it’s our business to stay focus and stay in front”, concluded Absil.

Looking ahead

concrete

innovation

capitalising on it in the next financial year”.

“We have quite an aggressive

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Endeavour Magazine | 117

KUWAIT NATIONAL PETROLEUM COMPANY 00965 23989900 WWW.KNPC.COM

118 | Endeavour Magazine

MEGA INVESTMENT IN

Kuwait

WRITTEN BY COLIN GIBSON

As part of a major $40 billion government investment plan in Kuwait’s oil and gas industry, the refinery at Mina Al-Ahmady is undergoing further expansion and modernisation

Endeavour Magazine | 119

KUWAIT NATIONAL PETROLEUM COMPANY

You can’t overemphasise the importance of oil to the Kuwaiti economy. Kuwait’s proven crude oil reserves are estimated to be roughly ten percent of the world’s total, an extraordinary proportion for a relatively small country. All natural resources in the country are the property of the government, and oil revenue contributes 80 percent of government revenue, approximately half of the country’s GDP and something like 95 percent of its export revenue.

E

stablished in 1960, KNPC is the refining and marketing arm of

technology, and significantly increased the overall capacity of the

Kuwait Petroleum Company (KPC), currently operating three

plant. Two years later the Mina Abdullah Refinery modernization

refineries (Mina Al-Ahmady, Mina Abdullah and Shuaiba), an

project (MAB) was completed, resulting in a state of the art plant with

LPG plant, a suite of filling stations and five marine export facilities.

a sizable capacity increase and improvements in product quality.

When KPC was formed in 1980 to bring all state-owned oil

With its mission still being to maximise the value of Kuwaiti

companies under one entity, KNPC became a subsidiary. Within the

hydrocarbons, KNPC is currently implementing a $40 billion

first twelve months the oil sector in Kuwait was restructured, with

investment plan across a range of distinct projects including a new

KNPC becoming responsible for the oil refining and gas liquefaction

refinery in the Zoor region of the country, a new depot at Matla, a

industry in addition to the marketing of petroleum products in Kuwait

permanent LPG import terminal and a clean fuel project.

through its chain of filling stations.

The new refinery and the new depot are long term projects

Within a few years, plans began to be implemented to modernise

scheduled for completion towards the end of the decade, but there

and expand the refining industry in Kuwait with multi-billion dollar

are several smaller but no less important projects reaching completion

projects to revamp Mina Al-Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah Refineries. By

in the next couple of years. A number of these are at Mina Al-Ahmadi,

1984 the Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery Modernization Project (RMP) had

the largest of Kuwait’s three refineries.

already been completed, and this was supplemented by the Further

Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery (MAA), located 45 km south of Kuwait

Upgrading Project (FUP) in 1986. The two projects effectively created

City on the Arabian Gulf, was built in 1949 to supply the local market

a modern new refinery with optimal configuration and advanced

with gasoline, kerosene and diesel. After its two major modernisation

With its mission still being to maximise the value of Kuwaiti hydrocarbons, KNPC is currently implementing a $40 billion investment plan across a range of distinct projects including a new refinery in the Zoor region of the country, a new depot at Matla, a permanent LPG import terminal and a clean fuel project.

120 | Endeavour Magazine

Endeavour Magazine | 121

KUWAIT NATIONAL PETROLEUM COMPANY

and upgrade projects in the

profits and ensure a stable

1980s, it is now undergoing

market for the three refineries’

serious expansion once again,

output. This project also sought

but this time in relation to liquid

to increase the share of light

petroleum gas production (LPG).

and medium products of the

The

MAA

Refinery

distillation process to minimize

Modernization Project (RMP)

the share of fuel oil in the end

was

to

output, resulting in a higher

provide local and world markets

return from the crude oil refining

with

processes.

basically low

intended

sulphur

content

petroleum products, and to

Now it’s the turn of LPG

reduce dependence on gas as

to enjoy the benefit of serious

fuel,

and

investment. Gas liquefaction at

more stable fuel to the country’s

Mina Al-Ahmadi went on stream

power generation plants.

in 1978 with three identical

providing

The

cheaper

Upgrading

facilities (known as trains) for the

Project (FUP) was the result of

extraction of propane, butane

a more comprehensive review of

and Kuwait natural gasoline

the future of petroleum product

(KNG). The plant also consists

markets, in order to maximize

of storage tanks divided into two

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tank farms. The greater portion of the LPG plant production is now being exported to the world market from the south pier of Mina Al-Ahmadi which is connected to the plant by a pipeline network.

A contract was signed in July 2010 with South Korean contractor Daelim for a fourth gas plant train, which is due to be completed next March.

