WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 1st 2012 – ECONO-HEAT is featured in the Feb edition of FINWEEK!
Probably the MOST exciting news this month is that we were featured in FINWEEK for February 2012 on page 27. Mentioned in the article is Walmart’s investment into South Africa’s economy, as well as their support for the local manufacturers. Walmart Canada specifically seem to be the first group to be tying the knot with us! This exposure for our small company can only lead to better things. Out Front – and Moving Ahead! Read the full article here (PDF download) – Pete Bräsler, Brand Design & Marketing.
TUESDAY December 13th 2011 – Cape Chamber of Commerce Exporter of the Year Awards winner ECONO-HEAT™ video release
Back to topTUESDAY November 22nd 2011 – ECONO-HEAT™ HQ CAPE TOWN HAS A FRESH NEW LOOK!
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We are absolutely thrilled to show off our new front office signage to you. Not only does it look really smart, it helps our visitors find us.We rallied the entire factory staff to join us outside in celebrating not only the start of fantastic summer here in the Southern Hemisphere, but the start of a smart BRAND NEW begining for ECONO-HEAT™, OUT FRONT – AND MOVING AHEAD!
Click on the images to view the larger version, or click here to download the photo PDF of the new signage being assembled and installed – Summer is definitely on it’s way. Short video can be viewed here. Enjoy! - Pete Bräsler, Global Brand Manager @ECONO-HEAT™ HQ. _________________________________________________________________________________________
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MONDAY October 10th 2011 – BusinessDay
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WALMART warms to ECONO-HEAT™
Unique, safe and environmentally friendly South African wall panel heater looks set to take on the world with tie in to giant’s global retailer network.
US RETAIL giant Walmart is warming to small a Cape Town heater manufacturer as it proves growth in volumes helps to reduce labour costs and to beat Chinese rivals. ECONO-HEAT™, a manufacturer of panel wall heaters, won the Cape Chamber of Commerce/ Absa Exporter of the Year award on Thursday. “We produce about 30,000 units a month and have just moved to a new premises that would allow us to ramp up to 1,2-million units a year and ultimately to 2-million units,” ECONO-HEAT™ director Pieter Bräsler says. He says ECONO-HEAT™ operates on a marginal costing model, meaning the larger the volumes one can get from suppliers, the larger the discount. ”It’s quite simple. You have a certain labour force and the business is all about volume. Now as your volumes grow, your labour costs become a smaller component,” he said.
ECONO-HEAT™ employs 91 staff but demand has been so high that they are working double shifts and the company is in the process of employing another 43 people. Mr Bräsler says the strategy to stave off Chinese competition is not based only on price and quantity, but also on allowing his products to be branded for retailers’ own in-house brands. “We are not undercutting them, but they are trying to come into the market and we have to be very vigilant,” he said.
ECONO-HEAT™ already supplies to Sam’s Club, a subsidiary of Walmart in the US. Mr Bräsler says last week his company held meetings with Walmart and next month a deal is to be negotiated in the US.
Walmart has committed itself to creating a R100m fund to help local suppliers become more competitive.
Original article can be viewed here.
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Back to topOctober 2011
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2011 Exporter of the Year Winners
ECONO-HEAT™, the Cape Town firm which manufactures wall panel heaters was last night named as the Absa/Cape Chamber of Commerce Western Cape Exporter of the Year. The award was presented at a glittering banquet to Econo-Heat MD, Pieter Bräsler, who became a double winner when his company also received the new prize for innovation. The competition, now in its 21st year, is organised by the Cape Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Absa.
ECONO-HEAT™ exports its products to 39 countries and has recently doubled its production, creating 43 new jobs in the process.
The Cape Chamber prize for the best exporter outside the engineering industry went to Quantum Sails, makers of world-beating racing and cruising yacht sails. Quantum is one of a cluster of companies that has developed around Cape Town’s boat-building industry. The Transnet Port Terminals prize for the best manufacturing exporter went to TESA Palisade Fencing and Security Systems. TESA has made big inroads into Africa and last year supplied the security fencing for 3 500 cell phone base stations. The Credit Guarantee award for the best small exporter was the translation service, Folio-Online, the leading translation service in sub-Sahara Africa.
Last night’s double winner, Econo-Heat, manufactures the wall panel heater, a Cape Town invention that made its debut at the Chamber’s Design for Living Exhibition in 1997. The company has made huge strides since it was taken over in 2005 by Mr Bräsler and its new high tech factory in Wetton is producing 2 300 units a day compared to the 400 when the business changed hands. It has the potential to produce two million units a year.
