Full Name: Fabio Pio Grendele

Position: Operations manager, SBS Tanks

Main Activity of the Company: Designing, developing, manufacturing, supplying and installing Zincalume water reservoirs

Date and Place of Birth: November 20, 1971

Education: Matric, Queens High, 1989; apprenticeship as a tool, die and jig maker; BSc (Hons) (operations management), University of Hertfordshire, UK; currently completing an MBA

First Job: Apprentice tool, die jig maker at Delta Tool & Die

Career History Prior to Current Position: I had a ten-year career at Dorbyl Water, where I was involved in the manufacture and production management of fluid control valves, and was production coordinator at BIC Pens, production manager at Denorco Pumps, works director at Unique Engineering and national package gas operations manager at Air Liquide

Size of First Pay Packet: R4 an hour, as an apprentice

First Job with Present Group: Operations manager

Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated

Number of People under Your Leadership: More than 80

Management Style: Interactive, yet target-orientated

Personal Best Achievement: Being the father of two children

Professional Best Achievement: Accepting, on behalf of SBS, the Productivity SA National Gold Class Award for the most productive company in the corporate sector, in 2017

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife, Elmarie

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Denorco MD Attie Jonker – he helped me develop my managerial talent

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Richard Branson

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Elon Musk

Philosophy of Life: Consistently pursue improvement; do not argue with fools

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Joining the dynamic team at SBS Tanks

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not getting the opportunity to do more travelling during my youth

Hope for the Future: That there is stability and consistent economic growth in South Africa

Favourite Reading: Business journals and business autobiographies

Favourite TV Programme: Forged in Fire

Favourite Food/Drink: Meat and meat alone (banting!)/dry white wine

Favourite Music: Hard rock

Favourite Sport: Rugby

Favourite Website: News24

Hobbies: Staying fit, being actively involved in my children’s sport

Car: Mahindra Scorpio double-cab

Pets: Two German shepherds: Max and Sadie

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonest people, bad service, bad drivers and inconsistency

Favourite Other South African Company: Naspers

Favourite Foreign Company: Virgin

Married: To Elmarie le Roux, since March 2006

Children: Rebecca, 6; Rachel, 8

Clubs: Rox Lifesaving Club, Umhlanga; Umhlanga Spearfishing Club