Stephen Rogerson

ALTHOUGH a relative youngster compared to some of the industry stalwarts who have featured as Sparks' personalities of the month, Stephen Rogerson has that essential ‘spark', and this sets him apart, defining him as one of the future key players in the electrical industry.
Stephen, who has been in the electrical industry for 14 years, has been the general manager at Thorn Electrical Distributors for nearly three years.
Sparks: Where were you educated?
SR: I went to Benoni High School and then attended Benoni Technical College where I obtained my National Diploma in Electrical Engineering. I regularly attend training seminars overseas related to the various products we distribute and this keeps me up to date with changes in technology.

Sparks: When and where did you start your career?
SR: I started my career at SA Scale Company as a trainee Electronic Engineer. During my studies, I obtained four year's practical experience in the field. After working as an engineer, I began my sales career as a sales engineer for SA Scale. In 2001, I joined Waco Industries as a product manager offering technical support to the industry.
Sparks: What are the greatest changes you have seen over the years?
SR: Unfortunately, industry has been guilty of installing sub-standard products and this has lead to failure of installations and financial loss. Today the emphasis is changing and companies are now ensuring that the products being installed do not compromise safety and quality.

Sparks: What major projects have you worked on and what is your greatest accomplishment?
SR: My kids ... the project will never end! Seriously though, I have worked on many major projects as a sales and service engineer with companies such as SAB, Nissan, BMW, ABI, Sasol, TSB, Xtrata and Sappi, as well as working in the DRC and other African states. My greatest business accomplishment has been to obtain the agencies I have, and being able to direct Thorn into a competitive company that offers service excellence while making a positive impact on the market.
Sparks: Have you won any awards?
SR: Not in the electrical Industry, but I received an award for drumming. I have been playing drums for the last 26 years.

Sparks: Who has been your inspiration or have you had a mentor who has influenced your career?
SR: My dad, who raised me to understand that success only comes from hard work, has inspired me. In business, I draw my inspiration from successful people in business who have grown opportunities from nothing.
Sparks: What, to your mind, is one of the biggest challenges facing the industry at this time?
SR: There are many inferior quality products being offered in the market place and suppliers are compromising on quality due to pricing. There is also a lack of product knowledge and expertise. Many companies are able to offer a product but are not always able to offer technical support.

Sparks: What do you enjoy most about your job?
SR: Knowing that I am able to offer an exclusive range of products and being able to offer my clients a complete solution for their application.
Sparks: How do you motivate your staff?
SR: I make sure they understand the products they have to offer, which enables them to believe in what they are selling.
Sparks: If you could ‘do it all again', would you change anything? If so, what would that be?
SR: I wouldn't change anything because I know that what I have achieved has come from hard and honest work.

Sparks: Would you advise a person leaving school to enter the electrical industry? And why?
SR: Yes, I would, as we rely on electricity. I would advise school leavers to start from the bottom and work themselves up through the ranks, because the experience they gain cannot be taken away. I envisage setting up training workshops to assist scholars with the practical experience and the product knowledge that I acquired when starting my career.
Sparks: What is your advice to electrical contractors and/or electrical engineers?
SR: Make sure you do your homework. You need to be certain about the quality of products you are using and make sure you don't compromise on this. It is important to remember that when Section 61 of the Consumer Protection Act is passed, the liability for any injury or death will be on all individuals who have been involved in the purchasing and supply of the failed product. I also advise that you make sure the supplier is able to offer you the correct technical and after sales support as well as correct certification for the application.

Sparks: What is your favourite quote?
SR: You learn something new every day. (If you don't, you're sleeping...)
Sparks: Name three things on your ‘bucket list' (things you want to do before you ‘kick the bucket').
SR: I would like to visit the seven natural wonders of the world with my wife, Corine; explore our country and Africa off road; and, ultimately, I want to make a positive impact on peoples' lives.