Liquid AutomAtion SyStemS www.liquidauto.co.za - The ...

COMPANY FOCUStion Systemsution solutionsSince its founding in 1992, Liquid Automation Systems (LAS) hasbecome a multi-disciplined company that offers complete solutionsin the fuel and chemical logistics chain. Currently, the companyencompasses a number of solutions including the receipt of crude oilat import terminals, the storage at depots and terminals, as well asutilizing the control systems required for users of fuel. The companywas purchased by Sturrock & Robson in 2006, which is a solelyownedinternational company that manages a diverse portfolio ofniche industrial companies like LAS.

4 COMPANY FOCUS Liquid Automation SystemsLAS has an ideal location, headquartered inJet Park, South Africa, very close to OR TamboInternational Airport and has various branchesin South Africa and worldwide. Konrad Burger,Sales and Marketing Director of LAS says, “Ourbranches are all over the world including theU.K., U.S., Australia and South Africa.”Distribution SolutionsThe company offers comprehensive fuel measurementand management systems to majorsuppliers across the petroleum sectors. Burgernotes that in Africa, the use of metered deliveriesof fuel is extremely prevalent and this measuringsystem works in a number of ways. “The supply isattached onto a road vehicle that measures thefuel that is delivered at the different sites,” saysBurger. “As it delivers, it prints out the deliverynote for customers.” Burger explains that thesecond management system is a home basedsystem where the client has their own tank anddispensing equipment.With changing times the usage of metereddelivery systems has shifted towards fuel parceldelivery, but Burger assures that the market ispicking up again. “We used to have 80 per centof the market, it died a bit because of fuel parceldelivery. Now however, a lot of companies arereverting back to measured deliveries,” he says.Across many sectorsLAS works in a number of different sectors withtheir fuel measurement and management systems.Their sectors include Mining/Quarrying, aviation,rail, fleet and retail and petrochemical. The miningsector is a major area of focus for LAS. The companyworks with mines to ensure every drop of fuelis accounted for, enabling mine operators to determinewhat their best performing assets are and tomanage them in relation to fuel consumption.Burger says, “The consumer managementsystem is very much a home based solution andthere are number of industries that use them. Weare very well blessed with minerals so the miningsector is a big portion of our business,” says Burger.Currently, the company is working on theJwaneng Mine in Botswana which is the richestdiamond mine in the world. “Since we had a systeminstalled there and we are expanding with them. It’squite a significant expansion,” says Burger.The aviation sector is also an important sectorfor LAS and with its Total Integrated Solutionsfor aviation, it combines fuel accounting andsecurity with bulk storage all the way through topoint of delivery. “In the U.S. we service aboutfifty airports with our solutions,” says Burger. Itsaviation fuel management system includes: aircraftrefuelling, ground service equipment refuelling,customer and product owner identification,

6 COMPANY FOCUS Liquid Automation Systemsvehicle and driver recognition, inventory managementvia tank gauging and more.Company goalsLAS has major goals of growth in its future and withits steady work in various sectors, it is on its way tofulfilling these goals. “We are looking at about a 20per cent growth over the next five years per annumand to become an even bigger supplier in our field.”Since the company provides such broadsolutions, and there are many competitors whospecialize within that broad base, and LAS wouldlike to be the preferred supplier for the measurementand handling of fuel.Health, safety and social responsibilityHealth and safety is a major aspect for the companybeing in a field which can be quite hazardous.Burger says, “We operate within all thelegislation and laws regarding personal safetyand we have weekly and monthly safety meetingsto ensure that we work in a safe way.”As far as LAS’ social responsibility it has atraining school in which it trains individuals witha variety of skills. “We take in people, train themand make them ready for the environment inwhich we work. We try to train people for our ownuse and also those that we can’t accommodate,to be employed in the industry,” says Burger.

JUNE 2011 The International Resource Journal7LAS is a company that has been around formany years and prides itself on its contributions tothe industry in South Africa. It stands out amongstcompetitors with its broadly based solutions, 24/7call centre and support staff. “The majority of ourcompetitors don’t have that nor the broad base ofour offerings,” adds Burger. The company is a onestop shop for all client’s measuring and handlingpetrochemical equipment needs and with its reliablestaff and solutions, will remain a major contenderin South Africa and beyond.www.liquidauto.co.za

AS SEEN IN THE JUNE 2011 ISSUEOF The International Resource Journal