Full Name: Fabio Pio Grendele
Position: Operations manager, SBS Tanks
Main Activity of the Company: Designing, developing, manufacturing, supplying and installing Zincalume water reservoirs
Date and Place of Birth: November 20, 1971
Education: Matric, Queens High, 1989; apprenticeship as a tool, die and jig maker; BSc (Hons) (operations management), University of Hertfordshire, UK; currently completing an MBA
First Job: Apprentice tool, die jig maker at Delta Tool & Die
Career History Prior to Current Position: I had a ten-year career at Dorbyl Water, where I was involved in the manufacture and production management of fluid control valves, and was production coordinator at BIC Pens, production manager at Denorco Pumps, works director at Unique Engineering and national package gas operations manager at Air Liquide
Size of First Pay Packet: R4 an hour, as an apprentice
First Job with Present Group: Operations manager
Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated
Number of People under Your Leadership: More than 80
Management Style: Interactive, yet target-orientated
Personal Best Achievement: Being the father of two children
Professional Best Achievement: Accepting, on behalf of SBS, the Productivity SA National Gold Class Award for the most productive company in the corporate sector, in 2017
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife, Elmarie
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Denorco MD Attie Jonker – he helped me develop my managerial talent
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Richard Branson
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Elon Musk
Philosophy of Life: Consistently pursue improvement; do not argue with fools
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Joining the dynamic team at SBS Tanks
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not getting the opportunity to do more travelling during my youth
Hope for the Future: That there is stability and consistent economic growth in South Africa
Favourite Reading: Business journals and business autobiographies
Favourite TV Programme: Forged in Fire
Favourite Food/Drink: Meat and meat alone (banting!)/dry white wine
Favourite Music: Hard rock
Favourite Sport: Rugby
Favourite Website: News24
Hobbies: Staying fit, being actively involved in my children’s sport
Car: Mahindra Scorpio double-cab
Pets: Two German shepherds: Max and Sadie
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonest people, bad service, bad drivers and inconsistency
Favourite Other South African Company: Naspers
Favourite Foreign Company: Virgin
Married: To Elmarie le Roux, since March 2006
Children: Rebecca, 6; Rachel, 8
Clubs: Rox Lifesaving Club, Umhlanga; Umhlanga Spearfishing Club