Endress+Hauser – a Swiss family-owned business – is a global leader in measurement instrumentation. Kirsten Kelly asks the Endress + Hauser South Africa MD, Bernhard Klöss (BK), a few questions.
Last year, Endress + Hauser South Africa celebrated its 40th birthday. What has changed? What has stayed the same?
BK: There have been a number of significant changes in terms of acquisitions, revenue growth, and product development. But our family culture – which is the backbone of the company – has remained the same. At Endress, we take pride in the longevity of our team, with the majority of employees having been with us for 5-10 years, and several celebrating long service milestones of 20, 25 and even 30 years. This contributes towards the sustainability of the company.How important is the water and wastewater sector to Endress + Hauser?

- Food and beverage
- Oil and gas
- Life sciences
- Chemical
- Power & energy
- Mining, minerals and metal
- Water and wastewater.
South Africa is one of Endress + Hauser’s many subsidiaries around the world. Is there anything that South Africa can learn from other countries? And how do you ensure that your offering is relevant to African markets?
Europe’s certification systems have long been recognised as one of its most influential exports, shaping global industries, fostering trust, and ensuring quality and safety. We are always learning from our European subsidiaries, but a key focus for us as a South African subsidiary is to adapt the Endress + Hauser service and product offer to African markets.One of the key focus areas for Endress + Hauser South Africa is training and skills development. We have accredited training courses in basic-advanced instrumentation. We also have courses that are web based and designed to simulate a real process environment.

Bernhard Klöss, MD, Endress + Hauser South Africa
Our subsidiaries in China and India often deal with the same challenges experienced in African countries. We therefore work closely together to find fit for purpose solutions for our customers.
How does Endress + Hauser operate in Africa?

What are some of the trends in the world of instrumentation?
The integration of smart sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies is a major driver in modern instrumentation. Sensors can now communicate wirelessly, provide real-time data, and offer predictive analytics. There is an increase in IO-link products for the more basic communication of data. Endress + Hauser has a complete portfolio of IO-Link products. The requirement for ethernet communication on the device will increase in the future and we are well positioned for this.What excites you about Endress + Hauser?

Corporate social responsibility is incredibly important to us. One of the facets of our corporate social responsibility is to annually provide ten to 15 technicians with a wholistic training experience that includes basic process instrumentation training (PMI).The family culture has created a long term view for the company, with an incredible product portfolio. We have also made an exciting joint-venture with German sensor company – SICK Clean Industries – that will further increase our basket of products and access into the relevant customers. Currently, South Africa has an improved economic outlook. Investor sentiment and domestic confidence is better than previous years and Endress + Hauser is well positioned to take advantage of that.