Advertorial

‘Every home, everywhere – with pride, passion and performance. Pride in our work and each other. Passion for creating unmatched customer loyalty towards our brands. And performance that excites and rewards global investors with superior returns.’

Whirlpool’s vision reinforces that ‘every home is our domain, and every customer and customer activity our opportunity’.

This vision fuels the passion it has for their customers, pushing it to provide innovative solutions to meet their needs in a unique way.

It brings this vision to life through the power of its unique global enterprise – complemented by its outstanding people – working together, everywhere.

MISSION
Passionately creating loyal customers for life
Whirlpool’s mission defines its focus and what it does differently to create value. It’s a company of people committed to creating loyal customers. From every job, across every contact, it strives to build unmatched customer loyalty, one customer at a time.

PURPOSE
Making the most of moments that matter
Time is one of the most valuable resources available, which is why Whirlpool designs in-home solutions that help make the most of every minute.

Life is worth remembering, so it does everything to make room for more quality time in your day.

From engineering sketches to manufacturing processes, Whirlpool always has the customer in mind. Its focus on their world helps it think big and do what has never been done before.

Why put so much effort into saving a few moments of time? Whirlpool believes it’s those moments that matter.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Improving our communities through collective impact
Spreading a little joy to people within its communities matters. Whirlpool is committed to creating products that make life easier for people so they can spend time doing what really matters – being with family and friends. This commitment leads it to maintain strong connections to the communities where it does business. It believes great communities are the foundation of great business.

As a result, Whirlpool strives to work with other organisations to create a better community, creating a ‘collective’ impact – first by focusing on the social safety net to support the health and wellness needs of residents, and then helping to provide safe and affordable housing to best support youth and education development.

This approach allows it to prioritise partnerships where it can track results and leverage its funding for maximum impact.

These include United Way, Cook for the Cure, Habitat for Humanity, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Instituto Consulado da Mulher.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
Embracing its role
It accepts the responsibility to develop high-performance appliances that conserve the Earth’s resources and help homeowners do the same.

Whirlpool monitors the environmental effects of its business continually – not only by creating many new and innovative products that consume less water and energy, but also by improving manufacturing and distribution processes, and using materials that minimise the impact on the planet.

In 1970, when Whirlpool created the corporate office for environmental control, it cemented its commitment to environmental protection and natural-resource efficiency.

As the company has grown globally, it has taken advantage of efficiencies in other regions to design and build the most efficient products around the globe.

Every year, Whirlpool’s new appliances become more efficient than the appliances made a year ago, five years ago or 10 years ago. It has held to its high values even when some countries would allow performance levels below Whirlpool’s global standards. 

Export marketing: Zimbini Nkonjera
+27 (0)11 663 5407
Export sales: Rodney Dowling
+27 (0)11 663 5430
www.whirlpool.co.za

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Africa is a continent well endowed with mineral resources. However, it is imperative that mining practices focus on sustainable applications, entrenching mining companies as responsible entities that aspire to minimise – at all costs – the environmental impacts of their operations.

It is in line with this principle that global energy management and automation specialist Schneider Electric has set a precedent, thanks to integrated solutions for sustainability in the context of African mining through the intense exploration of key projects that offer significant business opportunities.

This approach reaffirms Schneider Electric’s position in gaining a better understanding of the areas in which its mining customers operate, in terms of productivity and sustainability – the driving forces behind the well-being of companies in the sector.

Mining is a long-term, forward-looking industry with huge investments at stake, and this includes the welfare both of the people who work in those operations and those who live in the surrounding communities.

The company helps its mining clients in the areas most critical to their success, priming them for continued growth. They therefore rely on Schneider Electric to assist them in optimising their operations and improve their overall efficiency in a way that is compatible with their social responsibility, namely in a safe, environmentally friendly and sustainable manner that will endure for many years.

Schneider Electric solutions ensure industrial operations increase overall efficiency and improve asset utilisation.

In the past, water and energy were treated merely as consequences of the process, and the use – or misuse – thereof was rarely considered. The declining quality and growing scarcity of these resources, as well as internal and external pressures have forced mining firms to treat water and energy as critical variables – managing and reporting on them.

Schneider Electric continues to provide technology that drives sustainable operations, culminating in energy variables integrated within the process optimisation equation, resulting in a better balance between energy consumption, throughput and quality.

Furthermore, implementation of advanced reporting and visualisation tools improve corporate environmental performance and compliance, leading to better awareness and control of energy and water in terms of production.

‘The nature of mining affects its surrounding environment and people,’ says Wilhelm Swart, Schneider Electric vice-president of mining, minerals and metals (MMM) for Africa.

‘However, with the integration of sustainability, operations can benefit from cost reduction and dependence on external contractors for environmental data collection and analysis.’

Complete integration of Schneider Electric’s MMM solutions comprise safety and security aspects that protect valuable assets through the use of industry-leading video security, advanced lightning detection systems and integrated safety solutions, for processes as well as machinery. This is achieved through a process that ensures safety of redundant systems and architectures, and safeguarding machine safety through dedicated safety controllers and sophisticated systems.

