Dr. Stefan Schwarzfischer
Dr. Stefan Schwarzfischer is the Chief Executive Officer of Botswana Power Corporation. Stefan is a qualified Engineer in Metallurgy and Materials which he obtained from the Rhine- Westphalia Technical University, Aachen. Upon completion of his Diploma whilst still pursuing his PhD he joined Kraftanlagen Heidelberg Inc. as a Project Manager; this was a company that was responsible for construction of nuclear, gas and thermal power plants. He later joined Deutsche Babock a company that develops, maintains and operates power plants using cutting edge technology. The highlights of his career whilst employed at Deutsche Babock was that the company was able to successfully acquire and construct a combined heating plant to supply energy to Oberhausen with 25el and 35th. Successful completion of Deutsche Babcock AG’s program for training young managers. Developing a sales network in South-East Asia (Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore). The company also managed to gain entry in the Guinness Book of Records for the fastest built power plant.
He later left the engineering field to join Hardenberg – Wilthen Inc. at an executive position of Vice President Production and Logistics. He was able to direct strategic production planning, execution, and performance for a €110 million organization covering 2 manufacturing facilities with approximately 220 employees. In addition he oversaw the logistics and supply chain, controlling 4 facilities with a €60 million procurement budget. Managed product development, production, quality, and human resources. One of the key highlights that he was able to achieve was to drive $10 million in savings within the first year and reduce the time of production by 90%. Stefan has worked for TAC Consulting, a management consulting firm before joining KPMG where he relocated to South Africa as a Senior Director.
Whilst employed by KPMG South Africa, Stefan had an opportunity to be involved in the restructuring exercise for Botswana Meat Commission (BMC). During this time he was able to experience working within a Botswana parastatal and its different stakeholders. Stefan has extensive experience negotiating service level agreements, strategic business partners at an executive level, including engagement with government and industry regulators. He has over the years managed restructuring processes in almost all the organizations that he worked for including development and implementation of turnaround strategies. His business acumen and financial abilities are exceptional. His previous employer expected double sales every year. In order to achieve his objectives, he has designed a growth strategy and an implementation plan, under limited investment conditions. Thus far he has managed to accomplish and exceed his targets and goals boosting of sales despite the current economic climate.
Stefan is used to implementing cross border service and trading agreements and strategies. He has a proven track record of challenging organisations in order to gain a higher profit or performance. He is able to adapt into different and new value streams which will enable him to take the Botswana Power Corporation to the next level.