ASSOCIATIONS 13
New Technical Manager for IOPSA Western Cape
By
Rory Macnamara
IOPSA Western Cape has appointed Kurt Vermaak as Technical Manager .
Plumbing Africa chatted with Kurt about himself and his plumbing experience .
Kurt qualified as a plumber in 1986 after being schooled at Settlers Agri High School in Pretoria . At an early stage of his plumbing career , he learnt some hard life lessons about business , which all aspiring business owners should pay attention to . After qualifying , Kurt started his own plumbing company in partnership with a builder . After six months he discovered that the builder was in financial trouble and was using the plumbing account to purchase building supplies . To use his own words , “ This was my first school fees .”
Kurt Vermaak , IOPSA Western Cape Technical Manager .
Now with a substantial debt as he had signed as surety , he needed money and joined Panasonic as Technics HiFi specialist where he won many awards and paid back the debt . He spent time in Japan at the Panasonic factories and won several incentives trips for himself and his wife over a period in nine years , eventually ending as Sale Manager for KwaZulu-Natal . After Panasonic he joined Vodacom as Dealer Sales manager in Cape Town to roll out the dealer networks for cellular . After another nine years the lure of plumbing drew Kurt back – a much wiser man having learnt about business , the corporate world and acquired invaluable lessons about customers , business acumen where he realised was his weakness right in the beginning .
Now the owner of a plumbing supply store together with his practical plumbing experience and blessed with a wonderful wife Kurt is ready to face this new opportunity that life and plumbing presents for him .
Going back to the plumber time we asked him what the most rewarding part of being a plumber is ? “ Someone thanking you for a job well done ,” replies Kurt . And what is the worst part ? “ As an apprentice , climbing into deep manholes and unblocking drains !” he says .
What message does Kurt have for aspiring plumbers and those thinking of becoming plumbers ? “ Acquire business acumen , know what it costs you to run your business , produce neat tidy work , be reliable , know your SANS regulations , always work hard , strive to be better than the next plumber , never give up , never cut corners and make sure you are up-to-date with your admin .”
Kurt is an avid cyclist and passionate about motor racing . He follows English and German football league . He lives and eats healthy and enjoys cooking . He researches plumbing and keeps up-to-date . Young plumbers have benefitted from his tutoring and rather than see them as competition he sees them as adding value to the profession . Weekends is a time to recharge batteries , be with friends and family and focus on the week ahead . PA
June 2021 Volume 27 I Number 4 www . plumbingafrica . co . za