Safety is new general manager’s priority

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A new General Manager has taken over the reins at Foskor’s Acid Division.

Manie Botha, who took office on 1 January, has set comprehensive plans in place to ensure improved safety and efficiency at Foskor’s acid plant.
He is taking over the crucial management role after news broke in November that 300 Foskor employees faced job cuts in a restructuring move, and a plant catastrophe in February last year which resulted in a Foskor staff member’s death from acid burns.

‘My short-term priorities are to increase safety awareness to sustain and improve on our safety performance,’ says Botha.’Other goals are to increase throughput and decrease downtime in the plant to achieve 2013/2014 targets, as well as improve plant efficiency and proper shutdown planning.’

With a combined 23 years of experience at prominent global chemical companies such as Henkel, Süd-Chemie and Sasol, Botha is excited to incorporate his extensive knowledge of the industry at the local phosphate producer.
‘I have been working for internationally owned companies for a number of years,’ says Botha.
‘I wanted to change that and work for a South African company where my efforts can contribute to my own country.’
With regards to the company’s restructuring process, Botha says he will carry out benchmarking to ensure that all operational processes are based on international standards.

‘I will align all Acid Division processes with the strategic goals of the company and ensure that operations are managed by strategic business principles.
‘Working collaboratively with the Acid Division’s senior leadership will turn the organisation around, an imperative in light of the current financial situation.’