Masters of the scene
Master DrillingÔÇÖs vertical integration strategy makes it stand out from the crowd, as Ruari McCallion finds out.
ÔÇ£Necessity is the mother of invention,ÔÇØ the old saying has it, and that seems to be so in the case of Master Drilling. Located in Fochville, South Africa, the first entity that became the company was established in 1986 as a specialised raisebore contracting company.

Shining Ithaca
Pessimists say that the North Sea is in decline, but thereÔÇÖs enough oil and gas under there to keep it active for decades. John OÔÇÖHanlon speaks to John Woods, chief development officer of Ithaca Energy (UK) Ltd.

A climate of support
WeÔÇÖre used to hearing about innovative management styles emanating from the premier league of industrial countries, but as Alan Swaby learns, smaller countries also throw up new ideas, and South AfricaÔÇÖs Haw & Inglis Civil Engineering is a good example.

Taking care of the golden goose
A picturesque location often attracts development which then destroys the original reason for its charm. However, thatÔÇÖs not always the case, as Alan Swaby discovers.

Rich resources
A domestic monopoly doesnÔÇÖt necessarily mean that hard-headed business decisions arenÔÇÖt on the agenda at Foskor, as Alan Swaby learns.
Foskor, South AfricaÔÇÖs only miner of phosphate rock, was set up in the 1950s by the South African Industrial Development Corporation when it felt the need to have an internal supply of raw material for fertilizer rather than having to rely on imports.

Spreading wings in the Emirates
John OÔÇÖHanlon speaks to Dutco McConnell Dowell operations manager Jim Connor about its services to the emerging Middle East aluminium smelting industry.

Constructive cyclones
Often the ancillary elements of a larger system provide some of the more interesting engineering solutions, as Dan Bailey discovers when investigating mining in southern Africa.

Sensitive situation
A move from North America to North Africa changed the fortunes of oil and gas exploration company Dana Gas Egypt (DGE)ÔÇöformally acknowledged as Centurion Petroleum CorporationÔÇöbut created a few headaches in the process, as Alan Swaby learns.

Engineered sculpture
The Al Hamra Tower is going to be the tallest building in Kuwait when finished in 2010 and an outstanding project for its general contractor Ahmadiah Construction, as project director Hani Abuhaidar explains to John OÔÇÖHanlon.

Salt of the earth
Just 15 months ago Aard Mining Equipment emerged from beneath the protective umbrella of mining services giant Boart Longyear. Managing director Alistair McGillivray talks to Gay Sutton about the challenges and excitement of the first year of independence.