Steel and steel product manufacturer Scaw Metals Group has been awarded a Level 3 broad-based black economic-empowerment (BBBEE) rating, emphasising its commit-ment to being a responsible corporate in South Africa.

“Level 3 is a notable achievement for us, considering the inherent challenges of the steel industry. Over the past year, a concerted effort was made to improve our initiatives within the various target elements,” says the Scaw Metals Group CEO Markus Hannemann.

Scaw improved its rating in five of the seven criteria, which are ownership, management control, employment equity, skills development, preferential procurement, enterprise and supplier development and socioeconomic development. Significant improvements have been made in employment equity-related elements and preferential procurement.

“We took significant steps to ensure that we attract, empower and upskill females in this male-dominated industry. We have female employees in various management positions around our operations and we have also welcomed two female board members, Neo Violet Mokhesi and Nokuzola Amanda Mpulo,” says Hannemann.

“We will continue to push for more female representation in our business,” he adds.

To become the catalyst for empowering women in the industry, Scaw established a forum that supports career growth for these women and encourages more women to con- sider a career in the steel industry.

Scaw’s business philosophy impacts on the communities where its operations take place. It is imperative that it becomes a responsible corporate citizen, says Hannemann.

During 2013, Scaw embarked on various corporate social investment (CSI) programmes, which included education, the environment and sports development.

“In the last year, we supported our surround- ing communities, working in partnership with nongovernmental organisations, such as Food & Trees for Africa, the Adopt-A-School Foundation and the Epworth Children’s Home. I believe that having a holistic CSI programme is key to the wellbeing of our employees and the communities in which we operate,” highlights Hanneman.

“I am proud of what we have done here at Scaw. We have come a long way to improve our black economic-empowerment rating. We have implemented various initiatives, which we will continue to benefit from in the future,” says Scaw Metals Group executive chairperson Ufikile Khumalo.

BBBEE is a programme launched by the South African government to redress the inequalities experienced by marginalised citizens prior to 1994. BBBEE includes measures such as employment preference, skills development, ownership, management, socioeconomic development and preferential procurement.

“Scaw is a proudly South African company and is committed to and supportive of the aims of the Department of Trade and Industry. We look forward to the challenge that lies ahead with the implementation of the revised 2013 BBBEE Codes of Good Practice,” concludes Hannemann.