This also includes technology such as its weather monitoring software platform, which monitors lightning strikes as they approach a mine, with automatic weather alerts based on customised advisory and warning criteria.

The expert consulting services and resource management on offer result in solutions that lead to savings throughout the entire energy management lifecycle, while also meeting sustainability targets. Schneider Electric’s consulting and planning services integrate energy-saving strategies, more efficient purchasing of energy and consumption optimisation – complemented by comprehensive energy solutions that assist in achieving the right balance of conventional and alternative energy sources.

With regard to operational efficiency, the total visibility of production processes and optimised operations from end to end is achieved through the seamless integration of control and electrical systems.

Schneider Electric’s electrical distribution systems ensure that power is safe, reliable, and available even under harsh conditions. Completing this is protection, control, and automation solutions for electrical networks that reduce outages, manage electrical network balance and optimise energy availability.

Intelligent Motor Protection and Control is a service that provides access to valuable real-time information in real time.

Another service on offer is Asset Performance Improvement. This extends the useful life of assets, decreases downtime, and improves overall equipment efficiency.

Schneider Electric’s experience and portfolio of solutions allows it to help manufacturers of all kinds to optimise the performance and efficiency of their physical assets and extend their useful life as much as possible.

It is widely accepted that an efficient enterprise is only as good as the people who run it. As such, maximising workforce efficiency requires having the correct systems and technology in place that will ensure employees are properly trained and prepared for any unforeseen circumstances, and that they have the tools and mechanisms needed to be as effective as possible. It is here that Schneider Electric’s Workforce Efficiency service is of great value.

Optimising a company’s value chain is arguably one of the most difficult tasks for mining firms because it involves co-ordinating so many complex, disparate systems and sub-systems that would traditionally operate in silos, or whose goals and KPIs are not aligned to those of the larger enterprise.

For this reason, Schneider Electric uses software and services that address the entire value chain, effectively integrating information throughout the enterprise.

Community development and access to energy entails obtaining social licences for mining operations that offer opportunities for advancement and development to local communities. These, in turn, benefit the region – from the initial development of a mine, throughout its operation and after it has been closed.

‘Through our integrated solutions on sustainable mining, we want to achieve holistic planning and optimisation outcomes, which are key in galvanising the optimisation of mining operations, from resourcing to the market,’ says Swart. He adds that this can be achieved through efficient data collection and interpretation, as well as proficient integration between plans.

In light of the execution and operation of sustainable mining projects, Schneider Electric continues to lead at the forefront of energy efficiency – from strategy to deployment and performance, ensuring efficiency throughout the entire energy management lifecycle.

1 River View Office Park Janadel Ave,
Halfway Gardens, Midrand, South Africa, 1685
www.schneider-electric.co.za/en
[email protected]

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Grindrod Limited is the holding company of a dynamic organisation listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, with more than 100 years of experience in South Africa’s freight movement and related industries. Grindrod’s business is focused on moving cargo by road, rail, sea and air – and providing integrated logistical and specialised services.

As a global business represented in nearly 40 countries, it is uniquely positioned to service Africa trade flows.

In pursuing a strategy of becoming a fully integrated shipping and freight logistics service provider focused on moving dry-bulk, liquid bulk, containerised cargo and vehicles, the company invests in infrastructure along trading corridors, connecting commodities and customers.

Grindrod is committed to promoting regional economic growth by pioneering joint ventures and capital projects, developing infrastructure, port concessions and terminal capacity.

Grindrod has three main areas of operation, namely freight services, shipping and financial services.

FREIGHT SERVICES
Freight services’ operators provide road transportation, rail, port operations, terminal operations, intermodal solutions, warehousing, storage, stevedoring, ship agency services, travel agency services and all facets of tradiditional logistics.

Maputo port
Grindrod has a 24.7% stake in the Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC), which has a port concession up until 2033. MPDC holds the rights to finance, rehabilitate, construct, operate, manage, maintain, develop and optimise the entire concession area.

The recently completed channel dredge will allow vessels with a sailing draft of up to 14.2m on the tide (up to 80 000 tons), to enter the port.

Terminals
Grindrod terminals are strategically positioned across Southern Africa. This enables them to offer dry-bulk customers storage; cargo flow management; ship loading or dischargging; stevedoring; clearing and forwarding; stock management and daily reporting; and rail scheduling. The terminal in the Walvis Bay port is capable of handling various dry-bulk imports and exports. Of note is a joint venture in Richards Bay where, over time, a 20 million ton coal export terminal will be developed. Current throughput capacity is 3.5 million tons.

Grindrod’s Terminal de Carvão da Matola has an export throughput capacity of 7.5 million tons and there are plans for expansion that will see it able to handle 20 million tons of coal and magnetite.

