November2013web

NOVEMBER 2013

www.endeavourmagazine.com

ROTHCO

WILROCK

AUDI A6 UK £4.95 CAN $7.95 USA $7.95 -1- |€5.95 THE ELEMENTS EUR SA ZAR 69.00

INSPIRED BY YOUR SUCCESS

TOFCO the leading international provider of fabrication, construction and offshore services for the oil and gas industry, with headquarters in the Caribbean.

www.chetmorrison.com/tofco.cfm +1 868 651 0006

2 | Endeavour Magazine

EDITORIAL Heads of Departments Editor in Chief Daemon Sands daemonsands@littlegatepublishing.com Director General Don Campbell doncamplel@littlegatepublishing.com Head of Editorial Alex Smith alexsmith@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Director James Martin jamesmartin@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Manager Tyler Harrison tylerharrison@littlegatepublishing.com Corporate Director Anthony Letchumaman anthonyl@littlegatepublishing.com Lead Designer Alina Sandu studio@littlegatepublishing.com Publisher Stephen Warman stevewarman@littlegatepublishing.com 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 Tel +44 (0) 1603 296 100 343 City Road London EC1 V1LR

Kings Lane Norwich 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

“W

here is the green?”

hurdles to overcome but for each of

was the favourite

these the solution is only one great idea

phrase

by

away and with companies so eager to

investors and business directors

be seen at the crest of the rising tide

wanting to locate where the money in

of the environmentally conscious and

any new idea, venture or investment

stalwart, essential funds and assistant

could be found. It was the crux of

are being thrown at these ideas to

every conversation, the bottom line of

give them the nourishment they need

every debate and the deciding factor

to be implemented. Not every idea will

of any new proposition. The question

change the world, but those that have

is still asked however the “green” has

often started as a divergent idea to

changed.

something else entirely.

On a never seen before scale the

Importantly, the responsibility that

global business world is more invested

companies have placed on their

into the environment than ever

employees to change the way they

before. Cascading from the biggest

work has made a significant impact

companies, who have made it clear

and cannot be overlooked. What may

that they will only work with suppliers

have started as an office campaign

and vendors sharing their dedication

to remain paperless has evolved

to

into businesses encouraging remote

a

lowered

environmental

coined

carbon activity

footprint, been

access for their employees to work

brought to the accountant’s bottom

from home, reducing their carbon

line and change has surreptitiously

footprint further by removing the

been implemented.

travelling exhausts.

Thanks in part to the communicative

Inventions, like the electric car

power of today’s media, where any

that runs on water are able to get

person working for any business

immediate exposure to the public,

has the power to play company

the GM crops that may be able to

spokesperson

own

repopulate the most arid locations

online community through Facebook,

in Africa with important vegetative

Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr it has

mass have their successes publically

created a stage and an audience for

applauded and the decisions of the

businesses to get stuck in.

companies with the blackest carbon

Whether purely for the positive

footprints are put on trial in front of

publicity that such environmental

a global audience with an unrelenting

focuses will create or because of a

exposure.

genuine desire on behalf of company

The question is asked more often than

owners to change their carbon

ever.

measures, it is promising to see

“Where is your green?”

within

has

their

that the results, irrespective of the reasoning behind them, have become prominent enough to be noticed.

There still are problems and great Endeavour Magazine | 3

CONTENTS

FEATURES 24 Rothco

Even Brilliant Can Be Better 30 Ekurhuleni Municipality

A Major Part Of The Future 38 Murzah Oil Company

Keeping It Real 44 Zambeef Retail

Beef Retail Is Alive And Kicking 50 Carib Glassworks

Success Is Crystal Clear 54 Bindura Haulage

Keeping Trade Moving 60 ZB Financial Holdings Limited

Banking On Zimbabwe 66 Intertek

Focused On Improving Customers’ Products And Processes 72 DairyHill Investments And African Mining And Exploration

A Business As Strong As Diamonds 78 Parrogate Zimbabwe

Success, Growth And Family Values 84 Wilrock Ltd

A Breath Of Fresh Air For St Lucian Development 90 Arab Engineering Bureau

Diverse Offering From The AEB Family 96 Ndola Lime

Covering The Market 102 Regimanuel Gray Ltd

Housing The Community 106 Rikki Brest 110 How to Be A Concert Promoter 112 Book Reviews

50 Zambeef Retail 4 | Endeavour Magazine

72 Intertek

ARTICLES

84 Parrogate Zimbabwe

BIZ-TAINMENT

6 10 12

Lord Bilimoria: Forming The Perfect Beer 6 Beautifully Poetic Office Pranks eToro: The Platform That Made Financial Trading Easy and Simple 14 AUDI A6: A Rocket Propelled Chariot Of Dreams 16 Gadgets 18 Business Headlines 22 The Most Haunted Hotels

Endeavour Magazine | 5

Lord Bilimoria

FORMING THE PERFECT BEER

BY DONNIE RUST

Getting hold of Lord Bilimoria is difficult, years of interviewing

I’ve been pestering this man for an interview for months and within

CEOs and it’s still rare to find one as busy as him. After developing his

the first couple of seconds of the phone call he makes me feel like I’m

popular brand from scratch and marketing it between himself and his

doing him a massive favour. This is what many people have come to

partner from the boot of his car he has never lost the entrepreneurial

appreciate about Lord Karan Bilimoria. He has proven himself to be a

philosophy to work and I could hardly expect him to be twiddling his

great business man and more importantly, proven that politeness and

thumbs waiting for my call. Yet, on the same token, when I did reach

respect are what makes a businessman great.

him he focussed on what I said with the tell tail intense interest that

The founder of Cobra Beer, one of my favourite beers to drink

he has become known for, putting the spot light on me as it were and

alongside a curry, Lord Bilimoria created the beer directly for that

making me count each and every one of my words.

purpose. To create a smoother, less gassy lager that appealed to both

“It’s a pleasure to finally speak with you,” he says with a refined

ale drinkers and lager drinkers alike, and that complemented all types

accent that sounds equally British as it does Indian, “Thank you so

of cuisines. For the British it was a plug and play solution that filled a

much for giving me a call.”

niche industry.

6 | Endeavour Magazine

“I was always a good allrounder,”

he

reveals,

the best at whatever I did.”

boarding school to an Indian

by nature however my mother

when

Looking into Lord Bilimoria’s

University could not have been

comes from a business family

asked about whether he was

past you will probably agree

a smooth transition however he

and my great grandfather was an

predicated

business

he is simply being modest. The

took it in his step and relished the

entrepreneur,” he adds.

in his youth, “I was good

young Karan Bilimoria skipped

challenge. An attitude that has

One of the things that

academically and good at sports.

several years at school and was

served him very well throughout

always interested me is the

I always preferred leadership

in university at an unusually

the years.

childhood of the people we

roles and was determined to be

young age. Going from an English

“I

towards

wasn’t

entrepreneurial

admire, those people whose

Endeavour Magazine | 7

success and business affluence is something we aspire to follow.

I always find myself wanting to know if they were you given many opportunities to create businesses ideas as a youngster and was there support from friends and family?

“I had some very good influences as a youngster,” Lord Bilimoria reflects, “My family supported everything I did, so I never doubted myself. I had a good family, good friends but it really was my father who was a major influence in my life.”

Cobra Beer The creation of Cobra Beer reads like something out of a novel, Lord Bilimoria started it out of a need, a requirement for a better companion to curries and the first sales were out of

was a struggle it wasn’t until we

the boot of his car. This is a true

created Cobra beer that things

success story starting from the

started to move.”

from the ground up.

important things, for example,

Cobra Beer is a major brand,

the product quality is essential.

with a major customer and

A beverage is something that

ground up which did not, as a

Lord Bilimoria goes on to say

employee footprint. I spoke with

people have to choose and it

matter of fact, begin with the

that it was during this time that

Lord Bilimoria regarding the key

doesn’t matter what product

beverage he is so well known for.

he learnt the most important

points he believes have worked.

it is if the quality of taste

“About a year before founding

lessons in business, such things as

“THE most important thing

drops people will simply stop

Cobra beer we started an import

researching, sourcing, marketing

for Cobra has been the joint

purchasing it. Also, the beer

business,” Lord Bilimoria reflects,

and selling, also recognizing the

venture

has a complicated recipe which

“Importing products, polo sticks,

time to pursue something and

relationship

Molton

means it has to be brewed in a

clothes, wallets from India into

when to let it die. It was like this

Coors,” he points out, “And this

very special manner to retain the

Britain and while much of this

that they built the Cobra brand

runs parallel with a number of

flavour and the smoothness that

8 | Endeavour Magazine

and

corresponding with

it has become so well known for.”

the dark but Lord Bilimoria was

development and growth, of

Cobra Beer have won 73

quite frank regarding the details:

looking at ways to improve your

gold medal quality awards over

“We work with the best

company, your business and your

the years and the growth of its

people,” Lord Bilimoria explains,

offerings. Instead of riding the

popularity stems almost directly

“A great team is essential.

wave to actually be the wave of

from the Indian Restaurants

They are the pioneers in the

change that others ride upon.

and curry houses where Cobra

industry and the ones who

has over 98% distribution. Lord

have established such a strong

innovate,”

Bilimoria is, therefore, insistent

footprint across the food and

can never stop innovating, you

on

receiving

beverage industries. Once you

can’t stop offering something

feedback from these sources

have that as your foundation,

new. Something interesting to

as to the quality and level of

growth is easy.”

keep people using your product.

Cobra

Beer

enjoyment of their beverages.

Ingredients For Success Having

survived

He also explains that they do

“You have to continue to

Sometimes

he presses, “You

it’ll

work

and

and are to increase their focus

sometimes it won’t but it keeps

on exports and imports, further

things alive and moving in the

establishing both the local and

right direction.” He wraps up.

international footprint for their many

drink.

***

different economic and social-

“We’re looking to establish

Lord Bilimoria is also in the

political climates, there must be

Cobra beer into bars and clubs

House of Lords, on the Board of

a secret list of ingredients for

to broaden the distribution and

Booker, and patron/Trustee of

the success of a company such as

reach of our beer,”

several charities. “ The education

Cobra Beer. Perhaps a formula

The major token that Lord

of the youth is the most

that is hidden away from the

Bilimoria was heavily insistent

important thing we can do at the

world to keep the competition in

upon was the importance of

moment.” He states.

Endeavour Magazine | 9

6 BEAUTIFULLY POETIC

Office Pranks WRITTEN BY DONNIE RUST

O

ffice politics are prickly enough. A pantomime of people trying to be dramatic over really stupid little things that become very important whenever you’re forced to sit

within striking distance of the person doing them. Yes, it’s frowned upon to pummel your work colleagues into a bloody stew and you know it’ll end up on Youtube but that’s why we provide this list of Office Pranks for you.

Office Prank # 1: The Parrot Take out an ad on Gumtree that you are looking to rehome an African Grey Parrot (£795.00 on www.birdtrader.co.uk…. I did not even know there was a birdtraider.co.uk). The ad must state that it is because you work odd hours and are unable to give the bird the attention it requires and that you will only be available between the hours of midnight and 4am during the week and unavailable during the weekend.

Add a picture of a parrot. Give the name and cell-phone number of somebody in the office you don’t like and say that you will be selling the bird for £50.00 – £70.00 The Result: The person you don’t like will receive phone calls from people at 2am in the morning asking, “Yeah, are you the guy with the parrot?”

Office Prank # 2: The Double Lance Bass Frape Based loosely upon that horrible film with that N’Sync singer where he met a girl on a bus or something and started predatorily looking for her before Facebook had made it easier to stalk.

Basically, it’s a Frape, easily done in any office where they allow

10 | Endeavour Magazine

access to Facebook (most offices

make coffee or have a leak get

Lure your victim away from the computer, or if you’re a

today), most people leave their

in, go to the Control Panel and

traditionalist sneak into the office after hours. This depends on the

Facebook’s logged in when they

find Language Settings. You will

security measures available.

leave their desks as they just

have a choice of languages, some

close the window. So when they

of them will be navigatable, ie.

leave for the day you open up

Spanish, Italian and Portugeuse

The Result: not only will they be speaking gibberish in their emails

Facebook and you say:

On their keyboard, prise off the T&Y and M&N buttons, swap them round to Y&T and N&M.

can be worked through by

but most times they’ll think it’s a computer software fault and not

“Urgent, Master Resetted

anyone with an eye for wording

hardware. It’ll take them some time to realize that someone can be so

my iPhone and I’ve lost all my

however Russian, Mandarin or

devoted to pranking that they would sneak in afterhours just to make

contact details could you please

Vietnamese are as different in

their emails look like they are drunk.

drop me a text with your name,”

the written word as you can get.

The Result: Text upon text of people with their telephone numbers and name.

Change it, sit down and get on the phone.

Office Prank # 5: The Cellphone Easy to do but costly, this one requires the purchase of a cellular

The Result: a lot of frantic

phone. Or, of course, you can borrow one of your colleague’s phones.

Ps. Kinda lame I know, but I

key punching, mouse clicking

Working best in someone’s office, you can pick on that chump who’s

mentioned this one because it

and swearing followed by an

been promoted over you or to that boss who keeps insisting you go

took me about forty minutes to

embarrassed plea to the office at

get the coffee for the rest of the team. All you have to do is hide the

explain it to my mom.

large to anyone who knows how

phone somewhere in the office. Avoid all of the obvious places.

Office Prank # 3: Lost In Translation I did this on Daemon Sands our chief editor before the launch of our very first issue and he still insists on speaking to me outside his office. So I wouldn’t suggest using this one if there

to fix things, who will find they

My advice: if you have a skirting board or a plaster board, with

can’t because everything is in a

some time and some DIY you can actually hide the phone inside the

different language!

wall or somewhere the victim will be unable to see it. Then, using

Don’t let them find out it was

earphones you can hide them somewhere else. If you’re real cunning

you though or else you’ll be the

also keep the phone plugged in if you can manage it so that it doesn’t

one having to work out how to fix

have to be turned off.

it and it isn’t like climbing a tree,

The Result: a few hours of watching them tear down the walls

doing it in reverse doesn’t always

to find a phone are actually worth it in itself, however they’ll almost

work.

definitely know its you. Or, they could reveal their true colours and turn into a quivering wreck.

are any long term relationships you’re hoping to keep… and if you want to take the chance make sure you know how to fix it fast.

All

computers

have

the

Office Prank # 4: The Drunk Fingers I Got

Office Prank #6: Staple, Tie And Desk Also called “Matilda” for some reason this one is all about being opportunistic and it really helps if you have a dolt of a co-worker who

operational capacity to work in

This one has all the hallmarks

falls asleep at his desk. It’s a strange phenomenon that it’s the offices

different languages and changing

of a Mission Impossible episode

running to pressurized deadlines that seem to attract people who

the Language Settings is actually

and the only way it could be

will happily nod off at their desks. This is not Japan people. If you fall

a simple process found on the

cooler is if you had the theme

asleep at your desk, this is called justice.

Control Panel.

tune playing in the background.

So,

spend

some

time

Also this is one that will not

practising getting this down to

be possible when keyboards

the T because if you get caught

become redundant in the future

the game is over and when your

of touch screen computers so

target leaves their desk to go

hurry up and give this a go.

What you’ll need: a staple, a desk and a narcoleptic co-worker who still wears a tie.

Wait for them to fall asleep, position the tie upon the desk, and within a double beat staple the tie and slap them in the face.

The Result: a life-long game of “gotcha” that’ll inevitable result in you dying or losing your teeth.

Endeavour Magazine | 11

WRITTEN BY DONNIE RUST

eToro THE PLATFORM THAT MADE FINANCIAL TRADING EASY AND SIMPLE

A

h, to have the life

any film or music industry. It is

and

the golden egg which most of us

money

banker.

Like

of

a the

are too hesitant to grasp.

amongst others.

Later the company expanded its product

magician’s circle the realm of

You’ll be glad to know that

offering by launching

the stock exchange, Wallstreet

things have finally changed and

professional trader’s

and financial brokerage has

the evolution of the financial

application

always been a “members only”

industry has entered the realm

Mode” and a web

club where those who were

of online platforming and “group

based

successful in it were the gifted

intelligence”, giving people like

platform “WebTrader”.

few with the talent for numbers,

you and me the opportunity to

the gift of the gab and a complete

make money just like Gordon

eToro launched the

and utter lack of compunction.

Gecko.

“CopyTrader” feature

The analogy, “If you’re meant for this game, you already know

The Early Days

a

“Expert trading

In

May

its

2011 i n

“OpenBook”

community platform,

it,” is well known and has created

Founded in January 2007,

which enables users to

an illusion about this industry

eToro was created in Tel-Aviv, by

view, follow and copy

that has only been fuelled by

brothers Yoni Assia and Ronen

the

films like Wall Street and Boiler

Assia together with David Ring

traders automatically

Room that this industry is a day

- an online platform version in

and between 2007 and 2012 it raised $31.5 million in five rounds

to day gauntlet of yelling down

a visual trading mode which

of funding to help it expand the business. Throughout this period it

phones

presented

opened a research and development office in Israel and additional

at

potential

clients,

online

currency

network’s

top

calling people out on putting

trading (FOREX) as a series of

their money where their mouth is

games. Initially eToro’s financial

It wasn’t until 2013, that I tried eToro for the first time and the

and spending money faster than

trading platform was a download

approach was that this was something very new with the great

they can make it. Forget about

only

incorporating

potential to change a lot of things. I joined up and bought some shares

the entertainment industry, this

graphic trading visualizations

in Google and Facebook with more ease than I thought was possible.

is the industry which defined

which conceptualized the trading

It was in fact so easy that I pestered eToro’s PR and communications

“Cutthroat” and “Black Fridays”

process as a race between

Manager, Nadav Avidan for answers to establish a few important

and made more billionaires than

currencies and a visual tug of war

things.

12 | Endeavour Magazine

product,

offices in UK, Cyprus, the US and Australia.

Where Does eToro Operate?

“The

key

areas

that

we’re focused on are social trading, social investing, social networking

making

use

of

various instruments including stocks, commodities, indices and currencies,” Nadav Avidan, PR

philosophy and desire to crack

in future developments and

a large team of customer facing

open this industry for everyone

upcoming

Nadav

and customer services available in

to enjoy.

told me, “A lot of our features

several languages. I myself spent

have emerged from customer

a lot of time speaking with their

suggestions and requests, and

customer services department

we take great pride in this.”

via their Chat system because

How Do You Know It Works?

features,”

“We are constantly engaging

Specific customer focuses are

it takes a long time for me to

with our community and making

in place to keep you, the customer

understand things and one thing

sure that they are a major part

satisfied and happy, making use of

I noticed is that “Fred” refused to leave me until I was completely

and Communications Manager

and utterly satisfied.

for eToro explained to me, “We are focusing on the web

The Big Question:

“Retention is a very important goal for us,” he explained, “As a

experience and offering, as well

Probably one of the most important. Using eToro seems to

as growing focus on our mobile

social investment network, we

be very simple and straight forward. For someone who doesn’t

platforms. We offer several

aim for users to stay with us for

have any experience in trading at all but wants to invest in a

trading

the long term, and every action

company purely to make money, I asked Nadav directly if it is

we take is with that in mind.”

tools:

WebTrader,

eToro’s OpenBook, mobile apps

actually as simple as it seems:

and more, as well as the ability

Donnie: Do I just set up an account and buy some shares?

to CopyTrade every user in the

Nadav: “Yup. You can open an account for free using

community.”

