Manufacturing Digital profiles Geecom, a leading manufacturer of electrical and mechanical elements for use in electrostatic precipitators and other air-quality control devices
Written by Ian Armitage & Produced by Isaac Frempong
Gauteng-based Geecom is a real South African success story. Indeed, the company, which was established in the mid-1980s, and whose main activities include the engineering, design, manufacture, supply, commissioning and maintenance of air-pollution control equipment, has certainly achieved some major milestones: the introduction of specialised control systems, the completion of the first honeycomb-type internals for wet electrostatic precipitators and a unique modular/mobile dry electrostatic precipitator, are just some of them.
“Geecom (Pty) Ltd was established in 1984 to address the need to provide reliable and effective maintenance services for control systems associated with electrostatic precipitators used in the air pollution control sector. Ultimately, the company developed into a fully fledged OEM. Today, it is entrenched as a single-source supplier offering research and development, engineering and design, manufacturing and supply, installation and commissioning, as well as after sales service, technical audits and training for air pollution control systems,” says founder and present CEO Gustl Mischkulnig.
Geecom’s two factories in Honeydew, close to Johannesburg, undertake extensive research and development, besides manufacturing electrical and mechanical elements for use in electrostatic precipitators and other air-quality control devices. “Our main activities include the engineering, design, manufacture, supply, installation, commissioning and maintenance of air-pollution control equipment,” adds Gustl, when talking about the Nosa four-star rated company. “Our vision/mission is to provide our customers with highly effective solutions for the prevention of air pollution in the form of products, systems and services based on our own know-how and experience, which, in turn, contribute considerably to the achievement of environmentally responsible industries,” he continues.
“What are the company’s key strengths? The strengths revolve around the fact that we are the only South African company in this particular field providing both electrical and mechanical services in-house. Furthermore, we offer highly innovative products comprising increased technical properties, as well as specialised technical solutions tailored specifically to the local market and relevant industrial applications.”
THE "R" WORD
Of course, no manufacturer has been safe from the recession and Geecom is no different. “The current economic situation has affected the development and/or start up of new projects mainly in the platinum and steel industries,” admits Gustl. “However, other smaller projects have been fast-tracked and these have contributed to a substantial amount of work being available in the interim.”
It seems too as if the industry is changing, particularly when it comes to environmental regulations. But Geecom is rising to the challenge. “We are seeing some changes in terms of the need to meet the new legislation related to environmental issues in South Africa,” says Gustl. “These changes also relate to better control by the authorities in ensuring compliance by dirty industries. As such, there are many prospects in this area which will have to materialise in the New Year.
“2008 was, financially, the best year Geecom has ever had, with the largest numbers of orders received,” adds Gustl. “Furthermore, in terms of business, 2009 has been characterised mainly by the implementation of orders received during 2008. However, this has allowed for consolidation of the available resources, as well as optimization of the in-house processes, which will generate additional benefits in the forthcoming year.”
He commented that Geecom has 65 full-time employees and employs additional site staff on fixed-term contracts during relevant construction periods. “People are our most important resource due to the specialised skills that are required to address all issues related to environmental and, specifically, air quality management,” Gustl says.
He explained that Geecom employs only the best in its field and its team of engineers and support personnel are all specialists in environmental control technologies, services and associated products.
DEDICATED MANAGEMENT
So, what does the future hold for Geecom? Well, in addressing solutions for air quality management, the company is presently “diversifying” in terms of the products and systems available for pollution control and, says Gustl, it intends to “become more involved in other areas relevant to control of greenhouse gases, such as SOx and NOx, as well as FGD (Flue gas desulphurization)”.
“The company’s key success is due to the dedication of the management and staff to provide, not only innovative as well as up-to-date technical and practical solutions, but also their particular attention to customers’ requirements within the shortest possible time,” Gustl says. “Furthermore, with more than 70 percent in-house manufacture, we are able to guarantee excellent delivery periods and have total control over quality issues.”
Geecom has just celebrated its 25th anniversary and is extremely proud of all it has achieved to date. Manufacturing Digital wishes it every success for the future.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
COMPANY NAME: Geecom
CEO: Gustl Mischkulnig
OPERATIONS: A single-source supplier of electrostatic precipitators
ESTABLISHED: 1984
EMPLOYEES: 65 full-time
www.geecom.co.za
View Digital Corporate Profile of GeecomJ in Manufacturing Digital January 2010