EMVAfrica was awarded Level 2 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) status in August 2019.

“Our significant investment in transformation is leading the way for a progressive and sustainable future and we are extremely proud to reap the rewards of our ongoing efforts,” says Graham Whitty, Director of EMVAfrica.

Encompassing decades of experience and in-depth industry knowledge, EMVAfrica is represented by two divisions namely ENERGYMetals and ENERGYValves as well as associated company, Multi Alloys. This innovative, single-source solutions provider of corrosion resisting alloys such as stainless steel and other specialist alloys is committed to maintaining an inclusive working environment.

Aligning to these objectives, 2017 saw the company sign a BEE ownership agreement with Edwin Bogopa of Metsana Engineering who joined the fold as a shareholder and non-executive director.

In the same year, Anesh Prithilall and Rowena Suneerchand, both senior managers, were awarded a shareholding in the company in recognition of exceptional talent within the group. “The development of our BEE partners as well as our shareholders has been a key part of the industrial group’s success and will remain a core focus in line with our B-BBEE growth goals.”

According to Whitty, EMVAfrica’s progression from its 2018 Level 3 to Level 2 B-BBEE status can be contributed to improvements in three main areas namely management control, training and procurement. Ongoing meaningful training, mentoring and career development programmes have resulted in advancements in the group’s management control area which has seen new managers moving into leadership positions.

Whitty points out that the company has once again been highly successful in supporting unemployed people through learnerships. By aligning to transformation initiatives, the company is able to position itself as a diversely representative and fair place to work. He also adds that the company’s continued efforts in backing other transformed businesses have resulted in a boosted procurement score. “By endeavouring to constantly do more and do better in all aspects of our business, we are able to enjoy these achievements.”

“While the value of our new Level 2 B-BBEE rating is difficult to quantify, given the current economic climate, we do believe that it is without any doubt considerable,” affirms Whitty. This new rating also positively affects the commercial success of EMVAfrica as the higher the status, the greater competitive-edge. Whilst this rating itself marginally changes EMVAfrica’s operations, it spurs the company to continue to implement its game-changing 3S approach; stock, service and solutions.

“Alongside presenting excellent benefits for our company, Level 2 B-BBEE status also adds value for our customers who are now able to score 125% of their procurement spend with us towards their own rating,” explains Whitty. Customers can rest assured in the knowledge that they are dealing with a company that takes its role seriously in making a meaningful contribution to the South African economy for the long-term benefit of all.

Whitty concludes, “While we are extremely proud of what we have achieved in transformation, we are also well aware that this is a continuous process to ensure that real transformation takes place i.e. not just a score on a piece of paper. The scorecard is a measure of success, but not the only measure and therefore we are always challenging ourselves to be drivers of meaningful transformation.

EMVAfrica is a small business in the context of the South African economy but we believe that if every business worked on transforming itself, meaningful and mutually beneficial change can be achieved in a relatively short time.”

The Level 2 B-BBEE milestone was only briefly celebrated as EMVAfrica has already shifted focus to the next transformation goal.