The name Heinrich Kriel is synonymous with the campus in Vanderbijlpark. His relationship with the campus dates back to the 1980’s when he started his studies in engineering; was one of the first hostel students (in a group of only 25) to reside on campus; completed a stint in different levels of student leadership and graduated in 1990. During this time he also met his wife, Christelle, on the campus.
As from April 2012 he also served as the first-ever chairperson of the campus’s Alumni Advisory Committee. According to Heinrich it was “an immense” privilege to be part of the first Alumni Advisory Committee and he views it as an opportunity to promote the university and foster long-term relationships between his alma mater, the greater alumni fraternity and business.
“The committee plays a vital role in the relationship building process and I am excited when I look back at our accomplishments as it relates to the growth in numbers of the alumni fraternity,” says Heinrich and adds that through his involvement with the committee he was afforded an opportunity to give something back to his alma mater. “The North-West University has meant a lot to me over the years – both personally and professionally, and I am proud and honoured to be associated with the university.”
Professional success
Heinrich has over 20 years’ experience in business and operational management of major integrated steel operations and has a proven track-record in executive management, strategy development and management, business development, operational management, conducting technical and business due diligence, concept studies, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies for broadening of business operations.
Equipped with his engineering degree, Heinrich started working at Iscor in Vanderbijlpark (now ArcelorMittal South Africa), and slowly but surely began climbing the corporate ladder. After seven years he reached the level of area manager and then became a member of the company’s top management team. During his employment at ArcelorMittal South Africa he held various managerial positions in Vanderbijlpark, Vereeniging and Saldanha and travelled to countries such as Finland, Germany, England, France, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Belgium, China, India, Canada, America and Brazil.
He was the senior manager at ArcellorMittal Saldanha Steel, chief technical officer at Arcelor Mittal South Africa as well as the general manager of ArcelorMittal South Africa. Before embarking on his new professional career path, he managed his own leadership and management consultancy venture.
Student life
Heinrich was a BEng (Mechanical) student between 1985 and 1990 and a student who worked just as hard at his student life as he did at his studies. “I signed up for everything,” he remembers and adds that he was a house committee member, a member of the University Sport’s Council, member of the RAG committee, RAG chairperson, member of the SRC and later on even chairman of the SRC and treasurer of the National RAG committee. “You name it and I probably was involved somewhere!” laughs Heinrich. It is especially his tenure as RAG chairman in 1989 which really brings back fond memories – especially when he recalls helping to build the RAG Farm.
Heinrich Kriel and his wife Christelle
