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Compound interests
Even in markets where money seems to be in endless supply, there is always competitive pressure, as Alan Swaby learns from a Middle East service provider.
If youÔÇÖre living or working in Saudi Arabia and need to change a light bulb, what do you do? Many Western companies trading there or private individuals too busy to take care of the little inconveniences themselves call in Electro Saudi Services, an operations and maintenance service provider that keeps the wheels of this oil-rich kingdom turning smoothly.

Floor level
Hamish McKee describes to Ruari McCallion the ways that Norcros South Africa and its companies are raising standards in ceramic tiles and flooring.
Norcros South Africa has been operational in South Africa for many years. Tile manufacturer JTSA (Johnson Tile South Africa) was originally established in the 1950s. Tile adhesive manufacturer TAL appeared in 1968 as a joint venture; Norcros bought out its partner in 1996 and eight years later acquired Tile Africa Ltd (Taf), its main distributor.  

In mint condition
Mintek, a South African mineral research and mining technology organisation, may be celebrating its 75th anniversary this June, but Dr Roger Paul explains to Gay Sutton how the company is addressing the problems of the futureÔÇödwindling earth resources, global warming and AfricaÔÇÖs archenemies, malaria and HIV.

Worker BEEs
Redressing some of South AfricaÔÇÖs past inequalities can be rewarding both socially and economically, as Dan Bailey learns.
In just about a yearÔÇÖs time, the finest footballers on earth will take the attention of the world to South Africa. Each of the countryÔÇÖs principal cities is pouring huge amounts of effort and resources into new infrastructure in the hope that they can receive some of the kudos that came to China for its staging of the Olympics.

Plastic progress
Britain is often associated with manufacturing at the heavy end of the spectrum or at the cutting edge of technology, but as Dan Bailey learns, there are success stories at the lighter end, too.

Revving up
When the owner of this Swedish graphite brush manufacturer expressed his wish to retire, new leadership emerged to take it forward, as Alan Swaby learns.