Belting and hose supplier Belting Supply Services (BSS), a subsidiary of industrial products distributor Hudaco, is constantly striving to improve its black economic-empowerment (BEE) scorecard, says CEO Piet Swanepoel.

With its Level 3 BEE rating, the company, which operates from a 10 000 m2 warehouse in Johannesburg’s City Deep, is one of South Africa’s largest belting and hose suppliers.

Continuously aiming to improve its BEE rating, Swanepoel says the company aims to achieve the highest BEE rating, Level 1, which is more than 100% compliance.

Companies are scored on ownership, management control, employment equity, skills development, preferential procurement, enterprise development and socioeconomic development.

“We send our staff on development training so that we can get previously disadvantaged individuals into higher positions,” explains Swanepoel.

The company is ISO 9001-, ISO 14001- and OHSAS 18001- accredited, has nine branches, 220 employees and carries stock valued at R70-million.

BSS services the sub-Saharan African market from a well-structured product base in fluid engineering, energy systems, instrumentation and environmental system fields. Its product range exceeds 25 000 items and is backed by many of the world’s research and manufacturing companies.

Its rubber conveyor belting, cut to user requirements, is its biggest volume seller and is exported to sub-Saharan Africa. The rubber is sourced from Taiwan, China and Germany.

“We cover the full range of modular belting and are planning to supply the food and processing industry,” states BSS sales director Mark Vorster.

The company’s short- and long-term plans are to grow its market share in the local and export markets, retain its key customers and staff, develop new markets and take advantage of niche markets.

The company specialises in rubber cover conveyors, poly- vinyl chloride conveyor belt transmission, lagging, idlers, splicing equipment, industrial hose and modular belting.

“Our secret to success is that we tailor-make belts to the client’s specifications, we import quality products from leading international brands and we supply a strong after-sales service,” claims Vorster.

BSS integrated with engineering and technological products distributor BEP Bestobell about two years ago. It is a 115-year-old company that imports specialised instrumentation, sealing, gaskets, insulation and energy systems from brands such as Sauter, Ultraflex, Fantini and Robushi.

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