Read the KSA Benefits Statement here

BENEFITS
STATEMENT
BENEFITS STATEMENT
Why be a KSA member? What do we, at the KSA, do in a day
and how does that directly benefit you?
KSA research undertaken in 2014 assessed the needs of those people
we felt were key stakeholders in our organisations: the consumer, the
kitchen industry and the suppliers to the kitchen industry.
Dear KSA Members
MEMBER
Another financial year has come to a close and we would like to take this opportunity,
as you renew your KSA membership for another year, to tell you what the KSA has been
doing and what our plans are for the forthcoming financial year.
The KSA benefit statement allows us to give you an annual update on
what we have been doing and what our plans are for the future. This way
you can see how what we have been working on affects you and the other
KSA stakeholders.
This has been a busy year where we have focused on securely establishing the KSA
as a national organisation. I am pleased to be able to tell you that we have three very
strong regional committees working with a dedicated national committee to ensure
the continued growth of the organisation. The KSA staff have been working very hard
this year to increase the KSA’s exposure within the industry and to the public. Our
appointment of Stephanie Forbes as National Manager has proved successful and has
helped to keep the communication and ethos in all three regions aligned. Our thanks go
out to the KSA team for their continued hard work and dedication. We see very little of
what they do on a daily basis and I can assure you their plates are full with a myriad of
tasks that keep our organisation running smoothly.
It is also an important opportunity for us to remind you that the KSA
will be as valuable to you as you make it and that without your input,
participation and utilisation of value-add facilities you will not reap the full
benefit of being a KSA member.
Our industry continues to experience hard times and now more than ever the KSA can
be a valuable asset to your business. Consumers are demanding more accountability
and security and the KSA, if used correctly, can offer this and be the tool that sets you
apart from your competitors.
This research made it clear that the needs of our various stakeholders
are all intertwined and that in benefiting one, we indirectly add value to
another.
As with all things in life you get out what you put in. We would like to remind you that
the KSA is YOUR organisation and will only continue to flourish and add value with
your continued support and participation. Please communicate with your KSA regional
representatives. Take the time to read what is sent to you and take advantage of the
wide array of events, training and offers they have put together for you.
We have some exciting plans for the next year and we hope you will see them as
positive additions and changes.
We thank you for your continued support of the KSA and look forward to working with
you for yet another year.
Yours sincerely
Justin Berry
KSA National Committee Chairman.
B E N E F I T S
S T A T E M E N T
We currently have a very dedicated group of
members sitting on these committees who are
putting in their own personal time to ensure
the association is fulfilling the needs of its
members.
MEMBER
WHAT HAS THE
KSA BEEN DOING?
It has been a fundamental focus for the KSA to ensure the
development of the association as a national body. Only as a
national body that represents the key players in the industry can
the KSA tackle the bigger issues facing the kitchen industry today.
Currently the national committee consists of the
following people:
Justin Berry – PG Bison National (Chairman)
Stephanie Forbes – KSA National Manager
Philip Kirby – ELK Management JHB (Finance &
Admin portfolio & Gauteng Chairperson)
Tersia de Wet – ELK Management WC (Legal &
Compliance portfolio & WC chairperson)
Clinton Soutter – Franke Kitchen Systems (KZN
chairperson)
Mike Murning – Sonae Novoboard
This new national structure has allowed us to
have centralised administration and accounting
with each region being held accountable to a
budget ensuring all funds are used in the best
interest of the members. As a national body we
can better focus on growth and strategy and
tackle some of the bigger issues facing our
industry.
The KSA has recently updated its Memorandum
of Association to ensure its compliance
with the Consumer Protection Act and new
legislation governing non-profit organisations.
The new MOA ensures the KSA will be a fluid
organisation that can adapt to the changes
in the marketplace. It enables the National
committee, in consultation with the KSA
regional committees, to adapt the association’s
rules and guideline and membership criteria if
necessary to ensure it remains relevant and
caters to the needs of the members and the
industry as a whole.
Members are represented by a regional
executive committees operating out of Gauteng,
Kwa-Zulu Natal and Cape Town. With the help
of a regional representative, these committees
are responsible for the day to day running of
the association in the regions. Each regional
committee is represented on the National
committee. This committee, along with the
national manager, is responsible for the
national cohesion, growth and development of
the association as well as the coordination of
nationally beneficial projects.
