Tognum Group subsidiary, MTU South Africa (Pty) Ltd, celebrates their ten year milestone, marking a journey of exceptional service and growth. The anniversary commemorates the success the company has achieved with the perseverance and dedication of staff over the past decade. Inception of the company started with a requirement from the South African government with an off-set obligation for direct industrial participation and the intention to focus on the South African Navy. For approximately thirty years MTU was represented in South Africa by previous distributor Prokura Diesel Services at Montague Gardens in Cape Town and Diesel & Turbo service Centre (Pty) Ltd. in Durban. Over the years the company has experienced a steady growth, with fully operational services in 10 locations across Africa, seven service dealers throughout Sub Sahara Africa and new operations in Zambia. In the last four years alone, 2007 – 2010, an annual growth rate of more than 19% was evident despite the global economic crisis in 2009. MTU SA is responsible for sales and support of MTU, Detroit Diesel and Mercedes Benz diesel engines and drive systems in a multitude of off-highway applications ranging from power generation, marine, C&I, mining, defense and rail. 

The company which has recently been awarded a level 5 BBBEE status, places great focus on the training and development of those coming from a legacy of being previously disadvantaged.  They aim to sustain and develop the expertise of their staff, thereby contributing significantly towards the attainment of national development and social imperatives. 

“Our success as a company would not have been possible without the loyal support of our customers, partners and employees over the years. This inspires us to further improve on the quality and level of service and products we offer to them,” says Michael Baumann, Managing Director MTU SA.

Today, the company holds many accolades, including their partnerships with the SA Navy where the majority of the vessels are powered by MTU engines, the Sishen Iron Ore Mine and Grootegeluk Coal Mine among others use MTU Series 4000 engines for their mining haul trucks. Black Rock Mine uses MTU’s newly launched Generator Sets for back up power and recently MTU SA delivered their 1000^th diesel engine to RSD, a division of DCD-DORBYL (Pty) Ltd.

Amongst the company’s other highly regarded achievements is the sought after Apprentice Training Programme, where future artisans receive the best training and coaching by qualified technicians from MTU SA following the German apprentice model. Since starting in 2007, the programme’s success has been significant in that, despite MTU South Africa being a reasonably small company, they display innovation with these activities and are setting a benchmark for other industry players to follow.

Festivities will be enjoyed in both Cape Town and Johannesburg, in honour of the occasion. “In 2011, we at MTU SA take pride in looking back at our achievements over the past ten years and the way we have grown in leaps and bounds. I extend a great thank you to our dedicated team whom without; we would not have reached and exceeded our goals set out, and I am positive that the next ten years will be a period of continued success,” says Michael Baumann, Managing Director MTU SA. 

 

About Tognum

With its two business units, Engines and Onsite Energy & Components, the Tognum Group is one of the world’s leading suppliers of engines, propulsion systems and distributed energy systems. These products are based on diesel engines with up to 9,100 kilowatts (kW) power output, gas engines up to 2,150 kW and gas turbines up to 45,000 kW.

 About MTU South Africa

MTU SA is a certified BEE Level 5 company.  Within the Tognum Group MTU South Africa is responsible for sales and support service of MTU diesel engines, propulsion systems and distributed energy systems in most of sub Sahara Africa. Engines are sold under the brand names of MTU, Detroit Diesel and Mercedes Benz industrial engines that deliver quality, reliability, dependability and design adequacy. The engines are used extensively throughout Africa and are renowned for superior performance under the most demanding of conditions.

 

For further press information please contact:

CHATROOM

Zukiswa Nomnganga

P: +27 11 463 7078

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Brand development and design: Having been in the industry for many years, Bloy, formerly know as BMRE, tasked Chatroom with the revamp of its brand with free reign to touch up the brand name.

ACTION STEPS

• In-depth briefing with the team on product and service offerings, and the market
• Identify the visual landscape of the Bloy brand
• Create the logo and Look & Feel of the brand

OUTCOME

• New company name in line with strategic goals: Bloy Resource Evaluation
• Corporate communication material for Bloy: business cards, fact sheet, report cover
• Corporate folder

CLIENT PROFILE

Bloy is a mineral resource evaluation consultancy specialising in smart solutions for operating mines. The company has a solid portfolio across a range of commodity types and is highly recommended by heavy weights such as AngloGold Ashanti and Anglo American.

