About Viva Engineering Steel Fabrication Specialist

Collen Gibbs co-founded Viva Engineering in 2006, when he saw an opportunity to apply his experience and his commitment to professionalism, excellence, integrity and accountability to partner with clients to build a truly client focused steel fabrication business, and contribute to the success of the steel fabrication industry. Having gained international experience in Project and Construction Management over 12 years at Sandvik Mining Systems, Collen applied his skills and hard-work ethic to build and grow Viva Engineering into the respected turnkey SMPP steel fabrication company that it is today, providing excellence in steel construction to clients in Africa, and around the world.

Collen’s Project Management accolades include winning the South African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC) 2005 Export Award for Excellence in Engineering for Obajana Cement's Horizontally Curved, Elevated Gantry Conveyor System in Nigeria. He’s also been instrumental in project-managing the first Sandvik Mobile Spreader in South Africa at the Sishen Iron Ore mine, the first Up Current Classifier in South Africa and the first Teeter Bed in South Africa at Anglo Coal, Landau, among many other successful projects throughout Africa.

Collen is passionate about his home-family and his work-family, and making a difference in the lives of his 150-strong team at Viva Engineering. He is an avid trail runner and canoeist, having competed in local and international ultra-marathons over the years.

JR Muller joined the Viva Engineering family in 2015, with nearly a decade of experience in structural steel fabrication behind him. JR’s first 5 years at Viva Engineering were in the role of Estimator, managing all the project pricing for tenders and establishing relationships with new and existing clients. JR’s track record of service excellence, innovation and client focus ultimately led to his promotion to New Business Manager in 2020.

JR has been instrumental in meeting Viva Engineering’s sales targets for three consecutive years (2017, 2018 and 2019), a feat that he credits to the determination and work ethic that he shares with his team. As a relatable manager with clear communication skills and an eye for detail, JR possesses a natural leadership ability that helps his team to remain motivated and focused.
JR is energetic and spirited, enjoying the fast pace of the steel industry, and the thrill of ringing the brass bell that signals a sale. Outside of work, he applies this energy and passion to playing cricket for a team that he also captains. He also enjoys spending quality time with his wife and 2 boys and following a variety of sports.

Clive Procos joined Viva Engineering in the role of Project Manager in 2013. Having refined his skills in business administration, tendering, customer relations and new business development in his long career in the auto trading industry, Clive expanded his expertise in 2009, joining Cosira International as a project Expeditor and Site Coordinator. It was here that Clive was first exposed to the internal workings of an SMPP steel fabrication company, including planning and design, drawing, manufacturing, quality control, assembly, logistics, and on-site erection.

In Clive’s first 7 years at Viva Engineering, he has managed over 75 projects ranging from 1 ton to 2000 tons, for a high-profile portfolio of clients including FLSmidth, ELB Engineering, Hogarths Engineering, Zimplats, Sandvik Mining Systems, DRA, Thermo Fisher, and many others. Clive has delivered to clients throughout the world, including South America, the Middle East and many countries on the African continent.

In his personal time, Clive can be found in the great outdoors, traversing a golf course, playing indoor soccer, or spending time with his family and friends around a braai. As an avid carpenter and builder, Clive enjoys making home improvements and sharing home improvement tips with his friends.

Leon Pretorius is a Project Manager at Viva Engineering, serving the structural steel fabrication industry for over 22 years.

Leon first entered the industry in 1998, as an apprentice boiler-maker at AECI, during which time he also obtained his N2 certification, studying development drawings, and plate and structural steelwork theory. He then accepted an offer from Horne Hydraulics for a boilermaker and fitter role, working in fabrication, welding and hydraulics. He moved on to Crown Gold Recoveries as a boilermaker, working with pipe developments, structural steelwork, and site erection.

Having spent 9 years growing and developing his expertise, Leon joined Viva Engineering in 2007 as a skilled boilermaker, specializing in the fabrication of structural steelwork and platework. At Viva Engineering, Leon’s career evolved with multiple promotions, filling the roles of Welding and Fabrication Inspector, Quality Manager, and finally, Project Manager in 2013.

Leon is a determined manager who works well under pressure and with all types of people - with these qualities, and his insatiable spirit of learning, he has led his department to complete on high-quality projects successfully, on time, and always safely.