Costing an estimated $1134.9 million, this fourth GPT will be

tanks on the South LPG Tank

integrated with the existing

Farm by adding geodesic domes

three trains to process both gas

and replacing floating roof seals.

and condensates for the refinery,

The project started in April 2010

with a capacity of 805 million

and is expected to be completed

SCF (standard cubic feet) of

in March 2015 at a cost of $1367

gas per day and 106 thousand

million. Another Korean firm, GS

barrels per day of condensate.

Engineering & Construction, is

The three existing trains

the main contractor.

have a total capacity of 1680

Another project at Mina

MMSCF per day (560 each). A

Al-Ahmadi, also scheduled for

fifth gas train project is currently

completion by March 2015, is the

in the design stage. In view of this

installation of a new unit for acid

expansion, tankage capacity is

gas removal, and a revamp of the

highly critical for KNPC in order

existing AGRP train. The new unit

to accommodate the extra gas

will run at an average rate of 146

production.

million SCF per day and 39 BPSD

A new North LPG Tank

of condensate and the existing

Farm project therefore involves

AGRP unit in the refinery will be

building new LPG tanks to cater

revamped to equal the capacity

for the fourth and fifth gas

of the new unit. The project will

trains and to allow simultaneous

also conform to KPC’s strategy

loading of two LPG tankers at

to reduce gas flaring to less than

the same time with the same

one percent. The estimated cost

product.

objective

of the project is $899 million,

of the project is to reduce

with Tecnimount SPA of Italy the

emissions from existing KNG

chosen contractor.

Another

Endeavour Magazine | 123

CROWN PAINTS 00254 20 216 5703 WWW.CROWNPAINTS.CO.KE

124 | Endeavour Magazine

QUALITY COMMITMENT &COMMUNITY PROJECTS WRITTEN BY JOHN HARVEY

With turnover and profits increasing, it is easy to lose focus on what matters most. However, Crown Paints Kenya remains committed to quality, environmental protection and the local community.

Endeavour Magazine | 125

CROWN PAINTS

Established in 1958, Crown Paints Kenya is the country’s biggest manufacturer of paint. With the capacity of producing up to 1.5 million litres per month and an annual turnover of over Kshs 4 billion, the company has managed to expand its reach beyond Kenya’s borders to several East African countries.

B

ased in Nairobi, Crown Paints Kenya has a broad network

quality is hugely important for Crown Paints Kenya. As part of the

of nationwide dealers, with depots in Mombasa and Kisumu

company’s ISO 9001: 2008 accreditation, Crown has developed a

able to provide support to an increasing consumer base.

Quality Management System with the aim of delivering continuous

As well as being the nation’s decorative brand leader, Crown also produces paint for the automotive industry and manufactures industrial products, which are fast becoming vital revenue streams.

improvement.

Objectives in relation to exacting high standards include delivering products and services that “conform or exceed to customer requirements within a specified time,” and training employees “to

Commitment to quality Ensuring the customer receives products of the highest

make them quality conscious and to educate them about their role in the quality system.”

As a result, Crown Paints Kenya has won numerous awards throughout the last decade. These include being named the Most Improved Brand by the Marketing Society of Kenya in 2006, first place in the third Kisumu Homes Export Aga Khan Hall Kisumu of 2010, Home Design Interiors winner at the fifth Mombasa Homes Expo in 2011, and recipient of the 2012 COYA Financial Management Award.

Even though Crown Paints Kenya is relentless in its pursuit of delivering high quality products, the company strives to create a safe and healthy working environment for all employees. With 450 loyal members of staff, many of which have been at the organisation for several years, Crown Paints Kenya is able to pass on in-depth knowledge and industry expertise to every customer.

Sustainable development Crown Paints Kenya prides itself on being a responsible corporate citizen and truly recognises the significance of environmental protection even when the organisation achieves its business and quality objectives.

“We recognise environmental protection as one of the guiding principles and a key component of sound business performance,” notes Crown. “We are committed to providing quality products and services as we promote and embrace the principle of responsible stewardship of the natural environment.”

Environmental objectives, targets and programmes in relation to sustainable development are frequently reviewed, with the production of paint and resin continually scrutinised to prevent pollution and eliminate waste.

Empowering employees and ensuring the entire workforce 126 | Endeavour Magazine

remains well educated and trained about the issues surrounding environmental performance is another pivotal concern.

Reaching out to the local and wider community Although Corporate Social Responsibility is at the top of the agenda for several major organisations, Crown Paints Kenya makes sure it puts words into action. One of the most recent projects for the manufacturer was donating 500 blankets to the victims of the Sinai pipeline fire in 2011.

