Sparks Electrical News August 2019

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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ACTUM EXTENDS ITS BRAND PORTFOLIO BY ACQUIRING THE BAND-IT

SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC CSI EFFORTS RECEIVE DOUBLE AWARDS

SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SOUTH AFRICA has once again gained recognition for its efforts in sustainable development, being awarded both first and sec- ond place at the annual SEIFSA (Steel and Engineering Industry Federation of South Africa) Awards for Excellence on 23 May for Best Corporate Social Investment. In addition, on the same evening, Schneider Electric South Af- rica won the Best Business Collaboration France-South Africa at the French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FSACCI) Annual Gala Awards. SEIFSA Best Corporate Social Investment Award “At the core of our sustainable development strategy, Schneider Electric South Africa has had an in-depth focus in providing access to energy and ac- cess to education,” noted Zanelle Dalglish, Head of Sustainable Development and Academy for Anglophone Africa. The Isiboniso project has addressed numerous challenges and through strategic partnerships, Schneider Electric has implemented sustainable solutions. Isiboniso Primary School, situated in the impoverished commu- nity of Orange Farm, Gauteng was first introduced to Schneider Electric by Habitat for Humanity. At the time, there was no access to grid electricity, young learners were taught on a floor in a small, dark informal dwelling and there was inadequate supply of food resources for most learners. “Going into this project, Schneider Electric was well aware that the success of this initiative would rest on collaboration with sustainable development part- ners to ensure that the school’s needs are well understood and addressed in a sustainable manner,” said Dalglish. Thus far, Schneider Electric has provided two container classrooms for the young learners and in collaboration with UJ supplied off-grid electrifica- tion through solar solutions, to power the use of computers, printing copiers and lighting in the classrooms. The collaboration between Schneider Electric and the University of Jo- hannesburg PEETS has also enabled a food resilience project at the school for learners deprived of nutrition, with the view of this growing into a full feeding scheme programme for the community, as the project evolves. In addition, safe electricity workshops were run to educate learners on the suitable and safe use of electricity, with electrical plug points installed for the first time in all the classrooms. “Since the start of this project, there has been a significant increase in learners from 150 at project inception to 300 learners currently, which demonstrates the sustainable impact of the project,” continues Dalglish. Second SEIFSA Award Its second SEIFSA Awards entry, French South African Schneider Electric Education Centre (F’SASEC), received the second placed Best Corporate So- cial Investment Award. The F’SASEC network accelerates practical training for potential artisans in the field of energy and consists of the Vaal University of Technology, Sedibeng TVET College, University of Johannesburg, College of Cape Town, Cape Peninsula University of Technology and Don Bosco Mo- zambique, which was recently added to the network. Each centre has received great support from Schneider Electric and the Schneider Electric Foundation, with state of the art Schneider Electric offers and solutions donated to each centre to promote a practical training approach. Schneider Electric South Africa was also recognised as the company that has best displayed a positive social/educational/governmental interaction between communities of France and South Africa. The F’SASEC network was established in 2012 at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) by Schneider Electric South Africa, in collaboration with the Schneider Electric Foundation, Schneider Electric France and the French Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Research. This network introduces advanced teaching methods and training that is in line with the Department of Higher Education and Training’s vision of accelerating arti- sans using state of the art equipment, focusing on preparing young South Africans from previously disadvantaged social backgrounds for the job market, with a particular focus on women. “It was a wonderful night for us. The awards serve as a validation of the power of partnerships and our core belief that access to energy and educa- tion enable sustainable impact,” concludes Dalglish. Professor Suné von Solms from the University of Johannesburg, who forms part the F’SASEC network, Zanélle Dalglish, Head of Sustainable Development & Academy Anglophone Africa Cluster at Schneider Electric and Carina van Zyl, Sustainable Development Specialist at Schneider Electric.

T he Actum Group has successfully expanded and strengthened its industrial brand portfolio by acquiring Banding and Identification Solutions Africa (BISA), the leading distributor of BAND-IT clamping and fastening products in South Africa. The transaction was finalised in November last year. BISA has been the leading distributor of stainless-steel strap- ping and identification solutions since 1993. It is a well-estab- lished business with an excellent name and strong reputation in the local industrial market. As a niche product driven by quality, BAND-IT is a logical and highly beneficial addition to the Actum Group. “Quality is a given across our entire product range, as all of our principals are global leaders in their respective markets,” notes Actum Group director, Kevin Klaff. According to Greg Barron, Actum Group co-director, this partnership was a significant stride forward in the group’s expansion strategy: “This was a very strategic acquisition, as we were already distributing the BAND-IT product in the coastal areas. It has given us the opportunity to offer this product to many other customers in the Actum stable and to build on our existing product line. We are now also in control of the whole channel, from procuring the product overseas, to manufacturing it locally and distributing it. We look forward to synergising our businesses to achieve even greater growth,” explains Barron. BAND-IT Senior Business Executive, Rosa Remendos, is equally optimistic about this new chapter in the BISA business: “It’s all about growth and opportunity. Actum has an excellent reputation in the industry and it’s exciting for us to be associated with a company like this. We’re getting to know the different in- The BISA team and Actum Group directors in-front of Actum’s headquarters, and BISA’s new premises, in Linbro Park, Johannesburg.

Actum Group directors, Kevin Klaff (left) and Greg Bar- ron (right) with BISA’s Senior Executive: Business, Rosa Dos Remendos (middle).

dustries that Actum works with already, such as mining, railways and military, and we are able to offer new and existing custom- ers a wider range of products. We make a good team.” Rosa Remendos joined BISA 14 years ago as Head of Sales and Customers; she has been instrumental in the success the business has seen over the years. Rosa will continue to manage the business under the Actum Group. There will be no changes to the business in terms of structure, trading or bank accounts. Existing supplier and customer relationships will continue as before. BISA is now conducting business from Actum’s premises in Linbro Park, Johannesburg. The Actum Group is best known for its acquisition of Actum Electronics in 2004, Peter Jones Electronic Equipment in 2012, and Dowson and Dobson in 2015. Today the group comprises two main divisions: Actum Electronics, focusing on electronic components and interconnect technology, and Actum Industrial, specialising in industrial products, pneumatics, instrumentation and control and professional tooling. Flagship brands under these divisions include Keyence, Orbitalum, ERNI and Ridgid, to name a few. The Actum Group represents over 110 years of service excellence in its key sectors. Looking to the future, the Actum Group will continue to differ- entiate itself in the marketplace through its niche and integrated product offering, underpinned by streamlined processes, a dedi- cated technical sales team and excellent customer service.

Enquiries: sales@actum.co.za

MEASURE AND MARK SIMULTANEOUSLY

T he new Tork Craft ME07825meas- ure and mark all-in-one tape measure measures and marks, by locking the blade/tape manually then activating the marker on the tape by pressing the attached button. It marks on any material with a special red oil- based ink and can mark up to 50 000 times. The 8 m tape, with a tough carbon steel blade, a reinforced hook and belt catch, is made from durable industrial plastic with a rubberised sur- round for protection.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 314 7711

Enquiries: www.se.com/za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

AUGUST 2019