Plumbing Africa April 2018 | Page 19

EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS 17 Stiebel Eltron lands in SA Stiebel Eltron hosted an event to launch the opening of the company’s southern African branch in Wendywood, Johannesburg. 1 By Dineo Phoshoko The company specialises in developing and manufacturing a variety of products, including heat pumps, thermal solar systems, water heaters, electrical space heaters, and hand dryers. To kick off the event, Stiebel Eltron Southern Africa managing director Sascha Altmann started proceedings by welcoming all the guests to the event. Some of the high-profile guests in attendance included Dr Ulrich Stiebel, one of the owners of Stiebel Eltron, Dr Martin Schaefer, German ambassador to South Africa, and the company’s group director for sales, marketing and finance, Dr Nicholas Matten. After welcoming everyone, Altmann called on Dr Schaefer to address the audience. During his speech, Schaefer mentioned that Stiebel Eltron had opened a branch in South Africa at an opportune time. “You have come to a country that is full of euphoria,” he said, referring to the current political climate of South Africa, saying that the country had been governed “way below its potential”. Dr Schaefer’s optimism was evident when he mentioned that since the election of Cyril Ramaphosa as president of South Africa and the ANC, the country and the world looked forward to positive winds of change. He concluded by congratulating Stiebel Eltron’s new South African venture and wished the company the best for the future. Next was Dr Stiebel, who started by expressing gratitude to Dereck and Brenda Mocké, who had been Stiebel Eltron’s partners in South Africa for over 36 years. “Thank you very much for the loyalty that you showed to our company for all these years.” Dr Stiebel also touched on the history of the company, saying that it was founded in 1924 by his father who was 30 years old at the time. “He invented the immersion heater for using electricity in households.” www.plumbingafrica.co.za 2 3 1. 2. 3. Dr Martin Schaefer addressing the audience. From left: Sascha Altmann, Dr Martin Schaefer, Dr Nicholas Matten, and Dr Ulrich Stiebel. Dr Ulrich Stiebel presenting Dereck and Brenda Mocké with their gift as a token of appreciation. Continued on page 18 >> April 2018 Volume 24 I Number 2