Rakesh Rao, CEO, Crown Paints, visited victims of the tragedy at the Kenyatta National Hospital and was quick to express his deepest sympathy. “This is a very unfortunate scenario in the country, we should always ensure safety first when in contact with any hazardous situations,” he said.

On receiving the company’s generation donation, Corporate Affairs Manager at the hospital Simon Ithai noted: “We made an appeal to the public to donate blood, blankets and other medical supplies that would help us take better care of the patients. We are humbled and appreciate the overwhelming support.”

In addition to assisting the local community, Crown Paints Kenya also encourages its clientele to recycle old products with the Rudisha Kopo - Ulinde Mazingira program.

“With this program, we are rewarding users of our products as well as the general public with instant cash for every empty fourlitre Crown tin they return to our designated drop centres,” says the company. “Consequently we are able to sustain the environment for future generations as well as fight counterfeiters and counterfeit products.”

Recent developments In May 2013, Crown Paints was proud to announce a 15% increase in turnover for the year ended 31 December 2012 thanks to a rise in domestic demand, sustained expansion in regional markets and enhanced operational efficiency.

“We managed to grow our sales by about 10% last year despite the high interest rate environment,” revealed Rao. “In addition, year-onyear growth has ranged between 40-50% hence the rise in turnover.”

Despite being part of an aggressive and combative market, Rao was proud the company still managed to differentiate itself from major rivals. “The industry is very competitive from a price perspective,” he noted. “However, our focus on introducing new, innovative products into the market is paying off. We are optimistic about the future.”

Looking forward, Rao also signalled plans for continued expansion in foreign markets, particularly Tanzania. Rao said: “We have aggressive plans to entrench our regional presence. We are putting up satellite factories in Arusha, Mwanza and Dar es Salaam at an estimated cost of USD3 million.”

Endeavour Magazine | 127

12 STEPS TO BECOMING A Youtube SENSATION 1. DECIDE. ARE YOU CNN OR CANDID CAMERA? Look to your interests and decide what the channel is going to be about. Is it going to be about music? Comedy? News or cat videos?

Make a decision, remembering you are allowed to change your mind if you decide you want to try something different.

2. MAKE A CHANNEL Personalizing your channel is important. You can decorate it how you like but look at ones you like and model it after theirs as a starting point. It must be easy to read.

3. UPLOAD A VIDEO This is entirely up to you and can be anything. With Youtube the main thing is to do something you are interested in, something you have a passion about because that’ll help you keep bringing in videos that interest you. This is both the best and worst thing about the

Be Inspired. Watch Youtube Videos.

internet, you are in complete control of content.

4. KEEP UPLOADING VIDEOS This is essential, nobody is going to subscribe to a bare channel. It

Network with other channels.

doesn’t matter what you upload, just upload. Keep it coming. Not all of your videos are going to make an impact and not all of them are going to become viral, but it doesn’t happen for anyone. Keep uploading and eventually something will work and bang. You’ll be more viral than Charlie Sheen.

5. TELL PEOPLE - EVERYONE The beauty of online, things grow exponentially. Put up a good video that interests just two people and they will tell someone else, the number then grows to at least four and then eight and then sixteen and then thirty two and then sixty four and then one hundred twenty eight, on and on. Tell your friends, tell your family, ask them to subscribe. It’s even easier now that you can have a channel just by having a Google account.

128 | Endeavour Magazine

6. DON’T STRESS ABOUT VIEWS

10. BE UNIQUE

easiest way to network so get to it.

Don’t worry about how many views you have for your videos,

This is easier than you think.

or how many subscribers you have, it’s all about quality rather than

What do you enjoy doing? Do

quantity. Don’t think that because your video only has a couple of a

that. If you’re a gymnast, start

hundred views that it isn’t doing well.

recording, if you’re an artist talk

You will get to the point where

about your paintings. If you’re

you want to give up. Where you

a writer chat about your book,

just can’t be bothered, your

just keep uploading. If you can’t

circumstances change or you get

come up with any ideas, go back

bored, something doesn’t work

and take all the funniest from

out or whatever. That is the point

your videos, put them to music

where you say- no I will do one

7. NETWORK WITH OTHER CHANNELS This is a simple thing, check out a video you like and do a video response. The trick is just to be clever, unique.

8. AGAIN. UPLOAD. UPLOAD. UPLOAD

12. DON’T GIVE UP

For your fans’ sake keep things coming, make a habit of uploading

and use that. It is no different to

more video. And every time you

a video regularly. If your videos take a long time to edit and are very

running a business, you need to

get to that point just make one

professional for your fans then add a new one every couple of weeks,

be consistent, doing something

more video.

if you prefer a bit more slapstick, “on the spot” videos then aim to do

every day whether you’re in the

it once every few days. But keep them coming. The more videos you

mood or not. Just produce.