Two thirds of the production is exported but this is destined to increase significantly as the company is now selling direct to retailers in 10 countries in Europe and North America. During the past year Econo-Heat has chalked up significant gains in the cold countries of Europe and Scandinavia. Sales have been helped by the high cost of running central heating systems and the panel heaters could yet become an economic alternative to central heating. Further expansion (and more job creation) is planned as the company will soon be launching a low-voltage electric blanket that is machine washable in a new factory with a further new factory planned for a dual convection heater in 2013.
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Back to topFRIDAY October 7th 2011 – Exporter of the Year 2011
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ECONO-HEAT™ has WON the Exporter of the Year Award 2011!
Econo-Heat Energy Efficient Appliances (Pty) Ltd, inventor and manufacturer of the popular ECONO-HEAT™ wall panel heater, last night was the overall winner of the prestigious ABSA Cape Chamber of Commerce Exporter of the Year competition administered by the Cape Chamber of Commerce and which is now in its 21st year of existence. In addition, the company also took the Innovation Trophy for Excellence in Innovation and Creativity.
In his acceptance speech, managing director Pieter Bräsler, referred to the importance of South African companies taking on the challenge of becoming recognised players in international markets, despite the prevailing recessionary conditions in key export markets. He stressed the importance of proper and ongoing marketing and support of a product to create brand awareness and customer loyalty. He furthermore pointed out the value of volume manufacturing in terms of economies of scale, which dramatically lowers unitised labour costs. South African manufacturers need not stand back one inch from competing with its Chinese counterparts – even in consumer products. Partnering with the correct logistics, financial and other business associates to support a company’s export drive is another essential element in the success formula to compete in world markets.
Econo-Heat’s celebration of winning the Exporter of the Year 2011 competition coincides with its recent move to a new factory with a greatly expanded production capacity. At the same time the company also established its own international offices to sell directly to retailers in 10 of its 39 export markets. Econo-Heat is furthermore on the verge of launching two exciting new energy-efficient heating products – a unique low voltage electric blanket and a dual convection heater which is ideally suited for regions with colder climates.
In preparation for this accelerated export growth, Econo-Heat has, furthermore, over the past two years established the necessary structures and systems to further optimise its manufacturing and administrative processes in support of even higher levels of operational efficiency and discipline in the company. Adhering to the Principles and Practises of Lean Manufacturing is key to the success of the company’s operation.
“The above measures are some of the key success factors that have established Econo-Heat as a company that is: ‘Out Front, and Moving Ahead’ (Econo-Heat’s corporate credo)”, Bräsler said.
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FRIDAY September 9th 2011 – Exporter of the Year 2011
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Western Cape Champs
THE judges in the annual ABSA/Cape Chamber of Commerce Exporter of the year competition have selected nine finalists who will fight it out for the honours in the 21st year of the competition.
Most of the finalists are new entries and only one former winner, Kelp Products of Simon’s Town, has made the cut this year.
In alphabetical order the finalists are DCD Dorbyl, a well established heavy engineering firm, Econo-Heat which makes wall panel heaters, the Folio Group which provides an unlimited range of translation services, Hose Manufacturers which specialises in fire hoses and hoses for agriculture and industry and J F Hillerbrand which provides logistical services and equipment for the wine and brewing industries.
Protea Chemicals, part of the Omnia group, also made the finals along with Quantum Sails and TESA Palisade Fencing and Security Systems.
Quantum designs and makes sales for the full range of yachts from dinghies to the big racing super yachts. It is one of a growing number of supplier firms clustered around the boat-building industry.
The overall winner and category winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Cape Town on October 6.
Original article can be viewed here.
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Back to topFRIDAY October 22nd 2010 – Exporter of the Year 2010
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A fantastic night was had by all! (click on photos to view larger versions)
Last night we attended the Exporter of the Year Awards 2010 hosted by the Cape Chamber of Commerce.
Being the first year that Econo-Heat has been nominated for the award, we didn’t expect to walk away with bundles of trophies and accolades. We did however manage to scoop up a finalist certificate award, which we will proudly be hanging up in our new office building.
We got a great insight into the other companies that were there, and I think the Econo-Heat team is even more highly motivated to trump our position for next year. We’ll be back this time next year for another showdown!
The speakers had a few interesting tid-bits to talk about, mainly highlighting their concerns around making the world a more greener place to live and the initiatives that companies should take to encourage this.
