Savage is Altech's new chief operating officer

Allied Technologies (Altech) has appointed Laurence Savage as its chief operating officer (COO) from January next year.

Savage brings to the group a wealth of experience spanning various sectors‚ including media‚ electronics‚ engineering and automotive‚ the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

Altech chief executive Craig Venter said Savage´s experience globally‚ his knowledge of the African continent‚ as well as his educational background and leadership ability‚ make him a perfect fit for the role of COO given the group´s offering and its future plans.

"We are convinced that Savage will offer insights that will further bolster the management team as we move the group towards sustainable growth‚" said Venter.

Among his many senior management roles‚ Savage has previously been managing director at Genrec Engineering; and Hall Longmore‚ structural steel fabricators and pipe manufacturing companies respectively.

Genrec Engineering and Hall Longmore are part of the Murray and Roberts Group. He also held the position of chief executive at Avis Fleet Services‚ where he was responsible for the entire southern Africa cluster.

Savage holds both engineering and business qualifications‚ with an MBA from Milpark Business School. He has also completed an advanced executive programme at Northwest University in Chicago.

Savage also brings to the group an impeccable deal-making and turnaround track record‚ that he will use in maximising shareholder value in Altech´s existing and future ventures.

"We need a strong and talented team to tackle the challenges ahead and we believe that in Laurence‚ we have found a competent‚ energetic and driven leader‚ who has what it takes to inspire our people as we consolidate and grow our position in the market‚" said Venter.