The move follows the retirement of Royston Goodman, who held this position for 6 ½ years.

Jaco holds a National Higher Diploma in Metallurgical Engineering, as well as a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Pretoria. He started his career as a Metallurgist in Training with Denel Aviation in 1992 and at the time that he left Denel he held a dual position as a Process Engineer: Heat Treatment, while also a Team Leader: Materials Technology Laboratory.

In 1998, Jaco joined Atlas Copco Secoroc in Springs as Quality Manager and very quickly moved through the ranks and by January 2002 had been appointed General Manager. In August 2004, Jaco left SA to take up his position in the USA.

"After six successful and enjoyable years in Texas, it is great to be back in South Africa as the GM for Atlas Copco Construction and Mining Technique," comments Jaco "I am honoured to be working with the South African team and I also look forward to meeting with and developing productive working relationships with our customers in the region."

Johan Halling, as the President of Atlas Copco Secoroc AB, has known Jaco for many years and comments that "Jaco is well suited for the position as he is a committed member of the Atlas Copco team with a desire to foster good working relationships with Atlas Copco customers in the region".

Jaco officially took up his position in South Africa on 8 November 2010 and he anticipates meeting as many of Atlas Copco’s customers as soon as possible over the next few months.