18 February, Kempton Park . The DSA Board announced the appointment of Ismail Dockrat as the new CEO of the aerostructures manufacturing company.
He will assume leadership of Denel Saab Aerostructures with effect from 1 March 2010.
Previously the CEO of Denel Aviation, Dockrat boasts significant industry experience. His career in aviation began when he joined Armscor's aeronautic logistics division in 1996. Before being appointed CEO of Denel Aviation in 2006, he served as CEO of Wesgro, the official trade and investment promotion agency for the Western Cape . Dockrat joined Denel Aviation with a clear mandate to turn the business around, and make it commercially sustainable as part of Denel's macro turnaround strategy. To this end, he was successful in leading the company through a period of improved profitability and made a significant contribution to the transformation of the business. Dockrat was also instrumental in securing a long-term partnership with Denel Aviation's key client: the South African Air Force (SAAF).
DSA's new CEO will continue to drive the turnaround of the company, ensuring its vision of being the reliable African link in the global aerostructures supply chain is realised. "DSA has achieved significant milestones and celebrated numerous operational highlights during the course of the current financial year. These have given a clear indication of the potential and calibre of the company's service offering and capabilities. My goal will be to build on these successes and ensure that DSA's turnaround strategy continues to yield results," says Dockrat. "In living the company's vision and values, we are sure to achieve success in this regard and simultaneously add significant value to South Africa through the local incubation and development of complex aerostructures technology."
Dockrat will be ably supported in his new role by Theo Kleynhans, DSA's COO, who had been acting in this position since 22 January 2010. He will be working closely with the company's new Chief Financial Officer - Christine Visser - who was appointed at the same time by the Board.
DSA embarked on an aggressive turnaround strategy in July 2008 to streamline the company's processes and maximise efficiency. This has already resulted in significant operational improvements and correspondingly bolstered the company's competitiveness. The DSA Board is confident that today's appointments will add further momentum to the strategy's implementation, and drive operational excellence and efficiency.
Statement issued by Letsema Communications on behalf of Denel Saab Aerostructures, February 18 2010
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