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Our Newly Appointed CEO

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Welcome to our newly appointed CEO, Hans Hillebrand

We are delighted to announce the appointment of our new Group CEO, Hans Hillebrand, effective 1 February 2023. Hans steps into the substantial shoes of our late CEO, Louw Bekker, a man whose legacy is tightly interwoven with the identity of our organization. Louw’s contributions have established a lofty benchmark and crafted a resilient foundation for continual growth.

As we move forward, we will honour our traditions and values, while simultaneously exploring the frontiers of potential.

Now, let us introduce you to Hans.

Upon meeting Hans Hillebrand, one can’t miss his strong advocacy for diversity, promotion of employee engagement, and dedication to nurturing innovation. His leadership is grounded in a values-first approach, underscored by his extensive experience in identifying opportunities and fostering a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.

With Hans joining our ranks, we gain a trove of invaluable knowledge and expertise. His background spans corporate strategy and development, strategic partnerships, business transformation, and operational management. Following a successful tenure in the financial sector, Hans now brings his talent and dedication to The Canvas and Tent Group as our new CEO. His unwavering focus remains on our customers, building trusted relationships through service excellence, and delivering top-notch products that break technological barriers.

Hans maintains that the cornerstone of success is the ability to attract, retain, and inspire a diverse, talented, and engaged workforce. These individuals are the ones who bring our exceptional products to life.

Hans is known for his tireless work ethic, family values, and dedication to personal growth. While being a devoted family man, he firmly holds to the belief, “Change is life’s greatest constant, unlocking a universe filled with opportunities.” This ethos is clearly mirrored in his admiration for leaders who accomplish the seemingly unattainable.

When questioned about how his loved ones might describe him, Hans, with a playful glint in his eye, answers, “Extroverted, creative, possibly enthusiastic — and slightly unconventional? But at heart, I’m an adventurous spirit who cherishes both the majesty of nature and the joy of creative pursuit. I fervently advocate self-fulfilment and aim to make a positive, meaningful impact.”

Hans expresses his enthusiasm about joining the Canvas and Tent family, saying, “I’m humbled by the opportunity to guide this team of committed industry professionals, who’ve evolved an impressive business platform from humble beginnings, 55 years ago.” As a Group, he encourages, “We should acknowledge our achievements with humility. To stay relevant to our clients across various sectors, it’s critical for us to persist in our journey of evolution and innovation.”

The Canvas and Tent Group wholeheartedly welcomes Hans Hillebrand, our enthusiastic and visionary CEO, as we step into this thrilling new chapter of our company’s narrative.

Redeployable Camp Systems supplying tents for SANDF under urgent requirement

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Pretoria-based Redeployable Camp Systems South Africa (RCSSA), part of the Canvas & Tent group headquartered in KwaZulu-Natal, is fulfilling an urgent requirement for tented accommodation for the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF’s) Operation Corona border safeguarding initiative.

According to Martin Bester, group sales manager of RCSSA, the Armscor contract placed with the company stipulated that the hundred-plus new tents had to be fully delivered and erected by 28 February 2022.

“For this reason, we pulled out all stops to complete the project to the satisfaction of the SANDF,” he stated. “The order is being rolled out as of this week, which is the end of November and will be completed by end of February 2022.”

Operation Corona is aimed at South African border protection, hence the deployment of SANDF troops to the border regions.

Bester explained that the contract, worth R35 million as revealed last week in Parliament, also entails repairs to existing tented accommodation that has been in place in the border areas since 2008.

“The tents are RCSSA’s Warrior type, fondly known in the SANDF as ‘Weatherhaven tents’ that accommodate between eight and ten soldiers,” Bester said. “Our offering is primarily for accommodation but some of the tents could also be used for office purposes, if required.”

In Parliament last week, Rear Admiral Bubele Mhlana, Chief of Staff of Joint Operations (JOps), revealed that R225 million has been allocated to procure or acquire prime mission equipment for the borders for the three-year 2020/21 Medium Term Expenditure Framework. Of this, R65 million was allocated in 2020/21 and R75 million in 2021/22. R32 million was allocated for the procurement of unmanned aerial vehicles.

Initially, half a million rand has been allocated to upgrading Operation Corona operational bases while R8 million has been allocated to the replacement of canvases, and R35 million allocated for Weatherhaven tented accommodation.

JOps is focussing on replacing tents and accommodation; maintaining and repairing office and accommodation buildings; storage facilities; improving ablutions; repairing and replacing kitchen equipment; boreholes for water; and providing operational bases with electricity.

For 2022/23, JOps plans to spend R85 million, with a focus on high and low technology. High technology equipment would include tactical radios and surveillance equipment for land and sea applications, and reliable communications systems.

Low technology applications include creating obstacles at identified areas to prevent the movement of vehicles on the borderline, such as the Jersey Barriers already deployed in KwaZulu-Natal, and trenches in Mpumalanga. Other technology includes observation towers and the possibility of deploying the Maritime Reaction Squadron with inflatable boats on the Limpopo River.

Originally published on Defencenet.co.za on 29 November 2021

Demobilisation a demoralising task?

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For our Installation Team, it’s all in a day’s work.

One of our most valuable resources, the one we brag about extensively, is the remarkable group of people who compose our various team at #WeatherhavenRCS and #CanvasAndTent. The men in our Installation Team, many of whom are trained and experienced artisans in their respective crafts, have installed military and luxury camps across the globe. They make giving excellent service to our clients possible, and you can see from this why we are so proud of them.

Salute, gentlemen!

IDEX 21

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Weatherhaven RCS is honoured to announce that the company will be exhibiting at the International Defence Expo #IDEX2019. IDEX is the only international defence exhibition and conference in the MENA region demonstrating the latest technology across land, sea and air sectors of defence. It is a unique platform to establish and strengthen relationships with government departments, businesses and armed forces throughout the region.

 

For more than a decade, Weatherhaven RCS has supplied world class temporary accommodation solutions to the Military industry, while also establishing a stronghold in servicing the mining, construction, aviation and tourism markets. Our highly skilled teams have installed military camps and supplied related products in an array of territories across the globe, including the UK, Ghana, Tanzania, Botswana, Somalia, Antarctica, the DRC and the UAE.

 

The product offering favoured by armed forces across the globe includes canvas products, PVC structures and containerised shelters. Through strategic partnerships, industry accreditation and a strong dedication to innovation, Weatherhaven RCS produces products of superior technological advancement. This is evidenced in the products’ ability to withstand harsh climates, ranging from extreme heat to subzero temperatures, as well as harsh winds.

 

This year, we have partnered with the DTI and will exhibit as part of the South African Pavillion of trusted suppliers and exporters in the industry. We will also showcase our PVC product at the Streit Group stand, which will feature a full military camp simulated experience.

Medical Intervention in the Field

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Weatherhaven RCS has risen to the critical issue of treating Ebola and unrelated casualties in Africa. We were proud to be the first to deliver accommodation and medical facilities for the SANDF. It’s a massive investment in a situation that has major challenges.

Denel / Mechem MOU Opening New Opportunities

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The partnership with Denel/Mechem MOU has led to an opportunity for Weatherhaven RCS to supply our clients with a one stop service. Through our memorandum of understanding with Denel/Mechem, we are now able to provide full turnkey camps, including camp management. Therefore, no matter how remote our clients may be, we can service their every need.