Powertech launches its System Integrators business

Power Technologies (Pty) Ltd (Powertech), a wholly owned subsidiary of the JSE-listed Altron group, has formed a new Powertech System Integrators business through the amalgamation of its three existing businesses, Powertech IST, Strike Technologies and TIS.  Dr Herb Chikwanda, formerly the CEO of Powertech IST, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the new company, effective 1 March 2013.Powertech System Integrators has grouped its customer-facing staff and sales activities into two business development divisions focusing on two distinct market sectors:  Utilities and Large Power Users.  The former will include power and water utility companies such as Eskom, the water boards, metros and municipalities, while the latter includes mining companies, manufacturing and commercial firms across the general industry spectrum.  Mr Hannes Snyman, previously MD of Powertech IST Data, has been appointed Business Development Executive for Large Power Users and Mr James Calmeyer, formerly MD of Strike Technologies, heads up the Utilities division.An Engineering and Technology Division, led by Mr Donald McKechnie, former MD of Powertech IST Energy, concentrates on the conception, design and engineering of technology solutions and product systems, and is the home of the bulk of the companys more than 200 engineers, technologists and technicians, grouped along industry disciplines and dedicated to supporting business development and project execution work. The third part of Powertech System Integrators is an Operations Division, headed by Mr Johan van der Merwe, former MD of Powertech IST Industrial. It is within this division that system integration, manufacturing, production and project implementation activities will be carried out. The companys head office is in Menlyn Pretoria and the manufacturing and production activities will be situated in Corporate Park North, Midrand. Neil Kayton, CEO of the Powertech Group, says, We are making the whole greater than the sum of the parts by harnessing the synergies of the Powertech IST, Strike Technologies and TIS businesses. The result is a business that is arguably the largest integrated solutions provider for the electrical power and industrial infrastructure sectors on the African continent. Powertech System Integrators  has an established reputation to this field, and  will build on the more than three decades of successful system engineering and technology integration capabilities of the businesses to be  amalgamated .The launch of the customer-centric  Powertech System Integrators is yet another milestone in the Powertech Groups  growth strategy