- Bidvest

BidVOICE
37
QUARTERLY magazine for BIDVEST people
th
issue
2009
 CE’s message  Hijack hotspot  Everyone’s going green  Profiles  Warren Buffett’s investment secret  Competition
 CONTENTS AND EDITORIAl
features
02
 World best
Welcome
readers
With all the awards featured in this, the final
edition of Bidvoice for 2009, I am so grateful to
be part of our talented Proudly Bidvest team.
Internal accolades and awards are wonderful
to celebrate our people. However, the external
recognition we have received as a Group should
make us all very proud indeed. We have been
acknowledged among our peers as being the
12
37th most successful company worldwide! Not bad for a company which was
‘birthed’ in an emerging market.
Our Namibian division listed with much fanfare and excitement and we eagerly
await news from this, our newest division.
We are hoping to feature our new businesses in eastern and central Europe in
Confed Cup 
Bidvoice edition 1 2010 and to be able to meet the faces and learn about the
new brands which have joined the Proudly Bidvest family.
18
 Bidvest Academy VIII
There are so many wonderful initiatives out there where Group businesses are
making a huge impact in their communities. Not only with the donation of money
or products but also through the personal contribution and the time of their
people. You make us proud!
With the annual reporting process behind us and with a successful
sustainability data collation process completed for 2009, it remains for us to
thank each and every one of you involved in putting all the information together.
This is no mean feat and we applaud you for your efforts.
Please remember to participate in Bidvoice by forwarding us news of your
35
people and your businesses.
On behalf of Jack, Kate and Lindsay; we wish you all an extremely happy and
peaceful holiday season. To those members of the Bidvest family who will be
travelling, we wish you a safe return; and to each and every one of you, our best
Staying focused 
wishes for a happy and healthy 2010.
52
 Rally to Read
regulars
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02
03
04
08
10
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Highlights
Global standing
Greetings from Brian Joffe
Our group
Generating value
Junette
Communications: Jack Hochfeld – Group communications executive;
Junette Davidson – Bidvoice editor and Bidvest communications manager;
Kate Cunningham and Lindsay Wallis – Communications specialists
Send contributions to: Junette Davidson, The editor, Bidvoice, The Bidvest Group Limited
PO Box 87274, Houghton, 2041, South Africa
Tel: +27 (11) 731 7600 } Fax: +27 (11) 880 3254
E-mail: junette@bidvestcommunications.com
2010 deadline dates for copy to editor
} Issue 1: end November } Issue 2: end February } Issue 3: end June } Issue 4: end September
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Spotlight
Generating value
Our people
Reaching out
Rest and relaxation
Bidvoice is published quarterly by The Bidvest Group Limited for the people of Bidvest companies,
worldwide. Its mission is to communicate the news and growth of the Group, to inform about
Bidvest companies, their services and products and to encourage mutual understanding and the
will to succeed.
No responsibility will be accepted for any statement made or opinion expressed in the publication.
Consequently, nobody connected with the publication including directors, employees or editorial
team will be held liable for any opinion, loss or damage sustained by a reader as a result of an
action or reliance upon any statement or opinion expressed.
Generating value
© Bidvest 2009 This magazine is copyright under the Berne Convention. In terms of the South African
Copyright Act No. 98 of 1978, no part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information
storage and retrieval system, without permission of the publisher and, if applicable, the author.
bidvoice issue 4 2009
Design and layout: Bastion Graphics }
Printers: Blesston Printers, a Proudly Bidvest company
Group panorama
Winning streak
 HIGHLIGHTS
highlights
Bidvest Namibia
Bidvest Namibia listed on the Namibian stock
exchange on Monday, October 26. This listing
caused unprecedented interest. Namibian
president Hifikepunye Pohamba described the
listing as “a very positive development for the
Namibian economy”.
Acquisition cleared
The European Commission has cleared the R250 million
acquisition of the Nowaco group by Bidvest. Nowaco
operates in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland.
Bidvest Wanderers
Bidvest has secured the naming rights to the Wanderers cricket stadium,
South Africa’s premier cricket venue, for the next five years.
Carbon disclosure project
Bidvest was ranked joint second in the
Carbon Disclosure Project 2008 in an
assessment of the JSE’s top 100
companies. An underlying objective of
the CDP is to review and assess best
practice in response to the challenges
of climate change. The project was
backed by 475 institutional investors,
representing more than US$ 55 trillion
of funds.
Top 40 company
Bidvest was ranked 37th on the BusinessWeek’s list of the world’s top
40 companies and one of only three South African based companies to
feature on the list.
Our cover
Bidvest’s vision lies in the realm of possibility. In this context the Bidvest arrow
points the way forward. It is an equilateral triangle, a statement of
balance and confidence behind which the organisation can rally.
The people of Bidvest are the force. The collective
energy of their forward thrust is concentrated
at the arrow’s very tip.
Excellent rating – E&Y
Bidvest received an ‘excellent’ rating in the Ernst & Young “excellence in
sustainability reporting” awards and a merit at the ACCA/JSE awards.
The arrow proudly faces the future. Inspirational
leadership becomes the vanguard pointing the way,
while the combined passion and commitment to a shared
vision by all our people provides the impetus that drives Bidvest forward
with ever-increasing momentum.
bidvoice issue 4 2009
1
 OUR GROUP
Graham Kenny used Bidvest as an
example of an exceptional performer
in his book, “Diversification Blueprint
– Managing in a Diversified
Corporation”. Bidvest was one of
seven companies selected on the
basis of the Marakon performance
(top performer of a diversified
industrial over a 10-year period in
USD) as well as additional criteria.
Our success was attributed to a
supportive corporate centre; a careful
selection of highly capable divisional
managers; installation of appropriate
performance measures; adoption of
effective incentive systems; aligned
corporate culture; emphasis on
competitive advantage and wise and
careful acquisition of new businesses.
(Bidvoice issue 2 2009, page 42).
With the best
in the world
Bidvest and its people are up there with
the best in the world – even independent
experts say so.
a close look at 2 500 of the world’s largest publicly
an emerging-market company poised to become a
listed companies, including high-profile players such
global player and noted that the Group had made
as Nintendo, Google and Apple.
acquisitions around the world, most recently in
The survey covered 18 countries and a wide
range of industries, from shipbuilding to chemicals
to information technology.
The Group has been named one of the world’s top
To qualify for inclusion, companies had to
eastern Europe.
Brian Joffe, our founder and chief executive,
immediately gave the credit to the people of Bidvest.
He noted in a press release on the achievement:
40 companies; up at No. 37 to be exact, just one
produce at least US$10 billion in sales in 2008, of
“Recognition such as this is satisfying at this
spot above global oil giant, ExxonMobil.
which at least 25% had to be derived from outside
particular time as our people have performed
the company’s home region. Shortlisted companies
exceptionally well in the face of extremely trying
management consulting firm A T Kearney and
were then ranked on their five-year track record for
trading conditions in many of our key markets.
BusinessWeek in an annual survey regarded as
sales growth and value creation, including market
“This accolade reflects their resilience in tough
one of the most authoritative in the world.
capitalisation growth after adjustments for any rise
times, their spirit of innovation and their ability to
in capital.
spot opportunity in adversity. The survey salutes
The global rankings were recently published by
Being recognised as one of the Top 40 is a
considerable achievement as the survey takes
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bidvoice issue 4 2009
The survey spotlighted Bidvest as an example of
the Group. I prefer to salute our people.”
 CE’S MESSAGE
A magnificent effort
that does you proud
Bidvest is a forward-looking business. We’re not known for taking time out to look back. We would rather anticipate
and move forward. It’s been the toughest in Bidvest history, but we won through. There’s some value in reflecting on
what we did, what worked and how to do better next time.
T
he first thing to consider is attitude.
of new foodservice businesses in central and eastern Europe. We continue
Early in the year we embraced the slogan ‘we refuse to participate in
to pursue growth opportunities – when the strategic fit and price are right.
recession’. There was no arrogance in that; simply recognition that you get
the worst by waiting for the worst. Expect better and you’ll strive to
be better.
We didn’t hold thumbs for a turn-around. We worked for one.
This attitude helped our teams adjust to fundamental market
shifts. We saw faster than some that the economy’s sudden
Your efforts ensured we stayed strongly cash-generative, that revenue
grew and respectable profit levels were achieved. In the context of
unprecedented business pressures this was a magnificent effort.
You can be proud of yourselves. I know I’m proud of you.
Major milestones were achieved in all regions. One example
was the listing of Bidvest Namibia on the Namibian Stock
about-turn wasn’t a temporary aberration. Tougher, more
Exchange in October, becoming the second largest company
volatile trading conditions were the new ‘normal’. We had
on the Windhoek exchange.
to adapt to it; and we did.
Our teams took energetic action to improve the
management of stock and debtors. Borrowings
were reduced sharply, yet we continued to
invest in the future. In 2009, we invested
a net R1,9 billion, a big expression of
Group performance was highlighted in the A T KearneyBusinessWeek company rankings. The survey placed us 37th in
the World Top 40 and quoted Bidvest as an example of an
emerging-market company poised to become a
global player.
This was one of several examples of increased
confidence in our ability to manage the
international noting for brand Bidvest. The one
crisis and achieve sustained growth.
closest to home involves South Africa’s premier
Our working capital was better
cricket venue, now branded as Bidvest
deployed. We concentrated on the
Wanderers. Association with a South African
basics. Our business model was
sports icon is a source of local pride while
stress-tested by recession and proved
assuring international name recognition every
fit for purpose.
time top teams meet at this world-renowned
Where necessary we restructured,
creating nimble, responsive business
stadium.
On the subject of recognition, let me
units. Thankfully, major job losses were
conclude by congratulating everyone who
avoided.
took honours at the 2009 awards evening.
New business dynamics emerged
It is humbling to see the wealth of talent
and we aligned our operations with
across our Group. That same talent is
these realities at pace. Autonomous,
also an assurance of Bidvest’s continued
highly motivated teams showed that
success.
reaction times improve (so do results) by
We have come through an exceptionally
staying close to customers. Decentralisation
difficult year and emerged stronger for it.
and local decision-making paid off.
I thank all team members for their efforts.
Though we had to react quickly to pressure,
There are plenty of challenges ahead, but
we never took a purely defensive stance.
I’ve got a strong feeling we’re ready for
Adversity brings opportunity and we remained
them.
alert for prospects of new growth.
Patience was rewarded with the acquisition
Brian Joffe
bidvoice issue 4 2009
3
 COVER STORY
A Classic Affair
It took chief executive Brian Joffe to say how much he loved the violin to spark off the team’s creative juices which
culminated in the theme, Hooked on Bidvest – A Classic Affair, for the 2009 awards evening.
A
sparkling event, hosted by the urbane and extremely funny
Trevor Noah, Hooked on Bidvest – A Classic Affair took place
over three evenings and was enjoyed by Bidvest people,
Hospice supporters and Bidvest suppliers and customers alike.
The charity evening is one of Hospice’s main fund-raisers for
the year and a major donation to this extremely worthy cause by
Bidvest.
The talent on display – all ably orchestrated by musical director
Bryan Schimmel – took the form of a dazzling evening encompassed
within elegantly themed classical music with a modern twist in the
style of the 80s Mike Oldman Hooked on Classics genre.
Musical prowess from the piano with the breathtaking ‘a handful
of keys’ performing alongside the operatic talents of award-winning
Loyiso and Angela Kilian; clarinet solos from the Israeli twin brothers
Aleksander and Daniel Gurfinkel; Grammy Award-winning Soweto
Gospel Choir and, from America’s Got Talent, ‘Nuttin but Stringz’ …
the list is endless.
The event was once again created and produced for Bidvest by
the dynamic duo of David Bloch and Debbie Rakusin.
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bidvoice issue 4 2009
 our group
Non-stop planning
Group services management team, Dave Koff and
Karen Snowiete, allow themselves ‘a bit of a party’
after the last evening of the Bidvest chief
executive’s awards.
They’re entitled to it.
Just a day or two later, they begin the long and painstaking
process of planning the next year’s event.
As you read this, arrangements are well in hand for the 2010
awards evenings to be held, as always, at the Sandton
Convention Centre in the last week of August.
It’s a mammoth task, they admit, to make the arrangements
for the awards events celebrated annually over four nights.
On the Thursday evening, around 100 award nominees
– chosen by the divisional chief executives – are flown in for a
pre-awards dinner at the Sandton Sun’s Maroela Room and
presented with certificates.
On Saturday evening, at a gala dinner for 1 000 Bidvest
employees, chief executive Brian Joffe announces the winners
Chief executive’s award
Kobus Ehlers, IVS
from each division and makes some special awards of his own.
“Obviously, it’s impossible to invite every employee,” Dave
points out, “so it’s really a privilege to be there.”
On Sunday evening, Bidvest donates a similar dinner for
1 000 people to Hospice, and the Group services team assists
Hospice with ticket sales and (with valued support from
Bidprocure) other arrangements.
Finally, on Monday, the Group invites its customers and
suppliers to an event specifically for them.
Planning, Dave and Karen explain, begins with a presentation
to Brian Joffe of a potential theme for the year’s events.
Thereafter come the finer details: from décor and menu for the
Bidvest division of the year: Asia Pacific
evenings, to flight arrangements and accommodation for guests.
Special award winners
“Carlson Wagonlit Travel do a great job handling all that for
us,” Dave adds.
About five months before the big night, a committee of Dave,
Karen and Brian select the meal and wines for the evening,
tasting six different possibilities and remembering the people
who have special dietary needs.
As the event draws nearer, Karen works almost full time on
finer details like invitations, name tags, table settings and any
individual’s specific travel or accommodation needs.
The invitations, menus and even special frames for personal
Stephen Koseff, Investec Bank
David Cleasby, Corporate office
pictures for every guest all fit the evening’s theme.
Brian himself keeps a close eye on the details and begins
attending rehearsals six weeks before the evening.
“When you have that sort of commitment from the CE, you
know its going to be a success,” says Dave.
The awards, which recognise performance excellence by
Bidvest employees, have been made for the past 21 years, each
awards evening becoming bigger and better than the one
before.
“At the end of it all, we have a bit of a party,” says Dave,
Paul Roberts, Bid Corporate Services
Yolind Strydom, Bid Corporate Services
“Which is really worth it.”
bidvoice issue 4 2009
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 our group
From left: Brian Joffe, Colin Miller and Bernard Berson.
From left: Brian Joffe, Neil Calder and Brand Pretorius.
From left: Sebby Kankondi, Pieter Greeff and Brian Joffe.
Bidvest Asia Pacific winner: Colin Miller,
Bidvest Auto winner: Neil Calder, McCarthy
Bidvest Namibia winner: Pieter Greeff, Namsov
Bidvest Foodservice Perth Australia
Mitsubishi/Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge dealership
Walvis Bay
Nominees:
Nominees:
Nominees:
Mike Bowditch, Bidvest Asia Pacific
Einrich Dean, Budget Rent a Car BRAC Free State and Namibia
Bertie Kotze, CN Business Windhoek
Ken Buckthought, Bidvest Foodservice Rotorua New Zealand
Abdool Essopp, Burchmore’s
Harald Lingner, Voltex Windhoek
Greg McGale, Bidvest Foodservice Christchurch New Zealand
Danny Govender, McCarthy Toyota Bruma
Ivan Berezhnoy, Bidvest Commercial Holdings
Isobel Kleb, McCarthy Nissan Woodmead
Herman Smidt, Bidvest Commercial Holdings
Barry Plit, Bidvest Australia
Michael West, Bidvest Foodservice Brisbane Australia
Christina Wong, Pastry Global Foodservice, Angliss Hong Kong
Peter Leballo, McCarthy Audi Arcadia
Reinette Nel, McCarthy Toyota Gauteng South
Devan Pillay, McCarthy Insurance
From left: Fred Barnes, Virginie Dambly, Andrew Roberts and
Brian Joffe.
Bidfood Europe winners: Virginie Dambly, Deli XL
Belgium and Andrew Roberts, 3663 First for
From left: Neil Birch, Wicus Maritz, Hennie Mentz and Brian
Joffe.
From left: Masly Notrica, Brent Varcoe, Abner Boschoff and
Brian Joffe.
Bidpaper Plus winners: Wicus Maritz, Rotolabel
Bidfood winner: Abner Bischoff, Caterplus
Johannesburg and Hennie Mentz, Lithotech Afric
Johannesburg
Mail Cape Cape Town
Nominees:
Take Buiter, Deli XL Holland
Nominees:
Ebrahim Hasrod, Caterplus Johannesburg
Geoffrey De Riemacker, Deli XL Belgium
Louis Avenant, Lithotech Sales Johannesburg
Richard Lyon, Chipkins Catering Supplies Johannesburg
Aad Heemskerk, Deli XL Holland
Jimmy Millinger, Silveray Statmark Company Johannesburg
Mario Manca, Seaworld Cape Town
Bart Nagel Soepenberg, Deli XL Holland
Howard Rabinowitz, E-Mail Connection Johannesburg
Pumeza Ngxiki, Patley’s Johannesburg
Joanna Pegg, 3663 First for Foodservice UK
Hans Servas, Silveray Statmark Company Johannesburg
Bennie Pieterse, Caterplus Botswana Gaborone
Steven Pitts, 3663 First for Foodservice UK
Roy Seaward, Caterplus Gauteng and outlying regions
Shelley Russell, 3663 First for Foodservice UK
Foodservice UK
Nominees:
Bob Brown, 3663 First for Foodservice UK
Nathan Wildbore, 3663 First for Foodservice UK
Mark Wood, 3663 First for Foodservice UK
From left: David Cleasby, Colleen Krige and Brian Joffe.
From left: Charles Singer, John Morris and Brian Joffe.
Bidvest Corporate winner: Colleen Krige,
Bidfood Ingredients winner: John Morris,
Bid Corporate Services Johannesburg
Bidfood Technologies Johannesburg
Nominees:
Nominees:
Neil Goodwin, Bid Corporate Services Johannesburg
Tony Aspeling, Chipkins trading branches Polokwane
Werner Hugo, Bid Corporate Services Johannesburg
Lorraine Heislitz, Chipkins Bakery Supplies Johannesburg
Gerda Labuschagne, Bid Corporate Services Johannesburg
Peter Nordejee, Crown National trading branches Mpumalanga
Gillian McMahon, Bid Corporate Services Johannesburg
Nigel Phillips, Chipkins Bakery Supplies Johannesburg
Martin van Staden, Bidfood Ingredients Johannesburg
6
bidvoice issue 4 2009
 our group
From left: Myron Berzack, Allan Thompson, Jannie Louw and
Brian Joffe.
From left: Anthony Dawe, Mark Gunther and Brian Joffe.
