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Aludi Technologies - fiction, fact and future

Aludi Technologies - a subsidiary of Aludie Limited - part of Command Holdings - has been created through the integration of APD, Cardkey South Africa, Meteor and Asytec to form a major South African supplier of integrated security and site management systems:

The group embraces fire detection and gas extinguishing systems, parking systems, management and hardware including `Pay on Foot', access control, asset tracking, hotel locking and administration systems and CCTV systems and equipment, all in a single turnkey operation.

Aludi Technologies, a solutions-based group, and main sub-Saharan Africa distributors for Asytec, offers packages which can combine elements of integrated modular security and building management utilising either internationally or locally sourced equipment to suit the requirements of the customer.

Fiction

According to the companys CEO, Shaffre Mowzer, Aludi has experienced a major 'internal coup' within the circle of senior management, including some of the directors. "The parking industry shares a small, but selective market in the hi-tech family. Due to this reason, many rumours fled the market and threw Aludi into a dark and deep pit.

"These rumours include claims that Aludi is financially unstable; employs unqualified staff and incompetent managers; has lost its corporate client base to the new opposition companies; and lost the Asytec agency."

Fact

Aludi has dispelled these rumours by pointing out that it was a Top 300 Company in 2002 and 2003. Command Holdings is also the only Black owned and managed security services company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The group can boast some of the leading South African corporate companies among its vast array of shareholders. Some of these include Investec, SCMB, HSBC and Ellerine Bros. Its largest shareholding belongs to two BEE organisations, Ikwezi Investment Trust and the Graspy Trust.

The management of the group and its subsidiaries are in PDI hands and its Board of Directors include CEO Shaffie Mowzer, Zack Sithole (Chairman), Prof M.I. Parker and Dr Mathews Phosa. Group Turnover amounted to R90-million and obtained profitable results for 2002 and 2003.

New developments

New projects for Aludi have included Cape Town International Convention Centre parking control system, valued at R4,5m and the Arabella Sheraton Grand Hotel parking control system, valued at R2m. Both contracts are currently under construction, to be completed by September 2003. Asytec has offered its full support, assisting Aludi to provide high tech equipment of the highest standards. Asytec also recently trained, retrained and certified 13 Aludi technicians.

Cape Town International Convention Centre Parking Control System

Aludi has also announced a new management and operational team viz:

* Regional manager (Gauteng/Africa) - Willie Claassen.

* Regional manager (KZN) - Andrew Threlfall.

* Regional manager (Cape) - Johan Viljoen.

* Financial manager - Leon van der Merwe.

* 20 new technicians.

* Three new sales executives.

* Eight new administrative/support staff.

Furthermore, Project Vanilla - a new project was launched in May 2003 - headed by a full comprehensive project team, aims to improve the quality levels of operations in:

* Sales and marketing.

* Product research and development.

* Quality control.

Future

Mowzer concludes: "Command has confirmed its full commitment to support Aludi for many years to come. However, promises can stay promises without becoming realities. Thus, the Group/Aludi will issue follow-up News Editorials in the following issues of Hi-Tech Security Solutions to prove to the industry what commitment really means."

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