Gary Owen Simpson - Employment History (Detail)

AFRICAN GABIONS (PTY) LTD
(1988 – 1994)

National Sales & Marketing (Incl. imports and exports)

1988. Joined in the position of Technical Representative. My duties included the promotion of sales of the product into the Natal , Transkei and Swaziland Regions. The product was civil engineering by nature, being the Gabion and Reno mattress. The product was sold by adding value via consulting, using normal soil mechanics, for the design and construction of structures such as:

• Retaining Walls;
• Groynes;
• Weirs;
• Longitudinal River Structures;
• Biological Filters;
• Bank Stabilisation Structures;
• Dams, etc.

My job consisted of the above designs, sale of the product, site supervision, assembly and erection, office administration and the processing of orders.

The clients, and focus of “calling”, was directed towards Civil Engineering Contractors, Consultants, Municipal Authorities, Government Works Departments, Roads Authorities, Water Affairs, National Transport Commission, Farmers, and other.

In 1989 I was promoted to Regional Manager for the Cape Province and Transkei . Tasked with the opening of a new office in Cape Town . Duties included:

• The establishment of a new clientele to service and grow;
• Promotion of the product with Civil Engineering Consultants and Contractors, Municipal Authorities, etc;
• The complete running of the Cape Town office;
• Opening of a warehouse in Cape Town , stocking it according to market requirements, and controlling thereof via a third appointed party;
• Paying all accounts – office rent, telephone, secretarial services, etc. Controlling the cheque account.
• Liaising with transporters and shipping companies with regards to transportation, etc.
• Reporter directly to the Managing Director.

I grew the market to about one quarter of total turnover. I then employed an engineer to take over from me and I went back to Durban .

In 1990 I was promoted to National Sales and Technical Manager . My duties included:

• Budget: Responsible for the total company budget for the area of South Africa, African countries south of the equator, Israel and the Indian Ocean Islands;
• Sales: As well as the Sales portfolio, I held the Technical, Advertising and Marketing portfolios;
• Operations: Both branch offices ( Cape Town and Johannesburg ), reported to me;
• I.R.: “Hiring & Firing”. Worked with Industrial Consultants;
• Financial: Close liaison with financial departments, credit control, etc.
• Processes: Consulted with a software company to establish a “paperless” environment;
• Export: Controlled the export portfolio. I was responsible for everything pertinent to export including travelling, the establishing and servicing of export agents, sales, marketing, etc.
• Methods of Payment : I operated via telegraphic transfers, cash against documents, letters of credit and open account.
• Documents: I am familiar with commercial invoices, F178's, customs Bill of Entry (DA550), ocean Bills of Lading, Packing Lists, SGS Certificates, Marine Insurance, Form E's, CCA1, Form 18 ( Malawi ), Bill of entry (DA26 – transit in bond), etc.
• Factory Production : I looked after the company's directive to the factory given supply and demand.
• Advertising: Looked after the company's advertising requirements.
• Payments: Responsible for creditor payments – transport, advertising, software house, company purchases, etc.
• Shipping: Negotiated rates with the shipping lines.
• Transporters : Negotiated rates and maintained the relationship.
• Training and Technical Staff : Managerial decisions – it was my decision to close the Cape Town office for example.
• Lecturing: This was a large portion of my job. I travelled the world lecturing from 5 to 250 persons at a time in the technical aspects of the product. Besides the direct clients (see above), I called on Donor Bodies such as Government Works Authorities, EEC, FAO and United Nations, US Aid, World Bank, African Development Bank (ADB), Canada Aid, German Agro Action, Finnida, NGO's, etc.
• Travel: Extensive travel both local and cross-border. I love it!