Bid Industrial and Commercial Products
Bidfreight winner: Mark Gunther, Manica Africa
winners: Jannie Louw, Cabstrut Johannesburg
Johannesburg
and Allan Thompson, Kolok Johannesburg
Nominees:
Nominees:
Rainer Breckwoldt, Rennie Murray Cape Town
Colin Alley, Voltex; Keens; Globe & Electric Centre North West
Rob Carson, BPO Durban
Brian Bateman, Vulcan Catering Equipment Eastern Cape
Hampie Lourens, SABT Durban
Anton de Beer, Afcom Nelspruit
Shivani Nunan, Bulk Connections Durban
Michael Frizelle, Waltons KwaZulu-Natal
Gavin Schafer, IVS Durban
Julian Lipson, Waco Industries Johannesburg
Stephen Smith, RDS Durban
Richard Lowe, Bellco Electrical Cape Town
Charles Speed-Andrews, Safcor Panalpina Johannesburg
Lorraine Nauschutz, Bloch & Levitan Cape Town
Deon van Staden, Bidfreight Johannesburg
Bongi Thwala, BICP Johannesburg
From left: Lindsay Ralphs, Trevor Chamberlain and Brian Joffe.
Bidserv winner: Trevor Chamberlain, Global
Payment Technologies Johannesburg
Nominees:
Dave Crichton, Magnum Shield Johannesburg
Carl Gibbins, First Garment Johannesburg
Erica Gibbons, Bidserv head ofice
Ivan Keshwar, Konica Minolta Johannesburg
Craig MacFarlane, Rennies Foreign Exchange SA Johannesburg
Wayne Muirhead, mymarket.com Johannesburg
Louis Roux, Steiner Group Johannesburg
Henry Stopforth, TMS Group Johannesburg
Harold Zinman, Bidserv Johannesburg
bidvoice issue 4 2009
7
 GENERATING VALUE
Domain names
– hijack hotspot
Safeguarding a good name used to be straightforward enough. You created a reputation for quality, ethical dealing, innovation and
sustained value creation and then made sure your standards didn’t slip.
Lynden Wright
B
idvest has been doing it for over 20 years – but
world. This unlawful activity is called “cyber-
and/or individual’s names with the sole intent of
the process of protecting your good name and
squatting” and the perpetrators are known as
selling for profit the domain name’s rights to a
brand has become more complex with the
“cybersquatters”, with valuable brands such as
trademark holder and/or individual.
development of the internet and the creation of
Bidvest becoming a target.
domain names.
Registering domain names that are identical to
These opportunists also traffic in or use a domain
But what do these interlopers do exactly?
name in bad faith while making a profit from the
In the USA, the Anticybersquatting Consumer
goodwill of another’s trademark.
brands or trademarks has become an industry,
Protection Act makes cybersquatters liable to civil
creating a new area of risk for major companies like
action and defines their modus operandi as the
Intellectual Property Organisation reported that
Bidvest that are well-known in markets around the
registration of domain names that are trademarks
domain name disputes were at an all-time high.
8
bidvoice issue 4 2009
The problem is growing. Recently the World
 GENERATING VALUE
to these pirates – a shock for those with special
but not all encompassing. These brands, where
There are reports of cyber-squatters posting
expertise or the celebrity who wants to launch a
possible, have been registered in all generic top
comments on the hijacked domain to ridicule or
blog under his or her own name.
level domains (com, net, org, info, biz, eu, asia, tel,
The situation can become extremely messy.
rubbish a trademark owner, a handy way of
A procedure exists to get your name or brand
mobi, name, jobs) as well as country code top level
speeding up the sale of the name to the targeted
back; the ICANN uniform domain dispute resolution
domains in jurisdictions where the brand is
company.
policy or UDRP. However, a lot of damage can be
protected as a trademark or where business is
done to a brand while procedures play out and the
conducted.
In addition to simply selling names, squatters
can turn a profit by going into business under the
pirates capitalise on their window of opportunity.
hijacked identity. Pharmaceutical companies have
A procedure, under the .ZA Alternate Dispute
“This domain name registration strategy is intended
been under attack recently and are concerned that
Resolution Regulations or ADR, also exists to
to prevent cybersquatters from registering domain
squatters can peddle cheap drugs of dubious
recover co.za domain names that have been
names that are identical to core brands while
quality through hijacked domains.
squatted on.
extending online trademark protection to key
Unsuspecting consumers out shopping on
There is a lot to be said for heading off problems
Daniel Greenberg of Lexsynergy points out:
markets.”
the internet would assume they were dealing with
before they start by registering your own domain
a quality brand backed by all the usual quality
names to forestall attack by squatters, pirates and
protection, but a coordinated strategy can limit the
assurance protection, putting consumer health at
hijackers.
exposure to online risk.”
risk, not to mention brand equity and goodwill.
Bidvest recently called in domain name
“It is difficult, if not impossible to obtain absolute
“A strategy such as this should be considered
management provider, Lexsynergy, and
for all key trademarks and brands throughout the
only risk as another variation on the theme is
commissioned a domain name audit of its
Bidvest Group. Monitoring is essential.”
typosquatting, which occurs when cybersquatters
key Bidvest trademark. Based on the results
register variations of trademarked names.
of the audit, proactive steps were taken to
start to develop a morbid fear of pirates, squatters
When a company’s exact name is protected,
identify core marks/brands for protection on the
and hijackers. It’s quite reasonable. Thankfully, early
pirates can still look to derive advantage through
internet as domain names and fraudulent sites
treatment of the domain-name jitters leads to quite
similar spellings or renderings.
were shut down.
positive results.
The murky practice of cybersquatting is not the
Name-jacking is another growing problem as
individuals discover you can even lose your identity
Domain name variations are endless so the
choice of marks to be protected is hugely important
In other words, paranoia is not setting in if you
For more information contact Jack Hochfeld at
jack@bidvest.co.za
bidvoice issue 4 2009
9
 GROUP PANORAMA
Developing soccer
from its roots
Youth development will bring benefits not just to Bidvest Wits but South African soccer generally, says Eric Tinkler.
Wherever ‘the Clever Boys’ sit
nurtured. While Eric heads
on the Premier Soccer League
overall development, Ashley
table, you can be confident that
Makhanya is the coach of the
the best is yet to come.
under 17s; Wendell Robinson
The Bidvest Wits youth
is the first team’s reserve
development programme is
goalkeeper and the under
well set to secure a successful
17s goalkeeping coach;
future for Africa’s largest football
Charles Yohane is the under
club*.
17s assistant coach and
coaches the Bid Boys; and
Head coach Roger de Sa
has already begun by
Simon Moeketse is the head
promoting players from the
coach to the reserves.
youth programme instead of
All are former top-flight
trying to buy success in the
players. With sponsorship,
transfer market.
the programme has also
opened doors for players to
De Sa made only one major
play in youth tournaments
signing in the off-season:
in Europe.
midfielder Mark Haskins from
Moroka Swallows. “It worked well for us when
rooms and offices, and what was once a tennis club
we promoted youngsters into the senior side last
is destined to become a recreation centre.
season and we finished sixth.
“I believe we can do even better as we have a
tremendous youth set up,” he says.
Since the football centre really got started at the
beginning of the year, nine players have risen from
the youth ranks to top-flight football.
“That would be regarded as remarkable
anywhere”, says head of the programme, former
Bafana Bafana midfielder Eric Tinkler.
“Youth development is not a luxury,” he emphasises. “It’s a necessity in South Africa.
“We have football talent and a lot of it is on our
doorstep, but we have to find it and nurture it.” The
club’s youth academy is in the south-west corner
The heart of the complex, however, is the squash
Mothusi Gopne (17) and Brandon Barkhuizen (19)
spent time in Denmark with Brondby IF, winners of
10 national Danish football championship titles and
complex creatively renovated into bright and airy
five national Danish Cups, and both were highly
classrooms and bathrooms downstairs, and com-
rated.
fortable upstairs bedrooms.
It’s now home from home for 19 under-17 players
Says Roger: “There is no point in having a
development programme if I am not prepared to
who split their days between lessons and soccer
give those promising youngsters a chance.”
training.
This season he used teenage goalkeeper Darren
The boys were scouted from various social foot-
Keet and midfielders Sam Ramosoeu, Tebogo
ball teams playing in and around Johannesburg and
Langerman, Sandile Sibande and promoted
chosen after a tournament involving 160 players.
24-year-old defender Junaid Mashamaite as his
The boys, aged 14 to 17, are taking Grades 10,
11 and 12 of the Cambridge Education System and
will write O- and A-level exams in November.
“They’re all doing well,” Eric says. Lessons start
captain during last season.
“I have always believed in a strong youth policy
and at Wits we have the opportunity of doing some
real development and grooming players for a career
of the Witwatersrand University campus, once the
at 08:00 daily. From 10:00 until lunch is soccer
in professional soccer,” he says. “I will be promoting
Sturrock Park sports grounds.
practice. Classes resume until 15:40 and then the
more players like Sibande, Langerman and Keet
boys go back to training.
during the season.”
Facilities encompass three soccer fields, but
plans are under way to convert two former bowling greens into a synthetic pitch, create a soccer
‘beach’ on a disused tennis court and sink a
rehab pool.
The old bowling clubhouse has been neatly
converted into lecture rooms, a dining hall, change
10
bidvoice issue 4 2009
“They eat six times a day,” Eric says, “and we
watch their diets carefully.”
“To promote from within” Eric adds, “creates a
loyalty and a legacy for the club.”
From the school, the boys move into the Bid
Boys reserve side and then to the PSL team.
As much as the boys’ education is carefully guided, their progress on the field is expertly
* With a total membership of more than 1500 players,
Bidvest Wits is the largest football club in Africa and one of
the largest in the world (www.bidvestwits.co.za).
 GROUP PANORAMA
Taking soccer
to Hillbrow
Sport is often the way out of the ghetto, it’s said. For the youngsters of Hillbrow,
it could prove true.
Bidvest Wits Football Club is working closely with
Dutch government, in partnership with Bidvest Wits,
the Hillbrow Police and former SA soccer legends
the University of the Witwatersrand and the Hillbrow
on a programme to take soccer into the suburb –
SAPS, in a contract running until 2010.
if not to discover soccer stars of the future then at
least to keep the kids off the streets.
The driving force behind the Hillbrow youth
Also involved in the project is the nongovernmental organisation, Score, which is
teaching ex soccer legends how to help the
development project is Bidvest Wits chief executive,
kids with issues of life skills, the risks of HIV/Aids,
Stan Whitting.
crime, drugs and respect for women.
“We will reach up to 500 kids with this project,”
he says “from the age of 11 upwards.
“It’s also about reducing crime in Hillbrow,
The legends coach at seven schools and six
shelters in Hillbrow.
A former Dutch international, Frank Rijkaard,
the ability to awaken hope where previously there
was only despair,” says Rijkaard.
building a trusting relationship between the youth
together with a coaching instructor, Jan Derks,
and the police and getting the youth actively
representing the Dutch soccer association, KNVB,
Bidvest Wits in Hillbrow, looking for talented
involved in sports and keeping them away from the
have been instrumental in providing the legends
youngsters who can become part of the team’s
streets,” Stan says.
with coaching expertise.
development structures, headed by former Bafana
Sponsorship for the project comes from the
“Sport has the power to change the world and
The soccer legends will also work as ‘scouts’ for
Bafana midfielder Eric Tinkler.
bidvoice issue 4 2009
11
 GROUP PANORAMA
Confederations Cup
opens our eyes
The FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 generated more than R50-million in business for Bidvest and the 2010 FIFA
World Cup could bring in more than R200-million.
Group commercial executive Sabelo Mahlalela says
“The real quantum and scope of work will
conclusion of a preferential procurement agreement
expected revenue from the World Cup is largely
become much clearer in December when FIFA
between MATCH and Bidvest, special efforts were
from MATCH Hospitality and MATCH Services
announces the final draw.
made to implement the dictates of the agreement
including the Local Organising Committee, host
cities and government.
“The general feedback I have received from
management of various operating companies,
especially those contracted to supply products and
“Sales of tickets will pick up, the number of ticket
holders will be confirmed some time in February
2010 and detailed requirements of the event will
then be much clearer.
“Bidvest companies”, he adds, “will be giving
services to the Confederations Cup, is that the
special consideration to business opportunities
operation and logistics of delivering the event was
created in host cities, the LOC and government.”
an eye opener.
“It created a good opportunity to assess possible
Sabelo says the 2008/2009 financial year
and maximise commercial benefits for Bidvest and
its operating companies.
“Bidvest and its operating companies deserve
congratulations for their part and contribution to the
Confederations Cup success,” Sabelo says.
More than 17 000 packages worth US$8,3-million
were sold for the Confederations Cup.
Sabelo says the Cup generated significant
presented exciting opportunities for Bidvest to use
business with Match Hospitality for Prestige, First
challenges our companies are likely to confront
its financial strength and diversity to position itself to
in Staffing, Vericon, Steiner, Topturf, Execuflora,
when dealing with the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
take advantage of the unfolding opportunities
Lithotech, Waltons, Voltex, McCarthy and
created by the World Cup.
Caterplus.
The major challenge for Group companies is
a lack of clarity and information about detailed
requirements for products and services from clients.
12
bidvoice issue 4 2009
“Following Bidvest’s strategic acquisition of a
minority interest in MATCH Hospitality AG and the
Business with MATCH Services was mainly with
Bidtravel.
 GROUP PANORAMA
Seeking competitive
advantage at Caterplus
You’d think fish and chips was a simple
meal. It’s less so than you may think.
For many South Africans, fish is popular, nutritious
and affordable. Others see fish as a vital food
resource that warrants careful monitoring to ensure
its sustainability.
That’s why it’s a tricky issue for a company like
Caterplus: it needs to find the balance between an
adequate and affordable food supply and sustaining
the oceans’ fishing grounds.
Caterplus is working on a procurement policy
incorporating responsible fishing practices that it
expects to finish by the end of the year.
The process is being guided by research by a
Dutch researcher, Suze van der Horst.
The wider perspective is that commercial fishing –
the formal fishing sector ranging from relatively
Inevitably, accreditation comes with a cost. In
small-scale oyster fisheries to the highly industrialised
management practices to safeguard jobs, secure fish
multi-million Rand deep-water trawl industry primarily
stocks for the future and protect the marine
Europe and the USA, buyers and consumers have the
fishing for hake – is feeling increasing pressure.
environment.
wherewithal to pay and are willing to do so.
The future of SA’s fishing industry itself appears
uncertain.
The challenge: how to maintain the fish stock
sufficiently strongly not only to supply the present
The certification gives buyers and consumers an
Europe and the USA and fisheries send them their
managed, sustainable source.
first-choice products.
In addition, the Marine Stewardship Council
demand, but the demand of future generations,
monitors catches and vessels and enforces strict
while preserving the environment and the social and
rules to safeguard the eco-system.
economic welfare of people reliant on the fishing
industry?
The demand for MSC-accredited fish is greater in
assurance that their seafood comes from a well-
However, Caterplus sources most of its hake
fillets from Walvis Bay.
South Africans, however, are sensitive to fish prices
and get the second choice.
SA’s hake industry also has a by-catch of angel fish,
kingklip, alfonsina, monkfish, jacopever, cob, snoek
and ribbonfish; with most of it being exported.
Namibia’s Ministry of Fisheries controls Namibian
Vessels are approved by the European Union but
of South Africa for a safe food supply at prices
waters relatively well, monitoring stocks closely and
the fish is not MSC accredited. Demand is smaller in
consumers can afford. It certainly understands the
enforcing strict quotas for hake catch.
SA than abroad, where foreign buyers want the
Caterplus recognises its responsibility to the people
need for prosperity in its own business.
Worldwide more than 75% of commercial fish
stocks is exploited at (or beyond) acceptable levels.
While there is pressure on the fishing industry to
maintain the quality of catches, the species they
target are increasingly over-fished.
The fishing industry puts more and more effort
into catching fish, yet the average total catch is
decreasing by around 0,4 million tons a year.
In South Africa, fish – predominantly hake – is seen
as a crucial source of nourishment.
The Marine Stewardship Council has accredited
some companies with its environmental standard: a
certification that confirms the industry uses good
Because of decreases in the catch, it even closes
the hake fishing grounds every October to enable fish
to recover.
accreditation.
Following the research and wanting to offer
customers high quality food at a reasonable price,
But the industry in this country is not MSC certified.
Caterplus is considering whether a secure fish supply
Caterplus imports other varieties of fish through
for the future will require investment in, among other
suppliers from countries like New Zealand, Peru,
China, India, Thailand and Spain.
The imports are all HACCP and BRC certified for
their safety and sustainability.
Most of SA’s prawns are from fish farms in India,
things, fish farms.
Research is needed on how much consumers are
conscious of the problem and are willing to pay extra
for their fish.
The company is, however, confident it can
Thailand and Malaysia. Though quality is strictly
substantially improve fish sustainability and, in time,
controlled and the fish is traceable, their industries
become a champion of sustainability in the SA market,
lack MSC accreditation.
a status that holds immeasurable commercial
3663 in the UK uses MSC certified product.
advantages.
bidvoice issue 4 2009
13
 GROUP PANORAMA
Safe and secure
Magnum Shield Security has honoured
Johannesburg’s Melrose Arch precinct
as its site of the year. The award was
announced at the company’s ‘Night of
the Stars’ celebration.
The prestigious complex of shops, restaurants,
hotels and residential apartments, under contracts
manager Ian Janse van Rensburg, was recognised
for the safety, security, cleanliness and general
helpfulness it extends to shoppers, workers,
residents and visitors.
The Magnum Shield team of 185 guards Melrose
Arch’s three entrance/exit points and retail outlets,
marshals its traffic and patrols its streets. Magnum
“The Melrose Arch approach,” he says, “demands
Shield also mans a 24-hours-a-day control room
5 000 square metres more of retail space. Some
monitoring 440 CCTV cameras in the precinct and
4 000 people live and work at Melrose Arch. It’s not
more visibility; more active and interactive understand-
runs a call centre to handle anything from
a complex of heavy pedestrian traffic, Vic says. But
ing of the philosophy of Melrose Arch and a zero
maintenance issues to complaints.
it is intended to offer a lifestyle environment of
tolerance of incompetence.
“Melrose Arch is more of a small town than a
shopping complex,” says Vic de Stadler, director of
Rennie Property, the managing agents of Melrose
comfort and safety.
“We make it safe to sit outside at a pavement
restaurant at 10 in the evening,” says Vic.
“The convenience, safety, and easy flow of
Arch.