When he’s not managing his team or learning a new skill, Leon enjoys target shooting, cycling and being outdoors with family and friends.

Francois is a results-driven Sales & Project Engineer at Viva and is responsible for helping clients find practical solutions for their projects.

Sales & Project Engineering requires a high level of skill, planning and management and an ability to translate complex technical problems into solutions.

With over 15 years of experience in estimating and project management in the steel industry and experience across different sectors such as Mining, Industrial, Food & Beverage, Petrochem, Marine and Diesel and Motor.

Francois is passionate about delivering projects to clients that are on time and within budget. He will always go the extra mile for his clients, as this resonates with our core value of win/win (when our clients win, we too will win).

As a result, Francois was recognized at the 2020 (SAISC) steel awards as the project manager of the winning team for the semi-mobile crushing plant in Mozambique.

Outside of work, Francois feeds his soul by doing various types of community work and working with orphanages and addiction programs.

Claudio Trocado is the Drawing Office Manager at Viva Engineering, bringing with him over 20 years of experience in detailing and draughting.

Claudio pursued his career in steel detailing, after obtaining a Diploma in Hi-Tech Project Engineering Draughting in 2002. Knowing exactly what he wanted to achieve and learn, Claudio threw himself into relevant roles at structural engineering and fabricating firms, developing as a detailer and learning how to apply the latest technologies to yield the highest quality product.

Claudio joined Viva Engineering in 2020, bringing his passion and expertise to one of South Africa’s biggest turnkey SMPP contractors. With two decades of experience in Tekla Structures detailing and over 11 years’ managing a structural engineering and drawing office, Claudio brings with him a track record of professional shop detailing and in-depth understanding of the steel fabrication industry.

Claudio is passionate about technology and finding solutions that make life in steel fabrication simpler. He works hand in hand with design and layout engineers, using 3D software that can be passed onto shop detailers with minimal interface and loss of information.

When he’s not formulating high-tech solutions, he can be found in the great outdoors, or cycling with his friends.

Jaco Bezuidenhout is the Operations Manager at Viva Engineering, boasting and impressive 23 years of experience in the steel fabrication and construction industry.

Jaco’s interest in steel fabrication emerged when he was young, and he spent as much time as he could learning boiler-making skills over weekends and during holidays. Developing his expertise in general boiler-making during through part-time roles meant that he was a semi-skilled boilermaker before he even landed his first full-time job at Transfab Engineering, in 1999. Here, was a fabricator of pressure vessels, chutes, tanks, structural steel and pipe fittings.

Jaco joined Viva Engineering in 2010 as Workshop Chargehand. Since then, his opportunities within the company have evolved, with promotions first to vendor Inspector / Expeditor and then Workshop Foreman. Having invested so much into his work at Viva Engineering, he was appointed Operations Manager in 2016, responsible for the planning and execution of projects, management of sub-contractors, and managing the workshop and its complement of about 100 employees.

Jaco possesses a lifelong passion for steel fabrication and has developed and compliments his technical skill with people management and problem-solving skills.

Jaco’s other interests include taking time out at the off-road bike track and playing club rugby with friends.

Tammy Cronje is the Human Resources Manager at Viva Engineering, with two decades of experience in people-management.

Tammy proved herself early on in her career in a high-demand position at the Spar Group, managing the enterprise’s barcoding system for 4 years, before moving to Abaphansi Trading as a Labour Broker. She excelled in this position for 10 years, with thanks to her training and certification in VIP and Pastel Payroll, HR Management and Labour Relations.

Tammy joined Viva Engineering in 2011, as HR Manager, and quickly made her mark by building the HR Department from the ground up. Implementing her years of experience, Tammy created the systems and procedures that ensure the department operates effectively.

One of Tammy’s most notable achievements was when she received the Employee of the Year Award 2018, for the exemplary manner in which she manages and cares for the Viva Engineering family.

Tammy is passionate about the Viva Engineering people and works hard to create an environment in which everyone understands how their contributions and success is part of the company’s success. When she is not dedicating herself to the growth of the company, you can find Tammy spending time with her family and planning her next trip to a local destination. She also enjoys exercising her mind by reading and studying.