Felix Tjaone, Managing Director of B-Engineering, originally worked in the field of labour law but unexpectedly discovered his passion for the engineering sector, changing his life forever. Fortunate enough to buy his company from its previous owner who was relocating to Germany, Felix received sound advice which eventually opened many doors in his favour, allowing his company to grow by leaps and bounds.

B-Engineering rose through the Agricultural and Automotive industries, buying and selling Powerline products (straps, hose clamps) while slowly transforming itself into the manufacturers of Powerline materials. Always one for a challenge, an introduction to the Prop shaft system accompanied by a challenge to repair it gave Felix the chance to hit a milestone in his engineering career. His appointment as local representative for a well renowned German manufacturer kick- started the next era of B-Engineering.

The company became a registered beneficiary of the Barloworld Siyakhula ESD Programme in August 2017 after it was selected to participate in the Defence Industrial Participation (DIP) programme by Armscor in February 2016. Specialising in the repair and refurbishment of industrial Prop shafts, B-Engineering moved into the manufacturing space for industrial and automotive steel components after receiving funding for machinery and equipment in August 2020. Felix regards himself as blessed, having been granted management training by Siyakhula as well as training on Caterpillar Production Systems. His 1:3 multi-skilled team also went through a series of courses, with Felix continuing to help them in their personal development journeys.

As is the nature of business at times, B-Engineering experienced dark trading conditions two years prior to Covid-19 and the impact of the pandemic merely compounded the situation, but the acquisition of manufacturing machinery has had a transformative impact on the business. Thankfully, Felix has also been able to secure contracts with automotive and defence equipment manufacturers for B-Engineering, setting the company on its path to a strong recovery.

With the glaring challenge faced by South Africa in the management of municipal wastewater, Felix has now set his sights towards innovation in this area. Municipalities throughout the country are struggling to dispose of the sewer sludge collected at their wastewater treatment sites. The sludge is mostly collected and stockpiled by the municipalities with high risks of contamination of water supplies when washed down by rain, posing health and environmental damage risks to communities that consume that water.

Felix came across a possible solution when his company registered as a commercial partner in the South African Sanitation Technology Enterprise Programme (SASTEP), an initiative jointly funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and the South African Department of Science and Innovation (DSI). “SASTEP is aimed at developing a platform to promote and foster the commercialisation and industrialisation of ‘next generation sanitation products and technologies’ in South Africa. SASTEP is expected to catalyse a new sanitation industry that would increase access to proper sanitation, reduce pollution, improve water security, create jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities, and contribute to the country’s GDP, while leveraging on innovative sanitation technologies.” SASTEP Confirmation Letter

B-Engineering has been subsequently licensed for the local supply of biogenic refinery technology that was developed by Biomass Control in the USA under the sponsorship of the Gates Foundation. The first refinery was ordered by the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality for demo purposes as a precursor to a commercial contract wherein the refinery will be used to treat sewer sludge.

Felix has engaged extensively with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) on providing the solution to municipalities nationally and the demo at Tshwane will open the process of a national roll-out that will provide a large and dependable market for the company. 

In late 2021 Siyakhula provided B-Engineering with financial support enabling the transport of its first imported biogenic refinery from Durban to the Tshwane municipality, as well as to commission it. The first proof of concept trial was successfully carried out in January, and now his company is preparing to commercialise it, offering help the country needs to finally put this problem to bed.

B-ENGINEERING
Tel: +27 60 421 0441
 Email: infor@bonoloeng.co.za / felix@bonoloeng.co.za
 Website: www.bonoloeng.co.za
 Address: 5 Tugela Road, Unit 24, Dawn Park, Glen Marais, Kempton Park.

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