“You either have the Melrose Arch mentality or you
don’t fit. It’s a tough niche and I applaud the tenacity
and resilience everyone has shown. We always try new
and better ways of doing things and the staff have
transport call for new levels of expertise and
coped well with changes in procedures and philoso-
metres of developed bulk space (eventually to
experience,” he says, “and in most areas a much
phies. They are open to change and new challenges.
increase to double that) that accommodates shops
more hands-on approach.”
The precinct spreads across 150 000 square
and offices, restaurants, two hotels and residential
apartments. Its new piazza development will add
“The attitude and focus of the management team
make it worthy of its recognition.”
“In my time in property management, I have never
experienced the control security such as Magnum
provides at Melrose Arch,” he says.
Waltons welcomes Optiplan
The established Optiplan brand has been incorporated into Waltons as their Specialised Filing Division.
The addition of specialised filing
Optiplan’s operations have
was a logical next step for
been integrated into the
Waltons and the 30-year-old
Walton infrastructure with
pioneer and leader in the
sales forces incorporated into
business of ‘top retrieval
the distribution centres and
containerised filing’ was acquired
stock into the various branches
in February. Waltons now offers
and ware-houses.
their customers the convenience
of office furniture, stationery,
A new divisional logo was
launched to assist in marrying
scholastic and IT supplies, promotional gifts
the brands. Waltons has also co-branded
and specialised filing solutions, all from one
some promotional items in order to further
convenient source.
cement the new partnership.
Optiplan also offers ‘intelligent filing
solutions’ to all Bidvest businesses.
14
bidvoice issue 4 2009
Waltons now offers their clients a total
solution through their national footprint.
 GROUP PANORAMA
Incubating future leaders
Magnum Shield launched its protégé/mentor programme in 2008. The programme has gathered momentum with the second
intake of participants from Gauteng. The third group is set to begin.
Out of a group of six participants in the Western
Cape, two have already been promoted while still
on the programme. Congratulations to Mziwenkosi
Golela who was promoted from training to area
manager and Abrahams David who was a security
officer and was promoted to site manager.
Potential protégés for the programme are
nominated by the regions and a rigorous selection
process then takes place. The final group ideally
includes individuals from different departments and
levels within the organisation and is selected mainly
for their potential leadership abilities.
Yolanda Oswin co-ordinates, facilitates and
manages the programme. Her passion and
commitment rub off on the protégés and the
programme quickly turns into a life-changing
experience.
Proud “protégés”.
Each protégé is assigned a trained mentor who
guides, coaches and supports the protégés
The content is wide ranging and includes: solving
throughout the programme that lasts for a period
of approximately 12 months.
make a fundamental difference to the way the
problems analytically and creatively, managing
company operates. He says that untapped talent
conflict, leading positive change, planning, basic
abounds and he anticipates that their planning and
the comprehensive programme which includes
finance, risk analysis and manpower planning.
recruitment processes will be positively affected and
formal training, experiential learning, shadowing,
The programme ends with a graduation
Continual assessments take place during
investigations, proposals and a presentation to
ceremony that takes place soon after the protégés
management.
present a proposal to the Magnum Shield board
The formal training component consists of four
courses: manager development, fundamentals of
Microsoft Office, supervision and management and
security industry skills.
their employee motivation levels will improve as a
result of the programme.
The programme forms part of their actions to
on an aspect of the business that they have
achieve their employment equity objectives but,
investigated.
more importantly, it is part of their commitment to
Chris Laubscher, human resources director at
Magnum Shield, believes that the programme will
creating a career path for their employees and
developing their own future leaders.
Bidvest Australia update
Bidvest is a platinum sponsor of the Restaurant and Caterers
Associations in both Queensland and more recently in New South
Wales. The Queensland State Awards for excellence were recently
held at the magnificent Hillstone Reception Centre at St Lucia.
We are proud to announce that Bidvest was awarded the
“Best Food Supplier” for Queensland for 2009.
Given the competitive pressure the market places on distributors, this award is significant recognition for the hard work and
effort put in by all branches in the state. “Well done” to
everyone in the team.
We are looking forward to hearing the outcome from the
nationals scheduled to be held in Canberra.
bidvoice issue 4 2009
15
 group panorama
A show of support
Two years ago McCarthy Heavy Equipment aligned itself with global earthmoving equipment manufacturer, Sany. The interim period
has been an exciting time for both companies, with new product lines increasing market penetration and credibility.
In a show of support for McCarthy Heavy
hoisting machinery, port machinery and coal-
Equipment, Sany’s founder and chairman of
mining machinery. Sany’s products are
the board, Liang Wengen, visited McCarthy
exported to more than 110 countries
Heavy Equipment’s facilities. He was
worldwide and they continue to reinvest in
accompanied by Xiang Wenbo, chief executive
research and development.
for Sany Heavy Industry and group deputy
During a tree-planting ceremony at
president; Huang Jianlong, chief executive for
McCarthy Heavy Equipment’s Boksburg
Sany International and group deputy president;
facilities which was attended by Brand
Zhang Hongbo, managing director of Sany
Pretorius, executive chairman, McCarthy,
Southern Africa and Xiao Jiang, sales manager
Wengen commented that the tree was
for Sany Southern Africa.
symbolic of the cooperation between the two
Wengen has received numerous titles
companies and represents the intention for a
including CCTV Economic Annual Figure, Best
long-term relationship that will grow and
Employer of Chinese Listed Companies by
mature with time. “Like our partnership, it will
Forbes, the World Executive Award for
offer shade and protection while enduring
Achievement in Business and Economy and
different seasons,” Wengen says.
‘Best Entrepreneur’ award for ‘Top 10
Dylan Chicken, managing director of
Entrepreneurs for 2008’.
McCarthy Heavy Equipment, concludes that
Founded in 1989, the Sany Group engages
the choice of a partnership with a globally
mainly in manufacturing construction
represented company with the stature of Sany
machinery with a product range covering
concrete machinery, road machinery,
excavating machinery, piling machinery,
has been highly beneficial and will take
From left: Liang Wengen, Sany’s founder and chairman of the board, and Brand
Pretorius, executive chairman of McCarthy Ltd, at the tree-planting ceremony.
McCarthy Heavy Equipment confidently into
the future.
Nissan forklift makes life easy
Masterbatch South Africa has purchased a Nissan 3 ton petrol/LPG-driven forklift from McCarthy Heavy Equipment Materials
Handling for use in the company’s finished goods warehouse.
Anthony van Niekerk, managing director of
“Do not mess around with old forklifts.
Masterbatch South Africa, says, “Masterbatch is
Because this is a critical piece of equipment
a newcomer in its industry segment and
you need to invest in new forklifts from the
McCarthy Heavy Equipment Materials Handling is
outset,” van Niekerk adds.
also the youngest in the materials handling
“This is undoubtedly the best forklift we
sector. Both companies pride themselves on
have ever owned. We have taken out a
quality of product and service levels.
maintenance contract as the machine
“A number of factors have made our company
operates 24/7 and it is an integral part of our
successful, but if I ever wrote a business book,
core business. Having a maintenance
the first line would be ‘buy a new forklift’. A forklift
contract is a bit like having insurance. We
is not just a piece of machinery; it affects your
need to know that our costs are constant
lead time and is therefore a critical piece of
and precisely what our expenses will be on
equipment in servicing your customers,” van
an hourly basis. In this way our risks are
Niekerk says.
covered,” van Niekerk concludes.
16
bidvoice issue 4 2009
 GROUP PANORAMA
Ricky Ponting and Graeme Smith head to war at the RAM Captains Breakfast held earlier this year.
Bidsport – sports
marketing champion
Sport knows no recession – especially not in South Africa – and Bidsport is enjoying the benefits.
As companies seek to market their business through
Josephs just to name a few.
sport, MSCSPORTS is securing its status as one of
One way in which MSCSPORTS and Stellar Africa
Africa’s premier sports marketing enterprises.
work hand in hand, is using sporting celebrities to
“Sport has become one of the most effective
add value to events.
vehicles for brand marketing,” says joint MD Barney
Says joint MD Steven: “Having worked in the same
Girnun. “We have come to understand this better
offices for the last seven years, Stellar Africa and
than most.”
MSCSPORTS have established a formidable team.”
The company was established as Momentous
Bidvest acquired half of the sports marketing
Sport Corporation in 1999 essentially to offer sports
company in October last year, with Neil and Barney
memorabilia for auction at golf days and charity
securing brought in Steven as the third partner. The
fund-raisers. Barney and Neil Jankelowitz have
Bidvest Group also acquired 24,5% of Stellar Africa.
been partners ever since, striving to make sport
With the purchases came the formation of BidSport,
count for South African businesses.
a Bidvest subsidiary, which the trio intends to extend
MSCSPORTS has three core competencies:
sports marketing, event management and sports
memorabilia.
Barney says: “We have the skills to align a corporate brand successfully with sports marketing opportunities by developing clear sports marketing goals
and sourcing value-driven sports opportunities.”
MSCSPORTS’ current clients include Toyota,
Samsung, Hyundai, Bidvest Bank, Ram Hand-to-
into the arenas of hospitality and TV production.
Neil says: “Being part of a powerful brand will un-
Soccer celebrities join forces to launch the new EA Sports
Tiger 10 game of which MSCsports managed the PR for the
launch.
doubtedly open new doors across all of our business
for various charities over the last eight years.
of people like Brian Joffe and Colin Kretzmann.”
A sister company, Stellar Africa, formed in 2002
with Steven Kapeluschnik appointed MD of the
player-management business.
Clients include rugby players Schalk Brits, Peter
platforms. We have benefited greatly from the advice
Barney attributes the success of both companies
to a youthful team who strive for ‘a podium finish’.
“I have no doubt the underlying ingredient required
in sports marketing is passion. I believe we continue
Hand Couriers, Outsurance, Konica Minolta and
Grant and Ernst Joubert; cricketers Paul Harris,
to grow because of our devoted workforce and rock-
Lexus. Through the auctioning of sports memora-
Faff du Plessis and Rilee Rossouw; and footballers
solid teamwork. As a team, we are chomping at the
bilia, the company has raised close to R20 million
Bevan Fransman, Siyabonga Nkosi and Moeneeb
bit to show the Group what we can do,” he says.
bidvoice issue 4 2009
17
 GROUP PANORAMA
Bidvest Academy VIII
A worthwhile and life-changing experience is how the Academy graduates describe their experience at Bidvest Academy VIII.
The opportunity to meet people from a wide range of businesses and backgrounds as well as being exposed to the vast spectrum
of businesses and possibilities making up Bidvest also proved to be a huge eye-opener for those involved.
Lectures were arranged throughout the
values which are essential for well-being;
year and took place over four days in
vision values being associated with one’s
each of the major centres, Johannesburg,
view of how one would like the world to
Cape Town and Durban, during May, July
be and focus values which help one
Dr Alta van As, music lecturer at Wits university, to write words and
and August respectively.
create the life experiences one desires.
music for a Bidvest song – copyright Dr Alta van As)
Sue Haynes, who in her inimitable and
The extract below is from the Bidvest Academy VIII song. (Peter Nordejee,
managing director of Crown National Mpumalanga, inspired
Some of the comments after complet-
calm way ensured that all arrangements
ing the individual projects were, “this has
From Table Mountain to Asia, Europe, New Zealand and Australia,
were well taken care of and that nothing
been an intense journey of self-discovery;
Sounds a stirring victorious hymn, The song of a peculiar team
was left to chance, is an integral part of
a huge change has taken place in my life;
The Big Ben’s arms ticking the beat
the Academy management team.
a transforming experience; a total change
The Great Wall’s dreaming of dancing feet!
of perspective; a phenomenal time of
The air is filled with pure delight!, The future smiling on a vision
Academy, said, “once again it is remark-
self-development; I have gained insights
so bright
able to see how people grow and develop
about myself and what I am capable of
while on the Academy. Once they are
achieving in both my personal and my
Chorus
exposed to the wealth of possibility that
professional life.”
We are Bidvest our focus is clear, Our values inspiring banishing fear!
Jack Hochfeld, who heads up the
exists within the Group the excitement is
Nicolette Brand from Rotolabel
Passion awakened now hope is my friend
palpable! I was very proud to be part of
summed up how the graduates viewed
I’m part of a ground-breaking TREND! I’m part of a ground-breaking
the team when I saw the hard work and
their experience of the Academy; “it
TREND!
creativity that went into the presentations;
was a wonderful journey and we became
‘well done’ to everyone involved”.
one big family that shared one another’s
Cheered on by the spirit of our CEO, Following his footprints
Group projects included potential
vision of growth, partnerships and
we’re on the go
acquisitions, the future of the motor car,
success. We inspired one another
A force much bigger than the sum of its parts
airports services and enhancing current
and have built a network bound for
We’re carrying destiny in thousands of hearts
possibilities, how to leverage inter-Group
triumph!” Neille Vorster from Lithotech
buying and even branding within the
concurred, saying that it was truly a
Oh Bidvest, Trots dra ons jou naam
Group.
life-changing experience which was
Oh Bidvest Siqhenye Bidvest, Bidvest Proudly Bidvest
over far too soon.
We feel chosen, so blessed and grateful to be Bidvest
The individual project was based on
18
bidvoice issue 4 2009
 GROUP PANORAMA
Bidvest Namibia
advertising
campaign
The listing of Bidvest Namibia
on the Namibia stock exchange
was accompanied by an
innovative print ad campaign.
The African flavour
of the campaign together
with the simple but effective
imagery has been enjoyed
by internal and external
stakeholders alike!
Proudly Bidvest branding
In order to build our ‘Proudly Bidvest’ brand,
Bidvest media corner
it is essential that we strive for consistency
and congruency in terms of the Bidvest logo
(what’s available on www.bidvest.com)
and member company advertising out in the
market place. We believe that we are missing
 Annual report (including sustainable development
a wonderful opportunity if our divisions do
and BEE development)
not include the Bidvest logo whenever they
 Our businesses and products 2009
are communicating (radio, television and print
 Bidvoice (quarterly)
ads, building signage, branding on trucks,
 Report to our people
emails, letterheads and all promotional
 Transformation and empowerment at Bidvest
 Corporate video – Young at heart
material). Each and every communication
from Group companies should carry the Bidvest
available on employee plus on the Bidvest website,
(member of Bidvest or Proudly Bidvest) logo.
www.bidvest.com. Please call Jack Hochfeld on
The corporate ID is being updated and will be
available soon. The existing corporate ID is
+27 (11) 772 8705 if you have any queries
regarding Bidvest branding.
 Bidvest television and print advertisements
 A practical guide to sustainable development
 Green office guide
 All aboard (Welcome to Bidvest)
bidvoice issue 4 2009
19
 GROUP PANORAMA
Prestigious contract
Prestige are the only service provider in South Africa to
have been awarded the prestigious contract by MATCH
Hospitality to provide cleaning services for VIP and Hospitality
areas at the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 and 2010 FIFA
World Cup.
Stadiums included Ellis Park, Loftus, Royal Bafokeng and
Bloemfontein.
The opening and closing ceremonies at Ellis Park were
spectacular and, with a remarkable performance by Bafana
Bafana, Prestige, too, were “World Class” in their performance.
Prestige partnered with German events specialists,
Interclean, and according to Rob White, Prestige sales and
marketing director, “the passion and dedication of our team,
coupled with the international expertise, ensured a ‘winning
formula’. MATCH Hospitality gave us a lot of support and
Matthias Roth (MATCH), was superb in his approach to
ensure a successful event. Prestige and South Africa are
ready to host the World Cup in 2010 and make Bidvest and
the world proud!”
New business
venture
Prestige has, as a result of being awarded the
contract for 2010 FIFA World Cup, embarked on a
new business venture in toilet hire.
MATCH Hospitality, Mattias Roth, was instrumental in the
introduction of Prestige to ADCO – Norbert Steigerwald, a
German-based company which was awarded the contract for
the 2006 World Cup.
The new executive toilet range will be imported from Frankfurt
for supply to the major stadiums at the 2010 World Cup.
According to Rob White, “These executive toilets are state-of-theart. They include hands-free flushing, wash basins and dispensers. They have music played through an ipod system and ladies
will be pleased to know that they will have lit vanity mirrors!”
The contract with MATCH is to supply 30 imported units as
well as a further number of locally manufactured mobile units.
Prestige will also supply staff toilets at the stadiums.
Prestige is excited about the project as 2010 is only the
beginning of what they anticipate will become a great new
business opportunity.
20
bidvoice issue 4 2009
 GROUP PANORAMA
40 years of “cleaning up”
2009 marks the 40th anniversary for Prestige Cleaning Services. In 1969, when Neil Armstrong first stepped on the moon, Prestige took its
first step with less than 50 employees. Prestige now boasts a staff complement of 35 000 employees and is still growing.
The largest cleaning company in South Africa, and
marketing), Johan du Toit (operations), Paul Roux
are ‘old friends’ by now. I would also like to thank our
possibly the southern hemisphere, Prestige has
(HR) and Mpumi Madisa (corporate affairs) who work
suppliers who have, over the years, helped us to build
created a business through its people that is definitely
closely with the divisional managing directors, Abrie
a great brand.
something to celebrate.
Pretorius, Clint Labuschagne, Craig Maguire, Shawn
Voted as the Number 1 Company in its sector by
the Top 500 Companies, it’s no wonder that MD Danie
Fulton and Sue Bell.
Danie adds, “while we are extremely grateful for the
“We hope that the
next 40 years will be
as fun and rewarding
Otto speaks with pride: “Cleaning is our business, but
dedication of our people, we would not be around if it
as the last 40 have
people are our passion. Without good people, we
weren’t for the support of our clients; many of whom
been!”
wouldn’t have a business and I am proud to say, we
have the best!”
There is a lot of merit to
this statement and the
Prestige team is led by a
dedicated and passionate
board; Danie Otto (MD),
Bina Gosai (FD), Rob
White (sales and
Prestige development programme
Prestige management development
programme successfully completed for
the third year.
how to deliver a speech. Ntsako attended the highly
successful management development programme
for seven months and has made everyone proud.
His diligence and commitment meant he was one
of the top students and he continues to be an
Sharon-Lee Barr (centre), training and development
inspiration to all.
manager, is flanked by the proud Denise van
During his first months in the Prestige quality
Rooyen (left), business development manager: Vaal
department, Ntsako was trained and coached by
region, and Stefan van Rooyen (right), business
Petro Hensberg. This solid foundation proved
development manager: Rustenburg region, after
the MDP 2008 programme
extremely useful for Ntsako’s next step,
completing their MDP. Denise and Stefan are both
as well as also coaching
the MDP 2008.
members of the Prestige sales team. They found
Denise and Stefan.
the MDP most valuable within the sales environ-
Ntsako Mabaso (right),
Prestige now offers this programme to all
Bidvest companies and interested parties can
ment and have acquired a range of new skills while
Prestige ISO/safety
contact Leon Steyn: divisional executive HR at
honing their existing skills. Sharon-Lee managed
auditor, shows his peers
+27 (11) 796 0000 or leonsteyn@presclean.co.za.
bidvoice issue 4 2009
21
 GROUP PANORAMA
Sitting comfortably
Dauphin’s ‘chair lady’, Isla Galloway, has reasons to be satisfied with life and business.