Who Works Behind The Scenes?

As a credit to their direction and the strength of their brand eToro have had the cream of the crop to choose from as far as staff.

Two hundred and forty people work at the company and all of them are top notch professionals, providing a very wide experience in

tech,

innovation,

trading,

marketing, customer service and social media.

“Individual staff development is

very

important,”

Nadav

continues, “We consider eToro as a place to grow with and our employees often change departments enough

after

experience

gaining in

their

current position, thus enabling them as well as eToro to enjoy the great benefit of someone who’s passionate about the company, its vision and it’s goals.”

Clearly a company planning to be around for the long term and not at all shy about the limelight, a fact made obvious by their client focusses that

How do they keep ahead of the competition?

“We

maintain

a

startup

Facebook connect, after that you can deposit as little as 50 USD

mentality,

to get you started and then you’re free to invest in stocks, copy

employees to think “outside the

other traders and trade manually yourself.”

box”. There are no clear borders

Donnie: Okay. On my profile I have an Profit and Equity figure, I’m a layman so what is the difference between Profit and Equity?

Nadav: “Equity is the total amount of money in your account, Profit is the gain you make on a successful investment. (i.e I

encouraging

all

between departments, and every employee can offer the next innovative idea that will change the world we live in,”

have opened an account and funded it with 200 USD- that’s my

EToro are working hard to

equity. Later on I have turned my 200 USD into 270 USD, with

further establish their mobile

a series of wise decisions, so I have made a total of 70 USD as

offerings, as they predict more

profit).”

and more users will want to

Donnie: Right. Finally, when it comes to withdrawing money do I withdraw from the profit or from the “Equity” figure given.

engage via their mobile devices in the coming years. They’ve also

Nadav: “If the equity was all funded by the trader, ie. You,

released a lot of new instruments

then he can withdraw all his fund (equity plus profit). If part of the

such as blue chips stocks for their

equity comes from gift cards and bonuses given by eToro from

users to trade and invest in, and

time to time, then this part will not be eligible for withdraw. (i.e if

have launched many features to

I funded my account with 200 USD and gained a 70 USD profit,

their “OpenBook”, thus enabling

I can now withdraw 270 USD. However, if I have deposited 100

a seamless social experience

USD, got 100 USD in eToro’s giftcard and then made a gain of

while investing- and experience

70 USD, I will only be able to withdraw 170 USD).”

that is easy, fun and transparent

So yes, eToro makes financial investment as straight forward

like never before.

and simple as you’d like it to be. You purchase a share of a stock

By continually growing as

of a company and as their value rises so too does the value of

the category leader of social

the stock. I bought $60 worth of shares in Google and saw my

investing, eToro have predicted

money rise to over $213 within a week. The value rises, the

the rapid changes the world

value drops but I have the choice of getting more involved or

is

simply watching my money work for me.

this exciting revolution to the

undergoing

and

brought

My plan is to invest a similar amount every month to build

doorstep of every person with

up my own portfolio and for a man who doesn’t have the time or

internet access, thus fulfilling

the interest to actually become a trader, this is brilliant because

their vision of opening the global

finally my money is working for me and yes, IT IS THAT SIMPLE.

markets to all interested in it.

is largely representative of a Endeavour Magazine | 13

AUDI A6

BY DONNIE RUST

A Rocket Propelled Chariot Of Dreams

I

am writing this as an editor and not a car fanatic. I know how this

aesthetics has created a body designed to protect the driver and the

sounds, as I’m responsible for many of the car reviews appearing

passengers. They then added in the heart of a beast in the form of the

in Endeavour Magazine, but I want to offer a normal person’s view

glowing 3.0 BiTDI Quattro SE Tiptonic engine that creates a thrust

of the Audi A6 and not a petrol head’s regurgitation of facts, specs and numbers.

that almost, almost makes you afraid to put your right foot down.

The comfort of any vehicle says a lot and there is a lot to say

AUDI must be very proud of their A6 which has heralded a new

about it. For the Audi A6 it begins with the safety features. We live

era in vehicular evolution; functionally flawless, extraordinarily

in a time where we want safety but we do not want to be reminded

luxurious and unequivocally tasteful this majestic alpha-class cruiser

that we need additional safety and this is one of the areas that I found

passed the competition to determine an entirely new state of being.

particularly refreshing about this latest model. It has everything you

Getting behind the wheel of the Audi A6 is like watching the sunrise

can think of to keep you as safe from every conceivable problem or

over the curvature of the Earth from orbit, once done, you’ll never be

emergency as possible, yet for the most part it’s only subtly hinted at.

able see things the same again.

A kind reminder that no matter what might happen the Audi A6 is on

A great deal of time and consideration has gone into the

your side.

construction of the A6 to make it as lightweight as possible and the

Stability Control of the Audi A6 senses when the vehicle’s

materials used have further enhanced the performance and fuel

handling limits have been exceeded and reduces engine power and/or

efficiency while not removing any of the comfort, safety features

applies selected brakes to help the assist the driver and Anti-whiplash

or technology that makes this series what it is. The result is a hyper

head restraints actively react to rear collision forces to cradle the

intelligent machine with a breathtakingly powerful engine, superior

occupants head in an effort to reduce the likelihood of a whiplash

handling and powerful good looks.

injury. The Audi A6 is always two steps ahead of you.

The drive is exactly what you would expect from the current

And, specifically because of the above, you’re unlikely to find

favourite child of Audi. The aluminium construction and lightweight

yourself in the position to experience the other safety measures,

body panels , the enhanced safety features and meticulous attention

including the front, side, overhead and knee-level airbags that are

to every detail in safety and functionality before they even looked at

positioned and timed so that if an accident does occur the occupants

14 | Endeavour Magazine

are protected from all sides. In fact, like myself, the height of the

for precision parking.

where technology, luxury and

safety measures you will be aware of, would be the reassuring and

One of the newest features

executive beauty have merged

almost parental pretensioning of the seatbelts that you feel tug gently

that I haven’t seen before is the

together to create a reliable,

as you begin to drive.

photosensitive lightning, at a

fuel efficient, rocket powered

One of the security features that I did not know about until I

flick of a switch the headlights

chariot. How Audi have managed

looked into it is that the Audi A6’s is also equipped with a means of

automatically go from high to low

to make something so powerful

anticipating and detected unwanted vehicle intrusions, including an

beam as it senses approaching

yet so easy to drive is a secret

ignition disabling device that’ll prevent the engine from starting if the

lights, be it an approaching car,

that is keeping them well ahead

original manufacturing keyfob is not used.

a village or a large sign- anyone

of the game and you would be

who’s been blinded by their

hard pressed to find any other

comfortably, the front seats are all fully adjustable with the options

The A6 has a spacious interior where two adults can sit

high-beams

executive brand so capable and

of recording two different seating positions for each of the front

road sign will understand the

seats so if you’re sharing the driving you can change the seat to your

benefits of this. Granted, other

And if I ever become wealthy

preference at a touch of a button. Finally I’ve found a car that can

manufacturers and brands may

enough to have my own driver, I’d

accommodate my 6 foot five inch frame comfortably.

reflected

off

a

rewarding.

share this and maybe I’m just

still buy one of these and make

Bluetooth connectivity from your phone to the dash board

behind the times, but I thought

him sit in the back so that I could

computer offers a surround sound handsfree system and easy access

it was a marvellous addition to a

drive it!

to your music and telephone book while an intuitive Sat Nav gives you

catalogue of solutions Audi have

ample warning and an alternate route if there are any road works,

given this car to make driving an

accidents or queued traffic ahead. For the parking, the proximity

absolute pleasure.

sensors gives you a full 360 degree advantage on where you’re going,

In conclusion I got exactly

although if you’re not used to it the beeping warning can catch you off

what I expected from the Audi

guard. But what at first is surprising soon becomes an essential tool

A6. An immersion into a world Endeavour Magazine | 15

GADGETS

RRP: a gobsmacking $115,000 http://bit.ly/llluQ5

Jet Lev Flyer

By Tyrone Smith

T

his is epically awesome however unless you are someone

stable, controlled flight as you soar 10 metres above the water at

who can shrug off the $115,000.00 price tag, or a gadget-

speeds of up to 35km/h. Not quite the speed for a superhero you

journalist for an international magazine who can wrangle a

will be the envy of all your friends and for those of you in the South

free try, I wouldn’t suggest ordering one of these.

Hemisphere, not afraid to come back down to water.

However, messing about on the water is great fun and being ten

The carbon-fibre JetLev is tethered via a flexible supply hose to a

metres above it on your own jet blast is so far the only way to seem

separate boat-like unit containing a sucktastic 4-stroke engine. This

even more epic.

whooshes pressurised water into the jetpack, which then generates

The result of years of painstaking research and development, the emphatically custom built JetLev gives you the ability to achieve

thrust by nozzle reaction force (whatever that is). It’s a bit like riding a pair of high-powered, easy-to-control fire hoses.

SunnyCam

By Donnie Rust

I

£99.99 http://sunnycamglasses.com

t has long been an opinion of

as the technology improves the

large bulky video cameras as we know them become redundant.

mine that I have the makings

possibilities are quite brilliant.

Yes, currently they have their limitations but the film quality of the

of a great spy. I have the

Currently

is

SunnyCam are very impressive, the sound quality is above average and

looks, the height and I look simply

state of the art, however it does

when considering the steps being made in visual technology they are

superb in a suit. So, naturally

not upload via wifi or to The

only a few steps away from making a fully functional Hollywood movie

I was desperate to try out the

Cloud yet, but it is only a matter

level camera that someone wears subtly on their face instead of holding

SunnyCam

Recording

of time before you’ll be able to

on their shoulders.

Sunglasses. These high definition

record realtime what you see

There is a certain element to the design of the SunnyCam which

sunglasses can record audio and

which has the ability to change

combines smooth aesthetics and functionality together. My Chief used

visual, they have stability control

the

industry

these at the Mercedes Driving Day last week so you’ll be able to see the

so you can walk without the

by revolutionizing the idea of

videos very soon, the point is that you can wear these and with a touch

camera blinking, you can change

reality

of a small button you’re recording.

the lens from dark to light and

on this in the past about how,

Finally, these have filled a needed niche; with the popularity of

it possesses up to three hours

people would actually pay to

Youtube and other video sites, the importance of visual media to social

recording time.

spend time watching someone

networking an increase in the ease and access of creating spontaneous

Video

Comfortable to wear a lot

the

SunnyCam

entertainment shows.

We

touched

just going about their lives, living

videos has become very important. Vines and GIFs on Tumblr are

of cyclists and runners have

vicariously

taking over videos and things are changing with generation X.

started to use these in case they

else. Additionally, this design

are involved in accidents and

paves a road to a future where

16 | Endeavour Magazine

through

someone

You’ll be seeing more of these, and they’ll be seeing you too.

£499.95 www.Currys.com

Samsung ATIV Book 9 Lite

By Stuart Platt

W

indows 8 is beginning to embed itself into the public

enough separation between keys

for gaming or hardened editing,

knowledge and we’re getting more and more used to

for it to not prove a mash-up of

that’s not what this machine is all

the concept of touchscreen laptops. And that’s exactly

keys when typing.

about.

where the affordable, Sub £500 Samsung ATIV Book 9 Lite fits in.

The ATIV Book 9 Lite does away with the old Series 3, 5, 7 and 9 models with a fresh lease of life. It’s all new.

The first ATIV model that

A

we’ve seen for review breathes

tracking

comfortable and

typing,

touchscreen

fresh life into the Samsung lap

experience wrapped up in a

As with many Windows 8 machines the ATIV Book 9 Lite adopts

top range. The Book 9 Lite is

portable package. Even if the

a touchscreen principle. You can swipe in, drag icons around and do

good looking, it’s offering that’s

ATIV Book 9 Lite doesn’t quite

all those touch-enabled things that you may - or may not - want to do.

affordable and just as on the

take our breath away in terms

I am still on the fence about touchscreen laptops, but I can see the

money when it comes to all those

of excitement, for the money

benefits in future functionality.

day-to-day tasks.

it’s one of the more favorable

You don’t have to touch the screen, that’s part of the pleasure of

The SSD makes it fast to load

using a laptop. And the island keyboard found in the 9 Lite feels really

and wake from sleep, and even if

good in use. It’s springy and resistive to just the right point and there’s

the AMD processor isn’t cut out

The Rhino Shield

By Don Campbell

I

laptops out there today and well worth a look.

£17.99 http://bit.ly/1gFk93U

found this a day after walking

number. As one of life’s hard lessons we usually just go on using the

the included cloth and then the

into a corner of a desk with

phone with it’s shattered face until we get a new upgrade. Apple makes

self-adhesive silicone clings to

my phone in my pocket

money out of replacing phone faces and so will not be producing a

your phone screen like magic. No

stronger surface for a while. Enter Rhino Shield.

residue, no air bubbles, no fuss.

and managing to do the same damage to the screen I would

Made from an ingenious custom-formulated polymer, this slender

If you don’t have this you’ll

have achieved if I’d had fired a

screen saviour absorbs five times the impact energy of the much-

want it. If you don’t have this and

bullet into it.

lauded Gorilla glass. Your screens will be safe from most accidental

have a broken screen you’ll really,

impacts and even some deliberate ones.

really want this.

Ultimately, it’s inevitable that we will drop our mobile phone

Just 0.029cm thick, it’s impressive to say the least and doesn’t

or throw it in anger against the

compromise on touch-screen capability or Apple’s elegant aesthetics.

wall depending on who has your

It’s also easy to apply, you give your phone a quick wipe down with Endeavour Magazine | 17

BUSINESS HEADLINES

FACEBOOK

Dead Or Alive?

F

BY JACK DEAN acebook.

ol’

wanted to see, Facebook is now

Facebook. Facebook is

Poor

overwhelmed by the complete

the plastic toy you find

opposite; millions of videos we

in your cereal box. Sure, a couple

DO want to see. And I personally,

of years ago, everybody loved it,

don’t know if that’s a good thing.

people would get out of bed an

Procrastination was always

extra twenty minutes early just

the main selling point of the

to see what today’s surprise was.

network, but it seems in 2013, it’s

It was fun, it was exciting; it was

actually possible to procrastinate

slightly less crap than Bebo. But

procrastination

just like the toys in your

procrastination – if that makes

Cheerios, it died out. And not because some poor kid from Exeter choked on a small plastic

with

more

sense? (I just like using that word, to be honest).

£637,000,000. 17 months ago Facebook put

But Facebook is now swarmed with new, popular, six- their hands in their rich, rich pockets for the photo sharing micro-site. And to date, we

second ‘Vine’ videos.

truck, but because thousands of

You simply cannot spend 5 minutes on Facebook have seen no integration, except for a “share

kids choked on the truck-load of

anymore, checking how your Auntie’s, cousin’s, dog’s to Facebook” button added to Instagram’s

repulsive, X-rated videos, that

christening went.

Facebook moderators simply

6-second clips monkeys smoking meth, and women seems to pull something out of the bag, at the

couldn’t control.

twerking whilst on fire. It’s like Facebook has become the last minute, which is why; we shouldn’t bury

On the Monday, Facebook was the most popular social networking

website

in

the

Now you find yourself watching options.

visual page for Pete Doherty’s mind.

But time and time again Mark Z

his chickens before they’ve died. (That’s clever

Whether you love or loathe Zuckerberg’s creation – right?) there is no denying, it’s a machine that will eventually self-

Despite the spam, the lack of control, the

world; Hollywood even jumped

destruct. Its best years have been and gone, and waves horrible new designs, and all else that seems

on it and made that decent

of users are flooding elsewhere to digest their medial to be wrong with Facebook at present – could

film starring that Timberlake

needs. Facebook is now Harry Potter, in the cupboard there be a delightfully new and exciting twist

chap. But by Friday, it was the

under the stairs, whilst that fat, rich kid seems to be the coming soon? Will Facebook shock the world

abused social hub in which

Twitter bird. It seems to be that no matter which route again by adding new, never-before-seen

people posted all the rubbish

the developers decide to take with Facey-B, it’ll still features and beautiful sleek designs?

they couldn’t fit into Twitter’s

eventually crash and burn – much like poor ol’ Bebo & 2014 be the revival of the big gun? It’s all a

140-character limit. Daily, we’d

MSN did. It speaks volumes that a website that offered waiting game.

see 13 year olds posting pictures

so much, is now being used by a majority for videos made

in their underwear, we’d have to

on a different App.

Will

But I for one will not be surprised if FB’s little investment of 637 million quid pays off

scroll through paragraphs and

So unless Vine, Twitter, Facebook & Reddit die in a ridiculously well in the New Year. I can’t see

paragraphs of how somebody

horrific crash, and all go up in flames – Facebook simply a guy with the online power that Zuckerberg

made their breakfast, and we’d

isn’t the spring chicken at the top of the pecking order has, not taking a product as sought-after

have to ignore thousands of

anymore.

videos of Eastern European lads

as Instagram, and totally regenerating it to

Now of course, this doesn’t affect Zuckerberg or making big, big bucks.

But until that day emerges, and I’m proven

kicking dogs off of bridges. It

anyone else on his billion-pound empire, he shifted the

was a pretty dire experience to

majority of his shares back in 2012. This seems to be wrong in every way possible – Facebook still

say the least.

just one of the incredibly smart things he did in 2012, seems to be slowly dying, a little more and

Now despite the heaps of stuff nobody in their right mind 18 | Endeavour Magazine

after reportedly buying Instagram for $1BN dollars. more, each day.

(Yeah, that’s right – a billion dollars). That’s just over

But then, much like this blog; are we all

November books

confused between the life and death of Facebook? Is the mass spam REALLY an indication of a slow decline, or in fact the complete opposite – and a massive sign of over-crowding of new and old users?

Are the numbers getting so

RESGEN WELCOMES MAJOR SA INVESTOR

think is bad about Facebook,

D

actually great for the creators

Public Investment Corporation

of Facebook?

(PIC) as a major shareholder,

large, that Facebook is being constantly filled with stuff that by default; won’t be enjoyed by the majority? Is everything we

We don’t know

ual-listed

South

Resource

major investor, their substantial

Generation (ResGen)

presence on the register really

has

will provide us with a significant

welcomed

African

the

government’s

qualitative message.” said Jury.

The PIC is reported to have a 19.9% shareholding in ResGen.

the statistics, but with every

following

A$62.6-

ASX- and JSE-listed ResGen

annoying kid on our newsfeed,

million capital raising to start

also recently sold a 15% interest

came that initial sign-up adding

major construction work at its

in the company to Singapore-

to Facebook’s numbers. Every

Boikrabelo coal mine, in the

listed Blumont Group, in an

annoying advert that pops up on

Waterberg.

investment priced at between

the side, asking if we want to get

ResGen

a

recent

MD

Paul

Jury

A$20-million and A$25-million.

a toned stomach in 12 seconds,

said this week that existing

ResGen’s Boikarabelo mine

came the initial lump sum straight

shareholder Noble Group had

is in the Waterberg region,

into Zuckerberg’s pocket. And as

supported the raising, along

which accounts for 40% of South

stated before, as much as we all

with other major South African

Africa’s remaining coal resource,

moan, and hate the direction the

investors,

including

Altius

and has a probable reserve of

website seems to be headed –

Investment

Holdings,

which

744.8-million

we still continue to use it, daily.

introduced PIC to ResGen’s

1 of the mine development is

So are we part of the decline?

share registry.

targeting an initial output of

Or still a tiny part in the massive empire that is Facebook?

