Johannesburg, South Africa
Andries
Liebenberg
Strategy · Operations · Commercial Executive

Industrial executive with a consistent track record of enterprise transformation, operational stabilisation and strategic expansion across asset-intensive manufacturing and multi-site service organisations exceeding R2 billion in annual turnover.

R2.5Bn Revenue Scale
±R350M EBITDA Oversight
18+ Years Experience
Get in Touch View Experience
Career Highlights
01 Transformed near break-even division into R12M–R20M EBITDA per month through structured operational discipline — without reliance on revenue growth.
02 Secured R700M five-year strategic mining supply agreement following two years of stalled negotiations.
03 Released R55M in working capital during a 21% pandemic-driven revenue contraction.
04 Commercialised AI-driven industrial monitoring platform — establishing a new recurring technology-enabled revenue stream.
05 Led acquisition and integration of three service branches (±R140M revenue), stabilised within nine months.
06 Executed capital modernisation programmes exceeding R200M, including solar, ERP, and production capacity expansion.
About

Industrial executive.
Built for complexity.

Strategic and execution-focused leader with deep expertise across heavy manufacturing, mining supply chain, conveyor belting, steel wire rope, plastics, and capital-intensive operations. Recognised for turning underperforming divisions into sustained EBITDA generators through disciplined operational improvement — not financial engineering.

Combines engineering depth, financial discipline and commercial judgement to align governance frameworks, capital allocation and organisational structure with scalable growth, operational resilience and technology-led innovation.

Trusted advisor to boards, executive committees and shareholders on strategy, capital allocation and risk governance. Currently founder of Thrive Ventures, an investment and business-building platform focused on disciplined capital allocation and long-term wealth creation.

R2.5Bn Revenue Accountability
±R350M EBITDA Oversight
±R1.7Bn Asset Base Managed
R200M+ Capex Programmes Led
1,000+ Group-Wide Headcount
11 National Sites Operated
Core Expertise

Where strategy meets
execution.

⚙️
Operational Turnaround & Margin Expansion
Structured operational improvement programmes that restore sustained EBITDA performance through cost discipline, working capital optimisation and production efficiency — without reliance on top-line growth.
📊
Enterprise Strategy & Growth Architecture
Long-horizon strategic planning, capital allocation governance and organisational restructuring to position manufacturing enterprises for compounding growth and resilient performance.
🤝
Commercial Negotiation & Strategic Contracting
High-value commercial agreement structuring and negotiation, including multi-year supply contracts, key account frameworks and long-term customer relationships at R700M+ scale.
🔗
Acquisition Evaluation & Integration
End-to-end M&A capability spanning deal identification, commercial due diligence, operational assessment, deal structuring and post-acquisition stabilisation within manufacturing environments.
💡
Digital Transformation & Industrial AI
Incubation and commercialisation of technology-enabled industrial platforms integrating IoT, machine vision and predictive analytics to create recurring revenue streams and improve asset reliability.
💰
Capital Allocation & Investment Governance
Capital programme sponsorship and investment governance across R100M–R200M+ programmes, including manufacturing capacity expansion, energy infrastructure and ERP modernisation.
Cognitive Assessment · Leadership Lab 2025
Inductive Reasoning98th %ile
Numerical Reasoning94th %ile
Verbal Reasoning77th %ile
Parallel Processing Work Environment · 3–5 Year Horizon
Executive Capability Areas
Strategy & Transformation
Financial & Capital Discipline
Commercial Execution
M&A & Integration
Industrial AI & Digital
Career Timeline
Dunlop Belting Products
2025 – 2026
Haggie Steel Wire Rope
2022 – 2025
Mpact Plastics
2019 – 2022
Mpact Paper
Prior to 2019
Dunlop Belting Products
Operations & Sales Executive · Executive Committee Member
Aug 2025 – Feb 2026 · Conveyor Belting Manufacturing & Industrial Services

Executive accountability for group operations, 11-branch national service network, commercial strategy, P&L performance, capital investment and acquisitions within a R2Bn+ vertically integrated industrial enterprise.

