SABI Magazine February March 2016 | Page 38

Profile 4. An exciting time for introducing innovations and new technologies in irrigation unfolded. Prior to immigrating, while we were selling our home in Fresno, I spent four weeks in 1969 securing exclusive distribution and license agreements to manufacture the products in the Republic of South Africa, which was critical in order to obtain “Import Permits” for the specialised irrigation and construction equipment. I signed an order for 19 Higromatics with the manager of Soetveld Farms. Susi and I were eager to put down our roots and change the country’s farms and environmental projects from “brown to green”. lot of our friends. The letterheads, logos, certificates and so on were created by Gus Harris, an advertising agent, in New York City. While a tax attorney Michael Leysinger in Switzerland worked on the Constitution and By-Laws. The first meeting of the Founding Fathers and Original Committee was held in the Vetsak boardroom, Isando. Those present (to the best of my knowledge) were: André Brink, Peter Green, John Echard, James Keevy, Hugh Lyle, Rod Mountain, Jerry Rossiter, Pieter Wessels, Tony Williams and Ken Woodward. 5. There were a number of exclusive American licensees and distribution agreements you negotiated. They included: Higromatic Center Pivot and fieldhoppers with Nelson Sprinklers & Big Guns; Dole flow control valves ½”, ¾” and 1” with flows from 1-gpm