Construction World March 2015

MARKETPLACE

2014 KAAP AGRI AWARDS’ SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR South African cement supplier, PPCwas awarded Supplier of the Year in the Hardware & BuildingMaterials category at the recent Kaap Agri Awards held in Cape Town.

Kaap Agri is a retail services group which supplies a variety of products and services to the agricultural sector, as well as the general public. They have 167 outlets in over 88 locations throughout South Africa. The awards are held annually to distinguish top performing suppliers. “In line with our company culture, we reward our top achievers and show our gratitude for their contribution to making us meaningful to our customers,” says Hennie Smith, general manager: supply chain at the Kaap Agri Group. A unique rating system is used, whereby each branch independently rates their suppliers, per category, on a scorecard. This scorecard comprises 15 performance elements, with Ethics, Relationships, Business Impact, Marketing and Competitiveness being key elements. The scores are consolidated with staff in the branches, who deal with customers >

on a daily basis, making the final decisions. The top 33 suppliers are then invited to the awards ceremony, with three finalists per category. “PPC is a fantastic supplier,” says Smit. “They set the standard for walking the extra mile with us, and what makes them so special is the PPC team. “They are relationship-builders and under- stand the art of nurturing great relationships – both with our valued customers, as well as our team. PPC’s quality focus is superb and proves that the South African market loves quality embedded in integrity.” Michael Erasmus, area manager: retail and country districts for PPC commented: “Our relationship with Kaap Agri is a journey. When we travel together, the road becomes easier. With Kaap Agri as a ‘partner’ in our business, we know that customers should be better off as a result of our existence.”

LEFT: Clint Wicomb (PPC general manager: sales & marketing coastal) and Sean Walsh (MD: Kaap Agri).

REINFORCING A CULTURE OF SAFETY The Scaw Metals Group (Scaw), a niche South African steel manufacturer, is continuing on its journey toward a zero injury culture, with all employees being made aware that they each play a role in making a difference resulting from a shared understanding and dedication to working safely.

Scaw Metals Group Scaw is a South Africa mini mill producing highly specialised and critical consum- able components for the mining, rail, power, offshore oil and gas, construc- tion, commercial and other industrial sectors. The business operates through four product focused business units with facilities in South Africa. Grinding Media produces high chrome and forged grinding media. Wire Rod Products produces steel wire rope, chain, wire and strand and other related products for mining, indus- trial, construction and offshore oil drilling applications. Cast Products designs and produces a variety of cast steel products for the mining, metal processing, power generation and railway industries. Rolled Products is a manufacturer of low and high carbon long steel products. Staff and contractor training workshops and presentations have also contributed to greater awareness and survey participation - allowing for an exchange of views and discussions on the solutions to potential safety challenges, problems or concerns. “Our accomplishments in compliance to our own and regulated safety standards are encouraging, and we intend to do better still,” concludes Theiss.

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> Scaw believes that all employees should be able to return home fit and well at the end of each work day armed with knowledge to educate their families and communities regarding safety, health, and environmental issues. As a manufacturer of value-added steel products from steel scrap and directly reduced iron, Scaw is active in one of the world’s most sustainable industries. It procures and processes its own steel scrap requirements and recycles significant volumes of steel in its steelmaking operations. “At Scaw we continuously drive our safety, health, and environment management programs. As an organisation it is imperative for sustainable business performance and improvement”, asserts Jurgen Theiss, head of safety, health and environment for ScawGroup. The group is mindful of the impact of global warming and the pressing need to conserve finite resources. It strives to improve the effi- ciencies and hence maximise the use of the resources it uses to manufacture its range of steel products. With a strong and culturally diverse team of talented, enthusiastic individuals, nothing is more important to Scaw, its operations, and the safetymanagement teams than the sustain-

ability of Scaw’s businesses and the safety and wellbeing of its workers. “Scaw has adopted standards to ensure that minimum standards aremaintained throughout the group, as any one injury or fatality is one too many. We remain committed to reducing work-related injury, and death, while also providing respectful support and care – with an acceptance of and responsibility for the premise that all injuries and occupational illnesses are preventable. This applied as we improve work conditions and safety,” says Theiss. Scaw attributes regular spot checks and accessibility to health care facilities among other tactics with having led to many positive behavioral changes in its employees. Examples include closer attention regarding correct personal protective gear, workers being more aware of their surroundings, moving and standing machinery, and the use of equipment. Theiss continues, “We have put quite a lot of pressure on everyone but this persistence has benefited everyone by minimising risk and reducing accidents. To have achieved such an impressive safety performance is further demonstration of the commitment of our employees and contractors and their willingness to work with us for the benefit of everyone.”

CONSTRUCTION WORLD MARCH 2015