Led full integration of acquired service branches including new legal entities, Section 197 workforce transfers and systems alignment — stabilised within 8–9 months while protecting revenue continuity.
Implemented group-wide margin recovery programme through compound optimisation, service-led revenue expansion and operational cost discipline.
Repositioned revenue model from product-led sales toward technology-enabled maintenance, inspection and reliability solutions.
Incubated and commercialised AI-driven condition monitoring platform integrating IoT sensors, machine vision and predictive analytics.
Sponsored ~R120M strategic capital expansion programme including production line upgrades and automation systems.
Secured multiple 3-year contract extensions and strategic tender awards, reinforcing revenue visibility within a Pareto-driven key account base.
Directed regional expansion into North-West Province and Lesotho, extending national footprint.
Haggie Steel Wire Rope (Barnes Group)
Divisional Managing Director / General Manager · ExCo Member
Aug 2022 – Aug 2025 · Mining & Industrial Wire Rope Manufacturer

Full divisional leadership of manufacturing operations generating ±R1.5Bn turnover, reporting to Group CEO. Accountable for restructuring, financial recovery, capital modernisation and strategic repositioning.

Transformed near break-even division into sustained EBITDA of R12M–R20M per month through operational discipline — achieved without reliance on material revenue growth.
Reduced working capital from 35% to 25% of turnover, materially strengthening liquidity and balance sheet resilience.
Secured R700M five-year strategic mining supply agreement following two years of stalled negotiations.
Delivered solar energy investment programme (R35M–R45M) generating approximately R10M annual profitability improvement.
Reduced manufacturing scrap by 40% to benchmark levels and improved galvanising process cost efficiency by approximately 8%.
Directed full ERP replacement (SYSPRO) and digital production tracking implementation without operational disruption.
Restructured operating model into distinct wire drawing and rope manufacturing business units, improving cost transparency.
Mpact Plastics
General Manager
Feb 2019 – Jul 2022 · Packaging Manufacturing & Recycling Group

Full P&L accountability across two manufacturing facilities (>R500M turnover; >R700M asset base; ±350 employees) within a capital-intensive and customer-concentrated environment.

Secured board approval and executed consolidation of two manufacturing facilities following prior unsuccessful attempts by previous management — reducing structural overhead and strengthening long-term competitiveness.
Released R55M in working capital during 2019–2020 despite 21% pandemic-driven revenue contraction, restoring cash-positive performance.
Reduced customer concentration risk from 92% to 80% dependency through deliberate commercial diversification and export market expansion.
Increased capacity utilisation from 65% to 92%, materially improving overhead recovery and margin resilience.
Reduced absenteeism from 1.65% to 0.52% and eliminated repeat customer complaints.
Mpact Paper
Production Manager → Senior Engineer E&I → Project Engineer
Prior to 2019 · Paper Manufacturing (>R650M turnover; >R1Bn asset base)

Progressed through senior operational and engineering leadership roles within a large-scale paper manufacturing operation, delivering sustained reliability and cost-control improvements.

Achieved 98% departmental availability and 90% reduction in equipment failures.
Reduced overspending from 16% to 3% through disciplined budget management and maintenance optimisation.
Recommissioned steam turbine generators and modernised automation systems and maintenance frameworks.
Measurable Impact

Results that compound
over time.

R700M
Strategic Supply Agreement
Five-year mining supply contract secured following two years of stalled negotiations — delivering long-term revenue certainty and strengthened market position.
R55M
Working Capital Released
Released during a 21% pandemic-driven revenue contraction, restoring cash-positive performance within a high fixed-cost manufacturing environment.
R20M
Monthly EBITDA Recovery
Transformed near break-even division into R12M–R20M monthly EBITDA through operational discipline alone — no reliance on revenue growth.
R200M+
Capital Programmes Led
Initiated and sponsored capital modernisation programmes including manufacturing expansion, solar energy infrastructure and full ERP replacement.
R140M
Branch Acquisitions Integrated
Led acquisition and integration of three service branches representing ±R140M annual revenue, stabilised within nine months while protecting customer continuity.
40%
Scrap Reduction Achieved
Reduced manufacturing scrap to benchmark levels alongside an 8% improvement in galvanising process cost efficiency through structured production discipline.
Education

Academic foundation.
Practically applied.

2018
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)
2014
Masters in Engineering Management (MEM)
University of Pretoria
2013
B.Tech (Pulp & Paper)
Durban University of Technology
2007
B.Eng (Electrical & Electronic)
Stellenbosch University
Professional Affiliations & Certifications
Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng) GCC – Factories SAIEE Member SA Wire Association Mining Indaba Electra Mining
Contact

Open to the
right conversation.

Available for board advisory roles, executive mandates, acquisition partnerships and strategic consulting engagements within industrial manufacturing, mining supply chain and technology-enabled industrial services.

✉
Email adliebenberg@hotmail.com
📞
Mobile +27 72 264 3422
in
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/Andries-Liebenberg
📍
Location Johannesburg, South Africa
Areas of Interest
Board advisory, executive operating roles and strategic partnerships within the following areas: