Michael du Toit, managing director of Power Process Systems, is the personality of the month. When he and his father, Charles, started PPS in Vereeniging in 1993, Michael says he was "the driver, receptionist, store man, tea lady, welder, laminator, assembler and sales representative". After his father's death he took over the reigns of the business, leading his staff with a rare combination of firmness and flexibility. Three things on his ‘bucket list' are: "Play a round of golf at Augusta; bum around Europe for six months before I'm too old; and fly a chopper."

Financial guru and author, Warren Buffet, says Terry Mackenzie Hoy, is the third richest man in the world because he does what he is best at - investing money on the Stock Exchange. Buffet's rule No. 1 is "Never lose money" and Rule No. 2 is "Never forget Rule 1" and Terry advises contractors how they can successfully apply this to their unique working conditions.

In this month's ‘On the Job' Lawrence Hillery wonders why "someone else" doesn't take the blame... He says that as electrical contractors "we are expected to know SABS 0142 and SANS 10142-1 as amended" but this isn't as simple as it sounds and he gives examples of difficulties he's had with finding information in the "logical place".

Magnet, a company that specialises in the implementation of energy efficient electrixcal programmes supported this year's Earth Hour.

Ai-Tec's low noise generators have a specially designed acoustic enclosure that is able to withstand harsh outdoor environments.

This feature looks at protection for cell sites and antenna systems, pump motor protection, distribution boards, low voltage protection relays and plastic components. Also featured are data loggers, time switches and halogen-free wiring ducts.

A list of manufacturers, distributors and providers of energy efficient equipment and systems from solar (photovoltaic) electricity generation to meters, wind power, solar heat pumps and batteries to solar water heating.

This feature includes intelligent motor control that delivers high levels of energy savings and a practical training course in photovoltaic solar and wind energy.

An article on the remote control of street lighting, as used by the Provincial Administration of the Western Cape, discusses the implementation and benefits of such a system.
Also featured is energy efficient lighting at The Alert Hub in Pretoria, portable lighting and the 25th birthday of energy saving light bulbs. Transnet Rail Engineering saves 60% on their lighting bill since they installed a new energy efficient lighting system.
At the Light+Building Fair held in Frankfurt from 15 to 20 April LEDs featured strongly due to consumers' demands for eco-friendly lighting solutions.