A sporting chanceTiming is critical in businessÔÇöand perfect timing has been an essential component in The Laser GroupÔÇÖs success, particularly as the logistics firm vows to exceed customer expectations. Andrew Pelis talks to chief executive Philip Hayes.With its headquarters in Cape Town, The Laser Group has been around since 1971, having initially started out as a household removals business.

Moving up the chain

Dr. Theunis Prinsloo, managing director of Kanhym Estates, talked to Jayne Flannery about the transformation of a traditional agricultural business in the new South Africa.

A recipe for success
The South African arm of General Mills has a reputation for quality among its six million customersÔÇöa figure which looks set to keep on growing. Andrew Pelis talked to managing director Craig Leathwhite about the companyÔÇÖs success and its future expansion plans.
Globalisation has been the buzz word in business for a number of years now. However, when the product being distributed is food, issues of culture and taste vary greatly from country to country, providing a real challenge.

Fast-tracking success
A shining monument to quality, ambition and industry, DubaiÔÇöthe city built from the desertÔÇöhas risen at an incredible rate and is testament to the graft of companies like Emirates Falcon Electromechanical Co. (EFECO), as Andrew Pelis finds out.

Image is everything
When major events and the worldÔÇÖs leading corporations want millions of people to see their visual messages, they choose Barco for their image solutions. Martin Ashcroft reports.

Heart of iron
Iron ore production has become gradually more important to Assmang (abbreviated from Associated Manganese Mines of South Africa). Founded in 1935, until comparatively recently it specialised in manganese extraction; today it has three operating divisions based on chrome, manganese and iron ore, the last of which is being dramatically extended, as John OÔÇÖHanlon learned.

A prolific portfolio
With a diverse range of projects under its belt and many more on the horizon, Turkish construction company Ant Yapi is making a name for itself, both in its native country and in Russia. Now, it is seeking to diversify and expand still furtherÔÇöwithout compromising on quality.

Privatising power
A major privatisation of the power sector in the Gulf state of Oman is encouraging plenty of investment into a very lucrative sphere. The Al Kamil Power Company is one business benefiting from the system, producing both electricity and excellent results.

Ajwa Port Services is investing 200 million Saudi riyal in a programme of expansion at the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea. Saleh Al Fadhli talks to Gay Sutton about the company's plans to become a major regional port services player.

Africa-focused mining group Petra Diamonds has announced that it has found one of the worldÔÇÖs largest, highest-quality diamonds ever at its Cullinan mine, north-east of Pretoria, South Africa.