Edition 3: December 2009

e d i t i o n
3 :
D e c e m b e r
2 0 0 9
Times of FISHWICKS
From the desk of
Aubrey Nathan
elcome to the third
W
edition of The
Times of
Fishwicks. It seems like ages
since we produced a
comprehensive internal
newsletter. This was due to
our special edition
surrounding our 40th birthday
in September. Thanks for the
Is it just me or does everyone feel slightly more positive? I am not sure if this is due to
the fact that we are now approaching the end of what can best be described as a trying
year or if government's recent announcement that South Africa is finally coming out of
the recession and the fact that our gross domestic product (GDP) figures have increased
has changed our outlooks and attitudes. We as citizens of this great country are not
ready to pop the champagne corks as yet, but at least we are coming to the end of 2009
with a more positive outlook for 2010.
info you have passed onto us
but keep it coming in, not only
about your working life but
what is happening in your life
outside of Fishwicks.
We would like to publish your
news and reiterate that you
can either drop Cheryl
Tomlinson an email or pop in
to see her at the Durban office
or if you are Gauteng based
then I am your contact person.
We hope you enjoy reading
this edition, the final issue for
On the Fishwicks front, we have managed to meet budgets and in some months exceeded
our budgeted figures which I am sure you will agree is fantastic in light of the economic
front we were facing. We have seen an upswing in spend from our customers which is
evident in some of the wonderful orders placed particularly in the latter half of the year.
At this point I must congratulate Ronnie Kasuto, Vishal Kishore and Samad Alli on the
awesome order of 17 000 display stands which was placed by Simba. Thanks to all who
played a role and for all the hard work that went into creating a customised stand. I am
not sure if this is the biggest individual order we have ever received in our 41 years of
existence but it was truly a magnificent order to secure. Read the article entitled 17 000
Musical Hits in this edition for further interesting facts on the work produced.
Then there is Bryan Nathan who also needs a special mention. Over a two month period
he managed to secure orders with SAB for well into the millions. Well done Bryan on what
can only be described as amazing! Thanks must also go to Brenda Nel, Bryan's Account
Executive for all her hard work behind the scenes and to the production team who handled
the work at the factory.
2009.
Hayley
Editor
hayley@fishwicks.co.za
in this
edition
17 000 Musical Hits
More Fishwicks
More Reward
The Factory Floor
2010 is going to be a very interesting year in light of the FIFA World Cup Soccer 2010™. At
the time of writing this article we have less than 190 days to go. With this in mind I appeal
to all of you on the sales team to “kick off” in early January to ensure that we get as much
worked booked into the factory before June. After all, one can already see signs of world
cup marketing initiatives.
I have stated before that it pains me to have to say this but in the light of true sportsmanship
I must congratulate the Blue Bulls for their Currie Cup win in October. I was totally
devastated as were all the Shark supporters to be ousted by the Cheetahs. Ok so the Blue
Bulls won not only the Currie Cup but the Vodacom Super 14 but watch out guys, our
Sharks will be waiting for you next year.
I would like to take this opportunity of thanking you all for your hard work and dedication
during the year. I am truly proud of each and every staff member for facing the challenge
of taking on more work due to our reduced staff compliment. With this in mind, for those
of you who are taking leave whether you are going away or staying at home I ask that you
have a good break and I look forward to seeing you all well rested and ready for the year
ahead. To the team who will be keeping the wheels turning or in our case the presses
running over the December period, let's keep producing print beyond limits.
Take care and all the very best over the holiday season.
SOS Children's
Home Benefits
k e e p i n g
y o u r
w o r l d
o r a n g e
17 000 Musical Hits
Recaptured Account
ood work to all of those involved in securing
What an order to get 17 000 P.O.S
units for Simba? And 1 000 units
had musical sensors! But what started
off as a concept which Vishal Kishore
designed during a 'slow' period was
then presented by Ronnie Kasuto to
Simba. The client was so bowled
and following minor changes to
design they placed the order.
How does the unit work? When the
stands are on the shop floor, the
minute a customer walks past the
stand and activates the sensor they
hear a jingle about Simba. Howzat
for funky?
How did the sensor idea come
about? Bryan Nathan identified the
sensor unit whilst surfing the net
some time back, Bryan made
contact with a manufacturer in
China and then took himself off to
take a physical factory inspection. All was well and Bryan
placed an order for the sensors.
The sensor unit was then incorporated into 1 000 of the Simba
P.O.S. Although Vishal created the stand, he is quick to state
“Samad Alli assisted me in abundance so teamwork between
us is very important”
Just goes to show that we don't just offer 'print beyond limits'
it appears we also offer 'innovation and design beyond limits'.
