Executive
Jaco van der Westhuizen: Managing Director
Jaco started his career in 1993 as an Engineering Assistant : Boiler Pressure Parts at Eskom and soon moved up to Assistant Engineer : Boiler Pressure Parts at Majuba Power Station . In 1994, he became Project Engineer, where he was responsible for the integration and management of the Tippler Terrace Project and various other conveying systems. In 1997 he became Boiler Contracts Manager, responsible for the design, construction and commissioning of six coal fired boilers. In the same year, he moved into the position of Senior Engineer, specialising in the field of bulk materials handling at Eskom HO. In January 2000, Jaco was promoted to the position of Project Manager (Africa), where he was responsible for the development and management of multi-disciplinary projects in the power generation industry.
He joined Clyde Bergemann Africa as General Manager in December 2001 and was appointed Managing Director of Clyde Bergemann Africa in April 2003.
During his career, Jaco gained extensive experience in the construction and commissioning of various power generating and associated plants. He has participated in and managed various large-scale industrial projects both as project engineer and as project manager.
Jaco is proficient in design and consulting in the field of Bulk Solids Handling, and had the opportunity to study under Prof Roberts of TUNRA at the University of Newcastle in Australia, where he gained invaluable experience.
His hobbies include cycling, golf and hunting. He is married with two children.
Education:
- Bachelor of Engineering Mechanical, University of Pretoria 1993
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours): Mechanical, University of Pretoria 1996
- Masters Degree of Engineering (Bulk Solids Handling), with High Distinction, a joint degree by the University of Newcastle and the University of Wollongong, Australia 1998
- Masters Degree of Engineering Management, University of Pretoria, Department of Engineering and Technology Management, 2003
Professional Affiliation:
- Engineering Council of South Africa, (ECSA): Professional Engineer (1998)
- South African Institute of Mechanical Engineers, (SAI Mech. E): Associate Member (1996)
- Project Management Institute of South Africa, (PMISA): Member (1996)
- South African Institute of Materials Handling, (SAIMH): Professional Member (1997)
Jeremy Kirsch : Executive Director, Business Development
Jeremy started his career as Sales Manager for Materials Testing in 1986 at H Rohloff (Pty) Ltd, where he marketed and sold sophisticated material testing systems to the steel, military and automotive industries.
In 1989 Jeremy became the owner/manager of Scientific Design Plant & Process (Pty) Ltd where he ran turnkey projects for numerous systems in the field of thermal processing. In 1996 he took the position of Industrial Process Manager at L&C Steinmüller Africa (Pty) Ltd where he designed and commissioned various fluidized bed systems for Sappi and others. In November 1997, Jeremy became General Manager of Sales where he took the R300m acid plant project for LGP from developing through to successful order placement. During 1999, he set up Clyde Bergemann Africa and Clyde Africa from the Clyde Blowers (SA) (Pty) Ltd, which was part of Steinmüller’s portfolio. Jeremy was involved in various boiler- and boiler cleaning projects at this time.
He teamed up with Jaco van der Westhuizen at Clyde Bergemann Africa as non-Executive Director in November 2001 when they started developing a vision and long-term strategy for the company. He held the position of Interim Managing Director between October 2002 and March 2003 when he handed the reigns over to Jaco. His role as Executive Director, Business Development utilises Jeremy’s vast expertise in new technology and business development.
Jeremy is an acclaimed dense-phase pneumatic conveying expert and regularly delivers papers on the subject. He also holds several patents in the minerals and metals industry.
His hobbies include solving technical mysteries and work. He is married with three daughters.
Education:
- BSc Mechanical Engineering, Wits University, 1982
- MSc Mechanical Engineering, Wits University, 1986
Badrish Nathoo : Executive Director, Business Development for Boiler Cleaning Technology
Badrish started his long career with Clyde Bergemann Africa as Apprentice Boilermaker for Steinmüller Africa (Pty) Ltd (formerly Babcock Borsig Power) in 1981. He steadily moved through the ranks into the position of Senior Site Contracts Engineer at the Majuba site in 1991. He held this position until August 1997 when he became Senior Contracts Engineer for Steinmüller’s Majuba Power Station contract with Eskom, reporting directly to the company’s Board of Directors.
Between July 2001 and September 2002, Badrish was employed as Steinmüller’s Project Manager – Maintenance at Kriel and Matla Power Stations. He was responsible for all Steinmüller’s activities on these two sites, including planning, organising and controlling all contractual, commercial, financial and technical activities, as well as negotiations with the Client and Subcontractors.
In October 2002, Badrish joined Jaco and Jeremy at Clyde Bergemann Africa as Senior Engineer, Boiler Cleaning Technology. He became a shareholder and member of the Board in 2007. He is currently responsible for the development of Boiler Cleaning Technology, Firing Solutions and Energy Recovery within Clyde Bergemann Africa's territory of sub-Saharan Africa.
Badrish is a devoted family man and loves camping. He is married with 3 children.
Education:
- National Diploma, Mechanical Engineering : M L Sultan Technikon, Durban, 1988
- National Higher Diploma, Mechanical Engineering : Wits Technicon, Johannesburg, 1990
- Middle Management Development Programme, Morgan University Alliance, 2002