Shaping Cities and Communities for Three Decades

When it comes to updating, changing, or caring for property in Mauritius, Masner Saxon is the leading contracting group, with divisions capable of handling any project. From interiors to air conditioning and fire security, the company can do it all. This year, the company celebrates its 30th anniversary, looking back on a strong history of delivery of quality.

Mauritius is perhaps one of the most exciting opportunities in Africa right now. Economic development, societal advancement, long-term thinking, and an attractive and stable environment make for a fantastic business landscape to match the paradise that is the island’s natural beauty.

Where the Indian Ocean laps the white sandy beaches of Mauritius’ long coastline, the land – crafted by volcanoes – is characterised by Filao trees, beautiful and fast growing and long lasting, known for being resilient and strong.

Here, on the pearl of the Indian Ocean – independent for 55 years – a collection of tough and robust businesses is building deep expertise across various industries, servicing the growing Mauritius economy and helping in the drive for diversification. This group, the IBL Group, is creating a varied portfolio, listed on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius, that holds the vision of ‘creating a brighter future for all.

With more than 300 companies in the group, there isn’t much you could want that IBL couldn’t provide. In the past, Enterprise Africa has heard from Eagle Insurance and IBL Shipping about building capacity and quality on the island. Now, we learn more about the group’s contracting offering. Manser Saxon was acquired by the IBL Group to bring a unique but widespread skillset to the group, complementing existing operations in the sector.

Manser Saxon is a multi-discipline contracting business specialising in mechanical, electrical and plumbing as well as fit out interiors and facilities management. Headquartered just north of Port Louis, the company is celebrating 30 years of successful business and continues to grow in the year of its pearl anniversary.

TAILOR-MADE

“We deliver tailor-made solutions to the construction and allied industries and serve a wide range of clients locally as well as in the Indian Ocean region,” the company states.

“Manser Saxon employs about 1600 people, deployed across ten divisions and associated companies, based locally and abroad, each offering different services. Innovation being at the heart of our values, we always strive to bring new products and services that will best suit the needs of our clients.”

Increased demand for housing and an enhancement in government infrastructure spending has helped the construction industry to boom. Private investment has also been encouraged and many new businesses across retail and tourism have opened doors, looking to rebound from the Covid-19 slowdown.  

For Manser Saxon, the opportunities are vast. The company boasts divisions across interiors, electrical, fire prevention, plumbing, elevators, air conditioning, and a facilities team. While many claim to have a full suite of products to cover an entire building footprint, the usual way to achieve this is through outsourcing and losing ultimate control over quality and delivery. For Manser Saxon this is not an option and the details put in place by clients are meticulously followed by inhouse teams to ensure the best outcomes.

“MS Interiors is a one-stop-shop solutions provider, offering technical facilities for the design, manufacture and installation of shop fittings, case goods, ceilings, and partitioning systems amongst others,” the company says.

“MS Electrical is specialised in the design, building and installation of both medium voltage and low voltage electrical systems. MS Fire Prevention and Network specialises in the design, building and installation of fire detection and fire suppression systems.”

MS Plumbing is concerned with small, medium, and large developments, designing, installing and commissioning public health installations, swimming pool installations, firefighting and fire extinguishing systems.

The facilities management division of the business is run in JV with ENGIE, a leading European energy business, and has a team of more than 150 technicians capable of handling many applications. This division has been active in Mauritius for more than 16 years and is well-known for getting the best from a building.

“MS Elevators is the exclusive supplier of the brand Otis, as well as the first company to have offered environment-friendly technologies such as Regendrive and belt technology as a substitute to wire ropes in Mauritius,” the company says of this specialist division.  

“We are the leading supplier of lifts, escalators, and travellators in Mauritius. With more than 600 lifts and escalators in operation, MS Elevators comprises of a team of dedicated engineers and technicians who ensure efficient installation and maintenance of all products.”

Tornado Ltd is the final specialist division of Manser Saxon and is involved in the design, supply and installation of air conditioning systems for light commercial and industrial projects as well as individual clients. Representing a number of high-profile international brands, the company installs best-in-class technology from Samsung, Daikin, Fujitsu, TCL, Montair and more.  

OPPORTUNITIES EVERYWHERE

According to Ernst and Young, the budget set out by the government in Mauritius is both ambitious and achievable, searching for 8% economic growth, and rests on two key sectors – tourism and construction and infrastructure. Here, Manser Saxon is the key player. Imagine construction of a new skyrise hotel on the beach in Grand Baie. With the country expecting 1.4 million tourists to arrive by July 2024, there is a need for modern, international standard accommodation. Manser Saxon can complete an interior fit out across a brand new hotel, install and test elevators, install and commission air conditioning systems, create security plans with extensive technology, put in place fire and security systems that guarantee success, and ensure all plumbing and maintenance is of first class standard. Manser Saxon can then provide and ongoing service well into the building’s life, ensuring efficiency. Not only can the company do all this with quality ensured, it can boast three decades of experience and a portfolio of completed projects that demonstrate excellence. Few others, across all industries, can offer these assurances in Mauritius, and the IBL Group remains confident in its expert subsidiary.

“A significant turnaround was achieved by Manser Saxon, which registered improved performance across all segments. Better operational efficiency and new contracts contributed to this positive momentum,” the group said in its annual report.

Developed and created in Mauritius, the company has local manufacturing sites and factories that create interior materials. The 1600-strong team is based locally, and the ownership through IBL Group is Mauritian. Because of this connection to the region, financial success feels all the more important, and this is why there will be no slowing down, even after 30 years of growth.

“Manser Saxon’s dynamic interconnected specialist teams are focused on quality, workmanship, and meeting deadlines,” the company concludes.