Lead Investigator and Director of Mpoweru Africa Mr Gerard Smits holds a Higher Certificate in Mechanical Engineering obtained in The Netherlands in 1992.
Gerard Smits is registered at SACNASP -South African Council for Natural Scientific Profession reg.nr. 143151 as a Professional Natural Scientist in the field of fire origin and cause investigation.
- 35+ years of automotive technical experience.
- First fire investigation: Bus engine fire in 1996, Copenhagen Danmark.
General Manager & Owner – Best Parts East Rand
From 2011-2015
- Parts sales, import from Germany and sales into South Africa
From 2005-2008
Mr Smits was based in South Africa at the local DAF-trucks importer to work as a resident engineer/project manager to organize,
manage and support the MX-engine validation test in South-Africa.
Responsible for the following:
Organize and manage a DAF vehicle validation test with various South-African customers.
Contact person between DAF-trucks in the Netherlands and the DAF-trucks importer in South Africa and the customers of the field test
Fault finding and reporting and back-up on the DAF test trucks
Report technical issues and field test progress directly to DAF-trucks R&D
Assist the DAF importer with all DAF related technical and general after sales issues for the running business (customer sold trucks).
From 1996 - 2005
Specialized in:
-Engines
-Engine installations
-Truck and Bus fire investigations
From 1991-1996
Mr. Smits was responsible for the development and design of the cab tilting mechanism and cab suspension at DAF R&D.
From 1988-1991
Execute various functional and endurance tests on research and prototype engines during the engine development process.