IN THIS ISSUE
October 2014
• Distribution boards, switches, sockets and protection
• Motor control centres and motor protection
• Energy measurement and supply
• Lighting
17 - 20
19 - 20
22 - 23
24 - 27
FEATURES
• Contractors’ corner
• Buyers’ guide
• People on the move
REGULARS
2 - 13, 16 - 18
14 -15
28
The next logical step…
FOLLOWING approval from the Competitions Commission, RAD/
Phambili Interface has been acquired by Bidvest Electrical (Voltex (Pty)
Ltd) and will operate as such from 1 September 2014.
Phambili Interface is the exclusive distributor in sub Saharan Africa
forWeidmuller, Pfannenberg, Bocchiotti, Interflex, Alfra and Shrinktek
and, with the acquisition, these agreements will remain in place and
have the full support from these international suppliers.
The Phambili Interface trading name will continue in all respects
and the business will operate as a specialised division of Voltex (Pty)
Ltd. All existingmanagement and staff will be retained in their current
positions. “We are delighted with this niche synergistic acquisition
for Bidvest Electrical, as Phambili Interface is a dynamic and impres-
sive performer, with tremendous and historically strong foundations
creatingmeaningful opportunities for continuing growth in the many
areas it operates”, says Stanley Green CEO of Voltex.
Phambili Interface (Pty) Ltdwas created in 2006 as the trading compa-
ny for RAD Interface (Pty) Ltd, whichwas established in 2000, following
themanagement buyout of the subsidiaryWeidmuller (Pty) Ltd South
Africa, whichwas established byWeidmuller Germany in 1970.
Derrick Mulligan the current managing director says,“Since the
MBO in 2000 the company has had exponential growth and the next
logical step to continue this growth in the South African and African
market was to seek a suitably strong corporate partner with deep
roots and experience in our industry to acquire the business. The
agencies Phambili Interface represents have an extremely strong and
vital brand identity in the connection and interface market and this
acquisition will further enhance the service and supply of existing and
new products from these suppliers to our loyal and new customers in
the region.“
Enquiries: +27 11 452 1930
Phambili Interface owners and Voltex management after the conclusion of the
deal: Alex Lockyer (Phambili Interface), Hugh Ward (Voltex), Eric Immermann
(Voltex), Derrick Mulligan (Phambili), Rodney Beresford (Phambili),
Stanley Green (CEO Voltex) and Bongi Thwala (Voltex).
Another conviction for selling
counterfeit goods meted out
DEALING in counterfeit electrical goods has resulted in a hefty fine
being handed down to a Johannesburg hardware store – the third
entity to be convicted for this crime since June this year.
Ridgeway Builders Centre cc, trading as Morgans Hardware,
entered a plea of guilty to two charges of dealing in counterfeit
goods contrary to the provisions of the Counterfeit Goods Act in
the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Johannesburg
on September 10.
Magistrate Brian Nemavhidi handed down a R20 000 fine to
Morgans Hardware, of which R10 000 was suspended for five years
on condition that the close corporation is
not convicted of a similar offence within
that five year period. The two charges were taken
as one for sentencing.
On 7 December 2012, CBI-electric: low voltage caused a test
purchase of a counterfeit 20 A, CBI-branded circuit breaker to be
conducted from one of the Morgans Hardware stores in Lenasia
and, as result of that purchase, a search and seizure warrant was
obtained and executed and a number of counterfeit devices were
seized on 18 December 2012.
Morgans Hardware agreed that in addition to the fine, it would
publish a public apology in national and local newspapers. This is a
similar route taken by the two other concerns that were convicted
for contravening the Counterfeit Goods Act in the same court on
June 4, 2014 after being found to be dealing in counterfeit
CBI-electric: low voltage-branded earth leakage devices.
Andrew Dickson, divisional manager: engineering and qual-
ity at CBI-electric: low voltage, says,“This is another small victory
in eradicating counterfeit goods from being sold into the South
African market. The process is gaining momentum and support.”
He adds that“safety critical devices, such as circuit breakers and
earth leakage units, are governed by the compulsory specifica-
tions VC 8035 and VC 8036. By not complying with these specifica-
tions, they pose a significant risk to human and animal life as well
as to property”. The prosecutor for the State was Adele Carstens
and CBI-electric: low voltage was represented by Mohamed
Khader of Spoor & Fisher.
