Another day, another interview. Today, we have with us, Mr. Ralph Davies, a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience in the oil and energy industry. His journey began in 1992 when he joined GammaTec, a family business founded by his father in 1981.
Starting from the ground level, Ralph gained hands-on experience in manufacturing NDT consumables before transitioning into sales and eventually expanding GammaTec's reach to global markets. His leadership and vision led to the establishment of GammaTec's Nigerian subsidiary in 2000, and he assumed the role of Managing Director in 2005.
In this exclusive interview, Ralph shares insights into his career, the unique challenges of managing global projects, and his approach to leadership and innovation. From navigating complex logistics to ensuring customer satisfaction and timely deliveries, Ralph's dedication and strategic mindset have been instrumental in GammaTec's success.
Here’s an excerpt from the amazing conversation we had with Mr. Ralph Davies.
Hi, Mr. Ralph. Hope you’re having an amazing day. Can you walk us through your journey in the oil & energy industry, from your early roles to your current position?
I had the pleasure of joining a family business that my father started in 1981. After a brief military service and university stint following school, I joined GammaTec full-time in 1992. Initially, I worked at the ground level, manufacturing NDT consumables such as lead letters, numbers, and winding gears. Later, I transitioned to the sales team, initially focusing on South Africa. As South Africa expanded into global markets, I shifted my focus to export markets. In 2000, I had the opportunity to establish a GammaTec company in Nigeria, where I lived for three years. Upon returning to South Africa, I took over as Managing Director in 2005, as my father began his retirement.
… what inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
Family business and I grew up speaking the NDT language at home.
… mr. Ralph, you have been actively working for over three decades. And you must have collaborated with a lot of foreign multinational corporations. So, what are some of the unique challenges you've faced in managing global projects, and how do you overcome them?
Over the past 30 years we have had the pleasure of working with many suppliers and customers alike from all over the world. Logistics remain one of the largest challenges and the fact that NDT seems to always need everything yesterday. But this presents an opportunity in itself, finding solutions with our partners.
… as someone who has held leadership position for so many years, how do you identify and capitalize on opportunities for growth and expansion in the oil & energy market?
Focusing on what you are good at is key and not trying to do everything. Networking and researching are crucial to understanding where the market is moving, then having the confidence to take on the challenge and risk.
Well, moving to the next question, what are the most pressing technological challenges facing the industry today, and how do you see these challenges evolving in the future?
… you have been managing Gammatec for the past 3 decades and I must applaud you for your amazing efforts. Has the road been all smooth or topsy-turvy these past three decades?
The road is not always easy. Just when you think you can relax, life throws you a curveball. However, we all face similar challenges, and by tackling each section of those challenges one by one, we manage to get closer to the finish line. The single biggest factor effecting our ability to meet the ever-changing market demands and changes is people. GammaTec is fortunate to have a dedicated team of skilled professionals who are committed to meeting customer satisfaction.
… how have you ensured meeting customer demands and achieving on-time delivery in your business?
Communication is the single biggest factor. NDT is always urgent, and our philosophy of ‘Tomorrow starts today’ has consistently helped keep us ahead. By focusing on communicating forecasts and customer needs, tied into product stocking, we make significant progress in meeting the on-time delivery (OTD) challenges of our customers. When exceptions arise, South Africans have a saying that remains very relevant: ‘A Boer maak a plan.’ (A Farmer makes a plan!) We commit all our resources to meet the challenge.
… can you give us some insight as to what challenges you faced while handling Gammatec’ s logistics in a global market?
As a company specializing in the global supply of radioactive materials, the logistics related to shipments remain the single biggest challenges and a significant cost factor in our business. Airlines are highly regulated. These challenges have been exacerbated, first by the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently by the Ukraine-Russia conflict. However, through partnerships in various countries and open communication with our customers about the shared difficulties, we have successfully overcome these challenges.
Well, Mr. Ralph, you are a fan favourite. And our audience would like to get to know more about you…
… how would you describe your leadership style? What’s your mantra for success?
I like to give responsibility and authority to people and let them get on with the job. I am also always ready to take a risk and put GammaTec out there when others don’t want to. One weakness is I am over empathetic, but this has its advantages as well.
… given your experience in executive leadership roles, what do you believe are the most important qualities of an effective leader?
Integrity has to be at the top of the list, followed closely by accountability and respect. Respect for our fellow colleagues and the environment in which we operate. In this ever-changing world, the ability to adapt and be prepared to take risks is crucial. To the youth out there, never stop learning. If I had the discipline as a youngster to read and learn everything I am doing now, I would have been better prepared for the journey.
… what strategies do you employ to drive growth and innovation within the company, and how do you measure success in these areas?
Beginning with the end goal in mind is the single biggest factor that helps drive innovation and success. Additionally, creating an environment where innovation can thrive, and grow is crucial. Innovation needs to be someone’s job and responsibility and not a side hustle. Once creative ideas are generated, they have the chance to succeed. Afterward, meticulous planning is essential and ensuring that you don’t underestimate the resources needed to execute the strategy is critical.
For GammaTec innovation centres around three things, i.e. product innovation, innovation around improvement of processes and systems within the company and finally what we call comfort ideas. Each of these have different measurements of success, but the expected outcome and key assumptions are always established at the beginning of the innovation process.
… with your extensive network and experience in business development, what advice would you offer to professionals looking to build successful partnerships and collaborations within the industry?
It is crucial to understand what your customers’ challenges and needs are, then implement effective planning and controls. Even the best laid plans can fail in this turbulent world, and this requires feedback, honest communication and being open and transparent when challenges are experienced.
… looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of the oil & energy sector, and what opportunities do you see emerging on the horizon?
Looking ahead, the oil and energy sector face challenges and exciting opportunities. The global energy transition toward sustainability, Africa’s growing energy demand, the role of natural gas, and the need for resilience and adaptability are key factors shaping the industry’s future.
GammaTec and our partners are strategically placed to fulfil a key role in the future developments of NDT.
… last few questions, what does the future hold for Ralph Davies and Gammatec NDT Supplies?
In a country facing significant challenges, creating opportunities for our youth and the next generation is paramount and we will continue to invest in recruitment and training programmes to uplift all those around us. We plan to continue to grow our footprint, establishing strategic partnerships and distribution channels worldwide, while investing in innovative technology solutions specific to our core business being Gamma radiography.
As for Ralph Davies specifically, I love what I do, and mentoring and providing opportunities to others are key focuses for me.
… and finally, what are your thoughts on OneStop NDT? Do you think our efforts to provide real, authentic and accurate content are helping the industry? Also, do you think our platform is helping the community to connect with like-minded people?
Absolutely! OneStopNDT plays a vital role in advancing the non-destructive evaluation (NDE) industry. Your commitment to providing real, authentic, and accurate content is commendable. By fostering a collaborative community of NDT professionals, you’re not only promoting excellence in NDT practices but also driving positive impact across various industries. Connecting like-minded individuals through your platform further strengthens the NDT community. Keep up the fantastic work!
