New appointment at BME
Ralf Hennecke has been appointed JSE-listed Omnia Group company BME’s Managing Director for SADC. A mining engineer with years of production experience in the mines of South Africa’s erstwhile mining houses Rand Mines and JCI, Hennecke joined the Omnia Group in 1995 with a key technical role in explosives and has been a member of BME’s Executive Committee since 2001. He earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in 2005.
Hennecke held the role of General Manager: Customer Commercial and Marketing between 2015 and 2019, when he took on the position of General Manager: Marketing and Technology. He leads a range of functions within BME, including Global Blasting Science, Global Underground Business, Global Product Management, and Global Marketing and Branding.
He also heads up the company’s activities in Global Software Development and Technology, and Global AXXIS Electronic Development and Marketing. Ralf plays a role in Global Corporate Development and Strategy as well as Commercial Delegation of Authority and is a Director of a number of BME’s African business entities.
About BME
Blasting and explosives company, BME is an integrated provider of safe, smart, sustainable blasting solutions – collaborating closely with customers and business partners to create value across the blasting cycle. Together with Protea Mining Chemicals, BME forms the mining division of the Omnia Group – a JSE listed diversified provider of specialised chemical products and services used in the mining, agriculture, and chemicals sectors.
Formed over three decades ago on the strength of a new cold emulsion technology that has since become an industry standard, BME offers innovative products and services at every stage in the blasting supply chain.
As a mid-tier, global manufacturer and supplier of explosives, related accessories and blasting services to the mining, quarrying and construction industries, its continuous improvement is driven by an agile, solutions-based approach. Its commitment to operational excellence ensures customers of fit-for-purpose solutions that optimise mining efficiency – delivered reliably through its secure supply chain. The company is committed to environmental social and governance (ESG) initiatives to underpin our sustainable strategies that protect life, sustain livelihoods, and leave a better world.
BME’s footprint covers 17 African counties including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Swaziland, Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, DRC, Sierra Leone, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Senegal and Eritrea. The company also has legal entities in Australia, Canada, Indonesia and the USA.
