Investment holding company Tabono Investments has acquired a stake in mining risk management and emergency response specialist Advanced Group and says this will broaden the range of specialised services available in the mining and broader industrial sectors.

“With deep penetration in mining-related fire systems and medical response, we were attracted to the additional sectors where the seven businesses in the Advanced Group are active.

“It is a well-established business with strong management and we will be able to add value by retaining the entrepreneurial spirit, while boosting systems and ensuring the highest levels of corporate governance,” says Tabono co-founder Liran Assness.

Advanced Group has developed a cost-effective model that enables the delivery of complete safety and emergency response services. Through public-private partnership agreements, the group provides services where local municipalities may be battling to establish or maintain required services.

“One of our completed projects involved the supply of equipment, staff and detailed training for the establishment of a fire brigade. We ran the operation for five years, with continuous training and guidance before handing it over to the local municipality, which has been running the service successfully for a number of  years,” says Advanced Group CEO Barries Barnard.

“In addition, our Medi Response division is an on-site medical service with a ground ambulance provider network. It runs a dedicated response system for Melrose Arch in Johannesburg, including education and training. Advanced Group also provides privatised fire services to BMW and Nissan,” he adds.

Further, Advanced Group is currently running an emergency response service for Discovery Insure clients, which covers both medical and fire emergency services. The business covers a range of services related to risk management and mitigation related to fire, including risk analysis, as well as solutions to mitigate and prevent fire risk through fire suppression technologies.

Fire retardant products and industrial fire and hazard control are supplied to the petrochemical, oil and gas, food production, hospitality and manufacturing industries. Emergency response includes on-site medical services and a turnkey service for the establishment of fire brigades, Barnard notes.

Tabono’s portfolio of companies spans mining, industrial services, technology, construction, specialised engineering and logistics services in several African countries.

“Tabono’s approach and its experience in growing businesses with the right systems, advice and compliance mechanisms will be a major benefit as we take Advanced Group forward,” says Tabono co-founder Reon Barnard.

“We understand supply chains in the mining and industrial sectors and we are able to structure complex deals at boardroom level.

“Sometimes, a business with tremendous growth potential needs more than just capital. It needs an equity partner with deep industry knowledge, experience and networking ability on the African continent. This is our niche,” says Assness.

Tabono focuses on an integrated and complementary basket of sectors and is most comfortable with complex industries. While the degree of active involvement in each investment varies, Tabono invests in businesses where long-term partnerships are required, he notes.