036 INTERVIEW
Gearhouse was involved with the Bidvest Annual Chairman’s Awards. Photo courtesy of Pieter Joubert.
which are now FNB stadiums, the latter recently voted among the world’s top six stadiums. “Both those installations were incredibly good for System Solutions,” he reflected. “And we are immensely proud of these achievements as we are with any of the jobs that reflect innovation and attention to detail. Often it is the show control work we have done that we find is the most demanding and ultimately rewarding. However, the seeds were planted long ago and we did not need to wait for the World Cup to prove ourselves as Gearhouse, or as an industry on par with world standards. “The installation market remains very competitive, especially in the current economic climate,” he admitted. “But there are still some niche markets to be explored if one has the courage and the appetite to do so. “As for the HoW segment, this falls into two clearly defined categories. One is the clients that are primarily concerned with speech reproduction within an airspace and will look to steerable array technology and acoustic treatment to improve it. The other segment of the market, although also concerned with this to some degree, knows the true value of show business. The equipment specified for some HoW venues is similar to that found on an international artist’s technical rider in concert touring and consequently it is why we keep updating our rental and staging company’s inventory.” Much as Ofer will insist that his company never set out to reinvent the wheel, he has unquestionably helped pioneer new technologies. For example, Gearhouse bought 50% of In2Structures, a light and sound company which had developed into set construction. It was then commissioned to build a temporary venue which proved highly successful. “From then on my partners Otto and Linda Wijnberger have developed a fantastic range of sexy looking, extremely safe temporary structures with a huge range of uses.” And the empirical evolution looks set to continue territorially as well as technologically. Ofer explained the strategy: “We have begun the process of opening a branch in Accra, Ghana to service the West African region, led by Bill and Nicky Lawford. Of course, our eyes are also looking towards the East. As always, the focus is on recruiting and training up a crew of local people to run the branch. “Again, it is important for us to plough back into the industry in terms of providing jobs and training. It is to our own advantage to grow the industry across the continent.” And so having chronicled the achievements of this visionary entrepreneur the conversation takes on a more whimsical tone. Asked about his greatest
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achievements along the trail, his instant response is: “Being alive!” And after due consideration: “I am proud to say that Gearhouse has made significant contribution to putting the South African market on the international map. Starting a company is one thing but maintaining the brand and continuously trying to improve it, is where the real challenge lies. Single achievements belong to the past.” But of course the job remains far from complete and the skills deficit continues to be a major concern. “There are not enough young and enthusiastic technicians in the industry to keep it strong and growing,” he admits, the mood turning serious again. “Another issue is opportunistic clients who put money ahead of health and safety, cutting load-in times and discounting production standards for the sake of profit.” He backed this up by stating: “Clients are not sufficiently informed to make educated decisions on crew and equipment requirements and as a result, as the years go by there is less of a barrier to entry. This, together with Chinese manufacturers, makes it easier for smaller companies to enter the market and bring down the standards.” Today there are no fewer than 10 different companies operating under the Gearhouse banner, each structured to operate under their own managers and heads of department. At the top of the pyramid are Ofer Lapid and his Co-Director, Nasser Abbas. “The majority of the time, it is a democratic process, but from time to time Nasser and I show the ugly face of the dictator.” But first and foremost he remains a humanitarian, constantly striving to maintain a work/life balance. Domiciled in Cape Town, he said: “Family is extremely important to me and I try to spend as much time as the job will allow, but I cannot honestly say I am a family man because my wife would beg to differ. “I do embark on some ‘selfish’ ventures like a Cape to Cairo trip alone on my motorbike and summiting Kilimanjaro with my 18-year-old daughter. I try to create a balance between the two demanding institutions of my family and my company.” But what is most interesting is comparing this with earlier industry daredevil exploits. Ask him his favourite memories and he will tell you it was exporting sealed beam Par 64s - wired in pairs since they were 110V - in tea boxes for Julio Iglesias in Cairo. “It was lighting and sound exported from Israel for the first time, as far as I am aware. Add to that managing a blackout with a broomstick on an 18-channel rheostat dimmer in Sinai in the late ‘70s and you get an even better idea.” Would he do it all over again? You bet he would. “I’d probably advise myself to go and study accountancy or become a lawyer or a plumber,” he chuckled. “Seriously though, unless you are born with the passion and the drive it demands, then go find another job.”
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