Visit the Bloy website

Brand name and website, exhibition stand design: Bloy tasked Chatroom with the brand design for their interrelated Grade Control software. Chatroom also assisted Bloy with the official launch of their software at the 2012 AusIMM International Mining Geology Conference in New Zealand: From start to finish, this project took just four months to complete. Now we provide ongoing design support to Bloy and Blockbuster.

ACTION STEPS

• In-depth briefing with the team on product and service offerings and the market
• Define strategic framework with client
• Identify the visual landscape of the software brand
• Create the logo and Look & Feel of Blockbuster Suite
• Derive logos for the suite's applications: Blockbuster Manager, Blockbuster Scripter, and Blockbuster Reporter
• Design and develop content for website and other brand applications
• Propose software brand options in line with the identified strategic points

OUTCOME

• Blockbuster Suite Brand Design
• Marketing collateral, i.e. fact sheets and give-aways
• Expo stand design, incl. furniture and AV equipment
• Website with Content Management System

PRODUCT PROFILE

Blockbuster is a full-feature, off-the-shelf grade control solution which manages daily updates to resource models and mine plans. It provides rapid, expert evaluation of data generated from drilling, logging and geological mapping. Add-on modules for mining software enable high-level customisation to achieve site-specific goals. Blockbuster is yet another expert solution brought to you by Bloy.

Visit the Blockbuster Suite website

Auryx Gold, the Canadian growth-focused resource company engaged in the acquisition and exploration of gold projects in Namibia, is committed to developing more than just resources but also Namibian mining skills. It demonstrates this with the announcement of the company’s intake of learnership students recently trained at the Otjikoto site as well as at Auryx facilities, in Otjiwarongo.

Currently studying at the well-known mining training institution, Zimbabwe School of Mines, the two students hope to develop their knowledge of the industry and improve their skills with a view to developing a successful career in mining.  Auryx trained the students for four weeks during their vacation period to develop practical mining skills and experience needed in this demanding and dynamic industry. By supporting these initiatives, Auryx Gold is demonstrating its commitment to skills development in Namibia.

Filomine Andowa, a Mining Geology student, says “I would like to thank Auryx Gold for the opportunity in gaining hands-on experience in the Geology field. My daily work includes using the software package Sable, helping with core sampling and learning how to do core logging. As it was my first time working with Gold, I could not believe that one could see Gold with the naked eye. This internship has really been worthwhile”

“Since I’ve started doing my training in the company, I’ve been gaining a lot of experience and exposure in the exploration and mining industry as a whole. I appreciate all that Auryx has done for us and providing accommodation on site during the internship period. I hope to be a part of the company in the near future and have completed my studies,” added Amon Teofelus, a Mining Engineering student also involved in the internship.

The Zimbabwe School of Mines is a regional centre for excellence that serves the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mining industry and produces high caliber, qualified, hands-on technicians. The school offers a tailor-made curriculum to suit the requirements of the mining industry and the ever evolving technological developments.

Dr. Leake Hangala, Director of Auryx Gold Namibia: “We are very happy to be able to offer opportunity to young future mining managers and/or earth science professionals as we believe that such training will not only greatly enrich the lives but also benefit the country. I urge these young students to take their training with Auryx Gold Namibia at Otjikoto seriously because doing so will increase their employability in the industry and the possibility of joining the company once they have finished with their studies.”

With experience in growth and development of gold and precious metal deposits, Auryx is focused on advancing the Otjikoto gold deposit near Otavi. With future operations in this region, the company will be generating and providing employment as well as assisting in developing the economy of the country

The board of directors of Auryx determined that it was in the best interests of the Company to have its common shares dual listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Namibia Stock Exchange to:

• assist in creating greater public awareness of Auryx in Namibia and South Africa

• demonstrate the Company’s commitment to Namibia given the location of the Otjikoto gold deposit within Namibia

• provide Namibian and South African investors and institutions with easier access to ownership of Auryx common shares

• afford the Company’s Namibian and South African employees with the opportunity to participate in the Company's project

For further press information please contact:

Chatroom

Zukiswa Nomnganga, Account Manager

P: +27 11 463 7078

E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Facts and Figures

About Auryx Gold:

Auryx Gold Corp is a well financed company with a management team experienced in the acquisition, growth, and development of gold and precious metal deposits. Auryx is focused on advancing the Otjikoto gold deposit in Namibia.

• Satellite & regional targets
• Province-scale potential
• Experience in capital markets and African mining & finance
• 76,000m of drilling complete, extensive technical work concluded
• Jul-09 scoping study (Minxcon & GRD MinProc) established economic base case

The name Auryx is an adaptation from the large antelope synonymous with the landscape of the Namib – the oryx – merged with the periodic table of elements term for gold – ‘Au’.

Directors and Management

Bongani Mtshisi, Chairman
Mr. Mtshisi is a Mining Engineer and CEO of BSC Resources Ltd, an exploration company active in the development of copper & nickel assets in South Africa. BSC is the owner of the Insizwa Ni project (ex Falconbridge), which is being developed under option by Vale of Brazil. Mr. Mtshisi has worked for DeBeers and Anglo and has had exposure to a wide variety of commodities, including coal, diamonds, PGM's, gold and base metals.

Tim Searcy, President & Director
Mr. Searcy is a registered Professional Geologist in BC with over 15 years of international experience in mining. Mr. Searcy is the former President, CEO, & Founder of Luna Gold Corp (TSX-V: LGC) and former V.P. Business Development & Founder of Nautilus Minerals Inc. (TSX: NUS).

Heye Daun, President
Mr. Daun is a qualified mining engineer with extensive mine building and finance experience. He is the former Mine Superintendent at AngloGold's Sadiola & Yatela Mines and a former Mine Manager at Gold Field's Tarkwa mine in West Africa. For the past 5 years he has been engaged in mining project finance and fund management in Africa and he is currently a partner with the Bright Group, an established South African niche finance house.

Alan Friedman, VP Corporate Development & Director
Mr. Friedman is a South African qualified attorney and has played an integral role in the acquisition of various assets, financings, and go-public transactions for client companies. He is currently a director and co-founder of Adira Energy Ltd, Tova Ventures Inc and Rivonia Capital Inc. He is a director of the Canada-South Africa Chamber of Business.

Alan Rootenberg, Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Rootenberg is a chartered accountant designated in both South Africa and Ontario. He has served as the CFO of a number of publicly traded mineral exploration companies listed on the TSX & TSX-V.

Directors

Tim Searcy, President & Director

Heye Daun, President - Africa & Operations & Director

Alan Friedman, VP Corporate Development & Director

George Pirie, Director
Mr. Pirie is the former President & CEO of Breakwater Resources Ltd. (TSX: BWR) and former President & CEO of Placer Dome (Canada) Ltd. Mr. Pirie held various progressive positions in a number of Placer's divisions over approximately 20 years, including CFO, Placer Dome North America and Canada respectively; President and CEO, Placer Dome Canada; and Executive VP, Placer Dome Inc. Mr. Pirie has served on a number of boards including the Mining Association of Canada.

Tony Harwood, Director
Dr. Harwood is a Johannesburg based junior mining executive and director, with 25+ years in exploration, including 8 years as VP of Generative Exploration in Africa and Asia for Placer Dome. Dr. Harwood previously lectured at Universities in South Africa and the UK.

David Hodgson, Director
Mr. Hodgson was employed by the Anglo American and De Beers group of companies for over 30 years. From November 2001 through to his retirement in April 2005, Mr. Hodgson served as the Chief Operating Officer of Anglogold Ashanti, where he was responsible for overseeing the production of approximately six million ounces of gold per annum, from 22 operations.

 

As a reward for their high level of competence, the Tognum Group company MTU South Africa (PTY) Ltd, supplier of engines, complete propulsion and power systems in southern Africa has been awarded the Maintenance and Repair Contract (MARC) by Russo-Balt Belaz – a distributor of Belarus manufacturer of trucks. The company is operating in South Africa, for their five 220 tonnes trucks currently in use by TAU Mining Consultants at Sishen Iron Ore Mine, Northern Cape.

MTU SA will be responsible for the full maintenance and repair of all the company’s equipment at the mine. This encompasses the delivery of five Belaz’s haul trucks of 220 tonnes capacity, powered by MTU 16V 4000 engines to TAU Mining to be used in a contract at Sishen Iron Ore Mine.

“We are pleased and happy to be awarded this opportunity which will see us for taking care of the maintenance and repairs of these engines as it will not only show our competence in the industry but also the confidence that customers have on our service and products. We hope that our partnership with Belaz will add to the smooth operations of the mine,” says Michael Baumann, MTU SA’s Managing Director.

