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Western Cape Business 2018 edition

  • Text
  • Nedbank
  • Sectors
  • Growth
  • Finance
  • Government
  • Africa
  • Management
  • Infrastructure
  • Transport
  • Opportunities
  • Energy
  • Development
  • Wesgro
  • Vodacom
  • Investment
  • Cape
  • Business
  • Tourism
  • Economic
  • Municipality
The 2018 edition of Western Cape Business is the 11th issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2005, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Western Cape. In addition to the regular articles providing insight into each of the key economic sectors of the province, there are special features on the growth of tourism (spurred by an innovative programme designed to create more direct flights to Cape Town), medical technology as a growth sector and the pursuit of excellence that drives the Cape Winemakers Guild. The journal contains a message from Alan Winde, Minister of Economic Opportunities, and contributions from significant business leaders from Accelerate Cape Town, the Cape Chamber of Commerce and the Western Cape Business Opportunities Forum. An interview with Tim Harris, Wesgro’s CEO, reveals some of the recipe for the province’s economic success. Updated information on the Western Cape is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at www.globalafricanetwork.com, in addition to our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces as well as our flagship South African Business title.

INTERVIEW Kurt Maritz

INTERVIEW Kurt Maritz BIOGRAPHY Kurt Maritz holds a National Diploma in Accountancy and Computer Practise, but is more accustomed to developing businesses, as his track record proves. His first job was with First National Bank. While working in sales, Kurt met an electrical supplier for whom he went to work. His contracting section grew, and he decided to go on his own and started Maritz Electrical in 2000. Through his leadership skills and visionary outlook he now employs in excess of 150 staff. The company has benefited small businesses, grown skills and given lifestyle improvements to staff, their families and communities. World first for Maritz Electrical St George’s Park lighting quality is unique. What sort of work did you do in the beginning? When we started, we were two companies helping each other. Cyprian Rosslind and I had a loose partnership. I did the marketing, he did the execution. We did some basic electrical contracting. Some of the first work we did on contract, we still have that relationship going 17 years later. It was for Technical Services of the City of Cape Town. We did the electrical side of water and sanitation. So you found a niche? We actively started looking for things that other electrical companies either can’t do, don’t want to do or find really hard to do. The work for the city was very difficult, but we had those skills. It was complex work, which very few people specialised in. Certainly, there were no black companies doing that sort of work. And beyond the work for the city? We got more and more work and in 2004 we registered the CC. We continued operating two businesses and that ran on until about 10 years ago, when we very amicably parted ways. How did the stadium work come about? We asked, “What else is nobody else doing?” The answer was stadium and sports field lighting and maintenance. I had the privilege of working on the old Green Point Stadium. Sports field lighting is now the most dynamic part of the business. So the 2010 Soccer World Cup was good for you? Interestingly, Maritz did not do one of the FIFA stadiums! But it was still one of our busiest periods ever because FIFA created a Legacy Fund to build hundreds of community sports fields, and that’s where we got involved. Did that make up for not working on the big stadiums? It was very disappointing, but what happened from there is that we formed our best relationship by linking up with the company that has changed our business, Musco Lighting. How did that relationship begin? Just before the World Cup I was approached by their Africa MD, Derek Field. He introduced himself, but I was so busy I threw him out of the office, WESTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2018 44

something he reminds me about every time we meet! A year later we met again at an installation of lights at a school in Bellville. After a visit to Musco’s Durban office I became convinced. We won that project based on the Musco product. That was our first collaboration in what has become a massive relationship. Why Musco? Musco has changed the way we do sports field lighting. We are now seen as the leaders in the field because of the merits of the product. Other companies will sell a globe or a specific part but Musco sells the solution. The entire sports lighting installation comes in a container: the concrete, poles, wiring, everything. It changes the way you install, from a 10- week process, to starting on Monday and finishing on Friday. We didn’t think it was possible. And the lighting itself? Musco excels at controlling spill and glare. Also, Musco says we own the solution, if there is a problem, we will cover it. Typically, you get a 10-year warranty. You can throw your maintenance budget away. Musco also guarantees quality of light over a 10-year period. Tell us about St George’s Park. Cricket South Africa recognised that they needed to upgrade, and St George’s Park was at the top of the list. They wanted to explore the new LED technology for the new format with a pink ball. Cricket is the hardest sport to light up. You have a small ball INTERVIEW travelling at fast speed, and you need the most light the furthest away from the light source. At this moment, St George’s is the only LED-lit, ICC-compliant stadium with theatrics in the world. Was this a tough assignment? This was the hardest project of all of them. The pylons on the Duck Pond Pavilion sit 20m up on the building. What are new elements in this project? Because LED is so versatile, we pitched the idea of “theatrics”. The client looked at it at a baseball match in the US, with the lights being switched on and off instantaneously, no warming up, chasing, flashing, individual lights, they were blown away. What are some other benefits? Imagine a big singer, you don’t have to bring your own lights, you can tie your music into our lights. Light shows before and after the match can help stadium safety, people will come in earlier and buy food and not rush the exits at the end. LED technology also reduces consumption significantly. What is in the future? We have just done a big stadium project, the Kaiser Sebothelo Stadium, for Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality. We continue to do a lot of large area/security lighting and we get many enquiries for Musco. We are looking to the rest of South Africa and we want to go into Africa if we can. 45 WESTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2018

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