Ownership

Ownership
Empowa Investments has equity in four separate ventures, the most noteworthy being Empowa Grinaker-LTA.

Empowa Grinaker-LTA – Supporting railway networks countrywide
Empowa Grinaker-LTA was formed in 2003 when Empowa Investments acquired a 50% stake in Grinaker LTA’s concrete rail sleeper factory in De Aar, Northern Cape. Empowa Grinaker-LTA has a close working relationship with INFRASET an undisputed world-leader in innovative concrete rail technology and development. It manufactures concrete rail sleepers, and it also has close ties with Abetong Teknik of Sweden and Walter Bau of Germany.

Empowa Grinaker-LTA designs and supplies four prestressed concrete sleeper classes in compliance with SABS ISO 9001-2000 standards. They are designed to sustain axle loadings of 18.5 tons for sidings, 22.5 tons for main lines and 30 tons for heavy haulage lines.

The product range lines up as follows:

• Turnout sleepers
• The F4 used on general freight and main lines
• The P2 used on general freight and main lines
• The FY for heavy hauling conditions
• The PY for heavy hauling conditions
• Cattle troughs

World-Class Technology
Empowa Grinaker-LTA participates in and is a direct beneficiary of the ongoing research and development pursued by INFRASET Railway Products and stays abreast of new developments globally through its close ties with Abetong Teknik of Sweden and Walter Bau of Germany.

Monoblock sleepers
Used worldwide, prestressed Monoblock sleepers maintain their geometry even under adverse conditions – ensuring consistent rail gauge and rail seat inclinations. Their end-face design and large soffit area ensure generous ballast contact, and in combination with their weight, these factors provide excellent track stability and reduced ballast pressure.

Ballast friction on inverted cross-sections also aids in the prevention of track-lift.

High-strength prestressed concrete
The use of 60 MPa concrete ensures that Empowa Grinaker-LTA’s sleepers are able to withstand the aggressive loading conditions to which they will be exposed during an extensive life cycle.

By using pre-tensioned concrete, small cracks that might form as a result of accidental damage will automatically close, preventing any degradation that could have resulted. The insulation of fastenings also provides excellent electrical resistance for reliable and safe track-circuiting.

Railway Technology Services (Railtech) - Signalling, cabling and communications network
Empowa Investments has a 40% stake in Railtech, a company which has a cooperation agreement with Siemens for the supply of signaling, cabling and communication equipment to the industry including Transnet Freight Rail and Gautrain. It also has expertise in electrical installation and wiring.

Circle – Control Installations and Repair Centre (Pty) Ltd - Servicing, repairing and supplying industrial valves and Instrumentation equipment.
A 51% stake in this valve servicing and repair business is held by Empowa Investments. Included among Circle’s client base are household names such as Sasol and Eskom, as well as several large mines.

Rockwool SA (Pty) Ltd - Widely utilised insulation material
Empowa Investments holds 25.1% of the shares in Rockwool, a company which will begin manufacturing and marketing rockwool insulation products to refineries, power stations and construction companies in November 2007.