Directors and Support
In May 2022, Air Products South Africa (Pty) Ltd purchased 100% of the share capital of Weldamax (Pty) Ltd.
Air Products was founded in 1969 and is a joint venture between Remgro LTD and Air Products Inc (USA). The company is the largest supplier of industrial gases in South Africa with operations in all major centres across the country. Weldamax is the largest independent distributor of Air Products industrial gases, and the parties have had a close strategic partnership since 2007.
Directors
Sizwe Nkonde
Executive Director - Packaged Gases and Welding
Air Products South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Keith Foster-Archibald
Financial Director
Air Products South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Executives
Gaetano Perillo
CEO
Educational History
Gaetano Perillo has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer. He will be responsible for leading the company in its next phase of growth. Mr. Perillo has extensive experience in the industry, and he is committed to delivering the best possible results for shareholders. We are confident that he is the right person for the job, and we look forward to working with him. After joining Air Products in 1991, Gaetano has held various senior financial management positions within Air Products South Africa. He is a strong team leader with a wealth of financial and business experience.
Chris Adams
Head of Supply Chain and Operations
BBsMN,Bcom
With over 10 years’ experience in the Logistics and Supply Chain industry, Chris has controlled numerous aspects of the supply chain including expediting, forwarding and clearing of product, bonded and duty paid warehousing, and primary & secondary transport. Chris now heads up the entire Weldamax supply chain, making sure that the movement of products and gas is as seamless as possible. He controls all logistical aspects, from local and international procurement, through to receiving, warehousing and deliveries in all 14 branches. With the bulk of the company’s staff under his instruction, managing stress is just one part of his job profile!
Thomas Taljaard
Head of Sales and Marketing
Thomas joined Unique Welding at the end of 2000 as a Sales Executive, worked his way up to Branch Manager, and subsequently National Operations Manager. Now charged with the role of Head of Sales and Marketing, Thomas is responsible for the overall growth of the groups targeted markets. He is a strong, focused leader with a great team behind him, and is always available with advice and support. Thomas is famous for achieving record-breaking month-end sales targets, and does not stop pushing his team until the very last second!
Sue Kaplan
Head of IT and Commercial
Sue started out as a software support consultant employed by Magic Software (Pty) Ltd in 1990. One of her first assignments was to support the accounting system utilised at Maxweld & Braze. In 1996 she became a 50% owner/director of Magic Software. In 2008 Sue joined the Weldamax group as the IT Manager. Together with her team she is responsible for support on the ERP systems utilised at head office and across the group. In addition to this the IT department manages the infrastructure, WAN and communications throughout the Weldamax group.
In August 2017 Sue’s role was enhanced to include the Head of Commercial role. In this role she analyses data, implements new & improved business processes and guides the business forward in all spheres.
Hemalini Kunthanlal
Head of Finance
CSSA/MBA
Hemalini was the General Manager Finance and Country Head for Cure Chem (Pty) Ltd and previously Financial Manager for Savannah Fine Chemicals (Pty) Ltd. Both organisations are primary importers and distributors of chemicals and thus she has extensive experience in product importations, forex hedging, cash management and margin improvement. She has a strong background in financial controls, statutory compliance, cost management and corporate governance. Hemalini is a graduate Chartered Secretary with Associate Membership and has also obtained an MBA degree.