We have also been focusing on our staff.
Stephanie Forbes was appointed to the role of
National Manager in 2014. She will be guiding
and coordinating the KSA team. A new set of HR
documents have been drawn up and put in place
to ensure the KSA is taking proper care of its
staff and each staff member has had a renewed
contract of employment. KSA employees are
now evaluated annually to allow proper skills
development and feedback and receive tangible
targets and goals to work towards during the
year. This will help make our team stronger and
more focused.
So, what have some of our
tangible achievements been?
The KSA now has a better social media
platform. Our Facebook page and LinkedIn
profile (represented by our National Manager)
have proved highly successful in increasing
awareness of the KSA among both consumers
and industry professionals. The KSA website
continues to increase in hits and the classifieds
page is becoming the place to go if you are
looking for a job in the kitchen industry.
Our profile has been further increased with
the exposure we have received writing and
contributing to various publications. Publications
like Habitat, House & Garden, House & Leisure,
Timber IQ, Timber SA and Estate Living are just
a few who have featured the KSA and articles
written by the KSA.
The KSA Consumer Guide will also be gaining
more exposure than normal as it is now
available on-line as well as in print. This has
meant it is easier for both members and us to
distribute. The digital version of the brochure
can be found via ISSU.
Member value-add events have continued to be
a priority for us and have seen the KSA offering
the following events in various regions:
Decorex Kitchen Inspiration Wall
Supplier Product Evenings – some of these
have over one hundred people in attendance
and are known as key networking events
Golf days
Social media courses
Appliance installation courses
Health & Safety Workshops
New Building regulations talks
Joint events with members of the IID
Masterchef inter-member cook offs
Social bowling evenings
Job opportunity workshops for interior design
students
We want to continue to build on these events
and feedback from the membership as to what
you need will help us do that.
B E N E F I T S
S T A T E M E N T
MEMBER
WHAT ARE
WE WORKING ON?
Planning for the future is vital to sustaining a successful
and useful association. As such the National and Regional
committees have identified several key issues for us to
address, research and work on:
Meetings with the Building and Furniture
bargaining councils to get clarity on where
our industry belongs and what value they
will add to KSA members. We will also look
to address the correct use of training levies
with them.
Meetings with the Building and Furniture
bargaining councils to get clarity on where
our industry belongs and what value they
will add to KSA members. We will also look
to address the correct use of training levies
with them.
Establishment of a stone and surfacing
membership category with its own
subcommittee to address some of the
issues facing this sector of our industry.
A trial has been up and running in Cape
Town and has identified the need for better
communication between fabricators and
suppliers, better training for fabricators,
training for kitchen designers and sales staff
on stone products, as well as the need for
a document of acceptable installation and
fabrication guideline.
Don’t forget… the KSA is as strong as its members.
Step up and work with us to make our industry stronger.
A re-assement of our membership criteria
to ensure they are still relevant to the
changing industry as well as looking at the
establishment of a membership category for
installers.
Increased public awareness through PR
and marketing to consumers, consumer
journalists, radio show producers, industry
professionals and the editors of relevant
print media.
The refreshing of our AGMs.
Reworking of our dispute procedures closing
the loop holes for consumers to avoid
engagement or final payment through the
addition of an arbitration clause.
Research into industry insurance so
consumers can be insured against an
incomplete kitchen or losing their deposit.
The addition of a gallery page on the KSA’s
web site to showcase member’s work.
Increased cooperation with the IID (Institute
of Interior Designers).
All these projects will be or have already started
to be investigated and we hope that some, if
not all of them will be able to be actioned into
yet another benefit that the KSA can offer your
company.
www.ksa.co.za
B E N E F I T S
MEMBER
HOW DOES THE KSA
BENEFIT THE CONSUMER
Consumers are key to our industry and with the economy as it is they
have become more cautious about how they spend their money. They are
looking for guarantees and reassurances that the company they choose
to work with is reliable, ethical and stable. The implementation of the
Consumer Protection Act has also emboldened them to demand more for
their money and expect better workmanship and attention to detail.
So, how does the KSA help to fulfil the needs
of the consumer? The KSA is the only body that
exists in our industry as a mark of professional
conduct and workmanship.
