Top brass shine at awards
PIETERMARITZBURG businesses must be applauded for their resilience in the face of tough trading conditions.
That was the message from Leo Quayle, president of the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business at the chamber’s annual banquet held recently at the Royal Showgrounds.
The event honours the city’s best performing businesses and recognises local entrepreneurs.
“It has been a challenging year, especially for businesses that rely on electricity for their operations. What we have seen, though, is that businesses are resilient, and support from the community is crucial to their survival,” said Quayle.
For the second time, one of the country’s largest brass foundries, Pressure Die Casting, based in Pietermaritzburg, scooped the award for the business of the year in the manufacturing sector.
Its main products are brass and aluminium alloy window and door handles, brass components used in high-voltage insulator cut-outs, and brass sprinkler heads produced in large volumes, mainly for export to the US.
The company’s ethics, discipline and dedication impressed the judges.
Pressure Die Casting managing director Mike Wolhuter said the award would boost the company’s image and keep shareholders happy.
“This will be very special to our new shareholders as we changed ownership recently. This is an awesome achievement, not only for the growth of the business but for the management and staff who enabled us to get this far. We are very optimistic and plan to hold on to this title to make it a hat-trick next year,” said Wolhuter.
MediClinic clinched the award for the best business in the services sector. The local private hospital was recognised for its excellent clinical outcomes, patient experience, and ability to attract and retain high-calibre doctors, nursing and general staff, as well as strategic investment in cutting-edge technology.
MediClinic was also perceived as an employer of choice, providing healthy work conditions and incentives to nurses and support staff, whose numbers have increased by 27.5 percent.
Umgeni Water took the prize for best state enterprise. Chief executive Cyril Gumede said the award was a recognition of their leadership effort and the hard work put in by their staff.
The organisation, which provides bulk water services to six municipalities in KZN and two in the Eastern Cape, impressed judges by running the entity along efficient business lines.
The parastatal has seen a 21 percent increase in profit with revenue at R2.2 billion a year.
PSG Employee Benefits Midlands was named small business of the year.
Formed by Tinus and Ann Havinga, the firm joined PSG Konsult Group in 2009 and has offices in Durban, Joburg and Pietermaritzburg.
It operates in three areas: high net worth; retirement financial planning; and medical schemes. The second-largest employee benefits practice in the PSG Konsult Group, it has won the PSG best health-care practice award four times since 2010.
Shaman Maani of Kishmish, Naeem Sheik of Asiphephe vehicle testing station and Patrick Lennon of Plan-A-Head, were the three recipients of entrepreneur awards.