We have been following the performance of AEL Zambia PLC. Critical to the performance of any firm is the management team. High performing entities always use human capital that has the request skillset to ensure that the fortunes of the entity are secure. Thinus Bierman was, until recently, that part of the AEL jigsaw puzzle that has made this mining explosive supplier so successful.
Thinus has held several positions at AEL that include Executive Director – Africa, Europe and Middle east, Global Commercial Manager, Managing Director Central Africa, Managing Director West Africa, Acting Business Director Narrow Reed, Business Manager platinum, Explosive Engineer. His career with AEL started in 1991. Armed with a NHD Mining and Mineral Engineering from Witwaterand School of Mines and an MDP in Business Administration and Management from the University of South Africa, he is an example of a quintessential company man. Spending all these years with AEL, he is a human resource that has tacit knowledge of the business. With the portfolio of positions held, he brought invaluable knowledge of the business that AEL were in.
The success of business strategy requires investment in resources such as human capital. Thinus’ experience is the embodiment of what premier companies thrive off when they have an invested employee. Companies that ignore this, face peril. Therefore, reading SENS announcement of 19 October 2017 must have been interesting for astute shareholders as he exits AEL Zambia board to take up the Managing Director role at Senmin, a Division of AECI Mining Solutions Limited. We expect that a natural replacement will be someone from within the firm. However, with the catalogue of experience that Thinus has, it will be a tough one to match. Or will it? We will have to see what comes out of the next announcement.