KSB is one of the world’s leading suppliers of pumps and valves and related services. The 150-year-old German multi-national company was founded and is headquartered in Frankenthal, Germany. The company derives its name from its founders Klein who was an engineer with ideas but no money, Schanzlin was a brewer who had money and Becker was a farmer with lots of land. The three got together to form KSB.
The KSB Group has sales and marketing organisations, manufacturing facilities, and service operations on all continents. The company is represented in South Africa since the early 1900’s by agents. In 1959 KSB Pumps (SA) was established with the objective to be closer to the customer by having strong local sales, operations and service. KSB South Africa is based in Johannesburg with modern manufacturing and sales facilities. With nine additional sales branches in South Africa, four branches in Sub Saharan Africa and a nationwide network with accredited service centres KSB is represented throughout the whole country.
KSB recently invited seven engineering students to a meet and greet with the managing director Mr Peter Weber. After providing a brief history of KSB, Mr Weber explained to the students that the session would be very interactive and went promptly into a series of probing questions which he put to the students to test their knowledge of pumps. Mr Weber reinforced KSB’s commitment to drive skills development in the engineering field.
Ms Patience Kotyi transformation manager at KSB explained that the company is committed to helping disadvantaged students access higher education through bursaries. “We believe that no student should be excluded from education due to financial challenges” said Kotyi. She went on to explain that KSB is committed to help address the country’s scarce and future skills needs especially in engineering.
An amount of almost half a million rand has been allocated to support UKZN students in 2021. KSB bursaries are awarded to academically deserving students who have no financial means to access higher education. The generous KSB bursaries cover tuition, accommodation/travel, meals and books.
“KSB Pumps and Valves bursary is a lifesaver, a stress reliever and a heap of abundant support to my dreams. They paid for my studies, right when I was to be financially excluded from the university financial exclusion” said Paul Gumede one of the recipients of the KSB bursary.
According to Ms Kotyi, whilst employment with KSB is not guaranteed, graduates are invited to apply when vacancies are advertised. After a rigorous recruitment and selection process, the best person for the job is offered employment. However, KSB through its bursaries will ensure that graduates have the qualifications and skills to enter the job market.
Professor Anesh Singh executive director of UKZN Foundation thanked Mr Weber and his team for their generosity and their concern for their students by arranging the meet and greet. “Engaging with students and making them feel like a member of the KSB family gives them a sense of belonging and closeness to the company which is key to their academic success,” said Singh.
Author: Anesh Maniraj Singh