The more the public becomes aware of the KSA
and what we stand for the more we can be of
benefit to them. As such consumer awareness
has been and will continue to be a primary focus
for the KSA.
The KSA’s web site, Facebook page and
LinkedIn presence have worked to heighten
our public profile and web site statistics clearly
show a growing trend from consumers to consult
multiple pages of the site.
Our offices have also experienced an increase in
calls from consumers looking for references and
advice while our presence at trade shows gets
more attention and visitors than ever before.
S T A T E M E N T
The KSA Consumer Guide has become a
useful tool for consumers when it comes to
advice and the addition of the members list
has made it even more invaluable with the
list giving consumers a direct link to you.
By publicising the fact that members abide
by a Code of Ethics, offer access to free
mediation, offer free use of our Holding
Account facilities, provide a workmanship
guarantee, and risk suspension or
expulsion should they not abide by a KSA
ruling, we are providing the consumer
with the peace of mind they crave.
The media is making consumers more and
more aware of the repercussions of dealing
with fly by night operators.
Consumers are coming
to organisations like
the KSA for guidance on
who to use. Consumers
want to know that a
third party is there to
assist them.
They want to know that
checks and balances are
in place to ensure the
company is above board,
legally compliant and well
respected.
They also want to know
that there is someone to
help them should things go
wrong so they don’t have to
revert to the media or the
law for help.
B E N E F I T S
MEMBER
HOW DOES THE KSA BENEFIT
THE KITCHEN MANUFACTURER
Educating the public is not only the job of the KSA. If members make use of
the tools the KSA has put in place to showcase how valuable membership is
in affording the consumer protection the consumer will be hard pressed to
appoint a non-member.
S T A T E M E N T
Did you know that the Consumer Protection Act
stipulates that if mediation through an industry
association is available to you, you must take
it before you can approach the office of the
consumer protector? Use of the KSA’s mediation
services is only available to you as a member.
Although the KSA now offers non-member site
reports this is a once off paid for service which
includes a site visit and report and is utilised by
consumers who have appointed non-members
rather than other kitchen companies.
Did you also know that use of the KSA’s holding
account facilities can not only help you secure a
deal but also ensure you get that valuable last
10% payment in. Many consumers have been
burned by a fly-by-night company and lost money.
By publicising your KSA membership through
your membership certificate, Code of Ethics
and KSA awards the consumer will easily
identify that you, as a company, prize your
membership and take it seriously. By guiding
the consumer to the KSA web site and using the
KSA Consumer Guide and flyer when consumers
visit your showrooms or when you quote you
will once again reinforce the idea that you, as
the company owner, have chosen to put this
protection in place for your valued customers.
the KSA web site, visit the KSA at shows or call
the KSA offices looking for a referral to a kitchen
company. Having your name linked to the KSA
means the client knows that background checks
have been done on you and your company, that
you are in good standing in the industry, that you
meet certain industry norms and standards, that
should anything go wrong they have access to
free mediation and that should they be nervous
about handing over funds they have free access
to the KSA holding account facilities.
The majority of kitchen manufacturers are
looking for new and innovative ways to attract
and secure customers. Being a KSA member
helps you do this. Hundreds of consumers go to
Your battle is already 50% won. If faced by a
choice between you and a non-member the
security blanket you are offering by being a KSA
member will secure you the deal every time.
The KSA’s holding account is flexible and can be
utilised in any way to assist you in securing a
deal. There is no cost to you or your client. You
can negotiate release terms for the funds with
your client giving them the security of control
while you are safe in the knowledge that they
have the funds to complete the job. Once funds
are in the KSA’s holding account the consumer
cannot get them out again unless you agree they
are not owned to you or the KSA is issued with
a court order to return the funds to the client.
The KSA will not embark on mediation unless
outstanding funds are placed into our holding
account affording you the chance to get your
final payment in.
The KSA puts tools in place so that you can get
your name out to the public linked to the KSA.
Advertise in the annual KSA Consumer
handbook.
Advertise on the KSA web site classifieds
page.
Feature your business’s news on the KSA
web site news page.
Feature your business’s news on the KSA’s
Facebook page and Linked-in profile.
Take part in KSA publicity and marketing
projects.
Allow the KSA to showcase images from your
company in their PR and editorial writing
Contribute the KSA articles.
