Page 189 - Jan 2013

January 2013 | Business World Magazine | 189
SmartMine. But if we don’t listen to what the
industry needs and what the challenges are,
then it’s pointless to do what we’re doing.
That all combined together makes for a good
cultural experience within our organization.”
Bell says that management takes a lot of pride
in the relationship they develop with their
clients, and they encourage their employ-
ees to do the same. “We take a lot of pride
in supporting our
clients, knowing
that a mine site
is 24/7. We want
our people to feel
part of our cli-
ent’s team as well
– that they’re part
of the mine op-
erations process.
They might only
be supporting
one technology or providing advice on how
things should be done using Smartmine, but
if we’re able to embrace our clients organiza-
tionally then it makes us a unique operation.
We’re being proactive in the way we’re deliv-
ering our services and technology.”
For the future, Bell says they have sig-
nificant plans for growth. “I’ve often said to
the executive team that one of my goals is
Devex Asia Pacific being bigger than Devex
head office,” he laughs, but he’s not joking.
“I truly believe we have that opportunity.
I think we can become one of the leading
global players with this type of technology
– mine automation control systems – in the
world.” What Devex is focusing on now is
the question of how to accelerate growth
without compromising their current busi-
ness. Forward of even that, Bell says they
are considering a public listing. “When we
do that and where do that is still a question.
We’ll wait and see what unfolds in front of
us.” o
THE FIRM HAS A SOLID TEAM OF COMMITTED MANAGERS IN PLACE
Source: Strategy Team Analysis
Guilherme Bastos (CEO)
¥ Co-founder of Devex
¥ PhD in Computer Sciences (UFMG), researcher and
head of the Computer Sciences department at UFLA
¥ Prior engineering position at the iron ore mining
operation of CSN
¥ 20 years experience in Mining & Engineering
¥ Previously worked for Mincom (Aust) and Bentley
Systems (USA)
¥ Prior positions as General Manager & National
Marketing & Sales, Project Manager & Consultant
Aston Bell (Director, Asia Pacific)
Luiz Thomaz (R&D and product director)
¥ Co-founder of Devex
¥ Electrical engineer and master’s degree in Computer
Sciences (UFMG)
¥ Lead all Smartmine implementations for 9 years
¥ Prior activities in SAP and other ERP deployments
¥ Masters in Business Administration and Marketing from
FGV
¥ Electrical engineer and industrial automation specialist
¥ Prior positions in TSA (Brasil), Queops Farmic (Canada)
and FLS Automation (USA)
Rodrigo Couto (Sales Director for Latam)
Lourdes Aguiar (Finance and Admin. Director)
¥ Graduated as a certified accountant from Newton Paiva
¥ Previously worked as an auditor for the BDO group
¥ Responsible for tax and accounting areas at Toshiba do
Brasil S/A – co-lead the corporate restructuring (partial
spin-off) for the group in Brazil
SELECTED KEY EXECUTIVES
¥ MBA and masters in finance and accounting from FEAD
¥ Professor at UNIPAC in the fields of Financial Analysis,
Financial Mathematics and Foreign Trade
Vander de Souza Barros (board director,
production director)
¥ PMO Manager of SmartMine
¥ 9 years of experience with mining projects management
¥ Master degree in Computer Sciences (UFMG, 2005)
and specialist in Project Management of IT/Automation
Rodrigo Marinho (Projects and Services
Director)
¥ Head of Devex R&D since 2001
¥ Electrical engineer (UFMG, 1994)
¥ Solid professional experience in industrial automation
with focus on new technologies applied to mining
Alfleury Sousa (Head of Innovation Team)