Look out for further innovative ideas in future editions of
The Times of Fishwicks.
G
the Metro account. The account is now firmly
back in the hands of Fishwicks.
The Factory Floor
Environmental issues:
Chemical Spillage
Ten Fishwicks employees recently attend a training course
on chemical spillage run by Drizit. The trainees were
advised on how to handle the situation in the event of a
chemical spillage and were shown different products that
can be used to contain the spillage.
Aubrey Nathan stated. “We are doing everything in our
power to ensure that our going green and environmental
policies are in place and I am chuffed that we now have a
team of ten who are all certified as being trained”.
The trainees are:Pravern Naidoo, Anand Rohith, Pooven Naidoo, Trevor
Govender, Muhammed Yasin, Margaret Hlongwane,
Anne Daniels, Kheta Thsange, Anil Seonath,
Cheryl Tomlinson
We won't be able to
fight the fire
Hot Stuff, a company that comes into the factory once a
month to check our fire extinguishers and hose reels have
brought some disturbing news to management's attention.
Each month it appears that the safety seals are being
broken off the fire extinguishing equipment which may
result in the equipment not being of any use when
required in case of emergency. The other area of concern
is that finished work is being stored directly in front of the
emergency equipment strategically placed around the
factory.
We cannot stress the importance of keeping this equipment
in good working order and the areas free for easy access
by either our fire Marshall's or the emergency services.
Please team, this could result in a life and death situation.
South Africa needs blood
he media has been flooded recently with calls for the
In uniform
T
public to donate blood particularly in light of the
festive season where there is a high demand for
blood. Fishwicks has always welcomed the South African
As from January 2010 it will become compulsory for all
factory staff to wear uniforms. Seen modelling their uniforms
are the die cutting and laminating team. From left to right :
Mdu, VJ Luckraj, Sihle Khuzwayo and Marvin Mdlovu
k e e p i n g
y o u r
National Blood Services (SANBS) when they visit us and we
urge those that don't already donate to start donating. Your
blood could save a life. Look out for the next blood
donation date which will be posted on the notice boards.
w o r l d
o r a n g e
More Fishwicks
More Reward
Employee Profile
With a bit of poetic licence the pay-off line
for Carling Black Label is 'More
Refreshment, More Reward at the End of the
Day'. But it appears if you deal with
Fishwicks, you also get your reward at the
end of the day.
AKA JOCKS
SAB recently got a great reward when they
placed an order for 30 stands for their
'Carling Time Out' campaign which have
LED lights wired to individual numbers. A
customer in the store where the units have
been placed presses a
button and the lights flash
in sequence. If the lights
stop on the numbers 5, 6
or 7 the customer is
presented with a prize.
Pretty much like playing
roulette.
Well done to all those
involved.
RAVINSHANKER
MUNGAL
28 YEARS
AND
BEYOND
In the disco era of the 80's a young man would have been boogying
to the sounds of U2, the Beach Boys, Bruce Springsteen, The Police
and Adam and the Ants to name but a few. This young man wanted
to broaden his horizons and so he decided to join Fishwicks in
December 1981. This man is known to all of us as Jocks.
We asked Jocks the following questions and this is his response.
Q: Your first name is actually Ravinshanker but we are intrigued to
find out why you are known as Jocks and when people starting
calling you by this name?
A: Before I started with Fishwicks I worked for Ninian & Lester known as
Jockey underwear. In 1979 people started calling me Jocks and it stuck.
Q: You are married to Priscilla. How many children do you have?
A: I have 3 children, Sujatha (17 years girl), Jithen (16 years boy),
Suveera (14 years girl).
Q: What made you decide to join Fishwicks and what department did
you start off in?
A: I wanted to broaden my printing knowledge. I started in the Litho
Department.
Q: What department are you currently in and for how long?
A: Litho Department for 28 years.
Q: Where was Fishwicks based when you joined the company in
1981?
A: Melbourne Road, Durban.
Q: What is your fondest moment during the 28 years spent with
Fishwicks?
A: When I received my 25 years award.
Q: Where do you and Priscilla live in KZN?
A: We live in Kenville, Durban North.
Q: Are you a born and bred Durbanite?
A: I was born and bred in Tongaat.
Q: What are you hobbies?
A: Fishing.
Reuben Naidoo took his team from die-cutting,
laminating & P.O.S. out to party up a storm at the
Blue Lagoon to thank them for all their hard work.
