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Davis and Shirtliff are strengthening the business through carefully executed investment
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Waterboys
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Davis and shirtliff offer a comprehensive and competitive product range with regional availability and unrivalled technical and service support Writer Matt Bone Project Manager Donovan Smith
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or nearly 70 years, Davis and shirtliff have been distributing and installing pumps and other water related equipment throughout the East African region. Based in nairobi, the Group has nearly 500 staff and offers a wide range of quality products in five separate but interlinked segments: Water pumps, swimming pool equipment, water treatment, solar equipment and power products. Alec Davis, CEO of Davis and shirtliff, claims that the company is the region’s dominant player and that it has been so for a number of years. There is a very wide selection of products within the various product segments and
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We stand out as a company in two key areas: Product availability and product support”
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Control Panel Assembly Area
Largest Dayliff Reverse Omosis Plants
the company is proud of its record of product innovation: “We stand out as a company in two key areas: Product availability and product support: We have 38 branches spread throughout seven countries in the region from which customers can easily access any of the range of products we have available. it is this widespread availability that really sets us apart from our competitors,” says Davis.
Investing in Infrastructure An important aspect of Davis and shirtliff’s success is its continuous investment in facilities and infrastructure. Already this year five new branches have been opened and more are planned. it is not
With the occupation of the new warehouse we can now expand our stock and logistical capabilities”
Children Enjoying Water from a Davis & Shirtliff Pump
just the branch network that has been expanded; a new logistical and stock warehouse has been bought to support the regional growth. “With the occupation of the new warehouse we can now expand our stock and logistical capabilities. By being able to hold more stock, we can improve service to our customers. We are always looking for ways to strengthen the business through carefully executed investment,” explains Davis. The company has also invested in its own fleet of trucks for regional deliveries, which has greatly improved service as intra-country logistic infrastructure is expensive and unreliable.
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OPTI-SOLAR CEO Alec Davis
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PTi-sOLAr is renowned for solar off-grid and hybrid systems. We manufacture inVErTErs, CHArGE COnTrOLLErs, and sOLAr-PAnELs for different applications such as backing up power at offices, schools, clinics, ATM, telecom and solar street lights. Opti has been in Power backup business since 1991 with manufacturing of Uninterruptible Power Supplies and Automatic Voltage Regulators [upto 5MW] under brand of OPTi-uPs originated in usA. We launched Opti products in Africa over a decade ago, now we have 25 active partners within African continent. A major milestone for Opti was to enter distribution partnership with Davis & shirtliff Africa in 2009. Their long term vision, professional team and well developed infrastructure made it possible for opti-solar products available at 50 locations in five countries across East Africa. We are witnessing tremendous growth year on year.
Partnering to Progress Davis is keen to press the importance of having strong relationships with partners, some of whom have been working with Davis and shirtliff for over 50 years: “When you have a partnership, the first thing you make sure is that both parties always understand one-another and that transparency is maintained at all times. We have been fortunate to have partnered with excellent companies over the years, notably Grundfos and Pedrollo, both of whom are global pump manufacturers and more recently Lorenz; a world leader in solar pumping and Opti; a Taiwanese electronics manufacturer of inverters as well as Champion; a battery manufacturer. Together these products have contributed to Davis & shirtliff being a leader in power backup systems,” says Davis. A key Davis and shirtliff strategy has been to establish its own brand
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When you have a partnership, the first thing you make sure is that both parties always understand one-another and that transparency is maintained at all times”
Each year engineers from Africa travel to Opti head-quarter for hands-on training. We take pride in developing local technical skills to design and deliver most efficient opti solar systems. Opti r&D constantly improves on product and been able to customize fit for African terrain. Opti superior quality, good technical support and lower cost make opti preferred choice for clients. Tel +886-2-2246-7272 / +886-914010066 Email rehan@opti-solar.com / sales1@opti-ups.com.tw www.opti-solar.com www.opti-ups.com
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LORENTZ
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OrEnTZ is the global market leader in solar powered water pumping solutions.
Founded in Germany during 1993 LOrEnTZ has pioneered, innovated and excelled in the engineering and manufacturing of solar powered water pumping. Today LOrEnTZ is active in over 120 countries through a dedicated network of professional partners. LOrEnTZ technology uses the power of the sun to pump water, sustaining and enhancing the life of millions of people, their livestock and crops. Simply - Sun. Water. Life. LOrEnTZ has been providing solar water pumping systems to Africa for 15 years.
D&S Livery Fleet
Dayliff plants are carefully engineered to provide reliability with the highest treated water quality”
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– Dayliff. Products are sourced from quality Far Eastern manufacturers and they are now a growing force in the region. The main product area is a wide pump range, though the company also assembles many products in Kenya including a range of reverse Osmosis and ultra Filtration plants. “These use proven technology to purify water. At the heart of both systems is the membrane sourced from international supplier Dow, though the effectiveness of treatment relies on the correct matching of all components to provide an efficient treatment process. Dayliff plants are carefully engineered to provide reliability with the highest treated water quality,” explains Davis.
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Pumping water using solar power is a logical choice for Africa as it provides a reliable, cost effective and sustainable solution. Water can be pumped without grid connection or where a power supply is not reliable. Where solar replaces diesel, the return on investment is typically less than 18 months. Water is stored in elevated tanks to ensure that the requirements are met 24 hours per day without the need for expensive batteries. The LOrEnTZ systems are designed, manufactured, tested and proven to work in the most hostile conditions with no servicing and a very long life. LOrEnTZ solar water pumping systems are used for applications from the smallest single family requirement to large scale irrigation and industrial applications. “in 2012 LOrEnTZ was very pleased to add Davis and shirtliff to our African partner network. Davis and shirtliff are clear market leaders in East Africa, a respected household name and have a professional approach to business; we see our partnership as a perfect fit” – stephan Grinzinger – Global Head of sales. Kroegerskoppel 7 2458 Henstedt-Ulzburg Germany
www.lorentz.de
Meet all your water pumping needs
with solar power!