Isla Galloway is sitting
brand, what they stand for, the
comfortably. Not complacently,
promise they make and the
of course, but comfortably.
promise they deliver.
Isla is not just chief executive
“When things are good, it’s
officer but ‘chair lady’ of Dauphin
easy. It’s when things are bad
Human Design, one of the most
that you search deeply for your
respected marketing and
entrepreneurial sprit and ability
manufacturing companies in the
to manage costs and motivate
South African office furniture
people.”
industry.
Isla does, though, derive a
At her office in Dunkeld,
sense of security from the
Johannesburg she works from
recognition the business world
a very feminine, white leather
gives to Bidvest and its people,
chair called a Dauphin (pro-
and she finds it encouraging to
nounced Dorfahn) Take-Over
remain decentralised and ‘able to
automatic, a trendsetter in office
do what you think is best for your
chair ergonomics.
company’.
“It’s what we call a synchro-
She is also relaxed about
nous chair. It gives you
her place as a woman in what
continuous support in the seated
is largely an industrial manu-
position,” Isla says. “You can stay
facturing enterprise.
seated and move through the
“Manufacturing is primarily
many functions you would have
male-orientated but I have,
at your workplace.”
over the years, had valuable
The company, owned by
experiences working with
Dauphin Germany (24%), Bidvest
incredible men who have shared
(71%) and Isla herself, specialises
their knowledge and allowed me
in seating recognised as being
to add my stamp.
the centre of a workstation and
“The technical understanding
its most important furniture.
I have gained has been
“You’re in touch with your
fundamental.
chair more than anything else
“I have learned a great deal
you use at work,” Isla points out.
and I hope I have been able to
“You spend a long part of each
share my experiences and my
day working. There’s a certain
knowledge.”
level of lifestyle you can create at
Six out of the original
work. And that environment can foster a positive
offices of major banks, Ogilvie and Mather in Cape
10 people at the Dauphin factory in Industria are
influence on productivity.”
Town, Pfizer’s head office in Johannesburg, IBM,
still with the company. Having gone through good
and government departments like the Department
and bad times with them, at a business level and
of Science and Technology and of Foreign Affairs.
personally, Isla is careful to sustain ‘that feeling
Experience, research and development have
enabled the company to evolve locally and
internationally into the Human Design, offering
seating for reception and leisure areas.
With support from the architectural and interior
design communities who are Dauphin’s client base,
the company is increasingly stamping ergonomics
as essential to effective office environments.
That’s why you’ll find Dauphin seating in the
22
bidvoice issue 4 2009
Notwithstanding the current tough economy, Isla
says, “I have been in the office furniture industry for
of family’.
Dauphin now employs more than 100 people. It
well over 20 years and I have been through the very
won’t ever be the largest chair manufacturer and
best of times and some of the hardest times.
doesn’t want to be. That would move it out of its
“But, when you’re passionate about your cause
and believe in your brand, you give it a lot extra.
“Dauphin’s people understand the values of the
niche and compromise its commitment and
relationships.
Isla is comfortable with it as it is.
 GROUP PANORAMA
Improving efficiencies
at IVS
Durban
The rebuild of the fire-damaged Bay 3 facility has allowed IVS to equip the
newly built tanks with overfill protection and ullage-gauging equipment.
This enables more effective tank management and is an additional
safety mechanism. The system is being rolled out to other tanks
containing more hazardous substances at the different low-flash sites.
Experience gained from the Bay 3 fire also led IVS to redesign the fire
fighting system at Bay 3, enabling any potential fire to be addressed more
remotely and rapidly. This has proved successful and IVS is currently
rolling out this system to the other low-flash sites. Bay 4 has been
completed and the quarry sites will be completed shortly.
IVS embarked upon a programme of upgrading the hose exchanges a
few years ago in order to raise their standards in accordance with environmental requirements. These upgrades have ensured that the hose
exchange areas are 100% concrete; the addition of first flush spill
collection pits; areas are covered with roofs to assist the operator and
prevent additional effluent in these areas. Bays 2,4,5,6 as well as quarry 1
are now complete.
In order to reduce their carbon footprint and conserve energy, IVS has
also embarked on a programme involving the lagging of tanks. Lagging
allows for tank insulation and prevents the loss of heat. This programme is
being applied to their hard oil tanks.
IVS has installed a single weighbridge at our Bay 2 site, complying
100% with the new requirements of the RTA (Road Traffic Act) which will
allow certain products to be directed to this facility as well as a muchneeded back-stop in the event of problems with the main weighbridge at
Bay 6. IVS is still negotiating to use the additional land adjacent to their
main Bay 2 site to install additional weighbridges which will allow for
high-speed loading.
IVS has also installed a temporary weighbridge at Maydon Wharf
enabling the servicing of longer vehicles (24m) due to the limitations of the
existing weighbridge at this facility. Various options are currently being
explored to install a permanent facility, however, the space limitations at
this cramped site have made the decision very challenging.
Richards Bay
IVS is again in the process of increasing the capacity of their Richards Bay
facility. Apart from an additional 60 000 square metres in capacity, there
will be significant rail infrastructure changes to cope with the increased
throughputs and longer trains.
It is anticipated that this expansion will be completed by April 2010 with
the team already making significant progress. The efficiency of this facility
will be greatly enhanced by the construction of berth 208 (a second liquid
berth being built by the National Ports Authority), completion of which will
coincide with that of the new facility.
bidvoice issue 4 2009
23
 GROUP PANORAMA
What do buyers want?
Burchmore’s sells thousands
upon thousands of vehicles off
its floor and on auction each
year, and so it has a thorough
understanding of the needs of
buyers of used cars.
Volvo XC90s,” he notes.
The most sought-after accessory is
a sunroof. “It is interesting to note that
buyers generally rate a sunroof above
safety features. We seldom come
across buyers who demand specific
safety features, which is surprising
given the huge number accidents on
South African roads.”
According to MD Darryl Jacobson, the
When it comes to specific brands,
first requirement is a reasonable price tag.
Jacobson says Toyota continues to rule
“Cars between R90 000 and R120 000
the roost. “Any Toyota product will sell
are in extremely high demand; we are
instantly. This remains the most
seeing the most trading within this sector
sought-after brand – irrespective of the
of the market,” he reveals.
specific vehicles, they are all popular…
“We are selling any brand within this
price range. When we receive stock, it generally sells
from a Tazz to a Land Cruiser. The
condition and represent good value for money.”
brand has the credibility and track record.”
Moving slightly upwards in terms of pricing,
Whereas a low-mileage car used to be important,
the floor could be full of any brand and, if priced in
Jacobson says buyers with around R160 000 to
this isn’t a factor any longer. “Kilometres are irrelevant.
this range, it would sell,” says Jacobson.
spend are looking for the smaller Mercedes-Benz,
A car with extremely low kilometres on the clock will
Audi, Volvo and BMW models. “But, what differenti-
sell faster but buyers are generally not bothered about
of type of vehicle. “The demand is widespread –
ates these buyers is that they generally want a
the mileage today,” Jacobson reveals.
buyers want sedans, hatches, 4x4s and mom’s
vehicle with some sort of motorplan,” he comments.
within days. Buyers are concerned purely with price;
Buyers also have no specific preference in terms
taxis,” he comments.
When it comes to buyers with over R200 000 to
Finally, buyers have not been scared away from
brands that have experienced tumultuous times of
spend, the German luxury brands are still firm
late. “We have not seen any resistance to buying
second-hand BMW, Audi or Mercedes-Benz, with
favourites. “However, we are also seeing massive
Chrysler or General Motors products,” Jacobson
every imaginable feature. The vehicle will be in great
demand for Jaguar products, Range Rovers and
concludes.
“For this price, you can buy an extremely good
Visit to new Waltons premises
The Waltons Promotional
Gifts team was delighted to
host Brian Joffe during his
visit to their new offices.
With special Bidvest offers
available on all merchandise, they
look forward to introducing Group
businesses to their unique range
of promotional gifts and clothing.
Visit the showroom at Pencil Park
Office Park, Entrance 4 Croxley
Close, Heriotdale Ext 15,
Germiston or call +27 (11) 620 4600
to arrange for a copy of the latest
catalogue or for a gift specialist to
visit your office.
24
bidvoice issue 4 2009
 GROUP PANORAMA
Specialist attention
Change is afoot at Konica Minolta South Africa, as it gears up to meet the
changing demands of the document production and management sector.
The company has reorganised its product division in order to segment the marketplace into office
products and light production printing systems. “With the convergence of digital black and white
and colour devices into very similar markets, we felt that it was time to combine these products
into one division, called Office Products,” explains Konica Minolta South Africa MD, Alan Griffith.
“In keeping with Konica Minolta Japan’s strategic vision of a greater presence in light
production printing, it was decided that this division should now have specialist attention and we
believe that we have made use of the best resources in our company to achieve these aims.”
Marianna Gdanis will head the business unit as business unit manager, while Leon Minnie has
been named as Konica Minolta production systems product specialist and Andrew Griffith as
Konica Minolta Office Products product manager. Paul Symonds has been appointed as branch
Alan Griffith, MD Konica Minolta South Africa.
manager of the company’s Johannesburg office.
Intensifying ‘green’ activities
well as during product distribution, the sales stage and product
As part of its policy to promote sustainable development and
use. We have a zero waste goal trying to reduce waste in
profitable growth, Konica Minolta South Africa is integrat-
both resources and costs. We have appointed an electronic
ing environmental, economic and social perspectives into
its business strategies. Paul Symons, product manager,
recycling company, Desco, to provide us with a one-stop
explains; “we are committed to preventing global warming
service for the recycling of ‘e-scrap’ with the assurance
of technology protection and environmentally conscious
from an overall product lifecycle perspective by reducing CO2
emissions from business sites during product manufacture as
recycling methods”.
Growth brings change
Bizhub line
strengthened
New warehouse and “centre for
technical excellence” for Konica
Kinolta South Africa.
receiving area occupies one third of the building
while the remaining 1 000 square metres is
utilised for high rise storage, up to a height of
7,5 metres. Where previously one dock
leveler was available to offload containers
In response to the exceptional growth that
at a time, two containers can now be moved
Konica Minolta South Africa has experienced
simultaneously. Good are only released into
over the past few years, the company has
the warehouse once the total receiving
constructed a new 1 500 square metre
process has been completed which means
warehouse at its head office in Johannesburg
more streamlined customer service. A portion
to accommodate the rise in machine orders.
of the warehouse has also been allocated to
speedy colour printers, the C20P and the C31P. Perfect for the
Shortly after occupying the new warehouse,
house the stock of DEVELOP South Africa.
needs of small business teams, the printers are fast, flexibly
the company also opened its new “centre for
connected and highly economical. Brilliant print quality at out-
technical excellence” which is serving as a
successes and the need to train more
put speeds of 24ppm and 35ppm respectively in both colour
training centre and housing the company’s
technicians, the centre for technical excellence
and black and white. Marianna Gdanis, digital colour product
specialised repair workshop.
boasts three modern and well-equipped
Konica Minolta South Africa has strengthened its existing
bizhub line-up with the introduction of two economical and
“As a result of the business’s recent
manager confirms; “these printers are ideal for environments
According to national logistics manager,
where space is at a premium and more importantly, they have
Jaenne van der Westhuizen, “the new ware-
area, where machines can be demonstrated
the ability to integrate into almost any IT environment”.
house provides ample storage space. The
to customers”.
training rooms as well as a demonstration
bidvoice issue 4 2009
25
 GROUP PANORAMA
Provicom at Royal
Agricultural Show
Provicom Risk Solutions and Safe City –
Equipment and technology used to relay the live
Pietermaritzburg, together with other law
images included five kilometres of 12-core optic
enforcement agencies such as the SAPS, National
fibre between the control room and the show, a
Prosecuting Authority and the Department of
Motorola Canopy communication system for the
Justice, decided to occupy a display hall at the Royal
mobile camera, eight Teleste fibre convertors with
Agricultural Show in Pietermaritzburg with the theme
four receivers and four transmitters, a Synectics
“our country, our family, our life”. The emphasis
keyboard networked back to the control room for
was on community involvement in the prevention of
the remote use of any camera and a PTZ camera
crime in our communities.
with housing top removed to show the size of lens
Safe City decided to relay live images from the
and camera used in some of the city cameras.
control room, about five kilometres from the
Safe City and Provicom Risk Solutions received
showgrounds to demonstrate to the public the quality
a gold medal and a certificate for their individual
of images produced as well as the area covered by
report crime. Images were also linked to the
efforts. Safe City and the other exhibitors in the
the 70 CCTV cameras currently positioned in the
National Prosecuting Authority stand which had a
same hall were jointly awarded the Royal
Pietermaritzburg area. Three Sony VGA monitors and
plasma screen where prosecutors explained to
Agricultural special endeavour merit award.
one Panasonic plasma screen provided optimal
visitors the value of CCTV footage in criminal
viewing. A CCTV operator at the show was able to
proceedings. The mobile camera was also placed
clearly displayed on all the equipment and a number
select any of the 70 cameras and manually operate it
near the parking area and images relayed via the
of business cards were handed out to visitors. All
from the remote display. A Panasonic speed dome
main control room to the show.
visitors to the Safe City stand were most impressed
was installed at the show and visitors could see
themselves on any of the three screens.
This facility was very popular with children and
served a purpose in encouraging youngsters to
The Provicom Risk Solutions brand name was
Riaan Holtzhausen from Provicom Risk Solutions
with the quality of images displayed as well as the
who maintains and repairs all 70 Safe City cameras
effort by Safe City to keep Pietermaritzburg a safe
in Pietermaritzburg started preparations for this
city. It was estimated that 130 000 people visited
exhibition about 10 days before the show.
the RAS this year.
New catalogue from Lithotech
Lithotech has released a new product catalogue to introduce its vast range
of stock products to customers, many of which are ready-to-use for typical
office applications.
The catalogue is organised into the following
presentment, full-colour digital printing and
areas: office stationery, computer paper,
rubber stamps.
presets/standard generic forms, roll
CD format from the Lithotech sales divisions,
systems, thermal and thermal transfer
or can be viewed on www.lithotech.co.za.
labelling systems, scale labels, tagging
systems and pressure seal machines.
Complementing its range of stock
bidvoice issue 4 2009
Lithotech marketing services manager,
Gillian O’Carroll, says “we hope that this
new product catalogue will open our
products, the catalogue also highlights
customers’ eyes to the comprehensive
key customised products and services
range of products that Lithotech supplies –
that are available through Lithotech and
products that will enhance the effectiveness
other businesses in Bidpaper Plus,
of their business communications.”
including print-to-post, fulfilment
26
The catalogue is available in printed or
products, computer labels, price-marking
Please contact David Macfarlane
services, on-line business card
on davidm@bidpaperplus.co.za if you
procurement, electronic bill
have any queries.
 GROUP PANORAMA
What germs are lurking in
your cooler?
The International Bottled Water
Association of America recommends
that coolers be sanitised at least every
six months. European health regulations
require bottled water companies to
sanitise coolers every three months.
operation takes minutes and can be carried out at
the customer’s premises – true innovation and
ultimately hygienic.
Unlike the competitors in the bottled water field,
this system does not require the use of any
chemicals and there is no need to take the reservoir
Many coolers are seldom or ever cleansed and
back to base for a full sanitisation programme. The
sanitised. This raises the question
“How clean is your water when dispensed from
your cooler?”
Puréau Fresh Water Company has the solution
and has introduced a range of water coolers with
the unique patented “WaterTrail” system.
The Puréau system takes all the hard work out of
replaceable WaterTrail system ensures a high
system from the water bottle to the dispensing
standard of sanitisation every time. Ultimately saving
levers, ensuring a continuously high quality supply
valuable time and resources, it also eliminates the
of water.
need to take sanitised replacement parts to back to
The WaterTrail, including the spike onto which the
bottle fits, is made from carefully selected plastics
customers.
The WaterTrail ensures a 100 percent method of
approved for food contact. The WaterTrail is
chemical-free sanitisation of coolers on site.
water cooler sanitisation. Their system uses the
completely replaceable and, instead of sanitising the
Everything that comes into contact with your water
patented and disposable WaterTrail, which, with its
cooler with cleaning fluids, one simply removes the
is removed and replaced with a hygienic WaterTrail,
unique and advanced design, provides a sealed
WaterTrail and replaces it with a new one. This
leaving your cooler totally sanitised.
Buffalo’s new website
Buffalo Executape, the leading “convertor” and distributor of self-adhesive tape, have recently launched their catalogue
website www.amastikkistikki.co.za
“Of the 3 000 tape products we supply to a range of industries, amaStikki-Stikki
is the very first Buffalo tape product with a local flavour and which is also
designed with local needs in mind,” said Trevor Girnun, Buffalo Executape
managing director.
This revolutionary catalogue website has automated the company’s sales
process which allows its customers convenient access to 24-hour product
information and online quotations, while also geared to maximise sales.
“The website is fun, fresh and humorous and has been designed with our
customers’ needs in mind”, says Trevor.
Marketing consultant Nadia Lang says that companies large and small are
devoting more of their marketing budgets to online channels especially in the
current economic times. Buffalo Executape is making full use of internet
technology.
Visit Buffalo Executape at www.amastikkistikki.co.za and stand a chance
of winning a weekend for two at Sun City. The 100th employee of a Bidvest
company who successfully registers on line and receives a user name and
password will be announced the winner. Only one entry per person.
NB: You can access all Group companies’ websites from the
divisional pages on the Bidvest website, www.bidvest.com
bidvoice issue 4 2009
27
 GROUP PANORAMA
Océ excellence campaign
The “creating excellence campaign” is about exceeding the expectations of those you interact with – surprising them and amazing
them; “it’s about the attention to the small things, about running the extra mile and about striving for perfection” says Peter Enslin,
Océ South Africa’s marketing general manager.
