Electricity + Control September 2015

A success story in trying times

G

enerally, when speaking to people about business prospects,

one finds significant negativity and concern about the future of

certain sectors, especially mining. Of course, the country faces huge

challenges, especially around the supply of electricity, which is vital

to support industry growth. In addition to that, commodity prices

are down, and industrial unrest is impacting on investor confidence.

Yet, despite tough economic conditions, some companies manage

to thrive and grow. One such example is JB Switchgear Solutions,

a leading manufacturer of low voltage switchgear systems and as-

sociated equipment.

Based in Brakpan on the East Rand, the company recently moved

into new premises boasting some 4 500 m² of factory space, complete

with overhead cranes and other logistical features to support JBSS’

continued growth objectives.

JB Switchgear started trading just over three years ago, after

Johan Basson, previous owner and managing director of RBF Tech-

nology, decided to establish a new company to service the needs of

industry, in respect of electrical switchgear solutions. With some forty

years of experience in this field, there was a clear understanding of

what would be required.

The key to success lies – largely – in competent staff who are

focused and committed to total customer satisfaction. To this end, JB

Switchgear managed to establish a very strong teamwith outstanding

levels of experience, know-how and reputation for excellence. Techni-

cal director, John Balsdon, says that the team can design around site

and customer-specific requirements whilst ensuring compliance with

the relevant technical standards. JBSS provides technical input and

guidance to its customers to produce the most practical solutions.

Basson says that JB Switchgear’s vision is simply to be the sup-

plier of choice in its field of activity. This prompted the company to

demonstrate its commitment in various ways; JB Switchgear carries

official ISO 9001 listing for its quality management system, through

SGS. Basson says that the company is in the process of obtaining ISO

14000/ISO18000 listing through Makrosafe. In addition, JB Switch-

gear’s ‘Eagle Series’ of motor control centres carries SABS-type test

certification for compliance with IEC 61439-2 and SANS 1973-1. The

company is a level 4 BEE supplier, and constantly strives towards

employee upliftment and the creation of a working environment in

which people can flourish. Basson maintains that the greatest asset

in any company is, and always will be, its people.

Basson believes in putting something back into the industry,

and has therefore served as chairman and exco member of two key

industry associations, the Electrical Engineering and Allied Industries

Association (EEAIA) and the Electrical Switchgear Association of

South Africa (ESASA) for many years, and has spearheaded numer-

ous initiatives around technical forums and standards’ development.

Basson is an active member of the SANS 1973-1 working group, and

industry representative on various SABS technical committees. ‘If you

want to stay in the game, you need to know the rules,’ says Basson.

‘Participating in the working groups and industry associations has

always given me great pleasure whilst keeping me abreast of the

latest developments’.

JB Switchgear’s ability to provide simple, robust and user-friendly

switchgear systems has been a key feature of its offer to market.

That, coupled with good quality, competitive pricing and exemplary

customer service, positions JB Switchgear as a strong, reliable sup-

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