Page 49 - KZN Top Busines Portfolio 2020/21

The mechanical ventilators received the Royal the University of Cambridge, partners Beko in the
Academy of Engineering’s President’s Special Award UK and Arçelik in Turkey. “Its success depended
for Pandemic Service as a result of their efforts in in no small part on the innovative design and
manufacturing mechanical ventilators for developing engineering capabilities that we have at our disposal
countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. in South Africa – both within our own company as
well as South Africa’s premier producer of landward
Evren Albaş, CEO of Defy Appliances, says that the
initiative brings together the extensive research, defence solutions, Denel Land Systems, with whom
design, manufacturing and testing capabilities we were able to collaborate.”
to mass produce the cost-effective, full-function Albaş notes that the manufacturing of these
mechanical ventilators – named Impilo – at Defy’s ventilators in Defy’s facility in South Africa is
Jacobs factory. The high-performance mechanical also being supported by 17 local suppliers – each
ventilator has since become the first intensive-care responsible for various device components. “Defy
quality ventilator to be manufactured on the African has a 115-year history and heritage in South Africa.
continent. As part of our role in the community, it’s important
to support our country when it needs it most.
“Impilo means ‘life’ in Zulu and Xhosa, which we
think is a fitting name for a device that so many Our biggest goal here is to produce life-saving
people depend on right now for their survival,” says equipment that can be used to help treat as many
Albaş. COVID-19 patients as possible. At the same time, we
are also constantly looking for ways to create more
He explains that the mechanical ventilator units jobs and provide further relief with this initiative,”
were developed through Defy’s cooperation with Albas concludes.

Full Name of Company: Defy Appliances (Pty) Ltd Accountants: Ernst & Young
Nature of Business: Manufacturing and distribution of
white appliances KEY PERSONNEL
Chief Executive Officer: Evren Albaş
Date Established: 1905 Chief Financial Officer: M. Loxley
Current Customer Base: Most SA furnishers and
retailers CONTACT DETAILS
Subsidiaries: Defy Namibia, Defy Botswana Physical Address: 135 Teakwood Road, Jacobs, 4052
Postal Address: P.O. Box 12004, Jacobs, 4026
Holding Company: Arçelik (Turkey) Tel: +27 (0)31 460 9711 Fax: +27 (0)31 460 9800
Bank: Standard Bank Website: www.defy.co.za
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