“To say the least, we are

tonnes.

Stage

Turn to page

some six-million tonnes a year.

very excited to have the PIC as a Endeavour Magazine | 19

TV DOMINATES AS VIEWERS DEMAND CONTENT ON TABLETS, SMARTPHONES AND OTHER DEVICES

F

rost & Sullivan finds video

regional market life cycle analyses, drivers and restraints, forecasts

consumer emphasis on

and trends (including segmentation by region and product, as well as

optimal QoS and QoE

unit shipments and revenue forecasts), product and pricing analyses,

across multiple devices requires

key market participant breakdown (including market share and

a robust monitoring solution

competitive analysis), in addition to segmentation by revenue, type

Video consumption across non-traditional

devices

such

America; Europe; the Middle East; Africa; and Asia-Pacific.

as tablets, smartphones, PCs

In addition to traditional broadcast services, cable operators are

and connected PCs evolved

distributing videos over various devices as well. This increases the

exponentially

into

global

complexity of the network, which compels operators to adopt IP-

phenomenon

that

not

based infrastructure. Additionally, increasing multi-screen viewing

restricted to a geographic area

drives demand for video quality monitoring, especially from the

or a limited number of service

telecommunications segment.

providers.

With

a is

TV

“As broadcasters all over the world upgrade to digital and high-

service providers offering more

definition (HD) workflows, the deployment of IP networking across

applications

interactive

the value chain is a certainty,” said Frost & Sullivan Digital Media

content, the rising adoption of

Research Director Vidya S. Nath. “This translates to higher adoption

IP by broadcasters and video

of video network management equipment, such as probes and video

service

analyzers, as well as data-mining systems -- all of which are critical for

and

providers,

cable

and

the

growing consolidation among

20 | Endeavour Magazine

of end user and unit. The research covers North, Central and South

analyzing quality of service and equipment.”

operators, the global IP video

The process of ensuring overall efficient management of IP video,

network management market

based on metrics such as quality of experience (QoE) and quality of

benefited greatly, forecasted to

service (QoS), utilizes probes, analyzers and data-mining solutions.

reach $442.4 million in 2017,

Probes accounted for the biggest revenue share of the global IP video

from $217.8 million in 2012.

network management market at 53 percent in 2012; growing at the

New analysis from Frost

expense of analyzers. Probes provide real-time and offline quality loss

& Sullivan’s Global IP Video

measurement, while analyzers monitor compliance with regulatory

Network Management Market

guidelines, such as closed caption subtitling. Data-mining solutions

research finds that by 2016, more

are the key to QoS and QoE metrics, as this technology monitors the

than 70 percent of data traffic

overall health of the network.

on mobile devices will be video.

“Integrated with the entire network, data-mining solutions are able

This analysis features additional

to provide a level of detail that corresponds to the size of the network,”

market measurements, as well

said Nath. “In addition, evolving data-mining solutions provide system

as the CEO’s perspective, value

information at the most granular level pertaining to every channel

chain and solution workflow

connected to the network, plus pan-geographic location views. As

breakdowns, product overviews,

targeted and interactive advertisements increase across devices and

MERCEDES BENZ TEST DRIVE On the 18th of October Mercedes Benz opened its doors and press fleet to a very select few magazines and Littlegate Publishing was honoured to be included.

We sent two of our senior management to their headquarters in the UK to experience some of the Mercedes Benz cars. The four cars we choose to test were the gull winged SLS AMG GT COUPÉ, the sporty SL 350 AMG SPORT, the limousine S 350 BlueTEC L SE LINE and the beefy C 63 AMG Estate family sports car. Full reviews are to follow in later issues however applications such as video

as a teaser to sum up these cars in one word I

on demand (VOD), the use

would have to use “stunning”.

of such video monitoring and tracking technologies will grow.”

An offers of

IP

architecture

the

advantages

scalability

and

high

flexibility to manage and

FUEL INJECTED ECONOMY SUPPORTING MERCEDES

distribute content in real-

F1 is an essential sport. Creating a directly

time. This sets it apart from

competitive testing ground for much of the

For the most part, most of the companies are

other technologies such

technology that we take for granted in the cars

zipped-lipped regarding details of the economic

as asynchronous transfer

that we use on the roads, but according to a

impact of the F1 teams. The reason being that to

mode (ATM), asynchronous

recent Pitpass business editor Christian Sylt, this

calculate the data requires specific information

serial interface (ASI), and

is only one of its gifts. While being entertaining

on supplier location which is of course deeply

intermediate

and providing an outlet for motor and petrol

guarded.

frequency

(IF)/radio frequency (RF).

“Across verticals,

end-user clients

clearly

Championship.

heads across the planet, the Mercedes F1 team

Mercedes alone works with 1,500 UK-

injected over £200 million into the UK economy.

based suppliers including caterers, designers,

By themselves.

equipment manufacturers and haulage firms.

indicate video quality is

“Earlier in October Pitpass’ business editor

Research from the German manufacturer shows

directly linked to survival,”

Christian Sylt wrote a news story for the London-

that last year its F1 team and engine division

commented Nath. “With

based business newspaper CityAM which

spent £125m with them and employed 1,114 staff

the increasing complexity

revealed that Mercedes’ Formula One team made

in the UK. This gave it a total wage bill of £69.9m

in video delivery, service

an after-tax loss of £31.5m in 2012. Revenue

bringing the economic impact to £194.9m.

providers are not merely

remained stable at £115m whilst operating costs

Payments to UK suppliers comprised around

trying

their

accelerated 20% to £151m as 86 staff were

half of the £277m total costs of the team and

customers

added taking the total to 612. However, that

engine division. However, this is not a net cost

but are also seeking to

was only half of the story as Sylt revealed in the

to Mercedes as it is offset by income from prize

deploy IP video network

Sunday Express that Mercedes’ F1 team injected

money, sponsorship and lease payments from

management solutions to

a massive £200m into the UK economy last year.”

McLaren and Force India for the use of its engines.

future-proof their entire

– Pitpass.com

present

to

please

delivery ecosystem.”

So in the end, while many people complain

This is really the cherry of the top for an

about how much money is spent on F1 it can’t

already impressive month for the Brackley based

be ignored how much money is pumped into the

oufit as it overtook Ferrari at the Indian Grand

home locations.

Prix to claim second place in the Constructors’

Thumbs up.

Endeavour Magazine | 21

THE MOST

Haunted

HOTELS

BY DENNY MCELLIS

The Hotel del Salto in Colombia The Hotel del Salto overlooking the Tequendama Falls on the Bogotá River in Colombia, opened in 1924 it shut its doors in the 1990’s. The hotel’s Gothic design is perfectly enhanced by a river and waterfall.

It’s cold and misty here, the air smells from the contamination in the water and although there is nobody around for miles there are plenty of souls for company. The hotel stands as a beautifully macabre landmark for lovers of classic architecture, urban exploration, and suicides.

A favourite jumping spot, it is claimed

22 | Endeavour Magazine

to the building’s Gothic architecture and if they let go they will be sucked down into Hell for their taking of a life. This way, they are forced to wander around the haunted hotel locked in their eternal misery and unable to escape.

Granted, the Hotel del Salto has now been renovated, however a local to the area has confirmed that at night you can hear the last sounds the people made as they fell to their deaths. Most of them are screaming in fear but for one voice, that of a woman who is laughing.

Maribel Caves Hotel, Wisconsin, United States

the spirits of those wanting to claim their

It may not be a functioning hotel any

own lives rose only high enough to clutch

longer, but the Maribel Caves Hotel in

Wisconsin, USA is still known for attracting guests who illegally camp out within its crumbling walls.

Why?

Maybe

it

has

Maids Head Hotel, Norwich, United Kingdom

There is this resident ghost, the Lavender Lady who used to be a maid in MH and now when she appears you can smell lavender.

Her appearances most correspond with refurbishments, which she doesn’t seem to like

something to do with its famous

In one of the oldest cities

In the court yard there is the Maids Head Bar and a little room

nickname -- Hotel Hell. There’s

in Britain, having the oldest

next to it, where a little girl is trapped. The story says she arrived to

plenty to dispute when it comes

pub in Britain (The Adam and

the hotel and jumped out of a carriage, ran behind it and the horses

to the hotel’s history, but even

Eve), a freaking Puppet Theatre

moved backwards and she was crushed and now she can’t get out of

the most skeptical visitor would

populated

the snug.

have to admit that it’s one of the

homemade puppets based in

scarier places you could visit.

St James Church, a medieval

by

thousands

of

IN the bar itself is an older gentleman and on the stairs that go to Regency Suite there sometimes appears a monk.

down

church with a graveyard filled

Ghost hunters have visited a couple of times but claimed that

three times on the same date in

with the lying dead who have no

although there is a presence that they weren’t evil, however that is

different years and glows under

gravestones because they have

not what the guests believe. And some of the discoveries at the Maids

a full moon. Skeletal remains

been removed and piled against

Head scream otherwise. Twenty five years ago there was a family

are still on the unreachable

the wall.

found in a wall. A mother, father, child and a dog just straight up buried

third floor. A hotel guest killed

surprising at all the Maids Head

everyone in the hotel before

Hotel is haunted, it’s just that

Aga Rychel, an ex-employee of the Maids Head who worked on

taking his own life and black

with so much to choose from

reception quoted, “I had a lady that arrived and went to the room

witches performed a ceremony

you’d expect there to be more.

7 (Queen Elizabeth Suite) and three minutes later she came back

The

hotel

burned

Ultimately it’s not

inside a wall.

that opened a portal to hell in the

The most haunted room

running and crying saying there is something in the room. She was so

front yard fountain. The hellish

is the Queen Elizabeth suite,

scared she couldn’t breathe and she left her bag and everything. We

demons haunted the town of

Number 7 then there is room

had to go and get it,”

Maribel until a white witch

313 where a lot of people have

She continues, “Some people say that when they were staying in

sealed the portal.

said it suddenly gets cold round

the Cathedral Suite in the middle of the night there was someone

Oh, and it served as a hideout

that area. Guests have left the

coming in, a maid who started to do a bed, afterwards she just left

for gangster Al Capone during

hotel in the middle of the night

which was quite harmless, but I was once in the restaurant with my

prohibition and underground

as they were so scared and when

friend round 11pm and we were setting up for breakfast. She was

passageways still exist although

reception entered the room it

behind the waiters station and I was about ten metres away from

only a handful have been located.

was as if there was a blizzard.

her doing the tables when she went “Ouch, why did you do that?!” Of

On the first floor there is

course she turned and found that I was too far away from her and it

regarding

a minstrel kitchen where staff

would have been impossible for me to get there. She said something

the legitimacy of the above

have claimed they get a sense of

had pulled her hair when she was bending and sorting out napkins.”

claims, however all that means

dread whenever they go inside.

squat when you’re lying in your

Sensing that something hostile

sleeping bag and think you

was there.

If you Google it you’ll find a lot

of

conjecture

can hear something moving underneath you.

Endeavour Magazine | 23

ROTHCO 0027 11 970 1930 WWW.ROTHCO.CO.ZA

24 | Endeavour Magazine

EVEN Brilliant CAN BE BETTER WRITTEN BY DON CAMPBELL

“Edwin Roth & Co (Pty) Ltd was founded in 1952 by Mr Edwin Roth and the company began by selling and servicing George Fischer copy lathes from Switzerland. In the 1960’s they diversified, and marketed CNC (Computer Numerical Controlled) equipment from Japan representing Fanuc, Makino, and Okuma & Howa,” Rob Wyche, Managing Director of Rothco explains, “From this time onwards, we expanded and started importing many specialised CNC machinery from Europe, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, representing many well-known agencies.”

Endeavour Magazine | 25

ROTHCO

Today, Rothco has developed more into a value added solutions based company, offering their clients the following specialized divisions: DESIGN, PROTOTYPE, MACHINE, TOOLING & SERVICE and are involved in almost every market, from concept designing to final product production.

“T

hrough our passion for innovation, we are able to

Rothco Design, which provides CAD and CAM software to take

reinvent our clients’ production processes, allowing

projects from concept to final proof-ready digital model design

them to benefit from technological or workflow

and verified machining programs, as well as professional training

improvements without them needing to keep their finger endlessly on the pulse of industry developments, secure in the knowledge that we are here to do it for them.” Robert adds.

AT THE HEART OF THE COMPANY is a mission to deliver

programs.

Rothco PROTOTYPE, specializing in Supply and installation of 3D print solutions for low cost, rapid prototypes, concept models and production parts ready to be applied in the field

innovative and diversified solutions that add value to the

Rothco MACHINE, a range of comprehensive machining solutions

manufacturing industry at large. Rothco’s personalized solutions

from consultation to increasing low or high volume production

have a triple focus: people, productivity and profit. A diverse range of

machining for the client’s simple to CNC manufacturing process,

tools and services are handled by the following specialized divisions

to the configuring of machines and design of specific machining

including:

solutions, as well as installation, training, inspections and calibration, all delivered with cutting-edge knowledge Rothco TOOLING, personalized and flexible tooling solutions, value added cutting fluids, spares and accessories for the manufacturing process and Rothco SERVICE, a dedicated contract servicing, technical back-up and training support to keep the client operating effectively STAFF, influencing the key functionality of any company the employees are the lifeblood. For Rothco staff training and development are placed as a priority.

“Our employees maintain the same standards that our suppliers strive for,” Rob explains, “And attend regular courses together to ensure this.”

26 | Endeavour Magazine

In house and on the job training form a significant part of Rothco’s training program and they encourage their staff to identify courses that can benefit their personal growth and the growth of the company in general.

“Staff development both professionally and personally is extremely important to us,” Rob adds, “As without developing our staff we cannot develop our company.”

“CLIENT RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT is very important to us and we recently rebranded our company after sending out a customer market survey which identified what are clients expected from us and where they expect us to be in the future,” Rob tell us, “We employed a CRM co-ordinator whose main focus is to develop and maintain customer relationships, specifically in the service department. This has brought us great value in shortening the gap between customers and service and providing a valuable communications means for us.”

“Through this implementation,” he adds, “We now can keep a record of customer compliments and complaints and proactively maintain better relationships and deliver innovative and diversified solutions to our customers.”

AFTERSALES is the determining factor of how far a company is willing to go for their client. It is the extra attention that solidifies a relationship and Rob had a lot to say about this particular area of his business:

Endeavour Magazine | 27

ROTHCO

“Rothco’s after-sales is not

With a track record of

an integrated ISO 14001:2004/OHSAS 18001:2007 and ISO

just an add-on, but an essential

reliability and a high service

9001:2008 Safety, Health, Environmental and Quality Management

part of our relationship with our

ethic, Rothco’s teams are ideally

System, which we believe will keep us ahead of the competition,”

customers,” he stipulates, “Since

qualified to inject fresh ideas

our establishment the company’s

through

mechanical,

enjoying sharing the brand of ROTHCO with our valued customers.

principle was and still is product

electrical or electronic services.

In January 2014 our staff will attend Blaser Swisslube training with

support. Continuing with this

The high quality OEM spare

expansion plans to incorporate a mini Blaser Swisslube laboratory

successful tradition we regard

parts coupled with these efficient

within Rothco. Some more training that will take place in 2014 includes

this as one of the most important

processes assist the client’s

working with Stratasys 3D Printers to increase our existing Certified

factors in our business and

maintenance

refurbishing

Service Engineers to support our 3D Printer market,” which is well

endure to improve on our service

of

machinery,

ahead of their industry, “We are also establishing and implementing an

levels.”

including spindle rebuilds.

Rothco Service concentrates on

providing

high

quality

their

their

or

existing

integrated SHEQ System for our plans for future improvements and

“From the decommissioning of

old

machinery

“FOR THE FUTURE, due to our recent re-branding, we are

to

the

relocation

or

most importantly our new customer projects and potential upcoming projects which are the most exciting developments happening in

support, training and technical

painstaking

know-how. Whether for routine

meticulous reconfiguration of

“These points get us excited and bring out the very best of our

maintenance or in emergencies

existing systems,” Rob promises,

abilities; they will motivate us to go beyond a job well done to a place

their reliable teams are on stand-

“There is very little that our

where Even Brilliant can be Better. We are continuously investing in

by to ensure that the production

expert teams are not equipped to

Rothco and cannot put a value to continued improvement. We are a

processes keep functioning with

handle.”

61 year old company. We would not be here if we did not invest in our

minimum disruption and at the highest possible efficiency.

28 | Endeavour Magazine

“We are also in the process of establishing and implementing

Rothco now.”

people or our products.” He concludes.

Endeavour Magazine | 29

EKURHULENI MUNICIPALITY 0027 11 999 0094 WWW.EKURHULENI.GOV.ZA

30 | Endeavour Magazine

A MAJOR PART OF THE FUTURE WRITTEN BY DONNIE RUST

“An Aerotropolis is a planned and coordinated multi-modal freight and transportation complex that provides efficient, cost effective, sustainable and inter-modal connectivity to a defined region of economic significance centered around a major airport,” Executive Mayor Mondli Gungubele opens up, “Speed and agility are the basis of the existence of an Aerotropolis which enables connectivity of the four “Rs”, namely Roads, Rivers, Railroads and Runways.”

Endeavour Magazine | 31

EKURHULENI MUNICIPALITY

The City of Ekurhuleni is best suited to develop as an Aerotropolis since it has connectivity of three Rs (road, railroad, runway) and through the envisaged Durban-Free State-Gauteng corridor they will have improved connectivity with the “Rivers” through their sea port.

A

n Aerotropolis is also

and business partners can offer very fast and tightly interconnected

a new urban format

business opportunities all around the world. Many of these business

that

activities are much more dependent on far-distant suppliers or

is

currently

developing around many large airports

where

the

customers than on those in the local area.

layout,

A strategic decision was taken when deciding that the Aerotropolis

infrastructures and economy are

concept would be pursued and developed further and implemented

all arranged around an airport as

in order to leverage the economic benefits of having the busiest

their central element. This means

airport on the African continent, OR Tambo International Airport,

that their suppliers, customers

located within its boundaries. It is important to note that in the South African context, airports are a national competence, whereas globally, airports are often managed by the cities within which they reside.

“The City of Ekurhuleni has taken on this development as the anchor for the project and will champion related planning, together with various stakeholders that are critical for the success of the project,” Executive Mayor Mondli Gungubele tells us.

A Major Part Of The Future A major key to the municipalities’ 2055 growth and development strategy is known to be the Aerotropolis masterplan. In fact, the City has acknowledged that the Aerotropolis has developed in some form around OR Tambo International Airport, although haphazardly and in an uncoordinated manner.

It is important to get the planning for this type of development right, since it will influence long term outcomes and the future economy in the City of Ekurhuleni. Proper planning will influence the competitiveness of the economy and how it attracts investors and investment to create jobs and reduce poverty, which is the ultimate goal of this development.

