OUR TEAM IS COMMITTED
TO PROVIDE QUALITY
PRODUCTS AND SERVICE
Hugh Whitty
Chairman
Born in the UK, Hugh grew up in Zimbabwe before moving to South Africa in the 60’s to begin his career in metal distribution with Alcan Aluminium. Thereafter, he spent 17 years at Jackson’s metals (a large South African stainless steel and aluminium distributor) where he rose to Marketing Director. When Jackson’s Metals was absorbed as part of a merger, Hugh decided to pursue an entrepreneurial direction, founding Energy Engineered Products (now EMVAfrica) in 1992.
Since then he has guided the company from a small importer of stainless materials to a significant stockist and distributor of a wide range of stainless steels and valves. In 1997 Hugh co-founded Multi Alloys, which today is a leading supplier of specialist alloys. In 2018, three companies combined under the EMVAfrica brand. Hugh remains a significant shareholder of the EMVAfrica group and currently is the group Chairman.
Graham Whitty
Chief Executive Officer
Graham joined Energy Engineered Products (now EMVAfrica) in 2003 and has served in numerous roles over the years. In 2015 he was appointed CEO of the group of companies taking over the reigns from the founder, Hugh Whitty. Graham grew up in Johannesburg, attending St Alban’s College before completing a BCom at the University of Cape Town. His early career was in Information Technologies and Project Management, which took him to the UK for 7 years before he returned to South Africa and joined EMVAfrica.
More recently, Graham has completed a second degree at the University of Stellenbosch in Sustainable Development giving him insight into some of the mega-trends and challenges that are likely to shape the future of business and social development in Africa and beyond.
Fiona Jacobs
Procurement, Int Trade and Business Development
Fiona joined Hugh Whitty in Energy Metals in 1993, having worked with him since 1990. She began as a sales and admin assistant, working her way up through the company until she was ultimately responsible for general management, imports and sales. Her contribution was recognised with a Directorship in 2003. Fiona studied at the Cordon Bleu Cookery school, Wits Technikon and Kelly Greenoaks College.
In her current role, she brings the experience of many successful years supplying various projects in South Africa and Africa. She is very experienced in sourcing, logistics and adds enormous value to the supply chain. As a director, she scrupulously promotes quality, traceability and creating value for our clients.
Clinton Lautenberg
Metals & Multi Alloys Business Unit Manager
Clinton has been involved in the stainless steel industry for more than 25 years. He began his career at ENERGY METALS as a junior sales person and received his training from Hugh and Fiona. In 2004 he left our employ to explore other opportunities within the metals industry and has held positions in sales, marketing, operations, and senior executive management. Having worked for large National and International mills, Clinton’s knowledge of the manufacturing process allows him to provide effective solutions to our customers.
Clinton holds a Bcomm Marketing Management degree to add to his decade of experience in senior management roles within our industry. With extensive knowledge of the mining, petrochemical, pulp & paper, automotive and general engineering sectors, Clinton is well placed to help EMVAfrica grow for the benefit of all its stakeholders.
Anesh Prithilall
Valves Business Unit Manager – Valves & Automation
Anesh was born and educated in Durban, before relocating to Johannesburg in pursuit of his dreams. He joined Energy Engineered Products in 2008 as a Junior Sales Consultant. With his natural technical ability and superior sales skills, Anesh was promoted regularly over the following years. His total commitment and unwavering faith in the team ultimately led to him becoming a shareholder and being promoted to Valve Product Manager.
With Anesh at the helm, the valve division has successfully and consistently grown to become one of the three key pillars of the group. With several specialist valve courses to his name, Anesh plans to study further and believes there is no limitation to what we can all achieve together as EMVAfrica.
Justin Orwin
Western Cape Branch Manager
Justin started his working career in FMCG Sales, his first role being a sales representative for Gillette in Durban. After spending a little over a year with Gillette Justin left South Africa to gain experience working in London, UK. Justin spent 10 years working in Blue Chip FMCG and Pharmaceutical sales in London, directly managing the country’s biggest sales accounts such as Boots The Chemists as well as Tesco UK & Europe for companies such as GSK and Sara Lee. Justin returned to Cape Town in 2006 where he joined Pepsico International based in Cape Town.
Justin started consulting into EMVAfrica in 2018, joined the business full time in 2019 and now manages the Western Cape Branch. With extensive Sales and Marketing experience both locally and abroad Justin is well positioned to help EMVAfrica go from strength to strength.
Shakti Maharaj
Financial Manager
I am a highly motivated and results driven Financial Manager who has over 20 years’ experience in the finance field. I hold a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I am an ambitious and hardworking individual, who is often recognised for my ability to deliver dynamic, yet practical solutions to problems. You will find me ready to get my hands dirty and eager to learn something new and exciting. One of my greatest strengths is the ability to walk in and hit the ground running without a lot of direction.
I am tenacious and will not quit on an issue until it is resolved or found to be impossible to resolve. Having worked in the following industries: financial services, energy and chemical, entertainment, marketing and advertising, insurance and manufacturing, this has given me a distinct advantage, in today’s fast –evolving workplace. I am very particular about controls and able to identify inefficiencies and lack of controls easily.
Terry Larney (Ms)
Business Unit Sales Manager - Multi Alloys
Terry was born in Northern Ireland and educated in England. Travel was an integral part of her childhood, as her father was in the British Forces.
She started her working career in Travel, and then later in the Banking Industry. But arriving in SA in 1979 with a new husband and small child, the opportunity arose for her to enter the Metals Industry., and has dealt extensively with Mild Steel, Stainless Steel and Special Alloys.
Terry started working for Multi Alloys in 2004 as a sales assistant and soon became an integral part of the business due to her natural selling ability and charismatic personality. She is currently the Sales leader for Multi Alloys and helps navigate, inspire, and motivate the new batch of aspiring sales people.
Rowena Suneerchand
Business Unit Sales Manager – Stainless Steels
Rowena completed her tertiary qualifications at ML Sultan Technikon in Durban and went on to serve as a Public Relations and Marketing Executive at Independent Newspapers under two marquee publications. She was head hunted for the Stainless Steel Industry and began a career in Internal Sales, achieving great success due to her dynamic nature and exceptional sales capabilities.
Preshan Pillay
Business Unit Sales Manager - Valves
Preshan joined the company as a student completing his BSC in Mechanical Engineering. He developed a passion for sales and decided to continue building his career at EMV Africa in the technical sales division. His position moved forward with the increased growth in the valve division. He continued his growth with regards to technical studies, sales development as well as in management.
"I have a passion for sports and fitness as well as a continuing eagerness for growth in my career and the development of my technical knowledge."