Peter recently had the opportunity to present
advertising agents, the brand council was able
Océ’s “creating excellence campaign” at the
to create the byline: “supreme quality that is
Océ world distributor conference at the
matchless and makes printing simple and
company’s head office in Venlo, Holland.
easy to use.” This was further distilled to
Launched in September, the campaign’s
“simply superior”.
mission was to develop a brand promise to
The brand council then went about
the marketplace that would be totally
establishing those drivers of ‘pride’ within their
supported by the entire staff (the marketing
organisation.
message and customer experience had to be
The “creating excellence campaign” was
in alignment).
launched to the staff in September based on
This project was then handled in two
the theme that business is a very competitive
phases; developing a brand identity that would
game just like any sport.
form a special connection with both Océ clients
In his presentation, Peter said that team Océ was
and Océ staff as well as establishing a training
who represented their specific departments or areas
very much like the Springboks. Océ has a well-
programme to continually drive the staff’s ongoing
of expertise. The brand council’s mandate was to
recognised brand name with coaches and players
commitment to supporting the brand identity.
develop the brand identity and investigate ways in
and with each department occupying a strategic
The team initially identified the need to build a
which this could be translated into providing real
position on the “field”. To win the game there must
powerful perception of quality in the mind of the
value for the customer, while ensuring that what
be a game plan, a secret formula designed to
audience, both internally and externally.
was promised and what was experienced was in
outsmart the competitors. Simply Superior is the
complete alignment.
formula the team will adopt to differentiate them in the
The first step was to create a cross-functional
“brand council” made up of “branch champions”
By working with the marketing team and
marketplace and outmanoeuvre their competitors.
The best of
both from Océ
Océ South Africa recently demonstrated the Océ ColorWave 600 to the
mining fraternity in Rustenburg, at a meeting of the Institute of Mine
Surveyors of South Africa.
The ColorWave printing system allows users to print both colour and black and white on
lower cost uncoated and recycled paper. What makes it unique is that it combines the best
of toner and inkjet printing in one clean and sustainable system that uses a toner gel.
The Océ ColorWave 600 also prints an E-size sheet (one square metre) in half a minute,
which enables wide-format customers to print at least twice as fast as conventional inkjet
systems used by competitors. Prints dry instantly so they can be handled immediately.
There is also no longer a significant difference between colour and black and white output
with regard to productivity and print quality.
Targeted primarily at the architectural, engineering and construction market, the Océ
ColorWave was well received by members of the Institute, who represented mines in the
North West Province, including Anglo, BHP Billiton and Impala Plats.
28
bidvoice issue 4 2009
 GROUP PANORAMA
Two exciting new products
Safcor Panalpina’s special projects division
in KZN is involved in moving some exciting
projects, says Mark te Brugge, assistant
projects manager, KZN.
storage and pre-assembly will take place at
Richards Bay port so as not to delay vessel loading.
It will also help to avoid the abnormal road embargo
dates that commence when schools break up for
the December holidays as the units will hamper
traffic on the roads in Richards Bay.”
Another exciting project is an elevator for the
“We have two very exciting projects at the moment.
The first is a wax filtration plant, the second largest
Moses Mabhida stadium in Ethekwini. Safcor
in the world, which we are delivering from Richards
Panalpina was involved in bringing the elevator from
Bay to Escravos, Nigeria. This gas-to-liquid
Germany. The elevator goes up the archway to a
production plant has two units that will be broken
lookout point. It was recently tested by Michael
down into 18 modules. Each module is approximate-
Sutcliffe, municipality manager for Ethekwini and
ly 13 metres in length x 6 metres wide x 7,1 metres
Mayor Obed Mlaba. According to the Mercury
high and weighs about 50 tons. Shipment will take
newspaper, from the lookout point you can see as
place in November to arrive on site during December
Moses Mabhida Stadium elevator.
2009 to meet the project deadline.
Oil and Gas/HOU to accept all units in single lots
available to locals for a ride to the lookout point
plus a few containers of accessories. Interim
once the stadium has been completed.
“A special vessel will be chartered by Panalpina
far as the Drakensberg. The elevator may be made
Kudos to Budget O R Tambo
Mary Ann Naidoo, Budget Rent a Car client, described her experience of the service received from the
O R Tambo team as ‘exceptional’! Emmanuel, Dewet and Selven went the extra mile in ensuring that a
‘lady in distress’ was well cared for.
Mary Ann was stranded in Johannesburg, having missed her flight and not being able to get another
flight home to Cape Town until the next day. Her husband had called the Budget offices to alert them
to the fact that his wife might need help. The terminal building was shutting down for the evening when
Emmanuel arrived, carried Mary’s bags back to the car and accompanied her to the Budget offices.
The Budget ‘knights in shining armour’ not only called around to assist in finding reasonable and
convenient accommodation, they even found a local B & B which came to collect Mary from the office
and drop her off at the airport the next morning.
Mary Ann says, “your team restored my somewhat jaded opinion of customer service. We own a
restaurant and I know how hard it can be to be nice when you are tired and at the end of your shift.”
“Well done”, guys, you did us proud!
Selvan Pillay, Emmanual (Bonginkosi) Soko and Dewet Strydom.
bidvoice issue 4 2009
29
 GROUP PANORAMA
Safcor Panalpina accelerates
The second South African Automotive Week in
Port Elizabeth was a resounding success.
Attended by members of the automotive industry from all over
the world, including Brazil, China, India, UK, Germany and Italy,
the theme, “Navigating the storm: A roadmap to vision 2020”
was extremely apt in addressing an industry in crisis.
Brand Pretorius, Bid Auto chief executive, was a speaker
and a panel member for two discussions entitled: “Vision 2020
– is it a fantasy or reality?” and an interactive Q & A session.
The main benefit of the conference was for South Africa
to showcase its ability to provide not only fully manufactured
vehicles but also components and parts to the rest of the
world. The suppliers ranged from tyre manufacturers, to
providers of catalytic convertors, windscreens and braking
systems amongst others. There was an opportunity for
The automotive week was not only hard work but included a gala dinner and golf day. Networking island style, from
left: Safcor Panalpina’s Richard Jesson; client service manager, Tseko Shibambu; marketing manager, Alfred da Costa;
non-executive director, Bidvest and chairman, Ukuvula, Debbie Golding, regional sales manager and Muzi Nkosi,
marketing and sales director.
manufacturers and component suppliers to network and
source more business as well as to showcase South African
designs in terms of manufacturing, such as the five-seater
lithium-ion battery car developed in South Africa by
Optimal Energy.
For Safcor Panalpina the benefits were to network with
key decision makers in the industry and to acquire the latest
knowledge in terms of trends, as well as to create brand
awareness. Safcor Panalpina is well positioned to take
advantage of future opportunities as its strategic locations
allow the company to offer a quick turnaround in this
fast-paced industry.
Safcor Panalpina’s Bruce Thoresson, regional
director, eastern Cape, announcing the winner
of the business card draw.
Safcor Panalpina’s marketing manager, Tseko Shibambu and
business development consultant, Bernadine Willis, with Brand
Pretorius, CEO, Bid Auto.
Safe handling from SACD
SACD Durban had the great pleasure of being the appointed facility to handle the unique and valuable Silver Ghost Rolls Royces on
their “2009 Rolls Royce Wholly Ghost Tour of South Africa”.
SACD Durban has previously been privileged to play their part
with regards to the safe handling and unpacking of the Bentley
S.A. Tours and, as a result of the impeccable service provided in
conjunction with their sister company, Safcor, they now have the
privilege of ensuring the safe handling of these very valuable and
nostalgic vehicles of yesteryear.
The Silver Ghost was built by Rolls Royce from 1903 – 1927 in
England and, on this particular tour, there are cars manufactured
from 1909 to 1926. The owners are from England, Switzerland,
Portugal, USA, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
The route starts in Ballito Bay north of Durban and goes
north to Mkuze, then into Swaziland and back to Dundee,
Champagne Castle, Clarens, Bloemfontein, Gariep Dam, Graaff
Reinet, Cradock, Shamwari, Port Elizabeth, Knysna, Oudtshoorn,
Arniston, Franschhoek and finally Cape Town.
30
bidvoice issue 4 2009
 GROUP PANORAMA
Transforming office design
CN lands over R15 million in new ACTA partitioning contracts.
ACTA Partitioning Systems
South Africa, a division of CN
Business Furniture, has secured new
contracts valued in excess
of R18-million over the past
12 months. The popularity of the
Italian-designed versatile wall
partitioning system – which has the
ability to revolutionise office design
and layout – has extended beyond
the borders of South Africa, with the
most significant of the recent deals
being a R10-million transaction,
signed with the international airport of
Botswana.
Despite the state of the economy
the other agreements, which are
providing a steady flow of business
Partitioning systems that transform office design and layout.
for ACTA, include Tullow Oil, DDB
Advertising, Deloittes, and the Italian Trade Commis-
pressure and the price of corporate office space
sion. With the Botswana airport terminal deal, a
continues to climb, the need for strategies that reduce
combined
set up, expansion or any other associated office floor
3 000 linear metres of partitioning will be installed by
plan and layout costs is greater than ever before. The
facilitated through comprehensive site surveys and the
ACTA over the next year on these jobs alone.
beauty of the ACTA system is that it is truly demount-
pre-fabrication of all modules; another plus for
able and can grow with and accommodate the space
companies that can ill afford to close their offices during
director, says that the wall system is designed to
needs of a business. Instead of having to move
renovations.
provide a solution for most environments within the
premises, floor space can be reconfigured to become
workplace, adding that the fully integrated partitioning
more optimal and efficient while still maintaining an
with the ACTA system and the proof is in our many
system provides not only functionality but incorporates
appearance of implicit quality,” says Bergh. “Another
recent appointments; even when competing and up
modern aesthetics, too.
economic consideration in favour of the system is its
against the most exacting of international competitors for
rapid installation which minimises downtime and is
the business,” says Bergh.
Robbie Bergh, CN Business Furniture managing
“In an environment when the bottom-line is under
“Transforming office space really has been simplified
Kolok
Polokwane
Kolok Unlimited has opened another branch in Polokwane.
Given Diale, originally from Kolok Johannesburg, has been
appointed as branch manager.
The branch address is: Unit 3 Bonanza Industrial Park, Kalsiet
Street, Magnavia, Polokwane, Telephone +27 (15) 298 8795,
Facsimile +27 (15) 298 8315, Email given@koloksa.co.za.
The Polokwane team.
bidvoice issue 4 2009
31
 GROUP PANORAMA
Good returns for Volvo
One could easily adapt Winston Churchill’s quote: “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a
man,” to “There is something about a Volvo that is good for a man (and his horse).” Combine the two subjects in discussion and you
have a sure-fire winner!
This is exactly what Marius Prinsloo,
failed to go through after Glendon,
dealer principal at McCarthy Volvo
the horse of one of his competitors,
Midrand, did when he put up a
knocked the last pole!
Volvo C30 as a bonus prize for a
Marius believes the dealership’s
competition at the recent SA horse
involvement with the Gauteng Horse
riders championships.
Society (GHS) yields great returns. His
The competition is unique in that
capital outlay was minimal – he had
four top qualifying riders had to jump
the Volvo C30 insured at a fraction of
a testing track on their own horse,
the cost of a new vehicle – and
and then, as an extra challenge, had
gained extensive television coverage.
to take to the track on the horse
Marius believes that personal
belonging to each of the other
finalists – a true test of riding skill. Only if a rider succeeded in clearing the track
on all four horses were they eligible to win the car.
It was a nail-biting competition … Barry Taylor was the last finalist left, but
participation is also important. He
regularly attends the GHS events and has had a number of vehicle sales as a result.
“All members need vehicles to tow their horse boxes and Volvo and
Land Rover have the ideal vehicles for that purpose,” notes Marius.
Top awards
for Konica
Konica Minolta wins “BERTL’s best” and BLI
“pick of the year” awards.
No fewer than five Konica Minolta devices recently won
BERTL awards for 2009. Available locally through
Konica Minolta South Africa, the bizhub 601,
Voltex solution
bizhub 751, bizhub C552 and bizhub C652 office
Did you know that every kW reduced equates to R2 200 per annum saved?
awards for its bizhub 601 and its revolutionary MyTab
This is the type of saving being achieved by Voltex Lighting based on the
average returns from their energy-saving projects, accumulated over the past
few years and brought up to current kW/hour charges.
If one considers energy charges in the future, Voltex Lighting expects this return
systems and the bizhub PRO 950 production system
were recognised for exceptional performance in their
respective segments. At the same time, the company
won two coveted Buyers Lab Inc (BLI) pick-of-the-year
printer driver tab.
The independent office equipment testing labs,
BERTL and BLI, evaluated digital imaging devices,
software and management utilities from across the
to increase to R2 900 by 2010 and it will reach R3 900 by 2011, assuming that
globe in order to identify the select few that stand apart
the rate of increase is in line with the current year’s 31,3% introduced in July 2009.
from the others.
Over the last four years, Voltex Lighting has helped reduce over
“Receiving these independent third-party awards from two renowned testing
65 Megawatts in customers’ electricity consumption, which at today’s rates
labs once again confirms our leadership in offering innovative imaging and
translates into a saving of R143 million.
communication systems – from smart desktop printing to powerful production
Voltex Lighting energy services division offers free lighting audits, resulting
printing,” says Marianna Gdanis, Konica Minolta South Africa Business unit
in a quick analysis as to what level of kW savings can be achieved. Please
manager. “As the tests validate, our devices perfectly suit our customers’
contact carina@voltex.co.za for further information.
demands in every different office or production environment, a true reflection
32
of Konica Minolta’s constant investment in research and development.”
bidvoice issue 4 2009
 GROUP PANORAMA
Worldwide in 10 minutes
MoneyGram is an international money transfer
product that’s offered by Bidvest Bank. It is
the safe and fast way to send or receive cash
across the world instantly.
Whether it’s a last-minute gift, school fees, extra travel money or
unexpected expenses for your loved ones, the money will go from
your
hand to theirs within 10 minutes*.
Why use MoneyGram?
 It’s quick – money is transferred internationally within 10 minutes*
 It’s convenient – over 180 000 agent locations across 190 000 countries
and territories
 It’s available to everyone – you don’t even need a bank account or credit card
Bidvest Bank has begun an extensive MoneyGram advertising campaign which is
 It’s easy – visit any Bidvest Bank/Rennies Foreign Exchange branch and
set to run until the end of the year. The campaign, aimed at promoting awareness
complete a simple form, whether you are sending or receiving money
and understanding of MoneyGram’s cash-to-cash money transfer, comprises print
 It’s personal – a complimentary 10-word message accompanies your
as well as some innovative out-of-home media, including billboards in strategic
money transfer.
locations and branded taxis. Branded taxis, the highlight of the campaign, are
turning heads and have become a topic of conversation as they operate along
strategic routes in all major South African cities.
*Subject to receive agents’ operation hours and local regulations.
Sustainability on track
Accolades show we‘re on track with sustainability strategy.
scrutiny of South African business, especially in
relatively new focus areas such as sustainability.
Our “outstanding disclosure practices” also
Bidvest focuses on value- and job-creation
rather than award-winning, but accolades are a
won Bidvest a place near the top of the Carbon
handy yardstick for gauging the progress of key
Disclosure Project Leadership Index. Good
strategies.
reporting and improved measurement are
essential steps along the road to proper target-
The good news is that the ‘accolade
indicator’ suggests our sustainability strategy
setting and measurement of performance
is developing added momentum.
against targets.
This is work in progress, but a place among
Bidvest was honoured at the Ernest & Young
Excellence in Sustainability Reporting Awards
the carbon disclosure leaders is a signal that we
for achieving an ‘excellent’ rating, while we
have established a good base.
The international Carbon Disclosure Project
were placed second in the South African
Carbon Disclosure Project’s new leadership
represents 475 institutional investors with more
index. We also received a merit award in the
than US$55 trillion in funds under management.
ACCA/JSE awards.
Its survey interrogates more than 3 700 of the
world’s largest corporations about their green-
The E&Y sustainability reporting initiative
assesses the quality of sustainability reports
could compete with the best reports published
house gas emissions. The reporting exercise is an
by the five biggest state agencies and the
internationally.”
opportunity to assess climate-related opportunities
60 companies listed in the JSE Socially
This is encouraging as the integration of sustain-
Responsible Investment Index (of which Bidvest
ability reporting into corporate strategy and risk
is a founder member).
mitigation is a key theme of the 2009 King Report
The assessors note: “Reports classified as
‘excellent’ are considered sustainability reports that
and risks while benchmarking progress against
corporate peers.
The South African survey achieved a response
on Corporate Governance. King III becomes
rate of 87%, up from 59% and the fifth highest
effective next March and will lead to increased
worldwide.
bidvoice issue 4 2009
33
Bidvest gave a donation to three schools which presented their school bells to Bidvest Namibia for the official bell
ringing ceremony. Prime Minister, Honorable Nahas Angula (far left) and Brian Joffe handing over a cheque to one
of the school’s headmasters.
A vote of
confidence
The listing of our Namibia business has been
successfully concluded to congratulations all round.
Among well-wishers at the birth of the new listed entity
were President Hifikepunye Pohamba and Prime Minister
Nahas Angula.
The offer of 50,7 million shares was over-subscribed and raised N$313,6 million
– all earmarked for further local investment. The Prime Minister and ministerial
colleagues were on hand to ‘ring in’ Bidvest Namibia as the share made its debut
on the Namibia Stock Exchange (NSX) at 720 cents.
Unprecedented interest was confirmed when NSX chairman Primus Hango revealed that
675 individual investors had taken shares, a major endorsement in Namibian terms.
An awardwinning song
Congratulations to 3663 Bristol catering
equipment who rose to the challenge and
produced the award-winning video of their
original song for the World Environment
Day competition. And the words went something
like this!
Who works in a depot like this?
Who works in a depot like this?
In goods-in gang there is a man named Mark
He comes to work early across the green green park
He is on his bike come rain or shine
It’s always okay cause he’s always on time
Ohhh, if you find the time please come and stay a while
In my beautiful neighbourhood
Another way of helping would be to care share
Let’s get Laura to come in with Clare
Not using your care so much should raise a cheer
With money we saved we all have a beer!
Chorus
Ohhh, if you find the time please come and stay a while
In my beautiful neighbourhood, my neighbourhood
Bidvest Namibia is the second-largest company on
the NSX by market capitalisation with the third largest
My, my, my beautiful neighbourhood, my neighbourhood
free float of shares (32,4%).
My, my, my, beautiful neighbourhood
Celebrations continued on the evening of the listing
Who works in a depot like this?
at a banquet in Windhoek at which President Pohamba
Who works in a depot like this?
was keynote speaker. Local political and business
leaders turned out in force.
The DGM proves he is not all talk
The listing and its timing were toasted as a vote of
For environment day he chose to take a walk
confidence in Namibia’s future while the process was
It’s not just the paper that is put out
hailed for giving an exciting empowerment lead in a
If you have a bag to recycle give young Rossy a shout
nation that has yet to enact BEE legislation, but is
Chorus
eager to foster wider Namibian ownership and
executive control while building the national skills
This is not all about a silly song
base and promoting community upliftment.
