KAEFER’s product and service portfolio offers solutions to company’s operating across a range of industries and, thanks to its global presence and unrelenting drive for quality, the company is now achieving its vision of ‘eliminating the energy waste’.
KAEFER is the world’s largest privately owned provider of complete insulation solutions. “We encourage sustainability as our insulation solutions reduce energy consumption and preserve the environment.”
KAEFER has operations in more than 50 countries and employs more than 26,000 people globally. Thanks to its international experience and knowledgeable and innovative workforce, the company delivers a truly world-class service to clients when it comes to design and application of heat, cold, noise and fire protection insulation systems, as well as scaffold erection and the application of surface protection.
Originally founded in Bremen, Germany in 1918 by Carl Kaefer, the company opened its doors in South Africa in 1976. In 1998, KAEFER purchased the Thermal Insulation Supplies and Contractors (Pty) Ltd business from Murray and Roberts and in 2010 established KAEFER Energy Projects (Pty) Ltd as a black women owned business to focus on the South African energy sector.
The company’s focus is clear – integrated services solutions, and its core competences all compliment this targeted industry offering. In South Africa, the company’s main services include insulation, scaffolding, acoustic engineering and industrial painting and these services are rolled out mainly in petro-chemical plants, power generation, mining and processing, chemicals and paper manufacturing.
“Our integrated services and solutions make the environment, life, work and production safer and more sustainable,” the company says.
VALUE OFFERING
When working alongside a client, KAEFER is present through most of a project’s lifecycle. From budget proposals, to tender negotiation through to project management and execution, KAEFER supports their clients’ success by offering the most integrated solutions on the project as well as maintenance services thereafter; KAEFER are a reliable partner. “Our extensive expertise contributes to our customer success,” the company states.
“To eliminate the energy waste” is KAEFER’s vision and so the company develops tailor-made solutions to energy efficiency problems in all industrial environments and facilities. “We apply our skills to new facilities, extensions, refurbishments, large-scale projects and maintenance work.
“We are familiar with the problems that crop up in different industrial situations, such as constantly changing conditions, the demand for new materials and changes to environmental legislation, and can provide the best possible solutions to them.
“Our highly experienced staff have been tested in the field over many years and are able to guarantee outstanding efficiency and deliver innovative solutions on time, while preserving our customers’ resources and the environment,” says KAEFER.
Using insulation in the correct way is hugely important in today’s energy-conscious world and this is why finding the correct partner is so important. Theglobal industrial sector accounts for approximately one third of total global energy consumption, and it is alsoreportedlyresponsible foraround one third of fossil-fuel-related greenhouse gas emissions. Translating these volumes to monetary values is tricky but a European study found that the industrial sector in the EU could save $3.8 billion annually if they simply used properly installed insulation. Common problems include uninsulated pipes, insufficient or damaged insulation or the wrong type of insulation.
KAEFER can ensure the correct solution is found, quickly and efficiently. Its track record in South Africa to date is the perfect example – some of the country’s largest construction, energy and industrial companies call KAEFER their partner.
PROJECTS
“Some of our clients on projects include SAPREF, Sasol, Eskom, Sappi, Fluor SA, S.A. Breweries, ALSTOM Africa, Grinaker-LTA and Murray & Roberts.
“Current projects include maintenance contracts at SAPREF and Eskom and new build projects at Eskom’s Medupi power station,” the company explains.
Also on the list of clients is BOMBELA, PetroSA, Chevron, ENGEN, Mozal, Babcock Engineering Services and Group Five to name just a few.
And it’s not just South Africa where the company has a presence in Africa. KAEFER has worked on insulation, scaffolding and painting projects in other countries such as Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland.
But how does KAEFER carry on gaining big contracts and partnering with big-name clients? What sets the company apart from the competition? One element is KAEFER’s quality certifications and its health and safety credentials. “Certified by the South African Bureau of Standards are; our Quality Management System in accordance with ISO 9001:2008, our Environmental Management System (ISO 14001:2004) and our Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSAS 18001:2007).”
The KAEFER Group has maintained high standards of operation throughout the world, often leading the field in terms of training and safety. In South Africa, the company established an in-house training centre, the Sizani Technical Skills Training Centre, in 2005 and through this has provided Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) approved scaffolding training to staff members.
Training courses are offered on site in South Africa and neighbouring countries and are designed to assist companies in meeting the demands of the ever increasing new safety legislations. A sheet metal worker training programme has recently been added to the offering.
Helping employees to grow and develop has long been a target for KAEFER and it comes with benefits for both parties. “Every employee is a source of successful new ideas, which have to be transformed into performance and customer benefits. This is made possible through the company’s LEAN initiative of continuous improvement.
“KAEFER’s success is due to the quality and marketability of our products, systems and services. In all we do, the health and safety of our staff and partners are paramount.”
GROWTH
KAEFER is a growing business and globally the company has picked up a number of new contracts in the oil and gas sectors of Europe and South America. In South Africa, the on-going national focus on increasing power generation capacity will ensure the company continues to assist in the development of the country. “The figures for recent years show that even during times of economic crisis, KAEFER has been able to maintain a very stable business,” the company says.
“Since the insulation business Carl Kaefer & Co was founded, our company has grown continually. New markets brought new staff, new investments, new divisions and more and more offices all around the world.”
And the future looks extremely bright. As one of the industry’s leading companies in both South Africa and around the world, KAEFER is perfectly positioned to grow even further and continue to bring efficiency to wherever people need it.
“We are not easily recognisable but we are there,” the company reminds. “You find us in factories, power stations and on drilling platforms. In tunnels and on piping. In ships, football stadiums and research facilities. In clinics, hotels and schools. We are everywhere. Maybe even where you are right now.”