CEFA Executive Committee Members

Ryan Cox
Chair Person
Ryan did his MSc (Mech Eng) at UCT. He started working at AMC Cookware, with product development, then moving onto production management and is currently Manufacturing Director.
AMC cookware manufactures high-quality stainless-steel cookware. Our factory has specialist skills in deep draw and polishing.

Pieter DuPlessis
Vice Chair
Experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the automotive industry. Skilled in Lean Manufacturing, Foundry Management, Manufacturing Operations Management, Quality Management, and Project Management.
Strong business development professional graduated from University of Stellenbosch.

Bernard Ashlin
Vice Chairperson
Bernard Ashlin is the Chairman of Cape Engineers and Founders Association. He presently consults on the Technical aspects at Companies and continues to serve the Industry via the CEFA. He entered the Metal Industry in 1962 and has an NTC3 and Technical Matric (Fitting & Turning) and a National Technical Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (NTD) with a BSc (Mech. Eng.) Degree. In 1980 he was offered shares in the Management buyout of the Defence Division namely Cape Manufacturing Engineers and served as a Technical Director and finally M.D. in 1994 when CME was forced to restructure with the declining Defence Industry. Bernard served as a Director on all the CME Boards as the Company diversified into the Automotive and Foundry Sectors of the Metal Industry. He retired as Group M.D. of the CME Holding Company in 2009. He served as Chairman of CME Precision until voluntary liquidation in 2015 and is a retired Colonel of the South Africa Army.
Bernard continues to represents CEFA on the Metals and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC) both regionally and at national level and remains an active member of the CEFA Negotiating Team.

Nicolette Cronje
Nicolette Crone is the HR/IR Manager for John Thompson a Division of ACTOM. John Thompson manufactures industrial boilers and provides turnkey services to their customers for the maintenance of boilers, boiler erection and value-added services, engineering expertise and environmental solutions. She holds a LLB and Masters Degree in Labour Law from the University of North West.
Upon completion of her articles, and admission as non-practicing attorney she joined a leading Human Capital firm, focusing on industrial relations and training solutions. For the past 13 years she has been a Senior Human Resource Generalist, and she has served as Employee representative Trustee, as well as Council member on the Road Freight Bargaining Council.

Lisl Harmse
Lisl Harmse is the Managing Director of Mobitrain PTY Ltd since 2018.She stems from the outsourcing industry since 2001, where she started as a junior – straight from University of the Western Cape.She later joined Capital Outsourcing Group where she was employed as the Regional Operations Manager, specializing in IR, Recruitment and Operations.Offering industry knowledge is a huge driver and she later joined SD Recruitment as Operations Director and left in 2017 to head up Mobitrain.With the challenges of starting up a new business came huge rewards and being a member of the MEIBC has definitely opened up doors for the company.Mobitrain has made their footprint in sectors like Nuclear, Private Health Care , Training, Cleaning.The business has grown from strength to strength at a steady pace and the team is confident that continued growth is imminent. Mobitrain was registered as a PEA/TES in August 2018.

Bertram Albrecht
Bertram is currently employed at Duferco Steel Processing which is a multi-National Steel Processing/Manufacturing company, jointly owned by Duferco International and IDC.He serves as the Snr HR Manager responsible for the entire sphere of HR, Skills Development, Payroll, Fringe Benefits, IR, Legal Compliance; EE, Skills, Payroll, etc. including Labour Relations, representing the company at Council and Labour Court.Responsible for the HR interventions of BBBEE requirements and codes.
Currently holds a BTech degree in HR Management as well as an Advance Labour Law Diploma from Stellenbosch.Is and has been a member of SABPP as a Chartered Professional HR – Generalist for more than 15 years.Also hold a Mechanical trade qualification, Fitter & Turner.
Serves as the CEFA Employers representative as Pension/Provident Trustee on the Mibfa Board of Trustees.Also the Chairperson of the Board of Management of the Duferco Steel Provident Fund.
Registered and certified Marriage Officer with DoH and Commissioner of Oaths with SABPP & DoH

Joe Raad
Joe is the Human Resources Managing Director of CFW Industries Group. These companies have been in business for over 50 years manufacturing quality products and offering industry air technology solutions of the highest standard.
Joe is a long serving member on both the CEFA Executive Committee and on the MEIBC Regional Bargaining Council Committee.

Vinesh Chetty
Vinesh Chetty’s work experience began in early 1995 at Cape Manufacturing Engineers which specialized in Precision Manufactured Components, mainly for Denel. He completed his apprenticeship including achieving apprentice of the year award and qualified as an Artisan. Shortly he moved on as Planning Engineer, working on projects mainly in the armaments sector. In 2004 he decided to leave CME and began a new venture in the Precision Engineering Industry. Currently he is owner of SeamQuip that specializes in the manufacturing of critical tooling for the tin food and beverage industries.

Nicolene Devilliers
Nicolene has extensive background in HR and all related compliance and regulatory requirements. She is currently the HRBP South Africa, of Electrolux since 2020. She also has a wealth of experience and knowledge from consultancy on areas such as Skills Development and Employment Equity. Nicolene has more than 14 years’ experience in the HRD field as an HR Advisor, Generalist and Manager.
