2 mar 2010: saibl CoP Appointed to National Small Business Advisory Council
The Minister of Trade and Industry has requested saibl's Chief of Party, John James, to serve on the National Small Business Advisory Council. The body will advise the Minister on a variety of issues, such as strategies to address identified market failures affecting the sector; the impact of legislation on small business; national standards for small business development and regulation; business infrastructure creation, skills development, value chain access; and constraints affecting the viability of the small business community.
Commenting on his appointment, John James said that he was humbled by the privilege and honour to serve as advisor to the Minister and the nation in this high priority sector. "I firmly and passionately believe that our country's economic development and success, as a thriving democracy, will depend significantly on the pace at which small enterprises, particularly black enterprises, integrate and become involved in the mainstream economy", said James. "My focus will be on improving the environment and space in which large corporations can play a leading role in supplier diversity through increased targeted procurement and enterprise development focused on black suppliers. We have to move our thinking and practices beyond BEE compliance to doing this based on sound business reasons. A nation that does not use a significant part of its talent cannot thrive. A corporation that does not have suppliers representing its market and citizen base cannot win against its competitors. Developing black suppliers without giving them opportunities is wasteful and counter-productive."
26 feb 2010: USAID Washington Delegation Visits SAIBL Project
During a visit to South Africa, a group from the Economic Growth Division of the USAID contracting office in Washington DC took the opportunity to visit a USAID-supported project. On 25 February the programme started with a saibl presentation at USAID, followed by site visits to Vacuform and Hartell Manufacturing, long-standing and successful saibl clients. The delegation was escorted by USAID and saibl staff. The purpose of the visit was to learn more about the larger concept of the programme and the delegation was impressed by the achievements of both companies.
26 feb 2010: Success for Eat Smart Organics at the Natural and Organic Fair in Cape Town
The Natural and Organic Fair was held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 19 to 22 February. saibl client Eat Smart Organics had a booth at the fair for the third year. Eat Smart supplies cooked meals to Checkers, Shoprite and various airlines. Their product range also includes organic juices, which were on display at the fair. For this year's fair, Eat Smart was contracted by the CTICC to provide all the food for the restaurant inside the exhibition hall, as well as the coffee shop in the foyer of the centre. This has given them great exposure, and has resulted in numerous enquiries. The company does not normally sell its products direct to the public, but high sales of its fruit juice at the fair have shown them that this market presents a new sales opportunity.
22 feb 2010: saibl appointed as naacam enterprise development partner
The National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) has appointed saibl as its official enterprise development partner. NAACAM and saibl have agreed to work closely in supporting NAACAM member companies with enterprise development solutions in diversifying their suppliers to include black suppliers. In response to NAACAM officially introducing saibl as their enteprise development partner, requests have been received from their member companies for saibl to make a presenation At NAACAM's regional meeting in Port Elizabeth on 25 February 2010. The presentation will focus on how saibl can support members with their supplier diversity efforts.
22 Feb 2010: SASDC Steering Committee now totals 12 members
Twelve organisation have now nominated representatives to the South African Supplier Diversity Council Steering Committee. The members of the steering committee are: ABSA, Cummins, Sasol ChemCity, Unilever, Mondi, Foskor, Barloworld, Ford, UKZN, Rand Water, DBCM and Sappi.
16 Feb 2010: Petite Designs Lauded as Leader in House & Garden magazine
saibl client Petite Designs was featured in the October 2009 edition of Condé Nast House & Garden magazine. In a reply to a letter to the editor, the magazine lauds Petite Design as a leader in the manufacturing of customised upholstery for furniture with more than 30 years’ experience. Contact Tel: (011) 474 8728.
12 Feb 2010: Inaugural SASDC Steering Committee Meeting a Success
Seven corporate representatives attended the first meeting of the South African Supplier Diversity Council Steering Committee in Johannesburg. This commitee is responsible for creating the legal, operating entity of the SASDC. The representative from Sasol ChemCity was elected Chairman of the Committee, with the Barloworld representative being elected as Vice-Chairman. The next meeting is likely to be a full day event, covering information for Committee members who have less background understanding than others, as well as key decision-making.
The NMSDC South Africa Committee also held its first meeting via conference call in the USA on 11 February. Most members attended and indicated that they were very enthusiastic about the opportunity to support SASDC. Members include Chevron Corporation, Cummins Inc, Cisco Systems, Coca Cola, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Johnson Controls, Merck & Co, Motorola, Pfizer, Shell Corporation, United Technologies and Xerox.
5 feb 2010: Artists of Africa Have Best Show Yet
saibl client, Artists of Africa, attended the New York International Gift Show from 30 January to 4 February following their participation in the Los Angeles and Chicago gift shows. The consumer response was tremendous with over $15,000 in written sales as well as many new buyers interested in their products. They had not planned on attending the upcoming gift show in August, but the American response to the products has them reconsidering. saibl supported the booth costs at this event and has supported Artists of Africa’s U.S. activities since 2006. This was their first opportunity exhibiting as an individual company.
(Picture: Darren and Eliisa Graney at New York International Giftshow)
26 jan 2010: Assessment of the Financial Literacy Needs of saibl SMEs: Results of a Survey by saibl and the USAID Financial Sector Programme
Late last year, saibl assisted USAIDs FSP (Financial Sector Programme) to conduct a survey to assist the programme (FSP) in identifying what information might help SMEs to access finance more effectively and what kind of information service would be useful to SMEs. The results of this survey can be viewed here (PDF 510kb).