To ignore the planet’s battle well it would be wrong
Our process put a tick in all of these boxes and was
There’s plenty more that all can do
seen as a major boost to the economy. The extent to
There is only one way and it’s down to you
which Namibians have taken the company to heart
Chorus
was summed up by NXS chairman Primus Hango
who commented ‘We’re all Proudly Bidvest now!’
34
bidvoice issue 4 2009
Windhoek, Namibia
Sung to the tune of “Our neighbourhood” by Space
 GROUP PANORAMA
Staying focused
Evening lights in Dubai.
Update on trading in the UAE with Horeca Trade’s Hisham Al Jamil.
“We’re staying focused,” says Hisham
Al Jamil, managing director of Horeca Trade
in the UAE.
“There is no doubt that the challenges are
tough and it’s the survival of the fittest out
there. However, I’m confident that although
our business has been partly affected with
the downturn of the foodservice market, we
have held our heads up high and kept the
momentum going.
“Our strategy is simple: remain focused
on what we do best. We will challenge
ourselves; we will keep investing
in our people and, most importantly, maintain our support of
the brands we represent. But
Above: Sheikh Zayed Mosque – Abu Dhabi.
Left: MD of Horeco Trade,
Hisham Al Jamil.
Above: Al Qasr resort, Jumeirah.
Below: Camels on the beach.
above all, we will work harder to
We are looking for ways to
understand the changing needs
experience healthy growth
of our customers to ensure we
by expanding our basket
remain “First for Foodservice”.
“I am proud to say we have
of brands with products
managed to keep our standards
which are complementary to
high in this challenging environment. While we have sacrificed our margins in some
cases – because it was a pricing strategy – we have
our current range and fit the
nature of our business.
“Expansion is a challenging task in such a
done this without compromising on our service level
dynamic environment and we are cautious in this
or quality.
regard. We have established a new foodservice
United group. The company name is “Al Diyafa Co”
company in Saudi Arabia through a joint-venture
and it is targeted towards the foodservice channel
with a major renowned Saudi establishment –
of Saudi Arabia.
“Our plan is to remain focused, stick to the
basics and look optimistically towards the future.
bidvoice issue 4 2009
35
 GENERATING VALUE
Everyone’s going
green
…what about suppliers?
Lynden Wright
move toward a green supply chain with the Walmart
preference programmes. Even the Department of
initiative is simply the tip of the iceberg.
Defence has one. The greening of the organisation
For years, green value chains have been fostered
“E
xcuse me, does anyone see a pattern here?”
Obscure US professor Elinor Ostrom becomes
by governments around the world.
The 2002 World Sustainable Development Summit
that once gave the world Agent Orange has to
represent some sort of tipping point.
Unsurprisingly, the private sector increasingly falls
the first woman to win the Nobel prize for economic
proclaimed “government in the world shall encourage,
into line. Businesses in Europe, Canada and Australia
science for work that confirms the links between
develop and promote through public procurement
are among the pacesetters.
the economy and environment. Free-market, super-
policy the products and services that pose no harm
hero Milton Friedman got his prize in a different age,
to the environment.”
way back in 1976.
Walmart, the world’s biggest retailer, receives an
environmental award for green initiatives that
include a drive to get suppliers to cut packaging.
This is the same Walmart that until recently was
The summit was staged in South Africa, so we can
be sure our government got the message.
Since then, environmental and social assessment
of suppliers has been on a roll.
In 2005, the British government promised to
A sidelight on how much progress has been
made came in June when the Supply Chain
Management Institute of the European Business
School published research covering 49 European
companies with a combined procurement spend of
more than €137 billion.
The survey did not probe anything as rudimentary
labelled a ‘corporate bogeyman’ and was a regular
become a performance-leader in sustainable
as whether European big business had green
target for activists.
procurement and commissioned the business-led
procurement programmes in place, but how well
sustainable procurement task force to move the
their programmes were holding up in the teeth of
agenda forward.
recession. The study split the companies into best
Eskom stops counting profits from its South
African energy supply monopoly and focuses
instead on the bill it can expect when a carbon
Subsequently, the sustainable procurement
tax comes in. Estimates are a little woolly – this
national action plan pointed out that with govern-
performers, average performers and stragglers, and
reported that 63% of respondents said ‘No’ when
is Eskom we’re talking about – and reportedly run
ment purchasing power running at £150 billion,
asked if the financial crisis threatens their green
from R22 billion to R56 billion.
British business would increasingly see a “persuasive
procurement programmes.
Sasol, fresh from a record 2008 year and profits
case” for embracing sustainable procurement.
Back in the United States – often seen as a
of R34 billion, starts to fret in public about its share
There’s nothing like British understatement for
reluctant bunny-hugger – the National Association
of the estimated R40 billion that local refiners may
getting a point across.
of Educational Procurement and a procurement
have to spend on upgrades to meet Euro4 fuel
compliance standards.
Looks like everyone’s going green, from the Nobel
Policy leverage through the supply chain soon
extended to city councils and the Greater London
Authority gave a 2006 lead by publishing its sustainable
automation firm recently surveyed green procurement trends at American colleges and universities.
More than 62% of the sample had adopted a
committee in Stockholm to the tax-take strategists at
procurement policy while promising “distinct
sustainability plan, though only 24% back them up
SARS head office in Nieuw Muckleneuk, Pretoria.
competitive advantage” to likeminded business.
with green procurement. However, nearly half of
Tighten the focus and sub-trends emerge within
the mega-trend to a greener world; for example, the
36
bidvoice issue 4 2009
On the other side of the Atlantic, the US federal
government runs several green procurement
respondents plan to introduce a green purchasing
policy within a year.
 GENERATING VALUE
polluter-supplier who employs child labour has to
be every dean’s reputational nightmare).
The starting point for green procurement almost
everywhere appears to be the formulation of
environmental policy within an organisation that
then encourages suppliers to do likewise. As
experience at US colleges shows, progress can be
patchy, but direction is clear.
This is interesting for Bidvest because many
Group businesses are now embarking on this
journey while other Bidvest companies – primarily
those in the UK and Australia – are early-movers.
To foster the process A practical guide to
sustainable development was distributed
electronically to 30 000 employees. Another 3 000
printed versions went to senior executives and
managers.
The guide encourages businesses to work with
customers and suppliers to reduce environmental
impacts throughout the value chain.
Supplier engagement on green issues goes
much further at operations like Bidvest Australia
and the UK’s 3663 First for Foodservice.
Bidvest Australia’s suppliers are asked about
their environmental policy and for supporting documentation and certificates. Information is also
requested on local sourcing (a way of reducing
‘food miles’ and the carbon footprint). 3663
suppliers are presented with similar questionnaires.
It is common practice in countries committed to
improved environmental performance for suppliers
to provide details like this along with information on
employment practices, food safety, quality
assurance and occupational health and safety.
Bidvest companies are working towards
identifying targets and benchmarks for sustainable
business practices.
“In the 2009 Bidvest annual report it is
mentioned that Bidvest is an innovative leader,
not a reluctant follower and will not wait for legal
compulsion before taking action on sustainability
and environmental challenges ...
“Brand Bidvest will increasingly take the role of
catalyst for wider ‘greening’ of the supply chain
and the industries in which we are active. We will
encourage our suppliers to join our efforts to instil
better environmental practice.”
The primary job is awareness-raising and
perhaps a wake-up call at the same time.
Certainly, some of the background data on
Many institutions did not have the e-procurement
technology needed for successful green procurement – you need a good technology platform to go
products. Nearly two-thirds could not identify green
environmental impacts and resource depletion
vendors and most could not identify green products.
make for scary reading.
But the vast majority believe sustainability
Green procurement is a process and getting
green and prove it. Only 30% of the sample had the
programmes have to be pursued as ‘the right thing
from early implementation of policy to thorough
ability to promote green-certified suppliers and more
to do’ while 43% see cost savings. Some have to
appraisals of a supplier’s green accreditation won’t
than 60% could not yet determine how much was
respond to legislation; others worry about possible
happen overnight. But by now the pattern should
spent with them or on environmentally friendly
litigation (poisoning a freshman with a product from a
be plain enough …
bidvoice issue 4 2009
37
 SPOTLIGHT
Trust your
instincts
Self-belief enabled Cyril to bounce back twice from losing everything.
C
yril Khambula believes it’s important to trust
your instincts and believe in yourself.
It’s easy to see why: twice in his life he has quit
went through a second round of repossessions.
After eight months of unemployment, he joined
an executive placement company, headed PR/
what he was doing, lost almost everything he
Marketing and realised he had a real flair for
owned and then climbed back to the top.
marketing.
It’s a philosophy that enabled him to emerge from
While completing a marketing diploma, he met
the shanties of Alexandra, gather experience and life
George Austin, a senior manager at Toyota, who
skills across a spectrum of activities and emerge as
invited him to join the company. He did so in 1997
human resources director at McCarthy with
as after-sales training consultant. In 1999 he
diplomas and certificates enough to paper a wall.
acquired a Masters diploma in training and
“What you learn in life never leaves you,” Cyril
says. “I’m glad I learned and did all the things I have
development management from RAU.
opportunities for the company and its staff. “I have a
great team assisting McCarthy with its human
capital best practice initiatives,” he says.
Today, Cyril and Totsie have five children. She has
two sons, Lebogang (26) and Lesedi (19), and he
has two daughters Busisiwe (24) and Candice (13)
and a son, Linda (18).
“We are also adopting an orphaned six-year old,”
he says.
Cyril says he is very much a family man, spending
most of his time at home where that boilermaker
As Black Empowerment became increasingly
training encourages him to tinker with his tools. “The
done. It has all helped my emotional maturity and
important to corporates, he took responsibility for
children call me Mr. Fixit,” he says. He is a black belt
made me more versatile.”
Toyota’s overall CSI and employment equity
graduate and former instructor in karate, and has a
framework and, after a short time doing the same
gym at home.
Much inspiration, he adds, has come from his
wife, Totsie Mamela-Khambula, who is MD at
for Anglo Platinum, returned to Toyota to assist in
Postbank: “She encouraged me to keep learning.”
aligning South African training with Japan’s.
He also learned a lot of values and patience from
his late mother, Sibongile.
Cyril (49) was born in Alexandra and spent much
of his boyhood there, but completed his high
schooling in Thembisa.
He left school hoping to become a doctor, but
He headed the creation of Toyota’s
in-house university, the Toyota academy,
and championed construction of its facility.
He became executive director for group
training and then vice president of
Toyota’s HR, completing a
his parents lacked the money for his studies and
leadership programme in
suggested he get a “real” job.
Japan and gaining
So instead, Cyril joined Siemens in 1981 and
executive leadership
began an apprenticeship as a boilermaker. He
qualifications from Wits
completed an NTC 4 in 1983 and qualified as a
and Stellenbosch in the
boilermaker in 1984.
meantime. Cyril was
Unfortunately, he broke his hand in a work
named the BMF
accident, spent three months in hospital and was
Gauteng manager of the
moved into production planning, where job
year in 2004/5.
dissatisfaction provoked his resignation in 1991.
Then Brand Pretorius
It was a bad decision, he recalls. He was married
approached him to move
with a child, lost his house and car to repossession
to McCarthy as its group
and took a year to find work again.
executive for human
When he did, it was as an insurance marketing
consultant before a UK-based courier company
resources.
‘Excited’ about this
head-hunted him and made him marketing
opportunity with the leading
consultant.
retail giant in the motor industry
Cyril did not like their style and again resigned
without another job.
By then he had two children and a house and
38
bidvoice issue 4 2009
and equally inspired by Brand’s
leadership, he views current
challenges as presenting growth
“My passion,” he says, “is to see people
motivated, develop and grow. I’m a great
believer in upliftment.” It’s easy to
understand why.
 SPOTLIGHT
Do the job well and make a
difference
Don’t obsess about personal glories, Mojaki advises.
N
o job is ever less than your position, Mojaki Finger believes. If you have to do it, then do it, do it
well and make a difference.
It’s an enduring philosophy he learned from his mother (Masetjhaba) and from former boss at
Alexander Forbes, Lungi Mazibuko.
“Like many families where the father is busy struggling for, let alone winning, bread, it naturally
becomes the mother’s responsibility to raise the kids. My mother propelled herself from being a
domestic worker to a supermarket cashier, got herself through night school and became a dressmaker,
something she does do this day.
“I always admired her ‘can do’ attitude, self drive and sheer optimism about life,” he says.
Former boss Lungi was similarly diligent and meticulous, Mojaki remembers.
“She was passionate about grooming people and encouraging them to succeed in what they were
doing. She instilled in all of us the importance of working together as a team and that one should
not obsess about personal glories.”
She was the greatest influence on his career, he says.
Business life began in 1995 when Mojaki (38) was a portfolio administrator in the
HomePlan division at Alexander Forbes.
Born in Welkom, he had grown up there and been educated in Welkom and at
Botshabelo in the Free State.
He completed a BA in Education at Wits University, and a higher diploma in
development planning, and then obtained a Masters in Business Administration from
De Montfort University in the UK.
After becoming business development officer and then assistant manager at
Alexander Forbes, Mojaki was appointed a sales consultant at Nedcor (electronic
banking), moved into sales management and became a product specialist for
overnight loans and cash management.
In 2002 he joined State Information Technology Agency (SITA) as contracts
manager and came to Bidvest in 2004 as commercial director for Bidoffice
and now Bidpaper Plus.
“My appointment as commercial director at Bidvest has got to be the
major achievement,” he says. “I was only 33 then and it was completely
beyond my wildest dreams.”
Mojaki was also recently appointed chairman of the board of the
Stationery and Home Products Association of South Africa (SHOPSA).
He also headed an accreditation committee for SHOPSA and
helped it to develop an accreditation model it is implementing for its
members.
Mojaki is married to Zola and they have two sons, Thato (11)
and Potlaki (six months) and a daughter, Malebo (2).
The family is his main interest outside of Bidvest and he
enjoys golf when the family allows him to play. He is also
interested in current affairs and wildlife.
bidvoice issue 4 2009
39
Vasbytand think clearly
 SPOTLIGHT
It’s important to know the value of setting goals, teamwork and the determination to see something through, says Wicus Maritz.
W
icus Maritz prefers to read books from which he can learn. It seems clear,
people, providing training and developmental opportunities and creating a
though, that he could just as easily write them.
working environment that is safe and supportive, rather than punitive.
His philosophies and approaches to business are nothing if not clear-cut and,
over the years, have proved successful for him.
Wicus (45) is the managing director of Rotolabel (part of Bidpaper Plus), one
of Africa’s leading producers of self-adhesive labels.
The company’s expertise in high-quality, rotary letterpress printing, hot foil
stamping, rotary silk screening and digital printing has established it as a major
supplier to the food, wine, personal hygiene and pharmaceutical industries.
“Although it is still early days,” says Wicus, who was appointed MD in April
2009, “it is extremely rewarding getting involved in the ‘real’ business side of
a company and trying out different management and leadership ideas”.
Born in Cape Town, he grew up in Britstown in the Karoo, the
“This does not mean one can accept poor performance and unacceptable
behaviour. The expectation is for everybody to show a high degree of selfdiscipline and one must be ruthless in weeding out the individuals who do not
subscribe to this in an organisation.”
He also feels strongly about exemplary leadership.
“The leadership team must set the example by living the organisation’s values.
We must behave in the way that we expect others to behave. Our daily
interaction with employees, suppliers and customers must be professional and
must withstand the highest level of scrutiny. Leaders are judged by how they
behave in good times and in difficult times.
“I see my job as creating a work environment (physical and
eldest of five sons, and obtained a degree in chemical engineering
emotional) where employees experience job satisfaction and can be
(BEng Chem) from Stellenbosch University.
as productive as possible.”
He also completed an MBA cum laude at USB in 2003.
A career in which he was a process engineer, plant engineer,
factory manager and operations manager in industries as
diverse as detergents, fertilisers, plastics and
Major achievements in business, he feels, were successfully
managing a multi-million rand project at Somchem spanning over
three continents, that ‘pushed my stress tolerance
boundaries’; being involved in the management of
fibreglass, led him to Rotolabel in November 2002,
Rotolabel and part of the team to put the
when he started as manufacturing manager and
company on the road to becoming a world-class
became manufacturing director before his latest
appointment.
Rotolabel has been part of Bidvest
since January 2008.
It is crucial, Wicus believes, to
understand the requirements and
organisation; and receiving his MBA.
“It taught me the value of setting goals,
teamwork and the determination to see
something through.
“I was never a good athlete but
completing 15 or so half-marathons over
expectations of different
the last seven years also taught me
stakeholders of the business and
‘vasbyt’ and to believe in myself,” he
how they are linked.
“I believe in the ‘people-productsprofits’ approach: satisfied and
happy employees will produce
says.
Wicus is married to Carla,
a biology, maths and science
teacher who he met at university,
products and deliver services
and they have two sons,
that will keep customers
Ruan (19) studying industrial
satisfied, and satisfied
engineering at Maties, and
customers will pay and
Stefan (17) at Durbanville
continue doing business with
High School.
you, which will in turn ensure a
profitable business that will
satisfy shareholders.
“My motto is therefore
‘employees first’.
“It means recruiting the right
40
bidvoice issue 4 2009
He enjoys snorkelling,
photography, surfing the web,
online share trading and
reading (mostly businessrelated but also fiction).
 SPOTLIGHT
A man with
drive
Craig admits to a passion for modern motor cars
N
ew Group company secretary Craig Brighten is driving a new Land Rover Freelander.
It’s important to know. Meet him and he’ll probably ask you about your car. That’s
where the conversation will start.
He has a passion for modern motor cars, he confesses.
“I enjoy seeing them, visiting showroom floors to look at them and reading about them,”
he says.
They need not be the latest sports cars. His interest is in all the normal cars on the road.
“I’ve always just enjoyed modern motor cars,” Craig says.
“My parents tell me that from the age of two, I could name every car on the road and
knew everything about them. It must have been born in me.”
Not surprisingly, he buys a new one every two years.
Craig (42), who came to Bidvest earlier this year, was born in Harare,
Zimbabwe but grew up and went to school in Kempton Park.
He has a national diploma in accountancy from Witwatersrand
Technikon and a CIS, and is an Associate Chartered Secretary
(ACIS) and member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and
Administrators (ICSA).
His career has taken him through various accountancy and
company secretarial positions in such companies as Early Bird
Services, Lubners Furnishers, Relyant Retail, Ellerine Holdings
and African Bank Investments.
Being appointed as a company secretary of one of the JSE’s
largest companies rates as his single biggest achievement yet,
he says.
