EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Johnson Controls innovation team.
terms of maintaining infrastructure
and systems,” Makatini points out.
Johnson Controls, known
traditionally as an HVAC company,
has subsequently moved away from
its exclusive focus on chillers and
air-con equipment to completely
integrated smart building solutions.
“In addition to our technology and
long-term R&D commitment, we
are also an Original Equipment
Manufacturer (OEM). This means
we can offer a turnkey design-
and-manufacture capability,
guaranteeing both performance
and quality.”
RESPONDING TO 4IR
FORMING PARTNERSHIPS
Makatini plans to bring this thinking
to Africa by focusing on Public
Private Partnerships (PPPs) as the
best vehicle to leverage technology
in infrastructure delivery. “What I
am pushing for here in South Africa
is to move away from tenders. As a
solutions-driven company, we can
generate our own opportunities by
listening to, and understanding, our
customers’ requirements. Our team
here is committed to delivering on
that promise. We are also a strongly
ethical company, and always strive
to conduct our business in the best
manner possible.”
While Makatini acknowledges
the many challenges facing local
municipalities in particular, he is
confident that the PPP approach
is ideal in unlocking value. “The
problem with delivery vehicles
such as the tender process is that it
does not allow companies to take
the initiative. We need a path of
least resistance to get our solutions
out there, and to be able to
collaborate with government at all
levels,” he stresses.
With its strong focus on design
and manufacture, Makatini
reveals that local manufacture
is on the cards. “We ensure that
the best technology solutions are
affordable in Africa. We realise that
governments are struggling right
now, and that funding is a major
issue. Therefore, instead of waiting
for tenders to be issued, we can
bring in external investors so that
some of these critical projects can
reach fruition.” CLA
This places Johnson Controls in
a unique position to respond to
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for
smart cities in his State of the Nation
Address on 20 June. The President
referred to his “dream of a South
Africa where the first entirely new
city built in the democratic era rises,
with skyscrapers, schools, universities,
hospitals and factories. The city we
build must demonstrate democratic
spatial planning; it must also be a
smart city and illustrate that we are
in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
Makatini comments that the
President’s comments are
an acknowledgement of the
enabling role that technology can
play. “Technology is here to stay,
and nothing can stop its progress.
What is key is having the vision as
to how it can enhance the lives of
ordinary citizens.”
Amongst others he also highlights
Johnson Controls’ work in Hawaii,
where it has guaranteed a 25% to
30% saving in utility costs over the
next 25 years. “Our assessment
included airports, highways, and
harbours, and we are committed
to delivering results. What is
important here is that we now have
a customer for life, as this is such a
long-term project.”
Innovation Day showcase area.
COLD LINK AFRICA •
March/April 2020
www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
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