Feature
Davis and Shirtliff celebrates 70th Anniversary, appoints
new Chief Executive
installations, especially in the arid areas and the installation
of a number of technology leading Reverse Osmosis
and Ultra Filtration water treatment plants. Mr Davis
noted that as the industry leader in provision of water
infrastructure projects many Kenyans today daily benefit
from the company’s many products.
“Reaching seventy years is a significant achievement and
Davis & Shirtliff has through the years been the leading
player in the industry. Few companies have such a long
history of growth and success” said Dr Abbas Gullet in
his address.
Davis & Shirtliff recently celebrated a major milestone,
its 70th Anniversary at its premises in Nairobi’s Industrial
Area that was attended by over 300 customers and
supporters including ten overseas visitors representing
its international suppliers. Guest of Honour was Dr
Abbas Gullet, Secretary General of the Kenya Red Cross
and at the celebrations the company also inaugurated a
multi-million Shilling state of the art new four-storey
office block that incorporates a canteen and Training
Centre as well as two floors of office space. The Training
Centre will be used by both customers and staff in
various programmes focusing on water and energy related
technologies. The building has also been fitted with green
technologies including solar powered electricity supply
and water heating as well as wireless phones and network
systems.
“The building has been designed to provide the necessary
improved resources to support our growing business as we
expand both in Kenya and also the wider region. It is an
important initiative in preparing Davis & Shirtliff for the
next phase of growth,” CEO Mr. Alec Davis said.
The company, which was started in 1946, has grown from
a small hydraulic engineering company to a water and
energy solutions giant with over 600 staff and revenues
of KShs7Bn. It has subsidiaries and associate companies
in seven countries across the larger Eastern Africa region
including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Ethiopia
and South Sudan and operates through a network of 48
branches, 28 in Kenya.
The company’s main activity is the distribution of water
pumps where it represents leading world suppliers
including Grundfos, Pedrollo and Davey as well as
supplying Dayliff, its own pump brand. It is also a major
provider of swimming pool, water treatment, solar
and power generation equipment. Over the years many
projects have been carried out, notable early projects
including the water supply infrastructure for Karen, Gigiri,
Kitisuru, Kibagare, Rosslyn and later Runda Estates. More
recent projects have included a number of solar pump
Also announced during the celebrations was the
appointment of David Gatende as the company’s new
chief executive. Mr Gatende, who previously served
as the deputy chief executive and has been with the
company for 30 years, will take over from Alec Davis,
the son of founder Eddie Davis, who moves to the role
of Chairman. Mr Davis, an engineer, has been with the
company since 1976 and a Director since 1982.
Smart green technologies were the theme of the day at
water and energy solution provider Davis & Shirtliff ’s
recent 70th anniversary celebrations at its head office in
the industrial area, Nairobi. The event served as an expose
of cutting edge new products to the 300 invited guests
as well as a celebration of the famous Kenyan company’s
long history.
Of particular note was iDayliff, an intelligent monitoring
system that allows users to control their water and
energy systems though a phone app developed entirely
in house by D&S engineers. Also of interest was a live
demonstration of the latest solar powered pumping
products, a smart water bottling plant, water treatment
solutions and swimming pool products that are available
through the organization’s network of 48 branches
through the region.
Outgoing CEO Alec Davis with incoming CEO David Gatende and COO
Dr. Mas Waweru
Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene • May - June 2016
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