Front row: Neville, Goodman, Zolani. Back row:
Ricky, Xolani, Pooven, Reuben, MD, Temba and
Sihle.
k e e p i n g
Q: : Do you have a favourite sport and if so, who do you support?
A: Soccer - Orlando Pirates.
Q: What is your favourite meal?
A: Fish Breyani.
As a soccer lover, we are sure that Jocks is going to enjoy the world cup
next year and on behalf of management and staff, we wish Jocks all the
very best as he enters his 29th year with Fishwicks.
y o u r
w o r l d
o r a n g e
People on the move
After 12 years with Fishwicks, Carol Jackson has elected to take early
birthdays
We have quite a list of people who
celebrated their special day since our
retirement. We are sorry to see Carol. We would like to thank her for all that
last edition or who will be celebrating
she has done for Fishwicks. Her expertise in purchasing will be sorely missed
during the month of December. Please
and we wish her all the very best for the future as a lady of leisure.
diarise your colleague's special day !
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Snippets
3 July
65 years younger
Tony Schuil of the Gauteng sales offices turned the tender age of 65 on
2 November. Congratulations on making it this far Tony. The
Gauteng sales office celebrated this milestone with a lunch on the
balcony that extended well into the afternoon.
28 years later
Congratulations to Martin Smit from the Gauteng Sales office
estimating department and his wife Leonie on celebrating their 28th
wedding anniversary. We are not quite sure who deserves the gold
medal but we are leaning towards Leonie.
Fishwicks Baby Boom
To Cheryl Tomlinson and her husband Tony on the birth of their baby
Rebekah on 4 September. Cheryl's other children Raelene, Joshua and
Hannah are delighted with their new sister.
Lulu Kistan became a grandfather for the first time when his daughter
Anastacia gave birth on 10 September to Warrick. Lulu is still
grinning from ear to ear.
To Colin Kanni and his wife Denise a bouncing baby boy, Calden,
born on 16 October. Big brother Derrelle is overjoyed that he is no
longer the baby of the family.
Geoff Scott
5 July
Gloria Mashaba
6 July
Diane Mitchley
11 July
George Naidoo
14 July
Kathy Bennett
16 July
Cheryl Tomlinson
26 July
Desmond Ellappa
19 August
Robyn Dogan
23 August
Bhekani Thungo
25 August
Brett Harris
31 August
Aran Boodhai
5 September
Hammy Naby
7 September
Bryan Nathan
21 September
Cheryl Reddy
28 September
Lulu Kistan
7 October
Julian Nathan
11 October
Virginia Khoza
12 October
Anton Katz
18 October
Kersie Nayiager
22 October
Hayley Steinberg
30 October
Devan Gounder
2 November
Tony Schuil
5 November
Aubrey Nathan
5 November
Thuli Luthuli
8 November
Nazeen Moosa
10 November
Sandile Mayeki
15 November
Vino Naicker
18 November
Kuberin Govender
20 November
Sheila Luhabe
23 November
Marilyn Nel
26 November
Jaya Pillay
28 November
Gail Babich
4 December
Carmen Wilhelm
5 December
Andrea McKenzie
8 December
Edris Samed
10 December
John McClelland
17 December
Reuben Naidoo
It's all in the swing
Golfing enthusiast Daryl Scott entered into the Wild Coast Classic
which was played at the Wild Coast, Southbroom and San La Meer
courses in September. Daryl won the day at Southbroom which meant
that he landed up being placed 3rd overall from a field of 432 players.
He then went on to win the Tanglewood National Golf Championship
held at San Lameer and the Wild Coast Country playing off a 5
handicap in a field of 300 golfers. This win was quite a triumph for
Daryl and he described the weather conditions at the Wild Coast
“nothing short of gale force” on the first day. Congratulations Daryl,
you have every reason to be chuffed.
SOS Children's
Home Benefits
gain this year Fishwicks
A
has elected to donate
money towards a
worthy cause in lieu of end-ofyear gifts to clients.
This year we are supporting the
He’s on the MOVE!!!
SOS Children's Home. After very
Sandile in the Johannesburg office has had a busy year, he has passed
his drivers license and bought himself a car!!! Well done and drive
safe!!!
positive feed back from our
clients last year in regards to the
donation we gave to charity, we
decided to do it again this year.
Its great that we are able to
Obitutuary
make a difference to people who
We offer our sincere condolences to Kessie Govender on the death of his sister Mogie Govender
on 18 November.
k e e p i n g
y o u r
w o r l d
are in need.
o r a n g e