Thanks you to all of the team who made last night such an enjoyable experience. – Cheers, Pete Bräsler
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Back to topTUESDAY October 19th 2010 – 2010 Exporter of the Year Awards
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Six innovative companies are contending for this year’s top prize
ECONO-HEAT – Established in 1990, South African-born Econo-Heat is the inventor and manufacturer of the original wall panel heaters. Over the past 20 years this trusted and celebrated energy-saver heater has provided warmth and winter comfort to many South Africans.
Econo-Heat’s corporate mission has become “To be a world leader in energy efficient heating appliance markets” and the company now exports to 39 countries worldwide through its own international sales offices and through international distributors.
Econo-Heat’s popular 400W whole room heater – the only SABS-safety certified and approved heater – is the only South African wall panel heater that uses natural convection technology to evenly distribute heat. It is rated by many as the world’s most economical heater, saving up to 50% or more on heating costs, while giving a summer feel inside when it’s winter outside.
The company has experienced exponential growth in the South African market over the past five years. Furthermore, Econo-Heat’s strong focus on international markets has enabled the company to grow its export quantities to more than 60% of its total production.
The increased demand for the product has necessitated stepping up Econo-Heat’s production capacity from the current 1 200 units a day to 5 000 units a day when the company moves to a new factory later this year.
As a lean manufacturer that is already delighting customers with its unique and innovating wall panel heater, Econo-Heat will soon be launching other new and exciting eco-friendly heating appliances in world markets where there is much demand for energy-efficient appliances to save on electricity and to reduce carbon footprints.
Original article can be viewed here (PDF)
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Back to topTHURSDAY October 14th 2010 – Constantiaberg Bulletin newspaper article
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FAMILY BUSINESS HEATS UP
Econo-Heat, based in Diep River, is one of the finalists in the 20th ABSA Cape Chamber of Commerce Exporter of the Year competition. The official launch of the competition took place in Cape Town on Wednesday October 6, and the winners will be announced at a gala banquet on Thursday October 21.
Econo-Heat was started by the father and son team Rod and Russell Davis and first found fame when it received the award for the most innovative product on the Cape Chamber 1997 Design for Living Exhibition.
In 2005 Pieter Bräsler bought the company. At the time it was producing 400 units per day and exporting took place on a small scale. Now it produces between 1,200 and 1,600 units per day and the number of jobs in the factory has increased by nearly 150%.
When Econo-Heat moves to its new factory in Wetton later this year, it will have the capacity to increase production to an output of 5,000 units per day. More than 60% of production is now being exported to 39 countries. The other finalists are AAT Composites, Kelp Products, Petrel Engineering and Tentickle.
Original article can be viewed here (jpeg)
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WINTER 2010 Media Release
Having provided warmth and winter comfort to South African homes and generations for the past 20 years, the Econo-Heat wall panel heater saves you money and electricity while giving you a summer feel inside when it’s winter outside. The trusted and celebrated Econo-Heat wall panel heater is the world’s original wall panel heater, designed by South Africans and manufactured right here in South Africa, now exported to 39 countries worldwide.
This popular 400 Watt whole room heater – the only SABS safety certified and approved heater – is the only South African manufactured wall panel heater that uses natural convection to evenly distribute the heat and is rated by many as the world’s most economical heater. Not only is the Econo-Heat wall panel heater reasonably priced, but you can also beat the electricity price increase by saving up to 50% or more on your heating costs as it uses only 43 cents worth of electricity per hour. This is almost five times less than, for example, the electricity that the average 2000 Watt free-standing locality heater would use.
The proudly made in South Africa Econo-Heat wall panel heater which has a two year guarantee, is inexpensive to acquire, inexpensive to run and quick and easy to install. It is furthermore eco-friendly, asbestos free and contains no harmful chemicals or metals. Other differentiating features of this ultra-slim and compact heater are that it is silent, does not dry out the air or burn up the oxygen in the room, it is safer for children and pets, and it has no exposed element wire, gas or noisy fans. It can even be painted to match décor and any wall colour.
The on-board ON/OFF switch, which is conveniently located behind the wall panel heater with only the switch protruding slightly from the side, gives the heater a smooth finish that is not only pleasing to the eye, but it also enables users to match the wall colour by painting the entire front face of the heater. The corners of the heater, furthermore, have a rounded finish in step with latest interior design trends to give the heater an elegant and modern appearance.
The heater is available throughout winter from leading retail stores in South Africa, but remember, if it doesn’t say Econo-Heat, you’re not getting the original!
For more information, please contact Johan du Preez from Econo-Heat on telephone number 021 715 0444 or via e-mail
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