Irrigation Solutions
Drinking Water
Using our solar powered pumps for irrigation:
LORENTZ pumps serve people and livestock:
Saves you money – fast ROI Provides energy security Is clean and safe
Water in any location Proven long life No running costs
SURPRISING
EFFICIENT
WIDE RANGE
Up to 500 m3 per hour and 450 m lift
The most efficient pumps available
Over 150 models to meet every need
Proud to have been working with our partners in Africa for 15 years.
www.lorentz.de/africa
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SAWO INC
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AWO inc, a Finnish sauna company, established in 1994, is one of the biggest sauna room and sauna heater manufacturers in the world. isO-certiďŹ ed in quality and environmental management, sAWO is a responsible employer and community member. Committed to genuine and original sauna design and environmentally friendly operations, sAWO aims to have ethically correct products to offer the consumer. With an innovative and adaptive business concept, sAWO opened it’s headquarter in the Philippines with 300 employees together with a Finnish management team and sauna experts. in keeping with international corporate culture and ethical work environment, sAWO conducts regular management audits. The successes of sAWO lead to the expanding of their operations in Finland and further in the Philippines. Equality within human resources is the core value of sAWO therefore the best is offered to all employees. Employees get free dining, continuous presence of company nurses and having a doctor reception weekly at sAWO premises. Everybody is treated with respect and equality. sAWO offers high quality saunas, sauna heaters, sauna accessories and steam controls, specialized in steam generators and modular steam rooms. sauna room wood materials are imported from Europe and Canada, assuring the high quality and genuine sauna experience.
Tel +63-(0)32-341 2233 Email info@sawo.com
www.sawo.com
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Growth Based Challenges
With a rapidly developing and emerging middle class, solar power and water equipment have become strong growth areas for the company”
With the East African region widely considered to be the hot economic growth area right now, Davis has seen a significant rise in the number of competitors and companies looking to participate in the growing local economies. With a rapidly developing and emerging middle class, solar power and water equipment have become strong growth areas for the company, although Davis is quick to point out that the growth is not just linked to the demographic change. “The emerging middle class has certainly had an impact on our business. However, there is also considerable infrastructure investment as well as growth of the traditional economic sectors and as the established market leader with a strong brand we are well placed to benefit from these developments,” Davis adds. To capitalise on this growth an important recent development has
United Nations (UN) Water Treatment Truck
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MIDAS MiDAs distinguishes itself through resource-saving and cost-optimizing products for individual customer requirements. The continuous improvement and extension of the already existing product range, as well as the creation and production of innovations, serve to simplify and facilitate every process in the swimming pool area. in addition, MiDAs invests in the development of complete and application-oriented solutions. The key to success lies in MiDAs’ abundance of experience, absolute reliability and especially in its adaptable creativity and the ability to constantly develop new and revolutionary products. Tel +49 6659-91 54 70 Email info@midas-gmbh.de
www.midas-gmbh.de
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When ideas create the comfortable solutions. The new fully automatic valve MIDA.mat.
Backwash: controlled by time and pressure
Filter control up to 2 times a day
Digital display Circulation: Countdown up to 3 days
Pressure control via sensor (precision 0,1 bar)
Battery operation in case of power cut Memory card of errors
MIDAS Pool & Fountain Products GmbH | Am Queracker 4a | D-36124 Eichenzell | Phone: +49 6659-91 54 70 | E-Mail: info@midas-gmbh.de | www.midas-gmbh.de
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Staff Attending a Team Building Session
been an upgrade of the company’s nairobi manufacturing facilities. As well as water treatment plants it also manufactures pressure sets, solar water heaters, pool and water treatment filters and, a recent initiative, electrical control panels for pumps and the other equipment it supplies. This expansion and upgrading of the manufacturing and assembly facilities provides a timely boost to the company’s capacity and will shorten lead times whilst increasing capacity and improving quality. The specialised facility is unique in the region and will considerably boost the company’s technical capacity.
A Successful Future Davis and shirtliff is constantly looking at new and innovative ways to secure its future and Davis is confident that its new product innovations will enable the company to continue growing. success is not just down to products, though, but
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We pride ourselves on supporting people and businesses who have bought our products in any way we can”
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We will always endeavour to help our clients get the best from our products”
A Dayliff Reverse Osmosis Plant being assembled
also for Davis it is about combining those products with support that is second to none: “We pride ourselves on supporting people and businesses who have bought our products in any way we can. Whether it is through specialised product information, selection advice, installation or after sales service. We will always endeavour to help our clients get the best from our products,” reasons Davis. Davis feels that there are many reasons why the company has been successful over such a long period, though the quality and dedication of its staff is the main factor. There is a careful recruitment process to ensure the highest calibre candidates who are then extensively trained and they quickly absorb the culture of quality and standards. it is this integrity in both product quality and staff knowledge that has enabled Davis and shirtliff to become the market leaders and dominant player in the water and solar sectors in Kenya.
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Enquiries Tel (UK): +44 (0) 1603 559 151
DAVIS & SHIRTLIFF
Tel (SA): +27 (0) 21 527 0053
Industrial Area, Dundori Road
ben.weaver@outlookpublishing.com
P.O. Box: 41762-00100,
SU B S C RI P T I O NS Tel (UK): +44 (0) 1603 559 152
Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 020 6968 000 / 020-558335 Fax: +254-020- 557 61
matthew.bone@outlookpublishing.com
Email: headoffice@dayliff.com
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www.dayliff.com