Certificate and approvals

CE mark - European Union consumer electrical safety standards

CSA -          Canadian electrical compliance

TSE -           Approval in Turkey

GS mark -   German safety standards compliant

CS -             Argentina

CCC -         Chinese Electrical Standards

UL -             Underwriters Laboratory USA

NOM -         Mexico

Saudi Arabia

TuV -          North American quality and safety approval

CB -             International electrical compliance – 43 countries participate

SABS -        Electrical compliance approval

ISO 41001 - Environmental management compliance

ISO9000/1 - Quality management procedures programme

Eurovent - Commitment to improving the standards of a/c and refridgeration

AIIM -         Energy & Environmental management practices

The executive team:

Stuart Fredman: Managing Director
Stuart is recognised as one of the most experienced solar engineers in South Africa and is frequently requested to deliver papers on solar energy at local and international conferences. He is a qualified electronics engineer with a D.Eng and an MBA, as well as having studied further in specialised engineering fields including process control and instrumentation; DC systems and PV solar design; IT systems design; and wireless-bearer integration.

Stuart has operational and executive experience at JSE-listed companies (Powertech/Altron, Siltek, iQuad/PSG) and more than 20 years' experience in all facets of solar PV, including design, procurement, project management, installation and handover. He has personally forged strategic supply and engineering relationships with leading PV companies, which led to securing some of the largest PV contracts in South Africa for Telkom, as well as other PV applications, including the rural electrification of 300 schools in the Eastern Cape.

Stuart has recently being awarded a Doctorate in engineering technology for modeling photovoltaic power output as a function of a range of variables thereby increasing the accuracy of the models prediction of annual power output.

Craig Brehany:
After qualifying as an apprentice electrician in 1985 with the highest marks in the country that year, Craig has gained pervasive experience in numerous industries, including setting up new and very large plants. After joining the battery industry and after a number of years in product development he relocated to Johannesburg to take on the role of Technical Services Manager, which evolved into technical sales including Stationery battery systems and Solar PV solutions. He was instrumental in growing the business tenfold including contracts with Telkom SA, Eskom, ATNS and the Eskom Rural Schools Electrification project, which included design, procurement, project management, installation and successful handover. During this time Craig did number of diploma courses including Project Management, Business Management and Marketing Management. After 10 years Craig ventured into the telecommunications business, joining Ericsson, first in their Energy division for two years, then as Key Account Manager for various accounts over a period of 10 years, that included business responsibility for a number of multi-million dollar mobile network roll-outs and new business development. This also led Craig to relocate, live and work in a number of African countries for 7 of those 10 years. The opportunity to work in the renewable energy industry again, but out of the classical corporate environment was offered to Craig, and he joined Rhino Energy Solutions in July 2010.

Andrew Barton:
Financial Director of the Rhino Group; holds B.Com Honours and MBA degree’s. Was previously responsible for the Retail Banking operations of a major financial institution at their operation in a neighboring country and held positions on the executive, audit and risk committees of that bank. Serves on the boards of a number of high technology businesses that resulted from the commercialisation of patented processes developed by two highly respected Institutions of a local university. Pursues business development opportunities for Rhino Energy.

Brian van Niekerk:
Brian started out as an Industrial Electrician and worked in a number of Industries in this field before starting his own Blow Moulding operation as a division of Rhino Plastics. Brian then became a Shareholder and Managing Director of the Rhino Plastics Group in the mid-eighties and ever since has been involved with growing and diversifying the Company from a manufacturer to a diversified Group of Companies offering turnkey solutions within the Group’s key strategic focus areas of ‘food-energy-water’ and greenbuilding offerings.

From humble beginnings as a plastic recycler more than 30 years ago, the Rhino Group has diversified extensively; initially into the manufacturing of sheeting & films for the construction, packaging and agricultural sectors, as well as irrigation piping into the latter as well, to representing a myriad of international suppliers so as to trade successfully further into those same sectors and build sizeable national market shares.

The Rhino Group continued to grow through investment into its’ own distribution structure, with own branches in Port Elizabeth, East London, Johannesburg and Cape Town, along with own warehousing capacity, plus then a network of agents throughout South Africa and a number of neighbouring countries. Employee numbers continued to grow over the years, totalling now around 300.

Group strategy has more recently led to investments into renewable energy and water treatment solutions, with Rhino Energy Solutions, Rhino Energy Projects and Rhino Water Technologies being formed, working closely with leading national specialists in such fields. Rhino AgriVantage and Rhino Irrigation were also formed pursuant to enhancing our agricultural presence, with Rhino Intercept Africa distributing very unique corrosion prevention technologies into the automotive, military, aviation, energy generation and mining sectors.

Two pivotal elements of the Rhino Groups’ strategies are:

• Green building solutions [incorporating construction materials, passive design elements, energy demand mitigation & renewable energy supply as well as rainwater harvesting & waste water recycling]. Our historic involvement in the construction sector, including through the distribution of rated insulation material, has ensured understanding of and alignment with the new SANS 10400 XA New Building Regulations.
  ‘Food-Energy-Water’ [agricultural supplies, fertilisers, irrigation – as well as the energy and water solutions as captured in the bullet point above]
• Significant synergies exist between the various elements, thereby very often ensuring unique turnkey abilities; in addition, a solutions-centric approach versus product push creates further value.

Examples of some recent or current turnkey projects include:

• King Shaka International Airport [Durban] – initially secured under tender, with European associates, +-R300m project for the design, erection and commissioning of largest greenhouse project in SA, then Rhino secured numerous tenders/projects to attend to all rainwater harvesting and effluent treatment to irrigate the greenhouse production, as well as damlining and other water-related work, plus then one of just a few invited to tender for the solar energy solution at the airport
• A large eco-estate – overall hybrid solar/biomass solution for the entire development, consulting on the electrical backbone to facilitate renewable energy, solar solutions [power, water, under-floor heating] at residential unit level, passive design/energy demand mitigation, rainwater harvesting and all waste water recycling. Agricultural support to such ancillary initiatives at the estate
• Similar holistic solutions for other developments
• Solar park installations, from 1MW to 60MW

Our strategic intent is very much encompassed in the statement ‘Partnering with Professionals’ and as such we would appreciate any opportunity to engage further with you.

Contact details

Brian van Niekerk                                 Andrew Barton

Managing Director                                Director
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041 451 3197                                       041 451 3197
082 652 5564                                       079 891 7668

A solutions-centric approach dictates the need to first assess current and/or anticipated energy consumption and the underlying drivers thereof [mix of appliances, lighting or machinery as applicable] as is possible to more cost effectively swop out to more energy efficient alternatives versus solely investing in renewable power generation to meet the required energy needs.

The inclusion of Rhino Energy Solutions within the Rhino Group provides us with a unique, compelling and competitive position to thus provide such a resultant and comprehensive integrated solution.

Products and solutions offered by the Rhino Group include: heat pumps, solar water heaters, LED lights, SABS-accredited roofing insulation, natural light harvesting and other greenbuilding solutions.

They also offer a comprehensive range of water [including effluent] treatment & purification, rainwater harvesting, storage, irrigation, ozonation and related solutions that are very often equally required by new developments, especially rural or eco-estates.

Due to their historic involvement with supplying into the construction sector, they possess a very good understanding of the New Building Regulations that place enhanced demands on energy & water efficiencies of new buildings, often working closely with developers and their architects in this regard.

Their website is www.rhinoplastics.co.za and the relevant contact persons are:

Rob Johnstone                                     Gayle Williams
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041 451 3197                                       041 451 3197