Full Name: Richard Kuhlmann
Position: MD of Upat South Africa (SA)
Main Activity of the Company: Upat SA, a 100% South African-owned business, began trading in 1983 as the sole Southern African distributor of the Upat range of construction fasteners, including anchor bolts, chemical anchors and nylon plugs, besides others
Date and Place of Birth: November 25, 1952, Lyttelton, Pretoria
Education: BCom, University of South Africa
First Job: Trainee manager at OK Bazaars
Career History Prior to Current Position: Afrox
Size of First Pay Packet: R196
First Job with Present Group: From sales and orders to packing
Value of Assets under Your Control: Undisclosed
Number of People under Your Leadership: 150
Management Style: Open-door, hands-on
Personal Best Achievement: Being married successfully for many years, and raising two wonderful children, who have both worked happily at Upat
Professional Best Achievement: Building three companies with an amazing team
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife and my father
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: An Afrox director
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Warren Buffett
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Warren Buffett
Philosophy of Life: If it is worth doing, do it properly
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Receiving R10 000 from my parents with which to start the business
Biggest Ever Disappointment: That I never did pilot training
Hope for the Future: Some stability in South Africa so that our country grows
Favourite Reading: Time magazine, the news
Favourite TV Programme: BBC 1 News
Favourite Food/Drink: A reasonable red wine, and many different cuisines – from Italian to German – and a good steak on the braai
Favourite Music: The golden oldies
Favourite Sport: Tennis
Favourite Website: Google
Hobbies: Woodwork, using Fischer products, being in the bush, and tennis
Car: Audi A5
Pets: German shepherds and a wire-haired terrier
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Blatant lying, heavy traffic and rhino poachers
Favourite Other South African Company: Undisclosed
Favourite Foreign Company: Fischer Germany
Married: To Julia Ann, since February 3, 1979
Children: Alison Julia, 38; Adrian Keith, 36
Clubs: None