MAGNET

AHEAD OF CURRENT THINKING
Magnet, suppliers of quality branded electrical equipment and industrial instrumentation, as well as abrasive materials, has become one of the country's leading specialists in energy saving project management. Magnet has provided a reliable and efficient service to the industrial sector for nearly 40 years. Magnet was founded in 1972 in Williams Road, Durban by the late Ernie Howarth. The company has grown dramatically - from humble beginnings with four employees, to three branches and two subsidiaries, with a team of nearly 70 people.

"A well planned and carefully implemented expansion programme has positioned Magnet as one of South Africa's leading suppliers of electrical and instrumentation products, as well as abrasive materials," says Magnet's managing director, Brian Howarth. "The need for top quality, accurate and reliable equipment inspired Magnet to secure the exclusive distributorship rights in this country for the reputable brands of many world leading manufacturers. Magnet has maintained its leading positionin this highly competitive industry because of its commitment to optimum quality, ongoing assessment of market requirements, expert back up and delivery deadlines."

Magnet is a major player in KwaZulu-Natal, making a significant contribution in identifying and reducing the extensive wastage of energy in the industrial and commercial markets.

The company's head office is in Durban, with supporting branches geared to enhance service levels, in Richards Bay and Johannesburg. Magnet's greatest strength is its team of loyal, technically competent people. The company is proud that 42% of the team has been with Magnet for over five years and 22% has been with Magnet for over 15 years.

Magnet is committed to providing a diverse, quality branded product range, enhanced by world class technical support and an efficient delivery service. The company originally supplied magnet wire and insulation materials to the local armature winding industry, but with the implementation of a carefully planned expansion programme, Magnet has become a major supplier nationally of a wide range of electrical components.

Magnet is a key supplier to organisations in industries that include paper, petrochemical, motor manufacturing, food and beverage, packaging, steel and aluminum sheeting, as well as woodworking.

Key KZN customers include:

• Tigerbrands
• Toyota
• Dunlop
• Nampak Group
• Unilever
• ABI
• Rainbow Chicken
• Sappi

Magnet also supplies many electrical contractors, OEM's and property developers. The specialist team also works closely with electrical consultants and architects, demonstrating the latest technology available and assisting with design and implementation.

Magnet's range of equipment meets stringent international quality and safety standards. The company has extended its service to now include a national focus on energy efficiency and energy saving project management. In conjunction with Eskom's demand side management DSM programme, Magnet's team of specialist engineers implements energy saving initiatives that involve replacement, retrofitting and re-lamping, for optimum energy efficiency in every application. The company's energy savings service includes metering, hot water systems, air-conditioning controls, lighting and occupancy sensors, as well as solar systems.

Energy solutions also include energy auditing and accurate energy saving calculations. Magnet, which guarantees energy savings within 10% of predicted savings, also designs, installs, commissions and supports turnkey projects for diverse industries.

Magnet's technical expertise, coupled with quality branded products anda 24 hour support service, ensures the best possible solution for every project.

The company's projects team consists of highly experienced engineers who are identifying energy saving opportunities and offering appropriate solutions. To date this team has saved enough energy to light up 13 324 kms of road.

Magnet has been a key Esco member for five years in KZN. An ESCO, is an energy saving company, which has passed all the necessary criteria to qualify to be a registered "Energy Services Company" for the Eskom DSM division. The function of such companies is to identify opportunities where electrical energy savings can be achieved and to submit these projects as proposals to Eskom for approval and possible funding.

Together with its associated companies in the Magnet Group -Magnol Panel & Automation and Magnol Electrical Contractors -Magnet offers a complete turnkey solution. These services encompass design, supply,  switchboard manufacture, electrical installations and complete commissioning.

Magnet is a leading distributor of Schneider Electric in KZN - this service encompasses electrical switchgear, metering and industrial automation.

ENERGY EFFICIENT AWARDS
Recent prestigious awards for Magnet include a 2010 Energy/Eskom eta Award in the industrial category for proven application of sound energy efficiency principles. Magnet played a major role in the Sappi Tugela River pump station upgrade project on KZN's North Coast. This project has delivered high levels of energy savings, as well as reducing the peak time load on Eskom's electricity grid.

Magnet was also nominated for the Sappi Technology Innovation Awards (TIA) in 2010.

Magnet received an eTA Award in 2008 for best Esco (Energy Services Company).

The company also won an award at the second annual Green Supply Chain Awards function in 2010. This event is a joint initiative of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport: South Africa (CILTSA), the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) and Supply Chain Today magazine. The 'Best Product Award', which was presented to Magnet in the R1-million to R10-million category, recognises the company for its energy efficient lighting project for Transnet Rail Engineering (TRE) in the Durban Harbour area. This project, which involved the design and installation of a new energy efficient lighting system, has reduced energy consumption at TRE's warehouse facility by approximately 60%. Magnet's demand side management (DSM) programmes involve replacement, retrofitting and re-lamping, to ensure optimum energy efficiency in every application.

Full Name of Company: Magnet Electrical Supplies (Pty) Ltd
Industry Sector: Trade
Services / Products: Energy Efficiency Consultants Turnkey Electrical Project Solutions: Design, Supply, Installation, Commission
Suppliers of: Electrical, Lighting, Abrasives, Tape, Energy Saving Products
Date Established: 1972
Subsidiaries: Magnol Panels and Automation, Magnol Electrical Contractors
Customer Base: Industrial
Such as:

• Paper
• Petrochemical
• Motor Manufacturing
• Food and Beverage
• Steel and Aluminum Sheeting
• Woodworking Industries

No. of Employees: 68
B-BBEE Status: Level 5
Auditors / Accountants: Mazar's Moore Rowland
Bankers: Standard Bank
Advertising / PRO Agency: Festivities - Lindi Morton

KEY PERSONNEL
Managing Director: Brian Howarth
Sales Director: Roshan Krishna
Financial Director: Narasha Ramlutchman
Human Resources Director: Melanie Smyth

CONTACT DETAILS
Head Office Durban
Physical Address: 48 Hannah Road, Congella, Durban
Postal Address: P.O. Box 18371, Dalbridge, 4014
Tel: +27 (0)31 274 1050
Fax: +27 (0)31 205 4602
E-mail: lyndic@magnetgroup.co.za
Website: http://www.magnetgroup.co.za