Full Name: Willem Frederick Ludwick
Position: GM of BEKA Schréder
Main Activity of the Company: BEKA is a designer and manufacturer of light-emitting diode and conventional luminaires, as well as glass-fibre-reinforced polyester poles. The company offers a full range of lighting and telemanagement solutions to enhance people’s lives in terms of safety and wellbeing
Date and Place of Birth: May 14, 1966, Pretoria
Education: Four-year electrical engineering qualification, Tshwane University of Technology
First Job: I started doing various part-time jobs while still at school, which included electrical and mechanical work and being an usher in a cinema. My first formal job was as a pupil electrical engineering technician
Career History Prior to Current Position: My career began as an engineering technician for the Department of Public Works, where I worked for seven years, resigning as a senior engineering technician. I then joined BEKA Schréder as a senior sales engineer, becoming regional manager after two years, a position I held for nine years. I then joined Electrolec as GM but, after six years, I rejoined BEKA Schréder in 2013 as the national sales manager and market development manager: Australia and New Zealand. I have been GM since April 2016
Size of First Pay Packet: R5 555
First Job with Present Group: Senior sales engineer
Value of Assets under Your Control: About R240-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: 480
Management Style: I believe in people and teamwork
Personal Best Achievement: Many – but a beautiful spouse and three lovely children stand out
Professional Best Achievement: Appointment as GM of BEKA Schréder
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: God, my late grandfather and all the wonderful people I meet on a daily basis
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Jan Vosloo, Johann Schleritzko, Jan van den Heever, Carl Watson and Rassie Schoeman
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Richard Branson
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Laurie Dippenaar, cofounder of FirstRand
Philosophy of Life: Never be average; work hard and good things will come to you in good time
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being the business development manager
for Australia and New Zealand – I really enjoyed this challenge and the successful start-up and implementation of Schréder Australia
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Disappointments are part of life – I learn from them and move on
Hope for the Future: That, as a country, we somehow let go of the past
Favourite Reading: Deon Meyer or any good technical publication
Favourite TV Programme: I do not watch much TV, but enjoy outdoor
programmes, history and sports events
Favourite Food/Drink: Seafood and homemade leg of lamb/a good red wine and whiskey
Favourite Music: I love all genres
Favourite Sport: Rugby – but I also enjoy any outdoor sport
Favourite Website: Wikipedia
Hobbies: I love the outdoors and travelling. I am also a part-time game and livestock farmer
Car: Land Cruiser
Pets: Too many to mention
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonest people, late sleepers and people who have no respect for time
Favourite Other South African Company: PSG Group
Favourite Foreign Company: Remgro
Married: To Ronell Wiehahn, since September 30, 1989
Children: Chané, 25; Rickus, 21; Karli, 14
Clubs: None