BUTEC Group Expands into South Africa with Strategic Acquisitions and Rebranding
Johannesburg, South Africa – The BUTEC Group, a prominent Lebanese contracting conglomerate, has solidified its footprint in South Africa with the rebranding of two newly acquired local firms. This ambitious move underscores BUTEC’s growth strategy across Africa and the Middle East, reflecting the company’s commitment to diversifying its services and nurturing local talent.
In 2022, BUTEC acquired Thermaire, a specialist in commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), and Ampair, a facility management and maintenance services provider, from the French multinational ENGIE. These acquisitions mark a significant milestone, extending BUTEC’s operations from its Beirut and Dubai headquarters into the South African market.
As part of the rebranding initiative, Thermaire has been renamed BUTEC, and Ampair is now known as BUTEC Services. The DUCTSHOP brand will continue its specialty in high-quality metal and PAL ducting manufacturing, with plans to expand into specialized steel products at its Johannesburg facility.
Broadening Horizons Across Africa and the Middle East
The acquisition of Thermaire and Ampair is a fraction of a larger strategy. BUTEC’s deal with ENGIE involved purchasing 17 companies across 15 African nations, bringing its reach to an impressive 21 countries in Africa and the Middle East. This expansion has boosted BUTEC’s workforce to 7,500 employees, including 400 in South Africa alone.
Further solidifying its African presence, BUTEC recently acquired the Moroccan businesses of the Société des Eaux de Marseille (SEM), a subsidiary of the Veolia Group, in January 2024.
A Diverse Range of Services
With its entry into South Africa, BUTEC is positioned to offer an extensive array of services. According to Ziad Younes, chairperson of BUTEC, the integration of Thermaire and Ampair provides a solid foundation for expanding the group’s offerings in the region. These services now include HVAC, facility management, engineering and contracting, electro-mechanical solutions, and utility services, including operating electricity grids for municipalities.
“We are inspired by the potential that South Africa and its Southern African neighbors offer and by the talent of the local building industry and allied services leaders,” said BUTEC director, Fady Abou Jaoude. He added, “As one of Africa’s largest electro-mechanical contractors and service providers, we look forward to creating shared value with key economic role-players to accelerate the region’s growth, create jobs, and contribute towards the region’s prosperity.”
Commitment to Local Development
Demonstrating its dedication to local empowerment, BUTEC has established an Employee Share Trust for its black female employees and invested R7 million into youth employment service programs, creating over 154 job opportunities. The company is keen on internal skill development, leveraging its in-house, NQF-accredited skills development center, BUTEC Academy, which is based in Johannesburg. The academy offers a variety of courses and qualifications aimed at producing a new cohort of well-trained and qualified artisans annually.
