Exporter of the Year winners
FROM green stoves to the country’s biggest automotive manufacturer, KwaZuluNatal’s top exporters were recognised for exceptional performance for the year in Durban last night.
At the annual Exporter of the Year Awards dinner, the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry and sponsors of the event announced the top contributors to the export economy in KwaZuluNatal.
Adrian Padt of Rocket Works again came out tops in the emerging sector with export volumes of his “green” clean cooking stove outstripping demand.
Nominated for the award for the first time, Durban automotive manufacturer Toyota, an anchor in the city’s export and employment economy, was recognised as the top African exporter for the year.
Saddler Belts and Leathercrafts co-owner Andrew Fenwick said his only wish was that his staff could attend the function last night so they could all enjoy their award for the best exporter in the small business category.
The awards were adjudicated by Zine Icheku, Transnet Port Terminals; Thato Tsautse, eThekwini Maritime Cluster; Farai Moyo, Department of Economic Development; Louise Pelser, chairwoman of the Durban Chamber Trade and Investment Forum; Claude Moodley, Trade & Investment KZN; Cedric Mnguni, SEDA (an agency of the Department of Small Business Development); and Odirile Ramasodi, Export Credit Insurance Corporation of SA.
Winners and finalists included:
Emerging Exporter: Sponsored by the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs
Winner: Rocket Works (Pty) Ltd Finalist: Factocode (Pty) Ltd T/A Microfinish Finalist: BBF Safety Group
Small: Sponsored by SEDA Winner:
Saddler Belts & Leathercrafts (Pty) Ltd Finalist: Africa!Ignite Finalist: Hillcrest Aids Centre Woza Moya
Medium: Sponsored by ECIC Winner:
SBS Water Systems (Pty) Ltd Finalist: Bata South Africa
Large: Sponsored by Transnet Port Terminals Winner:
Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Finalist: SAPPI Southern Africa 3.
Finalist: Toyota South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Africa: Sponsored by Trade and Investment KZN Winner:
Toyota SA Motors (Pty) Ltd Finalist: Inhep Electronic Holdings (Pty) Ltd Finalist: Pakco
Service Provider: Sponsored by EMC Winner:
Mediterranean Shipping Company (Pty) Ltd Finalist: Rohlig Grinrod Finalist: Saltrans Logistics
Manufacturers: Sponsored by Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry Winner:
SAPPI Southern Africa Finalist: Factocode (Pty) Ltd T/A Microfinish Finalist: Inhep Electronic Holdings (Pty) Ltd
New category: Agro Processing: Sponsored by Durban ICC Winner:
Pakco
New category: Creative Industries: Sponsored by Igagasi FM Winner:
Africa!Ignite
New category: Services Sector: Sponsored by Independent Newspapers Winner:
Indian Ocean Exports
New category: BEE Award: Sponsored by TPT Winner:
Rohlig Grindrod