“It is on this basis that as a city we have put in place strategic land parcels so that we know exactly which land is available for what, in line with the mandate of the Aeroropolis,” Executive Mayor Mondli Gungubele expands, “At the end of the day, the success of bringing relevant investors to the city hinges on how well we plan the land use 32 | Endeavour Magazine

celebrating transformation

Making a difference through supporting infrastructure development, enhancing efficiency and enabling service delivery in the public sector

Customised strategic and financial solutions www.regiments.co.za | 011 715 0300 Regiments Capital (Pty) Ltd is an authorised financial services provider: FSP 16831 Endeavour Magazine | 33

EKURHULENI MUNICIPALITY

issues – so that at the end of the day business is situated in an area

2 which looks at the movement of freight and the development of

where it will thrive and therefore continue to play a meaningful role

the corridor between Kwazulu-Natal, the Free State and Gauteng

in our economy.”

Provinces. Part of the Master planning process will produce modelling of the expected jobs to be created over the period of development.

According To Plan

Another key factor to take into account is the skills development

“Currently at the conceptual and design stage, The Strategic

angle particularly through initiatives like the Barlow world academy,

Roadmap provides the City of Ekurhuleni and the Gauteng Province

the Transnet rail academy and the Denel aviation academy. These

with an outline of the Aerotropolis development model and

kinds of initiatives will be crucial to ensure that the Aerotropolis has

requirements for a successful Aerotropolis,” Executive Mayor Mondli

a significant skills pool to tap into and that the issue of scare skills

Gungubele explains, “This includes consideration requirements for

receives some attention.

infrastructure and facility plans, business plans and implementation plan guidelines for transforming OR Tambo International Airport and the region into a world-class Aerotropolis.”

Based on the Strategic Roadmap a process of developing a Masterplan was initiated and is currently underway. The development

Behind The Scenes In a time of financial economic crisis, it is a telling fact that the project is showing good signs for economic growth within the area and for sustainable growth for the future.

of the Ekurhuleni Aerotropolis is a long term vision spanning up

“Research in international Aerotropolis show a favourable job-

to thirty years from now. However, the building blocks for the

spin off ratio for jobs created at the airport related to those indirectly

Aerotropolis have to be laid as early on in the project as possible. Over

linked to the airport,” Executive Mayor Mondli Gungubele tell us, “The

the next eighteen months, the City will undertake an exciting process

global positioning of the OR Tambo International Airport and the

of developing the Master Plan that will provide details for specific

number of destinations it serves provides an indication of the airports

aspects required for the Aerotropolis development.

capacity and competitiveness compared to its counterparts on the

The Aerotropolis is part of the Strategic Integrated Projects (SIP)

No 35 Statler Street Alrode South EXT 2 Alrode Tel: 011 868 3047 Tel: 011 868 5154 (24hrs control room) Fax: 011 868 3271 info@hwibidusec.co.za admin@hwibidusec.co.za www.hwibidusec.co.za

34 | Endeavour Magazine

Services Security Management and Supervision • 24 Hour Control Room • Armed and Unarmed Guards • Alarm Installation • Rapid Response • Camera and Video Surveillance • On Site and Off Site Monitoring • Security Consulting • Risk Analysis • Vip Protection/Body Guard • Escorts Guards

African continent.”

A Daimler Brand

MBSA/796/REA

For more information, speciďŹ cations 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 | 35

EKURHULENI MUNICIPALITY

According to Airbus, the annual passenger growth rates to, from and within South Africa will grow at 6% which surpasses the rate for Africa (5.7%), and is well above the average for the world (4.8%).

city in its rightful place of leading cities of the world.”

“Critical in all this is a strategic partnership between role players in the aviation industry like ACSA and the other airlines.”

Airlines operating in South Africa will need 183 new passenger aircraft, with an estimated value of $29bn and since 2000, South Africa has enjoyed 45% growth in air traffic.

A Final, Important Word “The Aerotropolis is not about Ekurhuleni only, but Gauteng as a whole and the nation. Its success will help us create jobs and

Positive Knock On Effects

fight poverty while at the same time improving the economy of the

The Aerotropolis Project is one of the flagship projects of the

country. It is therefore imperative that people, while looking at it as an

City of Ekurhuleni and enjoys the support of the Gauteng Provincial

Ekurhuleni programme, understand that its success relies on all South

Government. The project is certainly the City’s pride with hopes to

Africans pulling together to make South Africa’s first Aerotropolis a

harness the competitive advantage that resides with the O R Tambo

success. We have done a lot as a city to realize this project and we

International Airport and all related benefits that have arisen as a

expect it to be even more clear now that we have just appointed a

result of this asset.

company to assist with putting in place the master plan. Indeed this

“Actually,” Executive Mayor Mondli Gungubele stipulates, “It

will take time, but we have made it clear that we want immediate,

is rather unfortunate that it has taken us as a city so long to take

medium and long term plans in this regard. There are various other

advantage of the fact that this airport is in our space. The Ekurhuleni

projects that we will be undertaking in line with the Aerotropolis,

Aeorotropolis is anchored around one of the biggest international

among them is the Digital City, which we believe will be a key player

global airports, a facility that is viewed as Africa’s gateway to the world.

in our future plans especially if one considers the rate at which our

A national key point that handles millions of travellers every year, so,

IT is transforming society lately,” concludes Executive Mayor Mondli

it is very important that there is proper planning in everything we do

Gungubele.

so that at the end of the day we get a world class facility that takes our

ELECTRO INDUCTIVE INDUSTRIES Operating Units Gauteng & Cape Town Tel: 086 111 3107 Fax: 086 608 6580 Email: sales@electroi.co.za

WWW.ELECTROI.CO.ZA Manufacturer of Miniature Substations Distribution Transformers Pole-mount Transformers

POWER FOR LIFE 36 | Endeavour Magazine

Endeavour Magazine | 37

MURZAH OIL COMPANY 00255 784 786 050 WWW.MURZAH.CO.TZ

38 | Endeavour Magazine

KEEPING IT REAL WRITTEN BY JACK SLATER

Murzah Oil Mills Ltd is part of an association of companies that employ 3675 people and has created the backbone of an industry striving for economic growth and global respect from businesses and contemporaries. Since its inception in 1997, Murzah Oil Mills Limited has emerged as a leading industrial force in the edible oil and soaps sector manufacturing sectors. Specializing in production and extraction of oils, today they are looking at expansion throughout Africa and their General Manager Mr Lakshminarayana was on hand to discuss this.

Endeavour Magazine | 39

MURZAH OIL COMPANY

From the onset one of the things that stands out in the portfolio of Murzah Oil Mills Ltd’s capabilities is their attention to detail and the heavy investment they have made in technology, machinery and manpower to ensure the purity and standards of their products.

Their approach to accomplishing this task is one that starts from the grass roots and works upwards.

“T

he facilities are equipped with the entire range of modern

A summary of the business activities at Murzah Oil Mills LTD

machines and technologies,” Mr. Kakshminarayana

reveals that core activities of the company revolves around two main

opens up, “And operated by the most well trained staff.”

principles of expansion and consolidation. The activity of growing the

This is the first time that Murzah Oil Mills Ltd is appearing

company either in terms of employees or facilities and ensuring that

within Endeavour Magazine, and to get our readers up to speed Mr.

everything is working to capacity for a period is one that proves effect

Kakshimarayana said the following: “The Company’s commercial

in preventing a stretching in resources.

Production of Vegetable Oil commenced in 1997 and has grown

“We produce Cooking Oil, Soap and Plastic Consumables,” Mr.

reliably since then, we actively engage 200 permanent employees

Kakshminarayana tells us, “With a production capacity of 200MT

including 70 of the most skilled ones in our industry. Over that we

of soap per day and 450MT of cooking oil per day. The cooking oil is

have 600 temporary employees who provide invaluable services to us

poised to be doubled once the new Expansion Unit is operative.”

when we need it.”

Crude Oil is Refined, Bleached and Deodorised in order to get the Finished Goods such as the Korie Brand (for Palm Oil), Korie Gold for Soya Oil and Sundrop Brand for Sun Flower Oil which are available in a range of measurements and machine packed in custom designed packaging to best engage the consumer.

Murzah Oil has two major edible oil Refineries with a total capacity of 300 tons per day, which is equivalent to 108,000 MT per annum.

Because the company aims to produce only the best products in the current market, the technology and the machinery being used were obtained and manufactured by the world’s leading manufacturer of edible oil machines.

“It is one of the most modern edible oil refineries in the world, with state of the art technology,” he tells us.

In one of their early expansions, the company instigated the creation in 1998 of a Dewaxing plant to process a variety of domestic vegetable crude oils this plant is powered in part by the combined

40 | Endeavour Magazine

Endeavour Magazine | 41

MURZAH OIL COMPANY

technological expertise from Alfa Laval, an Indian firm, and supported by reliable technology from Tetra Laval of Sweden.

decisions taken collectively.”

Murzah Oil Mills Ltd also enjoys extremely happy industrial

Their sunflower seed extraction plant, which produces an

environment, “New work force is added once a while to our existing

equivalent of 30,000 Ton per annum began operations in early 2003,

large base so much so that there is a nice combination of young and

this was a direct move to ensure standards and quality provided their

experienced hands.”

clients with the best products. Since then their sunflower products

On the other side of the coin, where we find the customers, Murzah

have been found in regions such as Singida , Dodoma and Arusha and

Oil Mills are dedicated to a transparent accountability, “All Products

their leading sunflower oil brand, Sun Drop has become a household

comply with Tanzania Bureau of Standards,” Mr. Kakshminarayana

name.

tells us, “We keep reviewing our packing material and processes in

Through their growth, one of the key developments was the capacity expansion of the fractionation plant from a limit of 100MT per day to 300MT per day.

“When this plant was installed, it gave us an opportunity to process the basic raw material of Crude Palm Oil, which would have

keeping with the feed-back from our customers. “ Apart from capturing the market in the country and catapulting itself into becoming the leading manufacturer in Tanzania, Murzah Oils have started exporting its products to neighbouring countries like Malawi, Zambia, Congo, Rwanda and Mozambique.

been otherwise difficult,” Mr. Kakshminarayana explains, “Because

“Because of the excellent quality of our products, it makes it

crude palm oil cannot be processed without specialized equipment.

easier to turn them into preferred choice of the people wherever it is

The Fractionation Plant is also used to separate liquid fraction from

marketed, while Murzah Oil Mills continues to poise itself for further

solid fraction of the oil.”

growth in the near future.”

“Work Force plays vital role in any Organisation,” Mr.

“We have very satisfied Customers thanks to equally co-operative

Kakshminarayana says, “Murzah believes in participative Management

Suppliers and Sub-Contractors and Dealers,” he tells us, “Our Group

where the Directors interact closely with the Workers in majority of

Products ably supported by Trading Company from within the Group

Industrial Automation and Electrical Systems Limited

Core business areas Design, Supply and Installations of Industrial Control and Electrical Systems.

Retrofit and Upgrade of electrical systems Supply of Spare parts for Industries.

Provide Consultancy on Industrial Solutions.

PO Box 33779, Plot 281, Block D, Tegeta, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Tel: +255 768 223777, Email: office@iaestz.com, website: www.iaestz.com

42 | Endeavour Magazine

help the process of ensuring

while

proper demand-supply chains. “

identified by the Government,

“We inaugurate expanding Capacity

are our the of

expecting

on

many

occasions

to

for example the World Standards

Unit

Day etc., advertisements are

Production

given in the Newspapers in

new Cooking

Oil

recognition of the importance of

considerably, very soon,” he

such occasions and bringing the

explains, “We also propose to

Public’s attention towards the

establish a separate Plant for

same.

manufacture of more quantities of Soap.”

IN conclusion, one of the defining factors of Murzah Oil

The Group also takes part in

Mills is their focus on establishing

philanthropic activities including

what is important and supporting

Education,

it fully.

Religious

places,

Donations to the Destitute and

“Working

together

as

a

the Disabled. Prayer Meetings

team is the only way to achieve

are held on most Fridays within

greatness,” Mr. Kakshminarayana

the Factory Premises when

concludes.

poor-feeding is done. Donations are also offered for conducting cultural or community functions

PEEKAY MINERALS & ALLIED PRODUCTS

Mine Owners & Exporters

Talc, Magnesium Silicate, Calcined Clay, China Clay, Remming Mass, Quartz, Feldspar

MINERAL HOUSE 1/469 CHITRAKOOT MAIN ROAD JAIPUR 302 021 (INDIA)

www.pkminerals.com | pkminerals@gmail.com

Telefax: +91 141 4015911 | Customer Care: +91 93525 85911 Endeavour Magazine | 43

ZAMBEEF RETAIL 00260 977 999 003 WWW.ZAMBEEF.CO.ZM

44 | Endeavour Magazine

Zambeef is the largest beef producer in Zambia and the company also provides feedlot services, manufactures milk, chicken, eggs, leather and shoes. Within their portfolio they operate a fast food restaurant chain and a trucking company, including a fleet of refrigerated vehicles. Zambeef grows crops, including wheat, maize, lucerne and soybeans, grows feed, and operates feed processing plants around Zambia.

BEEF RETAIL IS WRITTEN BY JACK SLATER

Alive And Kicking Endeavour Magazine | 45

ZAMBEEF RETAIL

Zambeef Products PLC is one of the largest integrated agri-businesses in Zambia. The Group is principally involved in the production, processing, distribution and retailing of beef, chicken, pork, milk, dairy products, eggs, edible oils, stock feed, flour and bread. The Group also has large row cropping operations, principally maize, soya beans and wheat, with approximately 8,350 Ha of row crops under irrigation and 8,650 Ha of rain-fed/dry-land crops available for planting each year.

Z

ambeef was incorporated in 1994, with limited capital,

“It marked the first time a company from the southern African

employing 60 staff, slaughtering 180 cattle per month

country had listed internationally and was one of the few overseas

in a small, rented abattoir and delivering meat in a Land

African IPO’s from outside the natural resources sector” - The Banker

Rover for selling through a pair of rented butcheries. From humble

Magazine..

beginnings as an incorporated small scale start-up business, they

Principally involved in the production, processing, distribution

have grown through both organic growth and acquisitions to become

and retailing of beef, chicken, pork, milk, dairy products, eggs, edible

one of Zambia’s largest agri-businesses with annual revenues of

oils, stock feed, flour and bread, the Group also has a large cereal row

approximately US$255 million and an employee number of over five

cropping operation and is in the process of rolling out a West Africa

and half thousand staff.

expansion and a palm project.

In June 2011, Zambeef successfully concluded its dual listing on

Ultimately, Zambeef’s strategy is to be the most affordably

the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange.

accessible quality protein provider in the region and to increase the

The Banker magazine named Zambeef’s US$55 million listing in

efficient capacity of its primary production facilities.

London and rights issue in Zambia as 2012’s ‘Deal of the Year’ in

To achieve this, they continue to pursue a vertically integrated

Africa for equities. The magazine commended the landmark listing for

business model, from primary production to processing, distribution

Zambeef, saying the company’s initial public offering (IPO) on London’s

to retailing the finished products to the customer through their own

Alternative Investments Market in June 2011 was significant in many

extensive retail network. This ensures a great addition to value and

ways.

margin capture throughout the value chain.

Africa has one of the fastest population growths in the world. Today, great sectors of this population demand a greater quality and diversity of foods. To meet these needs, major corporations, like Zambeef in Zambia, have stepped in. And to support these large farms, a large John Deere dealer in the USA has established itself as a prime 46 | Endeavour Magazine

supplier of low hour used equipment. Arends Hogan Walker LLC (AHW) has ten locations in the USA and export and finances used John Deere equipment worldwide.

Major farming operations like Zambeef depend on AHW for the best equipment and support. More information on AHW can be found in its website: www.ahwexport.com

Used Agricultural Kit For Africa Supplying Major Agricultural Projects Worldwide You have the project, we have the inventory. And with 80 years experience as a John Deere dealer we know today’s agricultural technology. Late model low hour John Deere equipment purchased from us can be equipment with the latest agricultural management system for precision farming and we provide the support you will need.

We are grain specialist and have the equipment to get the most production from your grain farming operation. No project is too large for us. AHW handles all the export to your countries port of entry. And it does not stop there. We are there to back you up as you clear the equipment through customs and when you put it to work. Our technicians are available for worldwide travel to help you set the equipment correctly for your specific operation.

Our equipment includes: Large tractors, Combine Harvesters, Planters, Self Propelled Sprayers, Spreaders, Tillage Equipment, Silos, Fertilizer Blending equipment and plants, Chaser Bins and much more‌ Financing available, short term, and medium term up to 5 years, backed by the Export Import Bank of the United States.

Our equipment is operating throughout the world!

Contact us and let our experts help you with your project.

Arends Hogan Walker Export Division Miami, Florida USA E-Mail: exportsales@ahwllc.com Phone : +1 786 206 9892

www.ahwexport.com

John Deere Dealer for over 80 years

ZAMBEEF RETAIL

Zambeef has one of the largest irrigated row cropping operations

pork product retail industry and operates one of the largest piggeries,

in Zambia, with 8,350 Ha for irrigated and 8,650 Ha for rain fed,

abattoirs and pork processing plants in Zambia. With a capability of

developed land available for planting each year. Crop production is

slaughtering up to one hundred thousand pigs per year.

focused primarily on soya beans during summer cropping season and

Milk and dairy products are an obvious product that Zambeef

wheat during winter cropping season; with a capacity to produce over

have been able to capitalize on, with their own dairy farm and almost

100,000 tons of cereal grains per annum. The group also has storage

two thousand heads of cattle, they produce four million litres of milk

capacity of over 115,000 tons.

a year. This milk is pasteurised and homogenised in a modern milk

As their name suggests, Zambeef is one of the largest suppliers of beef in Zambia, with a capacity to slaughter 120,00 cattle per annum.

processing plant and Zambeef have produced many favourites such as drinking yoghurt, cheese, butter and milk based juices.

They are also one of the largest feed lotters of quality beef in Zambia,

In 2010, Zambeef commissioned a stock feed plant as part of a

with a capacity to feedlot 24,000 grain-fed cattle p.a. Zambeef

plan to increase its production of this product, initially to cater for its

currently runs eight abattoirs and three feedlots located throughout

internal livestock divisions and with a long term vision to be one of the

Zambia.

leading stock feed suppliers in Zambia. Currently, the plant operates

IN addition to the beef products, Zambeef is one of the largest

at a full capacity of seven thousand tons per month, adding value to

chicken and egg producers in the county processing over five million

the protein by product of one of their subsidiaries Zamanita, who are

chickens and forty million eggs per annum. This has warranted

leaders in the edible oils sector.

significant investments into new layer and broiler houses planned for 2014 as well as a new chicken abattoir.

Through Masterpork LTD, Zambeef has a strong foothold on the

48 | Endeavour Magazine

The strength of the company originates in the strength and direction of their retail sector,The vast majority of Zambeef’s food products are retailed directly to the end consumer through Zambeef’s

extensive

retail

network.

In

trucking fleets in Zambia and has

fact, Zambeef has one of the

its own workshop to service and

leading distribution and retail

maintain its vehicle fleet.

footprints in Zambia, which

2014 is looking to be a busy

currently consists of 91 retail

year for Zambeef, as the group

outlets, 3 wholesale centres, 6

are in the process of rolling

fast food outlets and 20 Shoprite

out its West Africa expansion

butcheries.

in Nigeria and Ghana, as well

The three wholesale centres

as developing a palm project in

were originated in 2011 in order

Zambia. Further investment is

to attract the large informal and

planned for 2014 to improve

commercial sector in Zambia and

the efficiencies and capacity of

they have continued to invest

the stock feed processes as well

and upgrade existing stores as

as the new ruminant plant to

well as opening new retail outlets

support their edible oils sector.

every

year.

