System Integration & Control Systems Design


Customer centricity and a sterling team pave the way for CSS

January 2018 System Integration & Control Systems Design

A customer-centric approach has allowed Control Software Solutions (CSS) to attain a high percentage of repeat business from its growing client base. This Level 2 BBBEE company has a solid 15 years of experience devising and designing customised solutions for a number of industries. Headquartered in Durban, with offices in Gauteng, the company employs 20 highly qualified technical specialists who are driven by the common goal of providing innovative customised solutions in the electrical, control and automation sectors.

Success factors

Director Pieter Venter says that the success of the company can be attributed primarily to three factors: a flat management structure that sees all employees placed on an equal footing, whereby they are able to develop to their full potential; a team that is characterised by excellence in knowledge, experience and performance; and a focus on acquiring a thorough familiarity with the customer’s operations. “By partnering with our customers in relationships that thrive on information sharing and open communication, we are able to enhance customer operations for maximised productivity and uptime.”

CSS works with a number of recognised international manufacturers and suppliers to devise the best possible solution for each customer. Certification from these suppliers provides customers with the assurance that the CSS team is completely up to date on current trends and technology. The company recently achieved Master Alliance Level status with Schneider Electric, the only one in Africa and one of only six companies worldwide to claim this status. In addition, CSS holds Wonderware certification and is also a Rockwell and Siemens system integrator partner.

Projects and awards

CSS has been honoured with a number of prestigious awards from its suppliers that include Best Production and Performance Management Application from Wonderware Southern Africa in 2006 and 2007; SABMiller supplier of the Year Award for 2005, 2009, 2013 and 2014; Best HMI Application award for the Transnet Port of Durban; Plantstruxure Partner of the Year and Most Certified Engineers (2015) and Technical Expertise & Excellence Application Award (2016) from Schneider Electric.

Together with a focus on developing its own internal human assets, the company has been involved in the Seed of Hope community project since 2003. What started as a drop-in programme for vulnerable children on the rural outskirts of Durban has evolved into a formalised plan called Simunye Time that includes the teaching of songs, arts and crafts, and life skills. CSS continues to contribute to the project with upgrades to the children’s playground, new toilet facilities, the supply of computer and network equipment, as well as a new sewing skills training room.

A number of high-profile projects have been completed in the food and beverage industry, including Phases 1 (front end extraction) and 2 (steam generation and power generation) of the RCL Pongola sugar mill; Bakers Biscuits dough mixing control for Snackworks; and Nestlé’s infant formula dry mix control. Projects for Assmang Cato Ridge’s export facility and DCS replacement at Arcelor Mittal’s coke oven by-products plant have also recently been completed.

Projects currently underway include the SAB Rosslyn expansion contract; Phase 3 (backend) of the RCL Pongola sugar mill; and the Phoenix wastewater plant expansion contract. “We tackle contracts of various sizes, from small to very large and due to the fact that we have worked in industries that include metals and minerals, automotive, materials handling, utilities and municipalities, we are able to leverage our experience to tailor-make best practice solutions,” concludes Venter.

For more information contact Pieter Venter, Control Software Solutions, +27 (0)31 914 0040, pieterv@cs-solutions.co.za, www.cs-solutions.co.za



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