Craig says he believes firmly in hard work, openness, honesty
and transparency to all stakeholders.
Taking advice from superiors and colleagues with whom he has
worked over the years has guided his career and provided him with
a broader picture of business in general.
“Some advice proved incorrect but made me realise that one learns
from mistakes and should never make the same mistake twice,” he says.
Craig is married to Ronel, an accounts administrator at PG Glass. They
have no children.
“She always portrays a positive attitude to life and inspires and encourages me
to take all opportunities to improve our life and standards.
“She is always ready to offer advice when asked and in most cases it proves
correct,” he says.
Craig enjoys swimming and watching sport and is keen on wildlife and game
watching. And, of course, the cars that let him do so.
bidvoice issue 4 2009
41
 SPOTLIGHT
Resigned to
staying put
Bidvest Bank’s Craig MacFarlane has moved upwards through the group for 31 years.
I
t’s been more than 31 years now and Craig MacFarlane has yet to sign a letter of resignation.
The head of the Retail Operations Bidvest Bank, Craig (56) has been with the group since 1979,
working his way up from an assistant branch manger at Thomas Cook.
He was manager at the Sandton City branch at the time of the Thomas Cook Rennies merger
and thereafter filled a number of roles throughout the organisation.
“I worked initially in the travel side of the business but over the years became more and more
involved in foreign exchange and finally moved to the bank.
“I survived all the mergers and acquisitions and worked my way through them all to where I am
today. I always say I have not resigned in 31 years,” he quips.
Born in Johannesburg, Craig has lived all his life in the city. He was educated at St John’s College and
completed a management advancement programme at Wits Business School and a programme for
management development at the UCT Business School. He is also a graduate of the Institute of
Marketing Management.
There is no substitute for hard work, Craig believes.
“But, since we work in a bank, we also have to make sure our teams are staffed by
people with impeccable business ethics and who are well trained to meet the needs of
all our customers from within Bidvest and the wider community.
“My father taught me the importance of living life with principles that involve work,
family and personal interests and keeping them in a proper balance.
“He showed me that only if you roll up your sleeves and get involved, can you
participate and have a positive impact on people and things around you.”
The most memorable experience of his career, he feels, was being part of the
team that dreamt up and then brought Bidvest Bank to reality as a registered
commercial bank.
“Starting a bank from scratch is not something done easily. It is a challenge
and privilege to be part of the development from conception to reality and
successful trading.”
Alan Salomon had a major influence on his working life, he says.
“In the 4½ years since he joined the bank, he has helped us develop and
drive a vision for the bank. Until he came, we never even thought it was possible.”
Craig is also proud of his role in building a retail network from fewer than
15 branches in the Thomas Cook days to almost 90 branches countrywide.
“I also assisted in starting the operations in Namibia, Botswana and Malawi.
Hopefully we will soon be back in Zimbabwe after closing some years ago amid
the currency crisis.
Craig is married to Shirley and they have two children Matthew (19) and Amy (16).
Warren (30) and Wendy (29) are from a previous marriage.
Away from the office, he is a keen birdwatcher. “I really love getting into the bush
as often as possible.”
Craig recently became the chairman of the Old Johannian Association and is a
member of the St John’s College council.
“I became involved because I felt that education is such a vital foundation in life.
The school has a vital role to play in the development of young people,” he says.
42
bidvoice issue 4 2009
Success
is the name of
 SPOTLIGHT
the game
Neil proves he’s a businessman and a good sport.
N
eil Jankelowitz has a business philosophy of leading by inspiring others. “It’s much like being a captain of a sports
brought it to a premature end and he joined a feed-grain
company in a financial management capacity.
team. That’s probably how it should be.”
Sport has, does and almost surely will continue to play a
major role in Neil’s life.
In 2000, he moved into corporate finance
for a listed entity gaining invaluable experience
in growing the business and making
As chairman of Bidsport and joint managing director of
acquisitions. This was also where he met
MSCsports, his career is all about building a successful
one of his partners and MD of Stellar Africa,
company through sports marketing, event management,
Steven Kapeluschnik.
sports memorabilia and player management.
“Being close to the market was very
Similarly, much of his time away from the office is devoted to
exciting. It gave me an excellent under-
football, road running and the occasional game of golf.
standing of valuing a business and knowing
“Sport has always been a major influence,” Neil says, “even
from the earliest school days.”
Born and raised in Johannesburg, Neil (33) was head boy at
what’s important on a balance sheet.
“I also encountered businesses that were not
successful and took a lot from that experience.”
both Fairmount Primary School and King David’s in Linksfield.
While there, he and a friend, needing to raise money
Though he played first team rugby and cricket, soccer was
for a sports tour, got hold of Ollie le Roux’s Springbok
his primary passion.
In later years, he has been in the South African side at the
Maccabi Games four times, captaining it twice.
After school he spent a year at Ithaca near New York
on a Rotary Exchange programme and attended lectures
(outside any formal programme) for six months at Cornell
University.
“It was quite an experience to see how an Ivy League
school operates,” he recalls.
He was travelling in the US during the 1994 South
African elections, and found it “exhilarating to be
something of an ambassador in the country at a time
when there was lots of interest in developments in
South Africa”.
“Watching the Mandela inauguration from a distance
was a very ‘proudly South African’ moment for me.”
On his return, he spent three years at the University of
the Witwatersrand, emerging with a BCom with majors
in marketing and law.
During the university years – not surprisingly – he
played a lot of soccer, training with the professional
jersey and auctioned it.
“We thought that was easy and quite clever and
realised we could help other charities to raise money.
So we acquired a few more Bok rugby jerseys and it
all grew from there.”
Barney Girnun (now the other joint MD) joined the
enterprise from one of their suppliers.
“When Barney was hurt in a car accident and we
had nobody to run the business, I joined full time.
Thankfully we have never looked back. It’s been quite
a journey.”
Neil is married to Kerry and they have two daughters,
Leilah (3½) and Naomi (3 months).
He reads business books voraciously and has
learned much from Mark McCormack (founder of the
world’s most successful sports marketing business) and
Jack Canfield (motivational speaker and Chicken Soup for
the Soul author).
Equally, however, Neil values the input given to the
business not only by Brian Joffe and Colin Kretzmann but his
friends and partners, Barney and Steven.
Wits side and working for the team as a PRO.
“It was also something of an intro to the world of
sports marketing in which I have now ended up.”
Neil also did six months of a law degree but an
overwhelming need to start generating an income
bidvoice issue 4 2009
43
 GENERATING VALUE
Warren Buffet’s
investment secret
Several weeks ago Warren Buffet, global investment guru and chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, was asked in a live
CNN interview: “Given the current global financial crisis, what is the best investment in your opinion, right now?”
John Raddall
CEO Quanta Consulting
W
ithout hesitation, and in a clear and con-
feedback, dedication, talent, coaching and
once a week. This is the simple ‘fractal’ step upon
fident voice, he gave a simple two-word
continual practice in every specialised field from
which all incremental progress is built. This is the
answer, which he said was the secret to
athletics and rugby to art and music. But, for
cornerstone of future growth and is non-negotiable.
some unknown reason, we do not practise
This forms the bridge between insight and action.
leadership. Instead we adopt a now outdated

The student is one hundred percent responsible
and rather primitive and totally unscientific approach
for the success of the relationship. If the Energy
of ‘sink or swim’.
Coach does not deliver, the student may fire the
organisational survival and growth.
Generating leadership energy on the
Bidvest Academy
During a very recent visit to Prague I was privileged
to work on a change management programme
for one of the Czech banks with Professor Horst
The Bidvest Academy has introduced the concept of the Energy Coach for every participant.
Further evidence has shown that less than one
Energy Coach and appoint another.

The relationship is based on the Ed Moses
principles of insight and action, and creating new
Abraham from the Michigan State University. His
percent of the population can take a concept
leadership muscle memory in the leader.
background includes coaching and working with
learned in the classroom and convert it into action,

The purpose of the relationship is to improve
high-performance athletes, including the world and
just as Ed Moses could not convert the video
leadership behaviour in the workplace. The
Olympic champion, Ed Moses.
insight into track action without dedicated practice.
students use their 360-degree energy assess-
The Energy Coach therefore is designed to be the
ments as a starting point for the exercise. The
leader’s video, analyst and practice coach.
Energy Coach and the student agree on what
In the build-up to the Olympic games, the
coaching team examined extensive footage of
the athlete’s every motion, every metre, and every
A further essential change component is the
may need to be improved; they evolve ‘fractal’
hurdle. They discovered a slight loss of time through
understanding that change in human behaviour is
actions to be practised, and they review each
the first curve approaching the fourth hurdle.
always of an incremental or ‘fractal’ nature, whereby
week the success of the newly evolved
Intensive analysis revealed that Moses’ right hand
complexity emerges from the high iteration of simple
behaviours.
was moving out of alignment by four degrees as he
steps, just as Ed Moses corrected his four-degree
approached this hurdle.
alignment problem.
Of course this insight was insufficient to
The beauty and power of the Energy Coaching
method is that it is extraordinarily simple and it
works. Analysis of all students on this 2009 acade-
only be done with practice. Moses, being the
All of these principles are built into the
Academy’s Energy Coaching method as
follows.
professional that he was, drove himself to the limit,

Each student must choose an Energy Coach
of the Energy Coaching relationship.
day after day, even into dusk when the coaches
at work.
feared for his safety.

The Energy Coach must be someone the student
Buffet said was the very best investment today?
correct the problem. Moses had to re-engineer
his muscle-memory to correct this. And it could
History shows the reward for this dedication
my has shown a highly positive correlation between
increased growth and performance with the efficacy
Perhaps you are still wondering what Warren
trusts and someone who sees the student in
Perhaps you have already guessed? “Human
and the seeds for self-similar success for leaders.
action on a regular basis.
potential”, he said.
Interestingly we recognise the need for insight,

The student and the Energy Coach must meet
44
bidvoice issue 4 2009
And Warren Buffet should know.
 GENERATING VALUE
bidvoice issue 4 2009
45
 OUR PEOPLE
Magnum salutes its stars
Salute Kevin Moodley, Madie Leonard, Ian Janse van Rensburg, Pieter Haasbroek, Hylton Edwards, Lisa Steenberg and Nenzhelele Tshifhiwa.
They’re the official stellar staff of Magnum
needs to do and, seemingly, without any
Shield, honoured by the company in its second
effort. By keeping his finger on the pulse,
annual Night of the Stars awards evening in
being proactive and committed, he controlled
Johannesburg.
all costs for which his department is
In the motivation for Kevin’s award, Magnum
responsible with huge success. He believes
Shield’s managing director, Dave Crichton, said:
strongly in honesty, hard work and dedication
“just before and after we recruited a replacement
and colleagues say they can’t remember him
financial director, Kevin stepped into the role and
ever complaining.
not only guided and trained the new FD through
Hylton, who has been in the security
his tasks, but was my support mechanism in the
business for 15 years, ascribes his success
day-to-day financial running of the business.
to hard work, commitment, a positive attitude,
Kevin was the reliable support any MD could
honesty and objectivity. “Rewards are not just
depend on!”
what my employers give me, but my personal
Under the leadership of Madie Leonard,
enjoyment, growth and new experiences,”
Gauteng Central won three out of the seven
he says.
awards: “region of the year”, “support service
Lisa says she has always been career-
employee of the year” and “site of the year”.
driven. “To have passion for the company and
“Awards should never be seen as a one-man
the example of service you set are of utmost
effort,” says Madie. “They’re always really won by
importance … the ultimate recipe is
a team.” Madie’s team agreed that the “region of
perseverance and determination and, in the
the year” prize money will be donated to a
end, hard works pays off,” she says. Lisa
charity.
joined Magnum Shield in 2006 and became
Ian, who heads a security team of 185 at the
regional sales manager in January 2008.
Melrose Arch complex in Johannesburg, says he
is particularly proud that they were able to meet
the high standards demanded by their client and
Nenzhelele, who has been with the
Back from left: Hylton Edwards, Kevin Moodley and Ian Janse
van Rensburg. Front: Nenzhelele Tshifhiwa and Lisa Steenberg.
to meet the challenge posed by a precinct unlike
any other in the country.
Said Rennie Property director, Vic de Stadler: “Melrose Arch is virtually a small
company since 1990, is a camera room
operator. On his own initiative, Nenzhelele
uncovered weaknesses in the security system
on his site. His investigation resulted in an attempted break-in by 12 robbers
earlier this year being thwarted. Before their getaway, Nenzhelele was
town and a tough niche, so I applaud the tenacity and compliment the resilience
assaulted. His regional director, Vicky Bernard describes him as a security
everyone has shown in keeping it secure.”
officer who is always prepared to go the extra mile and one who represents
Pieter is described as one of those employees who gets on with what he
Magnum Shield with pride.
Bidvest Australia bids
farewell to Andy Fechner
As part of a long-planned and discussed process, Andy Fechner has announced his retirement. Andy
currently has the senior role of director, purchasing and marketing of Bidvest Australia and is a member of
the executive committee. Andy has been with Bidvest since we first entered into the Australian market in
1995. He has filled numerous senior and strategic roles within our business and has been instrumental in our
achievements and successes to date.
Andy has discussed his retirement plans with us for a few years and the necessary succession planning
has been undertaken. Andy retired at the end of August and will be involved with Bidvest Australia on a
project basis.
We take this opportunity to thank Andy for his fantastic input, dedication and commitment to the business
and wish him and Laurel every happiness and good health for the future.
46
bidvoice issue 4 2009
 OUR PEOPLE
Puréau awards
Kolok people on the move
The annual awards evening was held in July at Pappardelle’s
and the following people were recognised and presented
with their awards by Ron Tyack, managing director, Puréau
Fresh Water Company.
Kolok Unlimited is delighted to announce that
Martina Gerber has joined the Johannesburg
marketing department as a graphic designer.
With her passion and expertise in designing,
Martina is a sure asset to Kolok.
Eliezer van Rheede has been appointed as an
IT assistant for Kolok. With his extensive IT
background they believe he will definitely add
value to this function.
Angelo Collison has been appointed as sales
and marketing manager for Kolok Cape Town.
Most improved branch: East Rand – Coral Murray.
He was previously responsible for marketing
activities and successfully grew his customer
service portfolio. Angelo will also be looking
after the Waltons’ account.
Johanna’s 25 years
Branch of the year: Port Elizabeth.
In 1984, as an 18-year old,
Johanna Rodgers began her
career at Crown Mills as a
receiving clerk at the
Bloemfontein branch.
Crown Mills became Crown National
and part of the Bidvest family while
Johanna continued her career in various roles within the business. Positions
included invoicing clerk, cash-and-carry salesperson and telesales.
For the last eight years Johanna has been involved in the buying. The
friendly voice on the switchboard also belongs to her, while ably assisting in
various administrative functions. “Diligent, accurate, strict, resourceful and
Managing director’s award: Coral Murray.
friendly” is how her colleagues would describe her.
Msizi Maxwell Msoni retires
One of SACD Freight’s stalwarts and one of the remaining
few who were employed the first day SACD Durban facility
officially opened on July 1 1977, Maxwell Msomi, has
opted to retire after 32 years.
Maxwell has contributed to the company in many
different ways. He was a competent operator of big
equipment, he served time in the empty yard before
moving on to the heavier capacity machines in the full
operation. He also served as the senior shop steward for a
number of years and his wise and conciliatory approach
served his members, the company’s employees and the
business well.
We wish Maxwell every success with his retirement.
May he enjoy much good health and happiness.
bidvoice issue 4 2009
47
 OUR PEOPLE
Directors cycle for ‘Change a Life’
Group FD David Cleasby and non-executive
director Nigel Payne recently participated
in the “Computershare Change a Life
Mystery Cycle Tour”.
in adverse social and economic circumstances to
become role models in their communities.
Rovos Rail transported the 72 executives and
professional cyclists to mystery destinations where they
were dropped off and had to cycle predetermined routes
before reboarding the train and moving to the next stop.
Computershare South Africa established the Mike
The tour took place over five days, including four days
Thomson Change a Life Trust to sponsor anti-crime and
of cycling.
The routes took them through the northern Cape, the
crime victim support initiatives following the brutal
murder of senior manager Mike Thomson at his
Free State, Lesotho and the Karoo visiting places such as
Johannesburg home on September 27 2007. The
Moerengon, Eishdisnice, Sumbigriver and VerdeFakaWie
Mike Thomson Trust is dedicated to a peaceful future
– where the roads were in good condition and the traffic
for all South Africans. It supports effective, grassroots
minimal. Cycling in Lesotho on the third day proved
programmes that aim to address the causes and
the most challenging and involved some tough climbs,
symptoms of crime. The Trust currently supports three
ascending 2 300 metres over 95 gruelling kilometres.
Living on a train in such a confined space with the
projects, the DNA Project, I Choose to Change a Life,
and the Martin Dreyer Change a Life Academy. The
other participants also proved to be an interesting
DNA Project is helping to boost the use of DNA evi-
experience. Camaraderie thrived and new friends were
dence in crime detection and conviction, whilst the
made as the cyclists traversed the countryside.
Congratulations to David and Nigel for completing the
I Choose to Change a Life and the Martin Dreyer
tour; 465 kilometres of cycling later.
Change a Life Academy empower talented youngsters
Latest adventure
Following the huge successes of both his
Great Wall challenge and his trek to Machu
Picchu, Mark Page has decided to embark
on a challenge that will impact on a small
community in South Africa. As always, funds
raised will go towards cancer research in
the UK.
The challenge will be a strenuous 11 days
Back from left: Janique Vermuelen, Minal Narsey, Vinod Bhana, Kevin Naidoo, Logan
Govender, Avi Maharaj and Pamela Robinson. Front from left: Mark Pillay, Monica
Armuga – chairman, Rikesh Budhram, Lizzie Ntinca and Wilson Langa.
during which around 30 volunteers – including
Mark – will repair and rebuild a primary school in a village called Sandberg, near
A positive attitude
Leipoldtsville in South Africa.
The SACD change committee was started in 2002 with the idea of
for the children. All of this depends on time available and budget.
giving employees a medium through which they could make
suggestions regarding changes that could be implemented within the
company. A suggestion box was introduced so that all staff had the
opportunity to participate.
The rationale behind this idea was to create a positive attitude
amongst employees working towards a more productive and
contented workforce. The change committee is planning to initiate
involvement in some community projects which will give staff and
management an opportunity to be involved in uplifting the lives of
those who are less fortunate as well as taking care of the environment.
Social events also form part of the change committee’s portfolio,
including 7-a-side soccer tournaments, a Christmas party as well as
special functions for Easter and St Valentine’s day.
