Cold Link Africa March / April 2020 | Page 4

NEWS INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN In Memory of Willem Johannes (Willie) du Toit By John Ackermann Transport. The group also ventured into passenger transport with double decker luxury couches between Windhoek and Cape Town, as well as from the Windhoek Airport to the City. The fleet expanded to include refrigerated long- distance trailers, passenger buses, luxury coaches, parcel vans and flat deck goods vehicles. As early as 1978, the many divisions were brought under the umbrella of the Intracom Group. Willie was bold in his decisions and was driven by a passion for setting future market demands. He attributed the growth of the Intracom Group to three basic principles; people, partnerships and service levels. He never hesitated to pay tribute to the achievements of others and in particular his loyal staff and piers. Here I quote from an interview with him: “We have built long relationships with remarkable suppliers, customers and our staff. Many of our expansion initiatives, when taken at the time, were very bold and daring, but with the strong support of our loyal clients such as Swavleis, Namibian Breweries, Pep Stores, Meatco, Pupkewitz Megabuild and our major suppliers such as Mercedes Benz, Henred Fruehauf, we were confident about the future. Our continued drive towards excellence in service, has forged lasting partnerships with all our clients and with each new facility we aim to improve our service levels further.” The footprints, and there are many, left by Willie du Toit, will long be visible along many footpaths. He touched ADVERTISING SALES External sales: Dale Macnamara [email protected] Zeldalee du Toit [email protected] SUBSCRIPTIONS: Maxlee Marange | [email protected] Ralph Shongwe | [email protected] SUB-EDITOR: Tarren Bolton [email protected] DESIGN AND LAYOUT: Glyniss Bone [email protected] PROCESS CO-ORDINATOR: Matthew van Wyk [email protected] MANAGEMENT Finance/operations: Sean Macnamara [email protected] Finance: Laetitia Arnott [email protected] Willie du Toit. the hearts of many during his journey of life and will long be remembered as a business icon, leader and true gentleman. No matter how busy, his family always remained a priority. Our deepest sympathy to his wife, Sandra, his daughters, Christelle and Marie, and his grandson Willie and their families. With great pride and honour we salute Willie du Toit for his achievements and many happy memories left in the hearts of others. CLA ATI launches refrigeration course By Ntsako Khosa 4 www.coldlinkafrica.co.za fitting, fitting and turning, millwright, will equip them for practical aspects on boiler making, sheet metal, welding, the job site,” he says. petrol and diesel mechanics, and auto Running for close to four decades, electrical. CLA the Institute trains apprentices in the engineering trades from three campuses in South Africa, Roodepoort, Kimberley and Port Shepstone. “ATI also provides consulting related to engineering training, and flexible capacity building solutions within South Africa and abroad. We train approximately 2 400 learners per annum,” says CEO Sean Jones. The Institute provides training in electrical including medium Running for close to four decades, the Institute trains voltage, instrumentation, apprentices in the engineering trades. 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OFFICIAL PUBLICATION T he Artisan Training Institute (ATI) has launched a refrigeration course at its Kimberley branch. The move from the technical skills training provider comes as the industry has seen significant growth. Danie Wentzel, head of the Kimberley satellite training centre, says “because of this growth, there is room to develop as a technician and a businessperson”. Registered with the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA), the course will run over a year with a focus to take it to a more advanced level – Wentzel shares. “Additionally, the course represents the fundamental aspects of the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for individuals who want to work in the refrigeration fields. Students will be able to perform basic refrigeration skills that PUBLISHING UNIT LEAD: Dale Macnamara [email protected] STAFF WRITER: Ntsako Khosa [email protected] W illie du Toit passed away peacefully at the age of 68 years on 2 December 2019. His sudden and unexpected death came as a shock to all as he was still in the prime of his family and business life. After first meeting Willie du Toit in the late 1970s, when he became involved with the family business, FP du Toit Transport (Pty) Ltd, there was plenty of opportunities to become familiar with his leadership skills, his outstanding business acumen, his business innovation, his visions into the future, his humour and respect for all whom he dealt with. Even in the height of annoyance, Willie remained a gentleman. FP du Toit Transport was started by his father as a cartage contractor of earth moving equipment and sand and stone for building of roads in Namibia. Willie’s elder brother, Frans joined the family business and in 1976 branched into refrigerated transport when he purchased second-hand refrigerated semi-trailers to transport meat from Swavleis to Germiston. Later when their father died, Willie, who had studied economics at Stellenbosch University, joined the business. Frans was at the helm of the business, but later became ill and passed away at the age of 73 years on 23 November 2013. Under Willie’s leadership, FP du Toit Transport grew into a transport conglomerate and a diversified group. Willie spearheaded the acquisition of Mainline Carriers, Polar Transport, Bennel Carriers and later Wesbank COLD LINK AFRICA PUBLISHED BY Interact Media Defined (Pty) Ltd 13A Riley Rd, Bedfordview 2009, South Africa PO Box 695, Edenvale, 1610 Tel: [phone] | Fax: [phone] Web: www.interactmedia.co.za COLD LINK AFRICA • March/April 2020