WACO Africa has announced two strategic leadership appointments within its industrial services businesses, reinforcing the Group’s commitment to developing talent internally while driving innovation, collaboration and growth across its brands. Alistair Bennett has been appointed Managing Director of SGB-Cape, while Darryn Jacobs steps into the Managing Director role at SkyJacks. Both leaders bring decades of experience within the WACO Group and will play a central role in shaping the next phase of growth for SGB-Cape, SkyJacks, and the broader WACO Group.

Alistair Bennett returns to lead SGB-Cape

Bennett, who previously served as Managing Director of SkyJacks for more than a decade, returns to SGB-Cape, where his journey with WACO began nearly twenty years ago. “Returning to SGB-Cape feels a like a homecoming,” he says.

“This business shaped much of who I am as a leader. Returning as MD gives me the platform to build on that legacy and guide the organisation into its next phase of growth and operational excellence.”

Bennett’s immediate focus includes reinforcing operational discipline, strengthening project execution and building a more resilient order book across core sectors such as petrochemical, mining and energy. He also sees significant opportunity to integrate technological efficiencies from his SkyJacks experience into SGB-Cape’s scaffolding and industrial services offering.

“The last decade at SkyJacks has given me a deep appreciation for the technology, efficiencies and safety benefits that powered access and lifting solutions bring to high-risk environments,” he explains.

“By combining technology with traditional scaffolding, we can improve productivity, reduce project duration and elevate safety outcomes. There is a tremendous opportunity to offer customers more complete, turnkey solutions through deeper collaboration with SkyJacks and SGB-Cape.”

Darryn Jacobs steps into the Managing Director role at SkyJacks

Jacobs, who takes over as Managing Director of SkyJacks, brings more than twenty years of leadership experience from Form-Scaff, where he developed a deep understanding of the systems, safety culture and customer-centric approach that define the WACO Group.

“I step into this role as a long-time member of the Waco family, having learnt the discipline and consistency that our customers rely on,” says Jacobs. “My immediate priority is to provide steady leadership while accelerating SkyJacks’ growth on a strong and familiar foundation.”

For Jacobs, balancing innovation, growth and an uncompromising safety culture will be central to his first months in the role.

“Our customers can trust that as SkyJacks grows and innovates, our commitment to safety will remain absolute,” he says. “My job as Managing Director is to ensure our people have the resources, training and support to make the right decisions every day.”

A strengthened leadership dynamic across the WACO Group

Both leaders emphasise that collaboration across WACO brands will be key to unlocking new value for customers in construction, mining, energy and industrial maintenance.

“Customers want simplicity, consistency and integrated solutions that reduce interface risk,” says Bennett. “Because I understand both SkyJacks and SGB-Cape, I can help bridge these businesses more effectively and ensure we present a unified WACO value proposition.”

Jacobs echoes this sentiment, noting that collaboration is essential to living Waco’s purpose. “Each business unit is unique, and that diversity is one of our greatest strengths. By breaking down silos and working as one team, we give clients the full strength and breadth of the WACO Group.”

Together, these appointments mark a refreshed leadership dynamic across the Group, one that is rooted in continuity, strengthened by shared experience, and focused on delivering world-class industrial services and access solutions across Africa.

About SGB-Cape

SGB-Cape is one of South Africa’s largest and most established scaffolding and industrial services providers, delivering solutions to the petrochemical, mining, energy, infrastructure and construction sectors. With decades of experience and a national and regional footprint, SGB-Cape offers integrated access, insulation, coatings, rope access and maintenance services supported by rigorous safety systems and highly skilled teams. The company is known for its technical expertise, ability to execute complex projects and commitment to delivering reliable, safe and efficient industrial service solutions.

About SkyJacks

SkyJacks is a leading provider of powered access, suspended access, lifting and handling solutions across South Africa. The company supports major projects in construction, mining, industrial maintenance and energy by delivering world-class working-at-height and material handling technologies that enhance safety, productivity and operational efficiency. With a strong engineering foundation and a focus on innovation, SkyJacks partners with clients to provide customised, reliable and compliant access solutions for even the most demanding environments.