Firing the future
Coal India is the biggest coal production company in the world and one of the largest companies in India, with annual revenues in excess of $10 billion and more than 400,000 employees. John OÔÇÖHanlon talked to executive chairman Partha Sarathi Bhattacharyya.

The jewel in the innovation crown
In recent times, the words ÔÇÿenterpriseÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿIndiaÔÇÖ have become very much intertwined as the sub-continent emerges as the home of the latest technological innovations. One company producing its fair share of these is Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited.

Growing from the ground
Vrystaat Ko├Âperasie Beperk (VKB) is one of the few remaining agricultural enterprises to adopt a co-operative business model. Managing director Koos van Rensburg talked to Jayne Flannery about the opportunities this affords.

Meeting the need
IndiaÔÇÖs need for steel is growing. To meet the demand, Tata Steel is making a multi-billion dollar investment in a new plant in the state of Orissa. Ruari McCallion spoke to Binay Kumar Singh about it.

Not cowed by the competition

Sonnendal Dairies is an exclusive supplier of dairy products to South Africa’s largest food retail chain, Pick n Pay. Ben Sansom finds out how the company has been achieving world class standards while fighting off the effects of falling consumer demand.

Rock solid
Investment in technology and marketing initiatives has helped SmartStone to become South AfricaÔÇÖs leading supplier of cast stone products. It is now looking to expand operations internationally, as Ruari McCallion learned from James Metcalf.
The early years of this decade saw a boom in the construction industry in South Africa. During this time SmartStone rode the wave to generate phenomenal growth for itself and its licensees. But itÔÇÖs a bit harder to grow turnover and to sustain performance when things turn down.

An act of alchemy
Even with a commodity as rock solid as gold, change has to be managed, as Alan Swaby learns.
One of the modules to be found in business courses covers the topic of marketing myopiaÔÇöor how businesses take their eye off the ball and allow a once thriving concern to wither away. The case often quoted is the demise of the rail transport industry in the second half of the 20th century.

Creating an icon
Jane Bordenave talks to Alessandro Barioli, managing director of PermasteelisaÔÇÖs European Division, about the companyÔÇÖs commitment to quality and its positioning as the leader in its sector.

An operation of distinction
Langer Heinrich is taking a unique approach to mining uranium from its site in the Namib Desert. With the environment in mind, it uses naturally occurring reagents in its processes, as Becky Done finds out.

Running on empty
When the market overheats it can have far reaching implications, as Alan Swaby learns while talking to one of South AfricaÔÇÖs leading tyre producers.
ItÔÇÖs inconceivable to think that motorists wouldnÔÇÖt be able to get the replacement tyres they wantedÔÇöregardless of how exotic a car they driveÔÇöwithin a few days or so at the very most. But at the heavy end of the tyre spectrum, this has, on occasions, been the reality.