WRITTEN BY DON CAMPBELL

Clean water is something that is often taken for granted and it is enlightening to find the amount of work it takes to keep the water flowing smoothly and reliably. When you do find out the level of activity and expertise needed to do this you may never turn the tap on in the same way again. I was lucky enough to speak with cofounder and director Dr. Leon Geustyn regarding the remarkable and essential GLS Consulting.

KEEPING THE Water FLOWING

“Our business today focusses on water and sewer

system modelling and master planning,” Leon explains,

“This includes areas such as water quality modelling;

risk based pipeline replacement prioritization analysis and water and

sewer system asset management planning.”

While being a South African company their level of expertise has

attracted clients from across the globe.

“We operate from a single office in Stellenbosch, South Africa,”

he continues, “Serving more than thirty municipalities, including five

metro’s in South Africa. Through specialist assistance to associated

companies we also provide our services to clients in South East Asia,

the United States of America, Holland and Turkey.”

The Source Of The Company’s Strength

“GLS employ highly skilled people with over half the staff having

obtained tertiary qualifications,” Leon tells us, describing the source-

pool for his company’s strength, “Three of them hold PhD’s and twelve

are either holding or in the process of completing Masters Degrees in

Engineering as well as one holding an MBA.”

With forty three staff members working for the company financial

and mentoring support is provided at all levels of advanced education.

Over and above this continuous high level training is provided to staff

on the sophisticated technology and methodology applied by GLS

and the software training courses provided by GLS are accredited for

trainees to obtain CPD points.

“Staff development is incredibly important,” Leon indicates

strongly, “And it’s important that everyone has the necessary

GLS CONSULTING

Founded in 1989 with the key intention of providing a comprehensive and expert service, GLS Consulting has become one of the key names in water keeping all the bases covered. Having a 50% share in IMQS they have been able to further expand upon their services and offer their clients a comprehensive solution to their projects.

qualifications and most importantly the working experience to keep

our offering at the cutting edge of our industry.”

Keeping The Customers On CourseGLS has a programme of continuous research, development and

improvement of skills and technology that allows for state of the

art and a cost-efficient service to customers. Over the years they

have managed to maintain a strong position in the market with large

growth potential in its niche. This has been accomplished through

their ability to apply internationally competitive software supported

by a very high level of expertise and experience.

When it comes to implementing this expertise into a customer

focus Leon believes that individual development is not only expected

but strongly supported.

“All of our projects are performed against a strictly controlled

and detailed scope of works and quality control processes,” Leon

explains. GLS is in the process of becoming ISO 9001 Compliant

and they approach each of the clients through focussed teamwork,

“We perform our services via a structure where the client is the

responsibility of a single team with only a small percentage of their

time being taken by other projects.”

This results in an “always available and informed” support service

to clients with a priority given to the long term relationships shared

with long standing customers, some of which have lasted over twenty

three years.

2014 And OnwardsIn August 2013 GLS became a fully owned business unit of the

South African listed company EOH. Also recently an exclusive license

for the application of all GLS’ software technology and services

outside of Africa and Western

Europe was obtained by the

Canadian listed company Pure

Technologies and in Western

Europe GLS’ services and

software technology have been

applied in association with the

Dutch based company Quasset.

The joining of EOH provides

a large opportunity for both

growth and broadening of

services provided by GLS in

Africa. This is due to several

factors, largely related to the

ability to provide clients with

the service as a part of a total

multi-disciplinary service not

only pertaining to engineering,

but also IT systems, financial

planning and general strategic

support.

“The strong support

provided also allows for GLS to

embark on larger contracts and

initiatives than is currently the case,” Leon adds, “Becoming part of a

truly South African industry leader, harbouring all of the exciting and

interesting diversity within highly skilled and experienced people, has

been an invigorating experience for GLS and we are looking forward

to new opportunities growing from our existing strong platform.”

The joining of forces with Pure Technologies through licensing

has already exposed GLS to participation in projects in markets where

they may not have ventured alone.

“The extremely comprehensive expertise and experience on

related technologies provided by Pure has enhanced our offering

with GLS and we are now capable of being a truly international

competitor,” Leon explains, “The association with Quasset has already

allowed GLS to participate in major projects in the Netherlands, with

large growth potential in Europe.”

While, within the South African context GLS would like to consider

its combination of skills, experience, reputation and footprint having

made the company attractive for an acquisition by an industry leader,

such as EOH. This status was achieved over 25 years of diligence and

hard work by a group of clever people that changed very little over

time. When commenting on this Leon simply says, “There is no easy

road!”

“As far as our international

associations are concerned the

initial connection was related

to the proven high level of

technology that GLS could

provide,” he continues, “But

since then strong reliance was

made on the establishing of

trust amongst individuals in all

parties.”

While the home fires had to

be kept burning it was required

from a core team tasked with

the process to be prepared

to travel internationally and

adapt to working in different

environments and time zones

and this often impacting on

private time and personal

comfort.

“This is not a road to travel

on unless as a team you have

strong confidence in your own

abilities and technology and are able to bear with the usual venture

related perils,” Leon specifies, “But the payoff is hugely satisfying

when successful.”

Although the formalities have been concluded, thus establishing

the terms at which work is performed, these ventures still require a

continuous commitment in providing support ranging from marketing

all the way through to training. While the challenges posed by time

zone differences and international travelling remain, “The impact

is offset by the numerous related opportunities provided to GLS

staff and the financial benefits of working in a stable market earning

foreign currency.”

Phone +27 21 880 0388

Fax +27 21 880 0389

Email info@gls.co.za www.gls.co.za

OUR CLIENTS

Johannesburg Water City of Tshwane City of Cape Town Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Bu� alo City Emfuleni Municipality All the

municipalities in the Western Cape Province Randfontein LM Midvaal LM

Lesedi LM Renosterberg LM Ubuntu LM Emthanjeni LM Siya Themba LM

“Leaders in providing solutions related to the optimal planning and management of water and

sewer reticulation systems”

GLS CONSULTING

“ This is not a road to travel on unless as a team you have strong confidence in your own abilities and technology and are able to bear with the usual venture related perils, but the payoff is hugely satisfying when successful.”

Phone +27 21 880 0388

Fax +27 21 880 0389

Email info@gls.co.za www.gls.co.za

OUR CLIENTS

Johannesburg Water City of Tshwane City of Cape Town Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Bu� alo City Emfuleni Municipality All the

municipalities in the Western Cape Province Randfontein LM Midvaal LM

Lesedi LM Renosterberg LM Ubuntu LM Emthanjeni LM Siya Themba LM

“Leaders in providing solutions related to the optimal planning and management of water and

sewer reticulation systems”

www.littlegatepublishing.com

GLS CONSULTING

+27 218 800 388

WWW.GLS.CO.ZA