GEW Technologies - Experts & Thought Leaders

While HENSOLDT is a global pioneer of technologies that are designed for protecting armed forces, civilians, assets and borders, the company is also actively making a difference as a protector of endangered species.  South Africa is known for its iconic wildlife and is also home to one of HENSOLDT’s largest industrial sites. As a result, it came as a natural progression to protect the country’s wildlife using state-of-the-art defence and security technologies.   Rise in rhino poaching  In recent years, animals such as rhinos have been under increased pressure due to rising poaching levels, threatening the future of these animals. South Africa holds nearly 80% of the world’s rhinos and has been hit the hardest by poaching, with more than 1 000 rhinos killed each year between 2013 and 2017.  HENSOLDT celebrates three years of zero poaching on the world’s largest rhino conservancy HENSOLDT responded to this threat, and is now combining advanced intelligence, radar and optical surveillance systems with physical security for high-end wildlife protection.  This week, HENSOLDT celebrates three years of zero poaching on the world’s largest rhino conservancy, where HENSOLDT’s technologies have been keeping a large number of rhino safe. HENSOLDT South Africa designed and installed a surveillance and security system on the farm and since then, not one animal has been lost to poaching. “Before that, we had poaching every month, sometimes every week,” says John Hume, owner of Buffalo Dream Ranch.  Situational awareness  In 2017, Buffalo Dream Ranch, the world’s largest rhino farm, started a partnership with HENSOLDT to secure 8000 hectares of land, where some 1800 rhinos now live peacefully, protected by state-of-the-art HENSOLDT technology. The specially developed system combines a number of advanced sensors, including optical and radar sensors, to monitor the rhinos, farm and surrounding area.   Data from these sensors are fused using advanced analytics at a command and control centre to provide complete situational awareness and early-warning of potential poachers approaching the area.  In combination with existing physical barriers and a team of security personnel, the system augments the total security approach to create a surveillance solution, with technology that is always on guard, never fatigues and which cannot be compromised. “We are for the first time in years feeling confident, with HENSOLDT, of perfecting the protection of our rhino,” says Hume.  Wildlife protection  The know-how acquired through these projects can be applied for protecting other wildlife “We are honoured to be part of important initiatives such as the conservation of our wildlife and we aim to expand our efforts,” says Hennie Venter, Chief Executive of the HENSOLDT South Africa GEW business unit.   The know-how acquired through these projects can be applied for protecting other wildlife and national parks to safe-keep endangered species such as lions, elephants and even abalone.  HENSOLDT prides itself on its relationship with its clients. “For us it’s not putting down the equipment and getting the business, for us it’s rather a journey,” says Werner Muller, GEW’s Chief Executive of Spectrum Monitoring and Security.  Needs-based solutions  Because of this philosophy, and because each wildlife scenario is different, with its own unique set of challenges, HENSOLDT’s experts collaborate with each client to develop a solution that addresses their specific needs.  Through its business units, GEW and Optronics, HENSOLDT South Africa delivers solutions to clients across the world, and significantly contributes to South Africa’s export industry, while it is firmly grounded in its roots as a proudly South African company, operating in South Africa for South Africa. HENSOLDT is committed to continue innovating to protect the wildlife. 

HENSOLDT, global independent sensor solutions house has presented its first award for an outstanding contribution to the company’s success to a team at GEW Technologies, Pretoria. The team with members Arthur Wood, Morné van Tonder, Stephen Scott, Mishack Sigasa and Ruben Janse van Rensburg were presented with the prestigious award during the annual HENSOLDT Leadership Team meeting held in Munich for their outstanding work in delivering an important customer acceptance test and going far beyond what was expected. Video streaming The HENSOLDT Award is presented annually, contenders from HENSOLDT staff can be nominated by their colleagues “I am extremely proud to accept the award for the first place on behalf of our Team Shaheen, who was part of the event via video streaming.” said Hennie Venter, Chief Executive of GEW Technologies. “I would also like to thank the wider groups of people who played a role in successfully delivering this project milestone. The Shaheen team had to rely heavily on the support of other GEW teams and departments, who jumped in to help without hesitation. This cross-departmental collaboration not only showed a notable understanding of, but also lived out, GEW’s mission and values to the fullest.” The HENSOLDT Award is presented annually, contenders from HENSOLDT staff can be nominated by their colleagues, a jury selects five finalists and the winner is determined by a vote of all HENSOLDT employees. In addition to a representative glass trophy, the winning GEW team was also awarded with an exciting trip to Germany, including a visit to the Munich Oktoberfest. HENSOLDT wins award “It is a really proud moment for me, to see the commitment and perseverance that GEW has become known for to our HENSOLDT colleagues.” said Celia Pelaz, Head of HENSOLDT’s Spectrum Dominance & Airborne Solutions Division and GEW Board Member. “GEW makes HENSOLDT stronger and this award is certainly good proof of it!”