Issue 3 2020

24 Acquisition International - Issue 3 2020 Sep19364 Company: Patterson & Associates Ltd Contact: Mike Patterson Website: www.pattersonandassociates.co.za atterson & Associates Ltd was founded by Mike Patterson, a broker and claims handler since 1981 and a marine surveyor since 1983 as a way of using his skills in a new environment. While previous opportunities had given him the chance to work all over the world, it was not enough to keep him from returning to South Africa he started his own company in 1989. The objective of Patterson & Associates was to provide the local and international marine insurance industry, importer and exporters, Port Authorities, not to mention international Maritime law firms, with a specialised approach to cargo claims investigation. Using the expertise that he picked up as a broker and claims handler, Mike has been able to provide a service that includes loss adjusting, risk assessment and investigative support. The success of the business can be seen in its large range of clients worldwide. Patterson’s firm acts as survey agent for insurers and insurance brokers. This work takes place across numerous countries over four continents.This is thanks to Pattersons’ offices in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Harare and Lusaka which allow our teams to conduct survey investigations in all SADC countries and further afield as and when required. By setting up shop in neighbouring Zimbabwe and Zambia the team surveyors are able to attend to cases also outside Africa as far afield as Northern India, Brazil, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Madagascar, Mauritius etc. Patterson & Associates do not subcontract the work of surveying, preferring to keep this important aspect of the business in-house. Accuracy is at the heart of everything that the firm does and ensuring that accountability is kept as easy to track as possible is an important part of this. Afterall, it is this part of the process that informs underwriters when they start to make their decisions concerning liability. Even when decisions have been reached, even the simplest of marine claims can end up in court because parties cannot reach agreement. While many surveyors fall short thanks to a lack of understanding on the insurance side, Mike has been able to leverage his experience into providing the most useful service possible to his clients. Having a strong, factual basis on which to draw is a major advantage in that sort of situation and ensures that clients can potentially save a great deal of money. Of course, surveying for insurance claims is only a part of the multi- faceted service that Patterson & Associates can offer. In addition to this, the team are able to supervise the loading and discharge of high value cargo, provide a cargo tally and handle arbitrations that concern sales contract claims that fall outside the scope of marine cargo insurance cover. P When it comes to the contentious world of marine insurance, it’s essential that the team that rallies around is able to act quickly, decisively and accurately. After over thirty years of operation, it’s no surprise that Patterson & Associates Ltd consistently delivers all of these qualities. We took a closer look at the company in the light of it being named in Acquisition International’s Legal Awards 2019 as Leading Marine Surveyors Advisory Firm of the Year, South Africa. Marine Surveyor Safeguards Success This broad basis for work means that clients feel they can trust the company to handle whatever is thrown at them. Currently, Patterson & Associates are committed to attending to more and more complex claims throughout Africa, a reasonable expectation given the rate of economic growth. It is just one of the challenges that the firm must face looking forward, alongside the usual difficulties associated with tracking and properly administering bulk cargo transportation and storage. In all, the success of Patterson & Associates is down to making the process as easy as possible for its client. It does this through providing a methodical, straight-forward approach that always gets results. It is this attitude that has allowed the business to grow, and that will enable it to scale in the future. “Using the expertise that he picked up as a broker and claims handler, Mike has been able to provide a service that includes loss adjusting, risk assessment and investigative support.”