DCD Group appoints new CEO

2090

Digby Glover has been appointed CEO of DCD Group. He has a BSc (Eng) Mech from Wits, an MBA (cum laude) from UCT, is a registered Professional Engineer and a Project Management Professional. He has a Government Mechanical Engineer’s Certificate of Competency – South Africa.

Glover has spent his career in the mining, petrochemical, infrastructure and projects industry, the project dynamics of which is one of his many passions. He found a natural progression from project management to business management and was appointed as director of TWP Consulting in 2003, and in 2013, was appointed CEO for WorleyParsons RSA.

Glover is flanked and supported by Danie Richards, financial director; executive directors Dion Booyens and Gerry Klos; Dirk Els, strategic business manager; and Erna Wilson, GM: Human Resources.

Formed out of the gigantic Dorbyl in the early 2000s, DCD is a heavy engineering player focused on five key markets: Rail, defence, mining, energy and marine. DCD is a global force, with a large portion of sales generated for export. Additionally, the group has been an integral participant in South Africa’s infrastructure development for decades, and is now playing an active role as a partner of choice to government in the current infrastructure expansion drive.

As a group, DCD is able to offer comprehensive, integrated heavy engineering solutions in addition to bespoke individual solutions. DCD’s superior engineering expertise and world-class facilities are supported by innovative design capability with market-leading R&D a central focus.

Glover has spent the last month gaining a better understanding of the group’s capability and position with the various markets it competes in. It is clear to him that the facilities, assets and skill within the group are world class. Over the next few months, Glover will develop and pursue a strategy to better engage with the defined markets and to position the various group companies to work more cohesively to improve the market offering. “There are many aspects to the company that work well together. There are numerous examples of products being supported by a number of the entities. Much focus will be given to increasing these synergies, ultimately to the benefit of our clients,” Glover states.

A great example of how the group performs together for the military business is the recent move of the Protected Mobility business to the Rolling Stock facilities in Boksburg. There are many common systems and skills in both businesses and their markets are not subject to the same forces. DCD has the ability to maintain capabilities and efficiencies, even if respective markets are slow or lumpy. Added to this, the manufacture and heavy engineering business within DCD around the country are at the ready to support with work on the sub-components required. All of this gives the company as distinctive edge over others.

“There are few markets that are buoyant in the current global economy, but DCD is well positioned in terms of market diversification, structure, assets and capability to weather difficult times and to create significant value for all stakeholders as opportunities are created,” Glover concludes.

DCD Protected Mobility strives for collaboration and partnerships with its clients. The focus is on total route clearance solutions to the defence and security industry. Building a long-term relationship with the client means transparency at both sides about what they want to achieve in the partnership. When done correctly, clearly revealing intentions creates trust and allows the partnership to look for win-win opportunities.