S. African systems house gets formal approval

By David Reed, UT EditorJohannesburg-CHC Elastogran (Pty) Ltd, the proposed South African joint venture systems house, has been formally approved by the country's competition commission, according to a 16 Jan. announcement by the two partners.The statement added that the firm plans to invest in additional manufacturing capacity "in order to meet ambitious growth plans so as to establish a leading presence in the sub-Saharan Africa market."Originally announced on 14 Oct. last year, the new company will be headed by Andrew Bailey as managing director (pictured) and will employ about 50 people at its Elandsfontein headquarters near Johannesburg. It will be responsible for the production and distribution of polyurethane systems and PU raw materials in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. The firm's customers are mainly from the appliance, automotive, furniture and bedding, footwear, construction, building and mining industries, the joint statement said."We welcome today's decision by the South African Competitions Commission and look forward to the rapid formation of the largest and most complete polyurethanes systems house in South Africa, having a significant potential for growth," says Neil Hellmann, CEO, CHC Group, in the statement."