-as TAGG launches 20th anniversary
Chief Executive Officer of The Automation Group Ghana (TAGG), Kweku Asmah, has made a clarion call for industries to employ experts and ensure adherence to professional and ethical values as a vital tool to promote growth and sustainability of industry.
According to him, the lack of application of ethical standards and resorting to professional expertise is a key contributing factor to the current state of the economy. “We need to embrace professionalism and ethical values. The application of ethics is lacking in our society today and it should be of major concern to everyone. If you are a politician, apply professionalism and ethics, likewise doctors, lawyers, teachers, journalists, and everyone else, to make our country a better place.”
The CEO made this call at the company’s office in Accra during the launch of the institution’s 20th anniversary celebration, which is under the theme ‘20 Years of Excellence in Engineering’.
The Automation Group Ghana, which is a fully-Ghanaian-owned pioneer in the industrial automation sector, has four subsidiaries, namely: Process and Plant Automation, Automation Solutions, Electrical Switchgear, and Smart Home Solutions Ltd., with a specialty in mining automation, control system solutions provision, building automation, and electrical panel manufacturing.
TAGG has over the past two decades built strong links with leading global automation device manufacturers and is delivering cost-effective services across the West Africa sub-region.
Mr. Asmah, who is an engineer, indicated that the excellent engineering services that the firm has consistently offered to Ghanaian companies have fuelled its growth to this date.
“Here, at The Automation Ghana Group, we believe that success is built on a foundation of quality, integrity and hard work. These values have been at the heart of everything we do and have helped us to build strong relationships with our clients and partners.
“From a team of three in 2013, thus twenty years ago, our staff strength currently stands at 160 talented and experienced professionals who are dedicated to delivering the best possible service to our clients. They have been the driving force behind our success, and I am grateful for their hard work and commitment,” he said.
Activities lined up for the anniversary celebration include seminars in some selected regions, an exhibition and industrial tour, time with the CEO, and dinner night, among others.
Footprints
The business model of TAGG hinges on two main components: retail of electrical products, and provision of engineering and automation services. In the retail space, the entity has 10 outlets, predominantly in the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions.
On the engineering and automation side, TAGG has established itself in Akyem in the Eastern Region, Ahafo Region, Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, and Tarkwa in the Western Region, providing support to mining and extractive sector companies.
It also provides support services to breweries and other manufacturing plants in Accra and Kumasi.
Challenges on the journey
The CEO described the two-decade journey as an interesting roller-coaster because in the beginning, industry players believed that only the Europeans and Americans can provide them with the top-quality solutions they needed so it wasn’t easy getting their buy-in.
Secondly, he emphasised that graduates brought in from the tertiary institutions did not meet exactly the skills required because the operations were very technical, and the kind of equipment used, and automation done was not available in the schools. This challenge pushed the company into training its employees on the job, which he said was a difficult task at the beginning.
He added that his outfit plans to establish an academy to train more skilled professionals”.
Clients and partners
The brand boasts of a high-level industry client list, including telecom giants MTN and Vodafone, mining firms AngloGold and Newmont, as well as Unilever, Coca-Cola and Nestle.
Top global vendors and partners instrumental to the growth of the brand include Schneider Electric, Terasaki, Phoenix Contact, Endress Hauser, Siemens, and Fluke, among others.
Giving back to society
TAGG has, over the years, played a critical role in society through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives; and as the brand commemorates its 20th anniversary, management has put together some impactful projects to support communities and individuals in the areas of higher learning and professionalism, capacity-building and healthcare.
The CEO said: “As we celebrate this milestone, we also recognise the importance of giving back to the community. Our corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme reflects this, and we have partnered with various organisations to support education, health and the environment. We will continue to demonstrate this commitment and make that impact in our community in the years to come”.
He indicated that the focus will be on training more graduates in the acquisition of engineering and automation skills to support the economy and ensure knowledge is widespread.
