Page 3 - Business Sense-11.2 Brian Howarth- ebook

KEEP THE TRIANGLE

BALANCED FOR SUCCESS

Brian Howarth, chairman of Magnet Electrical. The Standard Bank KZN Top Business Leader of the Year Award 2024 was awarded to presented to Brian Howarth. Celebrating
the achievement with him are (L-R ): Colette Howarth; Narasha Ramlutchman-Nel, Financial Director, Magnet; Dean
Shepherd, Standard Bank; Nicole Snyders, Strategy & Communications Director, Magnet and Simone Cooper, Standard Bank.

rian Howarth, assumed Electric’s major partners in Passion For Innovation on employees, clients, and the A Conscious Choice
the position as chairman South Africa. “We’ve been Brian’s passion for innovation environment. “I hate losing,” Brian’s speaks of balancing his
Bof Magnet Electrical in working with Schneider and engineering drives his he admits. Magnet has even “triangle”—money, time, and
2024, after 35 years of running since we started, selling their curiosity and eagerness to taken cues from the Springboks’ health. “When you’re younger,
the family business as managing electrical switchgear and explore new challenges. “I love strategic approach, analysing time doesn’t feel as limited,” he
director. An electrical engineer control components,” he shares. technology,” Brian admits with competitors and devising well- muses. But now, at 67, he aims
by profession, Brian pursued When Eskom’s electricity a grin. “A lot of my friends call rounded game plans to improve to make the most of each day,
a diploma in electrical supply began struggling to me the gadget man.” He’s quick their chances of success. In the embracing both business and
engineering in the 1970s at meet demand, Brian saw to point out, however, that his future, Brian envisions Magnet personal pursuits. “I’m proud
Durban Technicon, followed an opportunity. “We put focus is essential in business. as a top solutions provider in that I’ve kept my family close
by an electrical government “It’s about understanding the electrical engineering space. throughout my career,” he says.
certificate. together a team of engineers clients’ needs, not just pushing “We’ve set clear goals for the next Married for over 40 years, Brian
and proposed energy-saving five years,” he says, adding that
Brian spent the initial decade solutions to our clients,” he what excites you,” he says. quarterly town hall meetings values this achievement as much
Brian also appreciates the
as any professional success.
of his career at the Durban explains. Eskom, through their transition to digitisation, ensure everyone stays aligned
Electricity Department. “They Demand Side Management finding joy in brainstorming with this vision. “We work hard Brian draws inspiration from
offered me a bursary, and I programme, supported these with his team and developing to provide our team with a clear his family as well. “Seeing my
had to commit to a ten-year initiatives, funding upgrades solutions together. roadmap for growth,” Brian daughters succeed inspires me,”
contract,” he explains. “When like LED lighting and motor explains. However, government he says, His daughter Nicole now
that was up, my father, who had efficiency improvements. Reflecting on his journey, Brian regulations can create obstacles, plays a vital role in the company,
started a business called Magnet Brian recalls, “For five years, is proud of Magnet’s growth and he notes, especially when trying reflecting the family’s continuity
Industrial Supplies, asked if we worked on hundreds of the team of 140 people he has to bring in highly skilled foreign in Magnet’s leadership.
I wanted to join.” His father, projects with Eskom and built. “Our staff is everything,” specialists. Speaking of his father, Brian
eager to retire and enjoy life, won several energy efficiency he emphasises. “Seeing our For Brian, managing cash says that he was his greatest
saw this as a prime opportunity awards.” This shift marked employees grow and thrive is influence. Describing him as
to transition the family business Magnet’s evolution from incredibly rewarding,” he says, flow as a privately owned “a gregarious character” who
business has also been an
to the next generation. “It a component supplier to a proudly sharing that all staff now always viewed the glass as half-
happened just like that,” Brian solutions-based enterprise, have medical aid with access to ongoing challenge. “You full, Brian adopted his father’s
always need enough in the
notes. “I’ve been at Magnet now private healthcare. The company optimism and resilience. “He
for more than 38 years.” now encompassing a trading celebrates achievements together, bank to cover salaries and
company and an engineering with outings and team-building creditors,” he shares. During taught me to hang in there and
Over nearly four decades, company with a team of twelve activities. “We took everyone periods of financial strain face challenges head-on.” Brian
Brian has watched the business engineers and five project on an MSC cruise once,” he or when significant clients has also looked to influential
adapt and grow. “Today, we’re managers. “We audit, engineer, recalls with a smile. However, faced difficulty, the pressure global leaders for inspiration,
focused on servicing the and implement electrical and Brian recognises that young was intense. Magnet learned including Richard Branson. 
industrial sector in KZN,” lighting solutions,” Brian employees today have different to diversify its client base,
he says, listing a client base added that Magnet’s work expectations. “They want instant ensuring no single account For more information about Magnet
that includes multinational has expanded to solar PV success,” he notes, requiring comprises more than 15% of visit www.magnet.co.za
companies in food and projects as more clients pursue Magnet to adapt its approach to revenue. His daughter’s MBA
beverage, steel, aluminium, pulp off-grid solutions. He feels career development. research has guided them to
and paper, and sugar industries. pride in the impact Magnet is focus on a narrow band of core
Magnet, a specialist electrical making, especially as industries “Success inspires me,” Brian strengths, resisting the “death
engineering firm with a trading transition toward greener states simply. He’s motivated by by opportunity” approach of
arm, is one of Schneider energy solutions. seeing Magnet’s positive impact spreading too thin.

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