JUNE 2013
mining
18
T
his is the view of Mike Hellyar, Managing Director of Air Products South
Africa, who was speaking at the gala dinner that Air Products South Africa
sponsored at the third African industrial gas conference hosted by Gasworld.
It was held at the Indaba Hotel, from the 20th to 22nd May 2013.
The conference, entitled
‘Future Investment and the Supply Chain’
, brought together
stakeholders in the industrial gas industry from around the world, to discuss, among
others, issues pertaining to market trends, investments and supply chain dynamics.
Economic volatility
“The shifting financial sands of our global economy have in recent times amply
demonstrated just howunpredictablemarkets can be. Consequently, many companies
have been forced to fine-tune or adjust their once cast-in-stone strategies,” he said.
“Organisations have been forced to sit up and realise that, unless they keep their
fingers firmly on the pulse of the environment in which they operate, and become
finely attuned to market changes, their businesses will slowly erode and become
less sustainable in the long term.”
For Air Products, a critical part of ensuring its long-term sustainability, has involved
a shift in focus from production to security of supply, in line with the company’s
customer-centric approach to its business and resulting from the driving force of
economic change.
A supply chain company
“Producing gas has always been our primary function, but a variety of market
demands and drivers have forced us to focus on optimising the
way
we supply
and service the end market. We therefore no longer see ourselves as a gas
company.
“We are a
supply chain company
. As such, we have built a solid industry reputation
for security of supply and operational excellence in the provision of quality gas
products while adhering to the strictest standards of safety,” Mike said.
Long-term investment choices
Air Products South Africa, which manufactures, supplies and distributes a diverse
portfolio of atmospheric gases, specialty gases, performance materials, equipment
and services to the southern African region, sees long-term investments as the key
to creating supply chain capacity and ensuring the future sustainability of the
industry.
“The key to good operational strategy and long-term success is about identifying
and managing not only risk, but also opportunity. This includes making the right
long-term investment choices for one’s business.
“Long-term investments build supply chain capacity, while attracting other
business opportunities and development in the process,” he noted.
Citing Air Products’ recently announced investment in the first Air Separation Unit
(ASU) of its kind in the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ), he added
Ensuring a
sustainable
future for the
gas industry
Economic volatility and changing
market demands require not only an
effective long-term capital investment
strategy, but a flexible approach
to business, based on an accurate
understanding of the environment.
About Air Products South Africa
Air Products South Africa (Pty) Limited manufactures, supplies and distributes a diverse
portfolio of atmospheric gases, specialty gases, performance materials, equipment and
services to the southern African region.
Air Products touches the lives of consumers in positive ways every day, and serves
customers across a wide range of industries from food and beverage, mining and
petrochemicals, primary metal and steel manufacturers, chemical applications,
welding and cutting applications to laboratory applications.
Founded in 1969, Air Products South Africa has built a reputation for
its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to
safety, quality and the environment. In addition, the company aims
to continue its growth and market leadership position in the southern
African region.
Mike Hellyar
, Managing Director of Air Products South Africa,
believes that there are a number of ways in which challenges may
be met within the supply chain, including analysing and improving
a customer’s on-site inventory storage and cost management.