Our research also showed that the kitchen
industry is looking for ways to strengthen their
companies. The KSA is constantly looking
for new ways to add value to your business
through education, training, staffing, advice
and seminars. KSA has offed opportunities for
business improvement in the following ways:
Assists in finding staff by placing staffing
adverts on the web site and social media.
Assists in bringing new talent into the
industry by working with design schools,
offering work placement to design students
and running job opportunity workshops for
third year design students.
Encourages networking within the industry
and with industry professionals by organising
social events and collaborating with other
organisations like the IID.
Assists with product knowledge with supplier
product evenings and training courses like
the Appliance installation workshop and
installer training.
Offers insight into issues facing our industry
by having the KSA attorney review the CPA,
putting together a standard trading contract
for members to use, offering courses on HR
and Health and Safety.
www.ksa.co.za
B E N E F I T S
MEMBER
HOW DOES THE KSA BENEFIT THE
KITCHEN INDUSTRY SUPPLIER
Suppliers, much like kitchen manufacturers, are always looking for new ways to
strengthen their businesses, better their relationships with their customer base
and network with potential new customers.
S T A T E M E N T
WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU KNOW?
Importantly for both kitchen manufacturers
and suppliers to the industry the KSA offers an
opportunity to work with your colleagues and
competitors to address the issues that affect
our industry on a daily basis. It also offers an
opportunity to give back to the industry that
offers us our livelihood.
Through the KSA’s industry partners members
can benefit through special deals. The KSA
negotiates these deals with our industry
partners on an annual basis and is always
looking to work with companies outside of our
industry that can add value for our members.
The KSA offers suppliers to the kitchen
industry a unique opportunity to work closely
with and give back to their core client base
through several avenues:
Showcase products at Supplier product
evenings.
Support clients and showcase new product
at trade shows.
Distribute news of new products, staff and
company news on the KSA web site, social
media platforms and newsletter.
Network with the industry on both formal
and informal levels at events and social
gatherings.
Publications & Media:
Habitat magazine – KSA members get a
20% discount and editorial coverage for any
double, full or half page advert taken in their
kitchen feature edition.
Kitchens.net – KSA members get to feature
their company free on the site and can
contribute to editorial content.
Redfish – KSA members get a discount
on profiling their company on this lead
generating site.
Absa 1 call – free access to leads and
special rates to showcase your company.
Directory of architects – special rates
to advertise your company to industry
professionals.
Fixshack – KSA members get a discount
on profiling their company on this lead
generating site.
Ecospecifier – KSA members get special
rates to have their products certified as
‘green’ by Ecospecifier.
Estate Living – KSA members receive
reduced advertising rates.
Sponsorship and competition opportunities.
Opportunities to offer training to designers
and installers thus ensuring your product is
properly used and installed cutting down on
under warranty service and nuisance calls.
KSA actively encourages kitchen company
members to support KSA registered suppliers
over other suppliers this way expanding the
protection afforded to the consumer.
Over and above all this the KSA will also step in
and mediate should the quality of your product
be bought into question.
Trade Shows:
Special deals are available to all KSA
members for the following trade shows.
These deals vary from region to region and
from show to show but are updated on the
KSA web site and social media and are
publicised at the show’s launch.
Decorex – Gauteng, KZN and Cape Town
Homemakers Expo – Gauteng and Cape Town
East Coast House and Garden Show – KZN
Inspire Trade Show – Gauteng
www.ksa.co.za
B E N E F I T S
S T A T E M E N T
MEMBER
IN CONCLUSION
The KSA is an industry association there to represent you. We need your input and
involvement for the association to grow in the way we know it can.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Ensure you have your say in the industry by attending your regional AGM and find the time to serve your
term on your regional committee. Not only will this give you insight into the industry but the insights you
will be exposed to will benefit your business.
National
0860 KSA INFO / 0860 572 4630
Gauteng
In order to address the major issues facing our industry we need every respectable player from the
industry to step up and through the KSA work to make our industry stronger, more stable and more
profitable.
Tel: 011 435 0432
Email: info@ksa.co.za
Kwa-Zulu Natal
Tel: 082 801 8878
Email: kzn@ksa.co.za
Cape Town
Tel: 082 787 8806
Email: capetown@ksa.co.za
MEMBER
www.ksa.co.za