Bay companies have grown up with SA
Omega Group, Goshawk Printers hit 20 years
AT LEAST two Nelson Mandela Bay companies celebrate 20 years of being in business during South Africa’s freedom celebration this month.
Omega Civils and Goshawk Printers have grown with the country.
When his peers were “packing for Perth” in 1994, Stuart Riddle started Omega Civils with a partner who has since left. “We felt this was the place to be with democracy coming,” Riddle said.
He said the industry had “become far more regulated”, over the past 20 years, especially government work. Getting paid on time was another challenge, said Riddle. Omega has completed 512 contracts, and recently spread its wings to the Free State.
Riddle said in Eastern Cape building and civils “the biggest constant has been change”, but that the company motto, “quality is the correct measure” was at the core of all they do. The Omega Group has worked on city landmarks includingthe Coega interchange, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, and the link road to Allister Miller Drive. Riddle – managing director from the start – prides himself on keeping integrity in the business. “We have lost contracts due to this, but we have a reputation we are proud of. We’d like to go public in future,” Riddle said.
Goshawk Printing Solutions managing director Grant Benyon described his 20 years in business as a “rollercoaster ride”.
His business made news after they printed ANC merchandise, allegedly for Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Goshawk was owed R400 000 for work done five years ago. The matter is being dealt with legally.
Benyon said it was not only government but also private clients who battled to pay on time. “We have put every cent back into the business. We’ve had to keep up with digital technology and we’ve diversified to serve client needs.”
They have a branch in Port Alfred specialising in design and layout.
He said the firm was constantly looking for opportunities, and joining the Nelson Mandela Business Chamber and Business Women’s Association (BWA) – to which Benyon’s wife Bonita belongs – had been an advantage. Benyon said Bay women were a force in business. “More women are in power now and they make big decisions.”