When Belgian steel conglomerate Bekaert and local company Bastion Wire announced a joint venture early this year, both parties agreed to make the new company, Bekaert Bastion Fencing Systems, a force to be reckoned with in the perimeter security industry. Now, with the opening of its new manufacturing plant in Cape Town, the company is set for considerable growth.
From humble beginnings, Bekaert is a technology-driven group pioneering steel and metal transformation and coating technologies. The group's founder, Leo Leander Bekaert, invented barbed wire in 1880 to keep cattle from roaming across farmland. Today, the group boasts an annual turnover of around R19 bn and has production centres all over the globe. As stated elsewhere in this issue, the factory in Cape Town is the first of its kind in Africa and is seen as a significant part of the group's international expansion programme.
The joint venture company was formed after Sagentra Trade Corporation, the exclusive agents for Bekaert, realised that the timing was right for the company to enter the local market. Explains Werner van Crombrugge, a Director at Sagentra: "After testing the market, we realised that it was perfectly suited expand Bekaert's operation in this country". With this in mind, Bekaert entered into a joint venture with Bastion Wire, who at the time were the local distributors of Bekaert fencing products.
The new company, spearheaded by Managing Director, Michael Rodenburg, consists mainly of young people who are specialists in their field. Rodenburg is optimistic about the future of the company and is certain that with the backing of a company the likes of Bekaert, BBFS will make it a major player in the industry. When one considers that the company has already been awarded a few major contracts including R2m for high security mesh fencing at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, it is evident that the company is on the right track.
Transfer of technologies
At Bekaert, the emphasis has always been on finding a complete solution, with much emphasis placed on research and design. Peter Ramaut, Bekaert's Vice President for Merchant Products mentions: "Bekaert offers a lot of transfers of technologies to help find a better solution. This means that we work closely with our divisions throughout the world in order to develop more advanced products." Ramaut also states that in introducing a new product to a particular local market, it is important that this product has been tested and is suitable for that market, therefore the input of local subsidiaries is crucial to the success of the company as a whole.
In addition to providing the local industry with a tried and tested local product, BBFS' new factory is a major boost for the economy of the country. Whilst the staff complement of the factory is relatively small due to sophistication of the machinery, Rodenburg explains that the company has adopted an outsourcing policy, with 50% of all projects outsourced to previously disadvantaged companies, thereby creating much needed employment in the country.
He further pointed out that the machine in the factory was installed by a local company. This highly sophisticated piece of equipment is the only one of its kind in Africa that can produce products according to Bekaert's advanced specifications. Furthermore, the company has also embarked on a training policy for installers and contractors to ensure that the end-user is offered the best possible solution. BBFS also enters into an association agreement with its clients to ensure that the high standards of the company are upheld throughout the installation process.
Specialised products
Currently, the wire used to manufacture the security fencing systems is coated with a special coating and is tested for corrosion and durability. Production Manager, Alan Shadbolt explained that should the machine detect any fault in the manufacturing process, production will halt until the problem is rectified. In addition, Shadbolt does regular testing on the strength of the weld of the wire to ensure that the high standards that Bekaert demands are upheld. Quality of product is rated high on the list of priorities at Bekaert, and it is for this reason that the company offers a 10-year anti-corrosion warranty on its products. The company also offers after-sales support in the event of a problem.
At BBFS, the emphasis is on producing high-quality security fencing. However, the company is always searching for ways to integrate its products with other aspects of security technology such as CCTV and access control.
There is no doubt that the opening of the Bekaert Bastion Security Fencing manufacturing plant in Cape Town is a boost for the local economy. More importantly, it brings to the local security industry a well-established company with world-renowned credentials.
For further details contact Bekaert Bastion Fencing Systems on tel: (021) 905 4535.
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