Additionally,

to

support the convoluted network of activities they operate one of the largest transport and

Endeavour Magazine | 49

CARIB GLASSWORKS 00186 866 222 31 WWW.ANSAMCAL.COM

50 | Endeavour Magazine

SUCCESS IS Crystal CLEAR WRITTEN BY JACK SLATER

One of the ANSA McAl Group’s stock of companies Carib Glassworks was founded in 1947 as an answer to a need in the market and have since found firm footing within the country as one of the leading manufacturers and producers of glass.

“We have always focused on being the premium glass package provider in the region,” managing director, David Hadeed tells us, “We are also present in Caricom and the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Puerto Rico.”

Endeavour Magazine | 51

CARIB GLASSWORKS

From the onset the company enjoyed quick growth and rapid development, becoming a leading and innovative producer of glass packaging in the Caribbean and Latin American region. Located in Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies they offer a wide range of standard and customized glass packaging that meets International Quality and Environmental standards suitable for food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, beer, wine and spirits.

“C

arib Glassworks is focussed on productivity, we have

coatings (as with cans or plastic) to preserve the contents which it

two furnaces and six manufacturing lines and a specific

protects. This is the reason why outside of the food and beverage

business to business model that works 100% with

industry even the medical and scientific community make use of

direct distribution,” David says.

Bottles are still one of the preferred methods of packaging products. Manufacturers, of all types, like glass because it is a superb barrier, needing no artificial additives (as with cardboard) or internal

glass. Inert and taint-free, glass does not contaminate food or drink while protecting them from moisture, aroma and gaseous escape or penetration.

“It’s also shape-versatile,” David adds, “Bottles come in an endless variety of shapes, sizes and colours that enhance a product’s image giving it a ‘classy’ look. Some manufacturers use the shape of a bottle to give their product a unique identity e.g the distinctive Coca Cola Trademark Bottle and Trinidad’s own Solo Apple J Bottles.”

Carib Glassworks manufacturers glass containers for the food, beverage, pharmaceutical and chemical industries.

Staff As one of the ANSA Mcal Group companies Carib Glassworks strictly adheres to the standards and procedures of their parent company. The ANSA McAL Group of Companies is a local company headquartered in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago and has been doing business since 1881, listed on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange it is one of the largest conglomerates in the Caribbean with an asset base of TT$11.3 billion and one of the largest employers with over 6000 employees across it’s companies.

“Of that number three hundred and fifty people work with Carib Glassworks, and each employee undergoes a rigorous, industry specific, training plan. This is needed due to the unique technical skills needed for glass manufacturing,” David expands, “Individual development for our staff is very important to our business and their personal and career development Have always been a big part of our growth plans. This will be no different in 2014 and beyond. The aim is to build a performance driven organization.”

The Clients A great deal of competition has sprouted up which is expected in a company that has worked at such a high standard for so many 52 | Endeavour Magazine

decades. While Carib Glassworks, and ANSA McAL have one of the most secure foundations on the islands they have place a great deal of attention to ensure that they remain in firm lead of their sector. David explains how this begins with the customers:

New Developments For 2013/2014 And Beyond

loss to quality, thus there is no place for glass in the trash bin. We are promoting greater awareness for the importance of

“As part of our on-going effort to ensure our customers are

Carib Glassworks has been

glass recycling and to encourage

satisfied we have monthly business reviews across the board and

recycling glass since its inception

the public to recycle used glass

deploy a biannual online survey to measure our customer satisfaction,”

in 1948. CGL obtains its cullet

by depositing them in glass

he attests, “This is critical since the market is very competitive and

(the raw material term for used

recycling bins. This will in turn

this is a key factor for customer retention.”

glass) from landfills and dumps,

remove excess burdens from

bars, hotels, schools, community

our landfills and dumps and

activities and encourage monthly market visits for export customers

groups

residential

will preserve and conserve the

and weekly customer visits for domestic customers. We’ve also

associations, private and public

earth’s natural resources like

created an active Innovation team in charge of generating new

companies and individuals. In

sand and limestone.

projects annually.”

addition to these local sources,

He continues, “Also, to stay competitive, we analyse market

Suppliers “It’s also crucial to work with the right businesses,” he continues, “In fact the choice of companies to supply a business will always influence the overall success. For example Mijnmaatschappij Curaçao B.V have supplied us our limestone sand, our most important material for over a decade.”

Relationships

like

this

between

Carib

Glassworks

and

Mijnmaatschappij Curaçao B.V are quintessential to the overall business approach of this company who look at relationship building as one of the key factors to longevity.

Pure & Clear

and

Carib

Glass

encourages

cullet is also imported from

communities to get involved in

regional

the recycling programme.

and

extra

regional

sources.

Glass

“We packaging

has

have

created

a

an

nationwide recycling program as

advantage over other types

a means to instigate change from

of packaging material as far as

the source.” David says.

the impact on the environment is concerned (glass is a 100% recyclable). All glass containers melted and reshaped will make new containers without any

Water Filter Limestone 2-5 mm For Calcium filters in desalination and RO plants

Flint Processed Limestone 1-3 mm Excellent for the clearest flint glass

Feed Grade Limestone 0-0.75 mm Excellent poultry feed calcium additive

Curaçao Limestone is a very pure Calcium Carbonate (CACO3) from the Table Mountain on the island of Curaçao. This calcium marine deposit was formed in a very dry and a very clear sea water environment during millions of years with no influence from river sediment and other minerals, like iron etc.

Therefore this calcium has a hight (99%) CACO3 content, is very white in color and has an excellent solvability compared to other limestone products.

For more information and orders:

Newport, Curaçao Telephone: + 599(9) 7673400 | Mobile: +599(9) 5131884 info@curacaocalcium.com | www.curacaocalcium.com

Endeavour Magazine | 53

BINDURA HAULAGE 00263 621 211-5 WWW.BH.CO.ZW

54 | Endeavour Magazine

KEEPING

WRITTEN BY KATIE RICHARDSON

Trade MOVING

Endeavour Magazine talks to leading haulage company Bindura Haulage about keeping abreast of the competition, tackling sector concerns and its role in effective industry.

Endeavour Magazine | 55

BINDURA HAULAGE

Keeping business moving in a country whose economic recovery is extremely delicate is no mean feat. Having been blighted by allegations of industrial corruption and human rights abuses for decades, Zimbabwe is taking unaided steps on its international trading feet, and haulage companies in the country are playing a crucial part in removing disincentives and adding accountability.

F

ounded in 1967, Bindura Haulage has a very established

agricultural commodities, general cargo and specialised loads.

distribution chain in Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries,

A full 24-hour cargo tracking service supports our fleets to all

thanks to a long history in the provision of services to local

destinations and we also offer border cleaning services at the Messina/

mining and agricultural sectors. After a heavy decline in agricultural

Beit-bridge border with key partners in Chirundu, Nyamapanda and

output in the early noughties, the company shifted its focus to

Mutare.” says Mann.

concentrate primarily on the cross border market, moving various commodities and cargo within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. With its HQ originally in Bindura Town

Bumps in the road

in the Mashonaland province, the company relocated to Zimbabwe’s

Adequate transport infrastructure and transport services are

capital Harare in 2005 to concentrate on the growing cross-border

essential for the functioning of a nation’s economic, social and

market, with countries including Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and

cultural life and the haulage industry is not without its problems.

South Africa.

There is an increasing challenge posed by an ever-deteriorating

“Our general fleet is comprised of cab-over and conventional

road infrastructure in the region and Zimbabwean roads are classed

horses pulling flat-decks, links, super links, tippers and step decks

as some of the most dangerous in the world. The Zimbabwe Traffic

offering a number of options to a customer, while our abnormal fleet

Safety Council reported at least 416 people died while another

has various low-bed combinations with capacities of up to 70 tonnes,”

2463 people were injured in more than 8700 accidents recorded

says group managing director Richard Mann. “Through good service,

countrywide between January and March this year, due in part to

sound business practices and strong leadership we have built a wide

the country’s lack of passing lanes, shoulders, road reflectors and

network of satisfied return customers.”

breakdown lanes and a limited roadside emergency services. On the

Bindura Haulage offers a wide variety of services allowing it to

positive there are major improvements happening and resurfacing of

cover a significant number of key international destinations. It makes

the roads on the East-West corridor is well underway, on the success

strong use of upgraded technology to improve on service levels,

of this – hopefully funding will provide for the upgrading of the North-

while allowing control over larger volumes of moving stock. This

South corridor in the near future.

has resulted in a leading co-ordinated and supported service chain

The haulage industry also happens to be one of the more

providing mining supplies, plant and equipment as well as mined and

vulnerable to the Zimbabwean HIV/AIDS pandemic due to mobility

56 | Endeavour Magazine

Endeavour Magazine | 57

BINDURA HAULAGE

and the inherent characteristics of the working conditions. Mann

to perform their work efficiently

endeavours to hold up the highest training standards for his staff to

and safely.”

To counteract these socioeconomic

hurdles,

Bindura

cope in these very challenging conditions. “We have around 200 full

Mann also looks to invest

Haulage has a competitive ace

time staff working for us, and each driver is required to be compliant

in his staff for the future of the

up its sleeve. A number of new

and provide on-demand proof for all health and safety regulations and

company: “Bursaries are also

and exciting developments on

licensing in each region we operate in,” he says. “It is of the utmost

available for those who request

the horizon include a continued

priority for the company to adequately empower and equip a driver

relevant study in fields that will

emphasis on expanding into and

to drive a loaded vehicle of around 56 tons and a lot of effort is put in

have a positive impact in the

growing the broking business –

place to ensure this.”

business.”

a market which has had a 350%

The company also expects compliance with all safety aspects including quality servicing and repairs of all trucks and trailers and maintains an adequate support chain along each of their supply routes including safe parking areas, border support teams and strategic workshop depots.

growth over the past 12 months.

Mann is confident that without

Different Approaches The

haulage

the need for capital expenditure (CAPEX) industry

and

only

minor

is

additional expenditure required

“Our drivers are put through training programmes, and our

predominantly private owned

on resources is nothing short of

technical staff like those in our workshops will all have the required

– with the added pressure from

a cash-flow positive in the capital

certifications to perform their respective functions within their specific

the unstable economy, high levels

intensive

departments and skills shortages are identified and provisions made

of unemployment and tentative

is a natural progression from

for training in these areas,” says Mann. “Strict adherence to health and

investor sentiment – there is a

a successful marketing drive

safety protocol is installed and this includes regular training of staff

limited availability of affordable

where larger volume contracts

on the correct use of tools, materials and procedures to allow them

vehicle financing.

have been secured and the

58 | Endeavour Magazine

industry.

“Broking

excess work outsourced,” he says.

After-sales and customer commitment is also a top priority. “With

In addition, the company is also implementing an integrated

seasonal business, after-sales service is often the pre-cursor to next

accounting and workshop ‘job-card module’ to enhance the reporting

season’s marketing strategy,” Mann stresses. “Plans that are in place

and information dissemination essential to improving the overall

to keep us abreast of the competition are, among others, securing

efficiencies at grass roots level: the workshop floor. “Leveraging off

contract work which ensures sub-contracted rates and an offensive

current contracts will enable us to increase the bottom line for the

approach to expense management and budget control.”

company,” Mann explains. “Enhancing the quality of the work done

Mann is also very enthusiastic about his working associations:

will improve overall efficiency and reduce undue expenditure. A fair

“We have an excellent management team who are able to build

amount of staff time has been invested in this as it engages a number

and enhance great relationships with customers and negotiate

of different departments, including workshops, stores & finance.

preferential transport rates.”

While there is a financial cost to this, it is far outweighed by the direct cost savings on efficiencies it will bring.”

While Zimbabwe still has a while to go to find economic stability within its borders, the importance of the haulage industry cannot be overemphasised. In-house promotion coupled with encouragement

Smooth Operation The personal touch is very important to Bindura Haulage and Mann makes it a priority to understand and identify with his clients in

of international trade at all levels, could result in a win-win situation for Bindura Haulage and its contemporaries to expand upon their business both at home and abroad.

order to deliver the best service possible. “There are daily updates on each load and clearing positioning to customers, as well as constant monitoring of customer interactions with various staff,” he says.

“Other specific focuses include an immediate response to customer queries and an annual customer review.”

Endeavour Magazine | 59

ZB FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED 00263 4 751168 WWW.ZB.CO.ZW

60 | Endeavour Magazine

BANKING ON ZIMBABWE WRITTEN BY JACK SLATER

ZB Financial Holdings Limited need little introduction as they have seen a great deal of changes take place in Zimbabwe, have overcome political, economic and cultural tides and have become one of the beacons of the country’s development. We spoke with CEO Ronald Mutandagayi regarding the company’s activities to shed some light on their success.

Endeavour Magazine | 61

ZB FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

“The history of ZBFH begins in 1951 when the Netherlands Bank of South Africa opened a branch in Harare, known at the time as Salisbury. A second branch was opened in Bulawayo in the same year and by 1967 nine branches were operating countrywide,” Ron opens up, “In August 1967 it was sold to Netherlands Bank of Rhodesia Limited, as ZB Bank was then known and obtained a listing on the Rhodesia Stock Exchange. It was the first locally quoted commercial bank and also the first to provide the local public with the opportunity to participate in its ownership.”

Global Shopfitters Zimbabwe For the Perfect Fit

R

onald Mutandagayi, a charter accountant by profession, was appointed Group Chief Executive of ZBFH with effect from 1 June 2013 and previously held the position of Managing

Director of ZB Bank. He has been with the company through a number of changes, having joined the Group when it was known as Finhold Group as the Head of Finance and Risk in February 2004, and accepting the position of Managing Director of ZB Bank in September 2009.

“Over the years ZBFH has maintained a steady growth through acquisitions of related companies as well as expansion of existing services,” he continues, “In 1972, the company changed its name from The Netherlands Bank of Rhodesia Limited to Rhodesia Banking Corporation Limited and then to Rhobank in 1979.”

1979, marked an important moment for the company as they

Contact us at: Stand 861, Soutter Road. New Ardbennie, Hre, P.O. Box CY 2322 Causeway, Hre. Tel/Fax: 665438, 661327, 666372 and 668947 13 Hanover Road, Workington, Hre, Tel/Fax: 662492, 663430, 663639.

Email: glob@africaonline.co.zw 62 | Endeavour Magazine

acquired interest in the local insurance firm of brokers, Willis Corroon, now known as Alexander Forbes Zimbabwe and also the entire shareholding of Syfrets Trust and Executor Limited. Two years later, 1981, the Government of Zimbabwe acquired 61% shareholding and the company changed its name to Zimbabwe Banking Corporation Limited (Zimbank).

“In 1989 Zimbabwe Financial Holdings Limited (FINHOLD) was formed to bring all subsidiaries and associate companies under one Holding company which also paved the way for the Group to explore

other profitable business activities previously not possible due to

external training and developmental programs carried out regionally,

restrictions on investments activities placed on the bank in terms of

locally and internationally for selected members.

the Banking Act,” Ronald tells us, “In 2006 Finhold rebranded to ZB

“Staff development and training is vital in our company as it

Financial Holdings Limited and in 2007 the group acquired majority

motivates individuals, increases knowledge, and fosters brand

shareholding in Intermarket Holding Limited, a financial services

engagement required in enhancing loyalty,” he continues, “This

group that was involved in the provision of mortgage lending, banking,

ultimately leads to the delivery of exceptional customer service

life assurance and re-insurance services,”

required for customer retention, acquisition and business growth.”

He continues, “In the same year ZBFH acquired a shareholding in Cell Insurance Company, a short term insurance service provider.”

In 2008 the company formed ZB Securities, a stock broking

What Does ZBFH Offer Clients?

ZBFH provide one of the most diverse ranges of financial services

company that is active on the stock Exchange and The Group has

including all of the primary mainstays like banking, insurance,

therefore acquired a number of subsidiaries which have allowed it

reinsurance, asset management, securities, transfer secretarial

to offer a diverse range of financial solutions. ZBFH has no physical

services and custodial services. It also boasts one of the widest

presence in foreign markets; however, through its subsidiaries it

branch networks in the country with the commercial bank operating

participates in the regional and international markets.

50 branches and a strong presence in the informal markets.

The People Of ZBFH

“We engage our customers through customer surveys and we take the results seriously to implement findings,” Ron tells us, clearly

“The Group’s staff complement is 1600,” Ron tells us, “And we have

very animated in this particular area, “We also have a Customer

invested in a Group Training Centre in an ongoing effort to improve

Service Charter and the ZB Way of doing things that ensure that we

staff skills and knowledge.”

strive to always be customer centric.”

Besides internally the Group Training Centre also facilitates

It is very important for ZBFH that they gain repeat business from

Endeavour Magazine | 63

ZB FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

the same customers who will in turn act as ambassadors for new

drive to invest in that new

an easy and fast way of doing

business, Ronald tells us while explain the importance of activities

technology.

business

occurring post sales.

with

ZB

Financial

“We offer mobile banking,

Holdings. As a group technology

“After sales service also ensures that we listen to our customers

internet banking and continue

reduces turn around on certain

for what they want and in doing so we are able to modify, innovate

to explore other products and

processes

and adapt products and services that are relevant and value adding,”

services in line with technological

customer service and efficiency

he adds, “We know that a satisfied customer experience enhances our

advancements,”

within the system.

brand, builds brand loyalty and brand equity and ultimately results in

us, “Focus is also in providing

“It will also ensure that ZBFH

business growth and profit. Therefore customer tracking is critical.”

affordable products and services

plays in the Global arena as well

and technology will allow us to

and we will be able to reach and

do so.”

offer online and efficient services

Quality and the highest level of satisfaction is the best way to stay ahead of the competition, and ZBFH’s strategy is to give their

he

assures

and

enhances

customers just that, an exceptional service and a value that exceeds

ZBFH has and continues to

to anyone and particularly the

expectations. “As they share with others their experiences we have

invest in the best human and

Zimbabweans all over the world

an upper hand because service is a key pillar that can differentiate us

technical resources to ensure

who want to invest back home,”

from the rest of the market players,” Ron says.

that they deliver and keep up with

Ron wraps up.

the trends. This is why they have

To The Future

an established Group training

The current focus is on riding on technology driven innovation for growth. The market now wants convenience and this is available through the different technological platforms and there is a major

Proud

Centre and a fully-fledged team of IT experts.

This will give customers

ATM Services Partner

WINNER

Best ATM Technology

CINEO ATM Series

Choose a winning Solution

Strategic Information Systems

Suite 2 Fountain Court, Westgate Complex, Harare, Zimbabwe Email: info@sis.co.zw Phone: +263-4 333667, 332330 Cell: +263732417392 www.sis.co.zw 64 | Endeavour Magazine

Endeavour Magazine | 65

INTERTEK 00 27 31 274 8000 WWW.INTERTEK.COM

66 | Endeavour Magazine

FOCUSED ON IMPROVING CUSTOMERS’ PRODUCTS & PROCESSES WRITTEN BY JESS SHANAHAN

Intertek specialises in third party testing, inspection and certification across a huge range of industries worldwide. The business sets itself apart from competitors by providing true dedication to each and every customer. Intertek is currently expanding the work it does across the world, particularly in Africa.