22 jan 2010: call for entries: 2010 South africa smme awards competition
Do you own/manage an established small, medium or micro enterprise (SMME)? Is the business older than two years and is the business idea original and do you contribute positively to the image of business in Africa? If so, you may be in line to be honoured as the top SMME in South Africa.
The Africagrowth Institute is calling for entries and
SMMEs can enter in any one of the sector award categories. Please visit www.africagrowth.com to enter.
22 jan 2010: BMZ Agencies Clinches Deal to Supply Medical Products to Easy HRC, Namibia
BMZ Agencies, a client of SAIBL's Namibian office in the medical supplies industry, recently entered into a supply agreement with a Namibian company, Easy HRC/CDTS Medical Equipment. The two-year agreement, starting January 2010, is valued at around R1.5 - R2.0 million per annum. The two companies are exploring more tender opportunities in Namibia.
22 jan 2010: Pan-Africa Health Proves Successful for Palmed
Palmed Medical & Surgical Suppliers, a Durban-based saibl client in the supply of medical and surgical products, has received orders to the value of +/-R100,000.00 following their participation in the Pan African Health Expo which took place from 17-19 September 2009 in Midrand. An agreement is being drawn up to reaffirm arrangements to distribute its medical supplies in Malawi, including venturing for a large tender for medical and surgical products for the Malawi government hospitals.
This was the first time the client had participated in the event with the support of saibl. The Pan African Health Expo and Conference draws visitors from private clinics, government hospitals, government health officials, medical professionals, NGOs/donors involved in healthcare and medical aids and administrators. Exhibitors include healthcare solution providers, medical technology and equipment, diagnostics and medical supplies, disposables, pharmaceutical products, surgical products and devices, medical IT and education and medical service providers.
07 jan 2010: SAIBL Client Receives Big Order from VWSA
saibl introduced QTec Moulding, a plastic injection moulding company from Cape Town, to Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) in East London for possible procurement opportunities. This resulted in QTec Moulding securing a contract with an estimated value of R350 000. The tooling for this project is already under construction and QTec should be delivering to VWSA as a tier 1 supplier within the next few months.
05 jan 2010: south african supplier diversity council formed
PRESS RELEASE: New York City, NY – The U.S. National Minority Supplier Development Council Inc. ® (NMSDC) and the National Business Initiative of South Africa, will partner in setting up the first South African Supplier Diversity Council. The Council will be modeled after the NMSDC, a U.S. corporate membership organization with nearly 40 years of experience in promoting and facilitating supplier diversity. In South Africa, supplier diversity will involve the process of integrating a growing pool of previously under-used and marginalized black suppliers into corporate supply chains in a sustainable way, using targeted procurement and enterprise development. The South African Supplier Diversity Council (SASDC) will draw its membership from corporations based or operating in South Africa.
“The creation of such an organization in South Africa will provide a business platform for Black South Africans to have greater opportunities and participation in their nation’s economy,” said NMSDC President Harriet R. Michel. “Economic empowerment is one of the great equalizers, and I hope the SASDC will enhance economic integration and stability through Black business development.”
The new SA Supplier Diversity Council follows the establishment of NMSDC global link partners in Canada, the United Kingdom, China and Australia. The SASDC will initially be set up with the support of the South African International Business Linkages (SAIBL) program, sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The SASDC will be a corporate led organization and will be funded by member subscriptions and services fees.
“The partnership between the National Business Initiative and NMSDC to set up the SASDC comes at an opportune time. South African corporations are exploring meaningful ways to support transformation that will enhance their competitiveness and sustainability, and underpin stability of this young democracy. The US and South Africa share similar histories, and it is an important legacy for NMSDC to become involved and to support the people of South Africa,” said National Business Initiative CEO Andre Fourie. “This relationship will provide us with access to the rich history and experience of the NMSDC and U.S. firms committed to supplier diversity that underpins our commitment to equitably promote South Africa’s economy and job creation opportunities. We need to deal with the ongoing economic consequences of the apartheid era, while ensuring that we become globally competitive.”
For more information on The National Minority Supplier Development Council ® (NMSDC®) go to www.nmsdc.org
For more information on the National Business Initiative go to www.nbi.org
The South African International Business Linkages (SAIBL) facilitates sustainable business linkages mainly between competitive black enterprises and large corporations in South Africa and the United States. SAIBL is supported by the American people through USAID. It is implemented by the Corporate Council on Africa, in partnership with ECIAfrica Consulting International and the National Business Initiative. www.saibl.co.za
The U.S. Agency for International Development provides economic, development and humanitarian assistance worldwide. USAID supports people's efforts to develop themselves and their countries. USAID projects in South Africa move the country closer to its goal of equality and a better life for all, and aim to strengthen South Africa politically, socially and economically.
CONTACT: (U.S.) Kim Brown, NMSDC, (212) 944-2430, Kim.Brown@nmsdc.org
(U.S.) Tim Bergstrom, CCA, (202) 263-3509, TBergstrom@africacncl.org
(South Africa) Nico Fourie, ECI, +27 11 602 1271, Nico.Fourie@eciafrica.com
(South Africa) Gary Joseph. NBI, +27 11 544 6000, joseph.gary@nbi.org.za
