Major opportunities for local contractors
December 2002
News
The burgeoning infrastructures of countries north of South Africa's borders are creating major opportunities for local contractors. Leading instrumentation and electrical company, B&W Instrumentation and Electrical, expects to grow its business in Africa to 35% of its R90 million per annum total order book within the next year.
According to B&W managing director, John Barrow, apart from the local mining and petrochemical sectors, work from African countries holds out the biggest growth potential and companies that are experienced in working under African conditions are best equipped to undertake this work.
B&W is currently working in, or has recently worked in 10 African countries but has identified the DRC, Angola, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, and Ethiopia as countries which hold the greatest potential for specialist instrumentation and electrical contractors. B&W aims to grow its share of instrumentation and electrical work in these countries through the formation of joint ventures with local companies whilst also employing local personnel wherever possible and equipping them with the skills to assist in handling such projects.
"Although a large contingent of South Africans will be involved and are currently involved on our projects elsewhere in Africa, we believe that the greatest benefit to ourselves and to the countries in which we operate, lies in training local personnel to give them the skills which will enable them to maintain the projects we leave behind," said Barrow.
However, Barrow cautions that companies cannot enter the African market without having a thorough understanding of conditions. "A complete knowledge of logistics is essential in terms of personnel, food and communications," explains Barrow. "We are one of the few instrumentation and electrical contractors to go into Africa with sophisticated communications systems so that we are able to keep in touch at all times."
Barrow believes that South African companies have an advantage in Africa as they can compete on a Rand basis - which gives them a competitive edge over international companies. "At the same time we are well equipped to compete from a quality perspective as we adhere to the highest international standards."
For more information contact Ken Nel, B&W Instrumentation and Electrical, 011 907 1663, [email protected]
Further reading:
Pump spares and parts for Africa
News
KSB Pumps and Valves explains how its decentralised stockholding and local manufacturing keep spares and parts available across its installed base in Africa.
Read more...
Local energy solutions rewiring resilience across Africa
News Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Engineers across Africa are developing practical, scalable energy and mobility solutions supported by the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation.
Read more...
The gender gap in SA’s engineering sector
News
South Africa’s engineering sector is facing a critical gender imbalance, with women making up just 16% of registered engineering professionals compared to 84% of men.
Read more...
Safe removal of the historic US 181
News
Mammoet provided the heavy-lift expertise that helped remove the 2300 ton centre span of the historic US 181 Harbor Bridge in Corpus Christi, Texas, using a precision lift-and-lower method that protected nearby marine environments and reopened navigation channels swiftly.
Read more...
Going Green initiative sees African Group Lubricants adopt electric forklift fleet
News
African Group Lubricants is transitioning most of its forklift fleet to electric power, a move expected to cut diesel consumption by around 85% and improve conditions across its manufacturing facility while delivering a positive return on investment in the near term.
Read more...
Africa Energy Indaba 2027 aims to ignite the power revolution
News
Africa Energy Indaba 2027 takes place from 2 to 4 March 2027 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, bringing together ministers, utilities, investors and developers to accelerate energy generation, unlock investment and drive the continent’s industrial future.
Read more...
Major bearing tender for SKF
SKF South Africa
News
SKF has secured a major bearing supply tender from an Algerian steelmaker, reinforcing its position in the metals segment across North Africa.
Read more...
Mining’s decarbonisation journey requires putting ESG commitments into action
Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric specialists explain how mining and heavy industry can turn environmental, social and governance commitments into measurable decarbonisation results.
Read more...
Closing the energy efficiency gap at SKF’s Tech & Innovation Summit
SKF South Africa
News
SKF is hosting its yearly virtual Tech & Innovation Summit, bringing together industry leaders and experts to showcase technologies, products and solutions designed to help close the energy efficiency gap in industrial operations.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: The science of copying nature
Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control)
News
Some extreme weather we experienced recently has left me looking at nature with renewed awe. It also made me think about the inventions that we use every day that have been inspired by nature, especially
...
Read more...
printer friendly version