Since 2007, the Tognum Group has delivered engines as well as service features to Belaz. Belaz plant has developed over 500 dump trucks models of playload capacity from 30 to 360 tonnes and produced over 130 thousand dump truck units delivered in more than 70 countries worldwide within 65 years. Annual production of the plant is more than 2000 units of different kind of equipment. “MTU SA has demonstrated its ability to achieving high availability rate and quality of service with the engines. We hope that our partnership with MTU will even be more strengthened”, says Russo-Balt Belaz CEO Dmitry Venchik.

Being one of the first mines in the world involved in the development of the Series 4000 engine into solid and robust power unit for tough mining conditions, Sishen Mine is Kumba’s flagship operation and one of the largest open-pit iron ore mines in the world.

“We have advanced maintenance programs performed under MARC contracts. We work closely together with our customers to continuously enhance the performance of critical engine components and to improve on our service,” says Willem du Preez, Senior Manager Mining of MTU SA.

MTU SA supplies diesel engines under a brand name that delivers quality, reliability, dependability, design adequacy, excellent fuel consumption and low life cycle costs. Responsible for sales and support of MTU diesel engines, MTU South Africa focuses on products in Power Generation, Mining, Marine, Construction, Rail and Defense applications in the Sub-Saharan region.

For more information please visit www.mtu-online.co.za

For further press information please contact:

Chatroom

Zukiswa Nomnganga, Account Manager

P: +27 11 463 7078

E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Corporate and Brand PR: Chatroom launched African Romance, South Africa’s first luxury diamond brand with a media conference and extensive media communication.

 

Action Steps

• African Romance was launched to business and trade media at a press conference at the client’s showroom in Sandton/Johannesburg. After speeches from guest speaker Sandile Nogxina, the Director General of the Department of Minerals and Energy; and African Romance CEO Moesheen Valli Moosa, media went on a factory tour. At the Gala event with Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngquka as an honorary speaker and MC Basetsana Khumalo, the brand was launched to decision makers in fashion, business, government as well as lifestyle media.
• In a second launch phase in 2008, the African Romance range was be launched to South Africa’s fashion magazines.
• Chatroom was responsible for all media relations, organisation of the media conference, media invitations, media packs, RSVPs, follow-ups and ongoing media liaison.

Outcome

• Coverage received included Business Day, Business Report (front page), Reuters Press & TV, Sake Burger, Sunday Times, Mining Weekly (Cover page) and more.

 

 

visit website of African Romance

Over the years, MTU South Africa (PTY) Ltd, a subsidiary of Tognum Group company, has been successful in positioning themselves as a reliable industry supplier in the Power Generation and Mining sectors in southern Africa. With years of experience as supplier of engines, complete propulsion and power systems to the market, the company significantly contribute to the industry by constantly improving their products and services.

MTU has an extensive product range which includes the Diesel and Gas Genset (Generating sets) in the range of 250 – 3.300 kVA.  With this range, the customer receives a broad power variety out of one engine family. Customers like Telkom, Vodacom and MTN rely on MTU engines as an emergency back-up supplier for their data centres and other energy critical facilities. In contrast to this emergency application, MTU engines also provide a continuous power supply to operations all over Africa.

MTU also plays a significant role in the mining sector providing the mines with effective emergency back-up power for their operations. Mine operators request state of the art technology with the best fuel consumption and reliability in rough environments. MTU supplies various mines in Sub Saharan Africa in the following applications:

• Electric propulsion systems for heavy mine dump trucks
• Engines for Power Stations in the region of 5 – 100 MW
• Specialised applications such as motivators (Gensets for heavy load equipment, i.e. excavators)

“As a testament to MTU’s innovation and its role in the development of new technologies, MTU Onsite Energy received a Gold Award in the sixth annual Product of the Year competition for its diesel-powered Genset based on the all-new MTU Series 1600 engine. We are honored to have received this award as validation for the work we do, and will continue to extend our product range which will benefit the industry”, says Philipp von Arnim, MTU SA’s Sales Manager for MTU Onsite Energy.

The awards were sponsored by Consulting Specifying Engineer magazine, and recognise the best products introduced in 2009, according to votes cast by professional engineers in 10 categories.

In 2008, MTU SA showed true innovation when they received the first order for the 20V4000 engine range with a power output of up to 3.3 MVA.  Previously, the power range for high speed diesel engines in Gensets was limited to approx 2 MVA within South African Power Generation specialists. End customers as well as OEMs rely on large single engines rather than synchronising smaller sets with the MTU 20V4000 engine being the engine of choice when it comes to large scale power requirements.

