Page 33 - Energize October 2021

VIEWS AND OPINION

Tank Industries appointed as sole

distributor for TE Connectivity’s

Raychem Cable Accessories in

Southern Africa

Tank’s General Manager, Clive Maasch, responds to
questions regarding the significance of being appointed the
sole distributor of TE Connectivity’s Raychem products in
Southern Africa.

Question: Tell us something about Tank and your position in the company.
CM: Founded in 1986, Tank Industries has traded in the Energy and Telecommunications markets in the
region for over 30 years. I’ve served as general manager at Tank Industries for over 10 years and have
had the privilege of participating with our Power Division Team in growing our energy business over this
period. We are proud to have the privilege of sole distribution of TE Connectivity’s Raychem products
Southern Africa. Tank is a member of the South African Listed Reunert Group.

Question: That’s quite an achievement. How did that come about?
CM: Tank has been involved in the cable industry since the year 2000. During that time, we had a
fragmented range of products to offer the market. That is to say, we did not have access to the full range
because we were not a full distributor of TE Connectivity’s at that point. However, I made a commitment
to them at the time that we would migrate all our other products to TE Connectivity’s products. And over
three or four years, we proved this to them and built the relationship, so, when the company decided to
move the agency, they moved it to Tank. I think the fact that we are part of a listed entity and have the
financial muscle of a big group, gave us an advantage. Tank has a good reputation in the market and the
TE Connectivity’s Raychem brands are trusted in this region.

Question: How has Tank capitalised on this good reputation?
CM: Our business has survived during the recent lockdown because of the service that we’ve been able
to offer all the utilities. In terms of maintenance, we managed to retain our staff. That is, we managed
to keep everybody in a job by rotating the staff. And we’ve been very fortunate, they have all done a
fantastic job during the year, which has been a very tough period. We have a B-BBEE level one status.
We have all the SHEQ (safety, health, environmental and quality) standards in place, with full compliance
and consultants to guide us. We also have an accredited EWSETA training facility in Cape Town for cable
accessories. So, we meet all the necessary requirements and capitalise on them. Raychem Authorized
distributor of Low,
Question: What makes Tank unique? Medium & High Voltage
CM: We have an amazing team at Tank. Headed up by Rob Riley, our comprehensive sales team members Cables Accessories
are based in all the major centres across South Africa and Africa. Our technical managers Tommie Norjie
and Adriaan Theron were both trained in Germany by TE Connectivity and have an in-depth knowledge
of the market and the products we offer. They have also long histories of Tel:+27(0) 21 700 4380
the cable accessories business and are well-known and trusted in the local www.tank.co.za
market. This proves extremely useful when advising customers or compiling
quotations.

Tank Industries along with its principal, TE Connectivity, look forward to
serving our valued customers with a world class range of LV, MV & HV cable
accessories coupled with product support and approved training.

energize | October 2021 | 31 EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS