Tellumat extending military pedigree and full service offering to civil aviation

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This business unit of the Tellumat technology group offers 35-plus years' experience in the supply, installation, maintenance support and upgrade of air traffic management systems, including radar systems and ground-based navigational aids. During this period, the primary focus was on the defence market, with the South African Air Force being the main client.

Along the way it has built up a full service and solution portfolio, complemented by significant skills in systems and software design, solutions supply and installation, as well as maintenance support and upgrades, says managing executive Bennie Langenhoven. The decision to give the civil aviation market equal and undiluted focus was a logical step, as it allows the unit to fully leverage its depth and breadth of technical, including software, and project skills, he says.

New deals

The unit recently completed a large contract for upgrades at the Mahikeng airport, is currently supplying and installing an AGL system at Somerset East Airport and has just won an AGL supply contract with the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape.

The Tanzanian Civil Aviation Authority also recently awarded a contract to Tellumat ATM to provide maintenance support to their installed base of ground-based navigation aids and radar systems. This includes the provision of engineering services and training.

"Beyond ILS and AGL systems, we're working with a number of OEMs to provide radar and direction finders," he adds. Tellumat ATM is adding to its Mahikeng business with an installation of direction finders for ATNS (Air Traffic and Navigation Services, which controls 10% of the globe's airspace in terms of geographical coverage).

Looking ahead

"The objective is to grow our footprint significantly over the next two to three years and become a better recognised alternative supplier of these systems," says Langenhoven. As this sector is contested strongly by a number of competitors, Tellumat won't have overnight success, he concedes.

But it offers something the others don't. "Due to our legacy we have a number of unique differentiators," says Langenhoven. "One of our strong points is that we offer cost-effective maintenance and support on legacy systems, a sought-after competency in Southern Africa. We have a very thorough understanding of radar systems, which will stand us in good stead when it comes time to supplying replacement systems."

Other than that, Tellumat's black economic empowerment credentials and manufacturing capability leave it uniquely equipped to assist overseas OEMs, whose local contracts often give preference to solutions with local content (local manufacturing capability). With this in mind, there is scope for considerable growth - estimates range from 15% to more than 100% year-on-year. "It is all project-based, so it's a bit unpredictable," says Langenhoven.