Multi-disciplinary global engineering group DRA has joined forces with the Emcon Consulting Group in Namibia in providing various services to the mining industry in that country. DRA Namibia will function as a franchisee under the Diversified Engineering division of the Emcon Group.
It will not only be afforded the obvious benefits of a franchisor concession, but allow DRA access to a skill base and operational network that has been built up over 25 years of Emcon doing business in the mineral rich state. Emcon Consulting Group is an African consultancy firm operational in the energy, electricity, building services and project management sectors, with its head office in Windhoek.
The coalition also broadens DRA Namibia’s offering to include diversified engineering services.
“Opposed to sticking to a pure organic growth strategy in expanding our African footprint,” says Dave Betton, head of business integration for DRA, “we are also considering close working relationships with established operators in respective markets.”
“It is not always necessary to reinvent the wheel. By leveraging off Emcon’s existing platforms, we can add value to current supply chains at a faster rate, and concentrate on further growth areas in Namibia that boast vast mineral wealth and that are still in great need of infrastructure development,” he says.
“DRA has never really tapped into the Namibian market, and by joining forces with Emcon, we can get off to a quicker start and have more flexibility in growing. As South Africa’s northern neighbour, and its close proximity to our established and well-oiled operations locally, it will be easier for us to access that market and operate there,” says Betton.
The arrangement endeavours to bring local engineering excellence and expertise together with a global engineering capability, and so enjoy great support by regional and international clients from both establishments. The DRA Group endeavours to contribute to development through innovative approaches that consider local realities and economic circumstances, using technological solutions in innovative ways.
Since the start of the Emcon relationship in 2016 DRA has started work on three projects including the implementation of a brownfields upgrade for Rosh Pinah Zinc and assisting the Emcon Power Planning division with technical support to source a PV/diesel generation plant on an IPP basis at Navachab Mine.
“Furthermore, environmental sustainability has always been vital for the ongoing success of DRA’s global operations,” says Betton. “The firm says Emcon’s six Green Star (Existing Building) rating in Namibia, slots perfectly into that commitment it upholds in the places it operates in.
“We are proud to be associated with a group that has been awarded such an amazing accolade,” he says. “We often cover a number of the 17 sustainable development goals as a matter of course in all of our projects, and now, with a little additional effort we can cover them all. If we all work together in safeguarding the planet, business will be more sustainable.”
DRA is in the process of establishing a client facing team in Windhoek to best service their existing and broadening client base, for fast and efficient turnaround times and efficiently attend to all their needs. It already has two part-time representatives on the ground.