Business News of Wednesday, 1 February 2017
Source: thefinderonline.com
2017-02-01
Presidents of Caterpillar, Denis C. Johnson as MANTRAC Ghana celebrates 80-years
MANTRAC Ghana Limited the sole authorised dealer for Caterpillar products in Ghana last week had the privilege of hosting one of the Group Presidents of Caterpillar, Denis C. Johnson.
Denise is responsible for Resources Industries, which includes three divisions: Innovation and Technology Development, Material Handling & Underground, and Surface Mining & Technology.
This visit is very strategic as Mantrac Ghana celebrates its 80-years anniversary as caterpillar equipment dealer in Ghana.
1937 to 2017
Mantrac Ghana has evolved from Gold Coast Machinery and Trading (GCMT), a division of United Africa Company since 1937, to Tractor & Equipment (T & E) and finally to Mantrac Ghana Limited, part of the giant Mantrac Group since 1996.
An executive cocktail reception was held in her honour as part of the two days’ official visit to Ghana. Also in attendance was Loufty Mansour Group CEO of Mantrac Group, Omar El Bakary the COO of Mantrac Group amongst other top executives of Mantrac Group and Caterpillar.
The cocktail event was attended by top business executives, directors from the Ministries, Members of American Chamber of Commerce, diplomats, business leaders and key Caterpillar and Mantrac customers.
In her speech, Mrs. Denise Johnson said there is a huge optimism in the growth of Ghana due to the natural resources available and the current political stability being enjoyed. She also touched on Caterpillar’s collaboration with its dealers to invest $1 billion in business, education and training across Africa over the next 5years.
On the issue of Mantrac Ghana’s existence for the past 80 years, Dennis C. Johnson said it is as a result of the resolve of Caterpillar and its dealers to stay true to the mission and purpose of the company as well as the quality of the equipments.
On his part, the Managing Director of Mantrac Ghana, Mr. Emad Adeeb, who was full of excitement, disclosed that Mantrac Ghana is currently investing over $60million to boost its capabilities and structures.
Key amongst these investments is the world-class Components Rebuild Center at Takoradi, the upgrading of its offices and workshops in Kumasi, Takoradi, Tarkwa and new premises in Tema.
He said all these efforts are geared towards expanding the company’s business portfolio and to deepen customer service support for Caterpillar Equipment users in the Ghana and West Africa.
He further stated the company was hopeful of completing and commissioning the massive Takoradi Components Rebuild Center which would offer an additional 100 workforce locally.
About 300 staff are currently being contracted to work on the project. This is the biggest investment undertaken by Mantrac Ghana in the country to support sectors namely: mining, oil and gas, constructions, he said.
Mr. Adeeb also said that the company’s CSR support project has invested over US$150,000 into ‘Right to Dream Footballs Academy and Schools’ resulting in improving the lives of poor but talented young Ghanaian footballers with quality education.
“In late 2016, Caterpillar Mantrac launched a free on-line training program called ‘Technicians for Africa Project’. As we speak’ over 430 young technicians have already been trained, free of charge, as Caterpillar Technicians awaiting certification. This will give them opportunity to work in any caterpillar setup across the world,” he stressed.
On the payment of taxes, he said Mantrac Ghana’s huge contribution to the economy in 2016, Mantrac Ghana was honoured as the ‘2nd Top Tax Payer by the Airport Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority.
He said the company paid over Ghc43,000,000 to the GRA as tax contribution for 2016 Airfreight duties, adding that Mantrac Ghana’s total contribution to the economy of Ghana over the past 80years cannot be downplayed.
Emad further assured: “We want to use this occasion to assure the government, partners, business community and our cherished customers of our continuous support to be make sustainable progress possible through products and services. This is seen in our carefully-selected and well-trained, multi-cultural team, of over 600 professionals, bent on making sure our customers are well supported with the best equipment as always”.
The Chief Executive Officer of Mantrac Group, Mr Loutfy Mansour, declared the group readiness to continuously invest in the Ghana business to support customers who have been with the company for the past 80 years.
Mantrac Ghana currently provides the complete range of Caterpillar Construction Equipment and has a proven track record in supplying and supporting machines for major developmental and infrastructural projects. This includes General Contracting, Road Building, Land Reclamation, Quarries and Agricultural projects and many more.
Mantrac Ghana Limited is also part of the giant Mantrac Group which holds the Caterpillar dealerships in Egypt, Nigeria, Sierra Leone,Liberia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Iraq and in the Western Siberia region of Russia.
