Alltube, an Aluminium Manufacturing company in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, German company Schüco International KG, market leader in the development of energy-efficient solutions and sustainable building envelopes and the Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungs-gesellschaft (DEG) are joining forces to provide top quality solutions, and increase local capacity and know-how in the field of solar energy installation.

Alltube, a company with a history in the Automotive Aluminium Industry, is currently diversifying from the motor industry into the solar industry, as solar collectors are consistent with aluminium frames. The company is well placed to address the need for renewable energy in South Africa, and distribution of the
Schüco products is managed by Alltube from its Pietermaritzburg headquarters.

The project forms part of a German Public Private Partnership, with Alltube managing the training component, using Schüco modules and expertise, with partial funding provided by the DEG. It
demonstrates the partnership's commitment to the future of environmentally friendly energy generation around the world, while also addressing the gap in solar energy expertise in South Africa.

The critical shortage of skills in implementing and maintaining solar energy systems make this programme an important milestone.

"Many companies in South Africa now offer a range of solar water heating and other energy-saving products, but few provide the necessary training to ensure that sufficient knowledge and
expertise exists to support these solutions", says Johannes H. Muecke, CEO of Alltube. "This partnership represents an opportunity to provide world-class products, along with ongoing skills support to create a pool of accredited practitioners in the field", he continued.

The sixteen South African candidates who are participating in this pilot project, some of whom were previously unemployed, have all completed the plumbing module, the first phase of their training. The second component includes a general course on solar energy, where they will learn the basics of solar heating and installation, to be followed by a third session conducted by an expert trainer from Schüco, which deals with the intricacies of the Schüco solar water heating system, focusing on specially-designed Schüco modules. In addition, a German engineer from the Allsolar division of Alltube will also be on hand to offer full energy solutions.

The solar energy solutions provided by Schüco, and the services of Alltube, have special relevance for a variety of private residential construction and industrial and commercial building clients in South Africa, including private residences, schools, hospitals, and bed and breakfast establishments, particularly in
advance of the pressure on energy outputs expected during the FIFA 2010 World Cup.

About Schüco

Schüco International KG is the global market leader in aluminum, solar, steel and PVC-U systems for innovative building envelopes. Annual sales in 2008 amounted to EUR 2.2 billion, an increase of
20% on the previous year. With more than 5,000 employees and 12,000 partner companies in over 75 countries, Schüco offers advanced window and façade technology, efficient solar solutions, and
individual consulting for architects, planners, investors, and principals. At the state-of-the-art Schüco Technology Center, co-located with the company's headquarters in Bielefeld, Germany,
training and instruction take place in an environment that sets the standard for innovative use of energy, mirroring Schüco's corporate mission of "Energy² - saving energy and generating energy.

For further information, contact:
Moira Campbell
Tel: +27 11 482-8014
Cell: +27 (0)83 995 4711
E-mail: moirabc@gmail.com