Being aware of trends and developments within the industry, MTU focused on engine Emission Optimisation where engines had to prove their capability of offering the best fuel consumption in recent years.  Von Arnim adds that “larger consumers are becoming more concerned about their carbon footprint and this has an impact on the operation and capabilities of the respective Gensets”. MTU engines, with special software, can alter the requirement from fuel optimised engines to emission optimised engines. Emission values that can be achieved are in line with current standards, such as the German TA Luft (50 HZ) and the American EPA Tier 2 (60 Hz). “We predict that by 2015, the majority of MTU engines for Power Generation in South Africa will be sold in accordance with its emission regulations”, continues von Arnim.

With the Power & Electricity Week coming up in April, the competent team of experts from MTU Onsite Energy will be present to answer any questions relating to Power Generation.  Members from the industry will also be able to view their latest Series 1600 engine on exhibition. New models will be released in South Africa later this year, including the 6R1600 with 250 – 300 kWm output. Information will also be available regarding the latest developments on the MTU Gas application, detailing what the first projects being lined up are and where the first predicted installations of Biogas Generating sets will take place.

With a power range of 300 to 3.300 kVA, MTU South Africa offers a wide spectrum of products to the African power generation (Powergen) market as a “full-line” supplier.

MTU also provide clients with a basic maintenance plan for the engines which include the service of the engines and supplying of spare parts.

About Tognum
With its two business units, Engines and Onsite Energy & Components, the Tognum Group is one of the world’s leading suppliers of engines, propulsion systems and distributed energy systems. These products are based on diesel engines with up to 9,100 kilowatts (kW) power output, gas engines up to 2,150 kW and gas turbines up to 45,000 kW.

About MTU South Africa|
Within the Tognum Group MTU South Africa is responsible for sales and support service of MTU diesel engines in most of sub Sahara Africa. Engines are sold under the Brand names of MTU, Detroit Diesel and Mercedes Benz industrial engines that deliver quality, reliability, dependability and design adequacy. The engines are used extensively throughout Africa and are renowned for superior performance under the most demanding of conditions. Ends/

For further press information please contact:

CHATROOM

Zukiswa Nomnganga

P: +27 11 463 7078

E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Brand Design, Exhibition stand support: Chatroom assisted Pamodzi Gold through consulting, brand design and support at the Mining Indaba exhibition.

Pamodzi Gold Limited is a JSE listed gold mining company with assets on the Witwaterstrand gold basin on South Africa. The junior Gold Mining Company had been through an eventful year 2008 with several challenges in both operations and funding.

Action Steps

• Brochure development: concept, idea and design; content and copy development; co-ordination of printing
• Communications consulting before the Mining Indaba
• Support at the stand during the Mining Indaba

visit website of Pamodzi Gold

Advertising, Design: SDV Mining is the first logistics network in Africa. The brief was to create local advertising putting SDV Mining on top of the list for logistics services provider with current and potential clients.

 

Action Steps

• analyzing existing material and deriving design outlines for print advertising within corporate design guidelines
• derive concepts with the main message of  biggest company-owned network in Africa, knowing all In detail
• select favourite amongst the concepts and derive executions incl. copy and imagery

 

Outcome

• three executions of the concept featuring aerial photography of African landscapes with headline incorporating strategic key messages
• print advertising for global brand with local content, enabling brand to engage closely with existing and future clients

 

Client Profile

SDV Mining is the first logistics network in Africa.

visit website of SDV Mining

Brand Design and applications: Pallinghurst Resources is an investment holding company which pursues opportunities in natural resources. Its four investment platforms are colored gemstones, steel feed materials, the luxury brand Fabergé. Pallinghurst is listed on the Johannesburg and Bermuda Stock Exchange and pursues investment opportunities in Africa and Australia. Chatroom was appointed for Logo re-design and within this process, to develop the corporate identity for the organisiation, putting emphasis on people not “figures”

 

Action Steps

• Intensive briefing session with the team
• Define visual landscape of the brand
• Create logo and Look&Feel of the brand
• Select appropriate high-quality paper stock and finishing techniques for print production

 

Outcome

• Bold and agile brand Look&Feel
• Corporate communication material, e.g. business cards and letterheads with premium finishes
• Material for both UK and South African offices

 

Client Profile

Pallinghurst is an investment holding company which pursues opportunities in natural resources globally. Its four investment platforms are coloured gemstones, the luxury brand Fabergé, steel feed materials and platinum group metals.

 

visit website of Pallinghurst Resources