Full Name: Andrew Alexander van Niekerk
Position: MD of Metix
Main Activity of the Company: Smelter engineering, construction and technology equipment
Date and Place of Birth: September 5, 1975, Somerset East, Eastern Cape
Education: BEng, University of Stellenbosch, 1997; BBA, University of South Africa, 2007
First Job: Plant metallurgist at Samancor (Mamatwan Manganese, Hotazel)
Career History Prior to Current Position: Metix, director: engineering, 2003 to 2013; Bateman Titaco, lead process engineer, 2000 to 2003; BHP Billiton and Samancor, progressed from metallurgist to plant superintendent, 1997 to 2000
Size of First Pay Packet: R70 000 a year
First Job with Present Group: Director: engineering
Value of Assets under Your Control: Very few assets, but projects with a total value of billions of rands
Number of People under Your Leadership: 110
Management Style: Enthusiastic, strategic and collaborative, with a focus on decision-making and goal orientation
Personal Best Achievement: My family and being MD of Metix
Professional Best Achievement: Starting and building Metix through excellent partnerships
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My parents, for teaching me the values of life and love, and for teaching me that one must work hard to achieve one’s dreams
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Reinier Meyjes, previous MD of Metix – a good friend, mentor and excellent business partner
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Felix Baumgartner (Red Bull Stratos)
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla Motors
Philosophy of Life: Give it everything
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Metix becoming part of the worldwide SMS Group
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Forgetting keeps us sane
Hope for the Future: That the South African industry survives the rocky road and challenges in the near future
Favourite Reading: Bicycling, Popular Mechanics and National Geographic
Favourite TV Programme: A good sci-fi movie/series
Favourite Food/Drink: Scallops/truffles/foie gras/good red wine
Favourite Music: South African bands, alternative rock, ambient
Favourite Sport: Mountain biking, snowboarding and swimming
Favourite Website: Any mountain biking, gadget or technology site
Hobbies: Movies, nature, RC planes and aspiring PPL pilot
Car: Land Rover Discovery 4
Pets: Schnauzer dogs
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Miscellaneous items
Favourite Other South African Company: AgriProtein
Favourite Foreign company: SMS Group
Married: To Jacquie Beneke, since March 18, 2006
Children: Lara, 6; Xander, 4
Clubs: None