Botswana’s leading mechanical contractor Climate Control has launched its Zambian unit as the company tries to spread its footprint across southern Africa.
Speaking during the launch held on Friday night, Climate Control Managing Director Ben Bwalya said the company planned to gradually open branches in the entire Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
“Our decision to expand into the Zambian market has been fuelled by the rising demand of our services both from the Government and the private sector,” Mr Bwalya said.
Mr Bwalya said the company was established 12 years ago in Botswana to primarily offer mechanical engineering services to the building industry.
“I am proud to announce that this function is symbolically being held here, at Mulungushi International Conference Centre, because we recently worked here to revamp the entire heating, ventilation and air conditioning plants,” he said.
The Mulungushi International Conference Centre recently underwent renovations before hosting the African Development Bank (AfDB) annual meetings.
Climate Control had partnered with giant air conditioning company Samsung Electronics and constantly found ways of reinventing itself to ensure sustainability and profitability of the company, Mr Bwalya said.
“Twelve years in an information age and in an industry that is constantly ever-evolving in order to adapt to the technological advancements, is an achievement we can be proud of,” he said.
Mr Bwalya said the company had completed a lot of projects related to refrigeration, air conditioning, fire suppression systems, fire sprinkler systems and pumping stations.
“This launch is the first step for us to re-introduce ourselves on the Zambian market, we still have a lot to do to prove our worth,” he said.
Climate Control was fully registered with the National Construction Council (NCC) in Grade 1 and currently employed 160 people in various capacities and fields in Botswana and Zambia.
“It is a known fact that the construction industry is one of the biggest employers offering massive on-site training even to individuals with limited academic credentials,” he said.
Mr Bwalya said through its partnership with Samsung Electronics as authorized distributors for the Zambian market, Climate Control was able to offer the latest technology in air conditioning design.
“We are indebted to Samsung Electronics for the tremendous technical support they have continued to provide,” he said.
Through quality installation, Climate Control had created a major reference site for Samsung Digital Air Solutions in Sub Saharan Africa and a first for Botswana and Zambia, he said.
He said Climate Control was ready to assist in bridging the gap between the academic world and the construction industry by offering practical experience through internship programmes to fresh graduates on live sites.
Works and Supply permanent secretary Charles Sipanje said Climate Control Zambia Limited could not have come at a better time than now when Zambia had placed infrastructure development as one of the key priorities in turning around the economy.
Mr Sipanje urged Climate Control Zambia to utilize locally produced materials in their projects which would in turn assist Zambia in the creation of both direct and indirect employment.
He said Zambia has enough qualified and semi skilled human resource which Climate Control Zambia Limited could readily employ.
By Chris Mfula
ANY COMMENT ABOUT ZAMBIAN ENGINEERS, BECAUSE THIS BWALYA GUY IS NOT ZAMBIAN BUT A SWANA BORN IN ZAMBIA!
He is my cousin, we both got Swana Blood, his Father is Zambian though…Zambian Engineers are great, only they lack hands on training due to poor training facilities at Zambian universities. This is not time for comparison, as most of them do well when they go and study abroad
As Sustainability Engineers, this is our core duty, to warn people about dangerous products, and give them the alternatve …others’ or our carefully engineered products as substitute
This guy is 100% Zambian. I have known him for years. Brilliant student at Mungwi Tech School. Top notch Mechanical Engineer from the University of Zambia. Don’t tell lies.
Bwalya is very much Zambia, he grow up in Nothern province and attended is senior secondary at Mungwi Technical school in the same province. he further did his Engineering Digree programme at the university of Zambia. his both parents are Zambians and they never stayed in Botswana.
Motswana or Zambian he is making a difference in Africa. Lets just congratulate him for the great work he does and stop with negative comments.
Mr Ben Bwalya, is very much Zambian in everything, as Zambians we must be proud that we have people like Bwalya Ben. Go GO GO Ben at last we have a local guy involved heavily in designing and manufacturing air conditioning systems within the country meeting demands at all levels. I am sure UNZA is proud like i am. Thanks sir.
Well done Benjamin my friend from UNZA 1992 intake. Benjamin is 100% Zambian from northern province and previously worked for Indeni oil refinery in Ndola.
Bwayla is 100% Zambian, was a good student and great athlete. As a fellow Zambian I’m proud of you and very inspired. Ignore ppl who choose to profligately hate than support fellow Zambians when they make achievements. Unfortunately, some ppl will always be negative even on a positive subject. Keep up the good work. Yours, proudly Zambian.
Welcome Climate Control, we will surely support you. We need to recognise good works in our local contractors who have outstanding performance as evidenced by works done at Mulungushi conference centre.it only took them a short time to complete such a big project. Surely its something every person can be proud of.
Great Staff Ben. Fitness Fanatic and marathon jogger that you are. Will look out for you on the Western Bypass.
kkkkkkk nawao pipo are already going insane, tatula amba nokwamba, paka lintente… big ups Ben Bwalya so proud of u. Viva Climate Control, Viva. # team Zed, # lets do ittt!!!
THANKS, I AM PERSONALLY PROUD OF ENGINEER BWALYA.
Africans or Zambians kill their own!
One day,his “own” Zambian people will bring him down!
The man has made a mark in the Botswana building services industry. He has completed lot$$$$$ and lot$$$$$ of project$$$$$ honest blessed zedian…..he smellsPula$$
I REMEMBER M.C WABWINO SONG “PULL HIM DOWN” THIS IS WHAT COMPETITORS CAN SAY OF THE GOOD WORDS THEY CAN SAY. PLEASE LET US SUPPORT OUR FELLOW ZAMBIAN FOR THE GREAT WORKS HE IS DOING.
As a chinese people.I am so proud that I have such a good partner and friend like—-Ben.He is really a great amazing person both on his business career and sparetime life.His sincere,intelligence ,friendly and rigorous are all things that I admired. Really a perfect and able partner and friend.
I will be on your side forever!my dear friend ben!
I ASK COMPANIES TO SUPPORT CLIMATE CONTROL BY GIVING THEM MORE BUSINESS AS HE (BWALYA BEN) IS NOT DOING IT FOR HIM SELF BUT FOR MOTHER ZAMBIA.GO GO BEN LETS GO COMPETITORS NI SELA TUBOMBEKO