ELGIN BROWN AND HAMER

COMPANY PROFILE

2013

Helping to keep the maritime industry

afloat

EBH is the country’s oldest ship repair business. After being acquired recently, by DCD, the company is now part of the country’s largest marine repair organisation. We talk to EBH to find out about what the future holds for the industry and the company itself.

Helping to keep the maritime industry afloatEditorial – Roland DouglasProduction – Tonnie Geddes

This country is surrounded by water. The coastline stretches nearly 3000km and the south, west and east edges of the nation meet the vast, powerful waters of the Atlantic and Indian oceans. For years, South Africa has taken advantage of its location by using the oceans for import and export and today the marine and aquaculture industries are thriving.

To be able to take advantage of the seas effectively, the single most valuable asset for any country or business is boats. Today, we have some of the most advanced seafaring vessels in history and they play a major part in business, whether it is fishing, distribution, import, tourism, science or travel.

A boat is not a cheap investment for any company and to operate and maintain a ship of size is a task that presents logistical and financial issues to even the most experienced sailors.

There is however, one company in South Africa that is making ship repair an altogether easier process. That company is Elgin Brown and Hammer (EBH), established in 1878, it is the country’s oldest ship repair company. With busy ports and shipping lanes covering South African waters, EBH has strategically positioned itself in marine industry hubs around the coast. The company now has branches in Durban, East London, Cape Town and Walvis Bay.

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EBH General Manager, Rob Deane, took the time to tell Industry SA a little about the history of the company and future opportunities in South Africa.

“We started out as James Brown Ship Repair in 1878. Then James Brown and Hamer Ship Repair and Elgin Engineering were purchased by Murray and Roberts (Pty) Ltd; more recently Elgin Brown and Hamer (Pty) Ltd when Elgin Engineering was merged with James Brown and Hamer.

“Some years later, Elgin Brown and Hamer (Pty)

Ltd and Elgin Engineering were purchased as separate private entities from Murray and Roberts (Pty) Ltd. and now operate independently from each other. Recently EBH was acquired by DCD.”

In the last 12 months, the company has seen many changes, some for the better and some that have created challenges.

“One of the main achievements in the last year has been the acquisition of EBH by DCD. This has given us greater access to markets and finance,” says Mr Deane.

“Walvis Bay is a major investment for us. The Panamax Floating Dock, of which we are awaiting delivery of what will be the third EBH Namibia floating dock available in the Port of Walvis Bay”

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INNOVATIONMr Deane says: “We are the only ship repair company

in the region that owns and operates its own floating docks (a first in Southern Africa). Apart from the floating dock, we have established fully fledged ship repair centres around the regions, introduced a floating crane in the Port of Durban and expanded into West Africa by establishing a major ship repair facility in Namibia.”

According to Mr Deane, EBH has recognised the growth potential in developing markets, specifically in West Africa, and in partnership with the Namibian Ports Authorities established EBH Namibia in 2006. Today EBH Namibia are operating two floating docks and servicing more than 74 vessels per year. Potential growth has been recognised and a third floating dock has been purchased to be commissioned in Sept 2013.

The growth of EBH Namibia has also led to the establishment of Roll Royce Namibia. EBH has recognised need for servicing high tech propulsion equipment closer its facilities and to date a fully functional Rolls Royce Service Centre is in operation within the premises of EBH Namibia. This arrangement is regarded as a world first.

“Walvis Bay is a key port for merchant shipping and vessels supporting the offshore industry,” says Martin Hall, Rolls-Royce Senior Vice President of Services for Europe and Africa. “It is also firmly established as a regional hub for ship repair, which makes it an ideal location to provide mission critical support, which will be available to our customers around the clock. I would like to thank EBH Namibia and the Port Authority – Namport, for their support in establishing this facility.”

It is reported that the establishment of the centre will create 14 permanent jobs with skills available to repair

and overhaul the full range of Rolls-Royce thrusters and propellers, diesel and gas engines, and steering gear. Skilled engineers from Walvis Bay will also carry out servicing and repairs on board vessels throughout Western Africa

“In Sept EBH Namibia will be adding a third floating dock to its portfolio, increasing our capacity to dock vessels in Walvis Bay by approximately 60%,” says Hannes Uys, CEO EBH Namibia.

“Rolls Royce Namibia is now an established company in the region, with a fully functional workshop and operating from EBH premises. ABB Turbochargers has followed and ABB Namibia is now servicing turbochargers also within our premises.”

Since 2006, EBH Namibia has established strong relationships with various multinational organisations including Bourbon Offshore, Maersk Supply, Tide Water, Seacor, Subsea 7 and Royal Boskalis.

EBH Namibia therefore believes that with the growing demand for offshore supply and support vessels in the West Coast of Africa, it can build on its successes of the past and with the additional floating dock, can facilitate much needed employment and skills development opportunities within the ship repair industry in Namibia.

These initiatives and investments are not the last for EBH; more innovative projects are in the pipeline for the future as Mr Deane explains.

“We are looking at investing in integrated propulsion systems, new pod thruster propulsion units for offshore vessels, cargo vessels and cruise vessels and duplex steel LPG carriers and chemical carriers.

“We are also looking at new vessel management systems and integrated bridge management systems

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THE FUTURE EBH currently holds a four star NOSA rated and

ISO 9001:2000 accredited, highlighting the quality of the work that is undertaken. The company works closely with the National Ports Authority to enhance the industry and its standing with the local authority. This will become easier as EBH look to open up new markets.

“Traditional markets are declining whilst newer markets, mainly oil and gas related markets, are expanding,” says Mr Deane. “We will look to provide facilities as new markets emerge.”

“Markets such as West coast oil and gas exploration and drilling and production, and East coast oil and gas exploration and drilling all have vessels which require ship repair services.”

The company will also look internally for expansion, investing in infrastructure in the Durban region.

“We are looking at new port developments south of Durban, our own infrastructure expansion at the port of Durban and also product diversification,” says Mr Deane.

While EBH is South Africa’s oldest ship repair company, it is not old fashioned in any way. The innovative capital investments have positioned the company perfectly to service the marine industry. The acquisition by DCD has made EBH part of the country’s largest marine repair organisation and the deal looks set to boost the business of both businesses and the economy and industry as a whole. .

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