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CONSTRUCTION WORLD
MARCH
2015
MARKETPLACE
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
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.
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).
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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.
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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.”
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.