About Protea Metering

Our History

Protea Metering started operation in 1997 as a Closed Corporation by three electrical engineers and a para-legal property manager. The Closed Corporation was converted to a company, (Pty) Ltd, in 2001 and the above four gentlemen are currently the directors and shareholders of the company. Protea Metering has grown from strength to strength and now forms part of a group of companies able to give a whole range of professional support including technical support in the field of electrical engineering. Protea Metering is focused on optimal supply, billing and collection of utilities such as electricity, water and also includes other levied items such as rates & taxes.

An office was opened in Midrand in 2002 in order to cater for the growing demand for metering services due to the burst in property developments in the area at the time. This office and its portfolio have grown significantly over the last 11 years.

The Company

Protea Metering head office is located at 80 and 82 Rauch Ave, Georgeville, Pretoria. The premises are conveniently located close to the N4 and N1 highway intersections close to the CSIR and Innovation Hub. This gives easy access to the whole of the Tshwane Metropolitan area.

Protea Metering have built up a formidable portfolio over the past 20 years which includes major retail shopping centers, office blocks and numerous residential and security estates over the greater Gauteng area.

Our Managing Director is Byron Taylor, who comes from an extensive legal, property and facilities management background. He manages a compliment of 65 staff members including specialists in metering technology designing and implementation. We have professional associations with STS (Standard Transfer Specification) enabling us to have our own STS Pre-Paid Supply Group Code and Vending System.

Service and Technology

More recently the trend in the metering industry has become very technology based with the introduction of concepts such as Remote Metering, Automated Meter Reading (AMR) and Smart Metering. It is in these fields that Protea Metering excel as a result of the strong technology based foundation that exists in the company. In-house developed systems for prepaid and online electricity (smart metering) as well as automated water meter reading systems are a few of the focus points at present.

Being in the service provider environment, Protea Metering have gone to great lengths to ensure that the end client user is the focal point of our business. To this extent a call centre with properly trained attendants have been in operation for many years. After hours services for emergencies are also in place to assist clients outside of regular office hours.

Protea Metering is also a proud member of ERASA - ensuring that service is kept at very high standards. Members undertake to adhere to the Association’s professional Code of Conduct and to provide an acceptable service at all times. Member Certificate.

The Protea Metering Team

Every single person at Protea Metering plays an important role in the smooth operation of our success. As with every single aspect of life, a good team needs a great leader. These are the people that lead our teams.

Byron Taylor

Managing Director

When did you start at Protea Metering?
From the first day that Protea Metering opened its doors. 1st September 1997.

What is your role at Protea Metering?
As the Managing Director I must attend to the following:

  • Formulating and implementing company policy.
  • Directing strategy towards the profitable growth and operation of the company.
  • Developing strategic operating plans that reflect the longer-term objectives and priorities established by the board.
  • Putting in place adequate operational planning and financial control systems.
  • Ensuring that the operating objectives and standards of performance are understood and carried out by management and other employees.
  • Closely monitoring the operating and financial results against plans and budgets.
  • Taking remedial action where necessary and informing the board of significant changes.
  • Maintaining the operational performance of the company.
  • Assuming full accountability to the board of directors for all company operations.
  • Representing the company to major customers and professional associations.
  • Building and maintaining an effective executive team.

    • What is your favourite part of working at Protea Metering?
    I would have to say that it is the fact that we are involved in essential services provision as a utilities company. The fact that we supply electricity and water to end consumers (domestic and commercial). People can’t live without water and life would just not be the same without electricity. I have enjoyed the challenges that the more modern era has brought with prepaid electricity, automated meter reading (AMR) and more recently smart online metering.

    Why do you think Protea Metering is the best in the industry?
    Without a doubt it is the fact that we are an industry leader on the technological side of metering. We have the best prepaid system available on the market and our clients can purchase prepaid electricity at all major retail outlets, over the internet or simply by using their cellphones. We have automated water meter reading which allows us to place water meters in “hard to get to” places and then read these meters without even going onto site. We have recently launched our smart online metering service which makes all metering information available on the internet.

