The Edge March 2014 | Page 16

focused on safety and service means customers receive high-value product and any support required. Years of field experience paired with highly skilled engineering and metallurgy expertise make ESCO products the preferred choice for construction, mining and industrial applications. To celebrate the busy year, ESCO Africa’s head office combined forces with our Middelburg office for a Family Day on 16 November 2013. Johannesburg restaurant, The Cradle, played host to 80 employees and family members from the two offices. The group went for a “game drive” – a guided tour much like a safari – followed by a picnic in the bush. This annual Family Day tradition began more than 50 years ago at ESCO’s headquarters in Portland, Oregon, and has spread to offices around the world. Africa It was a busy year for ESCO in Africa as the region garnered new customers, recruited new talent and broke ground on a new regional headquarters. Since ESCO announced its direct presence in South Africa in February 201 the African 1, team has grown exponentially under the direction of Philippe Kaskarian, Managing Director for Africa. The following are just a few of our recent successes. ESCO Africa’s team began a very exciting project in 2013: a brand new head office. Currently ESCO’s administrative office is headquartered in Woodmead, South Africa, while the warehouse is in Kempton Park, South Africa (more than 25km away). In September 2014, ESCO’s regional headquarters for Africa will move into a combined location in Linbro Park, Johannesburg, South Africa, where the administrative team and warehouse will join together. Kaskarian led the ground-breaking ceremony on 5 September 2013. Above: Artist’s rendering of ESCO Africa’s regional headquarters. Right: Philippe Kaskarian breaks ground at the new site. In addition to securing ESCO’s first Profill® dragline bucket sale last year, the team also completed the sale and manufacture of the first UltraHaulTM Truck Body in Africa. Engineers at ESCO, working closely with the customer, enhanced an already-proven design being sold around the world. Together they created a lighter body