In 2012, Runge—one of the world’s leading mining technology and software providers—began a process of transformation. Richard Mathews, a prominent force behind several international technology firm turnarounds was appointed CEO and set about revitalizing it. The businessman saw excellent potential in Runge, with great people, great products and strong customer relationships, but believed a lack of focus hampered its growth and value. Mathews replaced Runge’s global operations team and streamlined the regional businesses to put the customers back at the centre of the universe.  In response to Mathews’ changes, the company’s ASX-listed stock has soared.
Before the rebranding, PincockAllen & Holt and Minarco-Mine Consult were well-established brands in the Americas and Australia respectively, but did not capitalize on any synergies between them or their parent company, Runge. In late 2012, the final part of Mathews’ plan came together and RungePincockMinarco (RPM) was formed. “We wanted to capitalize on the brands we had acquired years before that operated as islands of excellence across different continents. Now our customers get the same complete service anywhere,” says Mike Evans, Regional General Manager for RPM.

The restructured and revitalized RPM positions itself as a software company with expert mining consultancy skills. “We are the expert’s expert” say Mathews, who has mandated a companywide policy of customer contact and commitment. “We had touch points of excellent performance but we hadn’t maximized our potential because we lacked a clear and concise message. Our customers didn’t even understand our full offering,” says Evans. “That’s all being fixed now.” RPM’s core focus is on mine planning and financial modeling software. The firm has worked across all continents and out of its Johannesburg base specifically in Ghana, Mali, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire, UAE, and Burkina Faso. Evans bets on West Africa as an emerging focal mining hub for the continent in view of the challenges that its traditional South African customers are facing. South Africa used to be the destination of choice on the African continent, now it’s just another African country. In response to difficult market conditions, RPM has adapted its product range, building intelligence into its software solutions and automating core functions to improve ease-of-use to mitigate the fact that it’s difficult to keep skilled people onsite in remote locations. “Pre-Feas with Ease” is one of the company’s most recent products to follow this model. Designed for juniors as a starter tool, the product aids companies in completing prefeasibility studies quicker, cheaper, and more reliably, without having to make the kind of investment needed to build each study from scratch. “Juniors can now access world-class, affordable technology and skills,” says Evans. At Mining Indaba in Cape Town, the company also launched the worlds’ only “Underground Coal” solution which strips out superfluous capability in the vast product set and gives underground coal miners only what they need, all in one box.   “This is part of RPM’s new focused strategy—we are faster, cheaper, and more adaptable than ever before.”