WANT TO BE PROMOTED? Hit

have the more people will view them.

9. BE INSPIRED. WATCH YOUTUBE VIDEOS

HAVE A VIDEO THAT YOU

11. THANK AND MENTION OTHERS

up Donnie Rust at @biztainment

Recognition goes both ways.

Watch other Youtube videos, get inspired, get ideas. Mix them

Make a movie and thank people,

up. Feel free to make parodies or mixes, add music, do something,

channels, websites, help promote

anything. Content is important.

something. It’s the quickest and

Endeavour Magazine | 129

P

olitical intrigue, baseball and murder in the nation’s capital set the stage for Fatal Mistake, New York Times bestselling author Marie Force’s latest romantic-suspense novel. The

26th novel by Force, who is also a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author, will be published as an e-book by Harlequin’s Carina Press and available to readers for download on June 17, 2013.

Fatal Mistake is currently available for pre-order on Kindle, Nook, iBookstore and Kobo e-readers.

The sixth book in Force’s Fatal Series, Fatal Mistake follows an investigation by D.C. Police detective Lt. Sam Holland into the murder of the star centerfielder for the Washington Federals –a murder

“FATAL MISTAKE” by New York Best-Selling Author Marie Force Fatal Series Book 6 Combines Murder, Politics and Baseball in Washington, D.C.

that happened after the player committed a critical error that cost the Federals a spot in the World Series. As Holland’s investigation takes her in unexpected directions, her husband, U.S. Senator Nick Cappuano, is fighting for his political life in the final days of his reelection campaign.

“When I first began writing this series that features the same couple in every book, I worried that I’d get tired of writing about Sam and Nick. However, the opposite has been true,” said Marie Force.

“They become more interesting to me with every new book, especially in Fatal Mistake as their family expands to include an adopted 12-year-old son.”

Marie Force is an award-winning author who has drawn inspiration for two of her series from her home state of Rhode Island – the McCarthys of Gansett Island and the Treading Water Series. She has also authored the Fatal Series set in Washington, D.C. as well as seven stand-alone books. On Valentine’s Day 2014 Force will release “All you Need Is Love,” Book 1 in her new Green Mountain Series, set in Vermont.

www.marieforce.com 130 | Endeavour Magazine

Lobsters and Landmines

by Glen Johnson £5.69 http://amzn.to/11K5JIR

L

obsters and Landmines

bait after a violent outburst. A

wins awards for her cakes, but

is the second book in

HIV infected man who injects

what are her secret ingredients?

the

women with his tainted blood.

Or the doomsday prepper that

Series, following in Lamb Chops

A

bomb

spends every waking minute of

and Chainsaws footsteps, by

disposal expert who has carved

everyday prepping for the end

continuing to look at the darker

out a piece of paradise for

of the world, until one critical

side of human nature, by delving

himself in Vietnam, who keeps

mistake

into the dark twisted world of the

females as slaves and children

Or a computer firm that sells

sick minded, the perverse, the

as objects to sell. Or the sad

its

psychos and sociopaths; people

story about two friends who are

to cosmetic firms, cutting out

who take pleasure from hurting

forever parted on September

the need to test on animals, but

others. Individuals, who could

11th 2001. And the airhostess

below ground, the vast computer

be your next-door neighbour or

Jenny who finds the perfect job

server hosts a disturbing secret.

your lover, even a close family

on a Brazilian airline, but it seems

Finally,

member.

they want more from her than

realizes a little too late, what is

Read about a captain who

most employers. What about

truly important in life.

discovers the perfect lobster

the sweet little old lady who

Human

Nature

disfigured

ex-army

changes

algorithmic

a

everything. computations

businessman

who

Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work

by Chip Heath and Dan Heath £12.11 http://heathbrothers.com/books/decisive/

I

was lucky enough to see Dan Heath speak about the insightful and simple decision making process that anyone can use for both personal and business decisions. In fact, that’s where I got my

copy of this book.

Like their previous books; Made to Stick and Switch, Decisive is written in an engaging style that’s easy to read. Decisive is loaded with lots of wonderful examples of familiar brands and how they made both good and bad decisions. Here’s a teaser – Remember the old story about David Lee Roth and his insane request for having all the brown M&Ms removed? It’s true.

But you’ll want to read the book to find out the method behind the madness.

Review by Ivana Taylor, http://bit.ly/148F9wN. Endeavour Magazine | 131