The Maputo grain terminal provides a fully integrated support and distribution service for grains destined for consumption by the Mozambican industry. It acts as a base for the transit of grains within Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Grindrod has a 30.5% shareholding in OTGC, which has specialised liquid bulk terminal facilities in Durban and Cape Town as well a specialised trucking fleet that services customers in the molasses and vegetable oil industry. OTGC is also the holder of a concession in Ngqura port for the development of a bulk liquid fuel terminal. This project is under development and expected to be commissioned in 2019.

Maputo car terminal
Grindrod owns and operates this terminal, which is ideally situated for the import and export of vehicles delivering to – or manufactured in – Gauteng, South Africa. Annual throughput capacity is 115 000 vehicles.

Stevedores
Grindrod’s stevedoring operations are in Richards Bay and Walvis Bay, where services include the handling of bulk commodities and break-bulk commodities.

Rail
Grindrod’s rail division facilitates a seamless ‘pit to port’ rail logistics solution for freight customers in Africa. Improved efficiencies and exceptional reliability derive from its experience in managing rail operations, co-ordinating logistics, managing concessions and providing cost-efficient leasing solutions.

Carrier logistics
Grindrod Fuelogic, Fuelogic Namibia and Grindrod Petrologistics – subsidiaries of Grindrod – specialise in the road transportation of petroleum products and liquid petroleum gas across South Africa and its neighbouring countries. This includes secondary and primary road transportation to various oil majors in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. The business has established long-term partnerships with customers such as Sasol, Chevron, Total, Totalgaz, Puma and Vivo.

Grindrod Logistics transports motor vehicles across Southern Africa, providing distribution and logistics services to a substantial number of local car manufacturers and importers. Using road carriers, rail, sea and self-drive options, 25 million km are covered each year, delivering to 120 dealerships.

Grindrod Intermodal offers complete containerised cargo solutions, including packing, unpacking, distribution and transportation of container cargo, including bulk mineral products across South Africa and Mozambique.

Integrated Logistics
Röhlig-Grindrod offers freight forwarding, customs brokerage and related logistics solutions. The company is represented across five continents through Röhlig & Co. This is further enhanced by the Grindrod network and facilities situated across sub-Saharan Africa.

Sturrock Grindrod Maritime
With 50 offices across nine countries in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as Australia and Singapore and a focus on emerging markets, this division offers services in both liner and non-liner ships agency, marine tech and offshore logistics.

Grindrod Travel
As one of South Africa’s oldest travel management companies, Grindrod Travel operates nationally, with branches in Durban, Richards Bay, Johannesburg and Cape Town.

The focus is on corporate travel management. However, it also caters for leisure and tourism.

SHIPPING
Based in Singapore, Grindrod Shipping trades globally under two key brands, namely Island View Shipping and Unicorn Shipping. It operates a container feeder service in the Southern Africa region.

Island View Shipping
Island View Shipping (IVS) owns, charters and operates a modern low-cost fleet of dry-bulk vessels (handysize, supramax and capsize bulk carriers).

IVS also offers a regular handysize/handymax parcel service to the north-west of the continent as well as to the UK, US, Mediterranean and Far East. IVS ships 15 million to 18 million tons per annum globally.

Unicorn Shipping
Unicorn Shipping is involved in the medium-range (40 000 dwt to 52 000 dwt) and intermediate (16 500 dwt) product tanker markets.

These tankers are owned, chartered and operated by Unicorn, which also offers ship management and crewing services for the group’s product tankers.

Unicorn Tankers
Unicorn Tankers focuses on the tanker market and provides shipping services for the transport of petroleum products along the Southern African coast, as well as East and West Africa.

Unicorn Bunkers
This division operates in the port of Durban under contract to oil majors BP and Engen, and in Cape Town under contract to Chevron.

Unicorn Bunkers services the shipping industry with three modern bunker tankers, each of which are capable of carrying approximately 4 250 tons of product (HFO/gas oil/diesel) separately segregated.

Training academy
Established in 1965, the company’s cadet officer training scheme is a prominent developer of young South African shipping talent.

The academy provides South African Maritime Authority-approved training courses to local and international customers.

Container shipping
Ocean Africa Container Lines operates a five-vessel network in Southern Africa, calling on Durban, East London, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Lüderitz, Walvis Bay, Cabinda, Namibe, Maputo and Beira. In addition, this business also provides a door-to-door service for clients based in South Africa.

Marine fuels and lubricants
The Cockett Group, established in 1979, is now jointly owned by Vitol and Grindrod. It has grown to become one of the world’s largest value-added traders and physical suppliers of marine fuels.

FINANCIAL SERVICES
Grindrod Bank
Regarded as a niche bank staffed by innovative thinkers, Grindrod Bank offers investment opportunities, commercial lending solutions, invoice discounting, property finance, bank card solutions and corporate finance services.

Grindrod Asset Management
(now trading as Bridge Fund Managers)
The business has two main operating divisions, namely wealth (private clients and stockbroking) and fund management.

www.grindrod.com

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