Multinational pharmaceuticals and chemicals supplier Merck Chemicals has achieved a level-five ranking on its broad-based black economic-empowerment (BBBEE) scorecard according to the generic scorecard and codes of good practice. This is one level up from its previous ranking.

“Within the seven pillars on the BBBEE scorecard by which companies are rated, we have shown great improvement on skills and training. Other pillars in which we have scored high are enterprise development and preferential procurement,” Merck Chemicals director Dave Jeans says.

He notes that he is happy with the rating as the industry average is closer to eight.

“Of particular interest is the emphasis we place on skills and training, as this has a direct impact on the company’s growth. “We have invested significantly in this area and our management levels are reflecting the talent pipeline we have created,” he adds.

Jeans explains that, because Merck Chemicals is a multifaceted company, it is vital for the company to take cognisance of how BBBEE is integrated into the company for the growth and sustain- ability of its future.

“We fully understand the pro- cess of BEE and are fully committed to its implementation. Our strategy for the next five years will be to continuously improve our rating,” he adds.

“Over the last two years, we have gone through the process of transformation and we have seen great progress,” he says.

To improve on skills development within the company’s employee base, Jeans notes that Merck Chemi-cals employees are sent on both formal training programmes and in-house training programmes, where applicable.

The company aims to focus on customer service and on a differentiated service approach in different business sectors.

“We also foresee further strengthening of our transformation programme to support our growth strategy targets in the future,” he concludes.