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CBI-ELECTRICAFRICANCABLESwww.cbi-electric.com

Based in Vereeniging, Gauteng and owned by Reunert Ltd, CBI-electric: african cables has been producing a comprehensive range of electric power cables since 1935. Its products are used in many of the country’s key markets, including mining, manufacturing and industrial processes. It is also a supplier to Eskom and other general electrical contractors.

CBI-electric: african cables both designs and manufactures its products in-house. This strategy has enabled it to be more flexible and more responsive to customer needs—it is

the only company fabricating cables in South Africa that is able to supply a range that meets any user requirement, regardless of the load. From

low voltage PVC insulated cable to aerial bundled conductors, or high voltage XLPE insulated cable, the organisation provides

key components that are vital to its customers’ operations. It has also developed products with additional safety features for use in hazardous environments such as mines.

In addition to design and manufacture, CBI-electric: african cables also provides installation and maintenance services

for high and medium voltage cables under the banner of Power Installations (PI). This division has been in operation since

1986 and, over the past 24 years, has consistently performed as a leader in its field. Twenty years ago it installed the first ever high

C B I - e l e c t r i c : a f r i c a n c a b l e s

CBI-electric: african cables is at the forefront of the South African cable industry. As a manufacturer and installer, it is committed to safe, quality work, enabling it to stay at the top of its game

commitment to service

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C B I - e l e c t r i c : a f r i c a n c a b l e s

voltage XLPE cable laid in South Africa—a cable that is still in operation to this day and has never experienced any failure or malfunction in that time. Since then, it has remained a frontrunner in the installation of high voltage and low voltage cable on a turnkey basis. All cable is supplied by CBI-electric: african cables and accessories are sourced on a local basis if possible, or from international suppliers if not.

Through PI, CBI-electric: african cables also carries out maintenance on electrical infrastructure throughout the country. While there are other businesses out there that can perform maintenance on XLPE dielectric cables, which have been the standard since the 1980s, the number that can maintain the fluid-filled, high voltage cables that were used before is dwindling. However, maintenance of these cables is extremely important—there is still 1,200 kilometres of fluid-filled cable in operation in the country. CBI-electric: african cables has taken the decision to maintain the relevant skills and knowledge among its staff so that they are able to service and maintain this older cable, preventing blackouts and malfunctions.

The firm maintains a pioneering approach internally throughout its business and industrial processes. As a manufacturer, as well as an

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installation company, it is important to eliminate waste and maintain quality. With this in mind, CBI-electric: african cables has learnt from the methods of two of the most popular and successful management systems—lean and six sigma—and hybridised the two. This unique system has enabled the company to increase efficiencies, improve material flow and keep quality extremely high.

This commitment to quality runs right through the business. PI is currently the only cable installation company in southern Africa to be ISO 9001 accredited; and CBI-electric: african cables is the first organisation in its category to gain the OHSAS 18001 accreditation, which sets the standards for health and safety best practice, and the third to become accredited regarding its environmental standards under the ISO 14001. The firm is regularly audited to ensure that these standards are maintained.

Training is very important to the company as a whole. Levels of training in the employment pool are low in terms of the knowledge needed to manufacture, lay and maintain the full range of products that CBI-electric: african cables offers. Consequently, in-house training is of extreme importance in maintaining the quality of the company’s output. As well as building up new recruits from unskilled to skilled, this dedication to in-house training also enables the business to keep on top of its knowledge base and to up-skill or refresh staff knowledge as necessary.

The company has taken a different approach to many others when it comes to its Black Economic Empowerment strategy. On 1 December 2004, it sold one quarter of its shares to affirmative business enterprise Power House Utilities (Pty)

Ltd. This union was unusual in that Reunert chose to empower a truly emerging BEE company, rather than a large established one. Power House was also chosen on the basis that it had the relevant track record and hands-on experience in the industry. Additionally, as well as being entirely black owned, Power House is 24 per cent owned by black female entrepreneurs. In this way, the partnership reflects CBI-electric: african cables’ ethos of commitment to excellence in standards and uniqueness in approach. In fact, this union has become the blueprint for the rest of Reunert Ltd.

What becomes clear when looking at CBI-electric: african cables is that it is different to the competition. Attention to the small issues, such as continuing to train personnel on outmoded cable shows customers that it is committed to serving them, even if they are not using the most up-to-date technology available. Producing the full range of cables for every requirement shows that providing the client with a tailored solution is at the top of the company’s agenda. Internally, giving staff training throughout their career and being willing to take on those who are eager but do not yet have the necessary skills demonstrates the company’s commitment to its people and to empowering the local community. Examining different methods of managing production and deciding to combine them into a tailored solution reveals how innovative the company is at all levels of business. And by choosing a relevant BEE partner, the firm has established its commitment to the welfare and future of South Africa as a nation.

In short, CBI-electric: african cables is more than a manufacturer of electrical cable—it is a key player in the South African economy and an important part of its future. www.cbi-electric.com

CBI-ELECTRICAFRICANCABLESwww.cbi-electric.com