Brian Howarth

Brian Howarth is the chairman of the Magnet Group. An electrical engineer by profession, Brian pursued a diploma in electrical engineering in the 1970s at Durban Technicon, followed by an electrical government certificate.

Brian spent the initial decade of his career at the Durban Electricity Department. “They offered me a bursary, and I had to commit to a ten-year contract,” he explains. “When that was up, my father, who had started a business called Magnet Industrial Supplies, asked if I wanted to join.” His father, eager to retire and enjoy life, saw this as a prime opportunity to transition the family business, now Magnet Group, to the next generation. “It happened just like that,” Brian notes. “I’ve been at Magnet now for 38 years.”

Over nearly four decades, Brian has watched the business adapt and grow. “Today, we’re focused on servicing the industrial sector in KZN,” he says, listing a client base that includes multinational companies in food and beverage, steel, aluminium, pulp and paper, and sugar industries. Magnet, a specialist electrical engineering firm with a trading arm, is one of Schneider Electric’s major partners in South Africa. “We’ve been working with Schneider since we started, selling their electrical switch- gear and control components,” he shares.

When Eskom’s electricity supply began struggling to meet demand, Brian saw an opportunity. “We put together a team of engineers and proposed energy-saving solutions to our clients,” he explains. Eskom, through their Demand Side Management programme, supported these initiatives, funding upgrades like LED lighting and motor efficiency improvements.

Brian recalls, “For five years, we worked on hundreds of projects with Eskom and won several energy efficiency awards.” This shift marked Magnet’s evolution from a component supplier to a solutions- based enterprise, now encompassing a trading company and an engineering company with a team of twelve engineers and five project managers. “We audit, engineer, and implement electrical and lighting solutions,” Brian added that Magnet’s work has expanded to solar PV projects as more clients pursue off-grid solutions. He feels pride in the impact Magnet is making, especially as industries transition toward greener energy solutions.

PASSION FOR INNOVATION
Brian’s passion for innovation and engineering drives his curiosity and eagerness to explore new challenges. “I love technology,” Brian admits with a grin. “A lot of my friends call me the gadget man.” He’s quick to point out, however, that his focus is essential in business. “It’s about understanding clients’ needs, not just pushing what excites you,” he says. Brian also appreciates the transition to digitisation, finding joy in brainstorming with his team and developing solutions together.

Reflecting on his journey, Brian is proud of Magnet’s growth and the team of 140 people he has built. “Our staff is everything,” he emphasises. “Seeing our employees grow and thrive is incredibly rewarding,” he says, proudly sharing that all staff now have medical aid with access to private healthcare. The company celebrates achievements together, with outings and team-building activities. “We took everyone on an MSC cruise once,” he recalls with a smile. However, Brian recognises that young employees today have different expectations. “They want instant success,” he notes, requiring Magnet to adapt its approach to career development.

“Success inspires me,” Brian states simply. He is motivated by seeing Magnet’s positive impact on employees, clients, and the environment. “I hate losing,” he admits. Magnet has even taken cues from the Springboks’ strategic approach, analysing competitors and devising well-rounded game plans to improve their chances of success. In the future, Brian envisions Magnet as a top solutions provider in the electrical engineering space. “We’ve set clear goals for the next five years,” he says, adding that quarterly town hall meetings ensure everyone stays aligned with this vision. “We work hard to provide our team with a clear roadmap for growth,” Brian explains. However, government regulations can create obstacles, he notes, especially when trying to bring in highly skilled foreign specialists.

For Brian, managing cash flow as a privately owned business has also been an ongoing challenge. “You always need enough in the bank to cover salaries and creditors,” he shares. During periods of financial strain or when significant clients faced difficulty, the pressure was intense. Magnet learned to diversify its client base, ensuring no single account comprises more than 15% of revenue. His daughter’s MBA research has guided them to focus on a narrow band of core strengths, resisting the “death by opportunity” approach of spreading too thin.

A CONSCIOUS CHOICE
Brian’s decision to step back as managing director was a conscious choice to prioritise family, health, and enjoyment. He speaks of balancing his “triangle” – money, time, and health. “When you’re younger, time doesn’t feel as limited,” he muses. But now, at 67, he aims to make the most of each day, embracing both business and personal pursuits. “I’m proud that I’ve kept my family close throughout my career,” he says. Married for over 40 years, Brian values this achievement as much as any professional success.

Brian draws inspiration from his family as well. “Seeing my daughters succeed inspires me,” he says, His daughter Nicole now plays a vital role in the company, reflecting the family’s continuity in Magnet’s leadership.

Speaking of his father, Brian says that he was his greatest influence. Describing him as “a gregarious character” who always viewed the glass as half-full, Brian adopted his father’s optimism and resilience. “He taught me to hang in there and face challenges head-on.” Brian has also looked to influential global leaders for inspiration, including Richard Branson. “It’s been quite lonely at the top,” he admits, “but I’ve tried to emulate the qualities of successful leaders.”

Brian’s personal motto is to “live every day and never miss an opportunity.” Whether in business, health, or family life, he strives to embrace each moment fully. “I take on challenges, brush off the bad days, and try to live a fulfilling life,” he concludes, grateful for a career that allows him to combine passion, family, and purpose.