Endeavour Magazine | 67

INTERTEK

The history of the company is very interesting as it has its roots in a number of businesses from the 1880s and onwards. In 1885 Caleb Brett formed a marine cargo surveying business which offered independent testing of ship’s cargoes. Then, in 1888 Milton Hersey established a chemical testing facility. This pioneered the idea of independent testing laboratories.

I

n 1896, Thomas Edison founded the Lamp Testing Bureau of his Edison Electric Illuminating Company – a business that was the start of the world’s electric light industry.

These businesses, and others, form the roots of the present day

Intertek.

We spoke to Intertek’s MD and Operations Director for South Africa, Mike Riby-Smith, who told us a bit about how the business has grown since its formation. He said: “Since the inception of the business, Intertek has been focused on providing independent and impartial 3rd party testing, inspection, and certification; as well as training, quality assurance and consulting services and expertise.

“These core services have lead Intertek into supporting clients in a diverse range of industries and markets on a global scale. Today we have a network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 36,000 people in more than 100 countries.”

Even with less-than-humble beginnings, the company has grown to work with some of the world’s leading brands and companies to help improve everything they do.

The work Intertek does is varied and can include testing products to ensure they conform with all relevant rules and regulations; inspecting businesses to help improve efficiency; and drawing on years of experience for consultancy work.

The clients are varied too. Riby-Smith said: “Our work takes us into almost every field imaginable.”

And this includes, energy, oil and gas, alternative and power generation; consumer products ranging from toys to electrical goods, pharmaceutical and chemical goods, food, agriculture and a full range of transport.

68 | Endeavour Magazine

Putting the customer first With more than 200,000 customers in such large industries, it’s no wonder Intertek looks closely at its own processes. There’s a definite focus on customer satisfaction and quality of service.

Intertek’s mission is ‘to provide solutions to customers that allow them to improve the quality of their products, operations and processes’.

The service goes way beyond just the customer too as Intertek works all the way along complex supply chains to ensure quality and efficiency.

We asked Mike Riby-Smith what Intertek does to keep customers satisfied and happy. He said: “Our industry knowledge, experience and technical expertise adds value to our customers’ products, enhances their processes, and increases their competitive advantage. This drives everything we do. Our goal is to develop innovative solutions that facilitate our customers’ success in the global marketplace and, most importantly, build consumer confidence in their products and services.”

Because certification, inspection and testing are often ongoing

only national and international

services, the business is clearly

laws but also those set by

doing something right. We asked

Intertek to control standards.

Mike Riby-Smith what strategies

“One of the group’s primary business

objectives

help Intertek stay ahead of the

requires

competition, he said: “In 2013

adherence to local, national

we increased our global strategic

and international codes and

focus on our key business lines

laws, and the requirement that

and our operational focus around

the group’s employees show

our countries. This ensures we

integrity and honesty in all

are building the right knowledge

their dealings,” Riby-Smith said.

and capabilities to serve the

“Risk management and internal

developing

controls are therefore embedded

industry at a global level, while

throughout Intertek, assuring

also ensuring our services are

the accuracy and validity of

delivered in a way that recognises

reports and certificates that the

local market customers and the

group provides to customers.”

different operational needs of

needs

of

each

each country.

Staying ahead

“Intertek is a nimble and

needs for businesses, it’s important for Intertek to provide a strong

With so many international

proactive company, with a strong

after-sales service too. Riby-Smith said: “Since most of our clients use

companies taking on Intertek’s

entrepreneurial spirit across the

Intertek services on a continual basis, it is very important that we keep and maintain strong customer service levels and communication.”

Investing in people As well as the strong focus on its customers, Intertek greatly values its employees and makes every effort to support development and training.

There are also strict requirements the staff have to adhere to. Not

Sount African based suppliers of Laboratory Consumables • Glassware • Chemicals Astm Reference Fuels • Glass Sampling Bottles Plastic Sampling Bottles • Metal Sampling Cans

Northgate Park, Unit 8, 116 Malacca Road, Redhill 4051 PO Box 60519, Phoenix, 4080 Tel: +27 31 569 1526 Fax: +27 31 569 1524 Email: claudine@njlc.co.za Website: www.njlc.co.za Endeavour Magazine | 69

INTERTEK

organisation. We are committed to providing superior, innovative,

Africa

is

ongoing

and

value-added services in everything we do. It is this dedication and

continue into next year.

will

and acquisitions, we continue to

focus which helps us achieve market success and leadership.”

Providing a bespoke service to each customer based on industry and geographical location helps Intertek to provide the best service possible. The dedication to constantly improving puts the company one step ahead of competitors.

Intertek has looked closely at its African operations over the last year and has made a number of exciting developments. The company has established an oil condition monitoring service in Johannesburg with samples being sent from sub-Saharan Africa. This serves the mining and transport industries.

One of the biggest developments is the environmental services division with a laboratory in Johannesburg. Intertek is in the process of applying for accreditation that will allow it to carry out testing which previously could only be done in the US and Europe. This is something that is going to put the company ahead of its African competitors.

There have also been a number of new labs opened in countries across Africa by Intertek. These include: A petroleum lab in Maputo, Mozambique; another in Luanda, Angola; a lab in Torkaradi, Ghana serving petroleum and oil; and a lab for petroleum and the agricultural industries in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

The development, expansion and establishment of labs across

70 | Endeavour Magazine

initiatives, organic investment deepen our capabilities in each

What’s next for Intertek?

of our industries. By maintaining our

There are plenty of plans for 2014 for the company. It’s looking at the refurbishment and upgrade of its labs in Port Harcourt and Lagos in Nigeria; further expansion of its Mozambique labs; and a new calibration lab in Ghana.

Developments

within

the

company and improvements to its processes are on going as Riby-Smith explains: “We focus on meeting the needs of our customers by delivering a range of complementary services along the entire supply chain. Through a combination of new service

focus

on

delivering

services that add benefit to our customers’

organisations,

we

continue to be a sought-after and trusted partner to our clients.”

There’s a lot businesses can learn from Intertek. The unparalleled

dedication

to

its customers is what makes Intertek special and brings in so much repeat business. The focus on each customer as an individual case makes sense too, especially when the client base is so varied in terms of size, industry and requirements.

Endeavour Magazine | 71

DAIRYHILL INVESTMENTS AND AFRICAN MINING AND EXPLORATION 00263 4 708036 WWW.AFMINE.CO.ZA

72 | Endeavour Magazine

Since its founding in 2001, a strong sense of balance has purveyed the operations at Afmine (the combination of Dairyhill Investments and African Mining and Exploration). Standing out in the industry as a beacon of environmental and industrial collaboration the company is one of the strongest and it is a pillar of strength. Always with a keen ear to taking a hands on approach to his work, Derek Cockcroft, the managing director, was on hand to discuss his company’s latest developments in this deeply South African industry.

WRITTEN BY DON CAMPBELL

A BUSINESS AS STRONG AS

Diamonds

Endeavour Magazine | 73

DAIRYHILL INVESTMENTS AND AFRICAN MINING AND EXPLORATION

“In 2001 we secured a contract with Zimbabwe Platinum Mines (Private) Limited, which has subsequently become a subsidiary of Impala Platinum Holdings Limited, a listed company in South Africa,” Derek explains, “This contract was for the haulage of platinoid ore from the opencast mine operation in Ngezi to the processing plant in Selous, an overall distance of 76km.”

T

he solution for this haulage method was developed in conjunction with Zimplats, with a view to establishing a safe, reliable and cost effective solution. This was achieved through

the use of Australian style road trains, able to operate under the legislated loading parameters set by the Zimbabwean Government.

Specific legislation was passed by Government to allow the operation of these units, measured at 42 metres long and an overall gross vehicle mass of 160 ton.

This specialised equipment was originally sourced from Australia, and was partially assembled locally utilising existing facilities within the group. Hence they were able to offer a cost advantage to the client and this operation continues to be the largest road train operation in Africa, achieving approximately 200 million ton/kilometres per annum.

“Since then, we have grown the services to Zimplats through the introduction of ore rehandling, involving the introduction of both mining and crushing equipment, in order to assist with their above ground and underground developments,” Derek adds, “We have also expanded the group activities into exploration drilling services, such that we are able to accommodate most mining companies requirements within the group.”

Afmine are heavily involved in a number of markets, indicitative of their organic growth that they have been able to meet the various demands of each of these different countries, which include Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique, with the most current projects being pursued in Tanzania and Namibia.

Additionally, Afmine’s capabilities extend to contract mining and

74 | Endeavour Magazine

earthmoving, which is a medium sized operation undergoing organic growth currently as a result of additional client requirements as well

Customs Services is a one stop shipping, freight forwarding and customs clearing company founded in 1968 with 7 local offices and a global network representation in over 150 countries.

as new projects. Specialised haulage solutions for the mining industry, including exploration drilling: “The equipment used here is considered to be the best in its class,” Derek states, “The Boart Longyear LF90D diamond drill rigs as well as RC/RAB equipment,” Historical operations of Afmine also support the capability of performing diamond drilling in excess of 1000 metres using blast hole drilling, which is one of their current developments, mining consultancy services which makes use of Afmine’s highly skilled and practical mining experience and the significant skills they have in both opencast and underground developments.

What Training Is Given?

Up to and over 250 staff work with Afmine at any one time and each of them adhere and follow a certain philosophy and attitude that can distinguish one of their employees out of a crowd.

“One of our major focuses is the management of health and safety principles within our operations, and protection of the environment,” Derek explains, “Continual improvement of such skills is ongoing

Endeavour Magazine | 75

DAIRYHILL INVESTMENTS AND AFRICAN MINING AND EXPLORATION

within the organisation, with regular training courses. Our client

continual improvement of our

and reform whatever they need

requirements are particularly stringent due to nature of the mining

services to ensure that their

to.

industry and associated risks. We also continue to develop personnel

needs are constantly met as their

and skills through both on the job and independent educational

own business develops.”

courses with a view to strengthening our skills base.”

“With current commodity prices, costs and production

He continues, “Being an

challenges being faced by our

Some companies place no emphasis on staff development, let

owner/operator of business we

clients, we are required to

alone individual development however Derek is adamant with his

recognise that the success of

constantly review our work

opinion to how important this particular area is to him:

our business is directly related

methods and the equipment

“Very!” he exclaims, “Zimbabwe and Botswana have a fairly well

to the success of our clients

deployed to ensure that we

educated workforce but skills are still limited and Mozambique has a

and by maintaining a successful

are taking advantage of recent

very limited skill base. The future of our business lies in the abilities

relationship

client

technology developments,” he

of our personnel and we take their development and education very

through proven performance, we

details, “ Capital equipment

seriously.”

are able to secure a competitive

replacement is a major focus in

edge with repeat business.”

order to ensure that our services

Afmine’s Customers Derek immediately strikes as one of those people who has

with

Along

with

operation

and

the

a

smooth a

keen

approached business with the intention of making a definite impact on

understanding of how best to

those he works with. Handling both staff and clients with a sincerity

look after staff and customers

that is refreshing and inspiring.

alike, Afmine is further enhanced

“In order to service the client fully, we ensure that we understand

by a willingness to adapt to

their business needs from the outset,” he details, “We all undergo

circumstances and learn, relearn

76 | Endeavour Magazine

are always reliable, cost effective and safe.”

What’s In The Future?

Leading into 2013 Afmine

are introducing a mining consultancy division which allows them to assist in the development of the mining industry and further develop opportunities for their group.

This consultancy extends to full

management of new projects, with final handover to the client once in productive state.

There is also the ongoing expansion of the mining services into blast hole drilling for opencast mining projects which has expected growth within the mining industry within Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique. All countries have massive potential for growth within this sector, being very undeveloped in worldwide standards. “We believe that we will be able to grow the business significantly due to our position in all three countries. We also believe that we shall be able to expand into other territories within the region, becoming a sizeable player within the mining services industry, Our aim is to effectively double the size of the business within the next 3 years, requiring further investment of approximately $20 million. In order to achieve this, we are doing as much as possible to develop internal skills in order to cope with the anticipated growth, thereby ensuring no reduction in our client service principles,� he concludes.

Endeavour Magazine | 77

PARROGATE ZIMBABWE 00 263 4 667608 WWW.PARROGATE.COM

78 | Endeavour Magazine

SUCCESS, GROWTH AND Family

Values WRITTEN BY AMY TOCKNELL

With in excess of 200 full time and a further 1000 seasonal staff members, Parrogate Zimbabwe have built on a family business legacy to become an international company with a keen eye for diversification.

Endeavour Magazine | 79

PARROGATE ZIMBABWE

Initially established in 1896, the Ganediwal family cotton ginning business has shown considerable growth, due to the continued commitment from younger generations, culminating in the founding of Parrogate Zimbabwe in 2004.

B

eginning in Zimbabwe, Pradyumm Ganediwal, alongside his older brother Pradeep, focused on cotton ginning, the core strength of the family business legacy, but growth

and diversification would not be far away. 2006 bore witness to the first expansion program with the acquisition of a second ginnery, as well as furnishing both the new and existing facility with oil expelling technology. With expansion success already firmly under their belt, Parrogate Zimbabwe went on to take over Continental Ginneries Limited, based in Zambia, in 2007. The Continental acquisition ensured that there was a solid basis for significant growth within Zambia with a total of 3 ginneries, as well as oil expelling facilities, now being present.

With the cotton ginning arm of the business in full operation, diversification into Zimbabwe grain milling began in earnest in 2009 with a modest daily capacity of twenty tons, which has since grown to 120 tons a day. The success of the operation quickly led to plans for an equivalent capacity plant in Kadoma. Edible oil extraction also became another string to the highly expansive bow of Parrogate, in conjunction with the Export Trading Group, in Harare, Zimbabwe.

With a wide reaching presence felt in India, Zambia and Malawi, though not known by the Parrogate name in all of them, and with a diverse portfolio that incudes Manganese mining, Ferro-alloys processing, real estate development, grains trading, farming, cotton ginning and cooking oil production, the company looks set for widespread market domination.

80 | Endeavour Magazine

Endeavour Magazine | 81

PARROGATE ZIMBABWE

With a large number of specialties, it stands to reason that there

support our well performing

set itself apart in terms of client

must be a comprehensive staff training program in place, so what is

and committed members with

services?

provided?

necessary training, putting them

“We believe in keeping a

“We have to train our staff on imported equipment, for this we

through training on specialist

more personal touch with our

have specialists coming to our facilities, from our suppliers, to train

courses which will help them

customers and living up to

our staff. We also have highly qualified staff, with different origins,

learn, understand, get exposure

the commitments we make to

who have experience of working for some of the big multinationals

and in turn, it will also help the

keep them happy and satisfied

and in multiple countries, whose valuable contribution becomes very

company in terms of efficiency,

in order to ensure they come

necessary in emerging markets” explains Anirudh Ganediwal, son of

and productivity in respective

back to us. Interacting like this,

Pradyumm.

fields.”

we have developed business

With this in mind, developing individuals that have demonstrated

Customer

satisfaction

is,

aptitude and ability is an important value, with Anirudh commenting

of course, at the forefront of

that,

any

“It is very important, as we believe in developing local skills. We

82 | Endeavour Magazine

commercially

relationships

lasting

decades

with many companies.”

successful

“Our strength has always

business, but how does Parrogate

been that we grow together,

Cotton Gin Sollutions from the time of owning just one cotton gin in Zimbabwe, to several across the continent. We have also seen our customers and suppliers

New and used parts and machinery for all makes and models of gin equipment, including:

grow with us. We have always been a faithful business partner and flexible in difficult times. This helps us keep healthy ties with all our customers, and shows the importance of after-sales and customer commitment at Parrogate.”

Lummus • Continental • Murray • Consolidated • Mitchell • Moss-Gordin • Horn • and other gin equipment manufacturers, both foreign and domestic

A diverse portfolio, an exemplar customer service ethos and strong family values are the backbone of this successful company, and working alongside these elements is a cleat strategy for keeping ahead of the competition; “We are constantly striving to grow in all fields, giving exposure to staff members, learning and enhancing with ever-changing technology, maintaining a lean management structure, upgrading facilities and trying to go that extra mile to reach out to our customers where our competitors cannot. I think it is not only financial, marketing and sales strategies that are vital but also the development and maintenance of all the verticals in the business in order to stay ahead of the competition.”

Casting an eye to the future, what plans do Parrogate have for progressing? Three of the most eagerly anticipated developments

509 11th Ave., Suite 3m Albany, Georgia 31701 (229) 483-9433 phone (229) 483-9434 fax

are: •

and equipped with Buhler, Carver, Lummus and other state of the art equipment to process oilseeds efficiently. The facility Is equipped with railway sidings for better logistics and will also be linked to a silo facility. This project has been the dream of Pradyumn Ganediwal for a long time, and he has studied accordingly for the past five years, which is why it is very detailed and has been designed to prevent becoming dated too quickly.

•

Silo facilities across the three African nations to capitalize on possible trading opportunities in grains by out growing crops.

Parrogate are also striving towards efficiency in order to avoid spillages, loss and infestation by pests, which will in turn contribute towards food security of the respective nations.

•

www.cccgin.com

The oil extraction facility being completed in Harare, Zimbabwe,

The Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) market in Africa

the the forwarders forwarders

where where service service counts counts freight forwarding freight forwarding & customs clearing agent & customs clearing agent

Hil Hil

+ Air, sea & road freight logistics + sea &brokers road freight logistics + Air, Customs + + Customs Worldwidebrokers service & support + support through Zimbabwe & Zambia + Worldwide RIT / Transitservice Bonds &available + RIT / Transit Bonds available through Zimbabwe & Zambia

zambia zambia

zimbabwe zimbabwe

+ Lusaka + Ndola + Kitwe + Chingola + Chirundu + + Lusaka + Ndola + Kitwe++Nakonde Chingola++Kasumbalesa Chirundu + + Katima Livingstone + Kazungula Livingstone + Kazungula ++ Nakonde + Kasumbalesa + Katima Mulilo + Mwami + Chanida Mpulungu + Harare + Beitbridge Mulilo + Mwami + Chanida + Mpulungu + Harare + Beitbridge

the forwarders

is still developing and Parrogate plans to launch different food

consumer goods lines in Zimbabwe and Zambia which will aid

where service counts

employment, value addition to local raw materials, contribute in

GDP and reduce dependence on imported products. freight forwarding Anirudh Ganediwal explains that: “The new projects will be a

rwarders •

customs clearing agent compliment to the existing businesses and&will help Parrogate + Air, sea & road freight logistics

realise better returns as we will have more products in our + Customs brokers

ZAMBIA:

service & support portfolio, making the ‘Super Power’ brand+ Worldwide a household name

+ RIT / Transit Bonds available through Zimbabwe & Zambia which is highly reputable, offering high quality at the right price. “ + Transport Service (FTL/LCL) from Zambia to Lubumbashi

ervice counts

“The projects will also help us secure our raw materials and help

zambia

with logistics, as storage and transport are both expensive and not readily available in these countries.”

ng

ng agent

Hill & Delamain

zimbabwe

+ Lusaka + Ndola + Kitwe + Chingola + Chirundu + Livingstone + Kazungula + Nakonde + Kasumbalesa + Katima Mulilo + Mwami + Chanida + Mpulungu + Harare + Beitbridge

7216 Kachidza Road, Lusaka T: +260 211 286480 F: +260 211 286484 E: logistics@hdcargo.co.zm www.hill-delamain.co.zm ZIMBABWE: 22 Simon Mazorodze Road, Southerton, Harare T: +263-4-757721 / 629 / 860 F: +263-4-757658 E: logistics@hdcargo.co.zw

Hill & Delamain

Endeavour Magazine | 83

ZAM ZAM 721 721 T: + T: F: + + F: E: + l E: l ww ww

ZIM ZIM 22 S 22 SouS Sou T: + T: F: + + F: E: + l E: l

WILROCK LTD 001 758 455 9999 WWW.WILROCK.COM

84 | Endeavour Magazine

Endeavour Magazine picks the brains of Urban Wilson, managing director of stone manufacturing company Wilrock Ltd, to flatter the success of their recent development projects.

One day in St. Lucia, circa 1992, five brothers acted on a vision of brilliance. It was a vision of solid graft, of communities and of great improvement. If accomplished, the brothers knew that this dream would not only affect themselves, but many of the island’s people, too.

WRITTEN BY LEONIE ANN GARLICK

A BREATH OF Fresh Air FOR ST LUCIAN DEVELOPMENT Endeavour Magazine | 85

WILROCK LTD

It was a light at the end of a difficult economic period for St Lucia; an opportunity to soften the damage in the aftermath of the recession.

Wilrock Limited was born that day, along with a heavy commitment to develop the previously uninhabitable areas of St.Lucia, including main roads and quarries, and later, areas of the wider Caribbean.

It was a commitment that no other company attempted, and one that only a strong family business could wholly accept.

The brothers- Peter, Norbert, Henry, Gilbert and Urban- set up a masterful manufacturing business with the ambition to assist the renovation of any chunks of unusable land in the area. From working on post-hurricane highways and tourist flocking marinas, to receiving business tutorials from internationally recognised partners such as Volvo; Wilrock was destined to make an impact.

The company recognised a gap in the market which would boost the essential development of their island; the production and distribution of much needed building materials such as stone and aggregate.

If these materials were readily available, it was thought- there would be high hopes of the island springing back into shape.

It was a big job, but Urban and his brothers wasted no time in gathering a workforce, which consisted of 175 employees, all of whom were encouraged to expand within the company.

So judging by Wilrock’s small but mighty unit, how did the company get in their position?

“Individual initiative,” Urban Wilson says; and looking at his professional contacts, it’s impossible not to believe him.

“We also run in house training,” Urban says fondly, “Most of our employees enter with the basic skills then are taught (from our base) with manufacture guidance from Volvo, Metso and Qunfeng,” When you’re under the wings of Volvo, it’s acceptable to acknowledge the fact that you’re onto something.

Because of this, Urban and his team spent six years carefully 86 | Endeavour Magazine

planning and financing this grand family project, which officially kicked off in the year 1998.

The first product Wilrock successfully knocked together was “Armor Stone,” a natural grey substance which is home grown in the company’s personal quarry.

The stone is individually sliced, weighed and served according to customer requirements; ensuring that the right slab always ends up on the scene of the right job.

A lot of work goes into treating the stone in preparation for sales; in fact 900 MT of Armor stone in particular is dealt with each and every day. This is after the barges have undergone the initial manufacturing process, of course.

St Lucia has a sticky climate and an extensive history of rock geology; because of this the island proved a perfect starting line for the company’s aspirations.

Not only that, the brothers had inherited a family quarry- Saphyr Estate in Laborie, St Lucia- which was located at the heart of all the rock breeding action.

From here on, everything began to slot into place for Wilrock Ltd. The team quickly learnt that customers wanted consistency and efficiency over anything else, and that continuing to make and deliver Armor Stone would bring them that.

Endeavour Magazine | 87

WILROCK LTD

Mr Wilson confirms: “Our customers demand attractive prices

Trinidad and Tobago was one

products after they’ve made that

and timely delivery,” So that’s exactly what the company promised;

of those countries, and has now

all important purchase, or indeed

good value and quick service.

become a regular receiver of

take heed of their feedback.

With the obvious increase of broken land around the island,

popular St Lucian exports such

which was mainly due to an uproar in tectonic activity, producing and

as screened aggregates and filter

maintaining a strong bond with

dispatching this problem solving stone was a no brainer.

stone.

your

“We have developed and became the leader in the region of

Wilrock

develops

agrees

customer

is

that essential;

these

even in an industry where little

Armor Stone. The following year (in 1999), we started to manufacture

contacts

providing

correspondence is needed. He

aggregate,” Mr Wilson said proudly.

trustworthy products; nothing

said: “We are a source of primary

more.

inputs; after-sales support is of

Judging by the volume of action plans going on at the moment, the Wilrock boss has every justification to look proud.

through

Urban

Mr Wilson says: “The Wilrock

limited requirement. However

Flash fact: Mr Urban Wilson has some serious contacts under his

team is dedicated to providing

we do like to closely monitor

belt. Take the company’s transition from local to exports in 2002. With

the best quality materials to our

feedback from customers”.

business partners such as Caribbean Shipping Agencies and Trinidad

customers through the use of

Contractors Limited, Wilrock has been able to connect with 10 like-

the latest technology in order to

developed quite a passion for

minded countries on a customer basis.

meet international standards”

their customers; so much so

Wilrock

has

certainly

This should be recognised as a massive stepping stone for the

The level of customer focus

that as a financially gaining

company. That’s 10 more countries who are now working on their

makes the company all the more

organisation, they feel it’s time

roads, ports and pavements and 10 more countries that are able

popular; there are not many

to give something back to the

to improve their physical development with thanks to Wilrock’s

manufacturers who are willing

community they grew up in.

powerful resources.

to teach customers about their

88 | Endeavour Magazine

This statement was not just

intended for their customers, but for their neighbours as well.

When the company is not dealing hard business, they are putting their efforts into precious philanthropy; this includes money, time or technology investments- or often all three at the same time. Wilrock is accountable for a lot of the volunteering that goes on in the area, such as the rebuilding of the main roads after Hurricane Tomas and the construction of a new rifle range for local troops and police.

They’re a handy bunch to have around.

So what’s next on Wilrock’s adventurous agenda? Well, besides assisting the rehabilitation of nearby airports in St Lucia and Guyana; the company are throwing themselves into an extensive line of major road and port projects in Trinidad & Trabago, Barbados and Monserrat.

Wilrock hopes these projects will greatly encourage expansion; changing their business model from a local company to an export led service. Mr Wilson says: “We have invested $5million into developing the model; and are currently building new relationships and partners to meet our objective” Not only is the Caribbean based company dedicated to rebuilding, but to brand new building projects, too. They are currently working on

For over the past 20 years Surrey Paving and Aggregate have provided a wide range of Engineering and Construction Services.

We are ISO 9001:2008 certified in the field of engineering design and construction. We have a track record of excellence and have been involved in major projects in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

a prestigious marina on the beautiful island of Barbados.

Constructive Solution for any Civil Engineering Project and Services ISO 9001:2008

Bridge construction

1231/2 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 8, Jamaica W. I. Tel: 1-876-931-8837-9 Fax: 924-7581

Residential buildings

44 New Pond Site, Basseterre, St. Kitts Tel: 1-869-465-8109/465-2795 Fax: 1-869-466-5427

Commercial buildings

Highways and civil engineering designs

surrey@surreypaving.com.jm www.surreypaving.com.jm Join us on Facebook

Airport runways

Asphalt/emulsion production

Endeavour Magazine | 89

Founded in 1966 as the first architectural and engineering consulting firm in Qatar, AEB brings 47 years of experience to the construction industry. Over those years Arab Engineering Bureau has evolved into a leading multidisciplinary architectural design consultancy.

AEB operates across the Middle East, in Doha and Abu Dhabi and South East Asia, with offices in Manila and Kuala Lumpur. Building on the firm’s pioneering work and consolidating a long-term commitment to future development in the region, AEB recently established an office in Muscat, Oman. I was honoured to speak with CEO, Chief Architect and author of “History of Qatari Architecture” Ibrahim Mohamed Jaidah.

ARAB ENGINEERING BUREAU 00974 4406 8899 WWW.AEB-QATAR.COM

90 | Endeavour Magazine

DIVERSE OFFERING FROM THE AEB FAMILY

WRITTEN BY DAEMON SANDS

Endeavour Magazine | 91

ARAB ENGINEERING BUREAU

“AEB works across extensively divergent project scales, typologies and environmental conditions,” Ibrahim begins, “In recent years, the firm has completed numerous commercial, residential, civic, institutional, educational and historic preservation projects for a variety of public and private clients throughout Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Kuwait, Egypt, Yemen and Sudan.”

A

rab Engineering Bureau (AEB) is an award-winning firm of architects, urban and master planners, interior, landscape and structural designers, engineers, quantity surveyors

and project and design managers with a truly inimitable portfolio.

The strongest aspect of their business is that they are well rounded in terms of services offered as just recently AEB has introduced speciality areas such as Acoustics, Lighting, Transportation and Planning to their offering.

“Our strength lies in transforming potential into reality,” Ibrahim affirms, “The firm considers every project to be a benefactor to a sustainable environment, local economy and community,” AEB draws on the strengths of a unique architectural methodology, established by Ibrahim M. Jaidah himself. Its focus is on the present development of the country, and, where appropriate, the firm preserves and articulates traditional architecture while ensuring that each design offers the client a functional space tailored to their needs and design brief. The firm’s approach is grounded in the search for contextually appropriate solutions. Special emphasis is given to climate and scale – and, as a result, AEB has been chosen numerous times to create landmark projects.

“Notable early projects include the Barzan Tower, acclaimed as one of the most famous buildings of the Doha skyline,” he continues, “And award-winning projects such as the Diplomatic Club and Al Shaqab Institute for Girls which has been honoured on the Qatari Currency 100 Riyal note.”

92 | Endeavour Magazine

Untitled-1 1

13/11/2013 07:13

Contraco is an ISO 9001-2008 certified company, established in 1972, in the field of Construction and Trading in the State of Qatar. Over the years, Contraco has grown and

advanced to become one of the leading companies in the field of construction, being classified by the Qatari Government as a grade “A�

Contractor in the State of Qatar.

CONTRACO W.L.L. P.O. Box: 2658 Doha - Qatar Tel: +974 44109333 Fax: +974 4451 0399

www.contraco.com.qa Contraco HP.indd 1

Endeavour13/11/2013 Magazine | 93 06:35

ARAB ENGINEERING BUREAU

The Family Of Aeb Beginning with just six employees in 1991, when the firm was acquired by its current Chief Executive Officer Ibrahim M. Jaidah, AEB’s diversified human resource has grown to a current figure of close to 600 highly qualified professionals.

Diversified Human Resources The Key To Successful Business

are not only general international rules and regulations but locally established regulations relevant to the local environment. We keep our staff up to date and in line with state regulated policies and rules in construction industry.

Individual development is of extreme importance and we always encourage and very often finance our staff’s further professional education and development.”

Hands On For Client Management

With branches in Doha, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Manila, Kuala Lumpur

AEB’s executives play an important role in client management

and Bangkok AEB employees have an unparalleled foundation on

and involve their clients in the entire process from conception to

which to build their careers, their abilities and their dreams. AEB

completion of their projects, regardless of project scale or typology.

provides an opportunity to work in a diversified work culture with

“We are very proud that more than 80% of our clients are

people from almost every corner of the world. Presently there are 33

returning to us for our services,” Ibrahim says, “I believe that high

nationalities employed at AEB.

client retention reflects client’s satisfaction. We make sure to always

“As AEB employees hail from different regions of the world and

provide quality services within the scope and budget.”

bring the local expertise and culture, our staff are well versed in over

What makes us unique,” he goes on to highlight, “Is having a history

forty different languages and dialects,” Ibrahim describes, clearly

of almost 50 years practising in Qatar, and over this period of time we

proud, “The firm’s strength is derived from this diversified work force

have managed to acquire a wealth of information and knowledge on

and its people are the architects of the future.”

local architecture, local engineering, local environment, the culture of

He continues, “Standards which our staff have to adhere to

94 | Endeavour Magazine

conducting business and understanding the client.”

What Does The Future Hold

of our core values education is fundamental part of who we

With World Cup 2022 being hosted in Qatar there has been a noticeable shift in the markets, especially

in

the

hospitality

and sports venues. Hospitality projects are being done on a much larger scale than before, Ibrahim tells us.

“In terms of the sports venues and stadiums we have been approached by a few major international

key

players

in

the sports venue development to offer our local cultural and technical expertise,” he says, “Currently we are involved in many major projects but just to name a few for your readers, they are Marsa Malaz Kempinski Hotel which will become one of the most luxurious hotels in the region, New Doha Port, Abu Sidra Masterplan, a design for a new self-sustaining community development. We are currently in

phase

one

with

retail,

educational, and health centres on the way.”

Now that the firm is well established in the Middle East and Asia, they are looking into other possibilities of expanding the firm’s horizons. Their goal is to create a strong regional presence but could very soon start

looking

markets,

into

especially

African Northen

Africa. Ibrahim revealed they are expecting a work force increase of 14%-20%.

“Our plan is also to continue with

our

Corporate

Social

Responsibility plan which has taken a centre stage at AEB,” he highlights, “Our corporate social responsibility is most dominant

are, reflecting our long term commitment to Qatar National Vision 2030 and knowledge based society.”

AEB

is

committed

to

the community where their employees by

live

and

supporting

work

educational

programs, but also serving as ambassador to the local heritage and local traditional architecture.

Of the key areas that are closest to Ibrahim Mohamed Jaidah’s heart, it is clear that this is a man who can see the long term benefits of developing the people of the community to

create

education

a

foundation

of

and

intellect

for

the company to build future developments upon.

These

include scholarships and grants at the Virginia Commonwealth University of Qatar, developing entrepreneurship

through

workshops and sponsorships, lectures,

workshops

conferences

at

a

and number

of universities in Qatar and out and a strong, regional and

international

internship

placement programme.

“If AEB is to continue serving our customers well, we have to look at developing our staff.

Training

and

education

for

the next generation is how we position ourselves for the future,” he concludes.

History of Qatari Architecture In January 2010 Ibrahim M. Jaidah’s commitment to cultural awareness and growth, and his passion for research resulted in the publication a book titled History of Qatari Architecture.

This book is intended to become the key reference work for the subject, including being used for educational purposes. It is a part of Ibrahim M. Jaidah’s legacy and is dedicated to those who built the unique buildings of the past and those who strive to become the great architects of the future.

in the area of education. As one Endeavour Magazine | 95

NDOLA LIME 00260 212 627600 WWW.NDOLALIME.CO.ZM

96 | Endeavour Magazine

Ndola is the third largest city in Zambia, with a population of nearly half a million, as the industrial and commercial center of the Copperbelt, Zambia’s copper-mining region, and capital of Copperbelt Province it is also the commercial capital city of Zambia. After turbulent periods of economic slumps between the 1980s and 2000 where many of its industrial automotive assemblage plants closed it has turned to its production and refinery of the heavy lime deposits in the country to help it regain its former pre-1980 glory.

Covering THE MARKET WRITTEN BY LANCE VAN DER WESTHUIZEN

Endeavour Magazine | 97

NDOLA LIME

One of the stalwart companies leading this national mission, Ndola Mine has taken on this responsibility and we spoke with Chief Executive Officer, Abraham Witika regarding this.

Ndola Lime Company Limited (NLC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of ZCCM-IH. The Company was originally founded on 10th January 1931 as the Northern Rhodesia Lime Company Limited, pursuant to an agreement between the Rhokana Corporation Limited and Mr. John Owen Wallen, an Ndola Engineer to supply lime to the mines.

N

dola has huge limestone reserves which are believed to be among the most homogeneous of their kind in the world. Limestone has therefore

become to Ndola’s economy what copper is to the rest of the country, providing much of the wealth and employment.

Lime is a major component in the production of cement and an average cement plant getting its lime from limestone and manufacturing a limestone cement will consume well over 80 kg limestone per 100 kg of cement it manufactures.

Early Operations Initial lime burning trials were carried out in wood fired, hollowed-out Anthills at Misundu 16 km North of Ndola close to the Congo border in 1931. The results were good and this led to the construction of underground pot kilns. A second quarry was opened in the late 1930’s at Chipulukusu before the company moved to its present location at Mwatesi in 1962.

Present Operations In 1973 a new Rotary Kiln was commissioned. In 1986 a 500 tonnes per day annular Vertical Kiln was commissioned to cater for increased demand of lime especially at the Tailing Leach Plant in Chingola.

Quick limestone consists of 98% calcium carbonate (CaCo3). The rocks are reduced and graded in a series of crusher and vibrating screens and then stored in silos 98 | Endeavour Magazine

This announcement appears as a matter of record only.

according to size, either as fluxstone for use in the smelters (0 – 10mm) or as Kilnstone (10 – 35mm) sent to the rotary kiln and 35 – 75mm sent to the Annular Shaft kiln to be further processed into quicklime. 10% of the quicklime produced is further processed into hydrated lime.

Ndola Lime

THE NDOLA LIME COMPANY LIME PLANT RECAPITALISATION PROJECT

US$85,000,000

At one point, Ndola Lime was the sole producer of quick lime in Zambia however the market has changed with a number of rival producers taking up a foothold in the country. Nevertheless, Ndola

MANDATED LEAD ARRANGER AND FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Lime took the long awaited arrival of some decent competition as an opportunity to invest in some new developments to even further raise themselves and their offerings. An increase in capacity, expansion of facilities and investment into new technology meant that the headstart they had created since the 1930s was lengthened by a steadily increasing margin.

Enhancements to the company’s crushing capacity and concrete

September 2012 As a leading Financial Advisory firm conducting its business in Zambia and Southern Africa in general, iCapital is proud to be associated with the US$85,000,000 Ndola Lime Plant Recapitalization Project in its role of Mandated Lead Arranger and Advisor.

block making facilities, the addition of a new substation, kiln, hydrator and dust abatement system has made it possible for Ndola Lime to further capitalize upon its position as an independent company.

T: +260 211 256 657 • E: info@icapital.co.zm

Employing over 430 staff, Ndola Lime have invested significantly

Endeavour Magazine | 99

NDOLA LIME

to create a workforce of highly trained employees benefitting from

is further treated to achieve greater purity of sugar solution which is

the most relevant and up-to-date certificates and courses. The

ultimately crystallised and packaged. Much the same as Agricultural

technology used is state of the art and as equipment is updated so

Lime, Hydrated Lime is used in the treatment of water with other

too does the training change to avoid accidents and unnecessary

coagulant aids in the purification process to achieve a clear suspension

downtime.

and serve as a filter aid. Lime also assists in removal of bacterial and

This is particularly relevant considering the diverse range of

temporary hardness due to the presence of bicarbonates.

products that Ndola Lime offers to its clientele.

Metallurgical Operation Lime, is used in the metal industries operations; fluxstone (10mm to dust) and kilnstone (10-35mm) is

The Products

used in Mine smelters to flux the metal ores to form slag. As Limestone

Agricultural Lime comes from ground lime rock and is used

also improves properties of calcium silicate, it has a lot of use in the

increasingly by famers as it is best for neutralizing acidic soils and

glass industry creating products such as tumblers, glasses and bottles.

improving the workability of soil. Agricultural lime is produced as a

Limestone inhibits chemical attack, making the glass less brittle

by-product in the limestone calcination process in the form of kiln

and stronger and improves appearance and heat shock of glass.

dust and is used in chemical industries and road construction for soil

Interesting, limestone is the lowest cost fluxing material used for

stabilizations, it’s also useful in water treatment, sugar refining and

glass production.

the dehairing of hides.

Hydrated Lime is used in PH control, which facilitates precipitation

Future Developments

of cobalt hydroxide from the electrolyte in cobalt production. In the

The firm will be commissioning a new vertical kiln in December

production of sugar from both cane and beets, the crude sugar juice

2013 which will have a production capacity of 500 tonnes per day in

(sucrose) is treated with lime. This forms insolubles that are filtered

order to reach production demands.

to remove phosphatic materials and organic acids. The resulting juice

> Corporate and Investment Banking

Today’s africa HoLds THE EcoNoMic PoTENTiaL for ToMorroW’s WorLd Africa presents unique opportunities and our 150-year heritage, on-the-ground presence and expert knowledge can provide you with solutions that will help you realise your full potential. Our local eyes and global view connect you to key markets and possibilities across Africa.

So, if you want a partner as passionate about Africa as you are, look to the bank that sees the dawn of tomorrow in the dusk of today.

They call it Africa. We call it home. www.standardbank.com/cib

Authorised financial services and registered credit provider (NCRCP15) The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited (Reg. No. 1962/000738/06). SBSA 6703-11/13 Moving Forward is a trademark of The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited

138x188mm CIB ad.indd 1 100 | 6703 Endeavour Magazine

2013/11/07 2:24 PM

Endeavour Magazine | 101

REGIMANUEL GRAY LTD 00233 302 764 682 WWW.REGIMANUELGRAY.COM

102 | Endeavour Magazine

HOUSING THE

Community WRITTEN BY JACK SLATER

Incorporated in 1991, Regimanuel Gray LTD holds real estate development as its core business and identity, creating an exemplinary example of a successful international joint-venture. In Ghana this collaboration has benefitted the people of this country significantly, developing a national optimism and determination to go further with longer strides. With a substantial interest in the construction, mining and hospitality sectors in Ghana, Regimanuel Gray LTD are twinned with Gray Construction of Houston, Texas, a US firm with an impressive presence within the construction industry of the United States. This international partnership creates a beneficial credibility for both companies as customers identify this connection as an invested strength.

Endeavour Magazine | 103

REGIMANUEL GRAY LTD

“You become a product of your environment� is an adage often used in business circles and it has proven to be accurate time and time again. In a business you are the sum of your parts and with this in mind you have to choose the right sort of people to work with if you are going to reach the targets and heights that you aspire towards.

Regimanuel Gray LTD have taken significant steps to ensure that they surround and work with only the best.

E

ver since its inception, the company has had an assemblage of dedicated top calibre local and expatriate personnel managing its operations and this is has been key to their emergence as

the leading private real estate developer in Ghana.

The Regimanuel Gray LTD trademark is a well-known label of the highest standards, of timely construction and delivery upon promises.

Not only indicative of the reasonably priced housing units, it is a representation of quality or prime locations that with the benefit of well-developed and reliable infrastructure.

To date, the company has more than two thousand houses bearing these hallmarks and Regimanuel Gray Ltd have been the recipient of the 1998 Home Finance Company Gold Award for Best Estate Developer, the Ghana Millennium Excellence Award and the 13th International Construction Award of Trade Leaders Club, Paris. This has put them in the enviable position as a member of the Ghana Club 100-a selection of the top 100 Companies in Ghana to work for, to work with and to trust.

State Of Ghana In terms of financial freedoms and economic strength Ghana is ranked seventh of the forty six counties in the Sub-Saharan African region and its overall score has risen above the world average. The Ghanaian economic freedom score which measures the financial surpluss a household can use to put back into the economy via 104 | Endeavour Magazine

spending. This is an accurate measure of inflation, economic stability

technically have a responsibility to manage the neighbourhood,

and the overall state of a country. Currently it is ranked at 61.3 making

however it is something that they take very seriously.

the economy the 77th freest in the 2013 Index. This has improved

Regimanuel Estates Management Limited is the managerial

by 0.6 point average due to improvements in investment and fiscal

arm of the Regimanuel Gray Group with a primary responsibility

freedoms and the control on government spending.

to provide the best in Estate Facilities management and support by

A notable economic growth rate of 8 percent over the past five

ensuring the efficient management of Estates facilities such as roads,

years has been supported by strong reforms focused on spurring

community pools and tennis courts, lanscape, sanitation, electricals,

private sector development. Institutions that enhance economic

general utilities and other services.

growth are becoming more efficient and effective. Supported by

Making use of a team of professionals who are strictly scheduled

stable macroeconomic policies and on-going reforms the new

to see to the day to day needs of their estates with the best of

president’s commitment to continued reform has proven to be crucial

supervision they assure a flawless level commitment and service.

in improving Ghana’s economic health and freedom.

Along with staff receiving regular training updates, the management

Despite significant progress, obstacles do remain, and particular

arm of Regimanuel Gray is regularly audited to maintain their status.

institutions need development and reform. Property rights are poorly protected, and high levels of corruption persist due to overall weakness in the rule of law. Tackling these issues will be necessary

Ghana’s Future For Ghana to achieve its goals of accelerated economic growth,

if rapid growth is to be maintained and Regimanuel Gray LTD has

improved quality of life for all Ghanaian citizens and reduced

pledged itself to set the standard as high as possible.

poverty through higher private investment, rapid and aggressive

Management Responsibilities As the building residential estates, Regimanuel Gray may not

industrialization, as well as direct and aggressive poverty-alleviation efforts, all the companies need to follow Regimanuel Gray’s principles of industry focus and employee development.

Endeavour Magazine | 105

Rikki Brest

BY DONNIE RUST

A genuine product of South African talent,

Rikki Brest has set an example for all young and aspiring South African performers to embrace the opportunities presented and to put all their effort into achieving their dreams. A multi-talented artist, Rikki boasts a comprehensive repertoire of talents that makes her one of the real diamonds of South Africa.

Reportedly having started dancing at the age of five, Rikki qualified as a dance teacher in 2004 however is not a case example of “those who can’t do, teach” having established herself as a reputable and bankable commodity for any aspect of the entertainment industry from percussion performances, to modelling, acting and presenting.

We caught up with Rikki to have a chat to her about what it takes to be Rikki Brest.

DONNIE RUST: I’ve heard that you are devoutly Joburg?

Rikki: Yes, I was born here in May 1985 and have lived here ever since, except for a stint in Cape Town in 2011 when I was filming a TV Series called Clifton Shores.

DONNIE RUST: And what are the main areas that you are specializing in at the moment?

Rikki: At the moment my career is multifaceted; I am teaching Drums, playing drums in a band called Splinter Town, Presenting, Acting, DJing and playing percussion.

©Stone Elephants

106 | Endeavour Magazine

DONNIE RUST: that’s impressive, how long have you been performing n these various genres?

Rikki: I have been playing drums for 15 years, DJing for 1 year, and Presenting and Acting for 3 years.

DONNIE RUST: We always want to highlight the activities and routines that successful people take so that our readers can follow them. Are you an early riser?

chocolate and junk food?

time and if you let it slip then

Rikki: I don’t really drink alcohol-

someone else will overtake you. So there is a generous

DONNIE RUST: maybe not as

amount of time that goes into

much like the publishing industry

maintaining, and then when

then

there is a specific show that an

has been booked extra hours

Rikki: I am terrible at waking up early. Most of my career

occasional beer or glass of wine

Rikki:

-besides

for

go into preparing for that show

happens late at night, so I am very active at night and I often work

maybe once a month, but as

specifically.

until 2am even after a show sometimes, so I like to try sleep a bit

for junk food, there is plenty of

DONNIE RUST: A lot of our

later to make up for the sleep I miss at night.

space! I don’t stick to a diet so

readers are petrol heads, and

DONNIE RUST: Yes. I know what you mean, publishing is very much

I find myself always snacking

when we found out you were

the same. How much time do you spend in preparation for your roles?

on junk food to give me quick

involved in the Top Gear Festival

Ie. Exercise, diet and beauty routines?

sugar spikes because I hardly

in South Africa we kind of geeked

have time for a sit down meal

out a little bit. For gigs like the Top

during the day.

Gear Festival, how much time is

Rikki: I constantly try to keep everything in check. So I try gym as often as I can even if I don’t have something currently on. My hair, skin, nails always need to be in good shape and condition in case of a last minute role. I practice drumming and DJing as well

DONNIE RUST: And how much time is spent in rehearsal?

spent in rehearsal?

Rikki: It depends on the

as voice exercises weekly. I also try to always keep busy, so even if

Rikki: Many hours go into

show. Sometimes I get a script

there are no official shoots I try do experimental shoots or shows

rehearsal. It’s all very well

sent to me and I learn it and

to keep the momentum up. There is never a down time in this

having a talent or skill but if

arrive on set and film it straight

industry and you need to be ready for anything, so I make sure that

you don’t maintain it, you are

away like Petrolheads. With

I always am.

throwing it away. You have

Top Gear, because it was a

to be top of your game all the

live festival we had 2 days of

DONNIE RUST: Is there any room for treats such as alcohol,

©Justin Lee Endeavour Magazine | 107

working on the script with

the track with some of the best presenters in the world, and I got

the producer and presenters,

involved and learnt how to doughnut in front of a great audience.

and one day of running the

DONNIE RUST: More and more focus has to be placed on connecting

show twice before going live

with fans. How much time is put into work online with the likes of

the next day. It all depends on

Twitter, Facebook etc and do you have a particular strategy?

time, budget, size of the show

Rikki: I would say that at least 10% of my day everyday goes

as to how much rehearsal we

towards social media. If you don’t have fans or supporters then

get. It’s usually seen as quite a

you don’t have an audience which means you don’t have a career.

luxury to have a rehearsal.

So I make sure I reply to every single message I get, I interact with

DONNIE RUST: What was your favourite moment?

108 | Endeavour Magazine

with what I am doing next, or have just done, I post photos, videos

Rikki: The whole Top Gear

and events that I have been involved with so that people can

experience was my favourite

actually follow what I do. It is very important to be connected in

moment of presenting to date.

these times when social media has such a heavy impact on your

I got to be around amazing

brand.

cars which is what I love, share

©Mike Mullane

those that interact with me, and most of all I keep people updated

DONNIE RUST: Technology is uniting the internet, radio and

television together: What are your thoughts on this? Do you believe that unification is a good or bad thing and why?

Rikki: I don’t think it is a particularly good thing. Not everyone is tech savvy or able to get to use technology based on monetary

DONNIE RUST: Ah. Lucky guy. What are you most looking forward to for the remainder of 2013 and 2014?

restrictions. People need to be able to keep up to date with

Rikki: I am really looking

what is happening in the world on various sources of media.

forward to the busy season

Easily accessible, free, and easy to use so that everyone can stay

at the end of the year. I love

informed.

performing and hopefully I will

DONNIE RUST: Next one is an important question. Are you involved with anyone romantically and either way what do you look for?

be fully booked in the peak season. 2014 is a new year with

Rikki: Yes I am happily involved-

brand new possibilities and I

DONNIE RUST: hmph

find that exciting.

Rikki: I am generally attracted to intelligent, ambitious and respectful type of men. Humility and compassion are also two very important attributes I look for. Usually it is the more out of the ordinary, unique guys that catch my attention.

Endeavour Magazine | 109

HOW TO BE A CONCERT PROMOTER A

BY DARYL SIMPSON

lot of money can be made by being

a

concert

promoter.

It takes dedication and the

right tools to be successful but it is a very well-known process that takes time and diligence. Consistency in this industry is the watchword. Note: This is not about making millions but making a sustainable, regular income that can be built upon.

Start easy, start local.

Making money is the important part about this industry, promoters who are focussed on making the money will also be the ones able to pay the performers and the talent. But too many people forget that there is a load of money to be made on working smaller venues. I’ve met tons of promoters that make a lot if not most of their money focussing on small events.

While other people are too busy focussing on trying to make millions there are those living comfortably on doing the smaller, more niche venues.

Search, find a venue, build relationships.

Finding a small venue with a decent seating capacity is great because all venues with a seating capacity of 200 seats or more will be willing to negotiate on price as well as providing enough of a spread to make some money. Smaller venues are easier to

110 | Endeavour Magazine

fill and this is a game that relies on reputation, rather be known as the promoter that packs out a smaller venue than the promoter with loads of empty seats.

Stick to your wheelhouse.

Promote, promote and promote your event.

Having a good idea on how to properly promote is important however don’t think that it’s all down to one good idea. Get your event

Communicate and Promote Afterwards.

Whenever

possible

keep

on every website and social network you possibly can, make sure that

a list and a database of those

there is the audience-outlet for it to be seen and then look at multiple

who come to your events. This

ways to promote it. Media material, Youtube videos, images, profiles

helps you develop a reputation

and reviews are important so don’t leave them out.

amongst them and you’ll find

There is no point booking

Whenever possible don’t be afraid to do things face to face, most

bands or acts that you don’t like.

certain faces continue to pop

of your friends could afford a £10.00 ticket but won’t buy it online

It won’t work, if you hate rap you

up in the crowd, this will help

because they’re lazy. But face to face they’ll be more likely to pay the

have no business to promote

guarantee a certain number

money and take their ticket. This is a win.

of ticketsales every time. Use

rappers. You need to find and book bands, acts, performers

Get your money.

Facebook,

Twitter,

emails,

whatever it takes to stay in touch,

that you like. Bands, comedians,

Nobody gets into the show without paying the money. Final. Some

magicians, presenters, whatever

drop them relevant Youtube

promoters have a problem when it comes to actually asking to be

they are if you like them you’ll

details and just keep in touch.

paid, as do performers because there is a jump between amateur and

be able to find other people who

Even if you do so via Snapchat

professional that seems massive but relies on only one stipulation, “I

like them. This sort of bias will

and text.

want to get paid.”

actually give you an initial edge

You get paid, your act gets paid. Your backstage crew get paid.

over your competition because

Face to face sales are important but there are a lot of websites

once again, people who pay want

that will organize ticket sales for you and the benefit of this is that

to use specialists.

they will pay you money.

Endeavour Magazine | 111

BOOK REVIEWS

D

espite being about murderous plants, “Little Shop of Horrors” it most emphatically is not. Rather, it’s one of the creepiest post-apocalyptic novels I’ve ever read.

The book begins with Bill Masen in hospital, mildly pissed that he’s

missed the spectacle of the century—a meteor shower—because his eyes are bandaged after a triffid sting. Triffids, we learn, are strange, three-legged, mobile plants with an often-fatal stinging tendril. The species appeared mysteriously one day and quickly became a garden favourite—tied to a stake and docked, of course—as well as a widely cultivated source of fuel. Masen worked on a triffid farm, and built up an immunity to their stings; that’s why this one has merely landed him in hospital for a week. Triffids are soon forgotten, though, as Bill realizes that everyone else in the hospital—in fact, everyone who saw the meteor shower—is blind. Removing his bandages and leaving the premises, he wanders about London, watching as it begins to devolve into your typical looting-filled post-apocalyptic chaos. He rescues a young lady named Josella, who was fortunately in bed with a wicked hangover during the meteor shower, and thus can also see. As they encounter other sighted people, it becomes apparent that something must be done, and opinions differ: one party feels obligated to assign sighted people to groups of blind people to guide them to food, water, and shelter; another feels that this will just prolong suffering, and plans to set up a breeding colony to restart civilization. As Bill and Josella struggle to survive, the triffids, which seem to be oddly aware of things, begin to encroach. And to a triffid, anyone who can’t see is a sitting duck.

My favourite thing about this book, and about Wyndham’s science fiction in general, is that it’s not concerned with detailing how things came to be as screwed up as they are. No one knows where triffids came from, or how everyone went blind. The point is that this is what happened, so let’s see how one might deal with that. (The topic is not

The Day of the Triffids

By John Wyndham http://amzn.to/1cqh778

wholly ignored, as it’s natural for the characters to speculate on things like that, but little is ever resolved.) The book is carefully crafted to showcase different possible ways that people might deal with a disaster: Bill and Josella run into people with various ideas about how to re-establish civilization, and even try some of them out, eventually coming to a conclusion about what sort of society they’ll need to aim at. (Hint: polygyny is encouraged!) So, rather than an abstract discussion about how best to structure society when most people are blind and there are roving stands of dangerous plants about, we get to see how various ideas begin to fall apart in practice. It’s less bleak than you’d expect. While there is plenty of need for sacrificing the few to save the many, it’s contrasted with the inevitable and kind of sweet romance between Josella and Bill. It’s a rather civilized, or at least civil, sort of apocalypse.

112 | Endeavour Magazine

The triffids are woven into the plot gradually. After Masen’s initial narration of what they are, they vanish for a while.

Then they kill Josella’s family, having apparently broken into their country house, prompting

The Keepers

By Rae Rivers www.raerivers.com

Bill and Josella to acquire antitriffid gear (which consists of protective mask and gloves and a triffid gun; later, flamethrowers are added). Back in London, though,

this

precaution

is

laughed at—there are no triffids in sight. Eventually, though, the triffids start to encroach. As humanity dwindles in number,

T

he Keepers is an exciting new Paranormal Romance series

love between Sienna and her

about three warrior brothers destined to defend a powerful

oldest Keeper, Archer Bennett.

witch. They are her fierce protectors, friends, and allies in

When two evil warlock brothers

maintaining the balance of nature. Three brothers, four stories and

return to their small town of

hot romance!

Rapid Falls, trouble starts to

the triffids congregate around

The Keepers: Sienna is the free Prequel to the series, followed

the last groups of survivors. In

by The Keepers: Archer. These first two books are about Sienna (the

large enough numbers, they

witch) and her Keepers and focuses on the blossoming but forbidden

brew. Will their love survive the ultimate war?

can break down fences. It’s this gradual

appearance,

from

a

garden plant that’s probably the least of everyone’s worries to a menace to the human species, combined with the mystery of their origin, that makes the whole book so creepy.

Wyndham has a knack for writing

happy-ish

endings,

wherein things mostly get sorted out, but looming threats are still on the horizon. Without spoiling anything

about

this

book’s

ending, I’ll just say that you don’t just snap out of an apocalypse.

The Day of the Triffids is a thoughtful take on how people might respond to the virtual end of civilization, and the extra weirdness of walking predatory plants makes it stand out. I highly recommend it, as I would recommend anything else by Wyndham.

Troy: Fall of The Kings

By David Gemmel http://amzn.to/17sar6L

T

roy: Fall of Kings is a historical fantasy novel by British fantasy writer David Gemmell, forming the final part of the Troy Series. It was finished by

his wife, Stella Gemmell, following his death on July 28, 2006 and released under the joint authorship of David and Stella Gemmell.

Not to give the game away on the final work of the world’s greatest historic/fantasy series but this book ties in the known history of the period, the legendary stories we all learnt at school with a deeply satisfying story board that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat to the very last page.

Written in David’s usual, deeply romanticized fashion, drawing upon well-developed characters who, in his usual manner, stand for something far greater than themselves an anvil of the fantasy genre. The heroes are heroic, the heroines are beautiful and strong and the villains are evil.

Endeavour Magazine | 113

Do your bit – Help our Heroes

To donate by phone, please call 01725 514 130 or Text ‘Hero’ to 70900 to donate £5*

www.helpforheroes.org.uk Registered charity number 1120920 *You will be charged £5 plus your standard network rate. £5 goes directly to Help for Heroes. Helpline 01494 750 500.