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Octogenarian EJ Holtz celebrates 40 years at Multotec
The success of a business is primarily based on three elements: the products or services it provides; its management team and its employees. The Multotec group of companies has grown to become one of South Africa’s most successful mining service and equipment supply businesses. Undeniably, the leadership of its co-founder – Ernst Joachim (EJ) Holtz – has played a huge role in the growth trajectory of the company.
Leading the group’s 40-plus metallurgists and over 2 000 employees, Holtz can be justifiably proud of the fact that Multotec is globally recognised as a supplier of high-quality metallurgical equipment. Born and bred in Namibia, this son of a textile entrepreneur recently celebrated his 80th birthday. Before joining fledgling company Multotec in 1973, Holtz forged a reputation at Monoweld, which was later bought out by Barlows.
Surrounding himself with competent and enthusiastic forward thinkers is a talent that has helped Holtz raise the group’s status in the market. By aligning himself with Multotec Manufacturing’s former MD, Derrick Alston, former director Johan Engelbrecht and COO Jannie De Jonge, Holtz has ensured that the group has been able to grow its product base in a structured and sustainable manner.
Holtz played a major role in Multotec’s first product – the Multotec polyurethane screen panel. Originally manufactured under licence in Germany, the potential of this product was soon realised and the company took the decision to manufacture it locally.
The second product range in the line-up was cyclones. Through a chance meeting with Engelbrecht in 1975, Holtz identified an opportunity to add this synergistic range to the Multotec portfolio. This was followed by the addition of wear resistant linings.
The group is now focused on growing its operations beyond South African borders to support its export sales, which account for more than 50% of its total manufactured volume.
In addition to his formidable career at Multotec, Holtz has amassed an admirable number of accolades for his equestrian skills. He began horse-riding at the age of 7 and attended the Olympic Games at Stockholm in 1956. He later became the South West African Champion in show jumping. After returning to South Africa he won four SA Eventing Championships and was awarded his Springbok colours at the age of 40.
He qualified to become a national, an international and Olympic Judge. He was the President of the National Federation for 16 years, he also chaired the Africa Group of the International Federation and served on the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Board for the almost 10 years under Princess Haya of Jordan.
While Holtz is now retired from the Multotec board, he still fulfils the role of manager, CEO and director. His son Thomas sits at the helm and continues the tradition of mentorship through transferring skills and knowledge to other employees.