48
bidvoice issue 4 2009
The school currently includes a computer room, small office, store room
and a toilet block which are all in need of major repair. In addition to these renovations,
the team will be building a new library, football pitch, playground area and sports facilities
The team will literally be roughing it without formal facilities such as flushing toilets and
showers. Lots of luck, Mark, for this worthy enterprise.
 OUR PEOPLE
Océ South Africa dives deep
Inspired by Martijn van Dam (featured during a skydive on the
cover of Bidvoice 3 2009, the Océ South Africa team decided
to do something unique; as they describe it, “We decided to
go down and go down we did!”
It took a lot of preparation to do this dive as safely as possible in the depths of
Miracle Waters near Brits in the North West Province. The water temperature
was around 16 degrees Celsius and the depth was 32.6 metres. Visibility was
about 5 metres. There are quite a few wrecks to explore in Miracle which are
fun to swim through and, while the team was doing the dive, they discovered
what resembled a “not very airworthy” plane. The team sends a huge “thank
you” to all the people and family members who were involved in making this
momentous diving occasion so special, and survived the experience, to say:
“Being a top competitor in our field, we always strive to give our clients the
best service. We are really proud of our company and proudly Bidvest!”
From left: Wayne Scott (Océ SA technical specialist); Dive Master; Ettiene Viljoen (Océ SA field
engineer); open water diver, Sheralee Scott (Océ SA service administration controller), EFR Instructor,
advanced diver.
Kolok Namibia sponsors Khomas fair
Kolok Namibia sponsored medals, t-shirts and gifts for the
250 participants of the Khomas Regional Science Fair, as well
as 50 t-shirts for the judges and organisers of the fair, to the
value of N$27 000.
The fair took place at the Polytechnic of Namibia.
From left: Monique Roets-Malan, director Kolok Namibia; Rene Linno,
science fair organiser; Ivonne Hansen, science fair organiser and Rowan
Erasmus, sales and marketing manager, Kolok Namibia.
Konica Minolta South Africa’s ‘Key into
Colour’ initiative
An ecstatic Elisma Swart from Konica Minolta South Africa’s
Pretoria branch (pictured here with cricket legend Fanie de Villiers)
poses in front of her new VW Golf GTI. Elisma was the lucky
winner of the main prize in Konica Minolta South Africa’s annual
“Key into Colour” initiative.
The incentive ran from January to June 2009, with all active
sales consultants from Konica Minolta South Africa and authorised
distributors taking part. Points were earned through new machine
sales, based on region and business potential, with a certain
number of points earning competitors a certain number of keys.
The luck, however, is always in the draw and Elisma beat more
than 100 competitors to take home the prize.
bidvoice issue 4 2009
49
 REACHING OUT
First prize: H.A. Jack Primary in Highlands North.
Second prize: Moshoeshoe Primary School in Daveyton.
Third prize: Esithebeni Primary School in Mofolo North.
Putting health into their hands
Using a cast of colourful characters, the educational roadshow with Steiner HyGienie and Kim McClean teaches children the importance
of hand washing and personal hygiene, explains where germs come from and demonstrates the correct way to wash their hands.
The educational roadshow was taken one step further
substantial prizes up for grabs, schools had to
improvements sponsored by Steiner Hygiene and
with a joint initiative between Steiner Hygiene, Steiner
maintain their toilet facilities, keeping them clean,
Kimberly-Clark Professional.
Environmental Solutions and Kimberly Clark
hygienic and undamaged.
Second place was awarded to Moshoeshoe
Professional. Operation Deep Clean has assisted
At a prize-giving ceremony, Operation Deep
60 Gauteng schools to clean their bathrooms by
Clean presented H.A. Jack Primary in Highlands
makeover), and Esithebeni Primary School in
rejuvenating their below-standard toilet facilities.
North with the top honours. “The children loved the
Mofolo North, Soweto won a bathroom makeover
Selected schools had their bathrooms deep cleaned
interactive teaching approach Operation Deep
to the value of R15 000.
and were provided with starter packs of cleaning
Clean took and immediately took ownership of
chemicals, paper products and hand soap.
improving their bathrooms,” said acting principal,
lated on being amongst the Top 10 cleanest in
With the fundamentals for good hygiene in place,
Primary School in Daveyton (R20 000 bathroom
A further seven primary schools were congratu-
Rosemary Maluleke. “Regular follow-up visits from
Gauteng. They were Bafo Chiko, Bree, Eastgate,
Operation Deep Clean challenged participating
the Operation Deep Clean team ensured that the
Gazankulu, Liberty Community, Midrand and
schools to stay on the straight and narrow, fighting
project never lost momentum.”
Norwood Primary Schools. They each won a
for a place in its hygiene competition. With
The school won R30 000 worth of bathroom
hamper of cleaning supplies for their bathrooms.
Steiner
sponsorships
Steiner Hygiene sponsored
Entertaining clients
various paper products,
chemicals and clothing to
some institutions in need.
HyGienie and Kim McClean also
Steiner Hygiene invited 100 of their top clients to a day of fun at the
entertained and delivered their
Pinotage restaurant in Centurion.
message at the handovers.
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bidvoice issue 4 2009
 REACHING OUT
TMS reaches out
For the past three years, TMS has supported the K.I. Twala
Secondary School near Secunda as part of their CSI programme,
as many of their employees’ children attend the school.
Six new classrooms were built for the school, providing them with additional
facilities as well as new furniture. TMS also services the buildings and
grounds on a regular basis and funds the further education of some of the
grade 12 achievers.
In July, as part of the TMS “winter warmers” campaign, each pupil was
presented with a branded TMS shopping bag that they could re-use,
together with a chocolate and a branded TMS scarf to help keep them
warm during the cold, winter mornings. Each teacher was presented with
a TMS fleece jacket as a ‘thank you’ for their commitment and hard work.
Siyaphila project
The official handover of a Wendy house built by the Gauteng brand
advocates for the Siyaphila home in Rondebult, took place in September.
The commitment by Safcor Panalpina to
sufficiency” support to non-profit
assist Siyaphila began in 2008 when the
organisations operating in and around
aftercare shelter for orphans and counselling
disadvantaged communities in Gauteng).
centre asked for help with amenities.
Maria du Preez, Gauteng regional director,
Heather Cannan, KZN BA leader, Safcor Panalpina, hands over blankets to
Izenzo community centre.
Safcor Panalpina
initiative
As part of their external CSI initiative, Safcor Panalpina brand
approached the brand advocates after a
request for help from Hennie Riekert, an
airfreight export supervisor with the
company. As well as building the Wendy
house, the brand advocates help on a
monthly basis with monetary donations,
foodstuffs, toys and clothes.
(The Siyaphila home falls under the
Siyaphila Support Group (SSG), a non-profit
organisation aimed at rendering “self-
Siyaphila home, Rondebult.
advocates (BAs) in KwaZulu-Natal decided to “adopt” a granny.
“With no family to support her, we decided to “adopt” Gay Brown,
who lives at the Ray Hulett home for the aged in Durban central,”
says BA leader – KZN, Heather Cannan.
“Every month we buy her groceries and toiletries and we also
helped with furniture when she moved into her new room.” Heather
reports that Gay’s health is a lot better and she is generally looking
rather chirpy. Gay still works three times a week in order to
supplement her income and is always extremely grateful for the
contribution by Safcor Panalpina.
The Durban and Richards Bay staff also donated 40 blankets to
the Izenzo community centre in KwaMashu at a small party held at
the centre. The blankets were distributed to the homeless, AIDS
victims and the elderly in the area.
Pete Williams, managing director; Maria du Preez, regional director, Gauteng and Muzi Nkosi, marketing and
sales director, Safcor Panalpina, watching the gogos (old ladies) dancing and singing.
bidvoice issue 4 2009
51
 REACHING OUT
Experiencing Rally to Read
For the second consecutive year, Safcor Panalpina joined the Rally to Read programme
in June 2009. Pete and Gail Williams and Muzi Nkosi were part of the convoy that
visited three schools in the Free State (Bethlehem/Phuthaditjhaba area).
“For companies who are serious about social corporate investment, this project is invaluable,” says Muzi
Nkosi, marketing and sales director, Safcor Panalpina. “You are able to get firsthand knowledge of the poverty
and make a difference. We went to very poor and remote farm schools where, in one of the schools, the
teacher is also the principal, the clerk and the messenger. She has about 20 pupils and the nearest town is
50 kilometres away. The last school we visited was in a semi-rural area with about 1 000 pupils. Sixty percent
of these children were from single parent families or under the care of the community.
“It’s easy to drop off a donation or write a cheque and forget about it. Rally to Read is about long-term
sustainability. At each visit you can see that progress that has been made. We were accompanied by the
Department of Education representatives, which is an additional guarantee of assisting these kids to get a
good education. The response from the kids and their parents was overwhelming.”
“Thanks” to Pete Williams, managing director, Safcor Panalpina, for donating the use of his 4 x 4 for
this experience as you cannot get to these areas by car and “thanks and well done” to McCarthy for an
excellent programme.”
CWT supplies
blankets
Eagle Excellence Hospice receiving their mattresses.
Madiba Magic
TMS group Industrial Services embarked on
a CSI project in July 2009, donating 40 beds
and mattresses to two welfare organisations in
Carlson Wagonlit Travel South Africa (CWT SA), believes it is an important
Johannesburg. The event coincided with the
part of their corporate social responsibility to foster the development and
birthday of Nelson Mandela and the national
well-being of their employees, ensure productive relationships with all of their
campaign to dedicate 67 minutes to serving
stakeholders, practise environmentally friendly policies and be good citizens
the community.
in the communities in which they operate.
They view accountability and transparency as key to conducting our
Ten beds were donated to Cotlands,
an organisation offering shelter to abused,
business in a responsible manner and establishing a positive company
abandoned, HIV-positive, orphaned and
reputation and brand image.
terminally-ill children.
Thirty beds were donated to Eagle Excellence
Hospice which offers care to people with HIV/Aids,
The TMS marketing team at
Cotlands.
cancer and heart failure conditions. They also take care of orphans whose
As part of their community involvement, CWT SA embarked on a winter
project, engaging with Khulisa crime prevention initiative, to identify
organisations that were in desperate need of assistance.
Their aim was to protect communities from the effects of a harsh winter
parents passed away during care at the hospice and mentally and/or physically
and they were able to assist by distributing over 1 000 blankets to
disabled children.
underprivileged shelters in and around Johannesburg.
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bidvoice issue 4 2009
 REACHING OUT
Wheelchair initiative
Budget Rent a Car’s round-the-clock transfer service Door2Door now caters for
wheelchair users and the organisations and charities that cater for them through
specially equipped passenger vehicles.
Known as Budget Wheelchair Accessible Transport,
transported. An electronic lift at the rear of
the service works on a zone system, meaning that
the vehicle ensures safe and easy loading of these
costs are determined at the time of reservation and all
passengers. Once they are in position, the chair is
arrangements can be made through a single phone
clamped safely into place, ensuring further peace
call to Budget’s central reservations.
of mind.
The vehicles have been adapted to accommodate
The drivers are aware of elements of disability and
two passengers using wheelchairs and up to four
mobility impairment and have been fully trained on
accompanying passengers.
operating the lift system.
The modifications to certain vehicles in the fleet
Budget Wheelchair Accessible Transport is available
have been made so that people in wheelchairs do not
in Johannesburg and Cape Town with plans to expand
need to leave the comfort of their chair while being
the service to South Africa’s other major city centres.
Budget joins forces with TCD Trust
Budget Car Hire has joined the Tourism Community Development Trust (TCD Trust). Budget signed up as a ‘Friend of the TCD Trust’ at
Indaba in Durban following a presentation by the trust.
Ray Booth, managing director of Budget Car Hire, and Kirsten van der Hoven, sales manager inbound, were
excited about the achievements and its current project of building a multi-purpose community centre at Blomvlei
Primary School in Hanover Park. The children in this area are affected by drugs and gangsterism from a very early
age and the community centre aims to instil a sense of pride and give a chance of a better life.
Ray also commended the TCD Trust on the idea of uniting members of the tourism industry to work on projects
that were bringing benefits to poor and desperate communities.
Kolok supports Dagbreek School
Kolok Namibia supports the
Dagbreek School for special
children by participating in their
five kilometre fun walk each year.
In July 2009, not only did
40 Kolok Namibia staff and family
members participate, they also
donated prizes to the value of
N$1 500. Everyone from Kolok,
their families and their “adopted”
Dagbreek children, had a
wonderful day and all the money
collected is going to be used to
upgrade the school’s facilities.
bidvoice issue 4 2009
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 REST AND RELAXATION
Maryna at the Rhodes trail
Running the Rhodes trail had always been a dream for Maryna Meets from Catersales in
Pretoria and, after having her name on the waiting list for over five-and-a-half years, the
invitation eventually arrived.
Training in the dark on cold mornings was a good start to prepare for running in freezing conditions. And then there
was the gear which included space blankets and emergency whistles.
On Saturday, July 18 the race began in minus temperatures. Knee-deep rivers and tracks inaccessible by vehicles
characterised the course; deep snow and awesome scenery were also the order of the day. Tough climbing and icy
conditions meant that one of the participants broke an ankle in two places. Fortunately an orthopaedic surgeon was
participating in the run, and he made a temporary brace from thorn bushes and plastic bags. He and another
participant then carried her over four kilometres to safety, giving up the race on her behalf.
Maryna finished the 52 kilometres in these severe conditions in 08:20 and she says that although she has
completed seven Comrades, this was the toughest race she has ever participated in, both literally and figuratively!
Walk the Talk
On Sunday July 26 corporate office entered a team of walkers
into the 702/Discovery Walk the Talk. The morning was thoroughly
enjoyed by all and we’re proud to say that everyone completed
their distances entered.
Bidfood Ingredients
goes ‘green’
Historically, Bidfood Ingredients has successfully participated in and entertained
customers at the annual Bidvest golf day. Given the overwhelming popularity of the day
and continued growth within Bidfood Ingredients, the decision was taken to head for
the greens!
The day was held at the Glendower Golf Club, with Bidfood Ingredients’ suppliers
assisting with sponsorship and manning of holes. 32 four balls participated, represent-
Soccer on Fridays
Bidvest’s South African employees are celebrating the prospect of the
2010 FIFA World Cup by wearing special Bidvest football jerseys which
are being distributed for ‘soccer on Fridays’.
They will be wearing them each week as excitement builds for the big
event.
Group companies are increasing their involvement and the jerseys are
intended to add to staff participation, eager anticipation and general
promotion of the World Cup among local fans.
People whose jobs require them to wear uniforms will be able to wear
their jerseys when off-duty.
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bidvoice issue 4 2009
ing a mix of Bidfood Ingredients staff, suppliers and customers.
Hole 7 was manned by Bidfood Ingredients’ very own professional female golfer
challenging each four ball to a charity drive. R4 650 was raised on the day with various
Bidfood Ingredients companies matching the amount. A total of R16 275 was raised.
 REST AND RELAXATION
Chipkins Bakery Supplies ‘big walk’
Twenty people from Chipkins
Bakery Supplies Durban, took
part in the ECR/Discovery
ten kilometre big walk on
June 7 2009.
Despite the miserable weather
everyone had loads of fun and
managed to finish in fine style.
The walk was followed by a braai
at Blue Lagoon … and yes, the
team does give autographs!
Bidserv executive secretaries attended the Johannesburg luncheon in
Bokday at Bidvest Bank; the team having fun.
support of breast cancer awareness; and much fun was had by all!
The winning
recipe
Following the success of last year’s soccer tournament,
the Bidfood Ingredients soccer team has continued with its
winning recipe. A number of matches have been played
against various Bidvest companies and the team is yet to
be defeated!
The secret ingredient that has contributed to their
success? During the course of the year, Bidfood
Ingredients made a piece of land available, grassed the
area and created a mini soccer field – the ‘Bidfood
Ingredients stadium’! This has spurred many a lunchtime
practice and guaranteed the team’s competitive edge.
bidvoice issue 4 2009
55
 REST AND RELAXATION
Supporting the Highveld Lions
Konica Minolta South Africa has confirmed its
fourth consecutive season that the company will be
believe our investment will carry on contributing to
continued support of the bizhub Highveld Lions
backing the franchise.
the development of players, the franchise and the
cricket team by renewing its sponsorship of
R2.2 million for the 2009/2010 season. This is the
“As the proud sponsor of the bizhub Highveld
Lions cricket team for the past three years, we
game of cricket,” says Janine Ferreira, Konica
Minolta South Africa, public relations officer.
A budding author
One of the Budget Rent a Car suppliers, Doug Cunningham – who cleans their vehicles on
a contract basis – has published his first book which was written in their car park whilst he
was keeping an eye on his staff. Doug has been involved with Budget Rent a Car for some
years and has entrenched himself as part of the team; he has even
carried out small repairs on vehicles without being asked.
His book, “Storm clouds over Africa”, encompasses the
‘hopes, dreams, despair and best of all faith’ of all those – in
Rhodesia – who wanted to create a better world for everyone
living there.
The Budget team is very proud of this special friend and
colleague.
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bidvoice issue 4 2009
Gert Otto, Prestige at Afrisam industrial site in Lichtenburg, North West
participating in the 2009 Argus cycle challenge. Gert competes in the
age group males 50 – 54 and finished in his group as 1667 out of
2336 participants.
 WINNING STREAK
Competition time 4/09
Answer the two questions
and win R1 000 cash
Bidvoice 3/2009
winners
1. What is the theme of the Namibian advertising campaign?
2. Give the date that Bidvest Namibia listed on the Namibian Stock Exchange.
Pick n Pay vouchers
Clue for Q1: Look on page 19 for the article.
Clue for Q2: See the highlights page and the article on page 34.
Rozelda Mansfield, Voltex – Paarl
Teboho Shabalala, Magnum Shield
– Johannesburg
Entry form
Deadline: Friday, February 5 2010
Only employees of Bidvest companies may enter. Only one entry per person. Prizes not claimed after one month will be reallocated.
Answers:
1.
2.
Your details
First name and surname:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name of company (indicate whether head office or branch and location):___________________________________________________________________________________
Anwar Hameed, SABT, Island View
– Durban
Colleen Greevelink, Safcor Panalpina
– Port Elizabeth
Nicolene van den Heever, Afcom
– Bloemfontein
Send your competition
entries and full name
and address to:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Editor, Bidvoice, c/o mymarket.com
(by any of the following methods)
Work street address:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fax: +27 (86) 612 7546
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone and fax:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Email address:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Email: kate@bidvestcommunications.com
Post: PO Box 87274, Houghton 2041,
South Africa
bidvoice issue 4 2009
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bidvoice issue 4 2009
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