    What was the most exciting thing you've done?
    At the end of 2011, beginning 2012 I took a three month sabbatical and drove my motorcycle together with three friends from Mexico through central America and ending in Buenos Aires in Argentina. The trip was 20 000 kilometers long and took us through 13 countries. It was a life changing experience.

    Brenton Palmer

    Financial Manager

    When did you start at Protea Metering?
    I started 1 March 2013.

    What is your role at Protea Metering?
    As the financial manager I am responsible for the financial health of the company. I have to engage in financial analysis in such areas as forecasting, budgeting, engaging in cost reduction analysis, and reviewing operational performance. It is important to find the perfect financial balance that is both advantageous to clients as well as to Protea Metering.

    What is your favourite part of working at Protea Metering?
    It is an absolute pleasure to be working with some of the most dedicated and energetic colleagues that the industry has to offer. Every day brings a new challenge and by being a curious person by nature, I am fortunate enough to be learning about the industry from some of the top experts that the industry has to offer.

    Why do you think Protea Metering is the best in the industry?
    Protea Metering has the perfect balance between youthful enthusiasm blended with market-leading experience and technology. Thanks to our unprecedented professionalism, Protea Metering has fast become the supplier of choice to many clients.

    What was the most exciting thing you've done?
    Being a "Proudly South African", it was an unforgettable experience to be able to support the Springboks against England at Twickenham.

    Vanessa Mills

    Marketing Manager

    When did you start at Protea Metering?
    I started back in July 2007.

    What is your role at Protea Metering?
    As marketing manager my main focus is to promote to the oustide world. I am basically the link between the open market's needs and Protea Metering's services. I have to maintain a healthy relationship with existing clients and also build new relationships with potential clients.

    What is your favourite part of working at Protea Metering?
    The interaction and diversity of working with our clients and ensuring their satisfaction.

    Why do you think Protea Metering is the best in the industry?
    I don’t think we’re the best, I know we are. We have the most advanced system in the industry that can accommodate all our client’s various needs.

    What was the most exciting thing you've done?
    Skydiving for my mom’s 70th birthday.

    Makkie vön Stade

    Manager: Debtors Department

    When did you start at Protea Metering?
    February 1998, and hoping to be a part of this dinamic team for many more years to come!

    What is your role at Protea Metering?
    As Manager of our Debtors Department I'm in charge of the Portfolio Managers who are processing the monthly invoices and handling clients' queries. This involves closely liasing with other departments such as Marketing, Technical, Credit Control and the Call Centre.

    What is your favourite part of working at Protea Metering?
    I enjoy working with people, each one an individual with their own unique situation and needs. I love being able to assist clients and make a difference. The challange is to find that perfect balance between taking good care of our clients without compromising the interests of our Company. I also value the part that each one of my fellow-employees plays in our efforts to achieve our goal of providing a service of the highest standard. My motto: "Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you will help them become what they are capable of becoming."

    Why do you think Protea Metering is the best in the industry?
    Apart from being ages ahead of our competitors in terms of technology, customer care and service delivery is an absolute priority.

    What was the most exciting thing you've done?
    Marrying the most wonderful man I've ever known.

    Troy Pillay

    Midrand Office Manager

    When did you start at Protea Metering?
    I started 14 April 2009.

    What is your role at Protea Metering?
    I am responsible to plan, direct and oversee the operations of the Midrand Office.

    What is your favourite part of working at Protea Metering?
    I love working with people, making a difference by helping them and solving their problems makes my day complete.

    Why do you think Protea Metering is the best in the industry?
    I think we are the best because we have the people’s interest on our hearts, we are not out to rob or steal from anyone but to provide a service to our very best capacity.

    What was the most exciting thing you've done?
    I’m not a very outgoing person, for me spending time with my family and capturing all the special moments is exciting enough, furthermore I love participating when Protea Metering have team buildings or fun days at work it’s exciting and always something to look forward to.

    The Board of Directors

    Byron TaylorManaging Director
    Eben KleynhansProfessional Engineer
    Johan SpiesProfessional Engineer
    Marius du PreezProfessional Engineer